Approval Of The Agenda
Balderston moved and Humbert seconded a motion to approve the agenda. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
Consent Agenda
Humbert moved and seconded Goebel a motion approving the Consent Agenda which included the following: Approval of the minutes from the April 28, 2009 Regular Meeting; claims in the amount of $17,348.9 paid on May 18, 2009; approval of the 2010 Liquor Licenses; payroll in the amount of $7763.20; and claims in the amount of $6775.88. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
Open Public Forum
No one addressed City Council.
New Business
HEARING: 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.
Worms opened the variance hearing at 7:33 P.M. as the Board of Adjustment. Hetland gave a review of Freeport City Code 500.63 regarding variances and how the standards comply with the variance request by Julie Middendorf. Balderston moved and Hennen seconded a motion to approve a variance of five (5) feet for the front yard set back for the installation of a ten (10) foot-wide deck at the residence of 211 Main Street East. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0. Worms moved and Goebel seconded a motion to close the hearing and adjourn the Board of Adjustment at 8:13 P.M. Motion carried 5-0.
HEARING: USDA Rural Development Project - Review of options and estimated costs
Worms opened the hearing for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development project reviews and estimated costs at 7:37 P.M. City Engineer April Bieljeski gave a PowerPoint presentation on the improvements and costs of which a free copy of the presentation can be obtained at City Hall and is on file for review. Questions and comments were requested of those in attendance. Sue Slupe, owner of the Corner Store supported the project and requested assistance regarding her brick covered building when the improvements along County Road 11 occur. Fritz Hoeschen of the Commercial Exchange Corporation also supported the projects and planning proposal and stated that the timing is perfect for it. No other public comments were made on the topic. Worms moved and Humbert seconded a motion to close the hearing at 8:13 P.M. Motion carried 5-0.
Sheriff's Report
Stearns County Deputy Sheriff Sgt. Phil Meemken was present to review the April 2009 contract report which is on file for review. At the end of his report, he requested feedback and Council responded that they would like to see officers get out of their vehicle more and interact with the public.
Sidewalks and weed control
Worms asked about City considering spraying for weeds of the State of Minnesota's property on the west and east ends of the City along the Lake Wobegon Trail. Worms suggested that all of the proper management authorities be contacted about maintenance of their property. Hetland stated that he would do so on behalf of the City.
Worms reported that Humbert and him went through the City as street commissioners to review roads and sidewalks per the City's recommended Comprehensive Plan for such an annual review of its infrastructure. Worms noted that 2nd Street NE and NW have several settling issues that ought to be addressed this year. He noted that approximately 50 panels settled with a ¾" lip or more. It was noted that several spots should be under warranty from the work completed in 2008.
He reported that the areas addressed the previous year are generally wearing well, but noted that about there was about 3 times more per foot that needs to be addressed than last year. They recommended attention to the following areas: Along 2nd Avenue NW and 2nd Street NW, the curbs along 7th Street SW and 9th Street SE, the west side of 2nd Avenue NW, repairing curb and sidewalk at the junction of 2nd Avenue NE and 2nd Street NE, and the worst areas along 2nd Street SE and by 3rd Avenue NE and 2nd Street NE and by 2nd Avenue NW and 2nd Street NW.
It was noted that the area along 2nd Street SE was repaired a few years ago with cold patch and should be considered for more permanent or lasting repairs such as a mill and an overlay of tar or possibly a street reconstruction considering the condition of the water lines.
Worms estimated that the mud jacking for sidewalks and curbs and the road repairs would cost approximately $3200 to $4000. Some of the sidewalk panels cannot be mud-jacked because they are busted and therein need to be completely replaced. Worms provided an estimate from Worms, Lumber and Ready Mix in the amount of $2321.70 for the concrete in the sidewalk replacement.
Worms reported that he called the contractor A-1 Concrete Leveling for the needed mud-jacking repairs and would be available to do the work on June 11. Worms requested Council support for the repair proposal. Balderston moved and Humbert seconded a motion to approve all of the sidewalk and road repairs as described and recommended. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
Joe Hennen, on behalf of the Freeport Softball and Recreation Club, requested 3.2 liquor licenses for the following dates: June 5-7, June 26-28, July 10-12, and July 24-26. Goebel moved and Balderston seconded a motion approving all 4 liquor license requests. Discussion was offered. Motion carried 5-0.
Old Business
There was no old business to discuss or act upon.
Reports
City Clerk/Treasurer's Report, Paul Hetland
Hetland provided a written report that is on file for review.
Hetland also noted that there were indications from the Minnesota Association of Small Cities that through their work meeting with the Governor that cities under 1000 in population and having a tax capacity rating per capita less than the state average would be spared any reduction in local governmental aid (LGA) for 2009 and 2010. The League of Minnesota Cities confirmed that Freeport would be exempt of any cuts if that formula is followed. The Governor must make his unallotments by the end of the biennium (by the end of June) to bring the State budget into statutory balance.
Hetland also announced that the Stearns County Highway Department annual 5-year planning meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2009. Hetland stated that he would attend and invited Council Members to also attend. The annual meeting is open to the public and held at the Stearns County Highway Department Building in Waite Park.
Public Works Director's Report, Jon Stueve
Stueve reported that his work in the past few weeks has included, but was not limited to, the following: flushing hydrants, discharging the waste water ponds, general maintenance, and helping enforce weed ordinance violations. He also reported that the newly acquired lawn mower tractor works well, and in some areas has reduced mowing by more than half of the time as done with the old lawn mower.
City Engineer's Report, April Bielejeski, S.E.H.
Bielejeski had no further information to report on.
Stearns County Municipal League Meeting
Worms reported about the Stearns County Municipal League Meeting that Humbert and he attended. Worms stated that the 2009 dues were suspended in light of the economy and to help attract the outstanding cities not currently members. The dues in 2008 were $25. He noted that the meeting included a presentation about County technology services and he provided a copy of the presentation for review.
At 8:41 P.M. Worms moved and Balderston seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
