Agenda
Tim Hennen moved and Balderston 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 April 11, 2007. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
New Business
Open Public Forum
Sign Height Discussion and Possible Action to Call for a Hearing
Hetland reported that Freeport City Code 500.35 does not specifically govern sign height in commercial districts. Discussion followed on Hetland's interpretation. Council agreed with the analysis and decided that there should be regulation of sign height. Balderston moved and Humbert seconded a motion calling for a hearing on May 30, 2007 to amend 500.35 to consider the regulation of sign height in commercial districts. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
Review of Changes in Annexation Law for 2007 and Orderly Annexation Discussion
Hetland gave an overview of the changes for 2007 in annexation law as provided by the Minnesota Department of Municipal Boundary Adjustments. Hetland also gave an overview of an orderly annexation agreement and discussion followed on the process status with Oak Township. Council instructed Hetland to meet with the Oak Township Clerk in drafting a simple orderly annexation agreement for consideration. It was further suggested that the costs be shared as much as possible between the two entities.
Fencing Information
Hetland also brought Freeport City Code 500.45, subdivision 5 to Council's attention and suggested that the code may be impractical and unnecessary to enforce. The code in its entirety is as follows: "Subd. 5.Plantings.In commercial and industrial districts adjacent to residential districts, and not divided by streets, there must be provided along the property line a 2 foot wide planting strip composed of grass, trees, and shrubs. A screening fence, thereby reducing the screening strip to ten feet, may be utilized when approved by the city council. The fence may not exceed eight feet in height or be less than six feet in height and must screen up to 80% per square yard of area." Balderston moved and Tim Hennen seconded a motion calling for a hearing on May 30, 2007 to delete 500.45, subdivision 5. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
Request to restrict parking on lawns
Hetland brought forward an anonymous request to consider restricting vehicles from parking on lawns.Mayor Worms stated that Freeport City Code 500.45, subdivision 6 requires that grass, or various other landscaping techniques, must be maintained; therefore, in all zoning districts, property owners may not kill grass by parking on it. The code in its entirety is as follows: "Subd. 6.Vegetation.In all zoning districts the lot area remaining after provided for parking, driveways, loading, sidewalks, or other requirements must be planted and maintained in grass, sodding, shrubs, or other acceptable vegetation or landscaping techniques." ÂťAction was not deemed necessary and none was taken.
Request for Waste Hauling Exclusivity for Danny's Disposal
Hetland brought forward a waste hauling agreement from Danny's Disposal for consideration. Council tabled the proposal's consideration until the next regular meeting.
Alley Updates
Hetland gave an overview of the findings by the attorneys at Rinke Noonan regarding the alley between 2nd Street NW and 3rd Street NW. It was discovered that an alley is established but only up to the manhole. Council instructed Hetland to write the property owners at 215 1st Avenue N that they must repair the vehicle damage to the alley per Freeport City Code 500.45, subdivision 6.
Joe Hennen moved and Balderston seconded a motion to hold a public hearing on May 30, 2007 to consider the establishment of an alley classification system and policies. Hetland recommended four alley classifications of which greater details would be provided at the hearing. Motion carried 5-0.
Playground Update
Hetland provided information in the Council packet pertaining to two grants for playground equipment from Hamburger Helper and Starbucks. He also stated that a draft lease agreement was forwarded to Sacred Heart School for review and insertion of legal descriptions.
Welle Country Acres
Joe Hennen asked if the owner of the first lot on the north side of 9th Street SE in Welle Country Acres was obligated to construct a building per the development's covenants. Hetland stated that he would research the inquiry and report back to Council.
City Engineer, Jim Schulz, SEH
Schulz gave a verbal report.
Joel Asp from SEH was present to discuss the establishment of a wetland to the east of the stabilization ponds as approved in 2006. Asp recommended that a control burn take place before May 5 after which time the area should be treated with herbicides in June to be followed by disking, plowing and the planting of indigenous wetland vegetation. Discussion followed on the execution of the process. Council instructed the fire department to conduct the control burn within the recommended timeline and for staff to begin the process as recommended with as much as possible to be completed by the City.
Regarding the Main Street Public Improvement Project, Schulz reported that the shelter is scheduled for repair in the next few weeks. Worms stated that the work is to be completed by July or to commence after July 22.
Schulz and Dasher also reported that the County was responsible for painting the Lake Wobegon Trail crossing.
Public Works Director, Joe Dasher
Dasher gave a written report which is on file for review.
City Clerk/Treasurer's Report, Paul Hetland
Hetland presented a written report that is on file for review.
Joe Hennen moved and Balderston seconded a motion authorizing the zoning administrator and the building inspector to investigate the possible condemnation of three homes in the City. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
Hetland was asked to report on the process of lead assessment payments.
Hetland gave a verbal update of the Minnesota Department of Health's proposed Water and Waste Water Advisory Response Network (WARN) Project. Hetland mentioned that he met with other officials in St. Paul on Monday, May 23, 2007 with League of Minnesota Cities staff and came to the conclusion that more education may be needed to adequately cover emergency and non-emergency responses of water and waste water operations, but that there are adequate laws and documents available to cover the intended authorization and liability needs to avoid the creation of a new bureaucracy. Hetland was asked as a Greater Minnesota representative to advise in the creation of the WARN concept in Minnesota. To date, the group has met three times. Hetland reminded Council that those present at the first meeting were largely in favor of creating this new system in Minnesota, but due to his questions and comments, the approximately 20 person group has now nearly made the decision to terminate the concept. Final action is pending.
Consent Agenda
Joe Hennen moved and Humbert seconded a motion approving the Consent Agenda which included the following:
- Claims in the amount of $86,663.43
- claims in the amount of $52,475.86
- payroll in the amount of $6165.49
- Municipal Clerks Week Proclamation for April 29 – May 5, 2007
- Congratulatory letter from the Mayor and the City of Melrose on their sesquicentennial
- Moratorium on signs in commercial districts C-1 and C-2
- Setting May 9, 2007 as the Annual Board of Appeal and Equalization Meeting
Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
At 10:38 P.M. Worms moved and Humbert seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
