Luverne may have downtown clock

By Sara QuamThe Luverne City Council wants to know if the community would support installing an old-fashioned-looking city clock.Mayor Andy Steensma found a clock that will cost about $2,000. It is about 20 feet tall and fairly ornate. The city would have some additional costs in the installation of the clock.Steensma and the Luverne City Council discussed purchasing and installing a clock at their Tuesday meeting."Some people have said we should have a clock that resembles the older-looking streetlights," Steensma said.Steensma said people should contact a council member or Administrator John Call at 449-2388 if they have an opinion on a town clock, and whether they would be willing to donate to the purchase of it.Steensma said people with whom he’s discussed the clock have said a fund-raising campaign might work.The clock is lit and has faces on two sides.People may remember a clock on the outside of a former downtown jewelry store in Luverne that has been gone for years.Council members said they didn’t have a clear opinion about where the clock should be located — whether on Main Street by the traffic signals at Cedar Street, or at the corner of Main and Highway 75 where a downtown sign is already located.The council will wait for some additional feedback from the public and will discuss the clock at a later meeting.Goals for city’s futureThe Luverne City Council and city department management staff recently tallied their votes for what the city’s goals should be for the next five years or so.Tuesday, Administrator John Call said, "It’s great to have staff input but the council is the boss, if you will."Councilman Pat Baustian said, "It’s ultimately the City Council who should be setting goals."The council added two more goals to the final tally of council and staff votes, leaving these seven priorities for the city of Luverne:
Develop more campgrounds and connecting bike paths.
Development of land along Interstate 90.
Encourage development of more attractive manufactured housing. They have permanent foundations, on land that is owned by the occupants and are affordable to more incomes than traditional housing.
Develop use of old hospital and clinic.
Encourage new residential development in the new hospital area.
Expand the airport.
Encourage small business development.