By Sara Strong
The Luverne City Council last week met to follow up on its previously discussed long-range budget goals.
Street construction: The council will continue to explore different ways of funding street construction projects.
Airport expansion: The council and airport board have been working on it, and a revised airport layout plan is coming from engineers soon.
Filling housing subdivisions: Not much work has been dedicated to this goal so far.
Day care: The Dunham lawsuit is in progress, but city staff is still looking at other ways to start a community day care.
Neighborhood cleanup: The new budget will include additional money for cleanup. Some specific nuisances are being dealt with.
Main Street-Highway 75 advertising: When the Britz house (on the southeast corner of Main and 75) is removed, the council can take action to erect signage for downtown.
Armory project: The armory committee is working on a survey that will help define where the structure should be and what should be included in it.
Student member of the council: City Administrator Matt Hylen has contacted the school about encouraging a student to become an ad hoc member of the council.
Technology and Communications: The council will try to include fiscal participation in the group for 2003.
Power plant: The city is in the process of designing the cooling radiator system as well as planning to remove the old steam turbine. Additional funds will be planned for maintenance and repair and the council is considering the five-year capital improvement plan for additional diesel generators. Council members had mixed feelings on the pros and cons of more generation.
Pool and Fitness Center: The request for proposals generated no bids or proposals so the council is continuing to plan the 2003 budget with the facility included.
Composting project: Staff has not yet looked into the project, which would be modeled after one in Hutchinson.
oPalace Theatre: The council may include the Palace in its 2003 budget, related to the study that was commissioned.
Veterans memorial: The council requested monies be set aside for a veteran's memorial. Suggested location is near the Minnesota Veterans Home, near the pond.