Also in attendance were the following: Jim Beutz, Neil Middendorf, Rich Romness, Herman Lensing, Carl Toenyan, Rodney Atkinson, John Stoermann, Herb Breth, Steve Notch, Tom Hiltner, Bret Olson, Ken Utsch, Bob Timp, Adolph Wensmann, John Gilk, and Clancy Olmscheid.
Staff persons on hand were Paul Hetland, Joel Dasher, and Mark Middendorf.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said by those in attendance.
Report - Joel Dasher, Maintenance Worker
Dasher provided a written report to Council. No verbal report was given, but the written report contained the following: Information on trash pumps was provided. Regarding wiring for generator hook-up for the well house, Scherping Electric submitted a bid. A three phase generator is needed, whereas our current one is a single phase.
Waste water report stated that the ponds have been started. Roger with SEH will be speaking with Pete Carlson and Jim Shultz regarding additional riprap needed on the southeast side of Pond 3. More flushing has been done while flushing hydrants. Pond 3 water does not pass pH maximum of 9.0. Discharge is not possible at this time.
Water system update included that more hydrant service has been completed. Gate valve operation is approximately 50% completed. Thanks to the help this summer by Mark Middendorf, Dasher reported that we will complete this important part of our water system. Ideally, this should be done annually to keep operating threads clean and to be sure all valves work in case of a main break during the winter. The Lions Park has been shut down for the season. Thanks to Larry with Atkinson's Well Drilling for his quick response due to the sudden onset of freezing weather. The water shut down at the park included the sprinkler system, restrooms, and water to the snack shack. Dasher noted the City's appreciation to Joe Merrgen, the Utility Supervisor with the City of Albany for the use of their service pipe line tracing equipment for the "Pump 'N Pantry" service lines. EarthTec of Melrose did some soil borings to analyze for soil contamination.
A street maintenance update included a report that Tim with Mid-Continental Asphalt offered the excess asphalt to the City that remained from the 7th Street SW project for patching areas throughout our streets in need of maintenance. He offered the use of the crew and roller for free and only charged for the material. Areas repaired were: area by tower well on 3rd Street SE, low area on 2nd Ave in from of Loren Goebel's drive which held about 6 inches of water at all times, manhole in front of city hall, and miscellaneous potholes. Also, concrete parking stops were placed in front of the city skating rink to discourage people from driving through the newly seeded area by request of Paul Hetland.
Industrial Park
Neil Middendorf approached the Council regarding his concerns on the issue of which property if for sale through the City's option agreement with the Middendorf Brothers Partnership. Neil explained that from his understanding, Industrial Park Drive was located too far south from its original location. He also stated that he was under the belief that much of the area located to the west of the farm site stretching the entire length of the Industrial Park was not for sale. Hetland provided information from our attorneys Meyer, Meyer, Dymoke & Dymoke dated October 7, 2003 that the only land that was not for sale under the terms of the option agreement was the Middendorf farm site. (An exact inquiry was made by Joe Heinen October 7, 2002.) Discussion followed. Thelen suggested that an on-site meeting take place on Friday, October 10 at 9:00 AM to examine the site and report back to EDA for further recommendations. Thelen, Hennen, and Hetland stated that they would attend the meeting with Neil and Mark Middendorf.
Beutz Radiator Service
Jim Beutz was invited to meet with the City Council to discuss options on cleaning up the wood and debris surrounding, but especially in front of, his business Beutz Radiator Service. Hetland provided multiple pictures taken from 8/21/03 through 10/7/03 of the business and the violations in question. Hetland noted that a citation was served for litter and the City was in its legal rights to enter the property and clean up the area; however, a written notice was sent from Beutz that the City was not to trespass on the land and according to our attorneys, this right supercedes this citation. Hetland then noted that according to Freeport City Code on Nuisances, Section 2010.01 that the site is a nuisance as defined as "...an annoyance to the persons in the neighborhood..." and "is determental to the property in the neighborhood..." which shown through multiple written and verbal complaints from the Renneker and Steinemann residences and through the April 25, 2000 minutes noting the devaluation of property due to the conditions of the business in question. The penalty of this section is a misdemeanor and under Section 115 Penalties the person "...may be punished by a fine of not more than $700 or such other amount set by law and imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days, or both. Each act of violation and each day on which a violation occurs or continues is a separate offense." Extensive discussion followed between Beutz and the Council. Several options were offered and thoroughly discussed. Beutz proclaimed that the wood was needed for heat and that it all would be burned up over the winter. Discussion then included allowing the wood to remain until winter's end and taken formal action at time if necessary. No formal action was taken.
Area Fire Service Joint Meeting
At 9:00 P.M. the joint meeting of the Freeport City Council and Area Fire Service was called to order. In attendance were the following:
City of Freeport
- John Thelen
- Dave Humbert
- Ken Goebel
- Joe Hennen
City of St. Anthony
- Herb Breth
City of St. Rosa
- John Stoernman
Krain Township
- Bret Olson
Millwood Township
- Adolph Wensmann
- Carl Toenyan
- Steve Notch
Oak Township
- Bob Timp
St. Martin Township
- Ken Utsch
- Clancy Olmscheid
Albany Township - not present
Also present were John Gilk, Fire Chief; Paul Hetland, City Clerk; and Tom Hiltner, firefighter.
Per the fire chief's request, Freeport moved and Krain seconded a motion to allow the necessary funds to repair the rescue van. Discussion offered. Motion carried.
Review of FEMA Grant Budget
Gilk present the following information on the FEMA grant budget:
Equipment to be purchased through Metro Fire:
| Beginning Balance | $98,617.00 | ||
| Total FEMA funds available | Quantity | Price | Amount |
| MSA Air Pack Units | 13 | $3,275.00 | $42,575.00 |
| Additional Air Bottles | 13 | $ - | $ - |
| Face Masks with storage bags | 5 | $487.74 | $2,438.70 |
| Face masks with storage bag and glasses kit | 4 | $522.74 | $2,090.96 |
| Case of four filters | 1 | $592.71 | $592.71 |
| Turnout Gear | 22 | $1,125.00 | $24,750.00 |
| Helmets | 22 | $221.00 | $4,862.00 |
| Pairs of gloves | 20 | $36.00 | $720.00 |
| Portable 500 GPM water pump | 1 | $4,870.00 | $4,870.00 |
| 10'X4" PVC hard suction | 2 | $237.50 | $475.00 |
| 4" Float dock | 1 | $395.00 | $395.00 |
| 50'X3" soft hose | 1 | $182.50 | $182.50 |
| Mounting brackets for new truck | 1 | $185.00 | $185.00 |
| Equipment Total | $84,136.87 | ||
| Balance applied to new water truck | $14,480.13 |
Krain moved and Millwood seconded a motion to approved the budget as presented. Discussion offered. Discussion included the future use of the equipment budget in light of the monies used from this grant. Motion carried.
City Hall/Fire Hall
As a continuation from the last meeting, a discussion involving the future use of the city hall/fire hall for the use of the AFS was conducted. One option discussed was using the funds that would've been used for the equipment sinking fund could be placed into a fund for the purchase of the building. No formal action was taken.
Gilk brought to the attention of group that the AFS is in surplus of some outdated air packs that prove useful to New Munich's and Grey Eagle's fire departments at no charge. Krain moved and St. Rosa seconded a motion to give to the two fire departments our old air packs under an "as is" provision and to include formal documentation approved by legal counsel. Discussion offered. Motion carried.
St. Rosa moved and St. Martin seconded a motion to adjourn the joint meeting at 9:25 P.M. Motion carried.
Report - Pete Carlson, SEH
Carlson reported on the progress of the 2003 ponds project that the clay is in place and the riprap was been laid. He also reported that the project should be concluded next week.
There was also a discussion on the upcoming road projects and the areas the city may wish to consider. Discussion included the types of projects, methods for funding, and the timeline possibilities.
Council decided to hold a city meeting regarding the road projects on Thursday, October 23, 2003 at 5:30 P.M. to be held in the new city hall.
Hetland brought to the Council's attention a proposed mowing policy for along the Wobegon Trail. Discussion followed. No action was taken.
Council requested that Hetland investigate ordinances from other cities regarding wood storage and open burning.
Goebel moved and Hennen seconded a motion to approve Resolutions 2003-31 and 2003-32 approving of the creation of the JOBZ (Job Opportunity Building Zones) for the Freeport Industrial Park. Discussion offered. It was noted that in light of the timeline, this needs to be the highest priority for the city clerk/treasurer. Motion carried.
The claims were presented by Hetland in the amount of $24,778.48. Humbert moved and Hennen seconded a motion to approve the claims as presented. Discussion offered. Motion carried.
In an effort to protect the data records of the City, Hetland brought forward a resolution. Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion to approve Resolution 2003-33 City Records Data Protection Policy. Discussion offered. Motion carried, Hennen voted against the motion.
Thelen brought forward information from EDA on the lots in Welle Country Acres, Block 1, Lots 1 and 2. Goebel moved and Humbert seconded a motion to approve of the demolition of the lots under the provisions outlined by EDA and to be completed in documentation drafted by attorney Scott Dymoke. Discussion offered. Motion carried.
Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion to adjourn the Council meeting at 12:10 AM October 9, 2003. Motion carried.
