Lanesboro City Council & Public Hearing
Monday, May 21st 2007
Council Chambers, 5:30 pm.

Present: Steve Rahn, Joe O’Connor, Tom Dybing and Vince Jeannette
Absent: Kevin Drake
Visitors: Wanda Hanson, Jan Meyer, Mark Brewster, Jill Underwood, Rick Pottebaum, Kristin Mensink, Dave& Lynn Susag, Kevin & Shawn Fitzgerald, Robert Knutson, Rick Darling, Hal & Simon Cropp, Blaise Blass, Robert Thompson, Lloyd Johnson, Joy Harris and Don Wangen

The Public Hearing was called to order by Mayor Rahn.
The Pubic Hearing was requested by Mark Brewster for rezoning on Elmwood Street.
Rahn opened the floor for any comments or concerns.
Jill Underwood stated that she lived next door and fully supported what he wanted to do and approved of it for rezoning for running a lodging establishment.
Kevin Fitzgerald lives at 301 Coffee Street and voiced that he believes that Brewster really has done a lot for the community and approves of his plans.
Hal Cropp also approved of the application for rezoning for lodging.
Torgerson reported that the City office received a call from Dick and Lisa Thoen that morning and said that they would be out of town that evening and said they are against the rezoning and would attend any meeting if there was any more held on this issue. Their property would be rezoned with this request also.
The meeting was than closed with a motion from from O’Connor, second Dybing, and motion carried.

The Regular meeting was called to order by Mayor Rahn.
Additions to the agenda included Rick Darling under persons with business, under housekeeping discussion of the rezoning.
Dybing made motion to approve the amended agenda, second O’Connor, motion carried.
The minutes from the May 7th meeting were approved with a motion from O’Connor, second Jeannette, motion carried.

Persons with business before the Council
Holt Township- Robert Knutson
Knutson represented the Holt Township Board, he brought with him historical paperwork including meeting minutes and letters to document the city took responsibility for the road in 1991.
Rahn asked why the township had not come to previous meeting to discuss this and his feelings are that he is getting two stories here, referring to Tom Manions letter.
Dybing reported that he had looked at the County Recorders office and added that he felt it was poor tax policy for the city to be responsible for a road on which no city taxpayers live.
O’Connor stated lets close the loops and move on from here.
Due to a council member and City Attorney Manion both being absent it was tabled until the next meeting.
Rick Darling- Das Wurst- Grilling on Sidewalk
Jeannette made motion for Darling to grill and serve food on the sidewalk, along with some music on June 1st and 2nd for the Rhubarb Fest, second Dybing, and motion carried.
Lloyd Johnson- Audit Report 2007
Johnson did a walk through of some of the portions of the report. Overall the City’s financial condition is better than last year; the complete report is available at the City Office.
The only thing that was pointed out was that Minnesota State Statutes required two quotes or more on sealed bids.
Torgerson said that because a trade-in has involved, and so they simply dealt with the original dealer, which they have always done.
Johnson also noted that there are some deficit funds, which need to have monies transferred in to them in order to close them, but overall he felt the City was doing well.
Committee Reports
P.U. –Torgerson
P.U. talked about the upcoming upgrades and new contracts for energy and wheeling.
Park Board- Rahn
Dybing made motion to approve Marge Drake to serve on the Park Board, second Jeannette, motion carried.
Colleen Mortimer discussed with the board lodging tax on the campgrounds.
The group also discussed the upcoming Rhubarb Fest and Prairie Home Companion visit.
Library- No Report
Housekeeping
Dybing made motion to pay the presented bills, second Rahn, motion carried
Administrator’s Report
Torgerson asked the council to review the audit and if they have any questions to get back to her.
Employees Insurance
Right now each employee receives $450.00 toward their insurance, and has not been increased in more than 8 years.
Torgerson asked for an increase starting as soon as possible, along with the City paying the administration fees for the new insurance.
Rahn made motion to table the matter until the next meeting when they have a full council, second Jeannette, motion carried.
Seal Coat & Asphalt Bids
Dybing made motion to accept Dunn for blacktopping and Hardline Asphalt for seal coating, second Jeannette, motion carried.
Downtown Garage Issues
It has been an on going issue with the dumpsters and garbage in the alley behind the businesses on Parkway. The City is working with Waste Management on the matter.
Park Shelter Replacement
Jeannette made motion for Norse Valley construction to replace the shelter in the park at a cost of $3,900, second Dybing, motion carried.
The park has not budgeted for this so it will come out of the operating revenue account under general fund.
Public Hearing Discussion
Jeannette made motion to table a decision on the Holt Township issue until there is a full council and City Attorney is present, second Dybing, motion carried.
Citizens Comments
Rick Pottebaum- Right- of- way
Pottebaum said he received notice that he was to remove a culvert in the City right-of-way or be fined. He explained that drainage water running down the hill will wash away his driveway and the culvert would prevent this.
Torgerson explained she thought the issue was cleaning personal property out of the road right-of-way.
Rahn also agreed he did not know anything on the matter of removing a culvert.
He questioned why the City just could not call him rather than spend the taxpayer’s money of having court delivered documents.
Torgerson that we explained that we have been dealing with Pottebaum issues for 3 years, she would check with Manion on the details of the paperwork.
He asked about the removal of the Golf Club sign as people are coming to his house thinking it is the Golf Courses Clubhouse.

With no further business at 7:15 p.m., Jeannette made a motion to adjourn, second Dying, motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,
Rita Peterson

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City of Lanesboro Steven L. Rahn, Mayor | Bobbie Vickerman, City Administrator 202 Parkway Avenue South - - Lanesboro, MN 55949 507-467-3722 | lanesboro@acegroup.cc