The Lanesboro City Council met via Zoom on February 1 and opened their meeting with a public hearing to discuss the proposed Rural Taxing District. The Planning and Zoning Commission had provided a proposal to the council which they reviewed. Lanesboro resident Phillip Haug asked why his property was not included as he has 40 acres on the back of it that are essentially inaccessible for building or development. City Administrator Michele Peterson said that she had noticed the omission of his property and that it was in error and should have been included. The public hearing was closed with no further comments or questions from the public. The council decided to have Peterson review the proposal further before approving it.
The consent agenda was approved and included the accounts payable, the Smith Schafer 2020 audit agreement, the Fillmore County ambulance agreement, and the 2021 lodging licenses.
Preston Police Chief Blaise Sass and Deputy Gideon Prudoehl were present at the Zoom meeting to introduce themselves to the new council members. The City of Lanesboro has a contract with the Preston Police Department for services. Chief Sass has been with the department since 2002 and was hired as the full-time chief in August 2019. Deputy Prudoehl began working with the department in July 2018. Deputy Tim Melver also works with Lanesboro, but was unable to attend the meeting. Mayor Jason Resseman thanked them for their service to Lanesboro. “They’re a wonderful resource for us and we’re very proud to have them as part of our community,” he said.
Phil Dybing gave a presentation on the Lanesboro Housing Study Team which is working with the Minnesota Housing Partnership to address housing needs in Lanesboro. The team, called Lanesboro Housing Solutions or “Burro Burroughs” is about halfway through the Minnesota Housing Partnership’s no-cost, 15- to 18-month program and is comprised of various members of the community from different organizations. “I’m pretty excited because I think the timing is perfect to do this,” Dybing said.
The council reviewed the city’s COVID preparedness plan. Mayor Resseman would like to return to an in-person format for council meetings with a Zoom option for those who aren’t able to attend. The council supported the plan and a motion was passed moving all commission and council meetings from virtual to in-person with proper protocols in place and Zoom options available starting on February 2.
The council had previously discussed the possibility of allocating tree budget funds to allow residents and business owners to plant boulevard trees. A motion was passed allowing the Tree Incentive Program to begin in 2022. Interested individuals will be able to fill out a registration form to be put on the list and will be reimbursed $75 with the understanding that the type of tree purchased will be from a city approved list and planted in a pre-approved location. The council will designate a set amount for the program in the budget each year.
A variance request for 18 Beacon Street was approved.
Ron Amdahl asked the council for some resolution on an area of his land where the fence was bulldozed and trees knocked over during some work the city did some time ago. Mayor Resseman said that the city is willing to cover the cost to replace the barbed wire fence as well as removing and burning the dead trees and disposing of any wire leftover from the previous fence. He recommended that Amdahl meet with a city staff member to determine the amount of linear feet of fencing that needs to be replaced so that a bid can be obtained. Amdahl is willing to work with the city to resolve the issue as long as he can be involved with the whole process and has input. “We wouldn’t have it any other way,” Mayor Resseman commented. The council will discuss the matter further when a bid has been obtained for the fence.
The contractor for the wastewater treatment facility project requested a time extension, which City Engineer Brian Malm from Bolten and Menk recommended approving as he felt it was reasonable. The council approved the contract extension as well as pay request #2.
Malm presented a potential road project for the council to consider, which includes Kirkwood Street East in front of the school and the Beacon Street West, Coffee Street West, and Rochelle Ave. North loop. The streets mentioned are in dire need of reconstruction and meet Local Road Improvement Funding criteria. If approved by the council, the project would begin by April 2021 and be completed in the summer of 2022. Mayor Resseman noted that if the council delays the project, the out-of-pocket costs for the city will increase as the grand funding is a limited opportunity. A motion was approved allowing Bolten and Menk to move forward with the work order.
The next Lanesboro City Council meeting will be held in-person at the community center gym and virtually via Zoom on March 1 at 6 p.m.
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