Staff persons on hand were Joel Dasher, Anton Massmann, and Paul Hetland.

Local Board of Review – Part 1 of 2 Meetings

Robert Lindvall and Tim Mitchell from the Stearns County Assessor’s Office were present to review and answer questions regarding the property valuations appraisals for 2004. They reported that generally there was a 6% in the market value of properties.

Mark Middendorf brought forth a concern regarding his per acreage values and the classification at an agricultural value. Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion that the 7 out of 8 properties together would be valued at $1500 per acre. Those parcels are as follows: 54.32129.057, 54.32129.058, 54.32129.059, 54.32129.060, 54.32129.050, 54.32129.051, 54.32129.054. Discussion was offered. Motion carried. Goebel moved and Worms seconded a motion to approve signing the letter of agreement regarding the Middendorf properties. Discussion was offered. Motion carried.

Gerald Meyers property R 54.32270.000/001. Mr. Meyers brought to the council’s attention his desire to devalue his property based on his calculations. Information was in turn presented that stated the property’s proposed valuation was consistent with other adjacent property. Humbert moved and Thelen seconded a motion to keep the property’s valuation unchanged at $29,800. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

Rodney Atkinson property R 54.32270.010/001. Mr. Atkinson brought to the council’s attention his desire to devalue his property based on his calculations and to use the same methodology for similar adjacent properties. Thelen moved and Humbert seconded a motion to keep the Atkinson property at last year’s valuation, to keep it at $29,000. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

Community Care & Service Corp property R 54.32079.010/001. It was brought to the council’s attention the desire to devalue the property to offset the large adjustments in the last few years. Thelen moved and Worms moved to keep the valuation at last year’s amount of $224,500. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

Freeport State Bank/hardware building property R 54.32218.000/001. Jim Hemker brought to the council’s attention the building’s proposed assessment was for $59,800 for 2003 up from $55,700 the year previously. There was considerable discussion on adjacent properties and their varying functions and abilities to raise other funds. Thelen moved and Goebel seconded a motion to leave the valuation on the land unchanged but reduce the building amount to $42,000. Discussion was offered. Motion carried.

7:50 P.M. the chair called for a recess of the Board of Review.

At 7:55 P.M., the Council reconvened to conduct other business.

3rd St. NE

The Council reviewed the bids for the 3rd Street NE project. The bid amounts were read to Council and they are as follows:

Bidder Amount Bid

  • BREITBACH CONST: $229,447.38
  • C & L EXCAVATING: $244,877.50
  • MIDCONTINENT ASPHALT: $263,073.25
  • RANDY KRAMER EXC: $264,644.68
  • KUECHLE UNDERGROUND: $277,871.90
  • NORTHDALE CONST: $286,296.77

Worms moved and Humbert seconded Resolution 2003-09 approving the bid from Breitbach Construction for $229,447.38. Discussion was offered. Resolution carried.

It was also brought to the Council’s attention the need for house to street work that would need to be completed that was not a part of the original bid. Staff was instructed to contact three local contractors to bid on the project. The three suggested companies were as follows: Thull, Kemper, and Lange.

Clerk’s Report

City Hall Proposal. Humbert moved and Goebel seconded Resolution 2003-10 to approve the city hall design as drafted by Cole Architects, Inc. and submit the plans to bid. Discussion offered. Staff was instructed to have the plans available at the office for a non-refundable price of $40. The bids would be due on May 13 at 11:00 A.M., EDA would open at 12:00 P.M. the same day and the Council would review on May 14 at 7:00 P.M. Resolution carried.

Staff recommended that Northland Securities replace Drown and Associates as the City’s financial advisors. Goebel moved and Humbert seconded a motion supporting Northland Securities to conduct a financial review for the City. Discussion was offered. It was mentioned that Northland Securities was able to write their own bonds should the need arise. Motion carried.

Street crack filler contract. Lawrence Shreffler proposed a contract with the City to fulfill our street needs. Thelen moved and Goebel seconded a motion to approve the contract as proposed by Mr. Shreffler if staff found that the rates were comparable to similar contracts made in surrounding communities. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

A liquor license was brought forward by the Freeport Softball Club. Thelen moved and Humbert seconded a motion approving a temporary liquor license for the Freeport Softball Club for the dates of June 18-20, 2003. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

Staff brought forward a variance request for Don Timp. He wishes to build a residential garage although he is in an industrial zone. Staff also requested that the variance fee be waived due to the circumstances. Thelen moved and Humbert seconded a motion to waive the variance fee and begin the process for a variance. Discussion was offered. It was clarified that the variance hearing would be April 29, 2003. Motion carried.

Other Business

It was brought to the Council’s attention that City should create a 5 to 10 year comprehensive development plan. The topic would be brought forward to the EDA and a recommendation would be passed from that group.

Council instructed staff to contact Dana Beuning regarding the debris remaining in the gutter from their construction and to encourage the homeowners to clan it up.

Council also discussed street sweeping options and instructed staff to further investigate options for spring street sweeping.

Thelen moved and Worms seconded a motion to adjourn the Council meeting at 9:25 P.M. Motion carried.