Freeport public meetings in 2025

City Council

At the December 16, 2025 regular meeting, the Freeport City Council approved the final 2026 budget and tax levy of $679,721 (Resolution 2025‑14). The council also approved a funds transfer (Resolution 2025‑16) and a down‑payment of $31,792.50 to Great Plains Fire for a new fire‑tanker truck. Additional items included consideration of Xcel franchise ordinances with and without fees, and approval of a property‑line correction between Hennen Flooring and Hiltner Companies (Resolution 2025‑15).

• Adopt final 2026 budget and tax levy of $679,721 (Resolution 2025‑14)
• Approve funds transfer (Resolution 2025‑16)
• Approve $31,792.50 down‑payment to Great Plains Fire for new fire‑tanker truck
• Consider Xcel franchise ordinances – options with franchise fees and without fees
• Approve property‑line correction between Hennen Flooring and Hiltner Companies (Resolution 2025‑15)

City Council

The Freeport City Council will vote on the 2026 Final Budget (Resolution 2025-14). It will also consider a property‑line correction between Hennen Flooring and Hiltner Company, snow removal for the CSAH 11 sidewalk, and a contract with Municipal Impact for website hosting. Additional items include a 3% pay increase for the Public Works Director, moving the December meeting date, and information on the new Minnesota Paid Family Medical Leave program.

• Resolution 2025-14 – Final Budget Approval for 2026
• Resolution 2025-15 – Property line correction between Hennen Flooring & Hiltner Company
• Snow removal contract for CSAH 11 sidewalk
• Contract with Municipal Impact for city website hosting
• 3% pay increase for Public Works Director Loren Goebel

The council approved the final 2026 city budget and tax levy, setting the levy at $679,721. They also approved a $31,792.50 down payment for a new fire‑department tanker truck and supported MnDOT’s road‑improvement program for 7th St SW and Industrial Drive. Additional actions included authorizing staff to pay up to $5,000 to avoid late fees, approving resolutions for an improvement report and a property‑line correction, and adopting the agenda and consent agenda.

• Approved agenda (5-0)
• Approved consent agenda (5-0)
• Approved $31,792.50 down payment to Great Plains Fire for new tanker truck (5-0)
• Approved Resolution 2025-12 to prepare improvement report (5-0)
• Approved Resolution 2025-13 supporting MnDOT Local Road Improvement Program for 7th St SW & Industrial Drive (5-0)
• Authorized staff to pay bills up to $5,000 to avoid late fees (motion carried)
• Approved Resolution 2025-14 adopting final 2026 budget and tax levy of $679,721 (5-0)
• Approved Resolution 2025-15 property line correction between Hennen Flooring and Hiltner Companies (5-0)

City Council

The Freeport City Council approved several expenditures, including a new fire tanker chassis for $115,000 and a SCADA computer upgrade quoted at $5‑7,000. Council also authorized the purchase of a dozen 20 MPH speed limit signs for town streets. Additional items discussed were Minnesota Paid Leave, a change to the December meeting date, and updates to the city website.

• Approve purchase of fire tanker chassis for $115,000 (retrofit total $180,000)
• Approve SCADA system computer upgrade quoted at $5‑7,000
• Authorize purchase of a dozen 20 MPH speed limit signs/posts/hardware
• Discuss Minnesota Paid Leave legislation
• Consider changing December meeting date

The council voted to contract Municipal Impact for city website hosting to meet future ADA requirements. It also moved the December meeting to Dec. 16, 2025, approved a 3% pay increase for Public Works Director Loren Goebel, and authorized hiring Nagell Appraisal & Consulting for a $5,000 appraisal. Payment applications for the Ferche sidewalk project ($278,945.65) and the streetlight replacement ($28,002.36) were approved, as was an update to the SCADA system.

• Approved contract with Municipal Impact for website hosting (5-0)
• Moved December council meeting to Dec. 16, 2025 (5-0)
• Approved 3% pay increase for Public Works Director Loren Goebel (5-0)
• Approved hiring Nagell Appraisal & Consulting up to $5,000 (5-0)
• Approved Ferche payment application #1 for $278,945.65 (5-0)
• Approved final streetlight replacement payment of $28,002.36 (5-0)
• Approved update to SCADA system (4-0)
• Approved agenda and consent agenda (5-0, 4-0)

City Council

The Freeport City Council approved its agenda and consent items, then adopted the preliminary 2026 budget by passing Resolution 2025-10. The council also approved a $5,200 contract for industrial‑park culvert repair, a $56,421.11 pay application for Welle IV improvements, and a $408,174 bid for the CSAH 11 sidewalk project. Additionally, a cooperative construction agreement with MnDOT was approved and the council reappointed two EDA members.

• Adopted Resolution 2025-10 to approve the preliminary 2026 budget
• Accepted Hoppe’s Dirtwork proposal for culvert repair – $5,200.00
• Approved Engineer pay application #6 for Welle IV improvements – $56,421.11
• Approved JR Ferche bid for CSAH 11 sidewalk project – $408,174 for fall construction
• Approved Resolution 2025-11 for a cooperative construction agreement with MnDOT

The council approved several items, including a $115,000 purchase of a new fire tanker chassis, a dozen 20 mph speed‑limit signs, and an update to the SCADA system for $5‑7 k. They also approved a raise for Clerk‑Treasurer Jon Nelson and authorized the meeting to be closed for staff reviews. All motions were adopted with votes ranging from 4‑0 to 5‑0. No items were denied or tabled.

• Approved agenda (4-0)
• Approved consent agenda (4-0)
• Approved SCADA system update ($5‑7,000) (4-0)
• Approved purchase of new fire tanker chassis for $115,000 (4-0)
• Approved purchase of a dozen 20 mph speed‑limit signs/posts (5-0)
• Approved raise for Clerk‑Treasurer Jon Nelson (4-0, Blake abstained)
• Approved closing the meeting for staff reviews (5-0)
• Approved adjournment (5-0)

City Council

The City Council will receive a presentation from Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA) regarding an analysis of the city. Members will also discuss the repair or replacement of a lawn tractor and parking lot striping.

• CEDA presentation by Jordan Grossman on city analysis
• Discussion on lawn tractor repair or replacement
• Discussion on parking lot striping
• Review of claims totaling $21,605.30
• Discussion on CSAH 11 sidewalk project construction dates

The council approved the meeting agenda with the requested change (5‑0). It approved the consent agenda while withholding claim #6440 for further clarification (5‑0). The city approved a crack‑fill contract for all streets but withheld work between new pavement and the gutter (5‑0). Council chose to buy a new zero‑turn mower instead of repairing the existing lawn tractor (5‑0).

• Approved agenda with changes (5-0)
• Approved consent agenda, withholding claim #6440 (5-0)
• Approved citywide crack‑fill contract, withholding gutter work (5-0)
• Approved purchase of new zero‑turn mower, rejected $7,300 tractor repair (5-0)
• Tabled parking lot striping pending sealcoat quotes
• Adjourned meeting (5-0)

City Council

The City Council will review reports from the clerk-treasurer, public works, and the city engineer. The body is scheduled to discuss traffic control on Welle Street and the selection of an engineering firm.

• Proposed payment of $55,742.27 for Welle project Pay Application No. 5
• Discussion on Welle Street signs and traffic control
• Discussion regarding an engineering firm
• Review of claims report totaling $63,718.47
• Proposed equipment pricing for virtual meetings in the small conference room

The council approved the purchase of four stop signs and temporary speed bumps for the Welle Addition, adopted a $55,742.27 pay application for the Welle IV project, and selected a new city attorney. It also approved the purchase of a $7,000 side‑by‑side vehicle for public works, chose a more extensive culvert repair option, and decided to keep SEH as the engineering firm.

• Approved purchase of four stop signs and temporary speed bumps (4-0)
• Approved pay application No. 5 to Kuechle Underground for $55,742.27 (vote not recorded)
• Approved purchase of old side‑by‑side vehicle for $7,000 (5-0)
• Approved more extensive repair option 2 for Industrial Drive culvert (4-0)
• Decided to continue using SEH for engineering services (no vote recorded)
• Appointed Joe Krueger of Quinlivan & Hughes as city attorney (4-0)
• Adjourned the meeting (4-0)

City Council

The council voted to adopt a Planned Unit Development amendment permitting C. Nelson to build twin homes in the Welle IV area. It also approved the mural ordinance addendum, a $14,372 upgrade to the fire department's pump system, renewal of the Lamar billboard contract at $515 per month, and a $1,776.50 payment for the streetlighting project. All motions carried unanimously.

• PUD amendment allowing twin homes in Welle IV (approved)
• Mural Ordinance Addendum (Ordinance 2025-03) approved
• Fire department pump upgrade contract $14,372 approved
• Lamar billboard contract renewal $515/month approved
• Streetlighting project payment request $1,776.50 approved

The council approved the agenda and consent agenda unanimously. It voted 5‑0 to buy an old fire side‑by‑side for $7,000 for public works use. The council also approved sending out a request for proposals to potential candidates, and then adjourned the meeting.

• Approved agenda (5-0)
• Approved consent agenda (5-0)
• Approved purchase of old side‑by‑side for public works for $7,000 (5-0)
• Approved sending out RFP to potential candidates (5-0)
• Adjourned meeting (5-0)

City Council

The Freeport City Council will discuss several new business items, including a PUD amendment to allow twin homes in the Welle IV Addition and a resolution renewing liquor licenses. They will also act on old business such as awarding the refuse contract to Borgmann Disposal Services and purchasing two AED machines for the Community Center and Lions Park. Additional items include authorizing repairs to a broken drainage pipe up to $4,700.

• PUD amendment for Welle IV twin homes (new business)
• Resolution 2025-08 – Liquor license renewals (new business)
• Award of refuse contract to Borgmann Disposal Services (3‑2 vote)
• Purchase of two AED machines for Community Center and Lions Park
• Authorize repair of broken drainage pipe up to $4,700

The council unanimously approved several actions, including a PUD amendment that allows twin homes to be built in the Welle IV area. They also adopted a workplace safety policy, renewed the Lamar billboard contract, hired a new fire member, and approved a pump upgrade for the fire truck. Additional approvals covered a combined park fund, a mural ordinance amendment, and liquor license renewals.

• Renewed Lamar billboard contract $515/mo (5-0)
• Hired fire member Ethan Harren (5-0)
• Approved $14,372 pump upgrade for fire truck (5-0)
• Approved PUD amendment for twin homes in Welle IV (5-0)
• Combined North End and South End Park Funds into a single Park Fund (5-0)
• Amended city code to regulate murals (Ordinance 2025-03) (5-0)
• Approved 2025-08 resolution renewing liquor licenses (5-0)
• Adopted AWAIR workplace accident & injury reduction policy (motion carried)

City Council

The Freeport City Council will discuss a code addendum for regulating murals, hear updates on the long‑term plan, consider refuse‑collection contract proposals, evaluate pricing for a new AED at the Community Center, and receive a pay‑equity report. The council also approved payment of a $896 furnace repair bill for the Senior Center.

• Mural ordinance addendum presented for council review (Agenda item IV‑d)
• Long Term Plan presentation by Vicki Holthaus (Agenda item V‑a)
• Refuse collection contracts RFPs received; recommendation to be made (Agenda item V‑c)
• AED machine replacement options and funding sources discussed (Agenda item V‑d)
• Pay Equity Report presented (Agenda item VI‑b)

The council voted 3‑2 to award the city’s refuse contract to Borgmann Disposal Services. It also approved a $4,700 limit for repairs to a broken drainage pipe, accepted a donated shed with $300 moving costs, and authorized advertising for bids on the CSAH 11 sidewalk project. Two AED machines for the Community Center and Lions Park were purchased, and the City’s Pay Equity Report was approved for submission to the state.

• Awarded refuse contract to Borgmann Disposal Services (3‑2 voice vote)
• Authorized repairs to broken drainage pipe up to $4,700 (motion carried)
• Accepted donated shed and approved $300 moving cost (motion carried)
• Authorized advertising for bids on CSAH 11 Sidewalk Project (motion carried)
• Approved purchase of two AED machines for Community Center and Lions Park (motion carried)
• Approved City Pay Equity Report for state submission (motion carried)
• Approved agenda (motion carried)
• Approved consent agenda (motion carried)

City Council

The Freeport City Council will consider approving the 2026 budget for the Freeport Area Fire Service, which includes projected revenues of $219,772 and expenditures of $219,772. The meeting agenda also includes approving previous council meeting minutes and a public forum.

• 2026 Fire Department Budget Approval
• Approval of September 26, 2023 Council Minutes
• Approval of January 27, 2025 Council Minutes
• Public Forum
• Clerk-Treasurer Report

City Council

The City Council will consider a new ordinance to regulate cannabis businesses, including zoning for retailers, wholesalers, and cultivators. The meeting also includes a variance request for a residential building and the swearing-in of city officials.

• Public hearing on Ordinance 2025-01 regarding cannabis business regulations and zoning
• Variance request for an accessory building at 213 2nd Ave NW to be 19 feet, 8 inches high
• Ordinance 2025-02 regarding the city fee schedule
• Resolutions 2025-01 and 2025-02 designating FSB and Magnifi as official depositories
• Oath of office for Mayor Mike Eveslage and Councilors Nick Arnzen and Jake Renneker