OPEN PUBLIC FORUM

No public comment was provided.

CONSENT AGENDA

K. Goebel moved and C. Goebel seconded a motion approving the Consent Agenda which included the following: Approval of the agenda; approval of the minutes from the January 31st, 2012 Regular Council Meeting; approval of the claims distributed January 25, 2012 through February 24, 2012. Motion carried 5–0.

OLD BUSINESS

No old business was discussed.

NEW BUSINESS

Resolution 2012–016 – TIF 2–1 Hearing Notice (Swany White) Worms summarized the Swany White project and the proposal to provide tax increment finance to the company. Hemker noted the EDA’s interest in providing the subsidy to aid a business in a disaster situation. Hennen inquired about other projects in the downtown business are that may benefit from expansion of the district. Holthaus stated that the timeline for an economic development district did not accommodate incorporating additional projects however the development area could be expanded at a future date. Worms expressed the EDA’s recommendation to waive the $5,000 business subsidy escrow and pay for the professional consulting fees to establish the district, TIF plan and developer’s agreement. The fees could be offset by withholding 10% of the increment from the district.

K. Goebel moved and Hennen seconded a motion on Resolution 2012–016 – TIF 2–1 Hearing Notice (Swany White). Discussion offered. Motion carried 5–0.

Resolution 2012–014 – Disability Grant Contract

Holthaus pointed out that the grant award included funds to make the accessibility improvements required by USDA-RD.

Hennen moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion on Resolution 2012–014 – Disability Grant Contract. Motion carried 5–0.

Resolution 2012–015 – Application for Property Tax Exemption

Holthaus noted that the EDA closed on the purchase of the remaining acreage in the industrial park on January 31. The request before Council was to approve a request to exempt the parcels from property tax as land held for economic development purposes.

Hennen moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion on Resolution 2012–015 – Application for Property Tax Exemption. Discussion offered. Motion carried 5–0.

REPORTS

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

The water meter replacement project came in $6,500 under the original budget and the project will be wrapped up in March.

Blommel asked how Council would like to see the water tower painted. Worms noted that a bucket fund had been created to encourage donations to keep the old tower standing. C. Goebel noted that it would be appropriate to keep the smiley face off of the new tower.

Hennen moved and Ritter seconded a motion to paint the tower a tan color similar to the primer, with no smile and Freeport in black Arial, italics letters. Motion carried 5–0.

Public Works Report, Jon Stueve

Stueve was absent from the meeting.

City Clerk/Treasurer’s Report, Vicki Holthaus

Holthaus reviewed the proposal from SEH, Inc. to prepare the 2012 wetland monitoring report and final delineation. Hennen asked that Holthaus solicit additional bids for the service.

At 7:33 P.M. the Council took a short recess before reconvening with 2012 Annual Area Fire Service Meeting.

ANNUAL AREA FIRE SERVICE MEETING

The annual meeting of the Freeport Area Fire Service was convened at 8:00 P.M. by Mayor Matt Worms with members from Millwood Township, Oak Township, Albany Township, City of St. Rosa, Krain Township and the City of St. Anthony present.

Mayor Worms welcomed the area town and city representatives to the annual meeting.

Chiefs Dean Jungles and John Gilk were also present and provided a report on the calls during 2011. Members discussed the 2013 operating budget and the vehicle fund. Members discussed the need for an additional tender in upcoming years and the impact to commercial insurance rates from changes in the fire department’s ISO rating.

Supervisor Wensmann, Millwood Township moved and Supervisor Rosner, Oak Township seconded a motion to approve the 2013 budget as presented. Motion carried 7–0.

At 8:47 P.M. Worms moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion to adjourn the regular meeting. Motion carried 5–0.