Freeport public meetings in 2024
14 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Council
The Freeport City Council will hold a Truth in Taxation public meeting, then consider adopting the final 2025 budget and tax levy, along with a resolution designating the 2025 polling place. They will also review proposed cannabis zoning ordinance changes, which include setbacks from schools, daycares, and parks, and a ban on cannabis businesses in residential zones. The agenda includes routine consent items like meeting minutes, claims totaling $20,406.86, and the sheriff's report.
- Truth in Taxation public meeting before budget adoption
- Resolution 2024-16 adopting final 2025 budget and tax levy
- Resolution 2024-17 designating polling place for 2025
- Cannabis zoning ordinance changes with 1,000-ft school, 500-ft daycare/park setbacks
- Fire department equipment quote totaling $11,645.00
City Council
The Freeport City Council will discuss local cannabis regulations at this meeting, including potential limits on business numbers, zoning restrictions near schools, and whether to adopt county or city-specific rules. The council will also receive updates on West Central Sanitation operations and other routine reports.
- Cannabis Regulation discussion on licensing limits, zoning buffers near schools, and compliance checks
- West Central Sanitation check-in by Jeff Bertram
- Public Works Director Loren Goebel’s 3% raise approved in October
- Ordinance 2024-02 repealing and replacing elected officials’ salary section approved in October
- $600 payment approved for Austin Douvier’s sewer line exploratory digging expenses
City Council
The Freeport City Council will hold its regular meeting to discuss routine reports, approve claims, and review the proposed 2025 budget. No major policy decisions or ordinance votes are scheduled, and the agenda is primarily procedural.
- Approve 2025 budget resolution (Resolution 2024-15)
- Approve city official pay increases (Mayor: $200/regular meeting, Council: $100/regular meeting)
- Approve payment applications: $148,896.57 to Keuchle Underground (Welle Four project) and $105,836.90 to Design Electric (street lighting)
- Review 3rd Quarter Financial Report and residential survey results
City Council
The Freeport City Council will consider adopting the proposed 2025 budget and levy, set city official pay, and conduct the clerk-treasurer's annual review. They will also hear from Xcel Energy community relations and receive reports from staff and the engineer, including payment requests for street lighting and Welle 4 projects.
- Resolution 2024-15 adopting proposed 2025 budget and ordering certification of levy to county auditor
- Freeport City Official Pay discussion
- Clerk-Treasurer Jon Nelson's annual review
- Engineer recommends payment of $105,836.90 for street lighting and $148,896.57 for Welle 4
- Xcel Energy community relations meet and greet
City Council
The Freeport City Council will consider adopting the proposed 2025 budget and levy, and will review a preliminary budget. They will also vote on a $175,430.75 payment for Welle's Country Acres Phase 4 construction, a $74,000 engineering agreement for a sidewalk project, and discuss gazebo repainting and Smiley Tower repairs.
- Resolution 2024-14 adopting proposed 2025 budget and ordering levy certification to county auditor
- Pay application No. 2 for $175,430.75 to Kuechle Underground for Welle's Country Acres Phase 4
- Supplemental agreement for $74,000 for CSAH 11 sidewalk engineering (Active Transportation Grant)
- Repainting Main St Gazebo and repair of cracked pole
- Smiley Tower repairs
City Council
The Freeport City Council will consider establishing debt service funds, review the 2025 preliminary budget, and discuss several contracts and reports. They will also consider repainting the Main St gazebo and approving payments for the Welle 4 construction project.
- Resolution 2024-13 establishing debt service funds
- 2025 preliminary budget presentation
- Approval of pay request #1 for $462,485.33 to Kuechle Underground for Welle 4
- Change order #1 for $3,226.14 for street light prevailing wage
- Repainting Main St gazebo (quotes $2,910-$4,998)
City Council
The Freeport City Council is holding a special meeting to consider Resolution 2024-12, which would accept a $2,511,000 taxable general obligation improvement bond (2024B) to be purchased by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The bond proceeds will refund a temporary note used to finance public improvements, with repayment through special assessments and a property tax levy. This is the only substantive item on the agenda.
- Resolution 2024-12: Accept USDA offer to purchase $2,511,000 Taxable General Obligation Improvement Bond of 2024B
- Bond interest rate: 2.250% per annum, maturing July 9, 2064
- 40 annual principal and interest payments of $101,445 each, starting July 9, 2025
- Special assessments of $696,582.50 (2024-2035) pledged for bond security
- Annual property tax levy of $26,434.19 for 2024-2034 to pay bond debt
City Council
The Freeport City Council will consider approving a resolution to sell a $2,657,000 taxable general obligation improvement bond to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, refunding a temporary note for public improvements. The council will also discuss repainting the Main Street gazebo, a new approach to nuisance properties, a property assessment for Neil Middendorf, and public works vehicle purchases. Consent items include meeting minutes, claims totaling $49,000.75, and the sheriff's report.
- Resolution 2024-12: Accept USDA offer to purchase $2,657,000 bond at 2.25% interest
- Repainting Main St Gazebo (quotes received, one for $4,998)
- Nuisance properties: new approach to be discussed
- Neil Middendorf property assessment
- Public works vehicles purchase discussion
City Council
The Freeport City Council is holding its regular meeting to approve the consent agenda, receive reports from staff, and discuss several new business items. Key topics include the Creamery Property, County 11 sidewalk repair, sidewalk grant acceptance, and billboards for the Welle Four Addition. The agenda includes routine items like meeting minutes and reports, but also substantive items like potential infrastructure projects and property decisions.
- Creamery Property discussion
- County 11 Sidewalk Repair
- Sidewalk Grant Acceptance
- Billboards for Welle Four Addition
City Council
The Freeport City Council will hold a public hearing and vote on two resolutions to approve a property tax abatement and issue a $1,551,000 bond for public infrastructure costs tied to the Welle Housing Subdivision Project.
- Public hearing on property tax abatement for Welle housing division infrastructure
- Resolution 2024-10: Authorize tax abatement for Welle Housing Subdivision Project
- Resolution 2024-11: Issue $1,551,000 general obligation tax abatement bond, series 2024A
City Council
The Freeport City Council will consider a resolution to set a public hearing for a tax abatement to finance public infrastructure for the Welle's Country Acres Four subdivision, and will hear a presentation on 2024A general obligation tax abatement bonds. The council will also discuss a request from Pioneer Inn to reserve Main Street parking spots for food trucks, review the 2024 first quarter financial report, and consider a liquor license resolution and bids for 7th St SE ditch grading.
- Resolution 2024-08 sets a public hearing for May 20, 2024 on tax abatement for Welle's Country Acres Four
- 2024A General Obligation Tax Abatement Bonds presentation by David Drown Associates
- Pioneer Inn requests blocking three Main St parking spots for food trucks on Fridays
- 2024 First Quarter Report compiled by Abdo Financial Solutions
- Resolution 2024-09 Liquor License Resolution
City Council
The Freeport City Council will meet to discuss and vote on infrastructure projects including the Welle Country Acres Phase 4 street construction and a lead service line inventory. Reports from city departments and updates on grants and contracts will also be presented.
- Award $1,161,480.56 bid to Kuechle Underground for Welle Country Acres Phase 4 street project
- Approve Small Cities Development Grant Plans for Freeport Streetscape Project
- Begin lead service line inventory project with state grant funding
- Approve $4,800 supplemental agreement for 2024 street light improvements
- Update on City Prosecution Contract with Stearns County Attorney
City Council
The Freeport City Council will meet to discuss routine administrative items, including approval of the agenda and minutes, consent agenda items such as claims and reports, and updates from city departments. The meeting will also feature a report from Ashley Feldewerd on the 2023 fourth quarter financial status and a discussion about replacing an overhead door at the maintenance garage.
- Overhead Door Replacement at Maintenance Garage
- 2023 Fourth Quarter Financial Report by Ashley Feldewerd
- Approval of 2024 Fee Schedule ordinance
- Acceptance of USDA Rural Development Loan for Welle’s County Acres Four ($530,000 total funding)
- LMCIT Storm Damage Contract with Widseth
City Council
The Freeport City Council will hold a public hearing on a variance request for a deck at 212 1st Ave S, then consider several resolutions including a new fee schedule, official depositories, a USDA Rural Development loan for Welle's Country Acres Four, and a slum and blight designation. They will also discuss awarding a streetlight contract and other administrative items.
- Public hearing on variance request for deck at 212 1st Ave S
- Ordinance 2024-01 – Fee Schedule
- Resolution 2024-05 – Accepting USDA Rural Development Loan for Welle's Country Acres Four
- Resolution 2024-06 – Identifying Slum & Blight in the City of Freeport
- Streetlights contract award discussion