Lanesboro City Council
Monday, October 1st, 2007
Council Chambers at 5:30 p.m.

Present: Steve Rahn, Joe O’Connor, Kevin Drake and Vince Jeannette

Absent: Tom Dybing

Visitors: Lisa Brainard, John Torgrimson and Gary Grebin

REGULAR MEETING:
The regular meeting was called to order by Mayor Steve Rahn.
The agenda was approved, with the additions of Gary Grebin replat, Online Banking, Sales Tax Update and Administrator’s name change, and the removal of items A and B under Person with Business, with a motion by O’Connor, second by Jeanette, motion carried.
The minutes from Public Hearing and the regular City Council on September 17th, 2007 were approved with a motion from Drake, second Jeanette, motion carried.

PERSONS WITH BUSINESS BEFORE THE COUNCIL:
Gary Grebin: Southern Hills Subdivision – Request for either a replat or vacation of the dedicated roadway:
Grebin had gone before the Planning and zoning, for which was then asked to come before the Council. Grebin noted that there is a 33 foot roadway that was deeded to the City when the subdivision was developed. Grebin is asking to make that road way a part of the properties of the subdivision. He has a buyer for one of the said properties; however the buyer will not go ahead with the purchase due to the possibility of having a roadway behind them. Grebin is trying to find out what the best possible way is to do that. Manion noted that Lanesboro does not have a replat process in place; however there is precedence for the procedure. Manion had stated that Grebin should obtain a petition from all land owners of the subdivision before a replat could be considered. Grebin noted that he had received all of the signatures. Drake noted that a 33 foot road would not necessarily be in the public’s interest, but that easements for future utilities may be beneficial. O’Connor made a motion to schedule a public hearing on vacating the 33 foot street with the City retaining the entire 33 feet as an easement for current and future public utilities, second Drake, motion carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Public Utilities: Drake noted that the Public Utilities discussed the Football Field Project across the river. They also discussed hiring an engineer. They are working on a grant program for the improvements to the Hydro. The new energy contract is also almost complete.
Park: Torgerson reported that the Park Commission went through the building, looking at the gym, meeting room, dining room, bathrooms, etc. The Commission also went out to the bath house to see its condition. The Park Commission plans to set up a winter project plan.
P&Z: Torgerson reported that the Planning and Zoning reviewed Grebin’s request and felt that actual City planning needed to be looked at for this request. Also, Gordon Tisdal and his wife are looking at putting up a boxcar diner in town; they would like to put one in between Amish Experience and Crown Trout. Discussed a possible building permit violation and noted that the attorney was working on it.
EDA: O’Connor reported that 14 business members attended the EDA meeting. The EDA discussed the role of the business sector in the Lanesboro 20/20 plan. Also discussed what the priorities of the EDA should be in the future. Discussed sponsoring upcoming trainings and providing continuing support of the Chamber.

HOUSEKEEPING:
CIP Plan:
Torgerson handed out the revised CIP Plans and asked the Council to review prior to the next meeting. The areas for which need to be reviewed and acted on are the 1) assessment policy 2) bonding decision and 3) project definition and selection. The local sales tax option will be very valuable; O’Connor noted that we still need to continue to take action towards getting the local sales tax. Torgerson noted that we can ask our state representatives to carry the legislation for us again and then we can have the election question on the ballot next fall. Rahn noted that he would like to see the legislation worked on and to the local representatives by the end of the year.
Insurance Renewal
Torgerson noted that we needed to renew our property and liability insurance. Her recommendation was to keep the same coverage as prior years. Rahn made a motion to renew the insurance as is, second Jeanette, motion carried.
Audit Proposal:
Torgerson noted that the Audit proposal has the same price as last year. She recommended accepting the audit proposal from Lloyd Johnson, CPA. O’Connor made motion to accept the proposal from Lloyd Johnson, CPA, second Jeanette, motion carried.
Christmas Decorations:
Torgerson noted that the outline lights were a temporary fix of Christmas lights until the new light poles could be installed. Torgerson and Wagner are suggesting green garland with white lights around the 10 new poles with lanterns hanging on each pole off of the flower basket hangers and also white/silver garland for the lights on Coffee Street. Also, they are recommending the purchase of a pre-made garland/wreath/lantern arrangement to hang across the Bank and Pedal Pushers as long as the buildings can handle the arrangement and the owners are alright with them being hung off of their respective buildings. Jeanette made motion to approve the Christmas decorations plan, second O’Connor, motion carried.
Fundraiser for Rushford – Fiscal Agent:
Torgerson noted that the “Friends of Rushford” needed a fiscal agent so that they could use a credit card machine for the event. Torgerson recommended that the City be the fiscal agent and that the Buffalo Bill Days account be the account that is used to put the money into. Rahn made motion for the City to be the fiscal agent and to have the Buffalo Bill Day as the account that is used for the event, second O’Connor, motion carried.
Online Banking and Direct Deposits:
Torgerson noted that she would like to begin using online banking for the City and Utilities accounts. Also, she would like to begin the usage of direct deposits for payroll checks. O’Connor made motion for Torgerson to process the paperwork to have the accounts be visible for online banking and also to have direct deposits done, second Jeanette, motion carried.
Administrator Name Change:
Due to the upcoming nuptials, Torgerson asked the Council to approve the process of beginning to change Torgerson’s name on the bank accounts, business cards, etc. Drake made motion for Torgerson to change her name to Vickerman on all accounts and any other items necessary, second Jeanette, motion carried.
Local Sales Tax:
Rahn noted that this was talked about earlier for the CIP plan. Rahn made a motion that we definitely needed to proceed with working with legislators and making sure we get the question on the ballot, second O’Connor, motion carried.
Sales Barn:
The Sales Barn, working with the MPCA and the County, has asked to put in an underground tank that catches run off and is pumped out and hauled out. Jeanette made motion to give permission for the tank, second Drake, motion carried. O’Connor abstained from voting due to his business relationship with the Sales Barn.
Citizens Comments
There were no citizen comments.

With no further business at 6:39 p.m., O’Connor made motion to adjourn, second Jeanette, motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Bobbie Torgerson

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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