LANCASTER CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

The Lancaster City Council met for its Regular Meeting on Wednesday, November 12, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Meeting Room. Members present were Mayor, Mike Olson, council members present Jim Hilman, John Stenquist and Mary Barron. Luke Nordin was absent.

Hilman moved to approve the council minutes of the October 8, 2014 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 2014 bills presented this night and 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 2014 Rates, Fees & Appointments Schedule. Stenquist moved to approve the bills, second by Hilman and carried. An abstract of bills will be posted with the minutes and are available upon request to the clerk.

At 7:15 PM the Mayor convened the canvassing board. The council reviewed the election abstract. Mike Olson was elected Mayor for a term of 2 years ending 2016, council persons elected were Mary Barron and Thomas Sebenaler for terms of 4 years each ending 2018. Hilman moved to approve the election results, second by Barron and carried.

Olson reported that he had met with Lancaster Lions to discuss the outside PA system for the Community Center and that the Lions have agreed to donate $2000.00 to the project. Emerson Music and Sound had previously quoted the project to cost $4657.00. Barron moved to approve application to Lancaster American Legion Gambling Fund for $2,000.00 for the outside PA System for the Community Center, second by Stenquist and carried. Council will discuss approving the project when they see what the total community commitment will be and what the remaining cost of the project will be. Clerk will get an updated quote from Emerson’s as the quote is over 60 days old.

Council discussed the various cleanup issues in town and the need to remind landowners to control rodents in problem areas. Barron reported that she has asked the Business Association to remind business owners of the need to facilitate cleanup in their business areas. Olson reported that he had asked the Lions Club for their help for maintenance projects in the Downtown Gazebo Park.

Public Works Director, Zondagh, met with the council to discuss the possibility of contracting with Team Labatory for chemicals to treat the city lagoon to help promote the bacteria needed to reduce solids in the lagoon. Zondagh noted that the cost for the first year is $3900.00 and that the 2^nd year of treatment cost would be approximately $2400.00. Council discussed that this might help reduce the build up around the outlet pipe in the lagoon that plugged last spring. Zondagh will get more information for the next council meeting.

Council discussed with Zondagh the water lines to the north of the Jerry Peterson house and if that would be a possibility for reducing the chance of freezing water lines to the Peterson residence.

Council discussed that snow removal by Kittson County Highway Department will go through some changes as the county is planning to station a plow truck in the city that would do snow removal within the city limits instead of the Kittson County snowplow doing the removal and that the county will not do snow removal in the very early hours as they used to.

Zondagh also discussed the MN Department of Health correspondence that indicated a missed water test. Zondagh explained the water sample was sent in but with other water samples for different testing needs so the sample was overlooked and not tested in the required 48 hour period. The State test will be completed in the next testing cycle and Zondagh will send each sample separately to insure that it is not overlooked.

Zondagh reported that J&R Wastewater Inc recommends that if the city is planning to do sewer repairs to the sewer line in Central Avenue that due to the age and condition of the line that the city replace the sewer line and not do the lining technology fix. Olson reported that Kittson County intends to overlay County Road #27 (part of which is Central Avenue) in 2017 so it might be a good idea to do the repairs prior to this and fill the street with cold mix in 2016 prior to the overlay in 2017.

Council discussed that the Elevator on the Eastern side of Central Avenue owned by Danny Lyberg and Daniel Hunter has spoiled grain in and around it so that it is causing smell rodent issues. Olson will talk to the owners about cleaning up the area.

Council also discussed tearing down the building they own on US Highway 59 just south of the End of the Line Drive In. Olson will talk to a contractor to get a quote on the demolition and hauling away of the building for the next meeting.

Cerk reported that a 3% raise to all employees (city and liquor store) would cost the city approximately $4,194.98; a step increase to eligible employees would cost $1,430.74 and the difference between the 3% and 1 step is 2% of wages. Hilman moved to grant all eligible employees a step increase and to raise the all steps 2% for a cost of living effective for hours worked after December 31, 2014, second by Barron and carried.

Clerk reviewed the State Auditor’s report of investments for the Lancaster Fire Relief Association with the council.

Clerk reported that the Lancaster Legion donated $1000.00 for the Liquor Store Bar Stools and the monies have been deposited in the city checking account and that this money would need to be transferred to the Liquor Store. Hilman moved to transfer the $1000.00 from the City general fund to the Liquor Store Fund, second by Barron and carried.

Council reviewed the October 2014 City and Liquor Store financial information; daily sales averages for the liquor store.

Council discussed the insurance adjuster’s $20,631.00 estimated cost of hail damage to various city roofs. The clerk reported that the city coverage is for replacement and the city needs to obtain quotes for the work and have the work completed in order to receive the full insurance payment. Olson will obtain quotes for the shingle replacement..

Barron moved to terminate Fire Chief, Terry Kukowski, effective November 12, 2014 based upon his failure to fulfill duties required by ordinance, as required by City policy, and for failing to respond to Council directives and to have Kukowski return all Fire Department equipment, keys and records to the fire department within 7 days from the date of the letter of termination, second by Hilman and carried with none voting against. Olson will personally serve the termination letter upon Kukowski.

Mayor Olson called a Special Meeting to appoint a new fire chief for November 25, 2014, 7:00PM at the City Hall. Clerk will post the notice.

Being no further business the council adjourned.

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

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