Also in attendance were the following: Sue Raden, Herman Lensing, Heidi Peper, and Dr. Deborah Proechel.

Staff persons on hand were Paul Hetland and Joel Dasher.

The Pledge of Allegiance was said by those in attendance.

Approval of the Minutes

Goebel moved and Humbert seconded a motion to approve the October 8 meeting minutes as amended. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

Conditional Use Permit Request

At 7:35 PM the hearing was opened for Dr. Deborah Proechel's conditional use permit proposal to establish a chiropractic and naturopathic healthcare practice. Hetland discussed the process for the permit. Copies of Freeport City Code, the application, and a map of the location were also presented. At 8:00 PM, the hearing was closed. Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion to approve the conditional use permit for Dr. Deborah Proechel specific to her business and ownership. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

Report - Heidi Peper, SEH

Heidi Peper, SEH Community Development Manager was in attendance to discuss various grant opportunities for the City regarding road improvement projects. She explained the State of Minnesota's Small Cities Program, the U.S. Economic Development Agency's program, and the Initiative Foundation's opportunities. Opportunities include a variety of combinations between low interest loans and grants depending on the type and scope of project. She suggested contacting the US EDA Representative Jack Arnold, out of Duluth, for further details on the federal programs available. She also suggested that grants and loans could be sought once the road project plans are finalized in May or this spring. The requests should include utility infrastructure, business opportunities and retention, and residential reconstruction to enhance the likelihood of obtaining a small cities grant. Details were given on the Initiative Foundation's program and included the commitments required for each participating city. Council was interested in pursuing all of the opportunities further and expressed optimism in meeting the challenges set out in each of the opportunities. The Council also suggested that a joint EDA and Council meeting be held early in 2004 to begin the creation of a comprehensive plan and strategy in applying for grants and pursing other funding opportunities.

Report - Joel Dasher, Maintenance Worker

Dasher provided a written report to Council. He reported that the lost dog was brought in to the Tri-County Humane Society after the five-day holding period expired in accordance with Freeport City Code.

Regarding waste water, the ponds have been discharged. During the seeding process, the equipment damaged the dike on one pond. A deep rut was formed just above the riprap. Also a large amount of mulch was used to cover the seed blown onto the riprap. Lift-station pumps have been raised, inspected, and serviced. The depth gauge in the discharge structure was installed at the wrong elevation. SEH has been notified of this error and the problem should be rectified. Regarding water updates, two new services were completed in the Welle Country Acres for sites belonging to Homecraft Builders.

In other maintenance areas, Christmas decorations were put up. Thanks to Worms Lumber for the use of the scissor lift for a quick, safe installation. Jerry Mayers welded a bracket back on the snow plow which held the cylinder. More street sweeping and catch basin cleaning. The County gave Dasher and Middendorf 7 buckets of hot tar mix for patching pot holes across the city.

Report - Paul Hetland, City Clerk/Treasurer

Hetland reported that the assessment rolls for 7th Street SW, 7th Street SE, and 3rd Street NE were successfully submitted and recorded with the Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer's office.

The demolition and restoration of Lot 1 and 2, Block 1 of Welle Country Acres was completed by Dave Gerads Construction the previous week.

Hetland will be meeting with Steve Anderson from Franklin Signs regarding their inquiry on placing more signs in the City the proceeding week. Hetland will also be meeting with Xcel Energy regarding electricity in the Industrial Park, lighting options for the Main Street Project, and our franchise agreement. Hetland will also be meeting with the Quad County Economic Development Professionals on December 18 in St. Cloud.

By request of a Council Member, Hetland contacted a residential developer to investigate opportunities in Freeport. The developer was interested and will schedule a visit to Freeport at a future time.

It was brought to Hetland's attention that the new Hiltner business building seemed taller than other similar buildings. Hetland noted that the building was within Freeport City Codes and the state building code.

Regarding the construction of the new city hall, the stain color was chosen by EDA. The windows will be trimmed in wood. Hetland provided an update on the donations to date. A table and podium will be added to the main Council chamber for guest presentations. Thelen noted that he and Jim Hemker recommended removing the French doors leading from the Council chamber to the small conference room. Council suggested to Hetland that he model the wiring methods used in the Famo Feeds Roller Mills and the Albany Telephone building, especially regarding the use of conduit for the future placement of wires. Hetland informed the Council that he would be holding a final wiring meeting in the next week to determine all electrical, telecommunications, and water security system needs.

New Business

Claims

Worms moved and Thelen seconded a motion to approve the outstanding claims in the amount of $4,716.83. Discussion included the future research and review of other less costly alternatives for employee health care coverage. Motion carried.

2004 Renewal Premium/Insurance Coverage

Hetland presented information from Fritz Hoeschen from the Commercial Exchange regarding our proposed insurance coverage in 2004. Questions were raised and noted. Hetland was requested to contact Hoeschen and invite him to a future meeting for further review and approval of the coverage package.

Winter Parking Rules

Hetland brought to the Council's attention the possible need to change the time for winter parking considering the later bar closing of the Corner Pub and Grill. Discussion followed. Worms moved and Goebel seconded a motion to amend Freeport City Code 1310.11, Subdivision 1 from 2:00 AM to 2:30 AM. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

Hellerman Lot Discussion on Traffic

Humbert brought to the Council's attention an issue regarding the traffic on the lot at some periods and the clay it brings out onto the adjacent roads. Council instructed Hetland to discuss the matter with Simon Hellerman.

Snow Removal

Hetland brought forward concerns raised over the snow removal in the alley behind the new city hall and downtown businesses. Seeing that the city hall is taking up the area where much of the alley's snow was previously dumped, business owners are curious were snow will now be placed. Council discussed the matter. No formal action was taken, but they instructed staff to remove the snow as in the past and clean the alley to the best of the City's ability. Hetland noted that there was extensive discussion and agreement of the landowners on the creation of an alley to help address this concern and others.

2004 Budget

The meeting to discuss and set the 2004 budget will be held Wednesday, December 17 at 7:30 PM at a regular Council meeting.

At 10:30 P.M. Worms moved and Thelen seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.