By Sara StrongAlthough City Utilities Coordinator Red Arndt is retiring at the end of this month, his expertise will be available to the city in the role of consultant.The Luverne City Council Tuesday authorized Administrator Greg LaFond to draft a contract with Arndt to be approved at a later meeting. Councilman Tom Martius voted against forming a contract with Arndt.LaFond said that Arndt, as a consultant, would report to him. He said Arndt’s experience will help guide the city through a transition in leadership. "We have a large number of projects underway and I haven’t been here all that long," LaFond said.He said it’s important for the city to have continuity in the department for the time being. LaFond will work with the city attorney in drafting the consultant contract.The city hasn’t determined if there will be a Utilities Coordinator after Arndt.In other business Tuesday, the Council:oAnnexed 2.09 acres of land into the city limits. The property is owned by Bart and Paula Thielbar. They actually own about 25 acres, just northwest of Luverne city limits. If the Thielbars sell more of the property as housing lots, they will annex all of the land at once, rather than in individual lots. oReminded the public that the next Comprehensive Plan meeting is at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, in the Luverne Elementary School Commons. This meeting will include important information gathered so far that will form the next Comprehensive Plan. The consultants have said this is the most important of the meetings to attend.oLearned that the city utility billing system is undergoing some software changes, so the next round of bills may be sent to customers a few days later than usual. Staff is spending extra time with the bill statements to double-check their accuracy, which explains the delay. Customers shouldn’t notice a change in their bills, and rates are the same.
