Lanesboro City Council
Monday, October 16th, 2006
Council chambers, 5:30 p.m.

Present: Steve Rahn, Joe O’Connor, Tom Dybing, Robert Norby and Kevin Drake
Absent: None
Visitors: Carla Noack, Wanda Hanson, Lisa Brainard, Jim Peterson, Steve Klotz, Julia Brogan and Tom Manion

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Steve Rahn.
The agenda was approved with a motion from Dybing, second Drake, motion carried.
The minutes from the October 2nd meeting were approved with a motion from Drake, second O’Connor, motion carried.

Persons with business before the Council
Fire Chief- Jim Peterson
Peterson recommended to the council for Trent Eide to replace Lance Papenfuss on the Fire Department.
Norby made motion to approve the replacement, second Dybing, motion carried.
Peterson said the department foresees no big purchases in the future.
Currently they are working on a grass rig; the total cost will be under $50,000, a significant saving over purchasing a ready made one, which would cost in the area of $100,000-$150,000.
Other than replacing shingles on the roof of the fire hall, Peterson said they have no plans of any other major projects.
Torgerson presented Peterson with a mug for his 20 years of service to the City, as a Public Utilities employee.
Ambulance Director- Steve Klotz
Klotz reported that they have 19 certified EMT’s, but will be losing 6-7 members leaving in March. W e need to look at replacing them, the biggest problem is to find people to recruit.
Rahn commented that some of the problem is due to all state mandates.
The city may ask years commitment or else they maybe required to pay back the $600 training fee. Another suggestion from Klotz was to raise the ambulance rates, Lanesboro charges much less than surrounding areas.
Medicare will pay $8.50 a mile, and Lanesboro charges $5.00 less plus a low base rate.
O’Connor pointed out that they need to accumulate funds for future purchases, such as a separate building for the ambulance
Klotz said that they will probably need to order 6 new pagers this spring, and hope that the grant that was applied for by the Fire department is received than the Fire department would be able to give e the old pagers to the ambulance members.

Committee Reports
Library- Dybing
Friends of the Library reported that the book sale took in $1075.00 more this year than any other year.
Park- Rahn
Year to end financials reported, along with up date on fishing pier that will be looked at next spring.
There was a fire in the bath house the night before, will repair enough to get by for the time.

Housekeeping
Paying of Bills
Norby made motion to pay the bills, second O’Connor, motion carried.
Administrator’s report
Torgerson reported that the City is doing well with cash & savings and are on track with the Statement of revenues & Expenses.
Torgerson explain if a local tax was put in effect it would help pay for capital improvements and possible improvements to the building to help the inefficient heating and cooling system in the City Hall.
Ox Trail Road Update- Rahn
Rahn reported that he went to the Carrolton Township Meeting, and they have no interest in widening the road unless it is built to State standards.
The township is now considering purchasing land so the road can go across the top.
The township wanted to know if the City would be willing to contribute to the new road construction.
Dybing stated that he got a call from a resident who was concerned with the City funding a township road.
Norby commented that the segment does not reach city limits, but can see that there will be some expense.
O’Connor stated that there is an obligation to the Ox Trail road for public safety, and could possibly start with a guard rail and repairing the road to minimum maintenance standards.
Drake stated that something surely has to be done out there.
Torgerson will get some bids for widening the road enough to put in guard rails and also will present the minimum maintenance road requirement and existing 5 year plan.
Intern Job Description and Compensation
O’Connor made motion for Torgerson to proceed with hiring a student to help with comprehensive planning and tabulating and evaluating the survey results, and pay the student $7.50 per hour for the time spent, second Dybing, motion carried.
Survey delivery
Will meet after tonight’s meeting to hand out surveys.
Encouraging people to fill them out on line if possible.
Junk Ordiance Tour
Torgerson, Manion and an officer will be touring the City soon

With no further business at 6:25 p.m., O’Connor made motion to adjourn, second Dybing, 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