Councilmembers present: Greg Boelter, August Schmidt, James Obermiller and Dave Humbert. Absent: none.

Also in attendance: City Clerk Anton Massmann, Rich Romness, Fritz Hoeschen, August Schmidt, Betty Hennen, Tim Hennen, Ed Hiltner, Viola Zwack, James Beutz, Jan Thelen, Henry Middendorf, Florence Lange, Ron Rieland, John Beste, Gary Thelen, Tom Vink, Walter Thelen, Jeremy Graves, and other residents not listed.

Mayor Atkinson opened the public hear on 3rd Street NE at 7:30pm. Rich Romness explained the need for the street reconstruction project. The sewer main which flow behind the homes on the north side of 3rd Street NE between 1st Avenue N and 2nd Avenue NE is in need of replacement. Extended from that line the main then flow through the front yards on the north side between 2nd Avenue NE till lift station number one, which will also be in need of replaced soon. It has been recommended by Rich Romness to vacate these lines and reroute the flow to the new mains under the street. At which time the residents would benefit from street reconstruction. Included in the reconstruction project the current four inch water main would be replaced with a new eight inch main. There would be no assessment cost for the water or sewer main replacement. The street would be replaced with curb, gutter, and storm sewer. From 1st Avenue N to 2nd Avenue NE the street would be 36 feet wide at an assessment cost of fifty two dollars per foot. From 2nd Avenue NE till the street ends, it would only be 24 feet wide, due to a narrow right-away of only 33 feet. The assessment cost for residents on this portion of the street would be forty dollars per foot. There would also be an additional assessment for residents who have their driveway abutting the street. This is approximately thirty dollars per square yard for any drive way replacement at 6 inches thick. After brief questions regarding individual assessments Mayor Atkinson asked for a show of hands from residents who were present and opposed the reconstruction. No resident showed opposition, and Mayor Atkinson closed the public hearing at 8:15pm.

Mayor Atkinson opened the public hear on 2nd Street SE at 8:15pm. Rich Romness explained that there is a drainage problem on 2nd Street SE, and the street is in need of repair. The current proposal is to reconstruct the 24 foot wide street, and replace the sewer main and 4 inch water main with a 12 inch. The assessments would be forty dollars per foot plus any additional driveway cost for properties where driveway is replaced. The replacement would be between 1st Avenue S and 3rd Avenue SE. Tom Vink questioned why the street would stop one block before the street ends. Romness state that the section of street above is where the drainage problem consists, but the council will take Mr. Vink’s question under advisement. Due to no further questions Mayor Atkinson closed the public hearing at 8:50pm.

Mayor Atkinson opened the public hear on 7th Street SE at 9:00pm.

Rich Romness explained that the street would be paved as a rural section, no curb and gutter, with minimum storm sewer upgrades. The assessments cost would be twenty six dollars per foot. There were only a few question regarding individual assessments. Due to no further questions Mayor Atkinson closed the public hearing at 9:15pm.

The EDA recommended to the council to defer the Industrial Park improvement assessments to Ellingson’s for 10 years at 8% if they choose to locate in the proposed park. They also recommended creating a Tax Abatement policy and offering it to Ellingson. Motion by John Thelen to create a policy and offer Tax Abatement to Ellingson’s if they choose to locate in the proposed Industrial Park; seconded by Greg Boelter, and carried unanimously.

The Fire Department is requesting temporary gambling licenses for June 15th 2002. Motion by John Thelen to approve the request; seconded by Bernard Heidgerken, and carried unanimously.

The council viewed the damaged spots on the ceiling in the senior center and approved to repaint the areas, but not the entire ceiling.

Motion to adjourn by John Thelen; seconded by Greg Boelter, carried unanimously.