Consent Agenda
Joe Hennen moved and Tim Hennen seconded a motion approving the Consent Agenda which included the following: approval of the agenda; approval of the minutes from the October 14, 2008 Regular Council Meeting; claims in the amount of $71,849.34, payroll in the amount of $7524.92, and a call for a special meeting on November 5, 2008 at 7:30 P.M. at Freeport City Hall to canvass the 2008 General Election. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
Old Business
Fire Hall Insulation Project
Noah Van Beck, First Assistant Chief was present to deliver a proposal to make improvements to the Fire Hall as requested from the last meeting. Van Beck stated that a bid for the supplies from Hennen Lumber was $1161.88 and $600 from NVB Builders for labor for a total of $1761.88. Joe Hennen moved and Humbert seconded to approve the bids for $1761.88 to complete the remaining areas on the Fire Hall siding maintenance project. Discussion included that the project would start at the beginning of January 2009. Motion carried 4-0. Tim Hennen abstained.
Building Code Fee Change consideration and recommendation from the City Building Inspector Dan Marthaler
Tim Hennen moved and Balderston seconded a motion to approve Resolution 2008-022 adjusted the building fee schedule as recommended by the City Building Inspector Dan Marthaler and staff. Discussion included that it was the first increase since adoption of the State Building Code in 2002 and is one also recommended for cities with the Code in the surrounding area. Motion carried 5-0.
New Business
Open Public Forum
Ves Stroeing approached Council regarding the recent adoption of the sump pump ordinance. His concerns were that to comply with state law, he would be posing a ice safety hazard on his property. Keith Koehler mentioned that he had previously met with Stroeing and that running an exterior sump pump line does not appear feasible. Koehler mentioned that a safety hazard amendment could be considered. He also noted that he would work with state and water association officials to work with property owners to make compliance as smooth as possible on a case-by-case basis.
Comprehensive Plan
Bielejeski and Hetland reported that they agree a water tower is needed and the funding should be applied for as soon as possible due to the deteriorating condition of the tower, water safety concerns and most importantly, for its fire capacity. Council agreed and authorized staff to begin collecting information to begin the process of obtaining fund opportunities for Council to make a decision on installing a new water tower as soon as funding permits. Bielejeski also reported that after review of the water system, a water main loop should be installed running from the Industrial Park to near the Senior Center to provide greater pressure through the system and to keep the dead ends of the two areas as clean as possible of iron sediments. Bielejeski reported that the water tower could cost as much $1.1 million for its complete construction and it does not include the addition of the water main loop. Nonetheless, this reaffirms the need for funding options.
There was a small discussion on the current water tower. It was generally agreed that due to the height and consequential pressure differential that the current tower would be brought off-line with the installation of a new, higher tower.
Reports
City Clerk/Treasurer's Report, Paul Hetland
Hetland provided a written report that is on file for review.
Public Works Director's Report, Keith Koehler
Koehler provided a written report that is on file for review.
City Engineer's Report, April Bielejeski
April Bielejeski reported that a walk through of the Main Street Project and the Industrial Park Project per their warranty contracts will be conducted the following Wednesday and Council is welcome to attend.
Worms mentioned concerns regarding the Welle 2 housing addtion patching and settling issues. Worms thought that the street repairs that were done on 3rd Avenue SE appeared to blend into the other part of the street and the formerly mentioned total repair of the street did not appear necessary. Worms asked fellow Council Members to examine the street and report back at the next meeting.
At 8:46 P.M. Worms moved and Balderston seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
