The August 2 Lanesboro City Council meeting opened with a public hearing for a video franchise agreement ordinance. No one from the public was present with questions or comments and the hearing was closed. A second public hearing was then opened to discuss the tax abatement request for G-Cubed Development’s proposed housing project. There were no questions or comments from the public, but Mike Bubany from David Drown Associates gave a presentation about the tax abatement. He explained that the homes to be built will have their taxes calculated and pay them just like other homeowners. Taxes for existing homes in Lanesboro will not see an increase in taxes as a result of the abatement. Bubany noted that the city’s levy will increase due to the tax abatement, but as the project will also grow the city’s tax base, that increase will be spread among more taxpayers. The limitation for tax abatements is 15 years and G-Cubed Development is asking for that length of time for each phase of the project. Bubany assured the council that the language in the agreement states that the abatement will not continue past 2045. Mayor Jason Resseman asked if there were any downsides to approving the abatement. “I see none. There are only upsides,” Bubany answered. “The only downside is if you don’t do it.”
The public hearing was closed and the regular meeting was called to order.
The council reviewed the consent agenda which included accounts payable, a temporary liquor license for the Preston Servicemen’s Club, two temporary liquor licenses for Lanesboro Arts, a lodging license for Anna V’s B&B, and street closures on Coffee Street for Taste of the Trail on September 11, and History Alive on September 18, 19, 25, and 26. Council member Mindy Albrecht-Benson asked if the city has any specific guidelines for allowing street closure. “It seems to me kind of concerning that we’re planning to close the street down four different days for one group,” she said, adding that downtown Lanesboro tends to get congested enough with all the streets open and having inaccessible streets could be an issue for emergency services. City Administrator Michele Peterson said that the city hasn’t received any complaints. Mayor Resseman agreed with Albrecht-Benson, noting that he sees the benefit of having the events in Lanesboro, but four closures for one event seemed excessive. Council member Chase Bakke recommended seeing how it goes and then if complaints are received, the council can revisit the matter at that point. He also felt that it would be wise for the city to have stipulations in place for street closures going forward to avoid any issues. Mayor Resseman agreed and suggested that it be discussed during the next calendar year. The consent agenda was approved with Chase Bakke and Mitchell Walbridge opposing.
Pay request #8 for the wastewater treatment facility project was approved.
The Lanesboro Public Library reported that 167 children have signed up for their summer reading program. The library recently sent out a survey to help determine the hours it would be open and received 23 responses. They are considering re-sending the survey with some changes to keep respondents anonymous and not require people to log in to Google to fill it out.
The Lanesboro Ambulance Service needs to start looking at replacing the ambulance. Director Deane Benson is currently working on obtaining quotes for that. The ambulance computer is over six years old and has been having issues. The cost for a new one is $4,200. Bakke suggested purchasing it now with money from the ambulance equipment fund and then creating a line item for it on the 2022 city budget and repaying it out of the general fund. Bakke also recommended that Benson be given a 4% pay raise based on his recent review. The council approved the pay increase and the computer purchase. It was noted that the ambulance service is in need of more volunteers to cover the on-call time.
The ballfield parking ordinance was reviewed and approved.
Last month, the council extended an offer to the owner of the land that the city’s brush dump sits on as the lease will be up this fall. The city is currently paying $1,200 annually for use of the land. The landowner offered to extend the lease for another five years at $3,600 a year. The city counter-offered with $2,400 annually and the landowner countered with $3,000 annually. “I feel that there is still opportunity to negotiate this to have a better rate for the taxpayers of Lanesboro,” Mayor Resseman said. “Going from $1,200 to $3,000 a year seems exorbitant to me.” He added that the city’s original offering of $2,400, double what they are currently paying, seemed generous. He made a motion to offer to renew the contract for one year at $2,400 which would give the city more time to discuss the matter with the landowner and hopefully come to an amenable agreement. The motion was approved.
The cable television franchise agreement was reviewed by the council and the city attorney. Joseph O’Koren said that everything looked good with it and the contract was approved.
A lot split for 603 Auburn Avenue South was approved.
The council continued the discussion on the creation of an abatement as requested by G-Cubed Development. The annexation agreement for the development has not been approved by the state yet so Resolution 2021-19 regarding the abatement cannot be passed. It was recommended that the council send a letter of support contingent on approval of annexation to the county as it will also be holding a hearing and voting on it soon. Peterson will notify the council as soon as the annexation agreement is approved by the state so they can hold a special meeting to pass Resolution 2021-19. The letter of support was approved and the resolution tabled.
Currently, the public utilities fees are based on electricity usage with a low base rate. Peterson recommended that ordinance 54.06 regarding the public utilities fee schedule be changed to a higher base rate and lower electrical rates. Doing so would level the field and capture properties that may not be used year-round as that brings the revenue down. The council agreed that it was a good idea. Mayor Resseman noted that the council has considered many different fee schedules over the years and the one recommended was the best option he had seen.
A lodging complaint was received about a property in town that had received prior complaints as well. It had been a B&B, but as it didn’t comply with the city’s ordinance stating that someone must be in residence at the home, its lodging license was revoked. The owner than started renting it out as an airbnb for which the home is not zoned. As they are non-compliant with the city’s zoning regulations and licensure, O’Koren will draft a letter which will be sent to the owner with the council’s support. Mayor Resseman felt that a discussion would be appropriate down the road to discuss allowing air bnbs in Lanesboro, but for the time being, homeowners still need to follow the current city ordinance. The letter was approved by the council.
Peterson noted that there is $55,689 currently available in funds from the Small Cities Assistance Program to be used on road improvements. City Maintenance Director David Haugen noted three areas in Lanesboro that have a significant need for improvements. The total cost for repairing all three locations is estimated at $46,280.80. The council approved the road improvements.
The meeting was closed to consider the purchase of a property. The next Lanesboro City Council meeting will be held on September 7 at 6 pm.
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