Also in attendance were the following: Herman Lensing, Jim Schulz, John Rose, Tom Eveslage, Miranda Job, and Tom Vink.

Staff persons on hand were Paul Hetland and Joel Dasher.

The Pledge of Allegiance was said by those in attendance.

Agenda

Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion approving the meeting agenda. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

Meeting Minutes

Goebel moved and Humbert seconded a motion to approve the November 10, 2004 meeting minutes with the minor corrections as noted. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

HEARING - AlbanyTel Franchise Agreement 2004-07

Worms opened the hearing at 7:31 P.M. John Rose stated that the ordinance proposed is a work in progress as a part of the negotiation process. Services would include expanded channels and services. A question concerning when the service would be available was raised. Tom Eveslage responded that it should be ready by the first quarter of 2005. Hetland mentioned that the contract includes more channels to Freeport and enhanced services. It was conveyed that costs will be competitive. John Rose also responded that various products can be combined.

Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion to pass Ordinance 2004-07 approving a cable franchise agreement with Albany Telephone Company. Discussion was offered. Motion carried.

Vink Property discussion

Tom Vink was present to discuss and gain a resolution on the uses and outline of his property. Discussion and a review of the property followed. Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion to convey the agreement between the City of Freeport and Tom Vink that the area in question on the northeast corner measuring approximately 25.08' X 94.15' can be used for a driveway or parking by the current or future property owners, but stressing the point that structures could not be built on City property, and the property owner of the frontage on 2nd Street SE should be given the right of first refusal for any possible future sale of the land. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

Report - Jim Schulz, SEH, City Engineer

Schulz gave a verbal report to Council. The written report is on file for review. Planning on paving the Welle Country Acres within the next week. Schulz did comment that the contractor lowered the elevation of the lots and that they will be further lowered 1 ½ to 2' in the spring. Concern raised by Worms that the street should be blocked for the winter. Schulz agreed and noted that the streets would be blocked for the winter.

Schulz gave a Main Street revised schedule for the project. Design idea discussed on parallel parking. Discussion included 10' wide spots opposed to the 9' spots currently proposed. It was also mentioned a larger green space for the park and a different location for the marquee. Hennen mentioned that the kink in the road was always a part of the road and that by changing it would loose a little of the character of the City. Humbert mentioned that the City is a progressive city and that the City should continue to look forward.

Goebel moved and Worms seconded a motion authorizing the design of the Main Street Improvement Project scheduled for 2005 with exception to the block from 1st Avenue to 2nd Avenue NE to be voted on at the December 8, 2004 Council Meeting. Discussion. Council wished to have the effected businesses and all interested parties to have once last chance to voice their opinions on the project. On financing the project, Hetland mentioned his discussions with County Commissioner Vince Schaefer on the possibility of swapping projects in his district. Schulz mentioned that the huge advantage regarding convenience in this project is the availability of the parking lot and the lack of the sewer line in the street, that is - shallow digging. Hetland offered to come up with a design plan with the public works director and draft a plan for review of the city engineer to aid in deferring costs. It was discussed that the water line should be trenched rather than using the method directional boring to defer costs. Schulz mentioned that the lead lines should be replaced but the new services wouldn't need to be replaced. Schulz suggested placing a plumber into the contract to coordinate the replacement of the lines. He reported that the survey has been completed and the report is pending. Motion carried. Hetland was instructed to give reminder and notice to Chamber Members and City Council regarding the special meeting on December 8.

Report - Joel Dasher, Maintenance Worker

Dasher provided a written report which is on file for review.

Further discussion and review of the snow plowing policy. Hennen moved and Humbert seconded a motion to pass the document with revisions. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

Worms mentioned the concern regarding Meth Lab clean up and responsibility of clean up issues. Hetland will look into the issue and report at a future meeting.

Report - Paul Hetland, City Clerk/Treasurer

Hetland provided a written report which is on file for review.

Worms brought forth his nominee appointing Andy Welle to fill the opening for EDA. Worms further nominated Paul Hetland to be the EDA spokesperson to the City Council. Humbert moved and Goebel seconded the appointment of Andy Welle to the EDA and Paul Hetland as EDA spokesperson. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

Council requested Hetland to contact the Welsh company regarding the removal its sign in the Industrial Park.

Hennen moved and Goebel seconded a motion to take the EDA recommendation for lot prices in the Freeport Industrial Park as follows: $40,000 per acre for the 4 acres east of Ellingson's ($16,000 assessment included); $35,000 per acre for the 4 acres south of Ellingson's ($16,000 assessment included); and $25,000 per acre for the rest of the undeveloped Industrial Park (no assessments). Discussion included the need to reserve the prime freeway visible lot for those that need a freeway visible lot. Motion carried.

Winter parking discussion. Hetland brought forward that the winter parking policy states no parking from 2:30 A.M. through 7:00 A.M. regardless of snow. Council confirmed this interpretation of the ordinance in light of discussions that the ordinance was only in effect during snow emergencies.

The December 8 meeting will start at 6:30 P.M. to review and approve a 2005 levy and budget.

Hennen moved and Humbert seconded a motion to pay the claims as presented for $13,478.37. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

HEARING - Nuisance Ordinance 2004-05

Worms opened the hearing at 9:25 P.M. Discussion included the enforcement of abandoned vehicles if tabs have exceed one year. Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion to approve Ordinance 2004-05 regarding nuisances. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

Joel Dasher - One-year Review - Closed session

10:58 P.M. Worms moved for a closed session for the annual review of Joel Dasher. Hennen moved and Goebel seconded a motion to approve a pay increase for Joel Dasher to reflect the Step 3 Group 9 wage scale. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

At 11:14 P.M., Hennen moved and Humbert seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.