Freeport City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - September 29, 2009

A regular meeting of the Freeport City Council was convened at 7:30 P.M. by Mayor Matt Worms with Council Members Dave Humbert, Joe Hennen, and Ken Goebel also in attendance.

Also in attendance: Herman Lensing and Carol Moorman. Staff persons in attendance: Paul Hetland, Jon Stueve, Scott Lange, and Dave Blommel. The Pledge of Allegiance was said by those in attendance.

Open Public Forum

No one was present to address Council.

Consent Agenda

Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion approving the Consent Agenda which included the following: Approval of the agenda; approval of the minutes from the August 25, 2009 Regular Meeting; claims in the amount of $3002.94 paid on August 26, 2009; claims in the amount of $4002.52 paid on August 31, 2009; claims in the amount of $18,471.84 paid on September 14, 2009; claims in the amount of $12,296.26; and approval of Resolution 2009-012 – Establishing a policy on the usage of the City of Freeport’s Public Education Government channel. Discussion offered. Motion carried 4-0.

New Business

Capital Improvement Plan – Scott Lange, City Engineer, S.E.H.

Scott Lange and Dave Blommel provided handouts and gave a presentation of the proposed Capital Improvement Plan which are on file for review. The plan included the following project areas: the USDA Rural Development projects; the area of 2nd and 3rd Streets SE; the area of 3rd and 4th Streets NW and 2nd Avenue NW; the area of 2nd Street NE and 3rd Avenue NE; sanitary sewer improvements; comprehensive sanitary sewer, storm water, and water plans; storm water pond maintenance; and GIS mapping software. No action was taken but Lange and Blommel were thanked for the information as a necessary and useful first step in planning and prioritizing the City’s future needs. Financial estimates and priorities were given over a 10 year period for discussion and further work will be conducted at the next Council Meeting.

Approval of the survey work for the USDA Projects – Scott Lange

Lange recommended the authorization of conducting the survey for the USDA Rural Development projects to keep it progressing as we await the review and comments of the Preliminary Engineering Report. Goebel moved and Hennen seconded a motion approving the survey for the USDA Rural Development projects. Discussion offered. Motion carried 4-0.

USDA Rural Development Projects Update

Lange mentioned that staff recently met with representatives from Xcel Energy and the County Engineer’s Office regarding the projects and possible utility line relocation away from County Road 11 from the interchange to approximately the intersection of 2nd Streets NW and NE. Xcel Energy requested a $5000 escrow deposit to continue moving forward on estimates for the project. No recommendations were made by staff or action taken by Council on the matter, but encouraged to continue to review the concept. Lange mentioned that discussion would continue into October.

Credit Union Request for new alley surfacing – possible inclusion in the 2011 public improvement projects

Hetland brought forward a request by the Central Minnesota Federal Credit Union inquiring about the process of resurfacing the alley behind their Freeport facility. Staff was asked to continue the conversation and investigate the matter further with the Credit Union to report at a future meeting.

Review of Possible Council Vacancy

Hetland gave a review of the laws surrounding Council vacancies as outlined in documents from City Attorney Scott Dymoke. Humbert stated that he did not feel the seat should be left open for an extended period of time, such as a year. No action was taken, but the general Council consensus was that the facts about a potential Council Member vacancy were uncertain or unclear and that Council would wait for further developments or information in the matter.

Old Business

Law Enforcement for 2010 – Discussion of City intentions for contract development

Hetland distributed correspondence between him and the Stearns County Sheriff regarding law enforcement service in the City. It was made officially clear that the Stearns County Sheriff’s Department is not a police department and that the City’s needs lend toward police department duties. The Sheriff made it clear that his office will continue to answer Freeport service calls with or without a contract, therein ensuring there would be no comprising public safety. Therefore, it was recommended that the contract immediately cease. Humbert moved and Hennen seconded a motion to cease the 2009 service contract with the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office effective immediately. Discussion noted that the documents provided did not outline Paul Hetland’s personal opinion, but a professional one shared by many individuals in the community. Motion carried 4-0.

Reports

City Clerk/Treasurer’s Report, Paul Hetland

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

Public Works Director, Jon Stueve

Stueve provided a brief verbal report that they are conducting scheduled waste water releasing and also beginning a fall schedule of street sweeping.

City Engineer’s Report, Scott Lange

Lange provided a written report which is on file for review.

Stearns County Sheriff Report

A written report was provided which is on file for review.

At 9:05 P.M. Worms moved and Goebel seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 4-0.