Oath Of Office

City Clerk Vicki Holthaus administered the Oath of Office to Mayor Matthew Worms. Mayor Worms administered the Oath of Office to Council Member Ron Ritter and Council Member Carrie Goebel.

Open Public Forum

No one addressed City Council.

Consent Agenda

K. Goebel moved and Ritter seconded a motion approving the Consent Agenda which included the following: Approval of the agenda; approval of the minutes from the December 28, 2010 Regular Council Meeting; approval of the claims distributed on December 23, 2010 in the amount of $1,939.27; approval of the claims distributed on December 30, 2010 in the amount of $9,497.26; approval of the claims distributed on December 30, 2010 in the amount of $106,030.65; approving February 22, 2011 as the Annual Area Fire Service Meeting; Resolution 2011-001 – Freeport State Bank Corporate Resolution (Official Depository); Resolution 2011-002 – Central Minnesota Credit Union Corporate Resolution (Official Depository); and Resolution 2011-003 – Tri-County Humane Society Stray Impound Agreement. Discussion offered. Motion carried 4-0.

Old Business

No old business was discussed.

New Business

Resolution 2011-004

K. Goebel moved and Ritter seconded a motion approving Resolution 2011-004 – Municipal Development Group, Inc. Consulting Contract. Discussion offered. Motion carried 4-0.

2011 Appointments

Holthaus pointed out the change to the Central Minnesota Credit Union's name. Worms noted the appointments with vacancies for 2011. C. Goebel offered to serve as EDA and Streets Liaison.

K. Goebel moved and C. Goebel seconded a motion to approve the 2011 Appointments as amended. Discussion offered. Motion carried 4-0.

2011 Fire and Rescue Department and Fire Relief Association Officers

The Council reviewed the list of officers.

K. Goebel moved and Ritter seconded a motion to approve the 2011 Fire and Rescue Department and Fire Relief Association Officers. Discussion offered. Motion carried 3-0 with member C. Goebel abstaining due to conflict of interest.

Reports

City Engineer, S.E.H.

Lange noted that comments from USDA on the County Road 11 plans were brief and standard. Plans for the other phases of the project are currently with USDA's general counsel. Lange was not certain what the timing for approval would be. Lange noted that bid opening for 2nd and tower phases would be staggered to avoid confusion.

Lange noted that detailed cost estimates had been requested from Xcel Energy on the overhead utility line relocation project. Mayor Worms suggested that the council postpone consideration until updated figures are received.

Public Works Director's Report, Jon Stueve

Stueve noted that Stearns County would soon fix the potholes on County Road 11. Stueve and Worms brought forward discussion on snowplowing for the Tri-City and Sacred Heart churches. Worms noted that state aid cuts and increase budget pressure warrants the City's reconsideration of snow plowing contracts and ball park mowing.

Worms moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion directing Holthaus to notify Tri-City and Sacred Heart Church of termination of the current plowing contract with City. Discussion offered. Motion carried 4-0.

City Clerk/Treasurer's Report, Vicki Holthaus

Holthaus noted that Abby Cunningham would be available to cover limited office hours the week of January 24-28, 2011.

K. Goebel moved and Ritter seconded a motion approving a rate of $18.00 per hour of service for Abby Cunningham during the week of January 24-28, 2011. Discussion offered. Motion carried 4-0.

Holthaus requested that modifications to the fee ordinance be postponed until final project details were approved and bid awards tallied.

Holthaus requested authorization to proceed with posting of the administrative assistant position. The position become vacant in December of 2010 when Abby Cunningham submitted her resignation.

C. Goebel moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion to solicit applications for an administrative assistant for a period of 30 days, with final approval of finalist by the City Council at the February 22, 2011 meeting. Discussion offered. Motion carried 4-0.

Holthaus noted that Rosie Hiltner stopped by earlier that day and to report issues with the furnace and air conditioning unit at the Senior Center. Hiltner provided a quote of $3,692 for the furnace and $2,099 for the air conditioning unit. Worms wanted to speak with additional suppliers in Freeport and take a look at the unit to see if repair of the unit was an option.

Worms moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion to authorize payment not to exceed $2,895 for the repair or replacement of the furnace and air conditioning unit at the Senior Center. Discussion offered. Motion carried 4-0.

Closed Session: 6 month review of the City Clerk / Treasurer Vicki Holthaus

Worms moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion to move into a closed session at 7:43 P.M. per the request of Vicki Holthaus for her six month review.

At 7:56 P.M. K. Goebel moved and Worms seconded a motion to adjourn the closed session and regular meeting. Motion carried 4-0.