Lanesboro City Council & Lanesboro Public Utilities
Joint Meeting
Tuesday, February 20th, 2007
Council chambers: 5:00 p.m.

Present: Steve Rahn, Kevin Drake, Joe O’Connor, Tom Dybing, Vince Jeannette, Gerry Evenson, Dennis Schuck, Jim Peterson, Wanda Hanson, Lisa Brainard, Carla Noack, Peggy Hanson, Stephanie Sveen, Sara Pankonin, Jody Holmen and Ross Trotterchaude

Mayor Steve Rahn called the meeting to order.

Additions to the agenda included Library Board request, GGG letter and Farmers Market.
Dybing made motion to approve the amended agenda, second O’Connor motion carried.
The minutes from the February 5th Council meeting were approved with a motion from Jeannette, second O’Connor, motion carried.
The minutes from the January 16th Utilities meeting were approved with motion from Drake, second Schuck, and motion carried.

Persons with business before the PU and Council
Peggy Hanson- Farmers Market
This is the 5th season for the market; it keeps growing and getting better all the time.
Hanson requested the appointment of the same persons as last year for the board, Sara Austin, Jerilyn Eddy, Peggy Hanson and Justin Brown.
O’Connor made motion to approve the members, second Jeannette, motion carried.
Hanson noted to mark June 2nd on your calendars for the 3rd official Rhubarb Fest.

Committee Reports
Library- February 12th- No report
Park- February 20th- Rahn
Dave Harrenstein updated them on the Midwest Scenic Ride, asking for camping in the park for around 200 people, the event will take place June 26-27; the event was approved by the Park Board.
Peggy Hanson requested parking spaces for the Farmers Market on Wednesday 3-7 and Saturday 8-1.
Five signs will be posted where there are already poles.
Dale Honsey’s resignation was accepted and will be looking for a new member.

Housekeeping
Paying of the Bills-City
O’Connor made motion to pay the presented bills, second Drake, motion carried.
Paying of the Bills-PU
With one addition to the bills, Drake made motion to pay them, second Schuck, motion carried.
Administrator’s Report
The audit will be March 7-9; will talk more with Lloyd Johnson on the local tax and capital planning.
Past Due Utility Bills- PU
Were reviewed.
Employee Requests on Insurance and PTO time
Torgerson reported that the City has not raised the dollar amount for insurance since 2001 and each employee receives $450.00 toward their monthly premium.
At this time they are looking at quotes from other companies due to raising rates.
Dybing asked if this was the time of year to look into insurance rates.
O’Connor asked about the surrounding towns and what they do.
Torgerson will get a spread sheet prepared for their review.
PTO time rolled over to other employees during crisis was also discussed.

Carla Noack- Comprehensive Planning on Housing
Noack reported that the housing meeting Dan Anderson reported they only needed one more investor to start the Church Hill project.
Some of the highlighted items included attracting young families to the area, downtown housing and assisted living.
Some of the goals for housing is to promote Church Hill Property, concerns on the empty lots downtown and having a housing committee.
Noack asked that the summary be posted on the City web-site.
Noack is working on getting a small group to form a housing committee.
Local Tax/Capital Planning
The City has proposed that a sales and use tax of up to one-half of one percent be imposed by the City to pay the costs of collecting the tax and to pay all or part of the capital costs of reconstructing and/or improving Whittier Street, Zenith Street East, Zenith West, Maple Drive and Hillcrest Street and various improvements and/or repairs to City Hall/ Community Center/Library, the Ambulance garage and Street/Utility Shop.
O’Connor made motion for the City and Public Utilities jointly to adopt the resolution indicating approval of a sales and use tax to be authorized by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota to Finance Phase 1 of the Building Road improvements, second Schuck, motion carried.
Drake made motion to hire Briggs and Morgan to review the resolution, second Jeannette, motion carried.
Torgerson will reunite with Bubany to be sure that a special election can occur in 2007, if not it will have to be postpones until 2008.
Energy Update
Wagner will be having a conference call on Friday on negotiating the contract for April 2008.
The City wants to work with the Utilities to put energy efficient into the community center, museum and depot.
Old Christmas Lights
Will be on the March meeting.
Liquor License- Wine Tasting Event Theater
Dybing made motion to approve the license for the event, second O’Connor, motion carried.
Library Board Request
The board asked if the City would help with the new locks for the doors, and security cameras and installation.
Jeannette said that he will donate to them a security camera system.
Rahn made motion for the City to pay for new locks, second Dybing, motion carried.
GGG Inc.
Will come to the March 19th meeting.

With no further business at 6:15 p.m., Jeannette made motion to adjourn, second Drake, motion carried.
After the meeting all members went upstairs to Welcome Senator Amy Klobuchar who was visiting and her purpose was to learn more about city and different economic development initiatives.

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