Lanesboro City Council and Lanesboro Public Utilities
Joint Meeting
Thursday, August 23rd, 2007
Council Chambers; 5:30 p.m.

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

Visitors: Lisa Brainard, Mike Bubany, Andy Drake, Jim Peterson and Drue Ferguson

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.
The minutes from City Council meeting on August 6th, 2007 were approved with a motion from Dybing, second O’Connor, motion carried.
The minutes from the Public Utilities meeting on July 17th, 2007 were approved with a motion by Schuck, second Evenson, motion carried.

PERSONS WITH BUSINESS BEFORE THE JOINT COUNCIL:
Drue Ferguson – Library Budget and Overview
Ferguson handed out a pamphlet titled “SUMMARY OF LIBRARY’S 2007 SURVEY – MAY – JUNE 2007”. She went over the pamphlet in detail sighting the results of the survey. She was pleasantly surprised as to how much the library already offers which were items, for which those filling out the survey, wanted. She also went through the comparisons of the Lanesboro library with other area libraries, stating that Lanesboro is not funded near as much as neighboring cities. Ferguson also went over the proposed budget for the library for 2008 and summarized a fact sheet on the Lanesboro Library. Ferguson thanked the Council and Lanesboro in general for her last seven years of employment, since she will be leaving her position as of August 31st. The Council and Employees presented Ferguson with a gift for her contribution to the City.

Mike Bubany – David Drown & Associates: Capital Planning
Bubany was asked to come back to review and change the capital plan for the City of Lanesboro due to the local sales tax not passing in the state legislature. Bubany reviewed where we are at without the sales tax. Cuts needed to be made in the Capital Planning project to be able to keep the tax rates stable. The Council and Commission changed figures and used some capital money to help assist with the projects. Special Assessments were used for Street Reconstruction also. The staff of Torgerson, Drake and Peterson worked with the two groups to prioritize and organize the projects. Finally, the Council and Commission agreed upon a plan to do various projects in 2008, 2013 and 2014. Bubany recommended keeping the budget the same for the capital numbers this year with using them for bond payments in 2009. Bubany will be sending Torgerson physical copies of the reports for an approval at one of the next meetings.

HOUSEKEEPING:
City Paying of the bills
O’Connor made motion to pay bills as presented, second Dybing, motion carried
PU Paying of the Bills
Schuck made motion to pay the bills as presented, second Evenson, motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report
Torgerson reported the balances of both the City and the Utilities checking accounts. She noted that she renewed both large CDs for a six month period. Also, she noted that she will be starting the PU budget, once the City preliminary budget is adopted.
Budgeting 2008
Torgerson encouraged Council members to see her about the budget, to help with recommendations and just to review the budget prior to the first meeting in September.
Citizens Comments
There were no citizen comments.
Ambulance Reimbursement
Torgerson noted that an ambulance member that has taken the classes has asked for reimbursement for the test and the mileage. O’Connor noted that in the policies adopted by the Ambulance and the Council stated that members must be with the service for a year. He noted that the test fee could be reimbursed, but the mileage and training costs can not be reimbursed for at least one year.

Park Water Problem
Torgerson noted that the contractor who installed the tiling for the water problem submitted a bill of $3,941 with the school paying $1500 and the City matching, Torgerson asked if the Council was willing to pay the entire difference. A discount will be given for early payment. Torgerson noted that the water problem has gone away. Rahn made motion to pay the balance after the school’s contribution of $1500, second Dybing, motion carried.
Employee Afternoon
With flooding and employee illnesses Rahn gave Torgerson permission to reschedule the Employee Afternoon Off.
Flood Assistance
Mayor Rahn noted to the Council that he asked Torgerson to contact the City of Rushford and offer equipment, personnel and any other assistance that is needed. Dybing made a motion to support Mayor Rahn’s request, second Jeannette, motion carried.
Red Street Truck
Drake noted that the Red Street Truck has given quite a few years of service, but felt it was time to auction it off. Jeannette made motion to auction off the truck through Gehling, second Dybing, motion carried. Torgerson noted that the sander will not go on the new street truck.

Council:
With no further business at 7:59 p.m., Dybing made motion to adjourn, second Jeanette, motion carried.
PU:
With no further business at 7:59p.m., Evenson made motion to adjourn, second Schuck, motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Bobbie Torgerson

---

City of Lanesboro Steven L. Rahn, Mayor | Bobbie Vickerman, City Administrator 202 Parkway Avenue South - - Lanesboro, MN 55949 507-467-3722 | lanesboro@acegroup.cc