City reviews $4 million in 2024 capital expenditures

The Luverne City Council is considering $4,039,200 in capital improvements for the proposed 2024 budget.
At their July 19 meeting, council members heard budget requests from city department heads as part of the normal city budget process. 
Expenses for water, wastewater, electric, fire, government buildings, parks and recreation, streets, airport, pool and fitness, parking lots, Luverne Loop and civil defense make up this year's requests. 
Council members will vote on the proposed capital expenses at an upcoming meeting. 
Those expenses will be factored into the city’s overall budget that needs to be in place by mid-September’s preliminary levy decisions.
 
Wastewater- $1,090,450
The Wastewater Department led all departments with a total request of $1,090,450. 
According to city officials, the majority of that expense, $782,950, will be to extend sewer services for the proposed multifamily housing development in the Sybesma Addition. 
“We want to be ready for that development, including the possibility of the need for a lift station for that development,” said City Administrator Jill Wolf. 
Other expenses in the Wastewater Department include $50,000 for sewer line replacement, $15,000 for new equipment including pumps and valves as needed and half the cost of a one-ton dump truck ($42,500) shared with the Water Department. 
2024 Capital Improvement Budget Requests
City of Luverne
 
Department/Category           Total Amount
Requested
Wastewater                            $1,090,450
Water                                      $650,750
Electric                                    $638,000
Streets                                     $395,000
Fire                                          $350,000
Parks and Recreation              $315,000
Luverne Loop                          $265,000
Parking Lots                            $150,000
Gov’t Buildings                        $100,000
Pool and Fitness Center          $30,000
Civil Defense                           $30,000
Airport                                    $25,000
 
Water - $650,750
Many of the Water Department’s capital requests are also related to the Sybesma Addition housing development that would need $343,250 in water line extensions. 
The department is also requesting $160,000 to paint the interior of the north water tower. Related to that, $25,000 is planned to install a variable frequency drive (VFD) to the north booster station, which allows water to be pumped faster or slower based on need. 
The VFD on the north end of the town will allow water pressure to remain adequate when the north water tower is out of service for painting. 
 
Electric - $638,000
Electric Department funding requests include $200,000 for distribution system upgrades and $150,000 for transformers. The department is requesting $120,000 for power plant improvements, including tuck pointing and completing window replacements. 
Another $60,000 is requested for streetlight poles and fixtures, including replacing the banners on Highway 75 in 2024. 
 
Streets - $395,000
A new dump truck with a plow comprises the majority of the Street Department’s capital requests for 2024.
The $295,000 request was approved for 2023, but the order was delayed, so city staff are now requesting it for 2024. 
According to Public Works Director John Stoffel, the new truck will replace a 2000 model dump truck that has served the city well for over 23 years. 
“It's an everyday use vehicle,” Stoffel said. “It’s used year-round.”
He requested another $100,000 to replace a 2005 pickup for the department as well. A large built-in tool box is included on that truck. 
 
Fire - $350,000
The Fire Department is requesting $350,000 in 2024 for a new rural pumper truck to replace the current one that’s nearly 25 years old.
“The trucks are kept so clean and shiny and maintained so well, you don't even realize how old they are,” said city council member Kevin Aaker at the meeting. 
 The total cost of the rural pumper truck will be split between the 2024 and 2025 capital budgets, and funds from the townships’ fire protection contracts will be applied to the cost. 
 
Parks and Recreation - $315,000
Parks and Recreation Department capital purchases include $150,000 for Hawkinson Park improvements. 
According to Stoffel, the development of the Luverne Loop has expanded the size of the park on North Cottage Grove Avenue as well as its access and visibility. 
“We hope to add nature-themed play equipment in that park, which will be unique to the city,” Wolf said. 
Stoffel said the city is also considering adding one or two pickleball courts at the park on the west side of town. 
“We’re getting lots of requests for more pickleball courts so we’re going to look into what we can do,” Stoffel said. “We know there’s a demand out there right now.”
The Parks Department is also requesting $85,000 to replace an 11-foot mower and $50,000 for improvements at Kolbert Park on West Main Street. 
“We’ve heard some requests from neighbors in that area to update the outdated equipment,” Wolf said. 
 
Luverne Loop - $265,000
A new fence and retaining wall along the Loop trail near the left field of Redbird Field is being considered. 
“There’s quite a drop-off there now, and this will help with drainage,” Stoffel said.
Additional landscaping around The Lake ($65,000) and new benches with attached coverings for shade ($50,000) were also requested. 
 
Government buildings - $100,000
Replacing the roof on the Carnegie Building for $25,000 and tuck-pointing at the Palace Theatre for $75,000 were the requests under the government buildings category of the capital requests. 
 
Parking lots - $150,000
A request for $150,000 to repair the north parking lot at City Hall was included in the capital requests. 
“The project would include leveling and help with drainage and improve safety, especially in the winter with ice buildup,” Wolf said. 
 
Civil Defense - $30,000
A new civil defense siren will be worked into the rotation of the current seven sirens throughout Luverne. 
“We’ve replaced two sirens in recent years,” Stoffel said. “We try to do about one a year to keep them current; it’s good to update them.”
 
Pool/Fitness - $30,000
The Pool and Fitness Center capital requests include $20,000 to replace the diving board and stand and $10,000 to purchase additional exercise equipment. 
According to city staff, the diving board was refurbished in 2008 and the current stand has been in place since 1992. 
 
Airport - $25,000
Airport manager Ben Baum is requesting $25,000 to purchase a used skid loader to replace a 1982 skid loader currently being used at the airport.