LANCASTER CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

The Lancaster City Council met for its Regular Meeting on Wednesday, February 7, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Meeting Room. The following members were present: Olson, Bowlin, Hilman and Nordin.

Zondagh, maintenance, met with the council to discuss various topics. He reported that he did not purchase the snow pusher that was previously approved as the final cost quoted exceeded the $4500.00 approved. Council discussed purported cash payment by customer. Customer will be sent letter that all future cash payments are to be made in person to the clerk or by money order. Water tower paint issue was reported to Maguire Iron and their warranty expired in 1 year and doesn’t apply to this issue. The representative for the company will look at the tower in the spring to determine issue and repair needs.

Hilman moved to approve the Council minutes of the January 10, 2018 regular meeting second by Bowlin and carried. A copy of the Minutes will be posted at the Lancaster City Hall and U.S. Post Office and available upon request to the clerk.

The council reviewed the February 2018 bills presented this night; any other bills that have been paid prior to this meeting to avoid late payments, receive discounts & meet payroll and all payroll expenses as approved in the 2018 Rates Fees & Appointments Schedule. Nordin moved to approve the bills, second by Bowlin and carried unanimously. An abstract of bills will be posted with the minutes and are available upon request to the clerk.

Mayor Olson reported that he had received a letter of resignation form Council Person, Tom Sebenaler effective January 12, 2018. Bowlin moved to accept the resignation and second by Nordin and carried.

Council discussed that the empty council position can be filled by appointment and then will be up for election at the next general election in November 2018. Olson reported that Jesse Peterson is willing to fill the council position. Bowlin moved to appoint Jesse Peterson (607 County Road 4) to the City Council, second by Hilman and carried.

Nordin moved to approve resolution 2018-1 that designates as authorized persons to sign checks and other banking documents the Mayor, Mike Olson; Council Person, Shannon Bowlin and Clerk/Treasurer, Carol Johnson, second by Hilman and carried.

Council discussed that there is a possible conflict of interest with Lancaster Lumber, Inc receiving Rehabilitation Grant (SCDP) funds for facility improvements as Council Person, Luke Nordin, is shareholder in the corporation. Council Person, Jim Hilman, has a potential conflict of interest in that he is a carpentry contractor that would work for beneficiaries of the Rehabilitation Grant within the city. Irene Wynne of Wynne Consulting, hired by the city to administer the grant, has advised the council to complete the Conflict of Interest disclosure and make a request of MN Department of Economic Development (DEED) to review the potential individual conflicts and rule as to whether an exception can be received on each separate conflict.

Bowlin moved to request that the city attorney render an opinion on Jim Hilman’s potential conflict of interest as a carpentry contractor and request review by DEED, second by Nordin. Voting in favor Bowlin, Nordin and Olson. Abstaining, Hilman.

Hilman moved to request that the city attorney render an opinion on Luke Nordin’s potential conflict of interest as a partner in Lancaster Lumber and request review by DEED, second by Bowlin. Voting in favor Bowlin, Hilman and Olson. Abstaining, Nordin.

Clerk requested approval to close the Street Debt Service Fund as the city has no debt for streets and hasn’t had any debt for many years. Hilman moved to close the Street Debt Service Fund, second by Bowlin and carried.

Hilman moved to allow Ducks Unlimited to approve the Application for Exempt Permit for a raffle on March 2^nd in the Liquor Store/Community Center, second by Bowlin and carried.

Robert Kleven, USDA, requested that the city execute an acknowledgement of Lien Status for Lancaster Homes Inc,. The City would acknowledge that they are in a second lien position to USDA for the monies expended through the SCDP Rehab Grant program. Bowlin moved to agree to the lien position and execute an acknowledgement of Lien Status for Lancaster Homes Inc., second by Nordin. Voting in favor Bowlin, Nordin and Olson. Abstain, Hilman.

Clerk presented the 2017 Pay Equity study. Hilman moved to accept the report, second by Bowlin and carried. The Study is posted in the City Hall for 90 Days.

Council discussed the annual pay for the downtown park and flower maintenance. Hilman moved to set the annual salary at $1,500.00 per year, second by Bowlin and carried.

Council reviewed the January financials. Council also reviewed the year end summaries presented to the auditor and the liquor store gross profit ratio’s for 2017.

Olson presented correspondence he received from DNR re: turkey issues within Lancaster. The DNR recommends no feeding of birds etc. in the area and for home owners to employ nonlethal hazing/harassment methods. City will distribute the DNR handout “Living with Wildlife: Turkey” to anyone requesting it.

As there was no further business the council adjourned.

Carol Johnson, Clerk/Treasurer Approved: Mike Olson, Mayor

Approval Date: 3/14/2018

Other links: Lancaster Riverside Golf Course | Lancaster Public School

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