Freeport City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - January 10, 2007

Oath of Office

City Clerk Paul Hetland administered the Oath of Office to Mayor Matt Worms. Hetland gave proxy of his authority to Mayor Worms to administer the Oath of Office to Council Member Dave Humbert and Council Member Charles Balderston.

Agenda

Joe Hennen moved and Tim Hennen seconded a motion approving the meeting agenda. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.

Approval of the Minutes

Joe Hennen moved and Humbert seconded a motion approving the meeting minutes for December 27, 2006. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.

New Business

Open Public Forum

No one approached Council.

Approval of 2007 Fire Department Officers – Tom Hiltner, Fire Chief Elect

Fire Chief Elect Tom Hiltner requested approval of the Freeport Fire and Rescue Department officers for 2007. Humbert moved and Tim Hennen seconded a motion to approve of Tom Hiltner as the Fire Chief, Sam Kraemer as the 1^st Assistant, Noah Van Beck as the 2^nd Assistant, and Steve Notch as the Secretary. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.

Hiltner also reported that the City has received a grant from the County to fund the 800 mhz radio system in the amount of approximately $9000. Discussion followed on other funding options for the 800 mHz system to cover all of the costs for the radios needed. Hiltner also reported that the City of Melrose will be spending approximately $30,000 to meet their needs. Hetland reported that there is approximately $14,000 remaining from the 2006 budget. Council requested Hiltner and Hetland to gather more information for further discussion and action at the next meeting.

Hiltner also asked about hiring three new members. Three additional fire fighters would bring the total number to 25 fire fighters. Joe Hennen moved and Humbert seconded a motion approving the addition of three members to the fire department. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.

2007 Pay Equity Report

Hetland presented the documentation recommended by Kathleen Murphy, the City of Freeport's human resources consultant regarding the 2007 Pay Equity Report. Hetland noted that the report indicates the City of Freeport is in compliance with Minnesota Equity laws.The final determination, however, is determined by the State of Minnesota and the findings should come within the next couple of months. Humbert moved and Joe Hennen seconded a motion approving of the report as presented. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.

Approval of 2007 Appointments

Mayor Worms presented his recommended appointments for 2007. Humbert moved and Joe Hennen seconded a motion approving the appointments as presented. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0

Old Business

Humbert brought forward a concern regarding the time on the winter parking rules. The concern he had heard was that the starting time of 2:30 A.M. was difficult for employees at the Corner Pub to make considering cleaning up and closing the business and not being in violation. Hetland read Freeport City Code 1310.11. regarding the winter parking rules. Council discussed the matter and concluded that staff should send a notice to the County Sheriff's Office that the warning flyer incorrectly states 2:00 A.M. as the beginning of the enforcement period and that 2:30 A.M. should remain unchanged.

Reports

City Engineer's Report, Jim Schulz, SEH

Jim Schulz presented an alley survey map for behind City Hall for Council's review. Council gave the suggestion that the map should indicate the property owners and better indicate landmarks like utility poles.Otherwise, Council was pleased with the map and requested that Hetland contact the property owners and schedule a discussion on the matter for the next meeting.

Schulz also mentioned a situation with the waste water lift station in the Industrial Park. The lift station is nearly full and needs to be pumped out. Electricity has not been provided to the site by Xcel Energy and is not expected until spring. Moreover, the contractor doesn't feel responsible for the liftstation until the power is supplied and it is operational. However, Whirlwind Steel Buildings is using the waste water line and it needs to be pumped out in the near future. It was determined that the line could be pumped out one time and it would suffice until the project is completed in the spring. Joe Hennen noted that the City is now responsible for paying for Xcel Energy's tardiness in providing electricity to the site. Council agreed that the liftstation should be pumped out as soon as possible and the cost forwarded to Annandale Contracting.

Public Works Director, Joel Dasher

Dasher presented a written report at the meeting which is on file for review.

Dasher brought forward information in his report and there was a discussion following regarding the purchase of a generator for continuity of water operations. He reported that along with the $1700 for the generator itself there would be an additional $1500 in expenses for the appropriate connections. Worms stated that Dasher should bring the matter to Council's attention when all of the information is together for a full presentation.

Dasher brought up the options for snow removal that he was informed about at a recent conference sponsored by the Sauk River Watershed in Albany. There was an extensive discussion on the pros and cons to using salt opposed to sand opposed to other state-of-art liquid products. Many of the options weigh cost with effectiveness with weather and a particular need in various areas.One option discussed was changing the City Plowing Policy to plow not at a two inch snowfall, but when there is any snow to reduce the need for any material application on roadways.It was also mentioned that the County applies too much sand and salt and there is no effort made to clean the roadways in the spring or to reduce storm water run off contamination. No action was taken.

City Clerk/Treasurer's Report, Paul Hetland

Hetland presented a written report which is on file for review.

Consent Agenda

Humbert moved and Joe Hennen seconded a motion approving the Consent Agenda which included the following:

• Claims in the amount of $404,491.99
• Resolution 2007-001 regarding fee charged by the City
• Resolution 2007-002 giving corporate authorization to the Mayor and Clerk to conduct transactions at Freeport State Bank
• Resolution 2007-003 giving corporate authorization to the Mayor and Clerk to conduct transactions at the Central Minnesota Federal Credit Union
• Resolution 2007-004 authorizing an application for a Federal Trailhead Facility Grant
• Resolution 2007-004 authorizing an application for a Federal Trailhead Facility Grant
• Industrial Park Payment to Annandale Contracting for Application Number 6 in the amount of $88,469.91

Discussion included rationale from the Mayor's recommendations for fee increases. The increases were approximately 8% on water and sewer rates and it was noted that they have not been raised for 10 years. It was also noted the staff costs in managing complaints about the $5 late fee and late bills in general so that the $15 still does not cover all of the costs of late billing, it more accurately depicts the amount spent on complaints and late bill processing. It was noted that the water and waste water rates should produce about an additional $13,000 per year in revenue and cost about $4 more per month for the average recipient. Motion carried 5-0.

At 9:48 P.M. Worms moved and Balderston seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0.