Lake Benton council talks EMS updates to emergency plan

By Dan Kuss
lbnews@itctel.com

The Lake Benton City Council gathered at the Heritage Center City Offices for their regular meeting on Monday, June 7.
Heather Ulrich-Glynn of the Lake Benton EMS Rescue team reported on weather watching and asked that the city continue the weather radio program.

The council agreed to continue the weather radio program in which the city kicks in $20 when any resident of Lake Benton purchases a weather radio from the Lake Benton Hardware store and pays the remaining $25. The cost of a weather radio is $45.

Ulrich-Glynn said they will be updating the city emergency plan once a year as to how long they will wait to check on the elderly in the event of a power outage, natural disaster or severe weather conditions.

She also mentioned that the emergency plan has specific duties for council members to perform and that they should review those duties as stated in the emergency plan book.

Mayor Mike Carpenter suggested that the EMS Rescue team work to get the updated information out to the public on how it works.

The First Responders are paged out by the Sheriff in the event of inclement weather. The First Responders station themselves on the hill and look for funnel clouds and report any findings back to the Sheriff and sound the alarm if necessary. Continue reading »

Lake Benton to get a new tractor

By Dan Kuss
lbnews@itctel.com

The Lake Benton City Council met in its regular meeting on Monday, May 3.

The regular meeting closed at 5:45 and again at 6:15 for a public hearing to amend Zoning Ordinance Number 150, which is the conditional use of Shoreline District property to house office space and office buildings at the old Creamery Building.

There was no one from the general public on hand to voice any concerns. Council member Al Lindemann said that word about town was that people are excited about it.

The council heard the police report from Chief Guy Harding. Harding requested $300 in matching funds to move forward with a grant request from December for an in-car video camera for the squad car. Chief Harding also said they were moving forward with live traps for the cats and rats downtown.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety has grants available for smaller departments to help with newer technology cities might not be able to afford. The city authorized the $300 and grant funds will reimburse the city for most of it.
Roger Rudebusch asked about mowing out by Memorial Hill. Two years ago the city split the cost with the American Legion at a cost of $600 and Rudebusch will check with the Legion as to the possibility of splitting the cost again. The hill is steep and dangerous to mow. LaDon Prosch and sons will mow around the outside of the steep part for $150 per time. Rudebusch will control the weeds.

The bar reports that the patio is open and being used and that they have restocked for the summer.

City licensing will be the same as last year for establishments with the addition of Becker’s Resort, who plan to open the new addition in about a month.

The council agreed to pay the school for transportation to swimming lessons as it has been doing for years.

The council approved a building request from Delmar Tiedeman.

City Maintenance Supervisor Todd Draper requested the city accept the bid from Southwest Implement in Tyler for a new 1445 John Deere tractor with accessories as proposed in earlier meetings. Draper also recommended to accept the bid from Vince Robinson for the city’s old 1994 1145 John Deere. The new tractor with the mower attachment will be available in a week.

Reiner Contracting has been out with dirt, seed and straw to get the grass growing.

The burn site will open Sundays from 12 – 4 p.m. beginning May 9 and will be manned by John Ahrens.

The city passed a resolution to change its official newspaper designation from the Lake Benton News to the Lake Benton Valley Journal effective immediately.

The library committee will meet to scale down the figures for the Cadillac version from the grant money and report back.

Summer recreation is moving forward. Dave Busselman will handle some upkeep at the softball field.
The council will meet with the Lake Benton Township at the next meeting on May 17.

City must follow new DNR burn site rules

By Dan Kuss
lbnews@itctel.com

In addition to reviewing and acting on routine city business at the regular meeting of the Lake Benton City Council on Monday, April 19, the council discussed new business.

Marilyn Powell presented issues facing the use of the community center. It appears that people are leaving the community center messy and not putting things away properly. Kids have been running on tables and leaving scuff marks, there have been dirty diapers in the recycling bin and basically the center is left in a shambles at times.

Someone accidently blew a fuse which was not reported and all the food in the refrigerator thawed out. Lights have been left on causing additional expense to the city and doors have been left open or unlocked at times.

The community center is available for use by residents of Lake Benton and people using it should be responsible to keep it nice and clean.

Continue reading »

School board budget plan discussed at committee meeting

By Dan Kuss
lbnews@itctel.com

The Lake Benton School Board held a budget planning meeting on April 14 at 6 p.m.
Superintendent Loy Woelber said he had been communicating with the teachers and staff about the items on the agenda for the April 14 meeting.

The following items will be acted upon at the next regular meeting of the school board on April 21 at 7 p.m.
Shifting the responsibilities of transportation supervisor to the building principal would save $1,500 on Gary Serie’s stipend. Gary is aware and okay with this.

Continue reading »

John C. Fremont Emporium building proposed as the Jack Burk Memorial Library

By Dan Kuss
lbnews@itctel.com

The regular meeting of the Lake Benton City Council was on Monday, April 5 in the Heritage Center/City Office with a full agenda of items to cover. The council quickly reviewed and approved the minutes of the March 15 meeting and agreed to pay the claims against the City of Lake Benton and the Municipal Bar.

The police report was presented by Chief Guy Harding and approved. There had been a 911 hoax by Jane Doe, which has been resolved. Chief Harding requested a meeting with the police committee to discuss spring cleanup, which should be the last week of April or the first week in May.

The Good Will trailer will be in town and will be advertised. Residents will be able to get rid of appliances, etc. at the one time cleanup.

The bar report was reviewed and approved. A building request submitted by Roger Rudebusch at a cost of $37,000 was reviewed and accepted by the council.

There was an update on the Rural Development Library Project. Present were library board members Darcy Miller, Connie Bressler and Todd Berger; librarian Shanna Worth and Friend of the Library, Shawna Soderholm.
Carl Burk proposed a donation of the John C. Fremont Emporium building as the new Jack Burk Memorial Library in Lake Benton. The library board members and council thanked Burk for this generous donation and will look into the feasibility of the offer.

Concerns were the weight of the books on the floor and the council agreed to have Banner’s architects put a plan together for the complete cost of the project and deal with any issues for $12,600. That cost can be part of grant funding or loan reimbursement to the general fund.

Mayor Mike Carpenter stated that further homework revealed that there is a cap of $50,000 to the 55 percent grant funds available for the project with potential to borrow 45 percent in low interest loans for 40 years. Librarian Shanna Worth said the library is used a lot with a big demand for internet access.

The council agreed to authorize the mayor to sign the documentation and pay the fee to proceed. Carl Burk abstained from voting on the matter. The Friends of the Library are working on equipment to upgrade to a larger facility and Mayor Carpenter reminded them that the council is concerned with looking at the structure itself for right now.

The council met with Jeff McKeever of Ottertail Power on the Excel Windpower arial line transport project. The city and Ottertail have a good working relationship and want issues to be clear before moving ahead. Ottertail owns the arial cable poles for electric and utilities and there are also phone and cable TV lines attached. The Excel proposal is to replace the poles with 10 – 15 foot taller poles.

McKeever stated that they will follow the National Electrical Safety Code for lines plus 1/2 inch of ice and windload standards. Excel has problems with underground transport lines and McKeever said arial lines are much easier and more timely to repair.

A letter has been sent to residents asking for their concerns. Excel will meet with Ottertail Power and when an agreement is accepted by both parties, will present it to the city. There will be no cost to the city for the project. Lake Benton will be impacted to the positive as planned up-grades will happen sooner.

The plan is for mid-September construction to be in service by the end of the year, sooner if possible. Ottertail prefers to do the construction. Preliminary surveying is happening now.

Both parties are working with legal counsel to verify public or private Right of Way, etc. Residents prefer if a pole is not needed on their property, that is just fine with them.

The council met with Heather Ulrich-Glynn. The Lake Benton Creamery Building has been purchased by Xochitl Enterprizes LLT and is being remodeled for office space. This property is zoned in the Shoreland Commercial District. A request has been received to amend the ordinance for office use on a conditional use permit. DNR needs to be notified 10 days before a public hearing is held.

A tax abatement was requested from the city and county at 90% for 10 years. The building is worth $6,000 right now and pays $91.37 in taxes. When remodeling is done, the building will be worth $100,000 and pay $125.87 in taxes. In 10 years after abatement, it will pay $1,132.84 plus $125.87 in taxes. Xochitl Enterprizes LLT chose not to abate school tax.

The project will proceed through the city and county EDA and report back to the council.

Ulrich-Glynn then reported on the Minnesota Revenue Recapture Program for utilities. EDA and the city will enroll together. There is an easy on-line application in which a name is entered for recapturing unpaid utilities.
Originally $33,959. was proposed to be cut to the city from Governor Pawlenty. The House and Senate bill projects $14,273. to be cut.

EDA proposed to forego the $8,000. allocated to them by the city. The city thanked the EDA for waiving payment this year.

The EDA stated that 350 construction workers will be brought to the area between White and Elkton South Dakota to build an electrical and gas facility. Workers plan to live in trailers the full time and plans are in place to provide water hook ups for the trailers. When construction is complete, there will be 31 full time employees at the plant.

Lake Benton had plans to combine with Arco on a Small Cities Development Grant/Loan. Arco received theirs and Lake Benton will look to combine with another city or township for a revolving loan fund.

Public Works Maintenance Supervisor, Todd Draper, reported that he has filed for a burning permit from the DNR.

Draper reported that everything is in place and the council agreed to have the mayor and supervisor sign for the five year permit.

Draper discussed cost estimates for upgrading the mower, blower and tractor and suggested if the upgrade happens, that a sweeper be added if they put it out for bids. The last major purchase was a pi9ck up truck.

The street sweeper is the big ticket item and would cost $50,000. for a used one. Sharing was discussed a few years ago and there were a few positives, but a lot of negatives. Insurance would have to pay for repairs regardless of who was operating it when it breaks.

The old one is almost 20 years old, so it is time to begin looking into replacing it.

Draper proposed up dates to the two lift stations. Parts are rotting away. Electric and parts will come out of the Utility budget.

The light pole is due to be replaced on April 28th.

Banner will do a drive through of the proposed street project in the near future.

At the special fire meeting, township production revenue was revisited to make it fair for everyone. Jim Veire handled the situation and everyone is happy.

Rosie DeZeeuw discussed Community Center usage in the summer. The council will allow the Flea Market to use the facility two weekends a month, providing they pay the rental fee.

Animal licenses were discussed and the clerk will send out letters to those who need to renew.

License fees were discussed and a resolution to amend the ordinance was adopted. The resolution is effective once published. May 1st is renewal. A resolution to change the ordinance for On-sale, Club and Sunday Liquor and Wine will be changed to Resolution only. Fees are $600., $600. and $100.

The Mayor cannot attend the Minnesota League of Cities Convention, but invited others to attend.

Lake Benton School plans for tough budgeting ahead

The Lake Benton School Board met in an informal special budget planning session consisting of board members, concerned parents, individuals, staff and administrators on Wednesday evening, March 24 to gather information and discuss various options.

The group looked at many possible ways to cut expenses and increase revenue, while keeping and building upon an excellent academic program at the school. All participants agreed that not only do they want to keep the school here, but to make it strong.

Final recommendations will be made at the April board meeting on April 21.

The meeting opened with introductions of all persons attending and their connection to the school. There were many alumni of Lake Benton School in attendance.

The group operated from an outline prepared by Superintendent Loy Woelber and discussed the many options available. A target was tentatively set at $30,000.

Estimated general education revenue for 2010-11 should be down $5,000 to up $10,000 for next year. Estimated expenditures for next year will increase about $63,000 due to salaries and insurance increases, which would leave a net loss of $53,000 to $68,000.

This is a key year for the audit because the school will have one year under their belt without the added expense of the construction project. There is also stimulus money to deal with. It will be a normal year that can be more accurately built upon in the future. Continue reading »

Lincoln Co. reviews two joint powers agreements

By Bill Clark
bdclark@frontiernet.net

The Lincoln County Board considered two joint powers agreements at their regular meeting held Tuesday, March 2 in Ivanhoe. The first joint powers agreement involved the Lyon, Murray and Pipestone counties’ health and human services. The commissioners agreed they wanted to continue their arrangements with the other counties for these services. The final draft of the agreement will be presented at a later board meeting.

The other joint powers agreement discussed by the county board was one with the City of Lake Benton and the City of Hendricks and involved police protection. Previously, the county had an agreement with both cities to provided limited police protection when their full-time chief of police was on vacation or unavailable. That the commissioners had rescinded agreement earlier because the city council in the City of Hendricks made the full-time chief of police position a part-time post. The City of Lake Benton wanted to continue the arrangement with the county, but because the agreement was with both cities the agreement had to be rewritten. Lincoln County Sheriff Jack Vizecky met with the county board and indicated to the commissioners that he had met with the Hendricks council and encouraged them to maintain the full-time chief of police position. They opted to reduce the position anyway. Vizecky told the commissioners that he could not provide additional officers to cover the extra time in Hendricks without adding staff. He told the commissioners that a couple incidents had already occurred in Hendricks that required investigation by his officers. The Hendricks police chief, according to Vizecky, would have previously investigated the incidents during the daytime hours.

County Attorney Glen Petersen told the commissioners he would talk with Tom Reeves, Hendricks City Attorney, about the agreement and report back to the county commission.

In other action the county board passed a resolution that prioritized various bridge projects that are in the planning stages. The four projects that should be completed this year include three bridges on County Road 13 and one on 190th Street in Marshfield Township. The total cost of this year’s project is $600,000 of which $166,000 will be funded locally. The commissioners agreed to push up two bridge improvement projects on County Road 7 into the 2011 planning stages. They had previously been in the 2012 construction year. The total projects now in 2011 would total an estimated $700,000 of which $235,000 would have to be funded locally.

2009 annual report being worked on for municipal bar

By Dan Kuss

In addition to addressing the general business at hand, reports to the city council were heard. Police Chief Guy Harding reported that the air bag in the squad car was replaced at $93, as opposed to $200, at a considerable savings to the city.

Harding also said that people had trouble staying on the road last month with all the snow and ice.

The bar reports the accountant and Kinner Co. are working on the annual 2009 report. On-sale was down $1,000 in February, but off-sale was up $4,000. Sales are up $3,000 from a year ago.

Public works Supervisor Todd Draper discussed the Becker building request with Mike Cable and they decided to contact the DNR to make sure everything is in order. They will be sending maps and a proposal, which seems to be on the up and up, but reviewing the details will keep the city off the hook. This can be superseded by council, if necessary.
The North Morton Street blacktop, curb and gutter project is in a TIF district, $36,000 in TIF account, $46,000 estimated to get the job done.

Work will consist of regrading existing gravel put down by the city, extending the sewer line 60 feet west toward the football field to the next buildable lot next to the playground and extending past the intersection for possible future additions. Plans are to begin digging in early fall at the end of August.

The Cottage Street project is estimated at $47,000. Work will consist of replacing the water main, digging down two feet of gravel in bad spots with the remaining six inches of gravel in others.

Mayor Carpenter said we’ll wait to see what the state will cut in rural development funding.

Draper suggested we put the two projects together to save money. There is a possibility of assessment at 20 percent.
Eleven property owners would be affected including the corners. There would be a public hearing. There are TIF funds available. The street is in bad shape. The council will be addressing this issue again in April or May.

Todd will be gone from May 19 – 26, not the whole month of May as rumored.

There is another pole issue at Veire’s corner. The driver of a truck carrying a load of feeder pigs said he didn’t see it and took the street lamp out. Insurance will pay for it.

Banner will look into the library issue.

The buses need to be moved from behind Johansen’s.

Clerk Rosie DeZeeuw said there would be a board of appeal and equalization on Tuesday, April 13 at 7 p.m.

The next city council meeting will be on March 15.

Lincoln County veterans to go on Honor Flight in May

by Bill Clark

Gary Serie of Lake Benton, Lincoln County’s Veteran Service Officer, told the Lincoln County Board Tuesday in his report that an Honor Flight was being organized for veterans in Southwest Minnesota. The Honor Flight to the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC is tentatively planned for May 7-8 and $76,000 in contributions have already been raised to pay for the flight, according to Serie. He indicated that about 10 Lincoln County veterans were signed up now to go and more are expected to sign up. A total of 70 veterans will be taken on the flight and veterans will make the trip at no cost to themselves. Caregivers will accompany the veterans on every flight.

Serie also told the commissioners, in his report, that 156 veterans, about 31 percent of the veterans in the county, utilized the VA Medical Centers. The total medical benefits received from this service in 2008 were $1,196,904, substantially more than in 2007 when $756,875 was received.

Later in the meeting Adam Gillund, Chairman of the Board, told other members of the board he had received a letter from Lyon County with an invitation to meet and discuss sharing a veteran service officer with them. Commissioner Joan Jagt said she had informally discussed the possibility with other counties in the area at some unrelated meetings. She felt the county should at least explore the option with other counties. The board, in a split vote, agreed to have her attend a meeting to discuss these options. Commissioner Curt Blumeyer told the other commissioners he felt services to county veterans could be expanded if they were merged with other counties.

In other discussions, Robert Olsen, County Environmental Office Administrator, told the commissioners the ditches in the county were in good repair and their maintenance projects would continue this coming year. They discussed attending the public hearing on Ditch Number 38, but both the administrator and the commissioners agreed it would not be necessary for them to attend since it is being held in Madison and would not directly impact ditches in Lincoln County. Olsen also updated the commissioners on the building permits and septic permits that were given in 2009. He indicated in his report that a total of 134 land use permits had been issued last year with an estimated construction cost of $15,825,412. His office collected $18,665 in fees for the permits and variances.

Businesses reminded to clear storefront sidewalks

by Dan Kuss

The Lake Benton City Council met on Monday, Feb. 1 at 5:30 p.m. In addition to paying the monthly bills, the council acted on other business at hand. Guy Harding requested to attend a police conference for his continuing education in Brooklyn Center on March 5 and 6. The council agreed.

He also mentioned that there is a grant from the BCA or DPS for smaller communities to add video cameras to squad cars. Video cameras now run about $2000 for a good one and with this grant, the installation cost to the city would be a nominal charge.

The in-squad cameras not only help protect officers in the line of duty, they also protect the city and are a great source of evidence. The Police Commission will meet on Wednesday of this week to discuss it in further detail.
Harding also needed minor repairs to the squad car as the drivers’ window was stuck open during the latest ice storm.
The bar report was approved as business as usual and there were no outstanding issues.

Todd Draper gave the Public Works report and said the city now has to acquire a burning permit from Lincoln County and provide an Emergency Management Response plan. This used to be under Pollution Control Agency rule but is now handled by the DNR. There is no charge for the permit, so Draper will fill out the application and begin the process. There may be a need to lock the dump at all times.

Lincoln County has adopted a new sewer system and will implement an application fee for new septic users to be inspected by the County. Draper has a Wastewater Operator License, but it does not include a septic tank inspection tag. Most people are connected to city wastewater disposal.

Draper was asked how the city’s snow removal equipment is holding out. Draper said it is not new by any means and that it has been a tough year for the snow blower, due to the fact that the city blows packed snow as opposed to fluffy powdery snow that most farmers are used to blowing. The current snow blower was purchased in 1997 and was immediately ‘beefed up’ to handle more commercial snow.

Draper said we got a good deal back then at $2,700, but to be wary prior to buying a new one as the city has about an additional $1,000 into customization to a more heavy duty blower. Repairs are made as necessary. Most recently a fan was replaced as it just wore out from use.

Draper said it would be nice to get a unit with a blower in front as driving backwards wears operators down and if the bucket is used, since it is hydraulic, the blower quits.
A letter will be sent out to remind main street businesses to clear their storefront sidewalks during the day as per city ordinance, since snow removal crews perform that function early in the morning before business hours and need to continue plowing streets and removing snow the rest of the day. Most businesses stay on top of it, but there are a few that need work.

Draper also said he needed to talk to MnDOT, due to water main leakage through the city maintenance building. Apparently a storm sewer main backs up when the weather warms up and when trains go by things shift and it plugs up.
It was requested that bar employees receive a $.25 raise as opposed to $.18. It is a good faith effort as the bar is making headway beginning its third year in a five-year plan and it is such a small amount.

Feb. 10 is the Lake Benton Fire Department’s annual meeting at the Community Center.

The council agreed to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign checks for the deferred loan.
TIFF stimulus grant money was discussed to finish about 300 feet on Morton Street, which is graveled, with a water extension and curb and gutter. Cottage Street also has a blacktop issue. The sewer is new, but the water is not. The city feels it should be able to get a better price by combining the two projects and blacktopping both at the same time.
Todd Draper suggested that the city contract the digging and that he would do the work. To resurface would cost around $24,000, but they would dig down two feet to alleviate the previous problem.

It was reported that Highway 75 repairs and resurfacing plans have been moved back by the state to 2013.

The next Lake Benton City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 16, due to the Monday holiday.