City of Freeborn
Council Meeting Minutes
December 18, 2013
Present: Mayor: Theo Beckmann; Council Members: Jim Beach, Ed Moser, Kaleb Bjornstad and Pat Stenzel; City Clerk-Treasurer: Nicole LaFrance; Maintenance Operator: Bill Guggisberg;
Absent:
Mayor, Theo Beckmann called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
City Clerk called roll.
Council Member, Kaleb Bjornstad motioned to approve the agenda. Council Member, Pat Stenzel advanced; motion carried.
Kaleb Bjornstad motioned to approve the meeting minutes from November 20, 2013. Pat Stenzel advanced; motion carried.
Council Member, Jim Beach motioned to alter the agenda, and move the accounts payable to the next item of business. Pat Stenzel advanced; motion carried.
Council Member, Ed Mosser motioned to approve the accounts payable. Pat Stenzel advanced; motion carried.
Pat Stenzel motioned to alter the agenda, and add Bolton & Menk, Engineer, Owen Todd to the next item of business. Ed Mosser advanced; motion carried.
Owen Todd, Principal Engineer from Bolton & Menk was present to update the council on the progress of the water project with the City of Hartland. The engineer’s current have about 60% of the mapping and phase design complete. Currently, Nicole LaFrance, city clerk for both cities is working with attorneys in securing the easement in Hartland for the Freeborn distribution lines. This location is between Barker Street and Church Street lying in Hartland.
Owen Todd presented the Conditional Use Permit to be signed by the city of Freeborn. This form is required by the Freeborn County Environment Services Department for the placement of distribution lines. After permit is accepted, and mapping provided, the Freeborn County Commission will review information at their board meeting, and make recommendation to the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners for approval. Owen will provide the city electronic maps of this project for record.
Bill Guggisberg, Maintenance Operator, updated the city with his report. Bill spoke about the city snow blower working well. He suggested to wait on purchasing tires for the tractor. After the first of the year, cities will be exempt from paying sales tax. Bill discussed that surveyors are still in town to collection information. On December 20, 2013 Bill will attend a meeting in Mankato with Bolton & Menk to discuss plans for the water project. He discussed receiving Hazardous Building Prints and it’s about 50-60 pages long. Bill has spent some time in Hartland for the water project as the new plant had some unexpected repairs and maintenance needed. If anyone would like a tour of the new water plant, Bill will take anyone interested. Lastly, with weather changing, Bill suggested that if any council member notices any excessive snow/ice in a spot that he didn’t catch, that he would appreciate a phone call for the safety of the residents, for removal.
Ed Mosser motioned to approve Mainteance Operator, Bill Guggisberg to attend the annual water school in March 2014, in St. Cloud. Kaleb Bjornstad advanced; motion carried.
Unfinished Business was tabled until next meeting.
Under New Business, Water Billings/Connections – Ordinance #52 was tabled.
Jim Beach motioned to certify the 2014 City Levy to the County Auditor at an increase of 2% from the 2013 certified levy. Ed Mosser advanced; motion carried. Theo Beckmann opposed thee increase.
Jim Beach discussed a future leaf pickup option for residents. He has be in contact with Mike and Arnie from Schrader Enterprises, but Jim does not have a price yet.
Jim Beach discussed a bulletin board replacement or addition for city notices/information. Jim would like to see placement of the board after the last window toward the shop, with lighting in place. He believes the cost would be somewhere between, $600-$1000. Bill Guggisberg will look into different options and pricing for the board.
Jim Beach motioned to adjourn the meeting. Kaleb Bjornstad advanced; motion carried.
-Nicole LaFrance
City Clerk-Treasurer