Also in attendance were the following: Herman Lensing, Jim Schulz, Gary and Linda Pierskalla, Mark Middendorf, Roger Boecker, Steve Husby, Susan Raden, Jim Hemker, Rodney Atkinson, John Thelen, Andy Welle, and Peg Hartung.

Staff persons on hand were Paul Hetland and Joel Dasher.

The Pledge of Allegiance was said by those in attendance.

Agenda

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

Minutes

Goebel moved and Tim Hennen seconded a motion to approve the March 9, 2005 meeting minutes. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

Public Hearing on Properties for Hartungs, Pierskallas, and Blommel

Worms opened hearing at 7:33 P.M. regarding the possible sale of property in the Freeport Industrial park to Gary and Linda Pierskalla, Ken and Peg Hartung, and Kevin Blommel. The hearing was also a continuance of the EDA meeting which had met at 7:00 P.M.

Hetland explained the procedure of the hearings that the EDA needed to make a decision first before the issue of land sale could be addressed. Hetland then gave an update on Blommel purchase and provided his letter for review that stated he is no longer interested in purchasing land. The EDA will be researching methods to recapture some of the monies spent by the EDA in the process. Hetland also reported that the Pierskallas and the Hartungs had signed a purchase agreement previously worked out by the EDA and reviewed by Scott Hamak, attorney Rinke Noonan. The hearing was left open and seeing no requests for comment, the Council conducted other business. At 7:49 PM Worms moved and Hemker seconded a motion to close public hearing. Hetland moved and Welle seconded a motion to approve both EDA resolutions – 2005-002 Purchase and Conveyance of Real Property regarding sale to Gary and Linda Pierskalla and 2005-003 Purchase and Conveyance of Real Property regarding sale to Ken and Peg Hartung. Discussion followed. John Thelen and Rodney Atkinson both spoke out against the sale of the property to the Hartungs based on the cost of the property. They wished to note that the land should've been sold at a higher amount. Hetland spoke in favor of the motion noting that the Pierskallas and Hartungs were not asking for any public subsidies, that the Hartungs would be adding jobs to the local economy, that this was the first time in nearly two years that a purchase agreement was proposed for the previously known asking price (noting that the amount is market driven), and that the price was enough to meet the needs of paying down the Industrial Park bond based on a calculus of $21,000 per acre to $32,000 per acre and especially considering the extra monies collected from the money made from the sale to the Pierskallas. The motion and a roll call vote were called.

The EDA voted as follows:

  • Worms: yes
  • Hetland: yes
  • Welle: yes
  • Thelen: no
  • Atkinson: no
  • Hemker: yes

Motion carried.

Goebel moved and Humbert seconded a motion to approve of Resolution 2005-14 Purchase and Conveyance of Real Property regarding sale to Gary and Linda Pierskalla and 2005-15 Purchase and Conveyance of Real Property regarding sale to Ken and Peg Hartung. Discussion was offered and the motion was called. A roll call was called. Matt Worms yes, Dave Humbert yes, Ken Goebel yes, and Tim Hennen yes. Motion carried.

Hetland moved and Worms seconded a motion to adjourn the EDA meeting at 8:05 PM.

Consent Agenda

Goebel moved and Humbert seconded a motion to approve the consent agenda.

Which included the following: Claims (payroll for staff and Council included) in the amount of $47,927.23

Open Public Forum

No one requested to address the City Council.

New Business

Steve Husby was present to information verbally and in a handout regarding the Main Street lighting bid. There were two bids from as follows: Vinco, Inc. at $118,041 and J.T Services at $118,942. Questions regarding the location and numbers of poles followed. Husby reported on the relocation of lines and he is working with Bruce Powell, Xcel Energy. Husby noted that Xcel is over the 90 day notice which is required from us to produce a feasibility report. Staff was requested to work with Al Beste regarding the securing of the easements for the westerly relocation of power lines. S E H will be working to prepare easements for both a westerly plan and an easterly one from 1st Avenue. Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion to approve of a 28 pole system menu item form the Vinco, Inc. bid and to remove the unloading portion of $2750 from the base bid. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

Humbert brought forward concerns about the administration of the newly adopted animal ordinance. Worms moved and Goebel seconded a motion to charge a fee of $10 for all pets held over a minimum of 12 hours. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

Humbert brought forward a concern regarding storm water runoff on Quality Trailer's land. Staff was instructed to write a letter to the company informing them about the need to better regulate storm water runoff. Schulz will provide information for Hetland to present.

Old Business

Planning for the comprehensive plan meeting was discussed Worms commented on various parts of the former comp plan. Humbert requested that staff update the amounts of total zoning acres in the City. Hetland commented on the census data he provided in the EDA and Council packets for the evening's meeting for reference in this discussion. Hetland also stated he would work with the city engineer to develop maps and other information at Council's direction. Hetland also brought forward a Minnesota code book he had on loan from the previously attended clerk's conference. Humbert volunteered tp review the book and report at a later Council meeting.

Report – Jim Schulz, SEH, City Engineer

Schulz gave a written and verbal report which is on file for review.

Regarding the Main Street Proejct, Schulz reported that MnDOT should have results of review by the next day. Schulz discussed advertising for bids in agreement. Hetland and Schulz had agreed to collect the remaining easements in the next week. Schulz reported on the reimbursement agreement proposed by the Stearns County Egineer's office. The only remaining balance of funds, according to his analysis, was for the 1/3 of a mile section of CSAH 60's storm water costs. Schulz also hoped that there will be many bid for the project based on a recent project by 16 contractors. Humbert moved and Tim Hennen seconded a motion to approve and sign the agreement contingent upon attorney approval. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

Report – Joel Dasher, Public Works Director

Dasher provided a written which is on file for review. He was not present at the meeting.

Hetland reported that the water tower had overflowed during the meeting and that Mark Middendorf and Joel Dasher were responding to the situation and that Dasher will report on the issue at the next meeting.

Report – Paul Hetland, City Clerk/Treasurer

Hetland provided a written and verbal report which is on file for review

Hetland brought forward a request from John Gilk for a multi-city group purchase of four backboards for the fire department a price of $150 a piece through the Melrose Ambulance Service. Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion approving the purchase. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

Goebel moved and Tim Hennen seconded a motion to call for a hearing on April 20, 2005 to replat the land in the Freeport Industrial Park to accommodate the sale of land for Gary and Linda Pierskalla. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

Goebel moved and Tim Hennen seconded a motion to call for a hearing on April 20, 2005 to vacate the blanket easements in the Auditor's Subdivision No. 5. Discussion offered. Motion arried.

Goebel brought forward a concern about the number of signs available on a property and the height. Discussion followed. Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion for a moratorium on signs for 30 days to research the issue further. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

Council discussed the ruts left in the 4 acre piece of land next to Ellingson's Hardware presumably left by Scenic Sign Co. Staff was instructed to contact Ellingson's to resolve and investigate the matter.

Executive Session for Employee Review

Worms Moved and seconded a motion to move into closed session for the six month review of Ann Beard, Administrative Assistant. Discussion offered. Motion carried. No action was taken in closed session.

At 10:17 P.M., Tim Hennen moved and Goebel seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.