Also in attendance were the following: Scott Dymoke, Jim Schulz, Herman Lensing, John Gilk, Mark Middendorf, Carol Moorman, Todd Hagen, Adolph Wensman, Steve Notch, Ralph Fitchlinger, Paul Luethmers, Melvin Eickhoff, Bob Timp, Vic Middendorf, Herb and Irene Breth, Dwight and Donna Chrester, Ryan Gruber, Mike Reverman, Rodney Atkinson, Jim Blommel, Bob Roelike, Giles Rieland, Tom Rademacher, JoyGenea and Charlie Balderston, Ron and Alvin Shay, Steve Klaphake, John Wilwerding, Ken Utsch, Don Rausch, and Clarence Olmscheid.
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
Tim Hennen moved and Goebel seconded a motion approving the meeting minutes for July 12, 2006. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
New Business
Welle Estates Plat 2 – Ware Course Issue, Jim Schulz
Schulz explained that a ware course warranty period is one year from time of final acceptance. No action was taken.
Industrial Park
Schulz gave a brief update on the Industrial Park progress that the grading should be completed shortly. Tim Hennen asked if the road was remaining open for local traffic and Schulz responded that the contractor was working with Peter and Ann Welle to ensure the pick up of milk loads and that 7th Street SW was closed and open periodically for local through traffic.
Hearing for GO Improvement Bond, Series 2006A
Worms opened hearing at 7:37 P.M. for consideration of approving the results of the bond sale held earlier that day.
Todd Hagen from Ehlers and Associates was present to distribute documents and deliver a presentation on the bond sale results from 11:00 A.M. that morning. Hagen noted that he was pleased to see three bids come in for the bond issue.
Tim Hennen moved and Gobel seconded Resolution 2006-033 approving of the General Obligation Improvement Bonds, Series 2006A for $1,510,000 at a true interest cost of 4.6952%. Discussion followed and Hagen noted that the funds would e available on August 22. He noted that there were three bids and the lowest bid was to Northland Securities, Inc. from Minneapolis. Motion carried 5-0 at 7:55 P.M.
Worms moved and Humbert seconded a motion to close the hearing at 7:57 P.M. Motion carried 5-0.
Special Area Fire Service Meeting: Discussion with St. Martin Township about potentially leaving the Area Fire Service (the only item of business for the AFS)
Worms opened the meeting at 7:58 P.M. All entities were represented with the exception of the City of St. Rosa.
Hetland gave an extensive overview of the concerns of St. Martin Township, the Freeport Area Fire Service contract from 1980, and the current fee system. Hetland distributed various documents for review and discussion.
Ken Utsch, on behalf of St. Martin Township, voiced general agreement with the overview from Hetland in that they are primarily concerned that the fee increases have been steep in the last few years and that the vehicle sinking fund has been too aggressive. St. Martin Township officials felt that the fire service should not be planning and investing the monies for vehicles, but rather inform the entities when the money is due and place the responsibility on the service entities to forward the money at the appropriate time. Utsch explained that the City of St. Martin invests about two-thirds of the needed amount and thei township invests about one third. Hetland pointed out that the two parts together should be used in comparing Freeport's investment, that is – to use the three-thirds in comparison to Freeport's amount.
Discussion led into methods in determining the fee for each of the service entities and how other fire services determine the amount. Hetland demonstrated that the fee in Freeport was set in 1980 to be reflective of the valuation of each of the entities. It was further described that Freeport's valuation was doubled to account for the close proximity of the service. Fire chiefs from Melrose and Sauk Centre were present to describe their respective fire services' fee systems. In Melrose, they manage the sinking funds in a similar manner as Freeport in that the fire department recommends future expenditures and the fire service accordingly manages investments and fees to make the purchases when needed. In Sauk Centre, they do the same and also factor in response calls of the fire and rescue departments in determining the fee.
A comment was made from Ken Utsch regarding the necessity of the style and type of trucks purchased for the fire department. John Beste, on behalf of the fire department, responded that the fire service has been frugal in its expenditures and that the costs have been justified to produce reliable vehicles to protect life and property.
Worms asked for the opinions of the sinking fund method from the Freeport Area Fire Service Members. Their results were as follows: Oak was ok with either way, Millwood stated it should stay the same, Krain Township stated it should stay the same, Albany Township stated it should stay the same, and St. Anthony stated it should stay the same.
Members of the Fire Service also agreed that the service agreement should be updated to reflect a longer timeframe to end the contract.
Worms encouraged the officials of St. Martin Township to stay with the Freeport Area Fire Service, to work with the other members and to discuss the proposed service agreement changes at the next annual meeting.
Ken Utsch made one final comment that they are looking for good service and keeping a good budget in mind. He also mentioned that St. Martin Township has been pleased with the service they have received.
Scott Dymoke commented that he and Hetland will distribute drafts of an updated service agreement and review other area agreements for suggestions. Dave Humbert suggested that a budget committee be considered to aid in the budget process. Hetland responded that it could be considered if each entity was interested in participating in the process.
At approximately 9:45 P.M. Worms moved and Humbert seconded a motion to close the special Freeport Area Fire Service Meeting. Motion carried.
Worms called for a five minute recess.
Reports
Public Works Director, Joel Dasher
Dasher provided a written report which is on file for review.
City Clerk/Treasurer's Report, Paul Hetland
Hetland submitted a written report which is on-file for review.
Hetland conveyed his appreciation of the City's support in his attendance at the Minnesota Municipal Clerks Institute. It was the second of a three year accreditation to become a Certified Municipal Clerk.
3rd Street NE – Project Completion on Restoration
Hetland gave a review of the situation on 3rd Street NE regarding lawn restoration and land settling. After discussion about the lapse in time with the project's completion and acceptance, Hetland stated that he would be sending a letter to the residents along that project that the street restoration is complete.
Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion to approve of the drafting and submitting of an Initiative Foundation Healthy Communities Partnership Grant before the end of the month. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
Hetland gave a brief review of the City's statutory immunity regarding waste water systems and sidewalks if a maintenance program is established.
Joe Hennen moved and Humbert seconded a motion to rescind a variance given at the previous meeting for a deck belonging to Alquin Goebel. Discussion included information from Hetland that a variance was not needed. Motion carried 5-0.
Consent Agenda
Joe Hennen moved and Goebel seconded a motion to approve the consent agenda which included the following:
- Claims (includes applicable payroll and the following pay apps*) in the amount of $270,446.21
- Employee payroll in the amount of $6,124.15, Pay Application No. 1 from Lange Trenching for $9,510.73
- Pay Application No. 7 to Tri-City Paving for $143,137.92
- Change Order No 5 to remove concrete footings
- Change Order No 6 to plug pipe apron
- Change Order No 7 to rectify contaminated soils
- Resolution 2006-032 approving of the 2006 Primary Election Judges
Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
Goebel moved and Tim Hennen seconded a motion approving of a 3.2 Temporary Alcohol Permit for the Freeport Softball and Recreation Club for September 8-10. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
At 10:40 P.M. Worms moved and Goebel seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
