City of Freeborn

Council Meeting Minutes

May 20, 2015

Present:  Mayor: Ed Mosser; Council Members: Jim Beach, Pat Stenzel, Jeremy Henke; Maintenance Operator: William Guggisberg; City Clerk:  Nicole Marlin; City Treasurer: Nicole LaFrance; Public:  Fire Chief: Steve Siepp; Bolton and Menk Principal Engineer: Owen Todd; Leverson Productions: Matt Leverson.

Absent:  Council Member: Kaleb Bjornsted.

Mayor, Ed Mosser called the meeting to order at 6:30.

City Clerk, Nicole Marlin called role.

Council Member Jim Beach motioned to approve the April 16th, 2015 meeting minutes as amended.  Pat Stenzel advanced; motion carried.

Matt Leverson was present from Leverson Productions to talk about the City Website.  Matt and City Clerk, Nicole Marlin feel that the website is for the most part complete.  There are areas on the website that need more information, like the History of Freeborn, Ambulance and Fire Department.  Those areas will be included in the price of the initial Website fee and anything that is completed will be charged for a Maintenance fee of $60.00 per hour.  Council asked Matt Leverson to link the City of Freeborn to the Freeborn County Website, add dog ordnance and ED for Businesses to want to come to the City of Freeborn.  Matt also informed the Council about having a Formal Press Release for the opening of the website if they would like.  The City Council was informed by the City Clerk that the website was put up around town and that the new website would be put in the Albert Lea Tribune.  Matt Leverson will continue to work with City Clerk, Nicole Marlin and will also work with Owen Todd from Bolton and Menk regarding the Water Project Updates about every 2 weeks.  Owen Todd would like to add a link on the website so the residents can access a map regarding the Water Project.

Owen Todd was present from Bolton and Menk for Engineers Report.  Owen talked about water project bids being good bids this time around.  Owen Todd reviewed all bids and all the bids seemed balanced.  Owen Todd Principal Engineer also felt that the Council should award the bid to BCM.  BCM is a good firm, reputation and they have worked with R.D. before.  BCM should be finishing up in Ellendale then coming to Freeborn.  Because RD and PFA it would be Owen Todd’s recommendation to award it on the contingent on R.D. and PFA approval.  Council member Jim Beach motioned to approve Resolution 2015-4 Award Bid contingent on R.D. and PFA approval.  Council member, Pat Stenzel advanced; motion carried.

Principal Engineer, Owen Todd also talked about when we get approval from R.D. Owen Todd will schedule a pre-construction meeting and would like the          Mayor there to sign the contract.

Resident and Fire Chief Steve Seipp addressed the Council regarding the Parsonage playground and that he is willing to lease that land to the Citybut does not want to sell the property.  Council member, Pat Stenzel motioned to approve Resolution 2014-5 Lease Property for 25 years in the amount of $25.  Council member, Jim Beach advanced; motion carried.

In public comment resident Dawn Beckmann from TB3’s addressed the council and asked for permission to use the park across from TB3’s for the use of her family event.  The event would be from 11a.m. – 6p.m. on Sunday May 31st, 2015.  There will be music, food and drinks and is open to anyone that would like to attend.  Council agreed.

Maintenance Operator, Bill Guggisberg talked about the brush pile and that it is becoming a garbage pile, and if it continues then he would have to lock it.  The Council brought up the idea to put a camera up at the brush pile site and prosecute anyone caught dumping for Criminal Illegal Dumping.

Maintenance Operator, Bill Guggisberg also talked about sending invoices to the people that owe money for the Annual City Wide Clean-up Day items that they got rid of and that there is 1 check to return since their item was not picked up by Thompsons.

Maintenance Operator, Bill Guggisberg also talked about starting a list of residents that have not mowed their lawns and letters will be sent out and if they don’t cut it within 10 days the City will cut and add to the property taxes in November.

Council also talked about sending letters out to Nuisance Properties such as: Hamson property, Grocery store, Mitch Johnson’s garage.

In unfinished business City Treasurer, Nicole LaFrance talked about the water bills that are way off.  Nicole asked the council what they would like to do with them, and council decided to estimate the water bills from what they used last summer. Council member, Pat Stenzel motioned to approve the estimated water bills will have a due date of Monday June 8th, 2015.  Council member, Jim Beach advanced; motion approved.

In unfinished business Council member, Jim Beach talked to council about the City getting a leaf vacuum for the City.  The Council would like to look at the 18 HP Leaf blowers at the store and will decide on a Leaf vacuum at that time.  Council member, Jim Beach motioned to approve purchase of a leaf vacuum up to $4,000.00.  Council member, Pat Stenzel advanced; motion approved.

In unfinished business the letter from the City Lawyer regarding the school will be tabled until Perry Berg from Patton, Hoversten and Berg gets back from vacation.

In new business Council member, Jim Beach motioned to approve City Clerk, Nicole Marlin authorization on Accounts.  Council member, Jeremy Henke advanced; motion approved.

In new business Council member, Jeremy Henke motioned to approve Resolution 2015-3: MN DNR, Freeborn County Shallow Lakes Program.  Council member, Pat Stenzel advanced; motion carried.  This resolution will be sent with the letter that the Mayor has signed and sealed in support of the Dam Project.

Council member, Jim Beach motioned to approve the accounts payable and reconciliation reports.  This includes payments to Bolton & Menk for $80,340.78 and Central Tank & Coating for $1250.00.  Council member, Pat Stenzel advanced; motion carried.

City Clerk/Treasurer contract was tabled until contract is rewritten.

In miscellaneous business Council member, Jim Beach addressed the Council about the Health Insurance checks that are paid to the City Staff, and that we would have to figure out if need to adjust the reason for the checks if it is not legal to use for Insurance.  City Clerk, Nicole Marlin will check with the Auditor.

Council member, Pat Stenzel motioned to adjourn the meeting.  Council member, Jeremy Henke advanced; motion carried.

Nicole Marlin

-City Clerk