The new kid on the block for the Westby City Council, Lyle Lund, wasn’t feeling very amiable during his second regular monthly meeting held on May 6 since being elected to the position in April. Lund spent a good deal of time shaking his head in disappointment when the majority of council members approved agenda items he turned down feeling the items required further discussion before approving.

The biggest debate of the night came in regards to the discussion and possible action regarding the Westby RDA (Redevelopment Association) recommendations for the dispersal of funds for city businesses in need of financial assistance.

During the RDA’s April 15 monthly meeting the group discussed possible financial assistance for George McGarvey, who is planning to open an automotive repair business in the Westby Industrial Park; facade improvement loans for Borgen’s Cafe and Solverson Vet Clinic; along with two other business loan proposals which were tabled until a later date.

As the RDA loan recommendations were discussed by the city council, the discussion turned into debate, centering around the proposed financial agreement outline, which Mayor Dan Jefson feels could leave the city holding the bag if a borrower defaulted on a loan.

Jefson, who strongly supports the RDA development and respects the group of citizens who volunteer their time to be on the committee, tried to play the devil’s advocate so council members could see both sides of the scenario before making a binding decision.

Lund, quickly stepped outside of the business at hand when he turned the agenda item personal speaking negatively about the RDA committee members and some of the parties requesting RDA assistance. He told his fellow board members that his constituents would think he was nuts if he voted to loan money to people with questionable employment track records.

“We’re here to maintain city business, not be a bank. If I agreed to loan George McGarvey $50,000 people would think I’m nuts,” Lund said.

Councilman Russell Haakenson told Lund he had no right to judge other people and that he was out of order for discussing McGarvey and others who weren’t present to defend themselves. He added that degrading the RDA members was uncalled for.

Councilman Brad Mashak defended the RDA committee who spend a lot of time setting up programs to help new business come into our community. RDA committee members include: Vince Paduano, Ron Iverson, Gary Daines, Phil Strand, Adrian Hendrickson, Kathy Fairchild and Eric Nottestad.

“The RDA is a well-rounded group with good ideas to promote new business in Westby,” Mashak said.

According to RDA loan terms a borrower requesting a dollar for dollar loan would pay zero interest the first year followed by slowly rising increments as the loan life progresses.

Councilman Eric Nottestad tried to clarify the RDA loan terms for the rest of the board and felt delaying the decision to act on the agenda item recommendations until a later date was disrespectful to the RDA who has spent many hours developing what they believed to be a fair plan for potential borrowers. Nottestad believed the terms of the loan were fair since any borrower would have to match the RDA funds dollar for dollar, plus be locked into a repayment plan.

Lund basically asked the board to back off the entire RDA loan program, but once again appeared to base his recommendation on past personality differences, not documented facts presented at the meeting.

Nottestad went on to explain that any entity approving a loan must secure payment ability and that loans should be based on pay back abilities, not individual personalities.

“You can’t tell me you don’t take personalities into it,” Lund said.

Mayor Jefson told the board that considering the amount of debate and possible misunderstandings surrounding the RDA recommendations that the board should table the item until the city financial accounting firm, Vig and Associates, can review the information and provide more insight for board members before they vote on the item.

“This is a big commitment. We need to understand both sides. I admit it’s a venture that scares me and I’d feel better if we tabled it until Jack Vig can look over the numbers and get back to us. I’m all for helping businesses, but let’s dot our i’s and cross our t’s first and do it right,” Jefson said.

Lund also voted against other approved action items including the city’s investment of $8,300 for the installation of a photovoltaic solar system, with assistance of WPPI at Bekkum Memorial Library, and a picnic license for Bleachers Pub on May 17.

The board also unanimously approved the utility department purchase of a new 4x4 pickup to replace the city’s 1993 sewer department truck. Mayor Dan Jefson totally disagreed with the council’s decision stating his belief that the city did not need to purchase a 4x4 pickup and that a two-wheel drive vehicle would be more than satisfactory for city use.

After the vote Jefson told Public Works Director Gregg Hanson not to go ahead with the purchase for three days because he might veto the approved purchase on principal, a decision he has the right to do as mayor of the governmental body.

The city council will meet again on Tuesday, May 20 at 7 p.m.