Agenda

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

Approval of the Minutes

Humbert moved and Tim Hennen seconded a motion approving the meeting minutes for January 10, 2007. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.

New Business

Alley Meeting

Worms opened the discussion and noted that 10' on each side of the sanitary sewer line was proposed to create a proposed alley. Worms also summarized the previous meetings on the matter noting that if nothing was done to secure the area, that property owners could build in such a manner as to close the roadway and snow removal could also cease. Hetland gave an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of setbacks for the residents in the residential zone noting that the property lines would be maintained and still allow a 10' set back for residential building. There was a discussion that the 20' alleyway should be jogged around the current building structure of the Corner Store. Ed Atkinson said that the alley is needed to ensure that the area is protected for continued and future residential and commercial usage. Those present felt that the area should be protected from building and that access should be maintained recognizing that not all areas of the road were protected currently by easements. Phil Osendorf raised concern about set backs for future building along the road and sought assurances that residential property owners could still build or maintain existing structures. Hetland commented that as along as property lines are not changed, that set backs are measured from the property line to the overhang under City Code. Fritz Hoeschen mentioned that property lines are not straight in most parts of the city and it proposed alley should be straight opposed to angled or jogged. A brief discussion followed that a straight line alleyway would mean property owners could not rebuild if a current structure passes into the alley. Humbert moved and Balderston seconded a motion to redefine the westerly lines to be straight with the easterly lines in the proposed alley map and authorize staff to proceed to the next step in protecting the road space from development. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.

US Cable Presentation on transition of cable service to AlbanyTel

Steve Johnson, State Manager for U.S. Cable was present to discuss his proposal to end the cable franchise agreement with the City of Freeport. He gave a brief history of his experience with the City and the agreement noting that he oversaw the transition and implementation of both franchise agreements in Freeport. He explained that recently communities have been upgraded with fiber optic technology throughout their system and the upgrade for four cities – Kimball, Eden Valley, Watkins, and Freeport – were not cost effective for the company the systems would be shut down this spring. He noted that the other cities have already made the transition and that Freeport was the last.

Balderston asked about the cost for a transition. Steve Katka, manager of Albany Mutual Telephone Company (Albanytel) responded that there would be no charge for former U.S. Cable subscribers to transition over to Albanytel's services. Hetland mentioned that an artificial barrier doesn't need to be made because there still is competition with dish network and Albnaytel competing for a subscriber base. Katka also responded that it is in his company's best interest to keep costs low for the consumer to gain and maintain their support. When asked the reason to formally end the agreement per the request, Johnson responded that it was fairer to the customers rather than simply shutting them off or slowly raising their rates only to eventually shut them off.

Humbert moved and Joe Hennen seconded a motion to approve Resolution 2006-005 allowing US Cable to terminate the cable franchise agreement with the City of Freeport. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.

Small Cities Development Program – Public Disclosures

Due to the guidelines of the Small Cities Development Program through direction from Heidi Peper, SEH Community Development Manager the following disclosure statements:

  • For Tim Hennen he verbally stated that "he is disclosing that his mother has applied for assistance to the Small Cities Development Program."
  • For Charlie Balderson he verbally stated that "he is disclosing that he has applied for assistance to the Small Cities Development Program."

In other business, Charlie Balderston commented that his recent attendance atLeague of Minnesota Cities newly elected conference was valuable and a good experience.

Reports

Fire Chief, Tom Hiltner

Fire Chief Tom Hiltner brought forward a detailed proposal outlining the purchasing of 800 mhz for the fire department. His proposal outlined the purchasing of 6 dash mounted radios, 1 base station, 4 portable radios, 1 headset for Pumper #1 – all with a 3 year warranty totaling $31,098.14. With the Stearns County Grant of $15,110, a donation from the Central Minnesota Federal Credit Union in the amount of $2500, Hiltner noted that the cost for the fire department would be $13,488.14. Hiltner noted that the remaining amount in the 2006 Area Fire Service Budget was $13,165.78 which if dedicated would give $322.36 remaining to fund the needed radios and equipment. Hetland noted that only about $500 was used in 2006 in the Radio/Pager line item of $1500, so there would be a budgeted area for the entire purchase.Hiltner noted that the service fees for the new system have not been determined by the County the radio board responsible for setting the fees. Worms noted that from a previous meeting on the topic an amount of $800 to $1000 per year for maintenance was mentioned. Hiltner also noted that pagers will remain on a VHF system. Worms asked if the total amount included installation and Hiltner responded that he understood that it was included in the price. Joe Hennen moved and Balderston seconded a motion approving the expenditure of $13,488.14 using the carry forward amount from 2006 and the Radio/Pager budgetary line from the 2007 budget. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.

Hiltner also mentioned that a house burn drill is scheduled for April which would cost approximately $750 after vouchers from St. Cloud Technical College are applied. Balderston moved and Humbert seconded a motion to authorize the house burn drill in April. Discussion offered 5-0.

Public Works Director, Joel Dasher

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

Dasher gave an update as to the destination location signs previously approved by Council on October 11, 2006. Humbert moved and Joe Hennen seconded a motion to eliminate the signage proposed to be off of the Interstate. Discussion included the inability to place the signs on the interstate off-ramp. Motion carried 5-0.

After several questions regarding the installation of the proposed generator, Dasher was requested to work with Kurt Scherping to give a proposal at the next meeting.

City Clerk/Treasurer's Report, Paul Hetland

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

Hetland also gave a report regarding the newly conceived Water and Waste Water Advisory Response Network (WARN) Committee which he is a part of and the group met for its first meeting on January 10, 2007. Hetland further noted that the WARN system is being proposed by the Minnesota Department of Health to replicate similar systems implemented in California and Florida.He was recommended by the Rural Water Association to represent Greater Minnesota cities on this planning board. Hetland stated his opposition to the system stating that it was redundant to the Intrastate Mutual Aid agreements signed by many cities in Minnesota the year prior to NIMS compliance and agreements that are already in place non-emergency assistance from other communities. Council appreciated the report and encouraged Hetland to continue advocating for the group to disband yet conclude that the aims of the system are already being met in Minnesota.

Hetland also stated that the 2006 audit field work was conducted on Friday, January 26 and all went well. Hetland offered possible times for the audit discussion and Council agreed that the presentation should be by itself on March 14.

Hetland mentioned that the Chamber of Commerce is leading an effort to create a joint welcome and information system with the Lions Club, the City, and the Fire Department. The budget for each of the welcome bins and binders will be $10 each and there were 30 new water and waste water accounts in 2006 in Freeport. More information will be forthcoming.

Hetland mentioned that he is continuing to work on the orderly annexation agreement with Oak Township and expects a draft for review by the end of February.

Consent Agenda

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

  • Claims in the amount of $53,323.66
  • 2004 Industrial Park lighting project payment application No. 3 (FINAL) in the amount of $1,299.00
  • Authorization for the City Clerk/Treasurer to attend the March 6-9, 2007 Annual Minnesota Municipal Clerks and Finance Officers Association Conference at the Arrowwood in Alexandria for the amount of $245
  • Claims for payroll in the amount of $6,068.83
  • Authorization to purchase and erect a large vehicle parking sign to direct traffic to the south part of the Main Street parking area
  • Approval of a gambling and liquor permits for July 21 and 22, 2007 for Sacred Heart Parish

Discussion included a payment to the Minnesota Department of Transportation in the amount of $500 for a permit fee along the railroad corridor. Worms offered to contact MnDOT and follow-through with the fee. The check was pulled from the claims list until further information is researched. Joe Hennen inquired if the amount of associations the City is a member of is justified. Hetland gave a brief description of each of the associations the City is a member of and suggested that if Council desires an annual review of each could be performed. Motion carried 5-0.

At 10:07 P.M. Worms moved and Humbert seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0.