Also in attendance were the following: Herman Lensing, John Gilk, Norb Renneker, Gary Pierskalla, Gary Meyer, Kevin Preusser, Jim Hemker, John Botz, Al Beste, Kathy Atkinson, Tim Hennen, Al Roessler, Ed Hennen, Fritz and Shirley Laing, Kenneth Vanderweyst, Don Timp, Rodney and Wendy Atkinson, Jim Beutz, Dave Raden, Jerry Schmidt, Dave Welle, Steve Notch,

Staff persons on hand were Paul Hetland and Joel Dasher.

The Pledge of Allegiance was said by those in attendance.

Report - John Gilk, Fire Chief, Freeport Area Fire Service

Chief Gilk stated that the carpet will be installed in September in the fire hall. He requested approval from the City for gear racks for north side back fire hall wall totally approximately $1500 for repairs. Goebel moved and Hennen seconded a motion to approve the request. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

8th Street SE Public Improvement Hearing

At 7:35 P.M. Worms opened the public hearing for the 8th Street SE public improvement hearing. Jim Schulz gave an overview on the project. Engineer's estimate was$32,600 with $27,185.30 the low bid. Discussion followed on the assessment policy as it pertains to the project.

Discussion followed regarding the possible delaying of the project until next summer's Main Street Project with hopes of reducing costs. Concerns included the following: timing of the hearing notice seemed short, other areas in the City weren't assessed for similar projects, seal coating not going to do the job for the project, some preferred assessment over sinking funding, use of sinking funds, that assessments should make up part of the cost to create an incentive to do the project, and the City's overall assessment policy.

Cable Franchise Agreement

Rodney Atkinson gave overview in cable franchise agreement. Several concerns raised and noted in agreement. Humber moved and Goebel seconded a motion to approve Ordinance Number 2004-003 with changes noted. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

Main Street Project Update

Schulz presented to Council and those present the revised amounts for the project. The revised amounts include the reduction of decorative sidewalk. The amounts did not include the overlay portions, just the reconstruction portion. Schulz also reported that he has requested a memorandum of understanding from the county on the agreement.

It was suggested that State Representative Bud Heidgerken and Commissioner Don Otte should be here at next meeting. Hetland would contact both and invite them to the meeting.

Concerns were raised by the Freeport Creamery regarding their inability to pay the high assessments being proposed for the project. Various options were discussed; no action taken. Issues were raised regarding the looping of water and the bringing of services to lots currently without service. Hetland was asked to research information on deferred assessments.

Worms brought forward further discussion on utility line relocation. The need was reviewed, but the general consensus is to continue to move forward.

Job Opportunity Building Zone (JOBZ)

Hetland brought forward information that from his discussions with a prospective business, they are ready to move forward with a JOBZ agreement. Goebel moved and Humbert seconded a motion to hold both the JOBZ business subsidy policy and a possible business subsidy agreement hearings on September 8, 2004. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

Steve Notch was present and informed Council that seeing that the CSAH County Road 11 project may likely be pushed off beyond 2007, he is going to go forward with his building project. He will plan on building around the existing waste water lines.

Possible Purchase of Land and Hiring of Administrative Assistant

From information forwarded by Scott Dymoke regarding moving into executive session regarding the possible purchase of land, Hennen moved and Goebel seconded to discuss the possible purchase of the Laing property and then Beste property. Discussion offered. Motion carried. The Council went in to executive session at 10:12 PM. Fritz and Shirley Laing met with Council first. At 10:40 P.M. the Council met with Al Beste. Both properties were discussed no formal action taken in executive session.

Council also reviewed the information presented by Hetland regarding the applicants for the Administrative Assistant opening. Seven candidates submitted applications. Three met the qualifications for the position. One would not return the phone calls. One went on to another job. And the other was Ann Beard and was hired. Hennen moved and Goebel seconded a motion to hire Ann Beard for the position of Administrative Assistant at the hourly rate of $8.50 and with hours to remain close to or under 30 hours per week. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

The Council left executive session at 11:35 P.M.

Appointments

Reappoint R.Atkinson. Goebel moved and Humbert seconded a motion to approve Rodney Atkinson for a term of six years on the Freeport Economic Development Authority. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

2004 Election

Hetland brought to the Council's attention the need under Minnesota State Statutes to hold a public accuracy test of the election machine. Worms moved and Goebel seconded a motion to hold the public accuracy test for Tuesday, September 7, 2004 at 10:00 A.M. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

Report - Jim Schulz, SEH, City Engineer

Schulz reported that for Welle Country Acres Plat 2 he would be leaving a set of plans for review at city hall. He further reported that bids for the project will be opened the following week. They will be requesting plan approval by the next meeting.

Regarding lights in the Industrial Park, Schulz forwarded requests to Signature Lighting and Allum-A-Nation. He proposed six lights for park.

Report - Paul Hetland, City Clerk/Treasurer

Hetland provided a written report which is on file for review. As a reaction to reading materials provided, Hetland was asked to inquire about the costs associated with meth labs.

Humbert moved and Worms seconded a motion to approve of the city clerk's attendance at the 2004 League of Minnesota Cities Conference in Duluth October 10-12, 2004. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

Hetland brought forward further information to discontinue the agreement with Pitney Bowes. Hennen moved and Goebel seconded a motion to cancel the agreement with Pitney Bowes and to incur a settlement cost of $350 for early contract termination. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

It was noted that the swinging door in women's bathroom was out of order.

Worms mentioned that the granite sign at 104 4th Street NW, the Fire Hall and old City Hall, sign should be changed. Hetland stated that he would contact John Gilk to begin looking into it.

Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion for the purchase of Fritz and Shirley Laing's property at 206 3rd Street SE for the amount of $110,000 which includes the lot which the building is set with the additional lot up to 10 feet from his westerly building with survey expenses incurred by the Laings. Discussion included asking if the payments could be extended over three years. Motion carried.

At 12:39 A.M. Thursday, August 26, 2004, Hennen moved and Goebel seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.