City of Freeborn
Council Meeting Minutes
December 11, 2012
Present: Mayor: Theo Beckmann; Council Members: Ed Mosser, Kaleb Bjornstad, and Pat Stenzel; City Clerk/Treasurer: Tiffany Krueger; Maintenance Supervisor: Bill Guggisberg; Assistant Fire Chief: Jason Hedensten. Other present: Bruce Peterson, Dale Hedensten and Mark Gruben
Absent: Council Member: James Beach, Fire Chief: Steve Seipp.
Mayor Beckmann called the meeting of December 11, 2012 to order at 7:00 pm.
Ed Mosser moved to approve November 13, 2012 meeting minutes. Kaleb Bjornstad advanced; motion carried.
Ed Mosser moved to approve November 15, 2012 public hearing meeting minutes. Pat Stenzel advanced; motion carried.
Assistant Fire Chief, Jason Hedensten reported on two ambulance calls and one fire call. The fall fundraiser went well; South Central did not approve the HIPAA security plan. The Ambulance Department purchased a cot through Lewiston’s Ambulance department for $500 and would like to purchase accessories for the cot with the remaining funds of the Legion donation. Fire Department requested copies of invoices for the grain bin rescue equipment. Council renewed Expert T Billing’s contract. Fire Department will burn a house in either December or January depending on the weather.
Ed Mosser moved to allow the Ambulance Department to purchase accessories for the cot not exceeding $2,000. Pat Stenzel advanced; motion carried.
Ed Mosser moved to renewal Expert T Billing contract. Pat Stenzel advanced; motion carried.
Dale Hedensten informed council that the Freeborn Fire & Ambulance Relief approved the reimbursement of $2090 to the city, but requested a letter be sent from the city requesting the funds be reimbursed.
Clerk Krueger informed council that they can request more grant money from the county for the Ambulance Department in August of 2013.
Bill Guggisberg reported on maintenance activity for the month. Guggisberg informed council that he shut off two water connections and removed two meters. Rich Honstad moved down to one meter. Council would like the planning and zoning to be changed for the building. The front light of the hall building needed to be replaced, the water heater regulator needs to be repaired, floor heat is being fixed and could cost up to $700 for repairs. Guggisberg switched chemical suppliers from DPC to Hawkins and it will save the city some money. Guggisberg requested a member from the council to discuss moving vehicles into the Heritage Building, Ed Mosser with do this on Thursday. Guggisberg requested permission to purchase a drill.
Kaleb Bjornstad moved to all a $500 spending limit for the purchase of a drill and to setup an account at the Trading Post. Ed Mosser advanced; motion carried.
Guggisberg informed council that Olson Excavating is having a problem with their billing software and said our invoice from them will be $5,000 – $6,000 for work completed in 2012.
Guggisberg recommended that the Ambulance Department keep their mail box and the city clerk pickup mail, that way the clerk and mayor only have access to the locked file cabinet for the HIPAA security plan.
Council inquired about the pop machine fund raiser. Guggisberg informed council that he does not have access to the Fire Department to have an electrician come and install the plugin. Jason Hedensten informed council that Steve Seipp will contact the electrician to setup the connection.
Council discussed replacing the stove in the hall and would like to hold $1500 in repairs and maintenance.
Kaleb Bjornstad moved for a 2% increase for employee wages. Theo Beckmann advanced; motion carried.
MRWA Training in St. Cloud for maintenance will be the first week of March for three days.
Kaleb Bjornstad moved for Bill Guggisberg to attend MRWA Training in St. Cloud. Pat Stenzel advanced; motion carried.
Ed Mosser moved to city clerk to setup a Fire Fund-City in QuickBooks. Pat Stenzel advanced; motion carried.
Ed Mosser moved to approve resolution 2013-24, combined polling place with Freeborn Township. Kaleb Bjornstad advanced; motion carried.
Ed Mosser moved to approve journal entries presented. Pat Stenzel advanced; motion carried.
Ed Mosser moved to accept the 2013 proposed budget with no increases to the 2013 levy. Pat Stenzel advanced; motion carried.
Kaleb Bjornstad moved to approve the application for Fire Chief as amended. Ed Mosser advanced; motion carried.
Council reviewed a letter submitted by Mark Gruben.
Council reviewed Mark Gruben’s request for notification of special meetings, workshops and public hearings.
EMT pay comes from the ambulance department for the first check in June and the City on the second check in December.
Ed Mosser moved to approve accounts payable for the Fire and Ambulance Departments. Kaleb Bjornstad advanced; motion carried.
Pat Stenzel moved to approve accounts payable for the city. Ed Mosser advanced; motion carried.
Ed Mosser moved to pay second half of fire contract. Kaleb Bjornstad advanced; motion carried.
Council questioned the how the fire call billing was done. Jason Hedensten will check on billable calls.
Kaleb Bjornstad moved to adjourn. Pat Stenzel advanced; motion carried.