MP11-26                                                      
Maine Prairie Township Special Meeting
May 17, 2011
        
Chair Loewen opened the board meeting with the pledge to the flag. 
 
Board members present: Supervisors Dennis Loewen, Ron Kuechle, John Wicker and Clerk/Treasurer Terre Harff.  Others present Chuck Froehling.
 
The purpose of this meeting was to review the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) and to discuss road issues. 
 
Discussion about site permits and whether the township wants to continue to issue the permits before residents need to go to the county.  Right now the township signs off on a site permit (with no cost involved) then the resident takes it to the county to get the site of sewer, well, and setbacks.  Then the township building inspector is contacted for the appropriate inspections.  It was decided to ask Heidi if shoreland procedure is different, does the township still sign off on site permits. 
 
The first ordinance for review was in Sec. 6.2.1 – Assessory Building – The review of the side wall height for different zoning districts.  The township allows only 12 foot high side wall in R20, R10, and R5 zoning district.  The concern was of all the unnecessary variances created by this ordinance and the size of the lots not allowing building sidewall heights over 12’.   After reviewing county regulations, Supervisors Loewen/Wicker made a motion to remove the township regulations and follow the county regulations.  Motion carried.
 
In Sec. 4.13.2 – Public Utilities Permits – Supervisors Wicker/Loewen made the motion to omit permits required by the township for utilities.  Motion carried.  The purpose was to try to control who lays line in the right of way in order to prevent cut or broken lines but the township finds it hard to regulate.
 
After reviewing Sec 6 again, Supervisors Wicker/Kuechle made a motion to omit all of Sec 6 in the township MOU.  Motion carried. 
 
The board tried to review the mining ordinance but the township did not have the new ordinance changes from the county yet; Loewen/Froehling made a motion to table this section until the changes are done at the county.   Motion carried.  Some discussion was to make sure something is in our ordinance to protect the roads, and a reclamation bond required.
 
Trailer Home regulations were discussed.  MOU Sec. 7.18.  Supervisor Loewen/Wicker made a motion to omit the 20’ in width and length.  ??
 
The board made a decision to have two meetings a month to continue the MOU discussion and to complete a 5-Year road plan.  Starting June 28th, the meetings will be held the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month.  Clerk Harff was directed to get the legal in the paper.
 
Road Issues – It was announced that Tri City Paving is ready to start dust control. 
  
MP11-27
Wicker/Loewen made a motion to contact Randy Sabart (SEH engineers) concerning specs for the Pearl Lake roads and to get help in updating the township road specifications.  Motion carried.  Wicker said that he would contact SEH to see if they could draw up specs for Eclipse, Eldorado and 98th Street.  With the old road specs drawn up back in 1978, changes in laws requiring new standards; the township needs to make sure the roads are meeting the new standards. 
 
Wicker explained old road specifications have been given to Louis Kunkel to put a road in by Marty View Circle.  Concern is before any other roads are done, the township needs to update to proper specifications.  Wicker will check with Sabart to see if the township can require Kunkel to meet new specs.
 
Immediate road issues – A culvert needs replacing on 135th by 83rd Ave and a patch done on 83rd by the town line road shared with the city.  A review of 37th Ave shows it needs gravel.   
 
Kingston line road culvert needs to be fixed or replaced.  After a discussion with Ned Root of Kingston Township, Maine Prairie will be doing the work to replace or repair.   Hendricks will be contacted.
 
Hauling gravel onto Kingston Street – Discussion was to run a tile line down the middle of the road and add gravel.  Maine Prairie’s cost would be $4.80 for hauling and $5.25 for the cost of the gravel.  It was decided they should have a representative from Kingston come into the June Meeting. 
 
Lonnie will be asked to go out on Evergreen Road to remove loose tar and replace with Class 2 granite. 
 
Supervisors Loewen/Kuechle made a motion to adjourn at 9:15 p.m.  Motion carried. 
 
 
Terre Harff
Maine Prairie Clerk