Freeport City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - June 11, 2003

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

Approval of the Minutes

Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion approving the minutes for the May 14, 2003 meeting. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

Liquor License Renewal

Hetland brought to the Council’s attention that there was one remaining entities that was in compliance to have their licenses renewed, that is – their insurance documentation, fees paid in full, and documents completed were in order. Hennen moved and Worms seconded a motion approving the on and off-sale liquor license for the Corner Pub & Grill. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

Public Works Report

Dasher provided Council with written and verbal reports. The ponds need to be sprayed for thistle. The spray will not effect the grass but will also kill other broad leaf weeds. Melrose Fertilizer estimated the cost at $300.00. Thelen moved and Worms seconded a motion approving Melrose Fertilizer to spray the weeds at the ponds for the estimated amount. Discussion offered. Motion carried. Dasher also reported that the lift stations were cleaned on this day. The process removes grease and built up solids below the pumping level. Annual consumer confidence reports were mailed this week. This letter informs water customers about the quality of the water. The sweeper required a new alternator and radiator during the past week. Also, Heartland John Deere completed repairs to the loader on the tractor this past week. The weed eater needs replacing. After discussion of the problem, Council advised staff to repair the weed eater if the cost can remain under $30, otherwise to investigate and purchase a new weed eater. Council also advised Dasher to rake, aerate, re-seed the necessary areas around City Hall to greater beautify the grounds. Dasher also reported that curb and crosswalk painting is ongoing.

Well Security

Preferred Controls advised the City to purchase a new thermostat for Liftstation 2 due to the fact that the old one is malfunctioning. The cost breakdown is as follows: 1 st-207 Watlow thermostat $61.24, 1 fuse holder and fuse $4.27, and labor $50.00 for a total of $115.51. Thelen moved and Humbert seconded a motion to approve of the thermostat for liftstation 2. Discussion offered. Motion carried. Preferred Controls also presented the final payment application in the amount of 10% or $1645.13. Humbert moved and Worms seconded a motion to approval the payment application. Discussion offered. Motion carried. The water system training for Council would be on June 25 at 6:30 PM prior to the City Council’s regular meeting at 7:30 PM.

City Clerk’s Report

Regarding the proposed city hall, Thelen and Hetland reported their review and revisions, in compliance of the EDA’s and Council’s desired changes as previously discussed, of the plans and specifications as recently presented from Cole Group Architects. Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion approving Resolution 2003-14 accepting the plans and specifications unconditionally. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

Report from Romness, Bolton & Menk

7th St. SW Project

Romness reported that he review the recent bid and recommended Mid Continental Asphalt be awarded the bid for the project. Worms moved and Goebel seconded a motion to accept the bid as recommended by the project’s engineer. Discussion offered. Motion carried. Discussion followed regarding the possible inspection of the project by SEH while they were in town working on 3rd St. NE. Further conversation would be sought with Pete Carlson, SEH on the possibility. Romness reported that it would be approximately two weeks for the pre-construction meeting with the general contractor and sub-contractors. The assessment would be at $52 per foot. He also noted that the culvert would be replaced with a catch basin.

Industrial Park Project

Romness reported that the immediate Friday or Monday pavement should be laid on the roadway assuming there was no rain the forecast. It was brought to the Council’s attention that Ellingson’s wanted to tar their driveway at the same time. Hetland would be forwarding the timeline to Phil Ostendorf the following day. Romness reported that black dirt would be needed for backfill on the curb and gutter and he would be using Neal Middendorf’s dirt to complete the task. He also reported that the needed fabric repairs were completed. He also reported that the driveway at the ballpark could use some repairs and the Council directed that he do so.

Report From Pete Carlson, SEH

3rd St. NE Project

Work is being completed on the alley sewer work and that the services should be completed shortly. The curb and gutter needs to be backfilled and they are ready to rebuild the road, but they are awaiting the hook up of remaining services. Pavement will be completed the following day for the stretch of roadway on County Road 11. It was discussed the option of laying down asphalt near the liftstation at the end of 3rd St. NE, and it was generally agreed that for cost reasons other materials and suppliers should be investigated. On the issue of the drainage of the area east of 2nd Ave. NE and south of 3rd St. NE, Massmann reported that the residents were indifferent on the project’s progression. Council discussion the options and agreed that now was the time to address the issue of water accumulation prior to closure on the project and possible future water problems. Worms moved and Humbert seconded a motion to move forward on a drainage solution as proposed by SEH in Change Order #1 for the amount of $6515.00. Discussion offered. Motion carried with Thelen abstaining.

7th St. SW Project

Carlson noted to Council that the SEH inspectors would only be in the area for the next couple of weeks and, therefore, would not be available to inspect the project as proposed earlier in the meeting.

Downtown Parking Lot Proposal

After further discussion of the amount for paving the area, it was agreed that the direction should be towards crushed granite in the area. No official action was taken.

Sanitary Sewer Ponds

Carlson reported that he is still following up with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Council directed staff to mow the city lot in the Welle Country Acres and advise the other land owners of the empty lots to likewise in compliance with the City’s weed and grass ordinance.

Variance for Jeremy Graves

After discussion on the request and review of the diagram as prepared by staff, Worms moved and Goebel seconded a motion to approve the variance as requested by Jeremy Graves. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

Welle Country Acres – Lots 3 and 4

Hetland provided documentation from legal counsel regarding the foreclosure status of the tow lots. Discussion followed. Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion to offer Dave Anderson $1000.00 per lot in full and complete settlement to resolve the issue without any further Court proceedings with the offer open for a period of 10 days from the receipt of the notification. Discussion offered. Motion carried. Staff was advised to have legal counsel proceed with the notification.

Council requested that Hetland confirm that the League of Minnesota Cities has the correct addresses of the current Council for receipt of publications.

Hetland reported to Council the request from the Stearns County Office of Environmental Services request to set up a joint meeting among the City of Freeport, Millwood Township, and Oak Township to discuss future growth and development. Council was respective to the meeting and instructed staff to convey the desire to proceed to the appropriate office.

Council advised staff to look into other companies for bonding the City’s projects and report back at a later meeting.

New Business

Employee Review

Hetland informed Council that conversations were made with Joel Dasher and the review would be postponed until an appropriate time of 90 days had passed to adequately produce a review. Dasher agreed to the proposal and Council accepted.

Variance request for Charles and JoyGenea Schumer Balderston

Due to the lack of a diagram, Council requested that Hetland obtain one from the owners before the matter is discussed that future variances always include a diagram of the request.

Worms moved and Goebel seconded a motion to adjourn the Council meeting at 9:40 P.M. Motion carried.