Open Public Forum

No public comment was provided.

Consent Agenda

Hennen moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion approving the Consent Agenda which included the following:  Approval of the agenda; approval of the minutes from the February 28, 2012 Regular Council Meeting; approval of the claims distributed February 25, 2012 through March 20, 2012.  Motion carried 5-0.  

Old Business

No old business was discussed.

New Business

2012 Stearns County Assessor’s Report

Kathy Korte and Jeff Johnson gave an overview of average assessment changes by property type for 2012.  Johnson highlighted the impact on commercial and recreational property from the Market Value Homestead Exclusion.  Johnson reminded the Council to file for exemption on the land held by the EDA for economic development.  The Local Board of Appeal and Equalization is set for April 24, 2012.

2011 Audit Presentation by Abdo, Eick & Meyers

Steve McDonald presented the results from the audit of the City’s 2011 financial statements.  Steve McDonald credited the Council’s decision making process for curbing the impact of the legislative changes to the market value homestead credit and local government aid.

Wetland Mitigation Final Delineation Contract

Holthaus reviewed the proposals received for wetland monitoring and final delineation in 2012.

Hennen moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion approving the bid from MN Native Landscapes for 2012 Wetland Monitoring and Mitigation Reporting in the amount of $2,180.  Motion carried 5-0.

Resolution 2012-017: Stearns County Invoice #4

Hennen moved and C. Goebel seconded a motion on Resolution 2012-017: Stearns County Invoice #4.  Motion carried 5-0.

Resolution 2012-018: Establishing Precinct and Polling Place

K. Goebel moved and C. Goebel seconded a motion on Resolution 2012-018: Establishing Precinct and Polling Place.  A roll call vote was taken: Hennen – aye; K. Goebel – aye; Ritter – aye; C. Goebel – aye; and Worms – aye.  Motion carried 5-0.

Resolution 2012-019: Ordering a Hearing for Vacation of Utility and Drainage Easement

K. Goebel moved and Ritter seconded a motion on Resolution 2012-019: Ordering a Hearing for Vacation of Utility and Drainage Easement.  Motion carried 5-0.

Resolution 2012-020: Ordering a Hearing on Preliminary Plat for Industrial Park Plat 6

C. Goebel moved and Ritter seconded a motion on Resolution 2012-020: Ordering a Hearing on Preliminary Plat for Industrial Park Plat 6.  Motion carried 6-0.

Reports

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

Painters are expected to begin working on the water tower April 9th at the earliest and based on weather.  Repainting of the tower is expected in 25-30 years and takes approximately 6-8 weeks to complete.  

A draft of Industrial Park Plat 6 is ready for Holthaus to review prior to the April hearing.

Public Works Report, Jon Stueve

Jon will work with the Lion’s on the maintenance of the Lion’s Park for the 2012 season.

Jon reviewed the opinion from LMC’s 2012 loss control visit.  Stueve has access to necessary safety equipment either through area communities or rental.  Holthaus will include the equipment on the capital improvement list and notify LMC of the decision to wait on purchasing equipment.

City Clerk/Treasurer’s Report, Vicki Holthaus

Holthaus reviewed the opinion from Dymoke regarding the requirement to connect to municipal water and sewer service, where available.  The ordinance needs to be updated to include requirements for commercial and industrial properties to connect to municipal services.

Hennen moved and Ritter seconded a motion ordering a public hearing on the Freeport Zoning Ordinance.


Holthaus requested an upgrade to the City’s website and offered a proposal from GovOffice.  Holthaus noted that EDA approved spending $2,000 from the EDA budget to secure upgrades to the website.

C. Goebel moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion to authorize Holthaus to proceed with upgrades to the City’s website, not to exceed $2,000.  Motion carried 5-0.

Holthaus proposed a grant application for Centerpoint Energy’s Community Partnership Grant program.  Holthaus would use the 50% match grant proceeds to fund emergency management projects, with $2,500 of city match dollars from the civil defense and fire department budget.

Hennen moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion to approve the application to Centerpoint Energy’s Community Partnership Grant.  Motion carried 5-0.

Holthaus reviewed an EDA recommendation to consider a 100% pay as you go note with Swany White Flours, LTD. for development related to the proposed tax increment finance district 2-1.  The proposed agreement will be reviewed after the public hearing on April 24, 2012.

Worms moved and K. Goebel seconded Hennen’s request for approval of temporary 3.2% liquor licenses for the Freeport Softball Club on June 1-3; July 20-21; July 27-28; and September 8-9, events are to be held at the softball park.  Motion carried 5-0.

At 8:27 P.M. Worms moved and Hennen seconded a motion to adjourn the regular meeting.  Motion carried 5-0.