City offers Holy Trinity Church lot for expansion

By Sara QuamThe city of Luverne is offering a neighboring lot to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church for its planned expansion.The city bought the lot for $30,000 and offered to sell it for that much.According to City Administrator Greg La Fond, the Fire Hall still has room for expansion there if needed.Holy Trinity would own the lot south of the church to the alleyway.Sioux Valley hookupsSioux Valley Hospitals and Health System questioned a water and sewer hookup fee of $12,179.39 for the new hospital and clinic.The fee is typical for new construction, but Sioux Valley is questioning whether it is owed, since it had a special development agreement with the city.La Fond said the development agreement extended water and sewer to the boundaries of the property at no extra cost, but the hookups to services still should have the assessments.Because of the different interpretations, La Fond brought it to the Council to discuss.Councilman Bob Kaczrowski said he understood how there could be confusion.Council member Esther Frakes said the Council should get a legal opinion before acting on the matter.The Council will bring it back to the table at a future meeting.In other business Tuesday, the Council:
Approved a loan to the Luverne Hockey Association for a new air compressor costing $165,000. The city will be repaid at 4 percent interest in semi-annual payments of $7,000.
Accepted the Fire Department resignation of Tom Nelson, who has served for 20 years.
Accepted low bids for two pickups from Papik Motors, one for the Public Works Department at $16,608 and one for the Electric Utility at $20,080. Both factor in trade-ins and sales tax.