Freeport City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - July 27, 2010

Open Public Forum

No one addressed Council. 

Consent Agenda

Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion approving the Consent Agenda which included the following:  Approval of the agenda; approval of the minutes from the May 25, 2010 Regular Meeting; approval of the minutes from the Jun 29, 2010 Regular Meeting; approval of the claims distributed on June 29, 2010 in the amount of $25,000.00; approval of claims distributed on July 1, 2010 in the amount of $2,057.73; approval of the claims distributed on July 1, 2010 in the amount of $1,708.20; approval of the claims distributed on July 16, 2010 in the amount of $35,556.80 and approval of the claims distributed on July 23, 2010 in the amount of $42,340.60. Discussion offered.  Motion carried 4-0.

Old Business

USDA Rural Development Project Update:  Scott Lange, Engineer

Lange gave review of project timeline.  Plans will be sent to USDA for approval.  Contracts will be awarded by end of year to qualify for Build America Bonds.  Meetings with a handful of property owners are being scheduled.  County meeting scheduled for October 19th to discuss CR-11 project.  Tower foundation will be completed by end of year, but no street projects until 2011.  Resolution 2010-014 tabled until later in meeting; considered under Reports.

Main Street Project:  Scott Lange, Engineer

The warranty is set to expire.  Streetlight issues need to be resolved.  A limit has been set on warranty claim amount by the manufacturer.  The City will take bids on replacement of problematic streetlights.

Famo Feeds Resolution 2010-012:  Todd Hagen, Ehlers

Worms temporarily excused himself from meeting due to conflict on action being considered.  Hagen reviewed history of Resolution 2010-012.

New Business

Famo Feeds Resolution 2010-013:  Todd Hagen, Ehlers

Hagen reviewed terms of abatement agreement proposed in Resolution 2010-013.  City would abate up to $40,000 of the municipal tax over two years.  The abatement would begin after the tax increment financing district is decertified.  The agreement includes pay as you go terms and language for remediation of any default that may occur.  Attorney Hamak approved the language.  Other taxing jurisdictions would not participate in the two year abatement.  It is expected that the added value of the expansion would cover the subsidy paid.  Beste and Lange concluded that although some negotiation and transitional issues arose, the process and outcome were a success for both parties. 

Goebel moved and Hennen seconded a motion to defeat Resolution 2010-012 Tax Abatement for Famo Feeds.  Discussion offered.  Resolution defeated 4-0 with member Worms abstaining due to conflict of interest.

Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion to defeat Resolution 2010-013 Tax Abatement for Famo Feeds.  Discussion offered.  Motion carried 4-0 with member Worms abstaining due to conflict of interest.

Request to Landscape in City Easement

Humbert moved and Goebel seconded a motion to approve Agreement to Landscape in Easement at 302 8th St SE pending signatures by all parties.  Discussion offered.  Motion carried 5-0.

Temporary Liquor License

Goebel moved and Humbert seconded a motion to approve the Temporary 3.2% Liquor License for the Freeport Softball & Rec Club on August 20th and 21st.  Discussion offered.  Motion carried 5-0.

Other

Humbert questioned Freeport Softball & Rec Club event on July 30th.  Members concurred that a Temporary 3.2% Liquor License had been approved for the event.  Hennen noted that liquor liability coverage was intact for the premise.  Members discussed noise ordinance.  Humbert requested that sponsorship be advertised on postings for future events.

Reports

City Clerk/Treasurer:  Vicki Holthaus

Holthaus to hire Ehler’s to manage continuing disclosure requirements with Securities and Exchange Commission for 2010.  Council gave consensus to proceed.

City Engineer: Dave Blommel, SEH

Blommel had nothing additional to report.

Public Works Director:  John Stueve

Stueve noted the need for new nets at tennis park.  Humbert stated that Lion’s will consider vote to put new nets at the tennis park at September meeting.  Stueve to hold off until Lion’s decision is made.

Storm sewer by Commercial Exchange fixed.  Council gave direction on street repairs adjacent storm sewer locations in town. 

Other

Hennen questioned extending assessments to Tri-City project site.  Worms explained that overlay would not be eligible for assessment, only total reconstruction.

Hennen brought forward discussion on fee policy for special projects.  Worms stated that Famo was open to paying $1,000 toward consulting costs incurred for abatement project and EDA would also cover some.  The City will invoice Famo.  Humbert explained EDA discussion regarding City covering initial consult with project owner.

Worms gave report on City Hall cleaning and maintenance.  Worms reported on contractor progress with closet shelving project.  Worms will receive a quote on cleaning City Hall tile at later date.

Humbert moved and Hennen seconded a motion to approve Resolution 2010-014 USDA Loan Agreement.  Discussion offered.  Motion carried 5-0.

At 8:12 P.M. Worms moved and Humbert seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried 5-0.