Also in attendance were the following: Ladonna Rademacher, Cliff Zenzen, Tom and Sharon Ettel, Jim Beutz, Norb Renneker, Robert Pottratz, Robin Pottratz, Jim Schulz, Carol Moorman, Herman Lensing, Frank Rauschnot Jr., Joe Schultzetenberg and Brian Schutzetenberg, Phil Osendorf, and Sue Slupe.

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 5-0.

Approval of the Minutes

Joe Hennen moved and Goebel seconded a motion approving the meeting minutes for May 10, 2006. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.

Reports

John Gilk, Fire Chief Report

Goebel moved and Humbert seconded a motion to approve Gilk's request for the Fire and Rescue Department to service our own oxygen tanks. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.

Gilk also reported that the cost for the upcoming NIMS training will be approximately $400 for the ICS 100 course and $800 for the ICS 200 course. Hetland will look into the possibility of taking the 4 and 8 hour courses on-line and report at a later date.

Gilk noted that in January 2007, the fire and rescue department expects to have four openings due to those retiring from service. Per Gilk's request, Humbert moved and Tim Hennen seconded a motion to move forward with the hiring process to fill up to four positions by January 2007. Discussion offered. Motion carried.

City Engineer's Report, Jim Schulz, SEH

Main Street

Schulz reported that he will be meeting with the sub contractor for the park shelter regarding the flaking paint on June 5 at 11:00 A.M. He reported that on Monday, June 5 the ware course will be paid for Main Street. Schulz was asked to review the construction agreement regarding the maintenance of trees and plants and to ensure enforcement to the contractor and suggest proper maintenance to the City. Dasher responded that the City has been watering the trees and plants. Worms recommended that the City should keep track of the City time spent.

Industrial Park

Schulz proposed an addendum and noted the time of the bid opening will be Tuesday, June 13 at 1:00 P.M. to give contractors more time to get the bids together. Council asked Schulz if it gave him enough time to review the documents and he stated that it would.

Welle Estates Plat 2

Schulz reported that the streets will be repaved and curbs reinstalled where necessary. . He noted that the pavement milling and paving shouldn't take much time once the work commences.

Public Works Director, Joel Dasher

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

Regarding the Country View addition, Dasher was requested by Worms to retrieve quotes on the restoration of part of the storm water system.

Dasher presented two quotes regarding the new maintenance building. One was for a garage door opener for the amount of $598.00 from Hennen Lumber Company and the other was for concrete from Worms Lumber and Ready Mix in the amount of $1713.57. Joe Hennen asked about a quote for gravel instead of concrete. Worms requested that both quotes be discussed at the next meeting. No action was taken.

City Clerk/Treasurer's Report, Paul Hetland

Goebel moved and Humbert seconded a motion to hold a hearing for proposed assessments for the 2006 Industrial Park Public Improvement Project on June 14 at 7:30 P.M. or as soon as possible as it could be heard. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.

New Business

Open Public Forum

Tom Ettel voiced his concerns regarding the KSTP Eyewitness News report on the possible city code violation(s) at Beutz's Radiator Service aired the night before the meeting. He requested that the issue be dropped by the City. Sharon Ettel, LaDonna Rademacher, and Cliff Zenzen were present also requesting that the City take no formal action on the property or attempt to work out a verbal agreement with Jim Beutz. Mayor Worms responded that the City has attempted to work out the issue with Mr. Beutz for a number of years and that the matter was currently under investigation. The gavel was struck and order was restored when the discussion became unruly between differing sides of the discussion in the audience.

Robert Pottratz, City Prosecuting Attorney, Presentation on Enforcement of City Code regarding Beutz's Radiator Service

Bob Pottratz stated that the city has an ordinance and it needs to be investigated regarding the apparent nuisance violation present at Beutz's Radiator Service. He explained that the deputy sheriff will do an investigation, will file a report, and then a letter of abatement will be drafted by Pottratz and Hetland and subsequently sent to Mr. Beutz if a violation is found to exist. Pottratz discussed the process in the City of Melrose that systematic with tickets for various violations including the chipping of paint on homes. He also admitted that he would not like to live near the property. He noted that the property is a potential eye sore for people who visit the City. He complimented the City which he stated has a reputation for being progressive and well-maintained. Pottratz expected that the investigation should be completed in the next couple weeks.

Worms stated that brief history of the event and asked Mr. Beutz if the building had a floor drain. Mr. Beutz responded that it did. Worms requested that it be capped off and vacated at the property line or pay for the service.

Annual Renewal of Liquor Licenses

Humbert moved and Tim Hennen seconded a motion to approve the annual renewal of liquor licenses for Ackie's Pioneer Inn, the Corner Pub, the Corner Store, and the Freeport Softball the Recreation Club. Discussion included Hetland noting that all documents were in order and in compliance with City Code. Motion carried 5-0.

Charlie's Cafe´ Request for 3.2 On-Sale Liquor License

Joe Hennen moved and Goebel seconded the request from Charlie's Cafe´ for an annual On-Sale 3.2 Liquor permit beginning June 1 in the amount of $216.66. Discussion included Hetland noting all of the documents were in order and that Charlie's Cafe´ was applying for DRAM shop insurance which was in excess of state statute. Motion carried 5-0.

Joe Schulztenberg – 202 2nd Street NW – Request for Water Service Line Vacation

Joe Schulztenberg stated that he and permission to have lead line at the time that the house was constructed in approximately 1950 and requested that the City allow him to cap off the line at the property line as a proper way for vacating the water line. There was much discussion regarding the responsibility of the line should it leak in the future. It was noted that in most other cities along the I-94 corridor, cities require that the service lines be removed and capped off at the main line at the property owner's expense. Lacking a clear city policy on the matter, a compromise was reached that the City of Freeport would pay for the patching of the street but the property owner was responsible for vacating the line at the water main. The Schulzentenberg party present felt the compromise was fair and agreed to the proposal. Dasher stated and was assigned to assist with the matter.

Street Sweeper Sale Approval of Highest Bid

Hetland reported that two bids were received for the street sweeper. One was from Brad Rodenwald from Midsota Manufacturing in the amount of $936.76 and the other was from James Kraker in the amount of $1,167.51. Joe Hennen moved and Goebel seconded a motion to approve of the sale of the street sweeper to the highest bidder in the amount of $1,167.51. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0. Hetland noted that this sale was not on the popular on-line auction site of eBay, but other items may be sold using that State Auditor approved method in the future.

Consent Agenda

Joe Hennen moved and Tim Hennen seconded a motion approving the consent agenda which included the following:

  • Claims in the amount of $116,752.09 and $3720.15 (which includes the applicable payroll disbursements)
  • payroll in the amount of $6448.13
  • >attendance of the City Clerk at the League of Minnesota Cities Conference in St. Cloud June 28 – 30, 2006 (no overnight) with an approximate $350 fee
  • Resolution 2006-025 regarding the Small Cities Development Program permitting authorization for the Mayor and City Clerk to sign documents

Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.

Hetland requested to mention the placement of flowers around the City to the Chamber of Commerce.

Joe Hennen inquired about the susceptibility of Dutch Elm Disease with the recently planted elm trees in the downtown area. Schulz responded that the trees are Regal Elms and not susceptible to Dutch Elm Disease.

Concrete Restoration

Worms instructed Dasher regarding a number of locations in the City in need of curb and sidewalk mud-jacking to level the concrete. Dasher was requested to review the areas and gain quotes.

Worms suggested a policy be drafted regarding the vacation of water and sewer lines. Dasher and Hetland will work to present a policy at a future meeting.

Dasher stated that Beutz's Radiator Service has an outstanding sewer bill of approximately $200.

Hetland brought forward a request from Fritz Williams regarding the death of two trees which was claimed to be a result of the service line installation in 2003. Council discussed the matter and agreed that the concern was not timely and a matter between the property owner and the contractor responsible for the service line installation. Hetland noted that a City tree policy should be considered at a future date on matters similar to this one.

At 10:13 P.M. Humbert moved and Worms seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0.