City of Freeborn
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
January 14, 2025
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Seipp at 6:15 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance was said.
City Clerk called roll
Roll Call: Present: Mayor: Steve Seipp, Council Members: Jim Beach, Dawn Beckmann, Curt Backeberg, Pat Stenzel, Maintenance Bill Guggisberg, City Clerk Barbara Jones. Guests included Leanne Tukua, Diane Ruedy and Gene Cichos.
Oath of Office was given to Mayor Steve Seipp, Council member Diane Ruedy and Council member Leanne Tukua.
Motion was made by Dawn Beckmann to approve the December 10, 2024, meeting minutes. Seconded by Curt Backeberg. All in favor: Aye. Opposed: None. Motion carried.
Public Comment
Jim Beach commented on the funds, approximately $9,000.00 in the past year, that have been given by the Gilmore-Stensrud for the Christmas light fund. If the Council feels they have enough money for the fund they would like to donate their money to other funds. Discussion ensued – we have approximately a dozen decorations now and it appears to be enough. We had a resident ask about refurbishing the other Christmas decorations. Council wanted to look into purchasing a higher quality decoration.
Maintenance Report
Bill reported that Jim Beach provided the name of another company that does chip sealing and has worked in Freeborn County.
Bill has been installing water meters in resident homes that we were not getting readings from.
He has been working on the DNR report for year end.
Reindal Electric helped get the Lift station fixed.
Bill wanted to stress that the council should be aware that he should not go down in the lift stations without another person on hand – Confined spaces.
Discussion about the streets/curbing still not filled in. These repairs will be completed in the spring after the ground has settled including areas: drain by Dahlen, bank curb and sidewalk.
Curt Backeberg asked Maintenance Bill Guggisberg, when the weather permits, to go around and pull all caps off fire hydrants. The fire department was unable to open a hydrant close to the fire at 201 Park Avenue and had to revert to another hydrant.
City Clerk
Barbara Jones stated that her wish list includes a printer that accepts legal size paper, scanner that would send directly to the computer. Council suggested coming back with equipment and prices.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 2
January 14, 2025
Unfinished Business
Letter of Intent from Auditor Andrew Bernau. Clerk checked with other auditing firms. A quote from one firm started out at $15,000.00 but the written quote is $22,000.00. Motion made by Curt Backeberg to sign the letter of intent from the firm Hill, Skov, Benda and Bernau for 2025. Seconded by Diane Ruedy. All in favor: Aye, Opposed: None. Motion carried.
Personnel agreement for PTO/ESST and Holidays. Discussion ensued. Maintenance Bill Guggisberg stated that he had a contract agreement that he could roll over 160 hours for future medical purposes. He stated that he had 159 hours at this time and was not going to agree to the form presented. He would request an audit before he would loose his 160 hours. Council decided to table this till next meeting.
City Fee Schedule – City Clerk stated that this needs to be defined so that it can be posted where residents understand what is required for the City to operate.
Personnel Handbook – is a work in progress. Dawn has provided notes. Leanne Tukua would like to review it also. Clerk will provide a copy of the 2011 Personnel Handbook.
New Business
Resolution 2025-1 Resolution Organizing
Acting Mayor – Curt Backeberg was nominated.
Official Newspaper – Alden Advance
Official Depository – Arcadian Bank. Signatures will be City Clerk, Barbara Jones, Mayor Steve Seipp and in Mayor’s absence – Curt Backeberg.
Water/Sewer Commissioner – William Guggisberg and Steve Seipp
Streets Department: Curt Backeberg and Leanne Tukua
Recreation Park & Trees – Dawn Beckmann and Diane Ruedy
Building Inspection: Dawn Beckmann and Diane Ruedy
Financial commissioner: Barbara Jones, Steve Seipp and Leanne Tukua
Insurance Commissioner: Barbara Jones and Steve Seipp
Predator Control: William Guggisberg
Economic Development: Steve Kalis, Mike Yocum and Steve Seipp
Conservation and Environmental: Dawn Beckmann and Curt Backeberg
Public Information Officer: Steve Seipp and Barbara Jones
Legal Advisor: Hartman Law Office, Beau Hartman
Audit Services: Hill, Benda, Skov & Bernau, P.A., Andrew Bernau
Engineering Services: Bolten & Menk
Insurance Services: American Insurance and Investments
Weed Inspector and Forester: Curt Backeberg and William Guggisberg
Building Inspector: Freeborn County Building Inspectors
Zoning Administrator: Council member: Leanne Tukua, Curt Backeberg, William Guggisberg and Fire Chief Steve Seipp.
Fire Marshall: Fire Chief Steve Seipp
Minutes for all meetings: City Clerk/Treasurer shall take notes of all meetings.
Resolution 2025-2 Donation from Gilmore-Stensrud American Legion of $2574.00 for Christmas lights. Motion by Dawn Beckmann to accept the donation from Gilmore-Stensrud American Legion in the sum of $2574.00 for Christmas lights. Seconded by Leanne Tukua. All in favor: Aye. Opposed: None. Motion Carried.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 3
January 14, 2025
Resolution 2025-3 Donation from American Legion Auxiliary of $125.00 for Flower fund. Motion by Curt Backeberg to accept the donation from the American Legion Auxiliary of $125.00 for the flower fund. Seconded by Diane Ruedy. All in favor: Aye. Opposed: None. Motion Carried.
League of MN Cities sent notice to renew our premium option for the upcoming year of workers’ compensation coverage for the City of Freeborn. Discussion ensued. A motion made by Curt Backeberg to take option 2 Deductible Premium Option with the $500 Deductible per occurrence. Seconded by Pat Stenzel. All in favor: Aye. Opposed: None. Motion Carried.
Ordinances – discussion about looking at the City’s Ordinances vs accepting the MN Basic Codes ordinances.
Accounts Payable/Reconciliation Reports: Motion by Dawn Beckmann to accept the Accounts Payable/Reconciliation report as presented. Seconded by Curt Backeberg. All in favor: Aye. Opposed: None. Motion carried.
Mayor Steve Seipp reported that we should be receiving funds from FEMA,
Curt Backeberg asked about the digital signs. Mayor Steve Seipp reported that the County is trying to work with Mower County to cut the costs.
Dawn Beckmann asked to schedule a workshop for getting the ordinances in place. Date of February 4, 2025 at 6 pm in the City Hall.
Curt Backeberg made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Dawn Beckmann. All in favor: Aye. Opposed: None. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Jones
City Clerk/Treasurer