By Sara Strong
The Luverne City Council discussed a possible way to ensure cleanup after residential fires Tuesday.
The council tabled a resolution that would allow the city to hold 25 percent of an individual's insurance claim after a fire. The city would hold that settlement money in an escrow account and return it to property owners after the fire damage was repaired or removed.
State law allows this to be done. City Administrator Matt Hylen said it is a way to prevent taxpayers from having to pay for the city to clean up property damaged in fires if it is neglected long enough to become tax forfeited.
Mayor Glen Gust said that other ordinances the city has in place for blighted property should cover those circumstances without interfering with private insurance settlements.
Gust said that in 26 years of serving on the fire department, he couldn't think of an instance where a property damaged by fire wasn't dealt with in timely fashion by the owner.
"That the government would take 25 percent is an outrage to me," Gust said. "It just doesn't sit well."
Councilman David Hauge said the ordinance would send the wrong message to residents. He said, "Should government say 'We don't trust the citizens of Luverne?'"
Hauge said the private arrangement homeowners have with their insurance companies shouldn't be intruded upon by cities.
"It's kind of touchy for the government to step in at a time of tragedy," Hauge said.
Gust said that even though the property owners would get their money back, 25 percent of the settlement is too much to keep from people who need it to get their life back after a fire.
No one's memory could recall a situation where this ordinance would have been useful in the past. The council will bring the issue back on the table for discussion and vote.
If passed, the state Commissioner of Commerce would be notified of the ordinance. All insurance companies would be informed that clients from Luverne would know to include that in their policies.
Settling differences
During the council meeting, Hauge brought up what he perceived to be declining morale within the council and among city staff.
"There's too much bitterness, there's too much rancor, there's too many people who feel they haven't been recognized for what they've done," Hauge said.
He said he wanted to bring up the issue at a meeting to make his feelings clear. "This is something I believe deeply, and it's something that has to be addressed," Hauge said.
The problem he perceives is elected representatives airing personnel issues in public and creating an unprofessional image of the elected council members.
Hauge said, "I definitely would like to see more trust between the mayor and the management team."
Keith Erickson said he understands that his job is to govern and that city staff should be allowed to do their day-to-day jobs.
Hauge said, "It's easy to stand on the outside and criticize, but it's a little different when you're trying to lead and trying to do what's right."
He, Gust and Councilman Tom Martius are new to the council, elected a year ago.
Erickson, who's served on the council for more than 11 years, said the past year has been more "tumultuous" than heÕs experienced before. But, he said, strong wills on the staff side and elected side mean both are taking their jobs seriously.
Gust said, "Everyone who works for the city does a great job, they do. But with three new members, it's not going to be business as usual. My goal is moving the city of Luverne forward, period."
The council acknowledged having differences with staff, without naming names or being specific. Council members said they were committed to working together on those differences in a way that shows integrity.
In other business the council:
Learned that the Rock County Pool and Fitness Center is trying a new program for parents. Starting April 15 and continuing through the end of May, staff will offer childcare from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for adults who want to keep children with them as they use the facility.
The basic childcare service will cost $1.50 per child per hour, with each additional child costing 50¢ more an hour. A separate room will house the children as parents use the pool, weight room or cardiovascular equipment.
Contributed $150 to the Southwest Minnesota Arts and Humanities Council. Past City Councils have also made the donation.