CITY OF FREEBORN
MEETING MINUTES
July 20, 2016
PRESENT: Mayor: Ed Mosser; Council Members: Jim Beach, Kaleb Bjornstad, Jeremy Henke, Pat Stenzel City Maintenance Operator: Bill Guggisberg; City Clerk/Treasurer: Nicole LaFrance
ABSENT:
Mayor, Edward Mosser called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
City Clerk called roll.
Council Member Jim Beach motioned to approve the June 15, 2016 meeting minutes. Council Member Pat Stenzel advanced; motion carried.
Under Public Comment, city council discussed updating the owner of property at parcel number R25.022.0030. This is in regards to moving a house from City of Conger to the City of Freeborn. Discussion was had on cleaning up the property prior to moving the house or any construction to be had. After clean up of property, the city council will inspect the property for completion of clean up, and then owner will be able to move forward with county departments and city in moving the house to the property.
Under Maintenance Report, Bill Guggisberg discussed the West Park force main being fixed. There was a sewer smell, and two companies assisted in repair. They used a camera between the two companies, the hole was repaired, as there was seeping occurring in the county tile. They cleaned the storm sewers as well. Guggisberg recommended that after streets are completed, that a plan be put in place for regular maintenance for storm sewers, like utilizing a jet vacuum. Possibly a section of the city be completed each year for maintenance. Guggisberg also discussed the status of the water project. BCM Construction is nearing the end of their piping, as Lakeshore Drive is the final street left for watermain pipe. Today it is being installed and almost complete. The line between Hartland and Freeborn will be reflushed on high points of the line, to make sure there is no air in the line. Guggisberg spoke about the water tower cleaning being done this weekend. The tower will sit for 7-10 days, and the Central Tank & Coating will return for the inspection and testing. They will then fill the tower at the same time as City of Hartland fills their tower.
Bill Guggisberg mentioned that he has mowed the property at 102 Park Street, and discussed the plan that was setup for address 912 Lake Street a few months ago. City council discussed the follow through on removing brush, weeds and grass has not occurred by owner and that Council Member Jeremy Henke will discuss with County Highway Engineer if there is any heavy equipment she would be able to use in assisting with the removal of brush, weeds and grass. The council would like to give the resident a two week notice for the owner to take care of this on his own, if possible. Guggisberg discussed street repair plan and bid with council. Council Member Jim Beach and Guggsiberg went around the city and came up with a cost and most needed street improvement plan. Central Farm Service driveways were also discussed. CFS would like to possibly have tar poured in the approaches on 3rd and 4th Street.
Guggisberg also discussed adding a water/sewer stub out to parcel number R25.022.0030. This was discussed at today’s board meeting, as streets are being repaired before the next board meeting. If stub out is added later, the street will need to be torn up to add in the stub out. Council Member Jim Beach motioned to approve the adding a stub out for parcel R25.022.0030 with a estimated cost of $2,000-$4,000 for adding this service. Council Member Kaleb Bjornstad advanced; motion carried.
Lastly, Maintenance Operator Guggisberg discussed the City of Alden contacting him on possibly obtaining any old meter readers. He discussed with council how many were in city shop.
Under unfinished business the city officials discussed when streets will be resurfaced. City Clerk discussed the letter drafted to the city regarding bid amounts and questions to city attorney. It is possible to do a separate street project as it’s cheaper this year to complete a few more additional/remaining streets. The mobilization charge is significantly less, because they are already in the city, which can be utilized for an additional street instead. If a change order were to occur to original bid, it can only increase cost up to 25% of the original contract price. This is in accordance of Minnesota Statute 471.345. subd. 7.
Under unfinished business, city officials discussed dock left on city property by lake. Since notification was had by city attorney, documentation was discussed by county and state protocol that the city can now remove the dock, and bring tires and such to Wayne’s Repair for disposal. The County Highway Engineer visited last week with Council Member Jim Beach to discuss plans for the property mentioned above. Engineer will not allow a driveway to be placed going into property because of safety concerns as previous owners tried to accomplish as well. She will assist in purchasing and placement of a handicap accessible steps/ramp for the property to be used as a picnic or possible swimming area in the future.
Under unfinished business, city council discussed yard mowing and other nuisance properties. Maintenance Operator discussed yard mowing list.
Under new business, Council Member Jim Beach spoke about Legion members wanting to add a metal storage unit on the north side of Legion Hall. It will eventually be painted. Council Member Jim Beach motioned to approve the storage unit. Council Member Pat Stenzel advanced; motion carried.
Under New Business , City Clerk Nicole LaFrance discussed the State Primary Election that will be held on Tuesday, August 9, 2016. She discussed pick up times for materials, and election judge training.
Under New Business, City Clerk delivered a draft of the proposed 2017 City Budget.
Under New Business, City Clerk and Council Member Jim Beach discussed a request from the property owner at 28681 655th Avenue. The resident pays a base sewer charge, and would like to go to 6-month billing. The city council discussed this, and would like her to pay in advance instead of creating separate billing schedules for residents. The residents sewer charge would then be deducted from the credit created, and invoice mailing is provided by utility system to reflect her credit balance and payment from credit each month.
Under accounts payable and reconciliation reports, Council Member Jim Beach motioned to approve accounts payable and reconciliation reports. Council Member Jeremy Henke advanced; motion carried. This includes payment requests for BCM Construction: PPE #8 $248,726.62; Bolton & Menk: Invoice #192312 $23,171.60 & Invoice #192314 $3,200.00. Total Payment Request: $275,098.22 Payment on these invoices included are from UDSA RD Grant ($275,098.22).
Under miscellaneous items, property address 301 Park Street was discussed. The owner asked that this last month’s water-sewer billing be estimated, as he believes the water project construction company broke the shut off valve when switching from temporary water. There was a leak that was not seen for some time, and he will fix/repair the shut off valve. The council discussed this, and believes it should be estimated.
Under miscellaneous items, CFS would like information on street crossing signs for safety. The council discussed giving her a catalog or website to look into further.
Council Member Kaleb Bjornstad motioned to adjourn the meeting. Jeremy Henke advanced, motion carried.
Nicole LaFrance
-City Clerk-Treasurer