Also in attendance were the following: Herman Lensing, Ken and Peg Hartung, Gary Pierskalla, Dean Jungles, Mark Middendorf, Sue Raden, and Jim Schulz.
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.
Minutes
Tim Hennen moved and Goebel seconded a motion to approve the February 23, 2005 meeting minutes. Discussion offered. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda
Joe Hennen moved and Humbert seconded a motion to approve the consent agenda.
Which included the following:
- Claims for the amount of $6,869.33
- Appointment – Rodney Atkinson, Telecommunications Commissioner
- Credit Card Purchasing Policy
- Sign permit – Ellingson Plumbing, Heating and A/C – Questions were raised concerning liability on who signs document. The group came to the conclusion that the permit application did not have to change. Staff was asked to research other cities regarding height regulations on signs.
- Lamar – JOBZ billboard – Freeport Land Available - $100 p/mo renewal
- Resolution 2005-012 – A resolution approving the Main Street downtown parking proposal.
Open Public Forum
Gary Pierskalla had a question regarding the maintenance of the holding pond. Schulz reported that typically it would be dredged from time to time to take out silt, but no plans have been formalized.
Gary also brought up a question regarding mailboxes. There was discussion regarding the clustering of mailboxes in the Welle Plat 2 and perhaps in other areas of the City. No action was taken. The topic was set on the agenda under Old Business.
EDA Report
Humbert moved and Hennen seconded a motion to approve of the hearings to ratify the sale of Industrial Park land to the Hartungs, Pierskallas, and Kevin Blommel and set the hearing for March 30, 2005 at 7:30 P.M. or as soon thereafter as it can be heard. Discussion. Motion carried.
Main Street turnback issue raised and the letter Jim Schulz prepared was presented regarding the issue.
Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion to research and communication as soon as possible with Freeport's legislators regarding the possible turning over of the State of Minnesota land to the east of the Hennen Lumber yard. Discussion offered. Motion carried.
Questions were raised regarding street lights in the Welle Country Acres Plat 2 and a submission of the designs was presented. Tim Hennen brought up questions regarding the responsibility of changing the light bulbs. The City is responsible for the light bulbs. It was suggested that the City change them all out at the same time as some cities and many large corporations do. Staff will work on a city light map describing which ones are owned by the City and the bulb replacement schedule. Goebel moved and Tim Hennen seconded to approve the Welle County Acres Plat 2 design scheme. Discussion offered. Motion carried.
Tim Hennen moved and Joe Hennen seconded a motion to approve the purchase and installations of three blinds for the interior windows of City Hall as proposed by Marion Hommerding. The three windows will be in the clerk's office, the public works director's office, and the small conference room on the end facing the reception area. Each were at a cost of $209.80 equally a total of $629.40 (which includes tax). Discussion offered. Motion carried.
Worms moved and Tim Hennen seconded a motion to approve of hiring Julie Meyer for a spring cleaning of City Hall with a budget allowance up to $200. Discussion offered. Motion carried.
New Business
Goebel brought forward a citizen concern for a sidewalk easement from 8th Street SE to 9th Street SE. Gary Pierskalla responded that out of respect for the Lepowski's, considering John Lepowski's current active military service in Iraq, that the topic be discussed a time after he returns. Discussion concurred and included whether the easement was necessary. No action was taken.
Old Business
Council discussed the need for updating the City's comprehensive plan (comp plan). The Council set April 27, 2005 at 7:30 P.M. as a special meeting with the sole purpose being making a rough draft of the comp plan. Staff will make a copy of the previous comp plan for review prior to the meeting. Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion approving this date and instructions. Discussion offered. Motion carried.
Worms brought forward information on mail boxes. Dasher informed Council that Kent Roessler will be putting in group mailboxes, cedar boxes. It was suggested that a clause be added to the City's subdivision ordinance specifying the location and size of grouped mailboxes. Worms brought forward that Ann Wolke, Freeport Postmaster stated that the 9th Street SE mailboxes are off of the right-of-way. Discussion followed on drafting a letter to residents on erecting private lockable grouped mailboxes. Dean Jungles stated that Melrose had the same situation along the high school and the golf course and the mailboxes there look nice. Questions were also raised regarding who pays for what when they are damaged. Under the City's snow removal policy, the City is not responsible for those items in the right-of-way. Worms commented that according to the information he had researched, mail boxes are supposed to be far enough back in that they cannot be reached by a person in a vehicle. Further discussion followed requiring the developer to be responsible for the mailboxes. Worms stated that he will have further discussions with Ann Wolke. Staff was requested to contact Kent Roessler to document his intentions regarding mailboxes.
Worms brought forward a request that the City look at producing a City newsletter. Sue Raden noted that the last issue of the "Chamber Links" produced many City topics and with the City as a member, it is welcome to use it to promote and report on City activities. Staff will work on getting more information into the Chamber newsletter.
Report – Jim Schulz, SEH, City Engineer
Schulz gave a written and verbal report which is on file for review.
Schulz brought forward a map regarding the tile lines by 7th Street SW in the Industrial Park. It was requested of the city engineer that permanent easement be obtained for those that can be and temporary easements for those that ought to be temporary. It was also noted that typically, a 20 foot easement is obtained, that is – 10 feet from either side of the utility service line.
Schulz stated that the MnDOT is current reviewing the Main Street Public Improvement Project documents and expects approval in the next couple weeks. Nine (9) temporary easements will be going out in the mail and he will be working on follow through on their completion. Hetland reported that Steve Husby is working on the relocation of the electrical lines.
Report – Joel Dasher, Public Works Director
Dasher provided a written and verbal report which is on file for review.
Discussion followed concerning the water flowing from Quality Trailer's lot onto 7th Street SW. Dasher discussed the matter with Flyod Sand and expected a resolution through further efforts among them and the city engineer.
Minor discussion followed on storm water treatment and enforcement in and around the Industrial Park.
Report – Paul Hetland, City Clerk/Treasurer
Hetland provided a written and verbal report which is on file for review
Joe Hennen moved and Ken Goebel seconded a motion to make it City policy that prior to the granting of a permit, the total cost must be paid. Discussion offered. Motion carried.
Staff was requested to send Don Job a letter to pay his building permit. The total permit fee is $25.70. Staff is also to state that the City will examine and determine action on repairing the areas along 2nd Street NE, especially the sunken sidewalks and depressed land where service lines were laid.
Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion to approve of Paul Hetland's attendance at the municipal clerks institute, a three year program, from July 11-15, 2005 with a registration fee of $410 and hotel housing for $306.16. Discussion offered. Motion carried.
Hetland reported that Ann Beard's review will be at the March 30 meeting.
Audit issues that were recently in the news were brought up by Hetland. All going well for the City and EDA and more information will be available at future meetings regarding the 2004 audit.
An MPCA conference was noted in Dasher's report and the Council requested that he attend on March 17 to receive a commendation in the City's honor regarding the City's well-maintained and regulated waste water system.
Goebel asked about the progress of Freeport's Small Cities Grant application. Hetland reported that S.E.H. stated results should be out by April.
At 10:01 P.M., Joe Hennen moved and Goebel seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.
