The City of Lanesboro recently worked with Fillmore County to test all of its public facilities for radon. All of the buildings except for two fell under the average of 5.81 for Fillmore County. The basement of the museum tested only slightly over the average, but the fire department was very high. Two tests were conducted in different areas of the building, and they came back with readings of 23.5 and 19.7. “We want to look into having this addressed,” Mayor Jason Resseman stated, adding that radon is a known issue in Fillmore County. He urged owners of buildings that are adjacent to the fire department to conduct radon testing to ensure their safety.
Preston Police Chief Blaise Sass gave an update on how things have been going since the retirement of former Chief Matt Schultz. There are three new part-time sworn officers at the department with a fourth scheduled to be hired as soon as his background is completed. Chief Sass noted that they frequently receive complaints from citizens about vehicles that have sat parked in one spot for long periods of times. Due to city ordinances, there isn’t much the department is able to do other than wait for the tabs to expire. He noted that Preston has a 24 hour parking ordinance, which allows those complaints to be addressed. “At least it gives us some teeth to talk to the individual and let them know that they’re in violation of the ordinance,” he said. He recommended that Lanesboro adopt a similar ordinance. The council decided to table it until December’s meeting to allow City Administrator Michele Peterson and City Attorney Thomas Manion time to draft an ordinance.
The Lanesboro Public Library board reviewed library director Tara Johnson’s performance for the last year and reported that she came through with flying colors as expected. “She is well organized and serves a very wide-ranging position within the community,” board member Kay Wold said. Johnson noted that the Lanesboro Area Community Foundation has approved some funding for a handicapped accessible door to replace the library’s current inner door which is not accessible. The library received a $1,000 grant for the door, and the Friends of the Library will be helping with the project as well. “We want to get it done as soon as possible,” Johnson said.
The council approved a sewer rate increase for 2020. The increase will come to just under 8%, and there will be a monthly $26.75 base charge which will include the first 1,000 gallons. The 2020 Public Utilities budget was also approved.
Four members of the local Cub Scouts troop attended the meeting to observe the processes that the council follows. Mayor Resseman spent some time during the meeting answering questions from the Scouts, which included questions such as what his job is as mayor and what is the biggest issue that Lanesboro faces. “We appreciate you coming in today,” Mayor Resseman said when they were finished.
A public hearing was held to discuss the city’s vacation of a portion of Hillcrest Avenue and the adjacent alley. No one was present for the hearing and resolution 2019-21 allowing the vacation of the proposed areas was approved.
The Filthy Fifty bike race event, which was held in Lanesboro on October 12, went well and the coordinators plan to continue holding it in Lanesboro annually for the foreseeable future. A motion was passed to approve the council’s support of the Filthy Fifty going forward.
Lanesboro residents Maureen and Dan Anderson attended the council meeting to discuss a nonprofit group called LinkMe they are in the process of starting in Lanesboro. LinkMe will implement a free volunteer program, which will link needs that people have with people who can meet those needs. The Andersons are in the process of applying for a $5,000 grant, but have run into a road block as the current fiscal agent for the program is Faith Community church. The grants cannot be given to churches so they need to find a new fiscal agent, and it was recommended that they approach the city. The council approved a motion to act as LinkMe Lanesboro’s fiscal agent.
The council discussed the option of declaring Westview Drive an official city street as the city has maintained it for the last six years. Two of the three landowners have signed a petition allowing the change, but the third has yet to do so. The city can move forward without the signature, but would prefer to obtain it first. “I think it’s to everybody’s advantage for the city to maintain it and we’re doing it anyway,” Manion pointed out. The council decided to table the discussion for one month to allow Manion more time to reach out to the homeowners for a signature.
The City of Lanesboro has worked with the State of Minnesota for snow removal on Parkway Avenue/Highway 250 in town. Previously, the city has charged the state an hourly rate for work and equipment, but the state has requested that Lanesboro change to a flat rate five-year contract with escalations in price each year. “I’m hesitant a little bit,” Peterson admitted, pointing out that the rate listed in the contract would not cover the city’s expenses from last winter. She noted that an average winter would be okay, but if Lanesboro gets another winter like last year’s, it would come out behind. Council member Bridget Harvey asked whether the extra earned in average years could be put away for the bad ones and was told that it would be possible. The council approved the contract.
A group of citizens attended last month’s meeting to discuss the decay of the Parkway Avenue/Coffee Street alley that runs behind their businesses. The council continued the discussion at the November meeting. Peterson pointed out that some time ago, a similar concern was brought up about the alley behind Vis Plumbing and it should be included in the project. It was decided to obtain a quote for the work needed in both alleys.
The next Lanesboro City Council meeting will be held on December 2 at 6 p.m.
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