Lanesboro City Council
Monday, December 18th, 2006
Council chambers, 5:30 p.m.

Present; Steve Rahn, Joe O’Connor, Kevin Drake and Tom Dybing
Visitors: Jan Meyer, Wanda Hanson, Chief of Police Matt Schultz, Officer Blaise Sass, Jim Peterson, Vince Jeannette, Marlin Miner, Dave Susag, Hal Cropp and Mark Welch

Moment of Silence for the Memory of Robert Norby

Mayor Steve Rahn called the meeting to order.
After one addition of the treasurers report the agenda was approved with a motion from Drake, second O’Connor, motion carried.

The minutes from the December 4th meeting were approved with a motion from Drake, second Dybing, motion carried.
The minutes from the TNT meeting were approved with a motion from O’Connor, second Dybing.

Persons with business before the council
Jim Peterson- Fire Call Charges and New Officers for 2007
Fire Department Recommended Officers for 2007
Fire Chief- Andrew Drake, 1st Assistant-Robbie Wagner-2nd Assistant Ryan Peterson, 3rd Assistant- Jerod Wagner and Secretary – Patrick Schmidt
Dybing made motion to approve the new officers, second O’Connor, motion carried.

Fire Rates
Current rates are $200 per hour; mutual aid agreements with area cities will go up to $300/hr.
O’Connor made motion to coincide with the other Tri-County Firefighters and raise the rate to $300/hr, second Dybing, motion carried.

Tom Dybing – Library - New Hire
O’Connor made motion to approve the new hire of Laura Gudmundson at $8.25 per, for the first 6 months and than be evaluated, second Drake, motion carried.
The library wanted to thank Sharon Peterson for the great service she provided during her years at the position.
Torgerson will send her a note of appreciation.

Hal Cropp- Vice President of Chamber- Police Protection
Cropp expressed concerns as a business community about the apparent lack of police presence in the downtown area namely from 12:20 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.
Torgerson asked if he had a list of complaints.
Cropp stated that he himself has witnessed public intoxication, vomiting and urinating on the streets.
Rahn commented that there may be some personal conflicts with some of the downtown businesses owners.
Chief Schultz has been verifying more officer presence.
Cropp said he welcomed the chief to come to the Chamber meeting, and Schultz said that he would be there.
Drake commented that, overall, all he has heard is compliments on the police department.

Mark Welch -GGG- Land Split
Welch requested a land split for a Land Division per Section 340.10, Subdivision 2, this would allow for one parcel or lot of record to be divided into two lots or parcels without requiring platting.
Dybing commented that he would feel a lot better if he could walk out and look at the lot before making any kind of decision.
Dybing made motion to turn the item over to Planning & Zoning for recommendation, which meets next week, second O’Connor motion carried.

Housekeeping
Temporary Liquor & Gambling Permit for Commonweal
Drake made motion to approve the requests for the Commonweal, second Rahn motion carried.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Letter
The letter was reviewed.

Library
Resignation of Library Board Member
Ruth Ostrem has resigned from the Library Board.
At the present time there are 2 openings for the board.
Note that the Library starting in January will have new hours.
The Food Drive was very successful.

Paying of the Bills
O’Connor made motion for approval of the bills, along with giving Torgerson the ability to transfer funds from the Coffee Street Bridge to cover the difference of the $95,0000 for paying of Fillmore County bill, second Drake, motion carried.

Council Vacancy
Torgerson reported that they could advertise the empty spot or the council could appoint someone.
Drake could fill the seat for 2 years.
The council decided it would be best to fill the seat as soon as possible.
Rahn made motion to appoint Kevin Drake for the vacancy for the next 2 years, second Dybing, motion carried.
Rahn made motion for Drake to stay on the Public Utilities Commission and Dybing to stay on the Planning & Zoning Commission, second O’Connor, motion carried.

Treasurers Report
Seems that all departments are on track
Torgerson said that she will meet with Ken Graner from the Associated Bank to see about the best interest on CD’s.
O’Connor made motion to authorize Torgerson to work with the bank, to invest the CD’s for the best interest, second Drake motion carried.

Liquor Licenses
Drake made motion to approve the Liquor Licenses for 2007, second O’Connor, motion carried.

Proposed Levy and Budget
O’Connor made motion to approve the Levy for the City of Lanesboro at $364,486 and the Proposed Budget for 2007, second Rahn, motion carried.

Farmers Market Renewal
Dybing made motion to apply for the Minnesota Grown Application for Farmers Market Renewal, second O’Connor, motion carried.

Unpaid Fire and Ambulance Bills
Torgerson requested authorization to pursue the collection of ambulance and fire bills, she will write one more letter to those individuals, before going to the Revenue Collections Program of the Minnesota Department of Revenue.
O’Connor made motion to go forward with the letters and than working with the Minnesota Department of Revenue, and collection agency if necessary, second Dybing, and motion carried.

Council Meeting Schedule for 2007
Discussion of only having one meeting a month, but Rahn stated at this time he felt they should stay with two meetings a month.

Citizens Comments
Drake responded that in the New Year we need to push for the local sales tax. Will need to find out a price for having the required legislation written.
Marlin Miner questioned if the new cable system would allow the residents to be able to watch taped city council meetings.
Torgerson said it was not economically feasible at this time for many reasons as of cost and equipment and extra employees required.
With no further business at 6:40 p.m., O’Connor made motion to adjourn, second Drake, 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