Open Public Forum
Stephanie Hennen was present and raised concerns over water quality in her neighborhood and the impact on her appliances. Hennen requested a credit on her utility bill account because she frequently runs water to flush out the rusty water.
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 April 26, 2011 Regular Council Meeting; approval of the minutes from the April 26, 2011 Local Board of Appeals; approval of the claims distributed on April 22, 2011 in the amount of $3,758.61; approval of the claims distributed on April 26, 2011 in the amount of $6,482.65; approval of the claims distributed on May 4, 2011 in the amount of $418.00; approval of the claims distributed on May 5, 2011 in the amount of $74,031.73; approval of the claims distributed on May 6, 2011 in the amount of $3,025.69; approval of the claims distributed on May 6, 2011 in the amount of $778.75; approval of the claims distributed on May 13, 2011 in the amount of $19,704.12; approval of the claims distributed on May 19, 2011 in the amount of $106.00; and approval of the claims distributed on May 19, 2011 in the amount of $1,276.55. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
OLD BUSINESS
Claim 87292, $8,303.93 to Service Master
Hennen and Holthaus had nothing to update regarding discussions with the property owner.
Resolution 2011-010 Tri-Cap Waiver Request Finken Project
Holthaus presented a letter submitted by neighbors of the Finken residence.
Hennen moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion postpone Resolution 2011-010 Tri-Cap Waiver Request Finken Project indefinitely. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
Snow Removal Agreements
Council postponed the discussion until the June meeting so that Fritz Hoeschen could provide a summary of liability concerns.
Resolution 2011-019 – Fire Department Personnel Policy
Holthaus reviewed the draft personnel policy and the major changes from the current language. Holthaus added that she and the chiefs had met with legal counsel to review the draft policy in April.
Hennen moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion to approve Resolution 2011-019 – Fire Department Personnel Policy. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
NEW BUSINESS
Hearing: Ordinance 2011-07 – Residential Steel Roofs
Worms opened the public hearing at 7:32 P.M, noting that residents had concern over the appearance of steel roof materials which caused the Council to review the Ordinance.
Ritter noted that he would not want agricultural steel in the residential area, Hennen agreed. Hennen and Worms recommended Holthaus prepare ordinance language allowing steel roof products that use non-exposed fasteners.
Worms moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion to extend the moratorium on steel roof materials for sixty (60) days and directed Holthaus to prepare a draft ordinance prohibited exposed and semi-exposed fasteners. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
Hearing: Unpaid Charges for 204 3rd St NW, 211 2nd St NE, 605 1st Ave N
Worms opened the public hearing at 7:42 P.M. No one was present to speak.
Worms closed the public hearing at 7:44 P.M.
Resolution 2011-025 – Ordinance 2011-07 – Residential Steel Roofs
No action was taken on Resolution 2011-025, Council will revisit on June 28, 2011.
Resolution 2011-024 – Certification of Unpaid Fees and Utility Charges
Hennen moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion to approve Resolution 2011-024 – Certification of Unpaid Fees and Utility Charges. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
Resolution 2011-020 – Liquor License Renewals 7/1/11-6/30/12
Holthaus clarified that the renewal for Freeport Softball Club should list an address of 307 7th St SE. Additionally Ackie’s licensed premise should include “and outside patio”. Holthaus will also make an adjustment to the City’s name in the first paragraph. The licenses will be submitted to the Sheriff’s office for review before sending to Alcohol & Gambling Enforcement.
Hennen moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion to approve Resolution 2011-020 – Liquor License Renewal 7/1/11-6/30/12. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
Hennen requested the Council consider a 1-4 day Temporary License for the Freeport Softball Club for the dates of June 3-5, 2011.
K. Goebel moved and Hennen seconded a motion to approve a 1-4 day Temporary License for the Freeport Softball Club for the dates of June 3-5, 2011. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
Resolution 2011-021 – General Records Retention Schedule for MN Cities
Holthaus explained the Retention Schedule and the process for requesting destruction of records. Worms noted that records of a historical value are retained permanently, such as minutes and ordinances of the City.
K. Goebel moved and C. Goebel seconded a motion to approve Resolution 2011-021 – General Records Retention Schedule for MN Cities. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
REPORTS
City Engineer, S.E.H. – Scott Lange, Dave Blommel
Lange reported that utility services would be done by the end of the following week. Street work, fabric, sand and gravel would be complete by June 14th at the latest. Ferche has until July 7th to blacktop 2nd and 3rd Avenue. Scott will request PCA permission to pump the contaminated water to the wastewater ponds. The contaminated soils will be sent to an approved contamination disposal site in Buffalo. Ferche will submit a change order in June for the work done with the contaminated soils. USDA has given verbal approval for the $25,000 expense associated with the clean-up.
Resolution 2011-022 – Payment Agreement with Stearns County for CR-11
Hennen moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion to approve Resolution 2011-022 – Payment Agreement with Stearns County for CR-11. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
Resolution 2011-023 – Engineering Services for Water Meter Replacement
Lange requested the Council approve Resolution 2011-023 contingent upon available funding, authorizing Lange to obtain quotes for water meters from three vendors and approving the engineering contract. Lange noted that meters should not be installed until the utility work is complete or there will be issues with clogging.
K. Goebel moved and Ritter seconded a motion to approve Resolution 2011-023 – Engineering Services for Water Meter Replacement contingent upon available funding and also authorizing S.E.H. to obtain quotes for meters from three vendors. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
Public Works Director’s Report, Jon Stueve
Stueve received bids for the repairs needed to fix the frost boils. Hard Drives submitted a quote of $26,787 and Monson’s quote was $18,754. Stueve noted what areas were included in each proposal. Stueve noted that it would cost approximately $30,000 to replace the pavement from Millwood to Famo Feeds in the Industrial Park. Worms noted that without reshaping of the sub-grade the problems would remain. Lange and Worms discussed the drainage problems that are resulting in road issues in the I-park. Worms noted that drain tile had been installed a couple of years ago. Worms asked Lange to prepare an estimate for a change order for the repairs from Millwood going west and present it at the staff meeting on June 20th and to consider different surfacing ideas.
K. Goebel moved and C. Goebel seconded a motion to approve the quote from Monson for $18,754 and the scope of work included. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
Stueve reported a discussion with Fedder Homes about drainage issues along Block 6 of Plat 2 in Welles Country Acres. Worms noted that a grading plan was approved with the PUD process and lots are expected to be graded to the elevations as planned. Worms noted that it was the developer, builder and/or their agent’s responsibility to resolve the problem.
Stueve noted that the sweeper was back in service.
Joe Hennen commended Stueve for hauling gravel to the ballpark. Hennen said the association was considering drain tile at the ballpark, by church and possibly the softball park. Stueve recommended drain tile by the softball park.
City Clerk/Treasurer’s Report, Vicki Holthaus
Holthaus reviewed a sign permit request from Rahn’s Oil & Propane DBA Freeport Gas & Grocery, 203 Main Street. Holthaus noted that the sign is located in right of way, in the middle of the sidewalk and that Council approval was needed, versus standard review by the zoning official.
Hennen moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion to approve the sign permit for Rahn’s Oil & Propane, 203 Main Street. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
Holthaus reviewed a request from Steve Eveslage to plant beans in the vacant lots of the industrial park. Worms noted that the appearance of the beans would be fine, but that the City would not reimburse for crop loss. Holthaus noted that the terms called for a prorated reimbursement of the rental fee paid if a lot sells, but not for crop reimbursement. Holthaus will send a letter to Eveslage permitting the planting of beans, stating the City will not reimburse for crop loss and noting that planting in 2012 is tentative, pending a continued options agreement with Mark Middendorf.
Holthaus presented a request for reimbursement from Genevieve Dumont for appliance damage. Dumont claimed that her bathroom plumbing and appliances were damaged when the city disconnected and reconnected temporary water services in conjunction with the 2nd/3rd Street Project. Stueve noted that pressure release valves were used during the disconnection and reconnection of services. The Council took no action on the request and directed Holthaus to notify Dumont that the bill would not be reimbursed by the City.
Holthaus reviewed the variance request from Jerry & Janet Butkowski.
Worms moved and C. Goebel seconded a motion to call a public hearing for the variance request of Jerry & Janet Butkowski, 309 2nd Ave SW. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
Hennen moved and C. Goebel seconded a motion to deny the membership request from the Minnesota Association of Small Cities. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5-0.
Hennen questioned how the Lake Wobegon Trail signs along I-94 would be paid for. Holthaus noted that grant funds from the State Health Improvement Program grant dollars provided by Stearns County would pay for the signs. Holthaus noted that the City of Melrose was the fiduciary agent for the funds and that they would issue payment.
Hennen presented a request for parking lines in front of Sacred Heart Church along 3rd Ave NE. Stueve said he received a similar request. Members questioned whether the lines would improve traffic congestion or create a larger problem. K. Goebel asked Stueve to talk with Sacred Heart Trustees about the request.
At 8:57 P.M. Hennen moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
