CITY OF FREEBORN

MEETING MINUTES

January 21, 2015

PRESENT: Mayor: Ed Mosser; Council Members: Jeremy Henke, Jim Beach, Kaleb Bjornstad, Pat Stenzel; City Clerk-Treasurer: Nicole LaFrance; Maintenance Operator: Bill Guggisberg; Pubic: Theo Beckmann

ABSENT:

Mayor Edward Mosser called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

City clerk called roll. All present.

City Clerk, Nicole LaFrance delivered the Oath of Office to newly elected Mayor, Ed Mosser and Council Member, Jeremy Henke. Reelected Council Member Kaleb Bjornstad also was sworn in with Oath of Office.

Council Member Kaleb Bjornstad motioned to approve the December 17, 2014 minutes. Council Member Pat Stenzel advanced; motion carried.

Jerry Kroeger from Jerry Kroeger Construction was present. He has a contract with the City of Freeborn for snow removal and discussed damages to the carbide and face plate on wing of his plow. He affirmed the damage was done from the current conditions of the city streets, and his plow is needing of repair. He requested reimbursement of $1,100 -$1,200.00 for replacing these parts. He spoke of damage previous caused from the same issues, and has completed the work himself for repairs needed. Council Member Jim Beach motioned to pay the $1,200.00 for damages that occurred. Council Member Kaleb Bjornstad advanced; motion carried.

There was no engineer’s report.

Maintenance Operator, Bill Guggisberg was present and discussed his conversation with Paul Halverson from MDH regarding arsenic levels.  The levels have stayed the same since last testing. He discussed needing a computer update. Licensing, reporting, and training have become more available and required through online means. Occasionally he needs sound to complete the information needed. Guggisberg spoke of not needing anything expensive, but his current computer is over eight years old, and his updates are no longer working. The council discussed getting a new computer for these requirements and communication pieces at a reasonable rate. Guggisberg will check into pricing as well as other council members for the best deal.

Bill Guggisberg discussed the Wastewater Permit due in 2015. This reporting is a collection if information and is lengthy in documenting. Once completed the City of Freeborn will need to send the permit fee along with the permit forms. This reporting is done every five years. March 3 – 5, 2015 water/wastewater school will be held. Council discussed maintenance operator’s attendance is important for upcoming changes. Council Member Pat Stenzel motioned to approve Bill Guggisberg to attend the training conference. Council Member Jim Beach advanced; motion carried.

Bill Guggisberg discussed the DNR report due in 2015, and city payment will be needed for the fee. Emergency Management has a chemical report due in March 2015, and payment is also required. He also spoke about city insurance renewal.

Under unfinished business, Jim Beach discussed timesheet requirements and PTO time for city employees needed by city council.

Council Member Kaleb Bjornstad motioned to approve Resolution 2015-1, an Organization Resolution. Council Member Jeremy Henke advanced; motion carried.

Council discussed scheduling the annual clean up day date for spring 2015. The first optional date is May 9, 2015. The second date May 16, 2015, and third date April 25, 2015.

City Clerk spoke about the insurance renewal meeting scheduled Jan 22, 2015 with Americana Insurance, Tom Sorenson. Mayor, Ed Mosser signed the tort-liability waiver form.

Council members discussed creating a city website for information available to residents, businesses, etc. regarding ordinances, meeting minutes, water project information, and so forth. City Clerk will collect more information and share with council through email over the next month.

Council Member Kaleb Bjornstad motioned to approve the accounts payable and reconciliation reports. Council Member Jeremy Henke advanced; motion carried. This motion includes a payment to Bolton & Menk for engineering services of $60,000.00.

Council Member, Kaleb Bjornstad motioned to accept newly elected City of Freeborn, Mayor Edward and Council Member Jim Beach, to be able to sign documents, checks, and other financial instruments pertaining to this board. Council Member Pat Stenzel advanced; motion carried.

City Clerk Nicole LaFrance spoke about her longevity with the position as city clerk-treasurer. LaFrance also has another part-time job that was offered to her full-time. LaFrance would like to start to work towards someone helping out or eventually taking over. Since there is year end information needing submitted, water project, housing project, she will still assist the city to get through processes. The city council discussed hiring someone part-time sixteen hours a week for the city clerk portion of the position, with possibilities of treasurer portion. The city will advertise in the Freeborn County Shopper, and the Alden Advance newspaper.

There was no miscellaneous items to report.

Council Member Pat Stenzel motioned to adjourn the meeting. Council Member Kaleb Bjornstad advanced; motion carried.

Nicole LaFrance

-City Clerk-Treasurer