Lanesboro Public Utilities Commission member Don Bell read a letter to the council stating his ongoing opposition to the wastewater treatment plant project. “There have been a lot of missed opportunities and bad decisions,” he said, adding that the city has been warned by both the DNR and FEMA not to build the plant in a flood plain as planned. “We have a collective responsibility and I can’t be silent,” Bell said. Bell ended the letter by stating that he cannot continue serving as a commissioner if the project continues. Mayor Resseman noted that the Public Utilities Commission recommended that the city move ahead with the project in the proposed location before Bell joined. “I think it would be grossly negligent of us to remove you because we don’t agree with your opinion,” Resseman said. “Just because your opinion wasn’t followed doesn’t mean your opinion isn’t valued.” Bell felt that communication between him and the council was inadequate and asked Resseman to call him to discuss his concerns, which the Mayor agreed to do the next day. The rest of the council also expressed their support for Bell staying in his position. “Just because we can’t agree on things, doesn’t mean we can’t still work together,” council member Chase Bakke said.
Two closures on Coffee Street were approved for May 9 and September 26 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the Girls Day Out event.
Fillmore County Public Health Educator Brenda Pohlman conducted a tobacco presentation to update the council on current tobacco use and legislature. In the last four years, an increase in tobacco use in teens and young adults has been seen and can be attributed to e-cigarettes or vapes. The number of vaping-related lung injuries has also been increasing with over 2,000 people diagnosed so far. Pohlman passed a variety of vapes around to the council members. “I just want to make you aware of products that are out there,” she said, adding that the fruit and candy flavored ones are popular among teens. Pohlman noted that the federal government recently changed the age when an individual can purchase tobacco from 18 to 21. The Minnesota League of Cities has developed a model policy regarding tobacco use that meets the new federal regulations for its members to use as a starting point. “I think it would be prudent to update it,” Mayor Resseman said about the city’s current policy. City Administrator Michele Peterson will work with Pohlman to update Lanesboro’s tobacco use policy.
Public Works Director David Haugen asked the council to review options to replace the city’s dump truck, noting that the problems on the truck that the city has owned and operated for over 20 years are starting to compound, even with the easy winter so far this year. He pointed out that if the city decides to purchase a new one, it will take at least a year for it to be built so it would be wise to make a decision soon. Another option he presented was to purchase a pickup truck and install a larger plow and sander on it. “The drawback of the pickup is that it’s not a dump truck, and it can’t haul,” he said. Council member Bridget Harvey offered to work with Peterson and Haugen to determine the best option for the city.
Ambulance Director Deane Benson informed the council that over 50 people attended the town hall meeting on January 22 to discuss the need for continued EMS services in Lanesboro and the lack of volunteers. As a result of that meeting, seven people applied to become EMTs and another as a first responder. Only six slots are available for EMT training at this time though and Benson felt that it would be best to select the six applicants who plan to stay local. The seventh will be leaving for college later this year. “If there’s some way you can keep this young adult interested, that would be appreciated,” Resseman said to Benson. Benson plans to work with her to encourage her interest in EMT work. “We’re not in any position to turn people away, but this is kind of a different case,” Benson noted.
A motion was made and approved to change the incentive program for the Lanesboro Ambulance service. Currently, the program pays out a bonus at the end of a six-month period to EMTs who have completed 40 weekday hours and 40 weekend hours each month plus have been in attendance at the monthly meetings. With the change, the bonuses will now be paid out on a monthly basis.
A resignation from Historic Preservation Commission member Sara Xavier was approved. “Again, we are still short members for HPC so if we can get some applications, that would be great,” Mayor Resseman noted. A resignation was also approved for Planning & Zoning member Richard Wolfgramm.
A detachment request was received from Lanesboro resident Dale Egge. The Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to deny the request, but it still had to go through the council for approval as well. Egge asked if the Commission members had visited his property before making a decision and noted that it consists of hills and valleys with no city streets or services. Despite not having services from the city, his city taxes have increased over the last few years. “The fact is that he gets nothing from us,” Council member Tom Smith said. The request was tabled to allow the council more time to review the property.
A cartway petition was received from Ronald Greenslade so that he can access some of his land via his neighbor’s property. The neighbors, Gary and Wanda Grebin weren’t aware that they even owned the property in question and were under the impression that it had been dedicated to the city at an earlier date to potentially be used as a street later. The cartway involved 0.17 acres of the Grebins’ property, and Greenslade asked that the dollar amount for the bond be set at $2,000. The council approved the amount so that the petition could move forward.
An audit agreement with Smith Schafer was approved.
Budgeted was $5,000 to update and revamp the city’s website before bids were sent out for proposals, all of which came in over budget. A motion was made and approved to reject all of the bids and rebid the project.
A lot split application from Rick Lamon was approved.
Peterson put together a list of 18 different roads in Lanesboro that are privately owned, 10 of which are maintained by the city and need to be handled appropriately. “Now is an opportunity to deal with this and deal with it correctly,” Mayor Resseman said, adding that there are a variety of issues to consider before moving forward with any action. A motion was approved allowing Peterson, Smith, Haugen, and City Engineer Brian Malm to work together to determine a course of action.
The city employee policy update was reviewed and approved by the council.
A resolution was passed appointing the election judges for the March 3, August 11, and November 3 elections.
Unwined owner Lori Rakosnik applied for and received a liquor license for her new business.
The next Lanesboro City Council meeting will be held on March 2 at 6 p.m.
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