Open Public Forum

No public comment was given.

Consent Agenda

K. Goebel moved and Hennen seconded a motion approving the Consent Agenda which included the following:

  • Approval of the agenda;
  • approval of the minutes from the November 29th, 2011 Regular Council Meeting; 
  • approval of the claims distributed on November 29, 2011 in the amount of $29,211.00; 
  • approval of the claims distributed on November 29, 2011 in the amount of $51,716.51; 
  • approval of the claims distributed on November 29, 2011 in the amount of $78,394.00; 
  • approval of the claims distributed on November 29, 2011 in the amount of $143,803.72; 
  • approval of the claims distributed on December 1, 2011 in the amount of $668.72; 
  • approval of the claims distributed on December 12, 2011 in the amount of $59,896.29; 
  • approval of the claims distributed on December 19, 2011 in the amount of $2,132.40; 
  • approval of the Sidewalk Closure Permit for Uptown Hair Studio; 
  • and a Gambling Permit for Stearns County Pheasants Forever on March 10th, 2012 at the Freeport Community Center. 

Motion carried 5-0.  

Old Business

Continue Hearing: Vacation of 6th Street Northwest

Council discussed Rennecker’s concerns over long term maintenance of the road easement area.  Vacation of the platted roadway would force Rennecker’s to relocate access to their home.

Worms moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion to close the hearing at 7:26 PM.  Motion carried 5-0.

Resolution 2011-058: Vacate 6th Street Northwest (Norman Road, Hoppe Addtn)

K. Goebel moved and Hennen seconded a motion on Resolution 2011-058: Vacate 6th Street Northwest (Norman Road, Hoppe Addtn).  A roll call vote was taken: Hennen – nay; K. Goebel – nay; Worms – nay; C. Goebel – nay; and Ritter – nay.  Resolution denied 5-0.

New Business

Continue Hearing: Ordinance 2011-011, An Ordinance Establishing Municipal Fees

No additional public comment was provided.  Holthaus reviewed changes to the fee schedule for 2012.

Worms moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion to close the hearing at 7:26 PM.

Resolution 2011-065: Ordinance 2011-011, An Ordinance Establishing Municipal Fees

K. Goebel moved and Ritter seconded a motion on Resolution 2011-065: Ordinance 2011-011, An Ordinance Establishing Municipal Fees.  Discussion offered.  Motion carried 5-0.

Resolution 2011-062:  2012 Final Budget & Tax Levy

Holthaus reviewed the opinions provided by the City’s audit firm and fiscal consultant regarding the consolidation of debt service funds.  Holthaus reviewed the debt levy projections under the consolidated debt service fund plan.  Holthaus reviewed the general fund, line item budget per Council request.

Hennen moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion on Resolution 2011-062: 2012 Final Budget & Tax Levy.  Discussion offered.  Motion carried 5-0.

Other

Worms spoke of the tragic loss of the historic Swany White Flour Mill earlier that day. Worms and Council asked Holthaus to send a letter to Gary & Sharon Thelen and Walter & Lucille Thelen expressing the City’s condolence over the loss of the mill.

Reports

City Engineer, S.E.H. – Scott Lange, Dave Blommel

An oral review of the written report was provided.

Public Works Report, Jon Stueve

Stueve was absent from the meeting.  

City Clerk/Treasurer’s Report, Vicki Holthaus

Worms reviewed the EDA’s decision to act on the Options Agreement with Mark & Kathy Middendorf.  Closing on the purchase of the industrial park property by the EDA will be in January.

K. Goebel moved and C. Goebel seconded a motion to confirm the EDA’s purchase of the remaining land available under the Options Agreement with Mark & Kathy Middendorf.  Discussion offered.  Motion carried 5-0.

Hennen inquired about the ability to rent out the land in 2012.  Holthaus has additional questions for the County Assessor’s office regarding the tax implications of renting out the land for agricultural purposes.

Holthaus discussed electronic data management and security with Council.  Council preferred Holthaus purchase an external media storage and create a weekly backup protocol over online backup services that have a monthly fee.

At 7:59 P.M. Worms moved and C. Goebel seconded a motion to adjourn the regular meeting.  Motion carried 5-0.