Also in attendance were the following: Jim Schulz, Carol Moorman, Herman Lensing, Delores Schwinghammer, Rodney Atkinson, Mark Middendorf, Jerry Timp?, Norb Renneker, Jim Hemker, Kathy Korte, and Bob Lindvall, Ed Atkinson, 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 4-0.

Annual Board of Appeal Meeting

Worms opened the Annual Board of Appeal meeting at 6:33 P.M.

Bob Lindvall and Kathy Korte of the Stearns County Assessor's Office were present and reported written information that valuations in Freeport increased as follows: Residential/Seasonal rose 7-12% with an average of 8%, Commercial rose 10-15% with an average of 13%, Apartment rose 1-4% with an average of 2%, and Agricultural rose 13-17% with an average of 15%. They also gave a brief overview of the valuation and tax process and the public's rights to appeal their decision and the decision of the Local Board of Appeal.

Lindvall and Korte noted that the City's total valuation is at $38,220,700 and thus the 1% amount is $382,207.

Community Care R54.32079.010. Jim Hemker was present and requested that the amount be kept as it was the previous year. Joe Hennen moved and Humbert seconded a motion approving the amount to be reduced from $294,200 to $224,500. Discussion followed. Motion carried 4-0.

R & W LLC R54.32270.010. Rodney Atkinson requested that the amount be reduced to previous year's amount. Goebel moved to consider a reduction in the amount and the motion died for a lack of a second. Worms moved and Joe Hennen seconded a motion to keep the valuation at the current amount of $57,900. Motion carried 4-1. Goebel voted against.

Delores Schwinghammer R54.32129.006. Schwinghammer was present to request that her valuation be decreased. Humbert moved and Joe Hennen seconded a reduction from $86,700 to $82,200 to reflect the preceding year's amount. Discussion followed. Motion carried 5-0.

Mark Middendorf 54.32129.057 and 54.32129.066. Mark Middendorf was present to request that the valuation be reduced on the property to reflect the Option Agreement amount on the land setting all sales at $6000 per acre until the agreement's end in 2012. Extensive discussion followed regarding the market value placed on the land and ability to sell the land and the Green Acres Program which is the current taxes paid on the land. Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion to approve a reduction on the two parcels from $267,700 to $246,000 and from $186,300 to $147,000. Discussion followed. Motion carried 4-1. Joe Hennen voted against.

Jerry Timp had a question on what the anticipated increase on valuation would be for the next year. Korte responded that she did not anticipating greater sales. Lindvall commented that things are generally beginning to slow down on market rates and valuations. He also noted that the acreage market and lakeshore properties continue to be strong. Middendorf commented that 6 homes for sale currently in the City north of the Interstate. Lindvall stated that the prices are still affordable now.

Norb Renneker did not request a reduction in his valuation but requested action against the nuisance issues concerning Beutz's Radiator Service. He requested that the fire chief contact the State Fire Marshall for an inspection of the business. Worms responded that the City is currently working on a solution to the issue and is consulting legal counsel for assistance.

The total reduced in the meeting was $135,200 and the available remaining was $247,007.

Worms moved and Goebel seconded a motion to adjourn the annual Board of Appeal meeting at 7:49 P.M. Motion carried 5-0.

Approval of the Minutes

Joe Hennen moved and Humbert seconded a motion to approve the meeting minutes for February 22 and March 8, 2006. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.

New Business

Open Public Forum

Hetland noted that the City has received an approved application from the State and the Stearns County Sheriff for an off-sale intoxicating liquor license for the Corner Store. The City has also received the required proof of insurance documentation. The Corner Store has also paid the required $100 fee and Sue Slupe has voluntarily waived her right to have the amount pro-rated per Freeport City Code. With this information, the Mayor and Clerk are authorized to approve the permit.

Hetland noted that May 31 will be the annual liquor license renewal meeting for all six on and off sale liquor licenses.

Old Business

Adult Use Ordinance

Humbert moved and Tim Hennen seconded a motion to approve the proposed adult use ordinance 2006-002. Discussion followed. Motion carried 5-0. Worms moved and Joe Hennen seconded a motion to close the hearing at 7:59 P.M. Motion carried 5-0.

Maintenance Building Status Report

Worms brought forward bids for continued work on the Maintenance Building which included installing water and sewer lines.

There were two bids solicited. One from Lange Trenching was for $8816 and one from Mayers Excavating for $5200. Tim Hennen and Joe Hennen seconded a motion to award the bid to the lowest bidder Mayers Excavating at $5200. Worms mentioned that there would be about another $3000 to patch in the area near the Thelen house that could be added to the bid. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.

Hetland asked to fax back the approved bid the next day to Mayer's Excavating.

Consent Agenda

Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion approving the consent agenda with claims in the amount of $34,274.74 (which includes payroll applicable payments) and claims for payroll in the amount of $5685.14. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.

Reports

City Engineer's Report, Jim Schulz, SEH

Schulz presented a water tower feasibility study totaling $7000. The study wold examine four primary locations and map the current water system accordingly. Schulz further noted that the feasibility study would be accurate for many years to come and could easily be updated as the water system is updated with minimal effort and expense. Thus, the report would be a valid document at any point the City would wish to move toward building another water tower. Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion to accept the feasibility report specifying two of the four estimated sites as in the Industrial Park and by Ettel Transport. Discussion. Motion carried 5-0.

Schulz mentioned that an informational Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) meeting would be held at City Hall on Tuesday at 9:00 A.M.

Schulz commented that after a meeting with Tim Otremba, TriCity Paving on April 14 that it is their intention to begin the Main Street punchlist work in Mid-May and complete it within two weeks. It was also noted that weekly progress meetings will resume the week that work begins for Monday's at 10:00 A.M. Hetland mentioned that Steve Husby had delivered a total utility line relocation estimate of $219,850 for the westerly route. Discussion followed regarding requesting the County for assistance in the proposed 2009 County Road 11 project and possible road easement issues. Schulz stated that he would look into the issue further.

City Clerk/Treasurer's Report, Paul Hetland

Hetland gave a verbal report.

Hetland thanked Council for the annual review at the past meeting. He stated that he had read all of the comments and appreciated the positive and constructive suggestions from Council.

He noted that most of his time has been devoted to working on the project with Whirlwind Steel Buildings. As of this day, Hetland was notified by Rick Neeley that Whirlwind's president has decided that the company is moving to Freeport and will forward the necessary binding documents on Friday, prior to the special joint meeting between the Freeport EDA and City Council on Monday, May 1, 2006 at 7:30 P.M. at City Hall.

Hetland noted that the next day was National Bring Your Daughter to Work Day and that he would be bringing his daughter Katie to the office for a few hours in the morning.

He noted that updates on other projects will be present at the next regular meeting on May 10, 2006.

Worms thanked Hetland about all of the work that he had done in the last several weeks on the Whirlwind Project. Worms also noted that he received a calls from Helen Conde also thanking Hetland. Dasher also mentioned the amazing amount of work Hetland had done in the last few weeks.

At 9:53 P.M. Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0.