City of Freeborn
Council Meeting Minutes
February 19, 2014
Present: Mayor: Theo Beckmann; Council Members: Pat Stenzel, Ed Mosser, Kaleb Bjornstad; City Clerk-Treasurer: Nicole LaFrance; Maintenance Operator: Bill Guggisberg;
Absent: Jim Beach
Mayor Theo Beckmann called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
City Clerk called roll. Council Member Jim Beach was absent.
Council Member Ed Mosser motioned to approve the meeting minutes from January 15, 2014. Council Member Kaleb Bjornstad advanced; motion carried.
Bill Guggisberg, Maintenance Operator gave his maintenance report. He discussed the heater in shop going out, and will get quotes this summer for repair or replacement. Water samples results came back with one negative result for bacteria. The state was in touch will Bill Guggisberg about this possibly being a false negative. A state official did visit and completed testing. After testing was complete, the city was affirmed that the water quality results came back in good standing. Bill also obtained quotes for the 6410 tractor tire replacement. Pat Stenzel motioned to approve the tire purchase through Krohnberg Garage for $970.00. Ed Mosser advanced; motion carried.
Bill Guggisberg, Maintenance Operator discussed that the Tier II reporting is complete and submitted for both wells. The cost is $100.00 for each well. Bill also discussed the Bolton & Menk meeting that was held in Mankato, to go over water project plans. They made some changes to layout regarding shut off valves, and current retaining wall situations. He also spoke about how the maps for the project will list street names. Bill Guggisberg and Andy Flatness (Maintenance Operator for Hartland), will be attending a meeting in Mankato regarding utilities with Bolton & Menk, February 27, 2014.
Bill Guggisberg spoke about estimating some water meter readings. The snow is too deep to get to the water meter to be read. He will take the last three readings and average out a estimate. Mayor, Theo Beckmann and council would like the water bills to go out the first week of March 2014.
There was no unfinished business to report.
City Clerk, Nicole LaFrance spoke under new business about the EDA loan account. Council Member Jim Beach and City Clerk spoke with bank and TB3’s loan options. TB3’s will resume payments by the end of this month or first part of March 2014.
Garbage Contract discussion was tabled.
A workshop has been suggested to go over allocations for water rates, garbage contract interest, and disconnect/reconnect charges. The workshop is scheduled on Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at 6:30 p.m.
The city discussed the current accounting system, and updating their QuickBooks version, as after three years it expires through Intuit; which prompts to a new revised version. Past city council motions regarding a city laptop were discussed, and the city will hold out on a laptop option at this point. If the water project has funds available with utility software components, then the city will utilize those funds to update systems. City Clerk can utilize the internet LogMeIn.com websites to complete any pertaining work needed, from home. Ed Mosser motioned to approve QuickBooks 2014 software version update. Kaleb Bjornstad advanced; motion carried.
City Clerk will obtain the appropriate paperwork for a possible city credit card option for companies that do not accept checks, or immediate expenses related to the city. This was tabled for a future meeting.
Position Descriptions were discussed. Ed Mosser motioned to accept position responsibilities, and for the Maintenance Operator to be able to carry over 160 hours of PTO time, and 80 hours of PTO for City Clerk. Pat Stenzel advanced; motion carried.
Theo Beckmann spoke about the local church in town and snowplowing options. Pat Stenzel motioned to approve Maintenance Operator to assist with snow removal on church walkway. Kaleb Bjornstad advanced; motion carried.
Theo Beckmann also spoke about the meeting with county officials regarding status of water project and easements. Sue Miller, Highway Engineer spoke with Theo Beckmann, Ed Mosser and Nicole LaFrance about possibly vacating the portion of County Highway 10 that lies in the city of Freeborn, after the county redo’s their roads. He also mentioned that Bolton & Menk and County Attorney, Craig Nelson will put together an affidavit to for declaration of roads for project.
Theo Beckmann also spoke about clerk’s office and scheduling.
Kaleb Bjornstad motioned to approve the accounts payable. Pat Stenzel advanced; motion carried. City Clerk will email city council reconciliation reports once QuickBooks new version is up and running.
Ed Mosser motioned to approve the accounts payable and reconciliation reports. Kaleb Bjornstad advanced; motion carried.
Kaleb Bjornstad motioned to adjourn the meeting. Ed Mosser advanced; motion carried.
-Nicole LaFrance
City Clerk-Treasurer