BLUE EARTH– Two members of the Minnesota Lake City Council attended the Faribault County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday to share some financial concerns they have regarding their city.

“Our sidewalks on Main Street are not in good shape,” Richard Staloch told the commissioners. “They are very uneven. They were redone between 2008 and 2009 when Main Street, which is a county road, was worked on.”

Staloch shared one of his concerns is for the safety of people who visit the businesses located on Main Street.

“We have three businesses that serve food on Main Street,” Staloch explained. “They get used a lot.”

The Minnesota Lake Council members told the County Board they have quotes ranging from $50,000 to $60,000 to fix the problem.

“They would basically mud-jack the sidewalks to even them up,” Staloch commented. “The bad sidewalks are in a two-block area.”

The other problem Staloch and More brought before the board concerned a building they believe needs to be demolished.

“The owner died and I think it now is owned by a nephew of the former owner and he lives somewhere in the Twin Cities,” Staloch noted. “We have estimates in the range of $350,000 to $400,000 to demolish that building.”

Staloch stated he thought the building should probably be condemned.

“We are a small community,” More added. “We have our own police chief and a good ambulance service so the county doesn’t have to provide those services to us. Is there a possibility of getting financial help?”

Staloch said the building has bricks that are falling off and the owner uses the space to store junk.

“So there still is an owner,” More remarked. “And the taxes are current.

Staloch and More told the board that Minnesota Lake’s levy is going to be raised 15 percent for the next year.

“We know people aren’t going to like that,” Staloch conceded. “But we are pressed for dollars just like everyone else.”

The commissioners were sympathetic to the situation but were not able to offer any financial help at this time.

“Sidewalks are normally the city’s responsibility,” commissioner Tom Loveall said. “As for the building – once it goes into tax forfeiture there may be some help available.”

“Although the laws have changed regarding how that works,” commissioner Bill Groskreutz countered.

Commissioner Bruce Anderson said there may be help from a Praireland Waste Management Fund if there is asbestos in the building.

The board asked the council members to keep the board informed as to what was going on with the idea of possibly setting up a meeting at some time to discuss the matter further.

The board also:

— Voted to commit funding to the Green Giant Playground project in the amount of $20,000.

— Approved a training request for Kelly Hendrickson of the county recorder’s office.