At the March 2 Lanesboro City Council meeting, Public Works Director David Haugen presented several options for replacing the city’s dump truck, which included purchasing a used truck, refurbishing the current one, or having a new one built. He was not able to find a used single axle dump truck for sale and the tandem axle used trucks available won’t fit in the shop. The cost to refurbish the city’s truck would come to approximately $80-90 thousand, but that option isn’t feasible due to the fact that the truck is already 20 years old. “It’s my personal opinion that we should go new,” Haugen said. “We can build it the way we want.” The approximate cost for a new truck would be $164,000, and it would be ready in 2021. City Administrator Michele Peterson was able to research some financing options and determined that an annual payment plan would give the city the lowest interest rate. The council approved the purchase and made plans to increase the Street Department budget in 2021 to cover the payments.
The first item from the consent agenda regarding the 2020 lodging licenses was taken out for discussion. The rest of the consent agenda was approved and included a lawful gambling application from the NWTF Root River Valley Chapter, temporary liquor licenses for the NWTF Root River Valley Chapter, the Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce, the Lanesboro Firefighters Relief Association, and the Lanesboro Art Center, a lawful gambling application from the Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce, and a liquor license for Home Sweet Home. The Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy for commercial drivers was approved as well as Ordinance 54.06 regarding the public utility fee schedule and the Buffalo Bill Days parade route.
It was recently discovered that the Cottage House Bed and Breakfast is not compliant with the city ordinance requiring owners to be in residence on location and that the house is vacant unless it’s rented out. City Attorney Thomas Manion has sent a letter to the owners of the Cottage House informing them of the violation. The council approved the rest of the B&Bs on the list for lodging licenses.
The council reviewed the EDA’s annual report which was submitted by EDA director Rebecca Charles.
Based on the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission, the council approved Chad Phillips to fill the vacant seat on the commission. Mindy Albrecht-Benson and Ceil Allen were both approved to fill the vacant seats on the Heritage Preservation Commission.
Manion prepared a Verification of Roadways document for the council to review. Peterson and City Engineer Brian Malm will work to create descriptions of each roadway. The document was approved.
The council discussed the Parkway Alley paving project. The council voted to table it indefinitely and revisit it in 2021. “I think it would be bad leadership to take on another project at this time,” Mayor Jason Resseman said.
The detachment request from Dale Egge was withdrawn.
The council discussed the cartway petition from Ronald Greenslade. Manion determined that the unnamed passage on the property already has public access and so the petition will not be necessary. “Now it falls to the city how you want to manage that piece of right-of-way,” Malm explained. It was noted that there is a line of trees on the easement that could prevent field access. The area had been surveyed and marked earlier that day, but Malm hadn’t had the chance to view it in person before the meeting. “What we are establishing tonight is that there’s no need for the cartway petition,” Malm explained. Jereme and Pauline Suckow, the owners of the land through which the easement runs were concerned that the trees would be taken out. “When we bought the property, we were told that the trees were part of the property,” Pauline said, pointing out that they are part of the aesthetics of his land and also create a snow and wind break. “We feel that it would be detrimental to the value and enjoyment of our property if they were taken down,” Jereme stated. Mayor Resseman acknowledged the Suckows’ concerns. “I agree with you that the trees are an important part of this, and I know there’s a compromise to be worked out here.” he said. The Greenslades’ attorney did not support dropping the cartway petition as access has not been verified via the public right-of-way. The council agreed to discuss the matter again at the April meeting after Malm has had a chance to view the survey and set a hearing for the petition in May. “We will resolve this situation so that it’s appropriate for the property owners involved,” Mayor Resseman said.
The election judge pay was increased from $10 an hour to $15 an hour.
A resolution approving the plans and specifications and authorizing advertising for bids for the wastewater treatment facility project was approved.
Mayor Resseman and Peterson recently looked into options for creating a time lapse video of the Lanesboro Dam project for historical value. The engineer for the project already has the cameras and marketing department for editing and will do it as part of the original bid.
The radon levels at the fire hall were retested and came back as 8.5 and 8.2, much lower than the original 23.5 and 19.7.
The Local Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting will be held on April 6 at 5:30 p.m. with the regular council meeting immediately following.
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