At the April 6 Lanesboro City Council meeting, the consent agenda was approved and included the accounts payable, a temporary on sale liquor license for the Lanesboro Arts Center on May 7, and Resolution 2026-31 accepting donations to the Lanesboro Fire Department. An Independence Day parade on Parkway Avenue was approved for July 4, 2026, at 1:30 p.m., and Mitchell Walbridge was approved to attend the Minnesota Municipal Clerks’ Institute in May.
Kali Lentz of CohnReznik reviewed the 2025 audit and financial statements for the city of Lanesboro. The city received an unmodified statement, which means that no issues were found. The council approved the audit report.
The meeting was closed due to attorney-client privilege to discuss active or pending litigation.
After the meeting was reopened to the public, Fire Chief Rob Wagner spoke to the council about a badge purchase request and the proposed Lanesboro Fire Department Uniform and Apparel Policy. The badges will cost about $2,700 total with the money coming out of the department funds. Chief Wagner said that he could probably find less expensive options, but the crew preferred the badges that had Lanesboro Fire Department engraved on them. The policy included a section about what firefighters would be required to return to the department upon retiring or resigning, such as badges, dress shirts, turnout gear, etc. All of the items were removed from the policy and replaced with “PPE.” The badge purchase and the Uniform and Apparel Policy were approved by the council.
The fire department requested that the city ratify the Lanesboro Fire Relief Association pension benefit level from $1,850 to $1,950 per year of service. Chief Wagner noted that the funds are available for the increase, and that it would only apply to crew members who retire after the increase, not retroactively. Council member Mindy Albrecht-Benson expressed concern with the fund being at 104% and said she would prefer it to grow to 105% to 110% before approving an increase to the pension. After some discussion, the council decided to table the matter until the Fire Relief Association can review it further.
Two bids were received for the purchase of a John Deere lawnmower, which is on the Park Board replacement schedule. The low bid from Preston Equipment was approved.
The dishwasher at the city hall is malfunctioning and needs to be replaced. City Administrator Mitchell Walbridge verified that it was purchased used in the ‘80s or ‘90s so parts to fix it are no longer available. A bid of $5,255 was approved for a new dishwasher with a $1,170 installation cost. A grant is available from the Community Foundation for $3,000 of the cost for which the council expressed gratitude.
Last year, the city rented a DuraPatcher to repair potholes. Public Works Director David Haugen noted that the blacktop patches have since popped out, but the durapatches stayed in place through the freeze/thaw cycles and snowplowing. “I think it would be a cost effective tool to use,” he said. The council reviewed a purchase and sharing agreement for a DuraPatcher with the cities of Chatfield and Stewartville. The amount that was paid for renting it last year will be taken out of the 1/3 ownership purchase amount leaving a cost of $2,267. The council tabled the matter until the May meeting to allow time for verbiage in the agreement to be updated.
MnDOT requested some amendments to the partnership agreement for the TH250 project. Instead of having the city pay the property owners for around 22 parcels and then being reimbursed, MnDOT would like to pay the owners directly. The council approved the amendments.
Due to a request from a business owner, the council reviewed Ordinance 116 regarding regulating lawful gambling. As written, the ordinance limits the city’s ability to issue a gambling permit based on whether the business also holds an on sale liquor license. The business owner does not plan to have alcohol sales. The council tabled the matter indefinitely.
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