April 12, 2016

Board Meeting Minutes
Maine Prairie Township
April 12, 2016

Attendees: Chair Wicker, Supervisor  Kuechle, Supervisor Loewen, Zoning Administrator Froehling, Clerk/Treasurer Hunt, Deputy Clerk Robinson, Joe Hendricks, Eugene Merten, Richard Eckman, Bruce and Sharon Fischer.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Wicker with the pledge to the flag.

Fischer land split was added to the Planning and Zoning meeting agenda.

Planning and Zoning meeting opened at 7:00 p.m.

Board meeting reconvened at 7:05 p.m.

Motion by Supervisors Loewen/Kuechle to approve the March 2, 2016 Board Meeting Minutes. All in favor, motion carried.

The Treasurer’s report was reviewed.
Supervisor Loewen moved to authorize a transfer in the amount of $1,074.17 from the General Fund to the Road & Bridge Fund, Seconded by Chair Wicker. All in favor, motion carried.

Ten (10) claims were presented for approval and payment for the month of March in the amount of $40,814.57 (see claims list attached). In addition, payroll expenses for 1st quarter 2016 were paid in the amount of $4,848.79. Receipts for March totaled $42,294.64.  Motion by Supervisors Kuechle/Loewen to approve the Treasurer’s report subject to Audit and pay claims as presented. All in favor, motion carried.

New Business:
Dust Control (Tri-City Contract):  Supervisor Kuechle contacted Tri-City Paving, Inc. regarding application of calcium chloride for dust control on gravel roads this spring. Pricing received from Tri-City Paving, Inc. for 2016 dust control. Pricing as follows:  18 feet wide - $0.60 per lineal foot; 16 feet wide - $0.54 per lineal foot; 12 feet wide - $0.40 per lineal foot; 8 feet wide - $0.27 per lineal foot. All prices are based on 100 lineal feet. A contract was sent to Tri-City Paving, Inc. for the work they will perform. Letters were sent to last year’s residents that requested dust control and responses are coming in. Application will be done prior to Memorial Day, weather permitting. Supervisor Kuechle will be working with Tri-City Paving, Inc.

Holy Cross Gambling & Liquor Permit: Motion by Supervisors Kuechle/Loewen to approve the permit presented by Holy Cross Church. All in favor, motion carried.

113th Avenue/David Leither and 121st Avenue/Chloride:  There was some discussion regarding the application of calcium chloride on 113th Avenue and 121st Avenue. The Board decided to apply calcium chloride the same as the previous year. Property owners on 113th Avenue and 121st Avenue paid for dust control in 2015.

Weed Spraying Notice:  Weed spraying tabled until the May 10th Board meeting.

Township Roads Survey:  2016 spring roads tour is complete.

Supervisor Loewen spoke with Mark Magnuson, Knife River and reported there will be two, possibly three asphalt plants located in our area this construction season. Magnuson noted prices for oils used for asphalt have come down from last year and this may be a good opportunity for Maine Prairie Township to take advantage of pricing. Roads that should be considered for reclaiming/paving this summer are 83rd Avenue, 137th Street and Badger Road.

Richard Eckman was present to discuss the paving of Lakeside Court. If Maine Prairie Township is reclaiming/paving roads in this area, Eckman indicated he will pave Lakeside Court and then turn it over to the Township. There is about 1000 feet of gravel from the end of 137th Street to Lakeside Court to which Eckman inquired about paving. 83rd Avenue is a shared road between the City of Kimball and Maine Prairie Township. Supervisor Loewen to contact the City in regards to paying their half.  

Roads considered for blow patching are 83rd Avenue N, 103rd Avenue, 78th Avenue, Caisson Road and Carnelian Road.

More discussion to follow at the May 10th Board meeting.

Old Business
Maine Prairie Twp/Luxemburg Twp Shared Road Agreement:  TheLuxemburg Town Board noticed a paragraph had been added that was not on the original agreement, under the heading “Road responsibility,” letter c. They feel the agreement should be just about the road bed not the ditches. Clerk Hunt to mail original agreement with the addition of letter c. as follows:  The responsible Township will keep the road well maintained.

Roads Standards Ordinance/Policy:  A special meeting will be held Tuesday, June 28, 2016 to further discuss the Roads Standards Ordinance/Policy.

Discussion Items:
Larson Feedlot: Mr. Larson submitted a Feedlot Application to Stearns County Environmental Services Department. The earliest date for the permit to go before Planning and Zoning is May 19th. It would not go before the Stearns County Board before June.

Board of Appeals, Maine Prairie Township scheduled for Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at 4:30 p.m.

Clerk Hunt will make reservations for Supervisor Kuechle and Supervisor Loewen to attend the Town Officers Association Meeting on Thursday, April 28, 2016 at the Freeport Community Center.

There being no further business, motion by Supervisors Loewen/Kuechle to adjourn the Board meeting at 9:15 p.m. All in favor, motion carried.

Respectively submitted,

Lori Hunt
Clerk/Treasurer