Freeport City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - November 24, 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, Carol Moorman, Mark Middendorf, and Rodney Atkinson.

Staff persons in attendance: Paul Hetland, 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

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 October 27, 2009 Regular Meeting; and claims in the amount of $21,916.50 (claims 86434 and 86435 in the total of $102.86 were removed to an error with each) . Discussion offered. Motion carried 4-0.

New Business

2010 Levy and General Fund Budget Review and Approval

Hetland reviewed an earlier discussion that by state statute the final levy and final budget could only be approved between November 25 and December 28. Goebel moved and Hennen seconded a motion to table the 2010 Final Levy and General Fund Budget review and approval until the December 8 Regular Meeting. Discussion offered. Motion carried 4-0

Possible ordinance amendments:

Open burning banning (discussion of the creation of a compost site)

Hetland brought to Council’s attention that he had received a number of complaints about open burning this season. If burning was not allowed in the City, there was a discussion about having a compost site to dispose of leaves and other yard waste. Hetland was asked to contact the City of Holdingford about the costs of operation for their system and to analyze the possible costs for such a system in Freeport. On the topic of air quality, Rodney Atkinson was present to suggest that the City consider addressing air standards for the use of wood burning furnaces. Council requested Hetland to investigate options the City could take to control air emissions from chimneys. Hetland was also asked to draft an ordinance appealing open burning in the City for consideration at the next meeting.

Allowance for snow fences without a permit, date limited

Worms and Hetland discussed the fact that City Code requires a zoning permit for snow fences and whether it was necessary. Council discussed that the code should be changed to allow snow fences without a permit from November 1 through April 10 and that multiple snow fences must be parallel with each other. It was also suggested that temporary fencing would also be allowed without a permit for a maximum of 10 days in the summer. Hetland stated that he would draft an ordinance for Council’s consideration at the next meeting.

Winter parking rules – clarification for the allowance of construction dumpsters

Hetland noted that the Winter Parking Rules do not allow any vehicle to be parked on the street but wanted to clarify whether commercial grade construction dumpsters qualify and if the language should be amended. Council discussed that the construction dumpsters should be allowed, but were uncertain as to the duration of time they would be allowed on a city street. Hetland suggested that he contact other cities and see what is done elsewhere regarding the issue and report back with a suggested ordinance change at a future meeting.

Hetland also brought forward a citizen concern about the Winter Parking Rule exemption dates and whether they could be extended to accommodate for the parking of out-of-town guests during the holidays.

Goebel moved and Humbert seconded a motion suggesting an ordinance changing the Winter Parking Rules to allow three days around Thanksgiving and 8 days from December 24 to January 1. Discussion followed. Motion carried 4-0. Hetland will draft an ordinance for Council’s review at the next meeting.

No date was set for the ordinance hearings.

Old Business

USDA Rural Development Projects Update

Scott Lange reported that Freeport’s Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) and Environmental Report Review (ER) were returned by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development review engineer. Lange noted that there were three major areas of concern in the reports: the requested tower size, the requested street width, and a calculation used to measure the equivalent dwelling units. Regarding the tower size, it was suggested that the tower size be reduced to 150,000 gallons but Public Works Director Jon Stueve previously told Lange that the tower should be no smaller than 200,000 gallons based on current usage and projected usage with new homes and the adding of one “wet business” (a business that uses a greater than typical amount of water). Overall, he acknowledged that the reports had less critiques than he had seen in the plans from other cities in his experience. He noted that he would be sending a response letter to USDA RD before the end of that week. The USDA’s document is on file for review. Lange noted that he was expecting to still be a Spring bidding process and that bids would be back before road restrictions were lifted.

Lange commented that on December 10, 2009 at 6:30 P.M. the Stearns County Highway Department would be hosting a County Road 11 public improvement project meeting at City Hall. Notices would be sent out by the County to effected property owners.

Dave Blommel was present to review the suggested utility line elimination possibilities from Interstate 94 on County Road 11 north to 2nd Streets NE and NW. Blommel, Lange, and Hetland noted a walk through of the potential line relocation route take with Xcel Energy representatives a few weeks prior. A cost estimate for the projects would require a $5000 fee to Xcel Energy but Blommel provide two plans for consideration. For the shorter of the two plans, it was suggested that Hetland discuss the possibility of the City obtaining easements from private property owners.

Reports

City Clerk/Treasurer’s Report, Paul Hetland

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

City Engineer’s Report, Scott Lange

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

At 9:23 P.M. Worms moved and Humbert seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 4-0.