Agenda

Joe Hennen moved and Humbert seconded a motion approving the meeting agenda. Discussion offered. Motion carried 4-0.

Approval of the Minutes

Joe Hennen moved and Humbert seconded a motion approving the meeting minutes for April 8, 2008. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.

New Business

Open Public Forum

Gerads Property Easement Vacation

Staff present reviewed the request by Alvin Gerads to release a blanket easement on his property. City Attorney Scott Dymoke and City Engineer Jim Schulz gave a recommendation to replace the existing blanket easement with necessary utility easements. Joe Hennen moved and Humbert seconded a motion to approve Resolution 2008-009 approving the partial release of the utility easement and Resolution 2008-010 approving an amendment to the street agreement. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.

Worms called a brief recess at 7:46 P.M. to sign the resolutions per Dymoke's request. The meeting reconvened at 7:47 P.M.

Industrial Park Drive Recommendations

Mayor Worms gave a report on the condition of the west section of Industrial Park Drive. He noted that the road had cracked and that water was seeping up through the cracks. In consultation with the City Engineer and local contractors, the recommendation was to divert the water on the north and south sides of the west section of the road to assist in drying out that section. Worms solicited two bids for the improvement and opened them at the meeting. Geise Tiling & Excavating gave a bid of $29,900 and Thull Excavating gave a bid of $13,913.00. Worms was asked by Council to discuss the bid with Butch Thull and ensure all items were considered in the bid and report back at a future meeting. Council felt the bid should be awarded to Thull on the condition that the bid covered the necessary costs to complete the proposed project. Worms publicly thanks Gary Geise for submitting his bid.

Playground Proposal, Daniel Lanes, Midwest Playscapes

Dan Lanes from Midwest Playscapes was present to inform City Council that the playground proposal would increase approximately $1700 after May 15 due to rising steel prices. A discussion followed regarding the cost of the project and proposed project funding. No action was taken and Council requested the topic be on the next meeting agenda.

Water Tower Recommendations

Worms gave a recommendation on the water tower over flow valve. Tim Hennen asked about if the water tower is 2015 then should fix it. Several expenses for water tower expenses discussed. Staff requested to talk to Maguire Iron company. The other checks will are checked by the State. Staff asked to have something by the next meeting. May 13 meeting.

Crack fill and seal coating proposals

Public Works Director Joel Dasher had provided written, City-wide proposals for crack sealing and seal coating. Discussion followed on which areas of the City to cover and when.

Regarding crack sealing, Council agreed that the following should be done: the miscellaneous cracks in the older street and the new roads areas including 7th Street SW at a cost of $1.50 per pound with an estimated total cost of $3500.

With seal coating, Council requested that Hetland investigate the possibility of working with the City of New Munich with the understanding that they were going to be seal coating their streets this year and perhaps costs could be shared.

Council also mentioned that the manholes that catch with the snow plow should be repaired.

At 9:20 P.M. Worms opened the hearing for the vacation of a portion of a drainage and utility easement located between lots 5 & 6, Block One, Freeport Industrial Park Plat Five. John Beste requested that the minutes record that the north and south easement be maintained for surface water drainage. Council and Hetland assured Beste that the easement was intended to remain and would be maintained. Humbert seconded and Balderston seconded a motion to approve the easement changes. Discussion offered. Motion carried. 5-0.

Reports

City Engineer, Jim Schulz

Schulz noted that he had no report.

City Clerk/Treasurer's Report, Paul Hetland

Hetland provided a written report that is on file for review.

Hetland noted that he had contacted the Stearns County Sheriff about city code enforcement assistance and awaited a response. Hetland also asked if Council wished to attend the Stearns County Municipal League Meeting on May 20 in Kimball. Hetland stated that he would contact Council the day before the meeting regarding their intentions to attend.

Worms mentioned that garbage collection was getting earlier, as early as 4:15 A.M. opposed to approximately 6:30 A.M. in the past and it is an inconvenience to some residents because they aren't getting their garbage collected. Hetland was asked to contact the garbage collection service about the concern.

Consent Agenda

Balderston moved and Tim Hennen seconded a motion approving the Consent Agenda which included the following:

  • Claims in the amount of $30,141.04
  • Claims for payroll in the amount of $7818.78
  • Resolution 2008-014 approval of a contract with USTI up to $340 for the water and sewer billing software program.

Discussion offered.

Motion carried 5-0.

CLOSED SESSION: Performance Evaluation of the Public Works Director

At 9:45 P.M., The City Council met in closed meeting to review the performance of Joel Dasher, Public Works Director. Mr. Dasher was informed of the meeting on April 28, 2008, and had indicated that he did not request it to be open to the public. Paul Hetland provided a summary of the performance of Mr. Dasher, but indicated that further review was unnecessary as Mr. Dasher has indicated his intention to resign and had executed a Separation Agreement. The Agreement was reviewed and approved in an open meeting following the closed employment review meeting.

Joe Hennen moved and Worms seconded a motion to open the meeting at 10:29 P.M.

Joe Hennen moved and Balderston seconded a motion approving of the Separation Agreement, Resolutions 2008-011, Resolution 2008-012, and Resolution 2008-013. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.

At 10:29 P.M., Worms closed the hearing for the Industrial Park easement vacation and relocation.

Worms noted that semi tractor trailers and trucks cannot park on City streets. Hetland confirmed the statement and mentioned that he would contact those parking semi-trucks on the streets.

At 10:46 P.M. Worms moved and Humbert seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0.