Agenda

Humbert 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 Balderston seconded a motion approving the meeting minutes for July 11, 2007 with change to remove the last sentence describing a comment made by Ken Goebel. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.

New Business

Annual Area Fire Service Meeting

At 7:30 P.M. the Annual Meeting Area Fire Service was called to order. In attendance were the following:

City of Freeport

  • Matt Worms
  • Dave Humbert
  • Charles Balderston
  • Joe Hennen
  • Tim Hennen

City of St. Anthony

  • No one was present

City of St. Rosa

  • John Stoermann

Krain Township

  • Arnie Blommel

Millwood Township

  • Adolph Wensmann
  • Steve Notch

Oak Township

  • Bob Timp
  • Pete Welle

Albany Township

  • Paul Luethmers

Review of the Minutes

Hetland previously distributed the Council approved minutes of the last Area Fire Service Meeting on February 28, 2007. No changes were made or suggested for the minutes.

Old Business

Agreement and Fee

Hetland and Dymoke reviewed the overall provisions of the proposed service agreement. They indicated that the only outstanding issued carried forward from the previous meeting was regarding the percentage amounts for each of the fire service entities. Each of the entities present indicated that they agreed with the proposed percentages. St. Rosa moved and Millwood seconded a motion to approve the percentage provisions to determine the individual entity fee. Discussion offered. Motion carried 6-0.

Albany Township moved and Oak Township seconded a motion to approve the entire service agreement. Discussion included the logistics regarding signing the documents. Dymoke requested that the member entities stay a little longer after the meeting to gather information on the signatories and suggested that the agreements be prepared in the next few months to be signed at the next annual meeting. Motion carried 6-0.

Tim Hennen, per the group's request, gave a report regarding the recent truck purchase. Those present were pleased with the purchase and the work of the fire department's truck committee and Freeport City Council.

New Business

Disposal of VHF Radios – Sell or Donate to Grey Eagle Fire Department

Hetland brought forward a verbal proposal of whether to sell the remaining VHF radios for approximately $500 or to donate them to the Grey Eagle Fire Department. Those present felt that it would serve the Freeport Area Fire Service well to donate the radios as a gesture of good will to Grey Eagle. Hetland noted that he could alter a previous contract giving hoses to New Munich to accommodate the radio donation. St. Rosa moved and Freeport seconded a motion to donate the remaining VHF radios to the City of Grey Eagle. Discussion also included the fact that Grey Eagle, in Todd County, had no future plans to update their radios to the 800 mhz system. Motion carried 6-0.

House Burn Fee

Hetland gave a proposal on behalf of the Fire Chief to charge for requests to burn buildings for training purposes. The City of Melrose once had a fee but found that their training opportunities dramatically dropped once a fee was implemented and consequently abandoned the fee concept. The City of Albany currently has a $1000 house burn fee, but if it is for training purposes, then the fee is waived. The issue arose due to a number of house burn drills in 2007 and the concern from some fire fighters that the department may be going over budget. Hetland reported meeting with the fire chief and noting that the drill and training budgets were adequately funded for the remainder of the year. Those present felt that there was not enough of a need for a fee and that a fee may deter opportunities for necessary drills for the department.

Without objection, the chair adjourned the Special Meeting of the Freeport Area Fire Service at 8:03 P.M.

Old Business

Law Enforcement Contract

Council began a thorough discussion on whether or not to have a contract with the County Sheriff and if so, how many hours should be contracted.

Joe Hennen stated his opposition to a contract because there is already a strong law enforcement presence in the City and that property owners are already being taxed for this service.

Worms said that he would like to see a greater law enforcement presence above the normal duties of the County Sheriff that only a contract can supply. He recalled seeing a greater presence a few years ago when the City had a contract in his residential neighborhood. He desired to see deputies become more familiar with property owners while patrolling in the City.

Tim Hennen stated that he has noticed less littering without law enforcement in the City than when the City had the service.

Balderston asked Hetland if he had checked with the County Sheriff if the same officer could be scheduled to patrol the City. Hetland stated that he had not contacted the Sheriff but would before the next meeting.

Joe Hennen asked fellow Council Members and those present what was the problem that a contract was aimed to solve.

Humbert responded that there will always be juvenile offenses, but with a law enforcement presence can help reduce the frequency and numbers of offenses. Discussion continued on the budget amount of $1600 in the Public Service area of the 2007 Budget.

Troy Frieler asked what the flower pots in the City cost and whether that expenditure should have been dedicated to law enforcement.

Balderston also noted that a law enforcement presence such as reducing speeding can help prevent problems.

Worms mentioned that nuisance issues often the consequence of late night parties could be reduced if a patrol car could visit neighborhoods more often. Worms also noted that the cities of Brooten and Belgrade witnessed families with children moving from their cities due to a lack of law enforcement presence.

Joe Hennen responded that the County Sheriff has a responsibility to protect the people of the County.

Worms further noted that the City should do something to get a presence back in town and to try a contract for a few months at which time the contract can be evaluated.

Humbert stated that the police department and the previous major contract with the County Sheriff were terminated due to the wishes of the public at the time and government responded to that request. He noted that there appears to be a new public movement to bring law enforcement back to the City and government should respond to that request.

Balderston moved and Worms seconded a motion to approve of a three month contract from August through October for $1100. Discussion was offered. Motion carried 4-1.

Wetland Mitigation Update

Schulz and Dasher noted that the wetland area was scheduled for seeding the upcoming Tuesday.

Tim Hennen moved and Worms seconded a motion to approve the service agreement from Minnesota Native Landscape for the negotiated amount of $20,700 to be paid in a lump sum to save approximately $2600. Discussion included the possibility of having a performance bond or a letter of credit, but they were not included in the agreement due to the expected increase in cost. 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 verbal report.

He noted that Freeport Properties requested approval of the preliminary and final plats and their development agreement as soon as possible. Council set the hearing date for August 8.

Public Works Director, Joel Dasher

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

Humbert mentioned that on 2nd Street NE a curb stop was protruding fairly high and should be brought down to avoid an accident or damage to public or private property. Dasher stated that he would address the concern.

Per Council's inquiry, Dasher reported that the vandalized paint was removed from the Lions Park maintenance building.

City Clerk/Treasurer's Report, Paul Hetland

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

Hetland reported that his meeting with Deb Lybeck and Al Gadbaw the previous evening went well and they agreed with the Council's directives on the alley between 2nd Street NW and 3rd Street NW.

Hetland also mentioned a request from Al Beste to reimburse the amount originally aid for the drain tile replacement per the wetland mitigation proposal. Hetland and Tim Hennen both reported that Al Beste felt that the City has made him feel poorly for conducting a repair that benefited the City.A small discussion followed on the events leading to Al Beste's cease and desist order from a conservation officer. The Mayor and Clerk recalled that the drain tile line was originally hit by Beste, but to note that the ticket was regarding the ditch being cleaned out and not the drain tile repair itself. Also, it was noted that the mitigation proposal was offered to help Beste not penalize him. Hetland was asked to contact Beste to discuss the matter further and complete the in-kind service.

Consent Agenda

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

  • Claims in the amount of $40,923.80
  • Claims for payroll in the amount of $6845.75

Discussion followed. Motion carried 5-0.

At 9:24 P.M. Worms moved and Tim Hennen seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0.