Lanesboro City Council
Monday, December 3rd, 2007
Council Chambers at 5:30 p.m.

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

Absent:

Visitors: Jade Wangen, Tom Manion and Lisa Brainard

PUBLIC HEARING:
The public hearing was called to order by Mayor Rahn. Due to no citizens being present for the public hearing Jeanette made motion to temporarily close the public hearing, second Dybing, motion carried.

REGULAR MEETING:
The regular meeting was called to order by Mayor Steve Rahn.
The agenda was approved, with the addition of Dybing speaking of meeting on Southern Hills, with a motion by Drake, second by Jeannette, motion carried.
The minutes from the regular City Council on November 19th, 2007 were approved with one change on page one, second paragraph, inserting “not” made by a motion from Jeannette, second O’Connor, motion carried.

PERSONS WITH BUSINESS BEFORE THE COUNCIL:
No persons were present.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Public Utilities: Tuesday, November 20th – Drake:
Drake stated that the majority of the meeting was about the new energy contract. Mike Wish from DPC was present to go over the new contract. Dairyland should have a final draft to the City within the next 2-3 weeks, and then the contract must be adopted by the Public Utilities and Council, with the Mayor signing the contract. The rate shown on the contract is comparative to what we are paying at this time and is very flexible for both parties.
Planning & Zoning: Tuesday, November 27th – Dybing:
Dybing said that Rocky Hadorff and Denny Bell were present requesting a rezone of the entire “Flats” area. They mapped out for the Commission all of the properties surrounding the area, which showed that 14 of the homes are weekend homes, 13 existing business, 8 lots empty and 10 year round residents. Currently, the “Flats” area is zoned R-1. The Planning and Zoning Commission will look at this area when they look at Highway 16 for rezone, when maps are available. The Commission will not be having a meeting in December. They also voted to keep their meetings the same and nominated Diane Roddy, to continue as the Chair of the Commission.
EDA: Monday, December 3rd – O’Connor:
O’Connor stated that the EDA met today. They plan to keep the same meeting schedule for 2008. Last month the EDA committed to help strengthen business and sustain small business owners. O’Connor recommends having a revolving loan fund to help with this commitment. He is asking the Council to take the EDA operating funds and transfer them to a Money Market/Savings account to start this program. The amount in the budget that has not been used is $3,000. O’Connor made motion to transfer these funds into a separate account for the EDA revolving loan, second Dybing, motion carried.
Southern Hills Subdivision Meeting:
Dybing, Torgerson and Manion attended a meeting with Gary Grebin, Randy Reynolds and Mark Welch. The meeting was to discuss the 33 foot dedicated road that Grebin wanted to vacate on behalf of some buyers of his subdivision. Reynolds and Welch sent a letter noting the easements that they had for a future road behind the subdivision. They stated by vacating that road it would go against their easements. Manion stated that vacating the road would not guarantee that there wouldn’t be a road behind there, because Reynolds has a private easement on the other side that could be turned into a road in the future. After much discussion it was stated that the vacation or replat that Grebin was looking for would not be in the City’s best interest.

HOUSEKEEPING:
Budget and Levy Review:
Torgerson explained the cuts and adjustments that were made in the Fire and Ambulance Funds. She explained that the Ambulance is self sufficient and now that she understands the Fire Department better she was able to adjust their budget as well. She discussed that the budget that she has presented allows them to hire Ardy Nordgaard from a temporary position in 2007 to a full-time position at 32 hours in 2008. Also, the discussion for the Administrator Salary increase was discussed. O’Connor made motion to hire Ardy Nordgaard from a temporary position to a full-time 32 hours/week @ $12.00/hour, with full health insurance and prorated PTO beginning January 1, 2008, second Drake, motion carried.
Liquor Licenses 2008:
Torgerson provided a list of renewing liquor licenses for 2008. She is asking the Council to approve the licenses as long as all owners get the proper paperwork in. A motion was made by Rahn to approve the 2008 Liquor Licenses, second Drake, motion carried. Jeanette abstained from voting due to being on the liquor license list.
Employee Health Insurance:
Torgerson stated that the employees are asking the Council to offer two plans. The old plan which had a deductible of $300 and Co-pay of $35 and the new plan that everyone is on which is an HSA with a high deductible. The employees are also asking the Council to change the plan dates to the fiscal year. Currently the plan renews in the middle of the year which is difficult with the deductible coinciding with the fiscal year. Dybing made motion to offer both plans to employees and to change the plan year to the fiscal year, second O’Connor, motion carried.
Capital Planning and Assessment Policy:
Torgerson noted that she has not had any further comments on the assessment policies. She stated that enclosed in the packets are the cost estimates from the engineer. She stated that the Utilities felt that the Whittier project was top priority. The street department feels that Auburn to Zenith should be priority. O’Connor, the engineer, Torgerson and Peterson met and felt that the Whittier project should be the priority. Torgerson also noted that the curb/gutter and blacktopping for Maple Drive may also be able to be done in 2008. Torgerson asked the Council to be prepared to make a decision at the next meeting as far as which project will be done in 2008.
Administrator Review:
O’Connor felt that to have Torgerson’s salaries comparable to neighboring cities that an increase of $2,000 to $2,500 would be in line. O’Connor made motion to increase Torgerson’s salary $2,250 from 2007, second Dybing, motion carried.
Employee Seminar:
Torgerson asked to go to an Employee Behavior Seminar in February, the cost is $149 and the seminar is in either Rochester or LaCrosse. O’Connor made motion to allow Torgerson to attend the seminar, second Dybing, motion carried.
Meeting Schedule:
Torgerson noted that she was working on the meeting dates for 2008 and needed to verify that the Council plans to keep their meetings the first and third Mondays at 5:30. Council all felt the schedule was feasible.
Ambulance and Fire Departments:
Jeanette made motion to pay the Fire and Ambulance Departments according to the sheets that were handed out, second O’Connor, motion carried
Citizens Comments
There were no citizen comments.

O’Connor made motion to reopen the public hearing, second Jeanette, motion carried.
Jeanette made motion to officially close the public hearing, second Drake motion carried.
With no further business at 6:43 p.m., Drake made motion to adjourn the regular meeting, 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