Park panel

supports

land transfer

Letter of support

goes to council

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The New Ulm Park and Recreation Commission approved a a resolution Monday to send a letter of support to the New Ulm City Council regarding land between the Lamplighter Bar & Grill and the Economic Development Authority's property next to the Kiesling House.

The commission is interested in the EDA transferring the south 25 feet of Kiesling Park to the City of New Ulm. Ron Larsen, President of the Council for the Arts in New Ulm (CANU) said an easement allows the Lamplighter the right of first refusal if the EDA sells the property.

Larsen said the issue could be a problem because the Park and Recreation Department planned to make extensive improvements to the Kiesling House including the EDA property. The sale of the property to the Lamplighter would negate the improvements, Larsen said.

Nine years ago, Brian Landerville, representing the Lamplighter, obtained a "light and air" easement for the south 25 feet of Kiesling Park. The lease allowed the construction of a parking lot in the back and minor encroachment for window sills and trim.

Landerville also installed two large grease hood vents and a smaller vent on the wall facing the park that includes the Kiesling House.

Last month, City Attorney Hugh Nierengarten told the EDA at its regular meeting that the vents were not listed in the lease and represented an encroachment not provided for in the lease. The EDA directed Nierengarten to write Landerville a letter saying that by installing the hoods, the easement agreement was breached and that he had 30 days to cure the breach or the lease would be terminated.

The EDA turned down a request by Landerville to build a wall on its property, in order to hide a grease spill below its grease hood vents.

Nierengarten said the EDA could deed the property to the City without violating the easement agreement.

The Park and Recreation Department also:

* Approved a resolution for the Park and Recreation Department to print a 16-page brochure promoting programs it maintained in the past. Park and Recreation Director Dave Bechtold said the department is facing "major" budget cuts in the near future. Toward that end, he is implementing streamlining staff functions so personnel do the same job for all departments.

* Learned that Bechtold has received telephone calls asking why two Zamboni (ice-resurfacing machines) were needed at the new New Ulm Civic Center. Bechtold said two vehicles were needed in order to have access to the ice rinks and to maintain them.