Freeport City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - February 11, 2003

Staff persons on hand were Rich Romness of Bolton & Menk, Pete Carlson of SEH, John Gilk, Joel Dasher, and Anton Massmann.

Staff Reports

Gilk reported that the AFSA has a used saw that has been replaced and is now used only city purposes. The estimated value of the saw is $200, motion by Humbert to purchase the saw for $200 seconded by Goebel and carried unanimously.

Old Business

The EDA currently preparing an offering price for the lots in the Welle Addition that have not complied with the restrictions, and is requesting the council place a fee for the clerk hours spent on preparing these transactions. Motion by Thelen to charge a $50 administrative fee on each lot, seconded by Hennen and carried unanimously.

Currently there are private donors who paid for engineering plans for a new city hall; the EDA will view the proposed plans tomorrow.

The council discussed the process for hiring a new City Clerk. When Massmann was hired the city used Kathleen Murphy as a consultant. Massmann will contact Murphy and ask her to attend next months meeting.

Public 429 Hearing for 3^RD St. NE

The proposed improvement on 3^rd Street north east starting at 1^st Avenue north and until the streets end including rerouting the sewer main to the center of the street, replacement of the water main, up grades in the storm sewer, in addition the city will replace the sewer main between 2^nd Avenue north east and the "T" section at Sacred Heart School. The area proposed to be assessed for such improvement is all real property owner abutting 3^rd Street north east between 1^st Ave north and until the streets end. The estimated cost of the improvement is $308,836.77. The council state that all assessments will be $52 per foot. With no further discussion, motion by Thelen to close the hearing seconded by Humbert and carried unanimously.

Motion by Humbert to approve resolution 2003-03 for SEH to prepare specifications for 3^rd Street NE, seconded by Goebel and carried unanimously. The council will meet Carlson on March 4^th to discuss specifications.

The council discussed including the 2^nd Avenue NE from at 3^rd Street NE and until the roads end. Motion by Worms to approve resolution 2003-04 call for feasibility study on 2^nd Avenue NE second by Goebel and carried unanimously.

Parking notices were sent to residents on 9^th Street SE. If the problem continues the council will have Massmann send another notice explaining the penalties for non-compliance.

The council reviewed the Stearns County Sheriffs Department contract for 2003 and after close consideration Humbert motioned not to renew the contract seconded by Worms and carried unanimously. This is due the Sheriffs Department is usually used as only a reactionary force, which they are already responsible for.

New Business

Regarding snow removal, the council determined that the truck parking area downtown will be cleaned only once the trucks have been moved. This will hopefully prevent them from being blocked in.

Next week Dasher will report on the cost quote from Quality Flow System for well security.

The Sacred Heart Parish requests a 3.2% temporary liquor license and a temporary gambling license. Motion by Humbert to approve 3.2% temporary liquor license for the parish festival seconded by Hennen and carried unanimously. Motion by Thelen to approve temporary gambling license contingent upon the parish present GL120 form seconded by Humbert and carried unanimously.

The council discusses the cost estimate for 7^th Street SW which was presented by Romness on January 28^th. Massmann will contact Romness to have him explain the cost and reasoning.

The meeting adjourned at 9:48.