Also in attendance were the following: Jim Schulz, Carol Moorman, and Rodney Atkinson.
Staff persons on hand were Paul Hetland and Joe 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
Humbert moved and Tim Hennen seconded a motion approving the meeting minutes for September 13, 2006. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
New Business
City Permit and Growth Presentation
Hetland gave a presentation of the City of Freeport's growth and permits in the last few years. To date, the 2006 building permits totaled 25 which a few more were expected before the end of the year. In 2005 and 2003 the amount was 32 and in 2004 the amount was 31. The average permit fee for 2006 was $734.67 and in the past three years was $442.83, $232.45, and $325.27. The valuation for 2006 totaled $3,213,907.64. The totals for the last three years were $2,053,800.14; $1,057,385.19; and $1,387,014.00. The City's income for the permits for 2006 is $2,156.03 to date. The income in the last three years was $1717.25, $918.61, and $1240.05. The average permit fee, the permit revenue, and the valuation amounts are all at an all-time high.
Hetland also reported on local population data reported in the St. Cloud Times on July 7, 2006. The data showed that the City grew in population from 2004-2005 by .43% and grew from 2000-2005 by 1.96%. Other cities were presented to compare and contrast the changes in Freeport.
Council Members noted their appreciation of the report and Hetland responded to a few questions.
Old Business
Jim Schulz and Paul Hetland presented information from the city attorney regarding the agreements for Famo Feeds, Al Beste, and the Island Paradise developers for continuation of the wetland mitigation proposals. Joe Hennen moved and Goebel seconded a motion to approve these agreements and authorized the Mayor and the City Clerk to make slight alterations and sign the documents as presented under Resolution 2006-040. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
Utility Structure Request
Hetland gave a brief review of the request by Rodney Atkinson to erect manufactured utility structures or hoop, tent like structures. Hetland asked about Atkinson's timeline for the structure and he responded that his intention was to keep it up as long as possible.
Hetland mentioned that he had received information from the City of Albany and the City of Melrose regarding the structures. Melrose would allow them if they match the exisiting structure, but they have no provision if no existing structure exists and await the results of Freeport's decision. Albany doesn't allow the structures home-made or manufactured anywhere in their city. Council discussed the possibility of allowing the structures only in commercial and industrial zones and asked Hetland to draft language allowing the structures in the City for the next meeting. Items to consider in the ordinance would be the size of the structure, number on the property, manufactured only, and permitted duration of the structure on the property. Goebel moved and Joe Hennen seconded a motion to call for a hearing on October 11, 2006 at 7:30 P.M. for the consideration of manufactured utility structures in the City of Freeport. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
Reports
City Engineer's Report, Jim Schulz, SEH
Welle Estates Plat 2 Approval
Schulz brought forward a request from the developer that the City of Freeport approve the public improvements for Phase 1 of the Welle Estate's Plat 2 development. Schulz mentioned that the streets and lights are warranted items which were the two items proposed for acceptance. Humbert moved and Tim Hennen seconded a motion accepting the improvements which includes the streets and lights. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0. Worms asked a question on the lighting and whether it could be billed to the City separately. Hetland responded that he would contact Xcel Energy and have the lights itemized separately on the billing statements and tracked through the City's accounting system separately from the general street lights account. It was noted that the final walk through of the project was on August 23, 2006.
Industrial Park.
Schulz reported that he anticipated opening 7th Street SW the following day. He also stated that grading will continue and will report back at a later time with more information.
Main Street
Schulz reported that Tri-City Paving would be coming during that week.
Alley Issue Behind City Hall
Schulz reported that SEH has not surveyed the area yet, but will be doing so within the next week.
Public Works Director, Joel Dasher
Dasher provided a written report and is on file for review.
He reported that the black top patch along 2nd Avenue NW was only about $300 and that he expected a similarly fair price for the area near the pump house.
He further reported that tree trimming solicitations were $150 per hour for Roger Beuckers and $200 per hour for Loren Pelzer. Dasher was encouraged to work with Roger Beuckers to trim trees as necessary along public roadways and street lights throughout the City. Dasher also inquired whether the trees along the Lake Wobegon Trail should be maintained. Worms commented that the dead trees should be cut down and removed seeing the other authorities for the trail will not do so and for beautification on of the City.
Dasher was reminded to talk with Cal Harms regarding the recent street construction due to the City Maintenance Building's service line installation and issues with his sidewalk.
Dasher mentioned that there would be more information regarding snow removal in the downtown area at the next meeting.
City Clerk/Treasurer's Report, Paul Hetland
Hetland provided a written report and is on file for review.
Worms requested that Hetland look into the County and State for other directional signs around the City, especially in guiding motorists toward the Senior Center, Community Center, and the Industrial Park.
Humbert asked if there was any information regarding the St. Martin Township meeting which occurred the night prior to the Council Meeting. Hetland responded that he had heard information, but it was not confirmed and would report to Council by the next meeting if he could obtain confirmed information.
Consent Agenda
Joe Hennen moved and Goebel seconded a motion to approve the consent agenda which included the following items:
- Claims (including applicable payroll payments) in the amount of $60,929.66
- Claims (payroll – employees) in the amount of $8,244.72
- Claims (payroll – Election Judges) in the amount of $1,059.00, Claims (payroll – Council) in the amount of $2,230.00
- NIMS Compliance Resolution 2006-038
- Lange Trenching Payment Application Number 2 the final application in the amount of $500.57
- EDA Recommendation: Resolution 2006-039 for the Industrial Park Land Purchase for the roads and wetland from Mark and Kathy Middendorf
- Authorization for the Mayor and City Clerk to sign a DEED contract and accompanying documents regarding the Business Development Infrastructure grant
- Authorization for the Mayor and City Clerk to sign a wetland agreement regarding the Island Paradise, Famo Feeds, and Al Beste mitigation verbal agreements previously agreed upon
Council instructed Hetland to review the City's safety and loss control issues during the winter and report back recommendations to the City on safety issues to be addressed. Worms mentioned that clothing should be uniform across the public works employees. He also mentioned that public works employees should be safety visible from top to bottom when working on highways. Worms also wanted to make sure vests are worn at all times when conducting street work. He also mentioned that employees in other cities where city attire based on their function in their city and brought it forward for consideration. Hetland mentioned that he generally dresses business casual and dresses in blue jeans when it is know that he may be called outdoors and may be dressed in business attire when conducting more formal business. Hetland also noted that he would check into logo office attire for certain functions and report back to Council at a future date.
At 8:56 P.M. Worms moved and Humbert seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
