The City of Lanesboro received a quote in the amount of $73,915 from Farrabee Mechanical for the removal of the old, non-working generator from the utility plant. The generator is huge and takes up a lot of space. It was manufactured in 1938 and was purchased by Lanesboro in 1968. “It has thousands of hours of operation,” City Administrator Michele Peterson noted, adding that it has definitely served its purpose and has been an asset to the community, providing power to Lanesboro residents when other local communities’ electricity went out. The funds for the generator removal are available in the Electric Utilities budget. The council approved the quote at their September 4 meeting.
Buffalo Bill Days chair Lori Bakke gave a report on the celebration to the council. “We had another successful year,” she said. Sip and Savor, a new event at the festivities also went well, with over $500 being raised each for four local families in need. The parade consisted of over 80 units and was also a big hit. Bakke noted that the Buffalo Bill Days committee will be restructuring in 2019 with the creation of several sub-committees. The monthly meetings for the event begin in February 2019 and more volunteers are needed. Bakke informed the council that she will be stepping down as chair due to her own business’s growth. She also suggested that the city’s float be entered in other local town celebrations to advertise Lanesboro and support other small communities.
“It’s a nice, friendly gesture,” she commented. The council thanked Bakke and the rest of the committee for their hard work coordinating Buffalo Bill Days.
Public Works Director David Haugan reported that the department is busy grading gravel roads and patching potholes. “The wet weather has been rough on them (the roads),” he said. “We are at the point now where we’re putting patches on top of other patches on many roads.” He asked that the council keep that in mind as they plan future projects in Lanesboro.
Julie Obritsch has resigned her spot on the Lanesboro Public Library board. The council approved the resignation.
Mike Bubany of David Drown and Associates presented the council with the updated capital improvement plan. He noted that the two main projects on the plan are Highway 250 and the large wastewater treatment plant. Both projects are still a few years away from happening, but Bubany cautioned the council to start thinking and planning for them now. Resolution 2018-33 was passed approving the updated capital improvement plan.
The council also reviewed the updated 2019 budget and approved it.
City Engineer Brian Malm presented the information for Resolution 2018-31 regarding the assessments for the Zenith Street paving project. The total project cost is around 1.3 million and the amount to be assessed is approximately $260,000, which is less than what was assumed in the bond. That resolution along with Resolution 2018-32 to hold a hearing on the proposed assessments at the October 1 city council meeting were approved.
The council approved ordinance 91.042 regarding the prescribed grazing of noxious and invasive vegetation. The Planning and Zoning Commission was asked by a Lanesboro business owner about the feasibility of creating a city ordinance to allow goats to graze in a confined area to rid it of noxious weeds. The commission was in favor of the practice as it’s a non-chemical way of dealing with weeds. It was noted that goats would only be allowed to graze for 10 days at a time and proper fencing and insurance would be required. Each permit would be need to be approved on an individual basis by the Planning and Zoning Commission. The council approved the new ordinance.
The American Legion of Lanesboro has raised around $18,000 for their tuckpointing project. They would like to apply for a $10,000 grant to help with the costs as well. The council approved the application.
The next Lanesboro City Council meeting will be held on October 1 at 5:30 p.m.
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