Lanesboro City Council Regular Meeting
Monday, November 10th, 2008
Council Chambers at 5:30 p.m.

Present: Drake, Jeannette, Rahn & Dybing
Absent: O’Connor
Visitors: Dillon Dombrovski and Mike Lynch from Yaggy Colby, David and Melanie Haugen, Robert & Marilyn Thompson, Harriet Dollar, John Dollar, Pat Fasbender, Cheryl and Mike Abelman, Bob Olson, Kelly Jean Ohl, Betty Connolly, Bob Connolly, Ceil Allen, David Huisengea, Margaret McKernan, Phil Holtegaard, Irvin Holtegaard, Gary & Wanda Grebin, Lisa Brainard & Jade Wangen

PUBLIC HEARING:
The public hearing was called to order by Mayor Rahn. Mayor Rahn asked Dillon Dombrovski from Yaggy to give an overview of the projects and the final assessment rolls. The hearing was held for those property owners to review their assessments and give them the opportunity to submit a written appeal and question their assessments. Before the public began to speak Vickerman noted that she has received an appeal notice from Harriet Dollar and one from Robert and Marilyn Thompson. Mayor Steve Rahn opened up the floor for public comments.

John Dollar spoke on behalf of his mother. He stated that he was concerned with the change in her dollar amount from the preliminary to the final. Dombrovski noted that in the preliminary assessment, Dollar was listed as a property that had their side lot being affected by the assessment which is a different calculation. However, for the final it was noted that her front lot is actually facing Whittier so the calculation changed. Dombrovski noted however that once Kenilworth is reconstructed the property would not cost anything. Dollar responded stating that everything she has comes from other areas than Whittier yet she is paying for it and it is not fair.

Robert Thompson questioned the engineering of the curbs and water run off. He was also questioning as to why water hookups were duplicated for the one that he already has. Dombrovski explained that the service shut off near his house is his own and the one in the right away is the City’s. Thompson noted that his approach was new and did not need replacement and he felt with the approach and the curb, which the contractor was trying to get more business.

Bob Olson asked why he was charged so much for his concrete approach, because he checked on prices locally and it would have been cheaper. Vickerman explained that the numbers he was sharing was for a 4” thick approach whereas; the approach that was installed is a 6” approach.

Phil Holtegaard questioned the price increases as well for bituminous and concrete. He stated that he checked locally as well and felt that the prices were way too high. He also asked why it took so long from the preliminary assessment hearing to the contract release. He stated that had the bids happened prior to the hearing or shortly after the prices would not have been higher, since they did not go up until June. He questioned how the City could give preliminary assessments yet the finals are so much higher. Vickerman and Dombrovski explained the process outlined by state statutes for the improvement and assessment process.

Ceil Allen questioned the substantial change in her assessment. Dombrovski was unsure of why her change was so significant; he thought it could be due to her cement apron. Vickerman noted that we could have her approach remeasured.

Robert Thompson stated that he asked the Council to shelf the project long ago and felt that property taxes should be used for improvements. He felt the projects are being pushed by the engineers so that they can get the percentage of profit from the projects. Dombrovski stated that the engineer works on a not to exceed amount, not a percentage, Vickerman confirmed that the engineer indeed works at a not to exceed price. Mayor Rahn noted that the Council can only bond with at least 20% assessments based on state statute. He stated that this is the only way that these projects can be done. Vickerman stated that it would be impossible to do projects through property taxes, due to the high costs and without assessing we can not bond either.
Gary Grebin questioned the assessments of the improvements. Dybing noted that just the improvements are not how the assessors adjust property values. He stated many factors such as comparables, market differences and recent sales come into play when property values are determined.

Cheryl Abelman noted that she is waiting for her appraisal to come back as to whether she plans to appeal the assessments. She stated that if her husband was not home during the work, they would have had an incorrect driveway approach. They felt that the contractor was not communicating with the residents.
After no more comments, Mayor Rahn noted that this has not been an easy process for the Council; however the City is unable to make improvements without this process.

ADJOURN PUBLIC HEARING:
Drake made a motion to adjourn the public hearing, second by Dybing, motion carried.

REGULAR MEETING:
The regular meeting was called to order by Mayor Rahn.
The agenda was approved with a motion by Jeannette, with the removal of the Hazard Mitigation Resolution, second by Dybing, motion carried.
The minutes from the Regular Meeting on November 3rd were approved with a motion by Jeannette, second Dybing, motion carried.

PERSONS WITH BUSINESS BEFORE THE COUNCIL:
N/A

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
N/A

HOUSEKEEPING:
Paying of the Bills: Vickerman noted that since the second meeting is so early that not all of the bills have came in. She asked the council to approve payments of the normal bills and that any bills that are questionable be held back until next meeting. Drake made motion to have Vickerman pay bills using her judgment, second Jeannette, motion carried.

Resolution for the Assessments for Capital Improvements: Vickerman presented a resolution to approve the assessment roles for the capital improvements. Drake made motion to approve the resolution, second Jeannette, motion carried. Dybing abstained due to having a property that is being assessed. Vickerman noted the property owners that have appealed the process and have 30 days to notify her of their intent to appeal. Those submitting appeal letters were: Ceil Allen, Mike and Cheryl Abelman, Pat Fasbender, Irvin and Phil Holtegaard, Bob Olson, Harriet Dollar and Robert and Marilyn Thompson.

Canvassing Election Results: Drake made motion to canvass the election results and approve Mayor Steve Rahn for a Mayor two year term, Joe O’Connor for a two year term, Tom Dybing for a four year term and Ceil Allen for a four year term., second Jeannette, motion carried.

FEMA Contracts: Vickerman noted she received the FEMA contracts from the state and needs to sign them for any reimbursement. Dybing made motion to approve Vickerman to sign the FEMA contracts presented, second Jeannette, motion carried.

PTO Donation: Vickerman told the Council that an employee wished to donate 15 days to her for her maternity leave. Vickerman stated that we have it in our policy, however we do not have it outlined as to how it works, and Vickerman felt that it would be fair to determine the donation based on hourly wages as to how it transfers to other employees. Dybing noted that the County does a dollar for dollar donation. Vickerman stated she would work on the transfer for the next meeting.

Veteran’s Day: Vickerman noted that the office would be closed the following day due to Veteran’s Day.
Citizen’s Comments: None were given, however Mayor Rahn thanked Mike Lynch and Dillon Dombrovski for their assistance.

ADJOURN REGULAR MEETING:
At 7:25pm, Jeannette made a motion to adjourn the regular Meeting, second Dybing, motion carried.

Respectfully Submitted By:

Bobbie Vickerman – City Administrator/Clerk