Lanesboro City Council
Monday, July 16, 2007
Council Chambers at 5:30 p.m.

Present: Steve Rahn, Tom Dybing, Joe O’Connor, Vince Jeanette and Kevin Drake
Visitors: John Torgrimson, Robert Thompson, Hal Cropp, Julie Kiehne, Lisa Brainard, Andy Drake, Greg Qually, Rocky Hadorff, John Levelle, Jeff & Julie Norby

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Steve Rahn.
Additions to the agenda included Hal Cropp from the Commonweal, Lawn Mower Replacement, Junk Letters, CIP Plan/Meeting Change and a closed meeting at the end of the meeting for “preliminary personnel issues”.

O’Connor made motion to approve the amended agenda, second Dybing, motion carried.

The minutes, from the July 2nd, 2007 meeting, were approved with a motion from Dybing, second O’Connor, motion carried.
The minutes, from the public hearing, were approved with a motion by Drake, second Jeanette, motion carried.

PERSONS WITH BUSINESS BEFORE THE COUNCIL:
Robert Thompson – Water Problems in the Park
Robert is here on behalf of the PAL committee for the improvement of the Park. He is asking for a resolution from the Council to help solve the problem water problem by the tennis courts. Two different companies have been here to offer solutions to solve the problem. Thompson asked if the council would pass a resolution to solve the water problem. Rough estimate is around $5,000 for the tiling, which includes $6.00/ft for the tiling and the digging. Dybing noted that the Council definitely wants it solved, but Dybing doesn’t feel it should be a blank check. Rahn noted that resolving the Water Issue seems to be on a high priority list for the Park Department. Drake made motion to support fixing the drainage problem in the Park, second O’Connor, motion carried.
Andy Drake – Fire Department
Drake is asking to have the street closed again for the Friday night Street dance of Buffalo Bill Days and also would like a 2 day liquor license. Jeanette made motion to approve both, second Dybing, motion carried.
Julie Kiehne: A Prairie Home Companion & Buffalo Bill Days
A Prairie Home Companion was a great success and Julie wants to extend a thank you to everyone that helped out! The APHC people were so thankful and were excited to be in Lanesboro. Financially, businesses felt a boost and increased visitor hits on the website, which may cause an increase in return visits. Lanesboro’s show was heard by 4 million listeners. The profit of the event was under a $1,000 for the event; however the City took out a rain policy for which they collected $10,000 legitimately. The APHC Committee wanted the money to go to benefit the entire community. When donations were requested from volunteers it was noted that improvements would be made to the kitchen in the Community Center, tables and chairs would be purchased for the Community Center and possibly Christmas decorations. A suggestion was made by Kiehne, on behalf of the APHC committee, that the refrigerator for the Community Center be bought and then the balance should be the matching for the TMI funds. The money is City money and the City Council will have to decide what to do with the funds. O’Connor said the group did a tremendous job. Kiehne is asking that once the money is decided as to how to be allocated to let her know so that they can have the money taken care of. There was no action at this time. Kiehne also asked for the closing of the streets for the Classic Car Show, the same as last year. Dybing made motion to allow the closing of the streets for the Classic Car Show, second Jeanette, motion carried.
Hal Cropp – Commonweal Theatre
Hal Cropp thanked the Council for all the City has done to help the new Commonweal. Just wants to say thanks, and invited all members to come to the theatre.
Trail Issues – Persons before Council
John Levelle – the project was originally asked for public funding, at a Council meeting, now it’s privately being done. Private project, Levelle feels it is a back door issue that has already been started; he asked why would the City want to be shoved into this? Levelle strongly urges not to have the City take over the trail. Rocky Hadorff, stated that contacts need to be made with the DOT & the DNR, and other concerns still need to be addressed. O’Connor noted that no permission has been given to cut any brush on City property and until an engineered drawing is presented there is really no decision that the Council can make. Torgerson noted that she will contact all interested parties that were present when this item is on the agenda.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Library- July 9th- Jeanette
Torgerson came before the Library Board to discuss the financials of 2006, Pay Equity and hiring a new Library Director. Jeanette was unable to attend, so there was no report on the rest of the meeting.
EDA – July 9th – O’Connor
Went over 20/20 plan and discussed a shop locally campaign for Grocery, Gas, etc.

HOUSEKEEPING:
Paying of the bills
O’Connor made motion to pay the proposed bills, second Dybing, motion carried.
Administrator’s Report
Torgerson gave review of the City financials and updated Council on a recent employee accident with a lawn mower. She showed the Council a breakdown of the mower replacement and asked for a motion to approve the lawn mower replacement. Rahn made motion to dispose of old and purchase new based on the insurance break down, second Jeanette, motion carried. Jeanette made motion to let Jerod Wagner have the old mower for $1,000, second O’Connor, motion carried.
Budgeting 2008
Torgerson noted that it is time to begin the budgeting process. She asked if the Council wanted to have separate meetings or to individually come to her to discuss budget issues. Rahn noted that each Council member could come in to discuss budget issues with Torgerson.
Junk Letters
Torgerson asked the Council to table the decision on letters due to setbacks due to City Office staffing. Dybing made motion to table the Junk letters until the next meeting, second Jeanette, motion carried.
CIP Meeting / Mike Bubany
O’Connor made motion to move the second meeting in August to Thursday, August 23rd, Second Dybing, motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT:
At 6:23pm O’Connor made motion to adjourn regular meeting for closed session, Dybing second, motion carried.

 

 

CLOSED MEETING:
O’Connor made motion to open closed meeting.

Discussed Health Concerns and Confidential Medical Information of a City employee and the need for office replacement staff were discussed.

Dybing made motion to close the closed meeting, second Jeanette, motion carried.

RE-OPEN REGULAR MEETING:
O’Connor made motion to re-open Regular meeting, second Dybing, motion carried. Torgerson asked reporters to come back to opened meeting.

Manion corrected his prior statement that the meeting was closed for Personnel Disciplinary reasons; rather the meeting was closed for Confidential Medical Information of a City employee:
O’Connor made motion to allow Torgerson to hire temporary, part-time staff to maintain office operations, Jeanette second, motion carried.

With no further business at 6:35 p.m., Jeanette made motion to adjourn, second Rahn, motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Bobbie Torgerson
City Administrator

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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