Also on hand were Rich Romness of Bolton & Menk, Public Works Supervisor Joel Dasher and Acting City Clerk Joe Heinen.
Minutes of the July 31, 2002, regular meeting were introduced for adoption and following a comment to modify two typographical errors, Boelter moved to approve, s/Thelen, and all voted in favor of passage.
Staff Reports
From a written report, Joel Dasher outlined some of the issues he is pursuing at the present time. Included was the need to engage the firm of Mayer's Excavating to reinstall the water line serving the underground sprinkler system at the ball fields.
The council suggested that this firm be called back to lay the line at a depth of no more than 2 feet and that the city not be charged for this cost. Dasher also spoke of the problems he is having with the riding mower and members granted him the authority to seek written quotes for a replacement model. To correct a storm drain area directly north of city hall, Dasher indicated that he has asked Dan Beuckers to submit a cost estimate and make the necessary repairs to prevent erosion, if the quote is within reason. He also informed the council that he would be going on vacation this weekend and asked if one of the members would be willing to take well house and lift station readings in his absence, since the clerk would be up north and unavailable. Dave Humbert agreed to take these readings on both Sunday and the Monday holiday.
Dasher also stated that a MN Department of Health staff person was here for a site inspection this past Friday and he appeared satisfied that the chemical feed and new fluoride pump were functioning properly. A written summary of his visit should be submitted to the city shortly, he stated. Before closing his remarks, he revealed that the MNDOT maintenance crew was here earlier this week to clean out the ditch area along
The I-94 right-of-way and this action should help with the water run-off parallel with 7th Street SE and directly east of the Community Center.
Rich Romness spoke of the pending improvements to the Industrial Park and stated that the on-site staking engineers will be putting stakes in place so the contractor may begin their underground work next week. When asked by the members on the deadline for having the first lift of bituminous installed on Industrial Drive, Romness reminded all that the contract called for an October 15th deadline before any penalties may be imposed. He also indicated that he will still have to meet with the Middendorfs' to coordinate the relocation of the pasture fencing.
Old Business
Matters relating to the Industrial Park outside of the construction phase were presented by Clerk Heinen. He provided a tracking spreadsheet of all of the documents involved in the land sales, easements and development contracts and stated that he and the mayor had signed some four sets of documents at the city attorney's office last Friday. He also passed out a copy of a letter sent to the city attorney about the need to properly zone the recently annexed land and because not all of the pending developers would conform to a strict interpretation of an I1 District, he was asked to determine the uses planned by Freeport Properties, LLC as well as Quality Trailers to see if a split zoning district might be required and following that, present a revised zoning map since all of the Middendorf land now is zoned Agricultural, as is required in the City Code Section 500.
Heinen also stated that he had met with both Reliant Energy and Xcel Energy service providers in an attempt to determine if adequate utilities would be in place for the future developers within the park. A response from Xcel is expected next week as to whether 3 phase electrical service can be installed and at what price. Reliant has already sent natural gas hookup request forms and he has forwarded them unto both Freeport Properties and Freeport Roller Mills, he stated. In a platting matter, the need to reconsider the renaming of the principal road within the park prompted Humbert to have the plat revised to read "Uhlenkotts Industrial Drive", with a second offered by Heidgerken. After some debate, the motion resulted in all voting in the affirmative for this change.
In financing matters relating to the Industrial Park, copies of letters prepared by the clerk and sent to Traci Ryan, reminding her to proceed with the necessary development agreements and their specific terms for both Freeport Properties and Freeport Roller Mills, was given to members as was a reply memo to Phil Osendorf, in which the clerk had responded to concerns about the assessment length and interest rate raised by the legal counsel representing Osendorf. In the latter case, the clerk explained that he had already addressed the questions raised in his August 15th letter and it was apparent that Attorney Scott Johnston had obviously overlooked the terms spelled out. The letter to Ryan merely asked her to address the possible need to amend the city's business subsidy criteria that would have to be considered because of the Roller Mill size of TIF reimbursements.
New Business
The clerk introduced the latest cost tracking worksheet relating to the public facilities projects and the legal fees associated with annexation, easement agreements and land purchase contracts. Heinen revealed that many of these costs have initially been charged against the EDA fund, however, when the band sale proceeds are received, a separate capital improvement fund will reimburse the EDA fund for many of the costs.
Jeanne Bonfig appeared to speak about her dilemma in trying to sell their home and the fact that Stearns County is denying them the right to install a second driveway coming off the frontage road - CAH #157. Although they have access to a large storage shed in the rear of their property because of a private easement with Duane Pung, he may not extend this easement for the next owner nor is he willing to sell a 10 foot tract at this time to the Bonfigs. At present, she stated that the only option is to bring a revised driveway across the front of their dwelling and enter the storage shed from a difficult angle. She stated that she would appear before an appeals panel in September but in the meantime, asked for the city to support her position if the county sought input from the council.
Pete Carlson of SEH appeared to request that an update on the pond dike situation be added to an upcoming agenda when he would pass along the MPCA recommendations on how to correct the settlement problem.
The list of current payables amounting to $21,892.02, along with a separate claim of $400 for postage purchase, was presented for review. Boelter moved to approve said claims, s/Heidgerken, and with 5 ayes and no nays, the motion was carried.
In a final matter, Mayor Atkinson requested that he be allowed to participate along with other mayor's at a State Fair function, with mileage and registration to be reimbursed.
Heidgerken moved to authorize attendance at this session, s/Boelter. Heidgerken, Humbert, Boelter and Thelen moved to adopt, Atkinson abstained, and the motion was declared passed.
At 9:50 P.M. Thelen moved to adjourn the meeting, s/Boelter, and all voted in favor to do so.
