CITY OF  LANCASTER, MINNESOTA     LANCASTER CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS The Lancaster City Council met for its regular meeting on Wednesday, September 11, 2013, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Meeting Room.  Members present were Mayor, Michael Olson; council members Luke Nordin, John Stenquist & Jim Hilman.  Barron was absent. Nordin moved to approve the council minutes of the August 14, 2013 regular meeting, seconded by Hilman 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 September 2013 bills to be paid.  Stenquist moved to approve the bills as presented for payment, second by Nordin and carried.  An abstract of bills will be posted with the minutes and are available upon request to the clerk. Council reviewed the delinquent garbage list submitted by Anderson Sanitation, these delinquent amounts will be added to the properties taxes. Stenquist moved to allow the clerk to sign the document, second by Hilman and carried. Clerk reported that Liquor Store Manager had to order the floor for the new cooler due to  state regulations for the storage of opened juice or food products.  Hilman  moved to allow the additional expenditure of $2500.00 for the cooler floor, second by Stenquist and carried. Council discussed and reviewed city campground  rules currently  in place. They also reviewed campground rules that other cities have implemented.  The council would like to establish a framework for campsite usage and will discuss these rules at the next meeting.  Council discussed purchasing additional tables and chairs for the community center as there are several large functions scheduled for 2014 that require additional seating.  Nordin moved to purchase 6 tables and 5 dozen chairs cost not to exceed $3500.00 and that  funds from the community center savings be used to pay for the them, second by Hilman and carried  Terry Kukowski, Fire Chief, and Mike Faken, Assistant Fire Chief , met with the council to discuss budgeting for fire department future needs, equipment storage, the need for an equipment storage building, and the implementation of a drug and alcohol use policy.  The council reminded Kukowski and Faken that all purchases of $2000.00 or more and sales of equipment must be approved by the city council.  Brian and Tressa Anderson, Anderson Sanitation, met with the council to discuss the renewal of the 2014-2016 garbage removal contract.   There will be no increase in any of the rates for the 2014-2016 period.  Andersons also requested that the city consider entering into a franchise agreement with Anderson Sanitation.  The franchise agreement gives Anderson Sanitiation some stability for the future contracts but also gives the city a way to cancel the agreement if future rate increases are not reasonable or the service provided is  not adequate.   Nordin moved to accept the 2014-2016 garbage contract and allow the mayor to execute the contract, second by Hilman and carried.  The clerk will visit with the city of Hallock and see how the franchise agreement with Anderson Sanitation has worked in their community. Council reviewed the changes made to the proposed 2014 budget setting the general property tax levy at $89,000.00.  This is an increase of $11,000.00 due to the city needs for future road repairs.  Hilman moved to set the proposed property tax levy  at $89,000.00, second by Stenquist and carried.   This is a proposed levy and the final levy must be set by December 15, 2013.  After this motion the levy cannot be increased, but can be decreased prior to December 15, 2013. Council discussed the Donald Burton rental contract for 49.6 acres of farm land next to the golf course that expires December 2013.  The contract rate has not increased for a number of years and the council discussed proposing an increase to Burton.  Hilman moved to ask Burton for $35.00/acre per year for a total annual rental rate of $1,736.00 with ½ due May1 and the final ½ due November 1 of each year and to allow the Mayor to sign the contract, second by Stenquist and carried. Clerk will be attending the League of MN Cities regional meeting in McIntosh, MN and wanted to know if any council persons wished to attend also.  No council persons are able to attend. Clerk reported that the bridge just North of town on US Highway 59 will be replaced next summer. Council set the Liquor Store Inventory for September 29, 2013 at 12:30 PM. Council reviewed the August 2013 City and Liquor Store financial information.  ND Sewage and Pump has given two different estimates for repairs to the Main Lift Station Control Circuit and floats.  Estimate #1 for  $3800.00 to $4000.00 is to repair the control circuit and floats were they are now located underground.  Estimate #2 for $9000.00 to $10,000.00 would remount the control circuit aboveground.   Neither estimate includes the electrical cost.  Nordin moved to allow the repair and have Stenquist work with Zondagh, maintenance, to decide which repair is more appropriate for the city needs, second by Hilman and carried. The city auditors, Hoffman, Dale & Swenson have proposed to complete the city annual audits for 2013, 2014 & 2015 for a cost of $5,500.00 per year, this is the same as charged for the previous 3 year period.  Stenquist moved to retain Hoffman, Dale & Swenson for the 3 year period and allow the Mayor to execute the agreement, second by Nordin and carried. Kittson County Auditor/Treasurer   requests that the city approve the tax forfeited land sale of one parcel within the city located in part of  lots 2 & 3, Swanson’s Addition.  Stenquist moved to allow the tax forfeited land sale, second by Nordin and carried. The council discussed implementing a pay step system to help the city stay within the state required pay equity parameters.  The council tabled the discussion at this time. The clerk reported that a copy of the dog ordinance had been requested and provided to Mary Olson. Council Adjourned as there was no further council business. 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