At the June 2 Lanesboro City Council meeting, the minutes of the May 1 meeting were approved. The consent agenda was approved as well and included accounts payable, resolution 2025-30 accepting $300 in donations to the Lanesboro Fire Department, resolution 2025-31 allowing the Lanesboro Fire Relief Association to conduct gambling at the Dew Drop Inn during 2025, and resolution 2025-32 allowing the sale of the city’s snowplow. A data practices policy for the public and another one for data subjects were approved as well as a lodging license for Root River Trail House and a street closure request from the Lanesboro Fireman’s Relief Association for their annual dance.
The council approved a motion to trade in the city’s current John Deere lawn mower for a newer model at Preston Equipment. The price of the new mower is $12,912.52 and the trade-in value of the current mower is $9,412.52 so the total amount to be paid comes to $3,500.
Kris Paxton and EDA Director Michelle Marotzke addressed the council about Paxton’s request for a revolving loan from the EDA. Paxton plans to use the loan to open up a year-round business called Raging Root Adventure Arcade. She felt that the arcade would provide great opportunities to design programs for area youth, including educational programs as well as being a place to hold parties, corporate team building, and more. Food options would be grab and go, giving people a quick option for food in Lanesboro. She believed that the arcade would not only be used by Lanesboro residents, but be a draw for others and bring them to town. Very limited data on how a business of this type performs in a small town is available due to the fact that there aren’t very many of them, but Paxton was confident in its ability to thrive in Lanesboro. Mayor Alicia Pearson noted that natural resources are a main source of entertainment in Lanesboro, but that it would be nice to have some more indoor options as well. Council member Chase Bakke asked why the EDA had approved the loan for $40,000 rather than the requested amount of $60,000. City Administrator Mitchell Walbridge responded that the loan is meant to be gap funding, not a main source of funds so the EDA felt that $40,000 was an appropriate amount. A motion to approve the loan contingent on approval from the vendor was passed.
Mayor Pearson requested that the council discuss a potential contractor performance review process. She felt that having one in place would implement consistent standards and procedures for the city, ensuring better transparency, efficiency, and accountability to the citizens of Lanesboro in the projects that are done in the city. Council member Mindy Albrecht-Benson wasn’t confident that it was a needed process as she felt that it would place an additional administrative burden on city staff. She also stated that the city’s engineering firm, Bolten & Menk already provides such services within their contracts when project planning. Bakke said that it would be necessary to ensure that it would be compliant with state statutes and regulations before implementing in Lanesboro. City attorney Joseph O’Koren stated that he hasn’t seen a review process like this at other cities, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. He noted that it would be tricky to implement consequences if projects don’t go as they should. The council approved a motion to table the matter indefinitely.
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