Lanesboro Mayor Autumn Johnson read a proclamation at the May 1 city council meeting declaring that Arbor Day would be honored in the City of Lanesboro on Saturday, May 6. “We urge all citizens to celebrate Arbor Day and to work to protect our trees,” she said.
Lanesboro’s financial advisor, Mike Bubany from David Drown Associates, recommended that the council approve his recommendation for the issuance of bonds to pay for the Autumn/Zenith road project. The estimated total for the bonds would come to 1.4 million dollars, and the first year of collection would be 2019. He advised the council to move quickly, as the interest rates quoted were only guaranteed for the present and could easily change. The council approved the recommendation. Bubany will be advertising for bids and then presenting them at the June council meeting.
City Attorney Tom Manion will draft a city ordinance addressing Sunday liquor sales and presenting it to the council at the next meeting for approval. The bill passed by the Minnesota Senate allowing sales of alcohol on Sundays will take effect on July 2, 2017.
Police Chief Matt Schultz informed the council that the Lanesboro Police Department has responded to 197 service calls so far in 2017. Many of those calls were door checks to make sure all of the doors of local businesses were locked after hours. The business owners have been very grateful for that service. Notices have been sent to all area business to update their contact information so that the department can get in touch with them if there is an issue at their business.
Two new police officers were recently hired for the Lanesboro Police Department.
During the relief portion of the April 13, 2017 Fire Department meeting, it was decided to increase the pension amount by $250 for the Lanesboro department retirees. The funds for the increase are available so the city will not have to worry about covering the pensions if the fire department could not. The council approved the increase.
A resignation was received for an EDA member. The city will advertise for a replacement.
City Engineer Brian Malm accepted bids for the Auburn/Zenith Street Utility Project in April. The lowest bid was from Generation X Construction from Rushford. Malm recommended that the council award the bid to them, which they did.
Upon reviewing the lease for the Lanesboro Chamber of Commerce, it was noted that the city has one copy and the Chamber has another, but neither has the original signed copy of the lease. “We need to bring it up to date and all get on the same page,” City Administrator Michele Peterson said. The council reviewed the lease and approved it after clarifying that the tenant is responsible for landscaping and upkeep of the exterior of the building.
The council reviewed ordinance 330.061, which pertains to the design and review of retaining walls and ordinance 31.70, which explains the public utility commission’s authority. Both ordinances were approved.
The council approved a motion to change Elmwood Street East to a one-way street. Peterson noted that every single response she had to the proposed change was positive. Manion will draft an ordinance for approval at the June city council meeting.
The next Lanesboro City Council meeting will be held on June 5 at 5:30 p.m.