City of Freeborn
Council Meeting Minutes
June 19, 2013
Present: Mayor: Theo Beckmann; Council Members: Jim Beach, Ed Moser, Kaleb Bjornstad and Pat Stenzel; City Clerk-Treasurer: Tiffany Krueger; Interim City Clerk-Treasurer: Nicole LaFrance; Maintenance Operator: Bill Guggisberg; Mark Gruben, John Graupman, Chuck Pettipiece & Owen Todd
Absent:
Mayor, Theo Beckmann called the meeting to order at 7:30p.m.
Jim Beach motioned to approve the May 15th meeting minutes. Kaleb Bjornstad advanced; motion carried.
Pat Stenzel motioned to move resident Mark Gruben up on this agenda. Jim Beach advanced; motion carried.
Resident Mark Gruben was present regarding receiving notices of special meetings mailed to his home. Mark was concerned regarding not getting a notice on the May 28th, 2013 Workshop with the Engineers. Following discussion, the City Clerk will provide Mr. Gruben with a mailed notice of any additional meetings held outside the normal monthly board meeting.
The council discussed that there are two street lights out (8thand Park Street) and (8th and Lake Shore). There is also a light out at the playground. The utility company will replace the lights.
Maintenance Operator, Bill Guggisberg reported that there have been extra cats in town causing a nuisance. The vacant lots in town have been mowed, and the property owners will receive a bill at the end of the year. Bill is currently working on cleaning out the sand at the volleyball courts. Jerry Kruegger would like a bucket of sand out of the volleyball court. The property at 602 3rd Avenue has a dog that needs to be caged when Bill reads the meters. If he is unable to read the meter because the dog is loose, there should be an extra fee for an additional person to read the meter. Bill spoke about kids urinating on the playground equipment. There is a window broken in the school. A letter to the owners needs to be sent. Bill also mentioned that the basketball court needs to be resealed and painted. Bill will be on vacation the week of the fourth of July. He has contacted Andy Flatness (Hartland Maintenance Operator) to assist over Bill’s vacation.
Council Member Jim Beach presented a check for $2,000.00 from the American Legion Gambling Fund. This will be used for the fire and EMT department.
Ed Mosser motioned to proceed with the water project with the City of Hartland, and funding the entire project of $3,222,000 between loan and grant from USDA RD and Small Cities. Kaleb Bjornstad advanced; motion carried. The council voted all in favor.
Pat Stenzel motioned to approve the request for a sign placed in the city Rain Garden. Ed Mosser advanced; motion carried. Jim Beach will proceed with the sign details.
Kaleb Bjornstad motioned to approve Central Tank Coating Inc. to repaint the water tower for $17,900.00. Pat Stenzel advanced; motion carried. The council voted all in favor.
The council discussed and set up a special meeting with the City of Hartland’s city council for the purpose of establishing a Joint Powers Water & Distribution Board. This meeting will also adopt the Joint Powers Water & Distribution Board Agreement between the two cities. The meeting will be held on Monday, July 1st at 7:00 p.m. The City Clerk, will post notice and mail any requests of notice to residents.
Kaleb Bjornstad motioned to purchase the forfeited parcel of land from Freeborn County. The suggested purchase price from the County Auditor-Treasurer is $1.00. Pat Stenzel advanced; motion carried.
Kaleb Bjornstad motioned for the City Clerk to purchase a laptop up to $2000.00 for bookkeeping more frequently. Pat Stenzel advanced; motion carried. The council voted all in favor.
Kaleb Bjornstad motioned to raise the City Clerk’s hourly pay to $17.00. The position will still remain interim. Pat Stenzel advanced; motion carried.
The council discussed Water Board Pay of $50.00 per meeting, starting on July 1st, 2013.
The council would like to send a certified letter to previous City Clerk Tiffany Krueger to show timecard for hours work on last pay period.
Pat Stenzel motioned to approve the accounts payable, except for the council’s pay checks. Kaleb Bjornstad advanced; motion carried.
The city council would like City Clerk to write letters with a copy of the ordinance to address trash in yards of resident’s properties.
Kaleb Bjornstad motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 p.m. Jim Beach advanced; motion carried.
-Nicole LaFrance
Interim City Clerk-Treasurer