MP11-28                                                        
Maine Prairie Township Board Meeting
June 14, 2011
 
Chair Loewen opened the board meeting with the pledge to the flag at 7:45 p.m. 
 
Board members present: Supervisors Dennis Loewen, Ron Kuechle, John Wicker and Clerk/Treasurer Terre Harff.  Others present Chuck Froehling, Ron Albers, Lonnie Hendricks, Gene Merten, Charles Craft, John Adolph, Steve Yozamp, residents from Eclipse, Eldorado and 98th Ave and residents from Evergreen, Edom and 202nd St. 
 
Chair Loewen called for any additions or corrections with none, Supervisors Wicker/Loewen made a motion to accept the minutes.  Motion carried.
 
Chair Loewen called for the treasurer’s report.   Clerk Harff explained the money from the levy usually comes about the 10th of June; it had not arrived yet, but if the township intends to pay all the bills presented this month, we will need to transfer money into the account.   Supervisors Wicker/Kuechle made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report and to move $50,000.00 from each the General Fund and Road and Bridge Fund to make a total of $100,000.00 from Money Market.
 
Old Business:
Rockville Fire – Supervisor Wicker explained he has not met with Rena, Rockville Clerk.  He will try to get this taken care of before July meeting.
 
Eldorado, Eclipse and 98th Ave – After reviewing the road again, there is a concern about water that might go into a garage.  Wicker spoke with Sabart from SEH but has not heard back.  A letter was received from a resident not in favor of tarring.  It was decided that Sabart, township engineer, needs to make suggestions on site.  This will be tabled until inspected. 
 
Evergreen, Edom & 202nd St – Discussion was: residents do not want to lose their tarred road; they would prefer the township just patch the road.  Hiltner stated making it gravel is not an option, Voight  was concerned the granite laid down would not take dust control, Phlepsen said that 2 years ago the area was blow patched,(it was explained our company looked at it and it is not possible to blow patch that large of an area), assessment cost process was also discussed.  Supervisor Kuechle explained if something is done to that road, it would have to be brought up to a 7 ton road.  These 5 ton roads are not holding up to all the gravel trucks, garbage trucks and heavy farm machinery.  Supervisors Wicker/Loewen made a motion to get an estimate to repair the bad area this year and then to add it to the road plan for reconstruct. Motion carried.  Supervisor Wicker will contact the engineer.  Renita Schaefer said the signage is incorrect on Edom/Evergreen, there was also a concern for the street names.  She was wondering if the road could be renamed to have it all be Evergreen Road.  The delivery trucks have trouble finding the other roads.  This will be discussed at the July meeting after coming up with cost figures.
 
Dust Guard – Tri City Paving is done.  There are some bad spots on 145th street.  This year Tri City laid a total of 15.85 miles of road at a cost of $.54 a foot. 
 
MP11-29
Ditch Work – Clerk Harff asked if we need to get a quote for each project and does a contract need to be drawn up.  Discussion was:  the projects would not be that extensive, easements need to be signed, and no contract is needed because it is maintenance by our maintenance company.  Prioritized roads that need ditches cleaned out are: 1) 145th St, 2) 135th St West of Hwy 15, 3) 123rd North & South of 140th St, 4) 140th by Dennis Libbesmeiers, 5) Cobblecrest by Zutz’s land.  It was decided in most cases that everything can be done in the right of way, but who ever farms the right of way will lose some of their crops.  Supervisors Wicker and Kuechle will go out and speak with effective property owners to have them sign the easements. 
 
Crack Sealing – Contracts are signed and proof of insurance has been received.  Contract states project will completed by the end of July. 
 
Dog Issue – Chief of Police from Kimball had called Clerk Harff to explain he picked up a dog in the township.  It was brought to the Kimball Vet so a bill was sent to cover the costs.  Jim, Kimball Police, wanted to know what type of agreement he has with the township concerning animals he picks up in the township.  With nothing in writing and with the clerk calling the Kimball Vet in April of 2011 stating they did not want the town’s strays; the township signed a contract with Tri Co Humane Society.  Clerk Harff was asked to recheck with the Kimball Vet to see if they reconsidered taking the town’s strays. 
 
Kingston Street – Ron went to Kingston Township board meeting and the decision was to haul gravel onto Kingston Street with the township gravel, which cost $5.25 a yard and their maintenance man hauling at $4.00 a yard.  Before laying gravel, it was discussed to lay drainage tile down the middle of the road in the problem areas.  Kingston Township received a quote and it was reviewed at the meeting.  Supervisors authorized Supervisor Kuechle to speak with Kingston Township representative to tell them to proceed and the cost would be split.  
 
Sign Reflectivity Policy – Lyle from RSmS was contacted but has not returned with a reply.  He will be going ahead with a sample sign policy which is required before Jan. 2012.
 
Newsletters – Reported that 886 newsletters were sent out, print got small on front and back page but to save money it was better to stick with one large sheet. 
 
Town Hall – Next Committee meeting will be on June 21st at 6:30 p.m.  This meeting will be to scale down the present plan and discuss the options so we have 3 scenarios to present at the September town hall meeting. 
 
New Business:
District 5 meeting is Wednesday, August 17th at the Health & Human Service Bldg in Willmar, Reg at 7:00 p.m.  A letter was presented from Jane Youngkrantz requesting her vote.  Nancy Barsness is the present representative for District 5. 
 
Beaver Problem – Once again the beavers are damming up a culvert by Haus Road.  Discussion was:  Put a permanent grate into place to prevent future problems, talk with DNR to see if they have solutions, and ask Bob Nistler to build something that can be attached to the culvert.  The blockage is now in the middle and hard to get out. 
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Culverts – Discussion was to purchase culverts to have them on hand.  Supervisor Wicker asked Clerk Harff to come up with the company used previously from the cities.  Wicker will contact and compare prices with Certified Diversified in St Cloud. 
 
Micha Meyers complained about a plugged culvert by his driveway on 127th street.  Discussion was: who is in charge of cleaning out the driveway culvert, most driveway culverts are in the right of way, should be looked at and to check with lawyers when going to the seminar in Ostego.  Trees are also an issue on that road,  Norgren Tree Service could be contacted because there are other trees that need trimming in the township.  Supervisors Wicker/Loewen made a motion to have Ron Kuechle contact Norgren Tree Service to take care of the trees on Badger Rd, 127th St and on 140th St by Tom Donnay.  Motion carried.
 
County 5 year road plan – Meeting is June 28th – Tabled for our special meeting on the 4th Tuesday of the month.   
 
Spraying – Spot spraying will take care of most areas this year.  It was decided to begin mowing the
ditches after the 4th of July.  Supervisor Loewen will spray the ones on the corner of Hwy 55 and 83rd
Ave.  Many noxious weeds are growing by the radio tower lot by Fischer’s and Berscheid’s property.
Notices need to be sent. 
 
Supervisors Kuechle/Wicker made a motion to accept the permits; with the exception of the Roger
Collin’s permit.  Motion carried.
 
Claims were called for:  Supervisors Loewen/Kuechle made a motion to pay the claims listed with the
exception of the City of Kimball for the stray dog.  Motion carried.  The time card claims will be
presented at the June 28th meeting.
 
 
Balance Brought forth     $  49,192.13
Money received            +$     4,338.28          
Transferred from Money Market
                                    - $  100,000.00
First Half of Tax Levy    +$ 223, 182.31
Balance total                  $  376,712.72
Expenses:                   -  $    87,477.28        
Balance in Ck Bk             $  289,235.44    
Total Investments       + $  782,964.90  
Total Value of Twsp       $1,072,200.34    
 
Supervisors Loewen/Wicker made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 p.m.  Motion carried. 
 
Terre Harff, Clerk/Treasure