Also in attendance were the following: Herman Lensing, Jim Schulz, and Steve Notch.
Staff persons on hand were Paul Hetland and Joel Dasher.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said by those in attendance.
Approve Agenda
Council commented that they liked the new agenda format Hetland presented indicating the approximated times for each agenda item. Worms moved and Goebel seconded a motion to approve the agenda. Discussion offered. Motion carried.
Report - Joel Dasher, Maintenance Worker
Dasher provided a written report which is on file for review. Regarding the water system, discussed generator and hook ups, new service in Welle Country Acres, discussed scales for Fluoride feed system. Regarding snow removal, he reported that large amounts of sand/salt were used, Kemper is having problems with the wing on their truck, and brought forth discussion on downtown sidewalk and snow removal. Council discussed staff looking into retrofitting blowers onto the lawn mower and tractor, and the purchase of a blower. No action was taken.
Bill Kemper had submitted a bill to the City regarding a hook up for services date September 15, 2003 for a total of $478.00 for labor and material to hook-up water service to the Stearns Auto Glass building. A phone conference call was made to Kemper for further clarification. Humbert moved and Worms seconded a motion to approve the claim. Further discussion offered. Motion carried.
Report - Jim Schulz, SEH
Jim Schulz was present to further clarify and discuss the 2005 Main Street public improvement project. Much discussion followed regarding the exact route of service being proposed. As reach at the end of the last meeting, the proposed services will be trenched in on the south side of Main Street, with the businesses east of 1st Avenue and on the north side of the street will have their services directional bored into their basements. To continue with the work, Schulz requested that the formal feasibility process begin. Worms moved and Goebel seconded a motion to approve of SEH conducting the feasibility study at a cost not to exceed $5300.00 as proposed by Schulz. Discussion offered. Motion carried. Council also made it clear that the project will be micromanaged to ensure quality control.
Report - Paul Hetland, City Clerk/Treasurer
Hetland provided a written report which is on file for review. His report included updates on his meeting in Fergus Falls on the JOBZ program. He reported on definition of terms, concerns on retail businesses, inter state agency concerns, land swapping, and working out a business subsidy agreement. He also reported on his attendance at the Stearns County Emergency Management meeting, City Hall, the upcoming Annual Meeting of the Freeport Area Fire Service on February 25, and that the water truck arrived on February 6. Due to the lateness, past January 12 contractual due date, John Gilk and Hetland recommend deducting the $100 per day fee off of the bill. The amount is $2500 and was subtracted from the current invoice and included in claims for Council review. Forstner Fire has been contacted on two occasions and accepts this possibility.
New Business
Worms moved and Goebel seconded a motion approving the claims as presented in the amount of $162,646.47. Discussion offered. Motion carried.
Council and Hetland brought forward the issue regarding the sign on Dr. Deb Proechel’s Integrated Health and Wellness Center. The sign is currently not in regulation with city code 500.35, subdivision 4, subsection 4 which states that a sign may not exceed 4 square feet in a residential area. Much discussion followed. Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion for conditional use permit properties that a sign may be no larger than 8 square feet, must be attached to the building, and must not be illuminated. Discussion followed. Motion carried. Worms moved and Humbert seconded a motion to strike "four" and replace with "six" in city code 500.35, subdivision 4, subsection 4 and to include that the sign must not be illuminated. Discussion offered. Motion carried.
Humbert had a question relating to 18-20 year olds entering establishments that serve alcohol. Staff would research and report back at a future meeting and inform the license holders in the City.
The meeting recessed to examine the construction progress at the new city hall. Incorrect installation of the ceiling tile and trim were noted. Hetland was instructed to contact Tim Hennen the following morning.
At 12:25 A..M. February 12, 2004 Goebel moved and Thelen seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.
