Lanesboro Public Utilities
Council Chambers
September 19th, 2006
MEMBER(S) PRESENT: Evenson, Schuck & Drake
MEMBER ABSENT:
OTHER(S) PRESENT: Pat Troendle, Rob & Ellen Wagner, Jim & Kim Wagner, Jim Ostrem, Stuart & Amy Dyreson, B. Torgerson and J. Peterson

Public Hearing Called to Order:
Evenson called Public Hearing to Order: Torgerson explained about electrical bonds only being revenue bonds at this time. The Utilities Commission asked how the non-residents would feel about charges. Jim Ostrem asked why they would be treated differently. Torgerson explained that if bonding occurred for which property taxes or assessments were needed the Utilities or City could not assess the non-residents, therefore they would have to pay for the capital improvements. Pat Troendle asked if the Utilities Commission would consider giving rebates for the high users such as Duschee Hills Dairy Farms. He stated that he understood why the utilities are looking into non-resident rates, but he also asked to consider the high volume users and offering them a discount. Wagner asked about his water, since he was the only one there that had a utility other than electrical. The Commission stated that they would definitely be working on a monthly charge for his water usage, since there are already existing bonds and assessments for which the citizens of Lanesboro are paying for. Evenson thanked everyone for coming and wanted to make sure that everyone knew that the Utilities Commission was looking into the non-resident fees and had not moved any further, but wanted to find out what the non-residents would think of this type of fee.
Adjourn Public Hearing
Drake made motion to adjourn the public hearing, second by Schuck, motion carried.

Public Utilities Meeting Called to Order:
Evenson called regular meeting to order.

Agenda:
Motion made by Drake to approve agenda, second Schuck, motion carried.

Minutes:
Drake made motion to approve the minutes as read, second Evenson, motion carried.

PERSON’S WITH BUSINESS BEFORE THE COMMISSION:
Stuart and Amy Dyreson were present but issue was discussed under Housekeeping A.

HOUSEKEEPING:
A. Yaggy Colby Engineering Report on Stuart and Amy Dyreson Sewer Problems: Torgerson presented the suggestions from the Yaggy Colby Engineering Report. One of the first steps presented was for the owners to videotape their line and for the City to videotape their line. The Dyresons stated that they would be videotaping their line. Torgerson suggested for the Utilities Commission to hire Visu-Sewer to tape the City’s line and then also to request a Proposal from Yaggy to start research the line size and capabilities of the current system to see if they were meeting the needs of the area. Stuart Dyreson mentioned that he had spoken to Harmony, Canton and Preston and that they provide systems for the residents that have problems. Torgerson said that she would contact those cities to see how they handle the same type of situations. Evenson made motion to have the line videotaped and to seek out a proposal from Yaggy to start the process, second Schuck, motion carried.
B. Downtown Streetlights
Torgerson explained that the Council approved replacing the ten downtown streetlights by using the money from the land sale as long as the Public Utilities covered the difference on the project. Evenson made motion for the Public Utilities to cover the difference on the downtown light poles, second Schuck, motion carried.
C. Non-resident Utilities
Jim Wagner had mentioned in the public hearing that he wanted to know how much he would have to pay being a non-resident with City water. Drake made motion to make water/sewer non-resident utilities charges to be $10.00, this monthly fee will not be implemented until Torgerson comes into contact with Jim Wagner to discuss, second Schuck, motion carried.
D. Paying of the Bills
Drake made motion to pay the bills as presented, second Evenson, motion carried.
E. Treasurer’s Report
Torgerson went over the treasurer’s report and stated that the Utilities seem to be doing well at this time. She will have a budget for the next meeting if possible.
F. Past Due Bills
Commissioners asked Torgerson to make sure past due payments were made or that customers be shut off. Torgerson mentioned that with the Cold Weather Rule coming into effect she would have a cut off date prior to the October 15th.
G. UMMPA/Electric Purchasing
Waiting to hear from UMMPA as to where the RFP process is, sounded like DPC was going to negotiate with their contract.
H. Whitefront
At 7:00pm in the middle of this meeting: Torgerson, Schuck, Drake and Evenson went to Whitefront to view the Whitefront basement. Eric and Andy Bunge had stated that they felt the Utilities Commission should cover some of the costs of clean up for the building due to an ongoing water leak that had occurred. The Commissioners visited the site and will discuss at the next meeting.

ADJOURN:
At 8:02pm, Drake made motion to adjourn, second by Evenson
motion carried.

Submitted Respectfully:

Bobbie Torgerson, City Administrator/Clerk

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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