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 Joe Hennen seconded a motion approving the meeting minutes for June 27, 2007. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.

Old Business

Playground Agreement

Hetland gave a brief review of the agreement and offered to detail the agreement of which Council agreed was not necessary. In short, the 100 year lease creates a new City park on the current Sacred Heart school yard 67 feet wide (about 30 feet from the school building) and 165 feet long. Worms asked whether a propane fuel tank was on the property being leased and Father Roger Klassen responded that the buildings are supplied with natural gas lines and no such tank exists on the property. Mark Middendorf asked if the School or the City was responsible for the maintenance of the flag pole. Klassen responded that the School will continue to take care of the flag pole and its continued maintenance. Joe Hennen moved and Tim Hennen seconded a motion approving the contract as submitted between Sacred Heart Parish and the City of Freeport and authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the document and carry out necessary actions in fulfilling the lease. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.

Law Enforcement Contract with the Stearns County Sheriff

Hetland announced that an example contract was received from the Sheriff that day and he provided copies for the Council's reference. Hetland also supplied a letter from Joy Balderston for Council's review.

Tim Hennen asked for three minutes to discuss the matter. He noted that he was not for or against a greater law enforcement presence at the time, but felt surprised by the citizen comments at the previous meeting. He understood that the prior meeting was an informational one about methamphetamine labs and not about law enforcement contracts. Moreover, he felt that the public's comments made at the previous meeting incorrectly reflected the City Council's concerns for public safety.

Worms noted that to have a police department it would in effect double taxes in the City due to the start up costs including, but not limited to, a fully equipped squad car, equipment, uniforms, supplies, a personnel search, training, and the employee or employees. Worms felt that some sort of contract for services should be looked at to reduce and detour some of the crime but to realize that no amount of law enforcement could prevent all crime. Worms noted that he received a letter from the City of Albany's Chief of Police Jim Stueve and provided copies of the letter with Council. Worms mentioned an hour a week for a law enforcement contract for discussion.

Humbert also mentioned that a greater law enforcement presence in the City would help reduce crime.

Balderston mentioned that he was part of a ride along with a Deputy Sheriff on the Friday before the meeting. He noted that it took about 45 minutes to tour most of but not the entire City. He felt that an hour per week contract would not be enough to create an adequate law enforcement presence that citizens have been asking for in recent weeks or one that would help deter crime.

Worms mentioned that an hour a week can be focused on a particular area of the City opposed to the entire City where issues may not be present.

Discussion followed on the amount of time and activities of the officers if they were contracted. Hetland noted that the current budget for public safety is $1600.

Ken Goebel spoke against having a contract. Goebel mentioned that the court system has failed and should the primary focus of change to make a difference in public safety. Goebel suggested that the issue should be put on the water bill to ask people what they think. Worms responded that the Council would take it under advisement.

Without objection, Worms tabled the issue to the next meeting and encouraged Council Members to read the letter from Jim Stueve.

Wetland Mitigation Update

Joel Asp mentioned that the site should be prepared for seeding in the near future.Asp distributed seed planting and maintenance bids from three companies for Council's review and discussion.

After extensive discussion on the bid categories, Balderston moved and Joe Hennen seconded a motion authorizing the City Clerk to contact the lowest bidder Minnesota Native Landscapes to negotiate the contract to be lower than their bid amount of $23,375. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.

Alley between 2nd Street NW and 3rd Street NW Issue

Worms and Hetland gave a proposal for Council consideration regarding the alley between 2nd Street NE and 3rd Street NE. They proposed fixing the cement at the end of Lange's driveway, placing gravel down on the current grass alley, and then not plowing the snow in the winter on the alley.

Discussion followed with a review of the situation and discussion where the alley was located and if the alley had once ran all the way to 3rd Street NW.

Joe Hennen asked if anyone from the City had been in contact with Deb Lybeck and Al Gadbaw at the end of the alley. Hetland responded that no one had but he would attempt to do so before the next Council Meeting to see if a neighborhood solution could be reached. Council generally agreed that the alleys in the City have been largely made and maintained by the residents adjacent to the alley and it should be the same policy in this alley.

Balderston moved and Joe Hennen seconded a motion that the City is not responsible for the maintenance of dead end alleys. Discussion included clarification that the City does not repair such existing alleys or plow snow. Hetland also asked Joel Dasher and Mark Middendorf if the City had ever plowed the partial alley at the request of the Lange's and they both admitted that they had done so on a few occasions. Council also noted that there was not a need for any further alley policies at this time. Motion carried 5-0.

Humbert moved and Balderston seconded a motion to hold a public hearing on Ordinance 2007-005 regarding a recommendation from the Building Inspector to amend the City's building code to be a perpetual one to reflect changes in state statute for a future appropriate time. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.

New Business

Open Public Forum

No one stated anything.

Reports

City Engineer, Jim Schulz, SEH

Schulz was present and gave a written report which is on file for review.

Public Works Director, Joel Dasher

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

Dasher reported that the paint remover worked on the vandalized building in the Lions Park.

City Clerk/Treasurer's Report, Paul Hetland

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

Hetland noted his appreciation of the time that Council Members give to their positions and the professional and successful interaction among citizens, Council, and City staff in comparison to many other cities Hetland had recently spoke with through his clerk certification courses. Worms responded that Hetland is also appreciated and doing his job well.

Consent Agenda

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

  • Claims in the amount of $51,302.04 (SCDP check # 13203 released 7-3-07)
  • Claims in the amount of $39,914.44
  • The approval of the first and final payment application to David Gerads Construction for the Industrial Park Lot 2 Drainage Project in the amount of $29,555.50 (which includes the payment and approval of Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $2500)

Discussion followed. Motion carried 5-0.

At 10:00 P.M. Worms moved and Tim Hennen seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0.