City of Freeborn

Council Meeting Minutes

January 15, 2014

Present: Mayor: Theo Beckmann; Council Members: Jim Beach, Ed Mosser, Kaleb Bjornstad; City Clerk-Treasurer: Nicole LaFrance; Maintenance Operator: Bill Guggisberg;

Absent: Pat Stenzel

Mayor Pro-temp Ed Mosser called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

Council Member Kaleb Bjornstad motioned to approve the agenda. Council Member Jim Beach advanced; motion carried.

Council Member Kaleb Bjornstad motioned to approve the meeting minutes from December 18, 2013. Council Member Jim Beach advanced; motion carried.

Bill Guggisberg, Maintenance Operator discussed a few different options regarding capacity and size for a new city bulletin board. Lighting would be an additional cost, and he would like opinion on the exact location, and a possible split in cost with the township. Bill received a letter from Central Tank and Coating for this year. The cost savings is considerable and the owner would like to keep the city’s business, and offered a discounts rate for year 2014 of $500.00 for a cleaning. Bill suggested responding quickly. Bill also discussed the hot water heater installation problems. The electrical company had trouble with accessing the building and had to finish up installation today. Bill would like a master key so that if repairs or improvements are needed immediately, he will be able to assist them. There was a water main break last Thursday. It was difficult to locate and he also contacted Gopher One. There was about 4.5 feet of thick-frost. In the morning Friday, water was restored to the residents affected. He did contact residents or visited residents that were impacted Thursday. He opened the hall early Friday, as showers and a kitchen is available. He did address a possible break or hole in water main of a resident property. Currently it’s pumping 60,000-70,000 gallons, which a normal water main break is pumping 25,000-30,000 gallons. He believes we should wait a few days to see if it shows up somewhere, otherwise there are options like leak detection, which can be around $2,000-$7,000. Bill attended a meeting in Mankato with Bolton & Menk to discuss and review water project plans. They recommended that the bidding as one whole project would be more beneficial for the city. Bill discussed fire hydrant spacing locations. He spoke about the renewal meeting for property insurance coverage, and the tort waiver liability form. Bill also filled out a sales tax exemption form from Raleigh’s Ace Hardware. He will check the shop for additional handles for cabinets in clerk’s office.

Jim Beach spoke under unfinished business about a possible leaf pick-up program. He spoke with Amie and Mike over in Wells, and they would charge $75.00 an hour for four weeks, four times. It would be four hours of work each time, and run about $1,200 a year. They can do the billing to the resident or the city can. The have a specific formula is figuring out billing.

 

City Clerk, Nicole LaFrance spoke under new business about the insurance renewal for 2014. The city signed the renewal form for not waiving limits on municipal tort liability. Freeborn County Board of Commissioner’s meeting will be held next Tuesday, January 21 at 8:30 a.m.; which someone must be present from the city to address our proposed conditional use permit. This permit has already been accepted by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Freeborn County League of Cities meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in Manchester.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection is proposed for Wednesday, April 30th, 2014. The council discussed if Lela Peterson may be interested in assisting again.

Unemployment benefits are due on February 28, 2014.

Kaleb Bjornstad motioned to approve the fire truck payment. Jim Beach advanced; motion carried.

Jim Beach motioned to approve Resolution 2014-1 City Organization. Ed Mosser advanced; motion carried.

Employee contracts were tabled.

Employee PTO accumulations were discussed and the option for carry over. Ed Mosser motioned to approve Maintenance Operator position to be able to carry over 160 hours, and City Clerk position may carry over 80 hours. Any time off should try to be requested three days in advance, or phone call/ email.

Ed Mosser motioned to approve the accounts payable and reconciliation reports. Kaleb Bjornstad advanced; motion carried.

Ed Mosser motioned to adjourn the meeting. Jim Beach advanced; motion carried.

 

-Nicole LaFrance

City Clerk-Treasurer