Recess To Annual Local Board Of Appeal And Equalization
Worms recessed the Regular Meeting to open the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization.
Local Board Of Appeal And Equalization
Industrial Complex Property Group (ICPG) requested a reduction to the appraised value for Whirlwind Steel Buildings Inc. to $2,000,000. Johnson reviewed the commercial appraisal provided by ICPG and compared his notes on the parcel.
Everett Scherping asked about consolidating the parcel he owned adjacent Rimcrest Road. Johnson will look into specific information on the parcel and get back to Scherping and Clerk Holthaus.
Worms moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion approving no change to the Whirlwind Steel, Inc. PID 54.32129.0070 property valuation for 2013. A roll call vote was taken: Hennen – aye; K. Goebel – aye; C. Goebel – aye; and Worms – aye. Member Ron Ritter was absent. Motion carried 4-0.
Johnson reviewed the property tax considerations for renting the industrial park property for planting in 2012. The tenant could be assessed anywhere between $215-430 per acre in property taxes, depending on whether the tenant qualified for homestead reductions.
Worms moved and C. Goebel seconded a motion to close the 2012 Local Board of Appeal and Equalization Meeting at 8:12 P.M. Motion carried 4-0.
Worms called a five minute recess and reopened the meeting at 8:18 P.M.
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 March 27, 2012 Regular Council Meeting with a change to the statement about maintenance of the Lion’s Park; approval of the claims distributed March 21, 2012 through April 20, 2012. Motion carried 4-0.
Old Business
Public Hearing: Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District 2-1 Swany White
Worms moved and C. Goebel seconded a motion to open the hearing at 8:19 P.M.
Worms introduced Tammy Omdal from Northland Securities. Omdal reviewed the TIF 2-1 Plan and the recommendation to approve the TIF based on the TIF Plan results and review of the company’s financials. Worms asked for comment on the proposal. Hennen asked if the Thelen’s were in agreement with the proposal and the Thelen’s confirmed they were in favor of the proposal.
Resolution 2012-022: Developers Agreement Swany White Flour Mills, Ltd.
Hennen moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion on Resolution 2012-022: Developers Agreement Swany White Flour Mills, Ltd. Discussion offered. Motion carried 4-0.
Hennen moved and C. Goebel seconded a motion to close the hearing at 8:29 P.M. Motion carried 4-0.
Resolution 2012-021: Tax Increment Finance District 2-1
Hennen moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion on Resolution 2012-021: Tax Increment Finance District 2-1 Plan. Discussion offered. Motion carried 4-0.
Omdal reviewed an option to abate the property tax due for renting the industrial park land. It is likely that only the City’s portion of the tax would be abated, but would make renting the property more cost effective and thereby reduce the City’s expense to maintain the property over the growing season.
Holthaus announced a $1,000 grant award from the Stearns County’s SCORE grant program for the Swany White project.
Public Hearing: Vacation of Utility and Drainage Easement Industrial Park Plat #5
Public Hearing: Industrial Park Plat #6 Preliminary Plat
Worms opened the hearings at 8:40 P.M.
Blommel distributed copies of Industrial Park Plat #5 illustrating the easements to be vacated and the proposed Industrial Park Plat #6. Worms opened for questions.
K. Goebel moved and C. Goebel seconded a motion to close the hearing at 8:44 P.M.
Resolution 2012-023: Vacation of Utility and Drainage Easements Industrial Park Plat #5
K. Goebel moved and C. Goebel seconded a motion on Resolution 2012-023: Vacation of Utility and Drainage Easements Industrial Park Plat #5. A roll call vote was taken: Hennen – aye; K. Goebel – aye; C. Goebel – aye; and Worms – aye. Member Ron Ritter was absent. Motion carried 4-0.
Resolution 2012-024: Industrial Park Plat #6 Acceptance of Final Plat
C. Goebel moved and Hennen seconded a motion on Resolution 2012-024: Industrial Park Plat #6 Acceptance of Final Plat, contingent on Stearns County approval. A roll call vote was taken: Hennen – aye; K. Goebel – aye; C. Goebel – aye; and Worms – aye. Member Ron Ritter was absent. Motion carried 4-0.
Public Hearing: Ordinance 2012-001 Freeport Zoning Ordinance General Development Standards
Worms opened the hearing at 8:45 P.M.
Holthaus stated that a hearing was called to amend the Zoning Ordinance based on attorney review of City requirements to connect to water and sewer utilities. Holthaus stated that after further review it was determined that the rules were best fit within the City’s Utility Ordinance. Connection to water and sewer is already mandated by Minnesota Building Code. Hennen asked if existing homes served by private well or septic would be grandfathered in. Holthaus will research this further and report back at the May meeting.
Worms moved and C. Goebel seconded a motion to close the hearing at 8:56 P.M.
Resolution 2012-025: MNWARN
K. Goebel moved and C. Goebel seconded a motion on Resolution 2012-025: MNWARN, an agreement to participate in the Minnesota Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network. Motion carried 4-0.
Resolution 2012-006: Minor Subdivision Request 115 1st Avenue North
Hennen moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion on Resolution 2012-026: Minor Subdivision Request 115 1st Avenue North. Motion carried 4-0.
New Business
Resolution 2012-026: Ordering Public Hearing Ordinance 2012-002 The Possession, Sale and Consumption of Intoxicating and 3.2 Percent Malt Liquor
Hennen moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion on Resolution 2012-026: Ordering a Public Hearing on Ordinance 2012-002 The Possession, Sale and Consumption of Intoxicating and 3.2 Percent Malt Liquor. Motion carried 4-0.
Resolution 2012-027: Certification of Delinquent Utility Bills
Holthaus presented a request for adjustment of the utility charges due from property owner Harry Fleegel. Holthaus inquired about the billing policy for the flat rate sewer accounts and water tower debt service fee.
C. Goebel moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion on Resolution 2012-027: Certification of Delinquent Utility Bills finding that flat rate sewer only accounts shall be charged a monthly fee, regardless of whether the property is occupied. Motion carried 4-0.
Resolution 2012-028: Refuse Hauler Agreement
Worms commented that he and Holthaus had met with Danny Bueckers to discuss the proposed contract renewal. Worms stated that the rates had not been increased in 10 years and, in addition, Danny’s had added the co-mingled recycling containers since the last renewal.
Hennen moved and C. Goebel seconded a motion on Resolution 2012-028: Refuse Hauler Agreement for a five (5) year term. Discussion offered. Motion carried 4-0.
Petition for Improvements: C-1 District Alley running North-South between 1st Avenue N and 2nd Avenue NW
Holthaus reviewed the request from property owners in the C-1 district. Holthaus stated that she and Blommel discussed sanitary sewer replacement and it was determined that slip lining would be the best option based on the proximity of the sanitary line to building foundations. Worms stated that only eight feet of right of way was platted and twelve feet of alley exist at present. Worms noted that an eight foot alleyway would not be adequate for travel based on the commercial and public use. Holthaus said, at this time, the City was unable to acquire an additional four feet by negotiating with the property owner west of the alley. Worms and Stueve will inspect the concrete replacement adjacent Freeport Screen Printing. Holthaus asked if the Council would like to consider a change to the alley assessment policy for the C-1 District based on increase public traffic. No action was taken on the petition or the assessment policy.
Reports
City Engineer, S.E.H. – Scott Lange, Dave Blommel
A written report was provided and is on file at city hall.
Public Works Report, Jon Stueve
Stueve provided cost proposals for replacement of a section of roadway on 2nd Street SE.
City Clerk/Treasurer’s Report, Vicki Holthaus
Holthaus requested Council approve the hiring of Philip Wiechman and Corey Oevermann as firefighters for the Freeport Fire & Rescue Department per Chief Van Beck and pending successful background investigation and agility testing.
K. Goebel moved and Hennen seconded a motion to hire Philip Wiechman and Corey Oevermann as firefighters for the Freeport Fire & Rescue Department pending successful background investigation and agility testing. Motion carried 4-0.
At 10:26 P.M. Worms moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion to adjourn the regular meeting. Motion carried 4-0.
