Also in attendance were the following: Jim Schulz, Herman Lensing, Bob Timp, Kent Roessler, Bob Roelike, and Sue Slupe.
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 5-0.
Minutes
Goebel moved and Joe Hennen seconded a motion to approve the November 9, 2005 meeting minutes with minor corrections. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
Emergency Management
Hetland discussed. Hetland noted that in the event of a power outage, the City would be without water after the tower drains in a period of 6 to 12 hours depending on the time of the year. Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion to research options to retrofit a well pump to our tractor. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
Annexation Request
Kent Roessler was present to discuss the possible annexation of 66 acres from Oak Township belonging to Ben Fleischhacker into the City . Hetland briefly described the annexation process regarding annexation. Roessler explained that 20 acres of the land could be sold to an undisclosed vehicle dealership. He asked if the City would be interested in the annexation. Humbert replied that his preference is that the process be initiated at the township level before formally approaching the City. There was also substantial discussion regarding the possible zoning of the area – either commercial or residential. The Council agreed that they would be interested in the annexation. Bob Roelike mentioned that farmers dislike seeing good farm land taken out of production. Roelike mentioned that they had a Board Meeting Monday, December 5 at 9:00 and 9:15 P.M.
Goebel moved and Joe Hennen seconded a motion formally conveying interest in the proposal and to request that staff gather more information regarding the potential uses of the land and that the City of Freeport is interested in working with all parties in the matter. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0
Old Business
Message Center Proposal
Hetland brought forward the information and a verbal report after conferring with the city attorney and Jim Hemker regarding the proposed message center. The attorney stated that this lease agreement would not set prescient regarding future proposals. The attorney stated that any decision for or against the proposal is a policy one and not a legal one. The discussion primarily included the amounts and permission to place Freeport State Bank advertisements on the message center. Seeing clarification on the proposal was needed to justify a decision, Goebel moved and Humbert seconded to table the discussion to the next meeting. Motion carried 4-1 with Joe Hennen voted against the motion.
Storm Water Management Proposal
Hetland gave a brief overview of the recent meetings of the EDA in the past two weeks. Jim Schulz mentioned that minimum options to put in the by-pass ad structuring the retention pond. When reviewing the possibility of each property having a separate retention pond, Schulz thought that such retention ponds would be piecemeal and a holistic approach needs to be addressed. Per EDA recommendation, Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion to accept the Dave Gerads bid in the amount of $25,552.75 to begin in the spring. Discussion followed. Motion carried 5-0.
New Business
Open Public Forum
No one requested to address Council.
Malm Written Request for Damage Tree Removal Due to 3rd Street NE Project
Joe Hennen and Humbert seconded a motion to approve the recommendation from the city attorney and city clerk to pay the amount of $400 contingent upon the signature of a settlement and release agreement. Discussion followed and included that a cancelled check also accompany the agreement. Motion carried 4-1. Goebel moved against the motion.
Payment Application No. 5
Humbert moved and Goebel seconded to approve pay application 5 in the amount of $95,157.52. Discussion included the slow progression of the project in the last several weeks and the general dissatisfaction of the work during this time. Motion carried 4-1. Tim Hennen moved against.
Consent Agenda
Humbert moved and Tim Hennen seconded a motion to approve the consent agenda.
Which included the following: Claims in the amount of $$139,236.07, payroll (includes approval of periodic, lump sum payment of vacation/personal wages for the City Clerk $3,064.45 and the Public Works Director $1231.20) – $12,512.06, EDA Recommendation: $5000 fee change – Policy and Form Change, transfer of $261,401 from the General Fund to the 2003 City Hall Fund and to close out the project fund, close out the 2002 Capital Fund (Industrial Park) with a remaining balance of $11,306 to be dedicated to the 2002 Debt Service Fund (Industrial Park Bond), close out the 2003 Capital Fund (3rd Street NE, 7th Street SW, and 7th Street SE) with a remaining balance of $12,308 to be dedicated to the 2003 Debt Service Fund, transfer $50,000 from the General Fund to the 2005 Main Street Debt Service Fund and rescinding the motion previously passed to move over approximately $400,000 to the Main Street Project, Health Partners 2006 Rate Information – Approval of 9.1% increase, and Resolution 2005-033 – Travel Policy. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0
Report – Jim Schulz, SEH, City Engineer
Jim Schulz did not give any further report.
Report – Joel Dasher, Public Works Director
Dasher gave a verbal report and written report which is on file for review.
There was a discussion on snow removal in the downtown area and methods and machines that could be used to clean the area. Council requested Dasher to bring more information to the next meeting for further review and consideration.
Report – Paul Hetland, City Clerk/Treasurer
Hetland provided a verbal report and written report which is on file for review.
Request from John Gilk for the approval for one set of turn out gear at a cost of $1392 and approval for two sets of coveralls at $190 each ($380 total). Joe Hennen moved and Humbert seconded a motion to approve of the purchases as recommended. Discussion offered. Motion carried. 5-0.
Hetland reported that he had attended the Water Conference the day before the meeting. Information regarding Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) was a major topic of discussion at the conference and discussed during the meeting. Hetland and Dasher requested Council approval to begin a educational and enforcement program regarding I&I in 2006. Council approved of the effort and discussion and will await a formal presentation of the project at a later date. It was mentioned that the information could be included in the annual drinking water report.
At 11:49 P.M. Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
