Dingmann in former clinic not done deal

By Sara QuamThe city of Luverne and Dingmann Funeral Home are still ironing out details of how Dan Dingmann can move his business to the current Luverne Medical Center.The Luverne City Council approved Mayor Andy Steensma and Councilman Pat Baustian to participate in negotiations, since the city is without an administrator.There are a few options that both Dingmann and the city are considering, but time is becoming an issue.The new hospital and clinic will be occupied in August, and the memorandum of understanding between the city and Dingmann said he was to get the clinic 10 days after it is vacated and use parking to the north for customers. As it stood in the memo approved in December of 2003, the clinic and four lots north of the clinic would be sold to Dingmann for $235,000.The city would finance $100,000 of the purchase, to be repaid in 15 years.The city purchased the entire hospital and clinic building from Sioux Valley.Dingman is also selling Fledgling Field to the city.An architect just examined the clinic and hospital and recommended a section between the two that can be demolished without harming water or other utility systems.If that plan goes into effect, the city can sell the hospital portion for some other use. The city can also demolish it and sell it as a space for development. City Attorney Ben Vander Kooi said, "I could go into a lot of what-ifs but that’s as far as I’ll go now."Councilman Baustian said, "So many things are intertwined with these issues."Fledgling Field’s development has been a source of controversy; the Fire Department was considering using hospital space for expansion, and other businesses might want to use the existing hospital without the city being involved in demolition.The Council said it would be able to make firm decisions after more talks with Dingmann and his representatives.In other business Tuesday, the Council:
Received a report from water and wastewater supervisor Al Lais. He said that more of the northern residents of the city will be connected to the new water tower and notice increased water pressure.He also said the city has to replace parts of city wells, including meters and timers, because of damage from a lightening strike last Friday.
Heard a report from city intern Chelsea Park, who just completed her junior year at Luverne High School.She thanked the Council for the opportunity to work with the city. She completed a refuse and recycling survey of cities of comparable size to Luverne and developed a load management database that is used by the city for that utility program. Park also redesigned and added information to the city residents’ guide that newcomers receive.