Public Hearing
Worms moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion to open the Public Hearing: Special Assessments for 2010 Water System Improvements at 6:01 P.M. Motion carried 5-0.
Engineer David Blommel gave a brief overview of the project and related costs.
Blommel addressed resident questions related to the assessment roll and maintenance matters related to the construction project.
Blommel addressed corrections to the final assessment worksheet and noted the corrected total amount to be assessed would be $498,923.67.
Worms moved and C. Goebel seconded a motion to close the Public Hearing: Special Assessments for 2010 Water System Improvements at 6:31 P.M.
Recess
Mayor Worms called a short recess at 6:31 P.M. The meeting will reconvene at 7:00 P.M.
Worms reconvened the meeting at 7:09 P.M. and welcomed the visiting students.
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 August 28, 2012 Regular Council Meeting; approval of the claims distributed August 20, 2012 through September 17, 2012; approval of an Exempt Gambling Permit for Sacred Heart Parish Raffle on January 26, 2013; and Resolution 2012-054: Certifying Delinquent Utility Bills. Motion carried 5-0.
Old Business
Resolution 2012-055: Special Assessments 2010 Water System Improvement Project
Worms said the City received two written objections. Worms asked if Keith Fischer had evidence to support his objection related to special benefit. Fischer asked for additional time to provide the information. Engineer Scott Lange noted that Fischer has 30 days from the time the final assessment is approved to submit his appeal.
K. Goebel moved and Ritter seconded a motion on Resolution 2012-055: Special Assessments 2010 Water System Improvement Project with the corrections provided by Blommel. Motion carried 5-0.
Update on Hail Damage Repairs/Claim
Stueve noted that two contractors were asked to supply estimates for the work related to the May hail damage claim for City property. The contractors have the City buildings tentatively scheduled for mid-winter repair. Holthaus is working with the League of MN Cities on the insurance claim and will update Council on covered amounts at the next meeting.
New Business
Stearns County All-Hazard Mitigation Five Year Plan
Holthaus provided the City objectives to be included in the County’s five year hazard mitigation plan. Holthaus explained that grant funding would be solicited to achieve the goals outlined in the plan. Plan goals may be re-prioritized based on funding.
Reports
City Engineer, S.E.H. – Scott Lange, Dave Blommel
Blommel reported that the items listed on J.R. Ferche’s punch list were almost complete, with the apron behind 121 1st Avenue North to be repaired before the first frost.
The contract with Preferred Controls to install the telemetry system at the water tower had been signed and work was estimated to be complete by mid-October.
Resolution 2012-056: General Construction Payment Application No. 7
Hennen moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion on Resolution 2012-056: General Construction Payment Application No. 7. Motion carried 5-0.​
Public Works Report, Jon Stueve
Stueve provided a verbal report of maintenance activities including; holding ponds will be discharged within the next two weeks; fall clean-up to begin including sweeping of City streets; sanitary sewer manholes to the north of town will be located and raised to reduce inflow and infiltration; water quality complaints related to the old water tower should be reduced once the new tower is online and public works is able to discharge sediment quarterly; and minimal flushing to be done for now to reduce water quality complaints.
City Clerk/Treasurer’s Report, Vicki Holthaus
Holthaus updated Council on a $3,000 grant from the Initiative Foundation to help Swany White with organic re-certification expenses.
Holthaus received two proposals for refunding the 2005 G.O. Improvement Bond issued for the reconstruction of Main Street. Holthaus said the City’s fiscal agent will continue to monitor refunding potential and the Council will revisit the matter this fall once the amount of prepaid assessments can be determined to see if funding for the ineligible portion of the 2010 Water System Improvement Project should be tied into a potential refunding.
At 7:30 P.M. Worms recessed meeting to move into a closed session for the performance review of Clerk Victoria Holthaus.
Worms re-opened the meeting at 7:38 P.M. and summarized the closed session for the performance review of Clerk Victoria Holthaus.
Hennen moved and C. Goebel seconded a motion to authorize a wage increase of 4% based on a successful performance review for Victoria Holthaus and per the Freeport Personnel Policy. Motion carried 5-0.
Worms moved and K. Goebel seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 P.M. Motion carried 5-0.
