Also in attendance were the following: Rodney Atkinson, Jodi Teich, Pete Carlson, Dave and Sue Raden, Jim Hemker, and Bud Heidgerken.
Staff persons on hand were Paul Hetland and Joel Dasher.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said by those in attendance.
Approval of the Minutes
Thelen moved and Goebel seconded a motion to approve the October 1 and October 23 meeting minutes as amended. Discussion offered. Motion carried.
Road Project Update
Regarding the planning process for County Road 11 and Main Street, Jodi Teich, Assistant Stearns County Engineer was present to discuss the county proposal, process, and to answer questions. She made it clear that projects can easily be moved back, but it's difficult to make them earlier. For reconstruction projects, she indicated that the county pays back-to-back of the curb and for most of the storm sewer. For the Main Street (157 and 60) Project, on 157 the county will pay for the center 27 feet of resurface. Anything else on this project must be picked up by the City. She also indicated that the county is still considering whether or not to "rubblize" the concrete under the multiple bituminous overlaid surface. She indicated that on November 18 the Stearns County Board of Commissioners would review the projects and make a final determination. She cautioned that 2005 may be a little soon to plan for the Main Street project, but that the City would have until May 2004 to make a decision on the project. Turf, sidewalk, and lighting are the city's cost regardless of the type of project. Jim Hemker noted that the sidewalk on Main Street is nearly engulfed by the tar overlays. Teich noted that typically the tar is milled away and the sidewalks removed and replaced. She further added that with rubblization, the material may remain in place or be replaced by the appropriate amount of Class 5 material. Teich also highly discouraged attempting to complete both projects in the same year due to issues of access to the city and the complexity of directing traffic and maintaining reasonable business expectations, not to mention emergency service access. She encouraged a year in between each project. Regarding the duration of the Main Street work, she stated that it would be approximately 2 ½ weeks of inconveniences. She greatly stressed that there will be inconveniences with these projects, but the goal is to minimize the problems through extensive planning. Teich also commented that Grey Eagle and Avon are currently working with Xcel Energy and they should be contacted regarding progress and success working with them. Pete Carlson noted that there is a considerable amount of vibration associated with the rubblization of concrete. This fact should be taken into account for all of the effected businesses. Also noted that grades in the streets will change and effect curbs, sidewalks, and gutters. Much discussion followed regarding the information presented by Teich. Also mentioned was the possibility of requiring the work to be completed at night or in the spring to avoid daytime business traffic and the primary tourist season. It was also mentioned that sidewalks could be poured after business hours and that plywood could cover the walking surface to minimize walking traffic disruption. Milling up the tar and rubblizing or removing the existing concrete was highly encouraged by the majority of those present to minimize future cracking of the pavement.
Council decided to set the Road Projects Committee meeting for Friday, November 7 at 9:00 AM to meet at Charlie's Cafe. Also at such time, Teich would be able to take a walk-through of the streets and proposed projects. It was stressed again that with this project, we need to think of creative solutions and that our goal must be to not lose a business due to the construction.
Report - Joel Dasher, Maintenance Worker
Dasher provided a written report to Council.
Regarding water system updates, the billing security fee of 75 cents per month has been added. New rate tables have been added for cubic foot meters for businesses. November 1 leaf pick up was added to the message. There are 2 short lines that can be used on bill cards. Council was encouraged that if they have something to add, they should inform Hetland or Dasher. Water tower levels have been lowered for winter operating conditions. Middendorf and Dasher would like to attend the Minnesota Rural Water seminar in St. Cloud on December 11 concerning winterizing water systems. The cost is $75.00 per person and lunch is provided. Due to the cost of the seminar, Dasher offered to provide free transportation. Contact hours are awarded for attendance toward license renewal. Thelen moved and Worms seconded a motion to approve of Dasher's and Middendorf's attendance at this seminar. Discussion offered. Motion carried. Dasher also commented that the winter parking rules will soon be in effect. The 7th Street water system has been completed for the year. All valves are up to grade and operational. Dasher also removed all the fence posts in the ditch for safety and marked the curbs with blue for easy locating. Updated maps have been corrected and are ready to be given to Rich Romness for corrections and new print outs.
Dasher also reported on waste water updates. Maps for the sewer system are also ready to be corrected and reprinted. Only one day of sewer rodding remains. So far the project has went well with Middendorf's assistance. Several small issues with the pond repairs still remain to be completed. Valve and discharge area repairs still remain to be completed. Ground leveling on the second dike needs more attention. Several areas of the riprap need to have top soil clean up. Riprap needs to be added in several areas where it is low.
Regarding other maintenance concerns, all city properties have been cleaned up, shrubs and trees trimmed, and winterized. Tree trimming in alleys and areas where they interfered with traffic and sidewalks have been completed. Also, they finished grading the catch basin in Everslage's driveway.
Report - Paul Hetland, City Clerk/Treasurer
Hetland brought to the Council's attention that the annual review of our insurance policy is due and will be examined in the following month. Dasher mentioned that a street sweeper should be budgeted for future replacement when the current one is no longer functional. Hetland brought forward two requests on behalf of the fire chief and the Area Fire Service. Thelen moved and Goebel seconded a motion to approve of the needed repairs for Pumper #1. Discussion offered. Motion carried. Worms moved and Humbert seconded a motion to purchase a light bar for the brush truck. Discussion offered. Hetland mentioned that this has been discussed in year's past, and in light of the recent tragedy regarding a St. Cloud firefighter due to not being seen by a vehicle, that the light bar would aid in visibility and collision avoidance. Motion carried. Hetland stated that the yearly setting of the Council dates had expired and requested that the next month be set. The next Council meetings would be November 12 ad 25 (the latter due to the Thanksgiving holiday). Hetland also brought forward a request from the Corner Pub & Grill to remain open until 2:00 A.M. in compliance with the newly adopted state law and Freeport City Code. Seeing that city code allowed for the later closing time, no motion was necessary nor action taken. Humbert moved and Worms seconded a motion approving the claims as presented by Hetland in the amount of $103,263.01. Discussion offered. Hetland noted that the annual payment to the Freeport Fire Department Relief Association was included in the claims in the amount of $1671.00 and the state aid of $10,649.00 was also included. Motion carried. Hetland noted that the Council was due to review himself and Dasher for their six-month and annual reviews respectively.
At 9:45 P.M. executive session was called to order for the six-month review of Paul Hetland and the annual review of Joel Dasher. The results of the meeting were to note favorable reviews for both Hetland and Dasher. Humbert moved and Worms seconded a motion to approve of a $1.00 per hour pay increase for Dasher. Discussion offered. Motion carried. Worms moved and Goebel seconded a motion to approve of a wage scale advance for Hetland from $32,201.00 per year to $33,424 per year, in effect a 59 cent per hour increase, Group 8, Step 8. Discussion offered. Motion carried. Goebel moved and Worms seconded a motion to close the executive session. Motion carried.
At 10:45 P.M. Worms moved and Goebel seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.
