CITY OF  LANCASTER, MINNESOTA   LANCASTER CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS The Lancaster City Council met for its regular meeting on Wednesday, November 13, 2013, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Meeting Room.  Members present were Mayor, Michael Olson; council members John Stenquist, Jim Hilman and Luke Nordin. Mary Barron was absent.   Jim Fron, the new owner of the former Glad’s Store building, was present at the meeting to discuss his purchase and to express interest in the possibility of purchasing the city owned property at the intersection of Manitoba street and US Highway 59, council  discussed the possibility but tabled the matter at this time.   Nordin moved to approve the council minutes of the October 9, 2013 regular meeting, seconded by Stenquist 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 November 2013 bills to be paid.  Stenquist moved to approve the bills as presented for payment, second by Hilman and carried.  An abstract of bills will be posted with the minutes and are available upon request to the clerk.   Stenquist moved to designate the $6,500.00 United Valley Bank Certificate of Deposit for Equipment use, second by Hilman and carried.   The hearing for unpaid water/sewer bill scheduled for this meeting is cancelled as the bill has been paid in full.   Nordin reported that the liquor store cooler install has begun but there has been a delay as all the correct parts have not arrived.   Council discussed the upcoming meeting with the townships regarding the next 3 year fire contracts.  The council discussed the cost of a storage building.  Council reviewed various contract proposals and requested that the clerk complete a schedule proposing a 5% cost increase for each of the next 3 years.   Council reviewed the $273.00 cost of joining the MN Assoc. of Small Cities, but felt that the League of MN Cities does a good job advocating and training for small cities.   Kenny Hunter, Legion Post #214 commander, has requested to be allowed to install a bulletin board in the city hall meeting room.   Clerk has directed to work with Hunter and Nordin to coordinate bulletin boards and items to be displayed.   Council reviewed the October 2013 City and Liquor Store financial information.  Liquor store average daily sales have increased over the October 2012 sales by $180.00 per day and the sales overall in 2013 have increased dramatically.   Olson reported that he will be reviewing the Highway 59 Park trails and have some trimming completed on the trails.   Council discussed personal use of fire department equipment and Olson said he would discuss the issue with the fire chief.  At this time the fire department equipment that has not been stored in town has not been brought in to the city limits.  Olson will address the issue later this month.   The clerk reported that the school has made inquiries with the state regarding piping in natural gas to the city as the school could save as much as $25,000.00 in heating costs.  George Hanson, School Board member, reported that there are no programs available at this time.  The city would have to finance the infrastructure with grant and loan and that would be cost prohibitive.   Clerk discussed suggestions for community center kitchen needs from Peggy Wilebski who worked with Sion Church ladies serving a banquet from the community center kitchen.  Nordin moved to allow up to $1500.00 of kitchen equipment to be purchased from the community center savings, second by Hilman and carried.   Clerk will work with groups that use the kitchen to develop a list of items needed and order them.   Clerk requests that $10,000.00 be transferred from  the water fund to the sewer fund to cover the sewer fund deficit.  This deficit is due to the large repair needs in 2013.  Hilman moved  to allow the transfer of $10,000.00 from the water fund to the sewer fund, second by Stenquist and carried.   Clerk reported that Ryan Nelson, representing the 2015 I-500 snowmobile race, has contacted the city to enquir e if there would be an area for refueling in Lancaster.  This event will be held February 2015.  Olson and Hilman volunteered to work with Nelson to see if his needs can be met.   Council discussed implementing a payroll step system similar to Kittson County for the 2014 year.  The clerk presented various step system schedules.  The council tabled this until their December meeting.   Carol Johnson,  Clerk/Treasurer               Other links: Lancaster Riverside Golf Course | Lancaster Public School Home | Contacts | Meeting Notices | Minutes | Rates & Fees | Community Center | Events | Pictures Copyright © C Johnson-City of Lancaster all rights reserved