Freeport City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - April 27, 2010

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 March 30, 2010 Regular Meeting; approval of the minutes from the April 13, 2010 Regular Meeting; approval of the claims distributed on March 31, 2010 in the amount of $4582.75; approval of the claims distributed on April 12, 2010 in the amount of $30.14; approval of the claims distributed on April 21, 2010 in the amount of $10,253.41; and approval of claims in the amount of $23,677.11. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.

Old Business

USDA Rural Development Project

Lange announced that May 12, 2010 is the anticipated date of obligation from U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development program which will lock in the interest rate and have the money awarded. Lange noted that the preceding neighborhood project meetings went well and will be incorporated into the project standards with more meetings with effect property owners to follow as the project moves into its design phase. He expected the final information to be available by the July Council Meeting and to begin work on the 2nd Avenue SW and 3rd Street SW project by early September. Lange stated that he believed the new water tower could be in service by July 2011. Lange and Blommel distributed design concepts for the new water tower. They included a smiley face and the word “Freeport” in the design. No action was taken on the painting concept of the new water tower.

Street Lighting

Lange spoke with the contractor regarding the defective light poles along Main Street and in storage. Lange noted that he will contact Hetland and work on the issue with the contractor and supplier to expedite the process. The manufacture has made it clear on a number of occasions that the deteriorated lighting pole concrete bases are of no cause for safety concern for the stability of the pole, that it is merely a decorative issue in the interim. However, it was noted that long-term exposed of the inner part of the pole to the elements could cause structural malfunctions of the lighting system and the structural integrity of the poles.

Main Street Trench Settlements

Lange noted that if he did not hear anything from Tri-City Paving in the next couple of weeks about the road settlement on the east end of the project, that he would be contacting the bonding company to complete the work.

USDA Utility Line Relocation

There was an extensive discussion on funding the study of determining the cost for moving utility lines from the interstate access northward to approximately 2nd Street North. It was noted that regardless of funding from various sources for the study, that the project itself would likely be costly. It was further noted that the amount would be subject of continued debate until a study was conducted to verify the amount with certainty. Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion approving the expenditure of $1250 to cover half of the $2500 Xcel Energy utility line relocation cost determination fee with the other half being donated by Freeport State Bank. It was noted that a letter of understanding should be signed between Freeport State Bank and the City that the study does not confirm the project will be conducted, only that an amount will be determined for consideration at a future Council Meeting. Motion carried 4-1.

New Business

Fees Ordinance

Hetland reviewed a number of proposed fees for the City to consider in light of the pending cuts to local governmental aid and to continue decreasing the City’s tax capacity rate. The overlying principle in adding more fees was to charge for services that are outside the core services taxes provide. Items considered were closing fees for Small Cities Development Program grants, water service and investigation fees, charitable gaming transaction fee, an annexation request fee, and map request and creation fees. No action was taken on the proposals, but the resolution is on file for review.

Reports

City Clerk/Treasurer’s Report, Paul Hetland

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

Hetland noted that Stueve, Hoelscher, and he attended a League of Minnesota Cities Loss Control Workshop that day in St. Cloud.

City Engineer, S.E.H. – Scott Lange

Lange provided a written report that is on file for review. Lange noted that the Sauk River Watershed District is nearing its conclusion of the redetermination of benefits study of Ditch 15 and 26 (Getchell’s Creek). He would keep Council and Staff updated as to the details of the study.

Pubic Works Director’s Report, Jon Stueve

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

At 8:29 P.M. Worms moved and Goebel seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0.