Also in attendance were the following: Herman Lensing, John Gilk, John Beste, and Butch Thull.
Staff persons on hand were Paul Hetland, Mark Middendorf, and Joel Dasher.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said by those in attendance.
Approval of Minutes
Worms moved and Goebel seconded a motion to approve the meeting minutes for August 27, November 12 with corrections, and November 25. Discussion offered. Motion carried.
Report - John Gilk, Fire Chief, Area Fire Service
Gilk reported on the new officers for 2004. Chief John Gilk, 1st Assistant Chief Jeremy Graves, 2nd Assistant Chief Mike Renneker, Secretary Steve Notch, and Treasurer Fritz Hoeschen. The 2004 Freeport Fire Department Relief Association is as follows: President Tim Hennen, Vice President John Beste, Secretary Gary Thelen, Treasurer Fritz Hoeschen, Directors Steve Notch and John Harren, Mayor John Thelen, and City Clerk Paul Hetland. Thelen moved and Goebel seconded a motion to approve the 2004 officers. Discussion offered. Motion carried.
Gilk also updated the Council that FEMA denied his request for a three phase generator. He gave an update on the water truck that it is late as of January 12 and that each day a $100 fine may be implemented. Hetland noted that he contacted Forstner Fire about the lateness of the delivery and that Council and the Area Fire Service may exercise this penalty. Floyd Forstner understood and apologized. Gilk stated that he and Hetland will be working on the budget in the next month to prepare for the annual meeting in February. The topic of greater independence for the fire department was discussed. Further discussion is scheduled for the annual meeting.
Report - Joel Dasher, Maintenance Worker
Dasher provided a written report to Council. The water tower report has arrived and Chris Walgren from Utility Services Company met with Dasher and Hetland to discuss the condition and recommendations. Walgren will present the report at the January 28 meeting. Dasher reported that tower operation for the winter thus far doesn't seem to indicate any significant ice build up in the tank. Information learned from a recently attended seminar shows that flooding ice rinks and flushing sewers help reduce ice build up. Water usage for 2003 for Tower Well is 8,724,000 gallons and for Creamery Well is 9,773,000 gallons. The generator owned by the Freeport State Bank does not provide enough amps to fit the application.
Regarding waste water ponds, levels are good due to lack of participation and low water usage. A service line was maintenanced at John Eveslage's today. Dasher presented videos on the condition of waste water lines. One video showed a line in need of repair and cleaning. Another video showed the benefits of jetting lines. And the final video showed the completed line for 3rd Street NE and the benefits of angled points of entry to reduce obstructions and create greater flow.
Scherping Electric will install a timer for the skating rink lights. The dial will turn off the lights after an hour. A sign and small watt light will accompany the dial switch. Signs for the winter parking rules are being prepared by Jim Meyer in Albany. Christmas decorations have been taken down, cleaned, and stored.
Industrial Park Service Claim - Famo Feeds and Thull
John Beste and Butch Thull were present to discuss a $3542.50 claim for work completed in the summer of 2003 at the Famo Feeds Roller Mills in the Industrial Park. Thull explained that he was told that the waste water line was down 9 feet by the former city clerk Anton Massmann when in fact the line was down 5 feet. Extensive discussed followed regarding the exact process routinely followed for tasks of this nature in the area. Thelen moved and Humbert seconded a motion to pay 1/ 3 of the cost coming to a total of $1180.83. Discussion followed. The idea that there was some responsibility on behalf of the City concerning a city employee discussed the depth of the line with Thull. It was also noted that future discussions will be directed to the city engineer. Motion carried.
Report - Paul Hetland, City Clerk/Treasurer
Hetland reported that there will be another Preferred Controls water security system presentation on January 22 and Council Members are welcome and encouraged to attend.
The next meeting of the road projects committee will be on January 28 during the regularly scheduled city council meeting for a presentation from SEH regarding the Main Street improvements.
Hetland and Dasher met with Karen Young of Xcel Energy. They discovered that the franchise agreement with them was never signed and the agreement is nullified. A replicate agreement is being prepared and will be forwarded in the next 90 days. Lighting and three phase energy concerns were brought up in the Industrial Park. Also, lighting for Main Street and downtown was also discussed.
Hetland reported that Freeport was awarded the JOBZ designation on December 18, 2003. Our sub-zone was placed in the West Central Initiative's area by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Security (DEED). More information from DEED or West Central regarding business subsidy agreements, especially regarding the exact type of business that can qualify and how many jobs need to be produced. Hetland reported that he attended a meeting in Sartell the day before with leaders from the statehouse committee overseeing the program.
The budget will be discussed and final approval will be needed due to information needed to be forwarded to the Office of the State Auditor by the end of the month.
Hetland reported that we currently own an audit software called Quest and it may serve our needs better than CTAS. Hetland will investigate and report back at a future meeting. Humbert moved and Thelen seconded a motion to examine other companies by the next Council meeting. Discussion followed. Hetland was also instructed to look at longer contracts to ensure greater affordability and service. Motion carried.
The City's comprehensive plan was discussed. It was the general feeling of those present that the vast majority of the work could be accomplished among city staff, the EDA, and the Council. The comp plan is also to be a simple, user-friendly document.
Hetland reported to the Council that he detected a discrepancy in Joel Dasher's healthcare policy. Approximately $118 was deducted from Dasher's income monthly for all of 2003 for an expanded health plan with Health Partners. However, he was only signed up for the basic of the two plans. Hetland, after consultation with the city auditor, recommended the difference be refunded to Dasher and included in his upcoming paycheck. Council concurred.
He also reported that Graffire was refunded its bid bond amount. The company is no longer going to pursue its legal claim because they were denied the lowest bid.
City Hall update. Sheetrock is currently being installed. Furniture has largely been picked out. Hetland asked if there was interest in pursuing a to pursue a Help America Vote Act (HAVA) grant, specifically to install an automatic door opener for the new city hall in an effort to create greater accessibility to the voting area. Council responded favorably. Hetland reported on his efforts working with the Minnesota WorkForce Center and the placement of a job seeking computer in the new city hall. The request has been granted and they will provide a computer, printer, and support service for the hardware and the public service.
An emergency management meeting will be on January 19 at 7:00 P.M. at the Albany City Hall.
Hetland brought forth a proposal for set office hours. Discussion followed. It was agreed that action should be taken, but to wait until established in the new city hall.
Repairs for the Senior Center ceiling in the main room was discussed. Thelen moved and Humbert seconded a motion to pay the proposed bill for the ceiling repair and replace the ceiling with sheetrock for the amount of $1213.20. Discussion offered. Motion carried 4-1, Hennen voting nay for the record.
Hetland reported that a purchase agreement has been signed on the final lot available in the Welle Country Acres, with the sale occurring in the spring.
Further discussion on water and waste water hook up fees for new services in 2002 and 2003. Council instructed Hetland to obtain a list of who paid the fees in 2001 and who should be billed for the following two years.
New Business
Hennen moved and Goebel seconded a motion approving the claims as presented in the amount of $109,898.45. Discussion offered. Amount excluded the amount to the West Central Initiative for the amount of $500 for JOBZ services until more information is obtained regarding their services. Motion carried.
Hennen brought forward a request for a raffle. Thelen moved and Humbert seconded a motion to approve the request contingent upon the submission of the appropriate paperwork. Discussion offered. Motion carried.
At 11:58 P..M. Goebel moved and Thelen seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.
