Lanesboro City Council Report: Sales barn noise complaint

By News Team
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Fri, Nov 10th, 2006
Posted in Government

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According to Jeff Johnson, he can't get rest at his own house because of the noise emitting from the nearby sales barn. Johnson told the Lanesboro City Council at their November 8th regular meeting that he's tried covering his windows with Styrofoam and plywood in an unsuccessful attempt to block the noise. Johnson specifically complained that trucks run all night long at the sales barn in addition to the loud bobcats used to clean the barns "from early morning 'til late at night." Johnson informed the council he'd spoken to the police and had been referred to the council.

City Administrator Bobbie Torgerson told the council there was no ordinance on work hours and when the police attempted to record the "noise" the level was not recordable. No other complaints have been filed; nor have there been any regarding the louder grain dryers in the city.

Joe Nelson of the Lanesboro Sales Barn answered Johnson, noting the sales barn has been in Lanesboro for 58 years with no complaints. He went on to say the barn tries not to use the loaders before seven a.m. and pointed out the company does as much business in town as possible, buying fuel and food locally as well as services from the bank, plumbers, and electricians. Sales at the barn are started early in the mornings (8 or 9) so clean up can be completed before too late in the evening. Nelson agreed to look into the possibility of mufflers for the bobcat loaders.

Ox Trail letter

Residents of Old Ox Trail area submitted a letter to the council urging them to contact Minowa to determine the minimum widening of Ox Trail necessary in order to work on the bridge in the area. They encouraged the city to work cooperatively with the township and county to save money on the projects. Roger Jorgenson was present at the meeting and noted the township "seemed to be at an impasse on the road over the top."

Council member Joe O'Connor repeated that his priority in the situation was safety. Council member Rob Norby added that Minowa was capable of building the bridge with access from only one end. Mayor Steve Rahn opined it would be "nice to widen it enough to get decent guardrails." Torgerson will set up a meeting with Minowa.

Community Survey

Over 200 community survey responses have been returned with 91 of those being online. Intern Ben Duven, a senior at Luther College, will input and tabulate the data and prepare a report on the survey sometime during December and January. Duven will also work on codification of the city ordinances and attend some city meetings, receiving $7.50 an hour for his work with the city. Torgerson shared with the council that often mentioned needs in the surveys included a hardware store, a pharmacy, and/or a variety store.

Other business

In other business, the council:

• canvassed the election results - locally, Steve Rahn received 385 votes for mayor; Robert Norby, 309 votes, and Vince Jeannette, 250 votes, for council;

• increased the pay for election judges from $7.00 to $10.00 per hour and okayed giving student assistants gift certificates for a local restaurant;

• heard the results of a WSU survey providing feedback on the city's tourism industry will be discussed at the Nov. 29 Chamber meeting;

• set sidewalk assessments at 4.83 percent for seven years, sewer assessments at 4.83 percent for seven years, and electrical damage assessment (for the replacement of a light pole damaged during landscaping) at 4.83 percent for two years.

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