The Lanesboro City Council meeting took place via video conference on June 1 and opened with a public hearing to consider a set back requirement variance request from Brian Roelofs. The Planning and Zoning committee had already approved it and recommended that the council do the same. There were no comments or questions from the public and the variance was approved.
Chris Goodwin gave an update on the dam project. There have been a few minor hiccups, but overall things are going smoothly and on schedule. “The DNR seems happy with the way the project is going,” he said. “We’ve been happy with the way the contractor has been doing the project.” The council thanked him for the update.
Lanesboro Ambulance Director Deane Benson said that the call volume is starting to pick up a little now that tourism season has begun, but is not overwhelming. The crew is still well stocked with PPE gear. “COVID guidelines are changing continuously and we as the crew have been able to keep up with those,” he said. Individuals whose EMT classes were cut short by COVID-19 will be able to pick them up again after Labor Day and will finish by December. Benson noted that a $500 donation for the ambulance service had been received from a Lanesboro resident.
The council reviewed the COVID-19 public facilities closures. The basketball hoops, tennis court nets and volleyball nets will be put back up to allow people to use them for recreation in small groups. The community center will remain closed for public events and private rentals until more guidance is received from the state, and the matter will continue to be revisited on a monthly basis. The council approved a motion opening the community center locker rooms as they serve as the storm shelter for the campground. The city office will be reopened after a protective glass shield has been installed. Lanesboro Public Library board member Stacey Schultz noted that the board will be discussing options for a re-opening plan following Minnesota state guidelines and direction from SELCO at their upcoming meeting. They will continue to offer curbside service on Mondays and Thursdays in the meantime. The council decided to resume in-person meetings starting the week of June 7. The next Lanesboro City Council meeting will be held in the community center gymnasium to allow for social distancing and masks will be required. A video option will be continued for those who are unable to attend.
Council member Chase Bakke asked about refunding the cost of the 2020 lodging and liquor licenses as many businesses have been and continue to remain closed or only partially open. “Our businesses are hurting downtown,” he said. He recommended refunding the months of March, April, and May for liquor licenses and refunding the yearly amount for lodging licenses. The council approved the motion. “I would like to see a topic on the agenda monthly to discuss ways to see how we can help local businesses,” Mayor Jason Resseman noted. The council agreed and Bakke commented that it would be helpful for businesses to reach out to the city with ideas as well.
Resolution 2020-19 was approved allowing the four establishments who are authorized to sell pull-tabs to sell them outdoors.
Iron Horse Inn owner Pat Shanahan addressed the council about his concerns regarding the lack of bathroom facilities for visitors to Lanesboro. Over the weekend, approximately 50 people a day came into his building to use the restroom because other businesses, including the restaurants who are currently offering outdoor service, do not have their bathrooms open to the public. “If we’re going to invite people to the town, part of our plan should be to have handwashing stations and some port-a-potties,” he stated. He also noticed overflowing public trash cans and emptied them himself. “We have got to take care of these people downtown,” he said. Mayor Resseman noted that the city had been having conversations with Lanesboro restaurant and bar owners since May 20 to discuss all the aspects of outdoor dining and would continue to do so. A motion was passed to place a portable bathroom and handwashing station downtown.
The council approved a request from the Greenslade’s attorney, Mike Murphy to submit the right-of-way plan from their engineer for review by the city attorney and engineer before the next city council meeting.
City Administrator Michele Peterson informed the council that she has heard back from most of the homeowners about the verification of their roadways, but is still waiting to hear back from a few more. One of the homeowners, David Landro, spoke at the meeting to discuss his ongoing concern and disapproval of allowing the city to take possession of his road. Mayor Resseman asked Landro to submit his concerns in a letter to the city for discussion and review by the city engineer.
A special council meeting will be held on June 15 at 6 p.m. to discuss Buffalo Bill Days. The next regular council meeting will be held on July 6 at 6 p.m. Both meetings will take place in the community center gymnasium and participants/attendees are asked to wear face masks.
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