Lanesboro City Council and Lanesboro Public Utilities
Joint Meeting
Tuesday, February 19th, 2008
Council Chambers; 5:30 p.m.

Council:
Present: Steve Rahn, Tom Dybing, Joe O’Connor and Kevin Drake
Absent: Vince Jeannette
Utilities Commission:
Present: Kevin Drake and Dennis Schuck
Absent: Gerald Evenson

Visitors: John Torgrimson, Gretchen Mensink-LoveJoy, Pat Gemlo, Dale Forster, Mary Peterson, Andy Drake, Jim Peterson, Dillon Dombrovski (engineer), and Chris Olson (Banyon Software)

PUBLIC HEARING:
The public hearing was called to order by Mayor Steve Rahn: Mayor Rahn asked if there were any citizens wishing to speak on the asphalt paving for 2007. There was no one present on this issue.
Mayor Rahn asked if there were any citizens wishing to speak on the bills that were sent for Alley/Street repairs. Vickerman mentioned that she had received a letter from Peter Torkelson questioning the measurement on his bill. Vickerman stated that she and Street Superintendent Andy Drake will review and answer his questions.
Mayor Rahn asked if there were any citizens wishing to speak on the bills that were sent for sidewalk repairs. No citizens were present.
Vickerman noted that on the asphalt, alley/street and sidewalk repairs, that she, in her letters, offered three options. The first option was to pay the entire amount by March 31st, the second option was to pay payments until December of 2008 and pay it off at that time. The third option was to offer the capability of assessing the cost to the property for 7 years at 4.25% which would be turned into the County in November of 2008. O’Connor made motion to approve the three options for payments, second Dybing, motion carried.
The joint meeting was called to order by Mayor Steve Rahn.
Additions to the agenda included ambulance training reimbursement, Park Water Problem and Employee Afternoon off.
O’Connor made motion to approve the amended agenda, second Dybing, motion carried.
Mayor Rahn asked if there were any citizens wishing to speak about the proposed Assessment Policy. Vickerman explained the changes that were made by herself, City Attorney Manion and the engineer from Yaggy Colby, Dillon Dombrovski. They addressed all of O’Connor’s concerns from the last meeting. Pat Gemlo from the audience asked about the street by her house, Pleasant Street. She stated that large semi’s and trailers use that road and she has concerns as to the road’s capability and the damage it causes. She requested that when that street or storm sewer is repaired that the Pleasant Street issue must be brought up. Vickerman noted that the City will be receiving FEMA money to repair that storm sewer this spring and that they would take a look at the street at that time. O’Connor said that the changes were what he was looking for and he was comfortable with the updated policy. He did question the age requirement, and both Manion and Dombrovski stated that the requirements were very well stated and that the state statute covers any other questions.
Drake made a motion to approve the Assessment Policy as printed, second Dybing, motion carried.

ADJOURN:
O’Connor made motion to adjourn the public hearing, second Drake, motion carried.

JOINT MEETING:
The Joint City Council and Public Utilities meeting was called to order by Mayor Steve Rahn.

AGENDA:
The agenda was approved with a motion by O’Connor, with the additions of Dairyland Power Transmission agreement and Andy Drake for down town parking and the deletion of the Library Board Meeting, second Drake, motion carried.

MINUTES:
The minutes from the regular City Council meeting on February 4th, 2008 were approved with a motion from Drake, second O’Connor, motion carried.
The minutes from the Public Utilities meeting on January 8th, 2008 were approved with a motion by Drake, second Schuck, motion carried.

PERSONS WITH BUSINESS BEFORE THE JOINT COUNCIL:
Chris Olson – Banyon Software
Olson presented to the Council and Utilities, the Banyon Software system. Olson went over the financial aspects of the software such as; payroll, accounts payable and general ledger. He and Vickerman explained the simplicity of the different areas and the time saving capabilities. He also demonstrated the capabilities of the Utility Billing software. Vickerman explained how much more efficient the software would be compared to the current software the City is operating. O’Connor stressed some concerns about the capability of all of the users of the software. Training was discussed, which was stated to be a day per section, which is about 3 days. Olson explained that the Utility Billing portion could be transferred at any time and that the Accounting software would need to be installed so that prior months could have balances forwarded. No decision was made on the software.
Andy Drake: Downtown Parking Issue and Snow Removal:
Drake explained that he was disgusted with the downtown parking issues for snow removal. He does not feel that everyone is getting ticketed. He feels there should be full enforcement at all times or it isn’t worth putting up signs twice a year. He stated that it seems as if only the upstairs apartment renters are the only ones getting ticketed and he does not feel that it is fair and the vehicles are not getting moved in time for the down town snow removal. Mayor Rahn asked Vickerman to speak with the Police Chief on this issue and to get notice out to the public.

COMMITTEES:
Park Board: February 19th, 2008 – Rahn
Rahn reported that the Park Board discussed the Tree City designation and made a recommendation to the Council to allow the Park Board to be the Tree Board. They also discussed the cooperation with the Park Board by two of the TMI groups, so that more trees can be removed/planted this year and to make the Arbor Day/Earth Day a success. Dybing made a motion to have the Park Board be the Tree Board, second O’Connor, motion carried. Rahn noted that the group also discussed the repairs needed for the Community Center and determining which projects need to come first.

HOUSEKEEPING:
City Paying of the bills:
O’Connor made motion to pay bills as presented, second Dybing, motion carried
PU Paying of the Bills:
Drake made motion to pay the bills as presented, second Schuck, motion carried.
Hydro Update and Plans for Utility Future:
Jim Peterson gave the group an update on the Hydro unit. He stated that the whole unit is at the James Leffel Company being repaired and is planned to be reinstalled in April of 2008. He noted that the plan is to work with MMUA and the MN Department of Commerce on some grant funds to upgrade and operate the hydro 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Along with the green power from the Hydro, the utilities is looking into burning Bio-Diesel in the Fairbanks Diesel Engine, so that the City can label all energy produced in the City limits as green power. There will be a meeting once all bids have came in with the MN Department of Commerce to find out what funds may be available.
Administrator’s Report:
Vickerman handed out a report received from a Berkley Administrator’s representative. Berkley is the City’s claim adjuster that works on behalf of the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust. He did a review of the Community Center, the WWTP and the Fire Hall. He will be coming back to review the rest of the City/Utility buildings. Vickerman noted that she has had a meeting with the employees and has asked them to take the suggested corrections and to implement them as soon as possible. Vickerman noted that some items were more costly than others, but that they were needed, especially those items sited as OSHA possible violations.
Audit Update:
Vickerman noted that the auditors would be here on March 4th, 5th and 6th.
Computers:
Vickerman noted that the Fire Department has voted to purchase a computer for their office. Vickerman is asking for approval to use the budgeted money that she has in her budget to upgrade Rita Peterson’s computer and to also purchase a computer to be used for the Cable Channel. Rahn made a motion to approve Vickerman’s request to purchase computers with the money that has been budgeted for 2008, second O’Connor motion carried.
Lions Gambling Permit:
The Lions Club is asking for approval of a gambling permit for their raffle that occurs every year. Drake made a motion to approve the gambling permit with no waiting period, second O’Connor, motion carried.
Wine License:
Waldo’s Inc. is requesting a wine license with a strong beer designation for the Vintage Restaurant that will be located in the old Whitefront building. The restaurant is planning to open in April. Dybing made motion to approve a wine license with a strong beer designation for the Vintage Restaurant, second O’Connor, motion carried.
Ambulance Director:
The ambulance has voted for a director for 2008 and they are recommending Steve Klotz to continue as the Ambulance Director. Drake made motion to appoint Klotz as the Ambulance Director for 2008, second Dybing, motion carried.
Ambulance Office:
Vickerman mentioned that the office off of the Council Chambers was available for the Ambulance to use. O’Connor made a motion to offer the office to the Ambulance Services if they would like to use it and the Council Chambers for a meeting room, second Dybing, motion carried.
Luminaries:
The Chamber requested to allow luminaries for three weekends; April 11th, October 3rd and November 22nd. O’Connor made motion to allow the luminaries on the sidewalks for those days as requested, second Rahn, motion carried.
Tree Ordinance:
Vickerman explained that the City would have to update and improve its Tree Ordinance for the “Tree City” designation.
Capital Improvements:
Vickerman explained that we need to determine what priorities there are for the funds designated in 2008 for the Community Center. She stated that the Park Board determined the roof and the HVAC were first on their priority list. The kitchen would be their third priority. The Ambulance Shed will also be built with those funds. Vickerman will work with the engineer on receiving bids for these items.
Dairyland Agreement:
Vickerman noted that we must sign the Transmission agreement to be able to receive the energy from Dairyland; it is practically a side document to the new contract we signed. Dybing made motion to approve Mayor Rahn to sign the agreement, second Drake, motion carried.
Citizens’ Comments:
Dybing noted that he and Vickerman attended a tax conference and testified to some members of the House Tax Committee, encouraging them to consider the local sales tax for Lanesboro and also to not eliminate the local sales tax option.

ADJOURN:
Council:
With no further business at 7:17 p.m., O’Connor made motion to adjourn, second Drake, motion carried.
PU:
With no further business at 7:17p.m., Drake made motion to adjourn, second Schuck, motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Bobbie Vickerman

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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