Open Public Forum

No one addressed Council.

Consent Agenda

Goebel moved and Humbert seconded a motion approving the Consent Agenda which included the following: Approval of the agenda; approval of the minutes from the February 23, 2010 Regular Meeting; approval of the claims distributed on February 26, 2010 in the amount of $6643.23; approval of the claims distributed on March 15, 2010 in the amount of $15,502.50; and approval of claims in the amount of $8556.25. Discussion offered. Motion carried 4-0.

Review and consideration of 2010 bond sale - $2,860,000

Todd Hagen, from Ehler’s & Associates and Freeport Financial Advisor, presented City Council with a recently achieved A- bond rating. Hagen credited the consistent and professional financial systems of Council and Staff. A framed certificate was presented to the Mayor which is on display at City Hall. Hagen noted that by achieving the A- rating it helped attract more bids, especially bids from out of Minnesota. There were five bids received and four of those were from out of Minnesota. They were as follows:

  • M & I Marshall & Ilsley Bank of Milwaukee, Wisconsin – 1.8466%
  • Hutchinson, Shockey, Erley & Co. of Chicago, Illinois – 2.7583%
  • Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – 2.8067%
  • Northland Securities, Inc. of Minneapolis, Minnesota – 3.1359%
  • Wells Fargo Bank, National Association of Charlotte, North Carolina – 3.3112%

Hagen explained that the full amount was not needed due to the reassurances from USDA Rural Development officials that the City would be receiving over $620,000, so the amount was dropped to $2,240,000. He stated that because of the competitive bidding process the difference was about $120,000. Humbert moved and Goebel seconded Resolution 2010-007 for a bond in the amount of $2,240,000 awarding it to the lowest bidder M & I Marshall & Ilsley Bank of Milwaukee, Wisconsin for an actual interest rate of 1.8466%. Discussion offered. Motion carried 4-0 at 7:24 P.M.

Old Business

USDA Rural Development Project

Scott Lange, City Engineer brought forward a proposal for an approximate addition to the USDA RD Project in the amount of $1,250,000 to add a water line from the current tower westerly on 3rd Street SE to County Road 11 to aid in water quality and looping. Discussion followed including in more looping of the water main at the north end of 2nd Avenue SW to meet up with the waterline on Main Street W. There was also mention of adding two much needed water pumps for each of the City’s wells to bring more water into the system at a more rapid pace.

Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion approving amending the three projects proposed by the City Engineer to the USDA RD project at a cost covered by the grant. Discussion offered. Motion carried 4-0.

Lange brought up the topic of the design on the proposed new tower. Worms asked about cost and Lange responded that it wouldn’t be significant. The general consensus was reached that a the word “Freeport” and a smile face similar to the current tower should be on the new tower. Lange asked Council to begin thinking of the color of the new tower.

Worms asked Lange to set up a meeting Joe Klein from Xcel Energy regarding the possibility of the County Road 11 utility line relocation.

New Business

Consideration of Kent Roessler request to reduce building permit, water hook-up, and/or waste water hook-up fees to bring in 3 new homes into the City

Discussion included incentives given I other cities, but it was noted that the economics in those other cities is different. Also, it was noted that incentives were given at the beginning of the Welle Estates Plat 2 project such as not charge trunk charges and that our building permit fees are lower than many other cities in the area. It was further noted that a developer interested in purchasing three homes did not think the City’s fee were large, actually stating they were less than other areas. Worms recommendation was to make no changes to the current building and utility hook-up fees. Council Members agreed and no action was taken.

Consideration of Krain Township’s request to donate funds for their Township Hall Open House.

Krain Township formally requested any funds for a celebration of their newly constructed town hall. Due to statutory restraints, Council Members and Staff did not think the request was able to be granted or appropriate. Goebel moved and Humbert seconded a motion denying the request for supplies or a monetary gift to Krain Township to celebrate their newly constructed building. Discussion offered. Motion carried 4-0.

Consideration of additional fees for specialized City of Freeport services - Resolution 2010-008

Tabled to next meeting due to the fact that the information was not included in the Council Members’ packets.

Mayor Worms requested attending the April 30 to May 1, 2010 Minnesota Mayors Association Meeting.

Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion approving Worms to attend the 2010 MMA meeting. Discussion offered. Motion carried 4-0.

In was mentioned that the Veterans Memorial needs to be properly marked for handicapped accessibility with markings and a ramp. Stueve stated that the City of Albany has such a road stamp and suggested using it for the Veterans Memorial.

On behalf of Rita Elfering, Hetland brought forward a drinking water sample from her residence. The poor appearance of the water was noted and further demonstrated the necessity of enhancing the water quality along 3rd Street SE to provide better pressure and water quality.

Reports

City Clerk/Treasurer’s Report, Paul Hetland

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

Hetland noted that over the previous weekend, Freeport ranked 18 in its residents returning their U.S. Census reports.

City Engineer, S.E.H. – Scott Lange

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

Pubic Works Director’s Report, Jon Stueve

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

Stueve inquired if the road along 3rd Street SE should be rebuilt. Worms recommended that a couple loads of Class 5 gravel and some blading would help the road and be less expensive.

Stueve requested permission to rebuild the horseshoe pits and volleyball court at the Freeport Lions Park and to convert the east tennis court into a basketball court. Council gave Stueve the permission to go forward with the changes.

Humbert brought forward a request from the Freeport Lions Veterans Memorial Committee if the area around the Memorial could be blocked off for a special ceremony on Memorial Day. Council granted the request.

At 8:42 P.M. Worms moved and Goebel seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 4-0.