Freeport City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - October 27, 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, and Scott Lange.

The Pledge of Allegiance was said by those in attendance.

Open Public Forum

No one was present to address Council.

Consent Agenda

Hennen moved and Goebel seconded a motion approving the Consent Agenda which included the following: Approval of the agenda; approval of the minutes from the September 29, 2009 Regular Meeting; claims in the amount of $64,313.67 paid on October 19, 2009; and claims in the amount of $6,474.75. Discussion offered. Motion carried 4-0.

New Business

Stearns County Municipal League Discussion on Fire Service Stability

Council Member Humbert and Clerk Hetland gave a review of the Stearns County Municipal League meeting from Tuesday, October 20, 2009 regarding fire service district stability. Council concurred with the basic premises of the discussions that fire service districts should be based on public safety and not on cost or political reasons. Council recommended that the Freeport Fire and Rescue Department discuss the matter and work with the Stearns County fire chiefs to come up with a comprehensive recommendation for further consideration.

Annual Insurance Review

Hetland distributed a review of the City’s annual insurance coverage and premiums. Council discussed further investigating reducing coverage and premium costs. Insurance representatives were not present at the meeting, but would be consulted to attend a future meeting.

Request to install automatic door openers for City Hall

Hetland brought forward a glass company’s proposal to install automatic door openers for City Hall through a state grant. There was not consensus from Council or Staff that there was a need for the door openers. Hetland stated, that with Council’s permission, he would review the proposal and make a decision before the October 31, 2009 grant deadline.

Mike Mills Day Proclamation

In honor of Freeport citizen Staff Sergeant Mike Mills’ American Patriot Award ceremony being planned for November 3, 2009, Hetland suggested that the City make a special proclamation for Mills. The Council agreed and directed Hetland to draft a proclamation. Hetland also noted that he may be attending Mills’ national recognition in Ohio per Mills’ request on behalf of the City. Council supported the possible time away for Hetland to honor the wounded combat veteran for his national award ceremony.

Old Business

USDA Rural Development Projects Update

Scott Lange reported that Freeport’s submissions are first on the USDA’s review list and that we are expecting the review before the end of the month.

Lange further reported that the Stearns County Highway Department is planning on a County Road 11 open house on the proposed project on November 17, 2009. Effected property owners will be mailed a letter by the County and Staff was encouraged to bring about further awareness for the event through placing it on the Freeport State Bank marquee and in the City Newsletter.

Lange reported that he, Dave Blommel, and Hetland walked on the proposed utility line relocation with Xcel Energy representatives. Lange and Hetland noted that there were several more poles that would need to be installed on the relocation route to remove the poles from the interstate to about 2nd Street NW and NE. Lange mentioned that he is looking at an alternative route on the east end rather than the west end that would involve less pole installations, less property disruption, and likely less cost. Another meeting with Xcel Energy representatives will be planned and the proposal will be discussed at a future meeting. Hetland stated that he would contact land owners in the area being considered on the east end of the City.

Credit Union Request for new alley surfacing – update

Hetland gave a review of the proposal Minnesota Federal Credit Union representatives discussed with him, Dave Blommel, and Jon Stueve a few days earlier. The proposal was for resurfacing the alley with concrete behind the credit union from behind the Corner Store to about 20 feet past the credit union property. Lange stated that he would like to review the final plan and that the City should collect a small escrow to cover the costs for time involved in the project. Lange stated that he and Hetland would work on the request at the next few monthly engineering meetings.

Capital Improvement Plan – Scott Lange, City Engineer, S.E.H. – Request for approval as guidance for staff long-range budgeting proposals

Lange gave a brief overview of the proposed public improvement projects as reviewed at a previous meeting. Lange and Hetland noted that the proposal is largely for setting priorities and allows staff and property owners to better financially plan for the future projects but can be adjusted at anytime by Council. Hennen moved and Humbert seconded the Capital Improvement Plan. Discussion included having copies available for public discussion. Motion carried 4-0.

Revised Assessment Policy – Re-review and request for approval

Lange suggested moving the further review and discussion on the revised assessment policy until the November after further discussion with Mayor Worms and Clerk Hetland at the monthly engineering meeting.

Reports

City Clerk/Treasurer’s Report, Paul Hetland

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

Hetland reported that the EDA is planning on a residential meeting in January to review opportunities in the City, but to focus mainly on what residential housing needs citizens would like to see met.

Public Works Director, Jon Stueve

Stueve provided a brief verbal report.

Stueve reported that the snow blower attachment for the Massey Ferguson tractor would cost approximately $5500. Discussion followed regarding where the snow would be removed by the City. Worms, Stueve, and Hetland agreed to investigate the policies of other cities on which areas have snow removed by the City. Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion approving of the purchase of the snow blower attachment for the Massey Ferguson tractor for approximately $5500. Motion carried 4-0.

Stueve also reported that the water tower would be cleaned out the upcoming Thursday.

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.

Humbert mentioned that he took four month of reports to review patrol frequency. He noted that it was an average of 40 patrol visits per month. Goebel reported that he recently witnessed another deputy sheriff car running a stop sign again.

At 9:58 P.M. Worms moved and Goebel seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 4-0.