Agenda

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

Approval of the Minutes

Tim Hennen moved and Balderston seconded a motion approving the meeting minutes for June 13, 2007. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.

Special Presentation:

Stearns County Sheriff John Sanner and Deputy Kellen Hemmesch were present to give a PowerPoint presentation on Methamphetamine (meth) Labs and law enforcement in general. Hemmesch cited that the drug task force of our area is one of the most recognized and effective task forces in Minnesota. Sheriff Sanner noted that if anyone in the community sees anything suspicious or out of place in the community, to contact the Sheriff's Office. He noted that sometimes it is a simple call regarding something out of the ordinary that can lead law enforcement to a search warrant, arrest and ultimately a conviction. Sanner and Hemmesch stated that meth lab numbers are overall down, but shipments and consumption is on the rise. They noted that meth labs have been found all over the County including very close to Freeport. They also stated that meth production is often around children, in car trunks, and incredibly dangerous. It's consumption leads to hygiene neglect and the literal disintegration of the body. Meth use causes various hallucinations and paranoid conditions such as a belief that bugs are constantly on a person and that everyone is trying to steal ones meth or arrest them. Most users and makers have some sort of weapon.All users and/or producers suffer health issues, most severe aliments and with continued use ultimately die. The Sheriff stated that he is committed to the fight meth use and production in Stearns County.

The Sheriff reiterated the point of community policing in that it takes the community and law enforcement to work together to reduce crime. He noted that a concerned citizen never has to leave their name when contacting the Sheriff's Office.

A discussion followed on trying to make judges more accountable.

Those present felt the presentation was informative and relevant and thanked Sanner and Hemmesch for their presentation.

New Business

Open Public Forum

No one addressed Council.

Old Business

Playground Update

Hetland gave a brief update that he had met with representatives from Sacred Heart Parish and School regarding a potential lease agreement with the Sacred Heart playground. He anticipated that a lease agreement would be ready for review and approval at the next meeting on July 11.

Wetland Mitigation

Staff brought forward a request by Al Beste that his wetland mitigation service was completed through his in-kind work performed in the last few months and considering the initial improvement was attempt to benefit City storm water run off. Jim Schulz presented information that in accordance with the verbal agreement reached the year before with Mr. Beste, a balance of in-kind service still remained of over $1400. Council suggested that Mr. Beste be contacted to perform one last and needed tilling of the wetland mitigation area completing the in-kind agreement made a year earlier. Council acknowledged the good faith effort of Mr. Beste to originally repair drain tile and help the City's storm water needs along with the other community contributions and service made by Mr. Beste. However, Mr. Beste did agree to the in-kind service opposed to paying a formulated dollar amount, which was the case with the other participants in the mitigation plan. Hetland offered to meet with Mr. Beste to discuss the compromise directive.

Dasher and Schulz also reported that some of the non-native grasses still need to be controlled and one more prescribed burning is needed. It was noted that such a control burn would not need fire fighter presence according to Fire Chief Tom Hiltner.

Open Public Forum

By request, Worms reopened Open Public Forum.

Joy Balderston mentioned that the City needs a law enforcement presence. Worms responded that there is some money available in the 2007 budget. Worms mentioned that a contract was made with the Sheriff's Office, but its effectiveness was difficult to determine. The two-month contract period in 2005 had professional reporting, but the primary contract concern, which was speeding, was best accomplished through the portable speed detection machine and not by officer intervention. Worms also noted that the City Council has had several discussions regarding the issue of police protection, that they were concerned about public safety and trying to address it.

Sheriff mentioned that a contract with his office can be tailored to fit a community's needs. It can be a month-to-month contract and it is $40 and he noted that the actual cost is about $90 per hour. He noted that there are approximately seven other contracts in the County with his office.

Pat Hiltner mentioned that the presence of law enforcement will help be a deterrent to criminal activity in the City.

Sue Frieler asked if citizens could vote on the topic or if a survey could be distributed. Worms responded that he felt a survey was not necessary considering the large public turn out at the meeting.

Tom Hiltner mentioned that there are approximately 250 home and business owners and a small increase in taxes could make a large difference in providing law enforcement protection and presence. He also mentioned that he cannot place cars outside of his maintenance shop without having them broken in to or vandalized.

Joe Hennen mentioned that there is protection in the City and it is the County Sheriff who currently frequently patrols the City.Sheriff Sanner said that response time has increased in the area but a contract would ensure a heightened response time and create a professional relationship with neighboring police departments for even faster response times. Charles Balderston also conveyed this same sentiment from his experience.

Lisa Heinen mentioned that she was upset about loud noise and disorderly conduct by her neighbors in 211 1st Avenue N and called the Mayor the previous weekend for action.

Humbert asked if the Sheriff or his deputies currently stop in town and talk with business or other property owners. The Sheriff responded that they usually don't perform this service unless there is a contract in place.

Carol Moorman mentioned her experience with a drive along in a Sheriff vehicle and the Sheriff offered a ride-a-long to anyone interested in understanding the activities of his department.

Sheriff Sanner mentioned that many people in Brooten said that they were losing young families because they didn't feel safe without a law enforcement presence.

Gary Pierskalla mentioned that the Community Center was broken into a few months prior to the meeting and that few people, including him and his family, knew of the break in. He felt that the information should be made more public to help prevent crime and apprehend offenders. He said it would be helpful to have a monthly print out of the law enforcement activities in the City. Sanner said that such information could be given in a contract to the City.

Sue Frieler noted that most people in the City and the area know that there isn't law enforcement in Freeport and it contributes to the problems experienced by many people in the City.

Hetland gave his recommendation that a contract is needed. He noted that research was done to consider working with neighboring police departments or creating one for the City. The City of Albany reported that they are not interested in developing a contract because we are not a part of the same school district. The City of Melrose gave a detailed response and per hour rate, which was hundreds of dollars per month and far outpaced the Sheriff's amount of $40 per hour. Hetland noted that the Melrose amount did accurately indicate the actual cost of law enforcement and publicly appreciated the effort made by Melrose to give Freeport this information and their willingness to work in cooperation. With the information from Melrose and other research, Hetland noted that creating a police force would cost close to $200,000 to purchase supplies, a vehicle properly equipped, and hire an officer or two and fully train them. The amount would nearly be that of the City's levy, which in a single year of implementation would in effect double taxes, making the option infeasible in the conceivable future but a long-range plan could make it possible.

Hetland noted that there could be several elements included in a contract including the following:

  • foot patrol opposed to only in a vehicle
  • business door checks
  • coordinating a community watch program
  • assisting the City in issuing citations
  • addressing speeding in the City which is still the number one law enforcement complaint Hetland receives

Hetland noted, as the Mayor did earlier, that approximately $4000 is available in the overall budget assuming budgeted expenditures do not occur or are readjusted. He also noted that citizens should always feel free to contact him if they feel they don't want to contact the Sheriff's Office or if it is not a matter of eminent danger. Hetland said that he has contacted the Sheriff on several occasions on behalf of other citizens and those calling have remained anonymous and the concerns addressed.

Pat Hiltner requested that a survey be sent out to people in the City. Worms mentioned that presence of so many concerned citizens negated the need for a survey. Worms and Humbert both spoke in appreciation of the public attendance and the direction from citizens on the subject of law enforcement.

Everett Schepring mentioned that he felt law enforcement was needed and that the schedule be erratic so not to create patterns that criminals could figure out.

Hiltner mentioned that there should be a return on the expenditure from ticket and prosecution revenue. Sanner responded that the income unfortunately and usually does not outpace the expenditures made in law enforcement generally in society, but there are exceptions and it depends on how one measures costs overall.

Kellen Hemmesch mentioned that even though he supports law enforcement, communities should take caution in that officers execute the law to the best of their ability without prejudice. He noted that in one community a few people who signed a petition for law enforcement had speeding tickets themselves shortly after the contract began.

Joy Balderston asked the schedule of a law enforcement contract. As Worms stated previously in the meeting, he mentioned that there is a small budget for law enforcement this year and it would be addressed at the next meeting on July 11. Sheriff Sanner stated that whatever the City of Freeport decides to do with a contract, that his office will do their best to serve the People of Freeport and the County.

Reports

City Engineer, Jim Schulz, SEH

Schulz was present and gave a written report.

Schulz mentioned that there was a concern at the Pierskalla lot in the Industrial Park that the ditch slope currently at a 3:1 should be changed to a 4:1 slope. Gary and Linda Pierskalla made the request. The 3:1 slope was made due to the limits of the easement. Pierskallas gave their consent to allow the easement to increase to accommodate a safer slope for mowing, like the 4:1 the City Engineer suggested. Schulz reported that the cost would be about $1900 to change the slope. Worms asked if the landowner would be willing to seed the lot and Mr. Pierskalla stated that he would do so. Schulz also distributed a map for review. Joe Hennen asked what the benefit to the taxpayers of the City was in the proposed change. Worms responded that if the situation had arisen at the time of project review or construction, the change would have been included in the project. Balderston moved and Tim Hennen seconded a motion to approve the City Engineer's recommendation of an improved 4:1 slope for the Pierskalla lot ditch to the west of their drive way off of 7th Street SW to 4th Avenue SW and the Pierskallas will seed the ditch. Discussion offered. Motion carried 4-1.

Public Works Director, Joel Dasher

Dasher gave a written report which is on file for review.

Dasher brought forward a solicited bid for sidewalk restoration in areas where is it sinking around the City. Hetland stated that there is a budget allowance for the expenditure and as discussed at previous meetings it should be done a little every year to ease on a large amount in any given one year. Tim Hennen moved Balderston seconded a motion to approve the proposal as presented from Dasher. Discussion offered. Motion carried 4-0. Worms abstained.

Dasher reported that the maintenance building in the Lions Park was vandalized with spray paint a couple days prior to the meeting. Hetland showed pictures of vandalism to Council for their review.

Humbert mentioned that the brush mower should be used opposed to the riding lawn mower whenever cutting tall stands of grass, especially in field-like environments.

Joe Hennen mentioned that grass needs more water at the softball field. Dasher said that he would adjust the timers accordingly.

City Clerk/Treasurer's Report, Paul Hetland

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

Consent Agenda

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

  • Claims in the amount of $221,395.68 (which includes Pay App 9)
  • Claims for employee payroll in the amount of $6836.28
  • Claims for Council payroll in the amount of $2267.17
  • Claims in the amount of $22,678.88 for a final Small Cities Development Program payment
  • Approval of payment application number 9 to Annandale Contracting in the amount of $96,684.27

Discussion followed. Motion carried 5-0.

Joe Hennen noted that there appeared to be a liquor license payment missing in the financial reports presented by Hetland. Hetland stated that all were received and he was confident that it was inaccurately coded in the accounting system, but he would investigate the matter and report back at the next meeting.

Hetland had provided the latest design of a City sign from Justin Overman. Council liked the simple design without a water tower in the design. They also suggested that a minor change be made in deleting the words "established in." The sign would simply state "Welcome to Freeport. The City with a Smile.1892."

Hetland and Worms had proposed a City open house date of July 26 from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at City Hall, the Fire Hall, and the Maintenance Building. Council approved of the date and time.

At 10:33 P.M. Humbert moved and Tim Hennen seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0.