News
Freeport City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - April 28, 2009
Filed under | Council Minutes
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, Charles Balderston, and Ken Goebel also in attendance.
Also in attendance: Herman Lensing, Carol Moorman, Rodney Atkinson, Jerry Meyer, Bob Lindvall, Kathy Korte, Al Beste, Deb Meyer, and Jerry Butkowski.
Staff person in attendance: Paul Hetland, Jon Stueve, and April Bielejeski.
The Pledge of Allegiance was said by those in attendance.
Approval of the agenda
Hennen moved and Humbert seconded a motion to approve the agenda. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
Open Public Forum
No one addressed City Council.
Consent Agenda
Humbert moved and seconded Hennen a motion approving the Consent Agenda which included the following: approval of the minutes from the March 31, 2009 Regular Meeting; claims in the amount of $30,414.80 paid on April 20, 2009; claims in the amount of $6311.45; employee payroll in the amount of $7731.26; and setting May 26, 2009 for a variance request for 211 Main St. E. for the installation of a 10' wide deck going 5' over the set back line of 30 feet. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
Local Board Of Appeal And Equalization Meeting
Worms opened the Annual Board of Appeal meeting at 6:33 P.M.
Bob Lindvall and Kathy Korte of the Stearns County Assessor's Office also presented written information, which is also on file for review, that valuations in Freeport increased as follows:
- Residential/Seasonal range was -1-4% with an average of a 3% decrease,
- Commercial rose 2-4% with an average of 3% increase,
- Apartment range was little to no change.
- Agriculture rose 1% to 4% with an average decrease of 3%.
- Lindvall and Korte noted that the City's total valuation is at $48,111,900 and thus the 1% amount is $481,119.
- R & W, LLC R54.32270.0010 and Gerald Meyer R54.32270.0000
Rodney Atkinson and Gerald Meyer properties were considered at the same time. Atkinson mentioned that he is unable to attract highway commercial businesses and thus did not believe that his proposed valuation of $1.25 per square foot was fair especially considering he is not in a special taxing district. Meyer felt the same.
When Mayor Worms asked how the valuations were determined, Bob Lindvall stated that he used market sales up and down Interstate 94.
For all of the lots owned by Mark Middendorf in the Freeport Industrial Park, he requested that the value be brought down to a level comparable to actual sales in Freeport, Melrose, and Albany.
Famo Feeds R. 54.32129.0076. Worms read a letter previously submitted by Famo Feeds stating their 6.8 acre parcel should have been valued at the same amount as the larger parcel per a discussion with the County Assessor's Office.
Edna Seiferman R54.32269.0172. Korte stated that Ms. Seirferman notified the County Assessor that she wished to be heard at the hearing but was not present. Hetland noted that the property's value was proposed to decrease from 2009 to 2010.
Community Care R54.32079.010. Al Beste was present on behalf of the Community Center and requested that the valuation be reduced for 2010 from the proposed $328,100. Rodney Atkinson asked and Beste confirmed that the Community Center's non-profit classification restricts the sale of the building to only another non-profit organization or to give the building away.
The total reduced in the meeting was $480,900 and the available remaining was $219 and the changes were as follows:
| Name | Parcel ID | Proposed amount | Approved amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| R & W LLC | 54.32270.0010 | $144,800.00 | $86,900.00 |
| Community Care | 54.32079.010 | $328,100.00 | $234,500.00 |
| Edna Seifermann | 54.32269.0172 | $174,700.00 | $174,700.00 |
| Mark Middendorf | 54.32129.0077 | $35,500.00 | $20,400.00 |
| Mark Middendorf | 54.32129.0078 | $40,000.00 | $23,000.00 |
| Mark Middendorf | 54.32129.0079 | $38,200.00 | $22,000.00 |
| Mark Middendorf | 54.32129.071 | $103,200.00 | $89,100.00 |
| Mark Middendorf | 54.32129.075 | $45,800.00 | $25,200.00 |
| Mark Middendorf | 54.32129.074 | $28,500.00 | $17,100.00 |
| Mark Middendorf | 54.32129.082 | $11,700.00 | $6,000.00 |
| Mark Middendorf | 54.32129.083 | $3,100.00 | $3,000.00 |
| Mark Middendorf | 54.32129.0067 | $104,700.00 | $90,200.00 |
| Mark Middendorf | 54.32129.0068 | $104,700.00 | $90,200.00 |
| Mark Middendorf | 54.32129.0069 | $195,800.00 | $180,000.00 |
| Mark Middendorf | 54.32129.0072 | $103,000.00 | $89,100.00 |
| Mark Middendorf | 54.32129.0073 | $29,300.00 | $16,800.00 |
| Mark Middendorf | 54.32129.0081 | $13,400.00 | $7,800.00 |
| Gerald Meyer | 54.32270.0000 | $167,600.00 | $74,500.00 |
| Famo Feeds | 54.32129.0076 | $237,000.00 | $177,700.00 |
Korte noted that on June 15, 2008 those not pleased with the decisions reach with the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization may attend a meeting at the County level.
Hennen moved and Humbert seconded a motion to approve the valuation adjustments as a whole as printed above and adjourn the annual Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting at 7:33 P.M. Discussion offered. Motion carried 4-0 with Balderston abstaining.
At 7:37 P.M. Worms opened the regularly scheduled City Council meeting
New Business
Hearing: Conditional Use Permit hearing to consider a day care facility at 311 1st Ave. N. for Laura Moening
Worms opened the hearing at 7:33 P.M. Hetland reviewed the applicable City Codes referencing the process of a conditional use permit and how the request is permissible under Chapter 5. Council Members asked Moening if she had a current license to practice day care and she showed Council and the Clerk the official Minnesota license. Hennen moved and Goebel seconded a motion to approve the conditional use permit for a day care facility for Laura Moening at 311 1st Avenue N. Discussion followed. Motion carried 5-0.
USDA Rural Development Project
April Bielejeski gave another PowerPoint presentation regarding the proposed public improvement projects being considered through the USDA Rural Development program.
Much of the information was a review of the previous information, but she did mention that the tower would be a maximum of a 200,000 gallon tank. She also noted that the cost of the water tower site, connecting it to the nearest water main, and the tower itself would be $1,206,000.
Regarding the looping of the water system by going across Interstate 94 and going into the streets of 3rd Street SW and 2nd Avenue SW would cost an estimated $952,000. It was noted that the streets in that area are in disrepair.
The County Road 11 projected costs for water extension would be $496,000 and an additional $200,000 to $300,000 for driveways, sidewalks, storm sewers, and turf establishment, and lighting. It was noted that the costs determine on the amount that the County will be able to pay. The total for that project would be $796,000.
The total projected amount for the project would be $2,954,000. Bieljeski noted that the 2.75% 40 year loan would be in the amount of $1,922,000 with an additional $652,000 eligible grant amount.
Bielejeski and Staff recommended that Council authorize a public hearing for the consideration of the overall project's funding and to approve a preliminary engineering report at the May 26, 2009 regularly scheduled meeting. Balderston moved and Humbert seconded a motion to approve the recommendation. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
Staff also noted that part of the funding mechanism could mean some small adjustments to the assessment policy of which the Mayor and Staff have worked on the last few months and shared the draft with Council the last few meetings. Consideration of the revised assessment policy will be at the May meeting.
Consideration of an all-employee annual review period in August
Hetland noted that later on the agenda was the six-month review of the Administrative Assistant and the annual review of the City Clerk/Treasurer. He noted that there are no laws requiring reviews and the small frustration they provide to Council in their frequency throughout the year. Hetland suggested that due to the small number of staff that is reviewed, two full-time and two part-time, that staff be reviewed on the same night in August each year. Hennen moved and Goebel seconded a motion to hold all of the staff reviews at the August meeting of each year. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
Approval of the highest bid for a water pump formerly affixed on a Freeport Fire and Rescue Department truck
Hetland noted that the bid opening was at noon that day for a water pump formerly attached to a fire truck. There were two bids and Gary Feldewerd had the highest bid in the amount of $80 and Larry Hoeschen had the seconded amount for $50. Hennen moved and Goebel seconded a motion to approve and award the high bid to Gary Feldewerd in the amount of $80. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
Lawn Tractor Consideration
Worms gave a review of the proposed multi-purpose lawn tractor and the reasoning for the proposal. He noted that with the amount of repairs to the current lawn mower and that it wasn't designed for the amount and type of work it had performed, the City needed to obtain a vehicle that would better meet the grounds keeping needs of the City.
Worms mentioned that multiple City funds would be used to pay for the tractor because it is used to maintain projects and properties in each of those funds. It was noted that the item was not specifically budgeted for 20-09, but that the City's reserves existed to accommodate such expenses and the replacement of the law mower had been discussed for a few years.
There was extensive discussion and disagreement on the various needs proposed. One such need was the ability to enhance the City's snow blowing capabilities which was ultimately decided by the whole that it was a purpose that could be postponed or eliminated.
There were also extensive calculations made on the final proposal. The proposal included the following:
- The Massey Ferguson tractor itself with turf tires = $13,050
- 72" mower deck = $2525
- A soft-sided cab with a reduction = $3300
- Subtotal = $18,875
- Taxes = $1226.88
- Freight and set up = $1300
- Actual total = $21,401.88
- Agreed upon total = $21,400.00 plus two tanks of diesel fuel
Humbert moved and Balderston seconded a motion to approve the final agreed upon total as stated above in the amount of $21,400 plus the two tanks of diesel fuel. Further discussion offered. Motion carried 4-1. Worms thanked Jerry Butkowski for his time spent at the meeting that evening.
Old Business
Resolution 2009-008 - Policy stating that City Council must also be trained for the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization
Balderston moved and Hennen seconded a motion approving Resolution 2009-008. Discussion included a note from Hetland that the revised resolution included the language previous requested by Council to include all of Council and not just the Mayor and Acting Mayor. Motion carried 5-0.
Reports
City Clerk/Treasurer's Report, Paul Hetland
Hetland provided a written report that is on file for review.
Public Works Director's Report, Jon Stueve
Jon Stueve gave a brief verbal report that the wells are pumping approximately 25,000 to 30,000 gallons of water per day and the tower is being filled about 3 to 4 times per day.
He also noted that he awaits a sample back from a testing laboratory to be able to discharge the waste water pond on it's annual spring cycle.
Stueve noted that a manhole and storm sewer on the corner of 1st Avenue N and 2nd Street NE caved in the previous week but was since repaired.
City Engineer's Report, April Bielejeski, S.E.H.
Bielejeski noted that she has investigated the road settling on the east end of County Road 157 in Freeport and is reviewing options to repair it.
Closed Session : Annual Review Of The City Clerk/Treasurer And Six Month Review Of The Administrative Assistant
At 9:34 P.M Council moved into closed session for the six month review of Abby Cunningham and the annual review of Paul Hetland per their request under the Open Meeting Law. In the discussion, both employees were given a positive review and both are in good standing with the City. Hennen moved and Balderston seconded a motion to approve a 25 cent per hour raise for Abby Cunningham bringing her hourly wage to $10.75 per hour. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0. Per Hetland's request earlier in the year, Council have no increase to his wage.
At 9:53 P.M. Worms moved and Balderston seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
