Princeton Township, Minnesota
Board of Supervisors Minutes

On Tuesday, April 18, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. Town Board Chairperson Greg Anderson called the Regular Monthly Town Board Meeting to order. Other members present were Steve Heinks, Stephanie Johnston, John Moosbrugger and Dan Minks.

Approve Minutes
A motion was made by John Moosbrugger and seconded by Steve Heinks to approve the minutes of March 28, 2006 as printed. Motion Carried.

Approve January Financial Report
A motion was made by Steve Heinks and seconded by Stephanie Johnston to approve the Financial Report for March 2006 as submitted. Beginning Balance of Township funds was $190,129.75; total receipts of $18,215.70; total disbursements of $56,507.76; leaving a balance of $151,837.69. Motion Carried.

Mille Lacs County Sheriffs Department
Kent Larson was present from the Mille Lacs County Sheriffs Department. He introduced himself as the new representative and informed the Town Board that he would attend as many meetings as possible.

Old Business
The Town Board discussed the request by Tom Meinz on the Lundberg property land split. The purpose of this land split is for tax purposes only and would not create a buildable parcel. A motion was made by John Moosbrugger and seconded by Dan Minks to approve this split. Motion Carried.
The Clerk provided a copy of a sample Financial Policy for investments provided by MAT. This item was discussed at the Board of Audit and at that time the Town Board asked the Clerk to obtain a sample to see if it would apply to Princeton Township. A motion was made by John Moosbrugger and seconded by Steve Heinks to table this discussion indefinitely. Motion Carried.

New Business
The Town Board discussed the request by the Planning Commission to attend a training course on Comprehensive Plans scheduled for 5/3/06 in St. Louis Park in the amount of $125.00 per person. A motion was made by John Moosbrugger and seconded by Dan Minks to approve for any Planning Commission members who wished to attend the training. Motion Carried.

The Town Board discussed a Capital Asset Obligation Contract for the Fire Contract that was sent to the Township by the City of Princeton. The purpose of this contract was for protection to the City of Princeton as well as the Township. If the Township was to pull away from the Fire Service provided by the City it would hold the Township responsible for paying out the rest of their obligation for the new fire truck that was obtained. This would insure that the Township would not get stuck paying off the rest of the money from other areas if they were to pull out as well. A motion was made by John Moosbrugger and seconded by Dan Minks to have the attorney look at the contract before the Township signs it to make sure that it is for the truck obligation only. Motion Carried.

Ken and Carol Carling, section 27, were present to discuss the issue with the County developing a road through their property going to Highway 95. Greg Anderson asked Loren Kohnen, Todd McLouth, Dick Larson and the Carling's to go into the back room to discuss this issue.

Engineers Report
Todd McLouth stated that they had received the bids for the west half of the 40th Street project. West Branch Construction came in lowest at $138,282.00. Bauerly came in second at $140,748.00 and then the others came in higher. Todd asked the Town Board to discuss the Town Budget because they had budgeted $150,000.00 for 2006 and he looked at the prices from last year and there is a big increase in prices. He said it pushes the project on 40th street up to $155,000.00 just for that project. He said $8,000 or $9,000 of that is Greenbush Township's responsibility. He said in addition to that they have Afton Road which is about $9,000 and crack filling of about $6,000 which they can push out until next season. He said they also have some spot graveling at $20,000 budgeted. A motion was made by John Moosbrugger and seconded by Steve Heinks to accept West Branch Constructions bid only if partial payment can be made this year and the rest of the payment of $36,900.00 can be made next year. Motion Carried.

Zoning Administrators Report
Loren Kohnen didn't have any items to report on.

Open Forum
Bud Reese and John Pike were present to ask for permission to have flea markets out at the Bud's Place parking lot. They met with Loren Kohnen and he told them that it is not a permitted use since Bud's Place is running on a non-conforming Conditional Use Permit already. Loren stated that Bud's Place cannot expand to the business. Greg Anderson stated that maybe the Township look at rezoning the business to commercial. John Moosbrugger stated that he didn't see any way around the current Ordinance to allow the request. Dan Minks stated that he thought it could be done in the Agricultural Zone such as John's property but not at Bud's Place. After much discussion the Town Board stated that at this time there is no way they can approve such a request because it doesn't meet the Ordinance.

Supervisors Reports
Steve Heinks informed the Town Board that he purchased a property in Greenbush Township and will be selling his house. He wanted the Board to know that sometime over the summer or fall he will be moving and will have to resign from his position as Princeton Town Board Supervisor. He stated when he sells his house he will let the Board know more of a date of resignation. The Clerk informed the Town Board that once Mr. Heinks resigns the Town Board will have to appoint someone to fill his position. Then that position will be open for election in March 2007.

Stephanie Johnston brought up the John Wood issue. She stated that it is really becoming a boiling point for the neighbors and it isn't fair. She stated that he has now put up huge letters spelling out "John Wayne Wood" across his fence. The Town Board stated they can't have signs up. Dan Minks agreed with Stephanie Johnston that it is an eye sore there but he has an answer for everything he uses on that property for farming. Stephanie stated that he shouldn't be able to do whatever he wants to do. Steve Heinks stated that people should start calling the State of MN pollution control agency since they State is who granted the feedlot permit. John Moosbrugger stated that he would like to see the Township enter into a memorandum of understanding with the County to help enforce these types' nuisance ordinance violations. After some discussion a motion was made by John Moosbrugger and seconded by Dan Minks to have the Township Attorney contact Jan Kolb at Mille Lacs County to gather information on entering into some type of agreement to help the Township enforce the Nuisance Ordinance. Motion Carried.

Clerks Business
The Clerk informed the Town Board that she had contacted Arnold Whitcomb about donating some bushes for in front of the Town Hall. Arnold stated that he would donate bushes and he may even come out and plant them. She also informed the Town Board that she had left a message for Larry Doose to call her about donating some mulch. As of the meeting she had not gotten a call back from him.

Approve Payment of the Bills
A motion was made by John Moosbrugger and seconded by Dan Minks to approve payment of the bills, Check numbers 6952 – 6989. Motion Carried.

Adjourn
A motion was made by Stephanie Johnston and seconded by Steve Heinks to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. Motion Carried.

Respectfully submitted,
Connie L. Heinks
Clerk/Treasurer

Attendees: Loren Kohnen, Todd McLouth, Arnold Reese, Larry Ziebarth, John Roxbury, Kent Larson, Ken Carling, Carol Carling, Jeff Carling, Dick Larson, John Pike, Jim Mogen, Peter Tiete


Following the Town Board Meeting the Town Board asked everyone who was not a supervisor or clerical to leave the building so the Township could hold a Special Closed Meeting with the Township Attorney's to discuss the litigation matter regarding the Todd Sutton case. The Special Closed Meeting was called to order at 8:40 p.m. Those present were Steve Heinks, Dan Minks, Stephanie Johnston, John Moosbrugger, Greg Anderson, Connie Heinks, Todd McLouth, Loren Kohnen, Jim Mogen and Peter Tiete.

A motion was made by John Moosbrugger and seconded by Steve Heinks to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 p.m. Motion Carried.

Respectfully submitted,
Connie L. Heinks
Clerk/Treasurer