March 13, 2007
The Annual Town Meeting and Election was held on March 13, 2007 at the Kimball Area Fire and Rescue Hall. The Polls opened at 12:00 noon and closed at 8:00 p.m. with the business meeting following the counting of the ballots at 8:30 p.m.
Clerk Harff opened the Maine Prairie Township Annual Meeting with the Pledge to the American Flag. Harff, called for nominations to elect a moderator to run the meeting. A motion was made and seconded to nominate Gary Woods as moderator. Motion carried
Moderator Woods presented the results of the election for a three (3)
year term Supervisor:
Total Ballot count was 167
James Unterberger 82
Keith Donnay 56
Steve Merten 27
Beverly Adolph 1
Spoiled Ballots 1
James Unterberger was re-elected to a three year term.
Moderator Gary Woods called for Clerk Harff to read the minutes of the March 14, 2006 annual meeting. Tom Ehlinger/Chuck Froehling made a motion to accept the minutes as read. Motion carried
Moderator Woods called for the Treasurers report. Clerk Harff gave the treasurers report. A motion made by John Wicker/TomWeber to approve the Treasurer’s report. Motion carried. 2007 Financials
Old Business was called for:
In 2005 the township sprayed about 2/3rds of the township road ditches, with an agreement to complete the rest in 2006. Some felt it was too windy, shouldn’t spray large over-grown trees, spraying lawns that were cut, spraying with spray not labeled and spraying land that was designated as organic. Brad Donnay asked to see what the townships policy is and presented the board with a guideline to set up a new policy regulating when the spraying can take place, where they can spray, how they can spray and with what they can spray. It is suggested to send out post cards again along with printing it in the paper. Roland Donnay didn’t like the large trees sprayed.
Site Permits: Permits have not changed. If you are in Shore land, you need to go to the County. If you build a new home, you get your site permit from the county and then come to the township for a building permit. It was explained that the township hires a state building inspector to over-see the building is built up to state code. If you “Dig A Hole – Get a Permit”. This is a required from the state if you disturb more than one acre.
Farming the road right-a-way is still a big problem within the township. Farming the right of way causes problems with sediment run off filling up the culverts, and trees become a hazard by blocking visibility at intersections. It was explained that the township right of way is 33’ from the center of the road with county and state right of ways larger.
Complaints have come in concerning the plowing of snow. A reminder was
given that it is illegal to plow snow onto the road or across the road.
Road Projects in 2006: John Wicker explained 175th & 126th Avenue were rebuilt and will be ready for black topping when Luxemburg Township is ready. Edom Road was rebuilt in the NW corner of the township. It was a road with many hazards and steep ditches. The project is not done completely, the township dealt with permit problems from the state. It will be finished 2007.
Projected Road Projects: Dennis Loewen explained that the township is looking at doing 145th on the North side of School Section Lake. They are looking at getting some funding from the State because it is a lake access road. It will cost approximately $350,000.00 with engineering involved. Other roads to be done are 73rd off of 145th and 83rd that borders 44th. Wicker said they are going to be looking at getting traffic counters to put out on highly traffic roads. Wicker would like to see more dust guarding to protect our gravel. Bob Pike asked if they are going to do Hwy 15 this year. His fear is that will defer traffic onto township roads.
Moderator Woods called for New Business:
Park Dedication: Dennis Loewen explained how the county takes money out of platted land and uses it for parks in the county. The township wants to establish a resolution to direct the money coming out of township plats to be directed to Willow Creek Park in Kimball. Unterberger explained that the township has land in that park. Clerk Harff explained that we should get our direction from the residents in the form of a motion or it doesn’t make sense to continue. Bernie Miller/Bob Stein voted to proceed with a resolution, Tom Weber voted no. Motion passed.
Fire Contracts: Jim Unterberger commended the Kimball Fire Department for
doing a great job and thanked Ed Maus for the work that he has done. The
Fire contract for Kimball in 2007-2008 is
$ 45,973.42. Clerk Harff said the contract with Rockville will be increasing
by approximately $5,000.00 because Rockville will lose St Augusta this year.
The total of fire contracts paid for 2006 were around $53,000.00. The
township is looking at about $58,000.00 for 2007. Tom talked about the
bottle fill station, explaining they now meet OSHA requirements. He said
they have the new equipment van and raised $173,000.00. Tom Weber/Brad
Donnay made a motion to accept the projected Fire Contract Budget.
Open Forum: Betty Nystrom was wondering if the township has a growth plan protecting our Ag land. She wants to keep the open spaces and doesn’t want St Cloud moving into our area. Jim explained that the township has a growth plan and the county is working on a new growth plan. Most of the township is zoned A40 and A80 and it is really hard to build on Ag land.
Donations: Watkins Ambulance: Julie Hilsgren gave a report and thanked the township for the past donation of $1500.00. Jim Unterberger/Tom Weber made a motion to donate the same as last year, $1,500.00 to the Watkins Ambulance. Motion carried.
Community Education: Chris Obrien gave a report on how they are working at new programming for kids from 4-8th grade. They have good attendance for the grades K-3rd grade. They feel it important to attract the older elementary kids. Tom Ehlinger felt it was important to direct support to the community education since the city hasn’t any park and recreational programs. Assistant, Bob Richie, felt it important to invest in our kids. They also have adult programs and GED programs. Robin Dockery explained how the funding from the state has been cut so the community education has to make up by asking for donations. JohnWicker/Dennis Loewen made a motion to donate $1,500.00 to the Community Education Dept. with a couple of nays. Motion carried.
Community Playhouse: Robin Dockery reported they plan on performing “Grease” which will require a lot of teens this year. She explains, the playhouse is co-sponsoring plays at the high school. With speech being cut from school, this gives the students a way to express. Wicker questioned whether they really needed the donation, last year the township gave an increase of $250.00 and he read that a $250.00 donation was made to dollars for scholars. She said the staff and crew donate bars and cookies during intermission, that money was donated to the scholarship program. Alice Robinson asked if this can be decided at a township meeting rather than at the annual meeting. Unterberger explained the board cannot donate the tax payer’s money; it needs to come from the residents at the annual meeting. She said that she would like to see a policy at the next annual meeting. Alice Robinson/ Bob Pike made a motion to donate $750.00 to the play house. Motion carried.
Dust Guarding: John Wicker would like to see the township dust guard more of the gravel roads in the township because it would save our gravel. The cost is $ .82 a foot and that is split with the residents that want dust guarding in front of their homes. Last year the spraying was done on July 3rd which was really late but both suppliers ran out of chloride.
Town Hall: Clerk Harff explains she has about $5,000.00 in a CD and another $5000.00 to put into a Savings. She said that the 5 year CD is earning 4.3% and 4.9% on the money market. Roland Donnay felt we could do better. John Wicker felt we don’t need our own town hall; we could add onto the fire hall or find some other source. Dennis Loewen feels we need to speak with the city and explore every avenue. Jim Unterberger feels strongly that a town hall is needed. Things are stored all over and we have records from Bev’s house that will need to be moved. Unterberger explained the township cannot use tax payer money into city property. Tom Weber stated that Maine Prairie is the largest township in the county and we don’t have our own hall. Alice Robinson doesn’t feel we should be so connected to the city. Bernie Miller feels it important we continue to save. Tom Weber/Chuck Froehling made a motion to put another $5,000.00 into a savings, Jim Unterberger voted no saying it wasn’t enough. Motion carried.
Budget for 2008: John Wicker felt that we could get by with the same as 2007 at $575,000.00. The break down is General $70,000.00, Road & Bridge $ 330,000.00, Blading $65,000.00, Snow Removal $45,000.00, Fire $60,000.00 and Township Hall $5,000.00. Bob Pike/Tom Weber made a motion to set the 2008 budget at $575,000.00. Motion carried.
Brad Donnay/Rita Donnay made a motion to hold the next annual meeting on March 10, 2008. Motion carried.
Tom Weber/Robin Dockery made a motion to adjourn the 2007 annual meeting. Motion carried.
Terre Harff Clerk/Treasurer