Lanesboro City Council & Public Hearing
Monday, August 7th, 2006
Council chambers, 5:30 p.m.

Present: Steve Rahn, Tom Dybing, Joe O’Connor, Robert Norby and Kevin Drake
Visitors: Kate O’Neary and friend, Charles & Gloria Ruen, Roger Jorgenson, Duane Benson, Michelle Redalen, Pat Gemlo, Jackie Rehm, Peter Torkelson, Bonnie Handmacher, Rick Daley, Liz Bucheit, Michael-jon Pease, Andy Drake, Lisa Brainard, Wanda Hanson, Lee Peterson, Keith Burmeister, Roger Hegland, Jeff Hanson, Mark Hanson, Bev Hanson, Tom Manion, Ferne Brewster and Alex Hall

Mayor Steve Rahn called the Public Hearing to order.
He stated that the City has 3 options.
1) Apply for Roads of Regional Significance Grant. This would cost the City up front at least $12,000 to start with. The City would be responsible for all of the engineering fees and administrative fees if they did get the grant, which would cost close to $100,000. Also, there is only a small portion of applications that are selected from a large group of applications.
2) Work with a contractor, such as Minnowa, to widen the road approximately 22-24’ with a guard rail along the edge. This could run around $150,000.
3) Continue to minimally maintain this road or eventually close it due to its inability to handle the traffic and the liability it could or may cause the City.

Torgerson read a letter from Duane and Melissa Benson asking the City to take lead in this project.
Joe O’Connor after talking to Marlin Miner, a local resident, who felt the City should not spend any money on this project.
Kate O’Neary expressed her concerns that the road was there since the conception of the town, and should be kept the way it is or have it just a one-way road. Also commented that people knew what that road was like when they moved out there.
Pat Gemlo questioned what affect it would have on the taxpayers.
Rahn said any fixing would probably be around a 10% increase to each taxpayer for one year.
Also in his opinion he felt they had a slim chance in getting the Roads of Significance Grant.
Ferne Brewster asked what would happen if they made the road so that you could go 30 miles per hour, along with why not just stabilize what is out there. City could spend some money on yearly maintenance.
Rahn stated that the county needs also to replace that bridge out there.
Kate O’Neary’s commented that it sounds like two evils, now you want to destroy a historic bridge too.
Mark Hanson said that he is hearing two different stories here, and in his opinion 2 of the options would work.
Duane Benson stated that the bridge limit right now is only 6 ton. He also stated that he really believes if they work together something could get done, hopefully one of the options is not to close the road. Roger Jorgenson questioned who owns the right of way on the southeast corner.
Torgerson added that if they are going to do any work with the road, they are required to get bids for anything over $50,000.

At 6:00 p.m., Dybing made motion to adjourn the public hearing, second O’Connor, motion carried.

Mayor Rahn called the regular meeting to order.
Additions to the agenda included Michael-Jon Pease & Liz Bucheit to present on the affect of art in Lanesboro and Roger Hegland who wishes to thank Lanesboro for their hospitality during the MS Bike Tram. The amended agenda was approved with a motion from O’Connor, second Norby, motion carried.
The minutes from the July 17th meeting were approved with a motion from Norby, second Dybing, motion carried.

Persons with business before the council
Michael-jon Pease and Liz Bucheit- The Arts
The Arts are a driving force in Minnesota’s Economy, its simple: the nonprofit arts and culture are an important industry, contribute to Minnesota’s bottom line, and help to create vibrant local economies throughout the state.
Just in the Southeast the total economic impact: $17,854,752, creating 510 full time equivalent jobs.
These are some of the findings in the 2006 study. Michael Jon wanted to express to the Council to look over the information provided and that he hopes the Council plans to bring the information into the comprehensive plan as we look towards Lanesboro’s future.
Roger Hagland-MS Tram
A big thank you was extended to the City of Lanesboro for helping with the 2006 MS Tram.
Andrew Drake- Firemen’s Pull Tabs
Dybing made motion to approve a second site for pull tabs at the Parkway Pub, second Norby, motion carried.
ACE Telephone- Franchise Agreement
O’Connor made motion to approve the franchise agreement with ACE, second Dybing, motion carried.

Committee Reports
Planning & Zoning- July 25th- Norby
Discussion on replacement for one member of the board.
Building and Zoning permits were reviewed.
Plan on interacting more with the public utilities for zoning permits.
EDA-August 7th-O’Connor
Update on the Comprehensive planning from Carla Noack.
At the meeting were Phil Dybing and Michael-jon Pease who are looking for a new home for Cornucopia, along with Fillmore County representation from Chris Gastner.
Public Utilities-July 18th- Drake
Talked about rate changes and making small increases. Also talked about energy supplies.
Housekeeping
Ox Trail Road
After discussion, Norby made motion to find out the legal description of the property and the ownership of the SW corner of the right-of-way, second Rahn, motion carried.
Budget
Torgerson and Rahn have met and are considering some of the factors of fuel costs, insurance & etc.
With Commonweal running in 2007 it may have impact on public utilities and street repairs.
New Copy Machine
O’Connor made motion to authorize leasing a new copy machine, second Norby, motion carried.
Election Judges
Lanesboro Holt Whalan
Teri Benson Chris Gudmundson Lolly Melander
Rita Peterson Marilyn Erickson Lois Berkvam
Julia Borgen Robert Knutson
Dale Forster Loren Berge
Bobbie Torgerson Donnie Ruen
Harriet Lawstuen Audrey Overland
Roy Rogers Corraine Hager

Other possible election judges for Lanesboro are as follows:
Doris Grindland, Kary Kilmer, Frank Wright, Eliza Mitchell or Paul Fakler, these judges have not been contacted as of yet.
Drake made motion to approve the judges for both the general and primary elections, second O’Connor, motion carried.
Overview Buffalo Bill Days
Overall things went well.
Norby commented that he has heard from several people that it is getting to be more like Octoberfest with the excessive drinking, would be nice to get more family events.
Manion made the comment that in order to enforce some of the things ordinances would have to be put in place.
Maybe more signage would also help. Council will ask to meet with Buffalo Bill Day Committee in early Winter.

With no further business at 7:00p.m., Dybing made motion to adjourn, second O’Connor, 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