CITY OF  LANCASTER, MINNESOTA   LANCASTER CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS   The Lancaster City Council met for its regular meeting on Wednesday, August 10, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall.  The following members were present: Rice, Olson, Swenson and Stenquist. Absent Barron.   Swenson moved to approve the minutes of the July 13, 2011 regular meeting, second by Olson 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 August 2011 Bills to be paid. Stenquist moved to approve the bills for payment, second by Swesnson and carried.  An abstract of bills will be posted with the minutes and are available upon request to the clerk.   Sandra Peterson met with the council to discuss building rental rates of the Centennial Hall.  The council affirmed that the rate for use of the Centennial Hall is $10.00 per day with no kitchen use.   Council reviewed the 2012 budget proposal.  Due to State cuts to Local Government Aid and other uncertainties the council expressed the need to have some flexibility in the General Levy.  The final levy doesn’t need to be set until December 2011 but a proposed levy must be certified to the county auditor by September 15.  The levy can only be decreased from the amount set as a proposed levy after September 15, 2011.  Stenquest moved to set the proposed levy at $68,000.00, second by Olson and carried.   The city had received a letter from the Kittson County Weed Inspector that there was an issue with noxious weeds on the NW¼ of Section 7, Poppleton Township.  Mayor reported that maintenance has already taken care of the issue.   Rice and Stenquist reviewed the latest design proposal for the Community Center that will seat up to 299 people.  The Architect will present the conceptual drawings for this at the next community center workgroup meeting on September 13, 2011 at 7:00PM in the City Hall.  The council will then review and if acceptable the request for bids can proceed with a start date of early summer 2012.    The clerk reported that the Community Center Savings account balance is $17,093.41 as July 31, 2011.    Council discussed the cedar “Welcome to Lancaster Sign”  for the west side of town, the person that designed and built the other 2 matching signs has retired but has verbally committed to crafting 1 more sign to match for the city.  Swenson moved to allow the Mayor to negotiate a price and order the sign, second by Olson and carried.   Clerk reported that Tom Sebenaler estimates the labor and material to insulate and house in the water pipes so that the water is accessible in the winter months would cost approximately $783.00.   Olson moved to have Sebenaler insulate and house in the water pipes, second by Stenquist and carried.   Maintenance reported that the electric service to some sites in the campground needs repair.   Gatheridge Electric estimated the cost to repair and upgrade the electrical service is $4,487.00.  Council decided that a second quote should be obtained.  Swenson moved to have maintenance proceed with the repairs and upgrades using the lowest quote, second by Stenquist and carried.   Sebenaler suggested that boardwalks placed in front of the baseball diamond dugouts  to reduce the amount of dirt coming in to the dugouts.  Olson will discuss the issue with Sebenaler.   Council reviewed the July City and Liquor Store financial information, Liquor Store Daily sales and Gambling Monthly receipts.   Clerk reported that the Liquor Store account has adequate funds to set aside $20,000.00 for remodeling and upgrades to the Liquor Store.  Stenquist moved to designate $20,000.00 for Liquor Store Remodeling and purchase a CD for said amount, second by Olson and carried.   MN DOT sent correspondence reporting that they will replace the city population sign with no charge to the city.   Olson moved to make a request for Legion Gambling funds for a greens roller for the Lancaster Golf Course. Second by Stenquist and carried.   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