Lanesboro City Council
Monday, November 19th, 2007
Council Chambers at 5:30 p.m.

Present: Steve Rahn, Kevin Drake, Tom Dybing and Vince Jeannette

Absent: Joe O’Connor

Visitors: Jade Wangen, Tom Manion and Andy Drake

REGULAR MEETING:
The regular meeting was called to order by Mayor Steve Rahn.
The agenda was approved, with the additions of a lodging tax payable, with a motion by Drake, second by Jeannette, motion carried.
The minutes from the regular City Council on November 5th, 2007 were approved with a motion from Jeannette, second Dybing, motion carried.

PERSONS WITH BUSINESS BEFORE THE COUNCIL:
Andy Drake – MN DOT Contract, Street Sweeper and Plow/Tires:
Andy Drake was before the Council about three items:
1) MNDOT Contract – Last year the state contracted our snow removal service at $75.00/hour for the dump truck and $75.00/hour for the backhoe. Drake suggested requesting the same, since we increased the rate a few years back. Rahn made motion to sign the agreement with the State, stating that we will charge out the backhoe and dump truck each at $75.00/hour, second Jeannette, motion carried.
2) The Council was given quotes on a 2007 sweeper and a used 2003 sweeper. Drake asked the Council to check out the proposals that were given to him by McQueen. Currently, the City owns a 1992 Sweeper and the cost that have been incurred for repairs and maintenance is very high. The Council discussed the need for the equipment. Drake stated that he is requesting an answer that night, but wants the Council to be aware of the cost of a sweeper and that we need to do something down the road.
3) Plow/Tires – Since the red truck was sold at the auction for $5300, that amount less the 7% Gehling keeps is in the street budget. Drake is asking the Council to approve using those funds to purchase a plow and snow tires for the new white utility truck. Torgerson spoke with Jim Peterson, Director of the Public Utilities and he was alright with this proposal. Dybing made motion to use the money from the sale of the truck to purchase a plow and tires for the Utility truck, second Jeannette, motion carried.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Library: Tuesday, November 5th – Jeannette:
Jeanette reported that he was unable to attend the Library meeting because it was held simultaneously as the Council meeting. However, the Library Director Jill Veerkamp was able to give him an overview of the meeting. Veerkamp reported that the County increased the over all funds going to SELCO, however distribution to the Lanesboro Library decreased by $4,000, due to rural usage. Rahn felt that it was a very large decrease and asked Torgerson to contact the Library Director to see if someone from SELCO can explain to the Council why this happened this way.

Park: Monday, November 19th – Rahn:
The PAL committee for recycling and trees came before the Park Board to discuss where the trees can be planted, about the recycling projects and how they can work with the PAL park committee. The committee has been working directly with Waste Management for a recycling plan and has been getting prices for trees. The Dinner/Dance requested to donate coat racks made of PVC pipe in exchange for their Community Center Use Fees. The Park Board decided to accept the Coat Racks as a donation and require the Dinner/Dance to pay a fee of $100.00. They felt that the Dinner/Dance already gets a non-profit rate, so the Park Board felt they still needed to have some payment for cleaning expense and utility expense. The committee reviewed the financial statements. They also planned a PAL Park Committee meeting for December 13th at 6:00pm. The group also discussed the winter projects and meeting plans for 2008. They also agreed to purchase a used commercial refrigerator at $1200 from a café in Whalan.

HOUSEKEEPING:
Paying of the Bills:
Drake made motion to pay the bills, including the Lodging Tax Bill that was added on, second Dybing, motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report:
Torgerson asked to have the Council approve a transfer from the Buffalo Bill Day Account to the City Checking Account for the funds that were acquired from the “A Prairie Home Companion” event. These funds were used to purchase the refrigerator, Christmas decorations and tables & chairs. Dybing made motion to have Torgerson make a transfer of $10,000 from the Buffalo Bill Days account into the City Checking account, second Jeannette, motion carried. Torgerson asked the Council to approve office help during the Deputy Clerk’s absence with upcoming medical leave. Dybing made motion to hire additional help during this time, using Marge Drake if possible, second Jeanette, motion carried. Kevin Drake abstained for the motion due to relationship to the Office help.

 

Scenic Byway:
The Council was unsure as to why this was a necessary resolution, since the City already does not allow the billboards and if there are state and federal regulations, they would already be upheld. Manion looked over the request and felt that the Council could pass the resolution. Dybing made a motion to pass a resolution that supports the designation of the Trunk Highway 16 within the city limits as part of the State Scenic Byway designation of the Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway and that the city supports MN/DOT enforcement of federal and state laws pertaining to the designation, second Drake, motion carried.
Turkey Bowling:
This is the fourth year that the Parkway Pub is requesting to have the Turkey Bowling in the parking areas in front of their business. They raise funds for the school with this event. Drake made motion to approve the event, second Dybing, motion carried. Jeannette abstained from the motion due to his ownership of the Parkway Pub.
Staff Review:
Torgerson noted that Mayor Rahn and she filled out the evaluations on all of the employees and plan to sit down and meet with the employees individually by the end of the year.
Budget:
Torgerson noted that the budget/levy hearing will be in December and that she needs suggestions on the budget. So far she has trimmed $1,200 from the budget and intends to try to get the percentage increase for the levy down to 5-6%. She welcomes any help or suggestions for cuts.
Assessment Policy:
Torgerson had only received comments or suggestions from once Council member and she does not feel comfortable with the assessment policy without more input. She asked Manion to look over the policy as well as the Council members.
Citizens Comments
There were no citizen comments.

With no further business at 6:18 p.m., Jeannette made motion to adjourn the regular meeting, second Dybing, motion carried.

A closed meeting was held for a personnel review of the City Administrator. O’Connor was able to attend the closed meeting.

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