Minutes December 2014

Lancaster Sign

CITY OF

LANCASTER,

MINNESOTA

LANCASTER CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

The Lancaster City Council met for its Regular Meeting on Wednesday, December 10, 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 Luke Nordin. Mary Barron was absent. Tom Sebenaler, Council member elect also was present.

Stenquist moved to approve the council minutes of the November 12, 2014 regular meeting and the November 25, 2014 Special Meeting Minutes, 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 December 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. Nordin 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.

Clerk reported that Emerson Music and Sound quote for the outside PA system is $4657.00. Clerk also reported that the donations committed to this project are as follows: Lancaster American Legion Gambling Fund $2,000.00, Lancaster Lions $2,000.00 and the Lancaster Reunion Committee $520.00. This would leave a balance remaining of $137.00 to be paid by the city. Hilman moved to accept the quote of $4657.00 from Emerson Music and Sound and use $137.00 from the Community Center Savings for the city portion, second by Stenquist and carried.

At 7:30PM the Mayor called the public hearing to consider abandoning the North 30 feet of North Street starting from Iowa Avenue running west 335 feet to Kittson Avenue. Dan and Judy Remer were in attendance. At this time the council reviewed the resolution to abandon the part of North Street as previously described. This would allow the Remers to construct a new home and shop on their property lying on the north side of North Street. Stenquist moved to adopt the resolution #2014-4 to Abandon Part of North Street as this is for the economic good of the community, second by Hilman. Voting in favor Stenquist, Nordin, Hilman and Olson. Barron was absent.

Council discussed the quote from Team Labatory for chemicals to treat the city lagoon. Sebenaler reported thathe and Zondagh upon further discussion feel that the chemicals are not needed at this time.

Council discussed the water lines to the Jerry Peterson house. Sebenaler has suggested that a small water line with a shutoff valve be installed in the Peterson basement prior to the water meter and be run into the sewer. The water could be turned on in the winter to keep the water moving through the lines and stop the water line from freezing. Nordin moved to hire Progas HVAC to install the line and valve at the cities cost, second by Hilman and carried.

At this time Fire Chief, Keith Schmiedeberg; Firemen, Casey Faken, Tyler Swenson and Dave Baker were in attendance.

Council reviewed a notice and fire department minutes received from the fire department secretary. The notice stated the intent of some firemen to terminate their service as a firemen in regards to the termination of the fire chief. Hilman moved to accept the resignations of all the signing parties as listed; Heidi Bjorgaard, Jordan Kukowski, Bruce Johnson, Mark Wilwant, Tina Wilwant, Bernard Bjorgaard, Kristin Faken, Mike Faken and Ashlan Kukowski; and that a letter of acceptance of their resignation be sent to them, second by Stenquist and carried. Council noted that Terry Kukowski had also signed this form but a letter will not be sent to him as he had been terminated as a fire chief and fireman and notice was given of the termination previously.

The council and firemen discussed the fire department equipment inventory and the possibility of trading or selling the water tender semi for a unit that has an automatic transmission and the 4 seat ranger for a 2 seat ranger and other issues. There is some equipment not accounted for and the chief and mayor will continue to work on this matter. Schmiedeberg will also work on gathering a list of other equipment that could be sold. Schmiedeberg also reported that the poly water tank is showing considerable signs of wear and tear and should be replaced. Council directed Mayor Olson and Council person Hilman to work on issues regarding the fire department with the fire chief and his assistants.

Chief, Schmiedeberg asked that the council appoint Casey Faken and Tyler Swenson as his Assistant Fire Chiefs. Hilman moved to appoint Casey Faken and Tyler Swenson as Assistant Fire Chiefs, second by Nordin and carried.

Council discussed the hiring of new firemen and that state statute now requires that cities must do a background check before hiring new firemen. The clerk presented Criminal Background Check Ordinance Number 102.31 that the city attorney drafted. Council reviewed the proposed ordinance. Stenquist moved to accept the Criminal Background Check Ordinance Number 102.31 as presented and publish the ordinance, second by Hilman and carried.

Council reviewed a Fire Department Application and Background Check Release that the clerk prepared that each new fireman applicant must complete in order to be considered by the council. Chief Schmeideberg was directed to bring all competed fire department applications to the city clerk and then the clerk will have the background checks completed before the applications are reviewed by the council.

Stenquist moved to pay Terry Kukowski the $250.00 fire chief salary for 2014, second by Nordin and carried.

Stenquist moved to allow the council perdiems as presented for 2014, second by Nordin and carried.

Hilman moved to issue a 2015 3.2 off-sale liquor license to Bernstrom Oil Company, second by Stenquist and carried.

Stenquist move to transfer $30,000.00 from the Liquor Store fund to the City General fund, second by Nordin and carried.

Nordin moved to transfer $30,000.00 from the Water fund to the Sewer fund, second by Hilman and carried.

Council discussed the request from George Zondagh to receive 80 hours Pay in Lieu of Vacation as described in the the employee handbook. Zondagh states that he has been unable to use his vacation hours and will exceed the maximum of 160 hours that an employee is allowed to carry over into the next year due to the work load. Council discussed various ways to lessen Zondagh’s workload in the future. Hilman moved to allow the 80 hours Pay in Lieu of Vacation, second by Nordin and carried.

Mayor set the Liquor Store inventory for January 1, 2015 at 11:00 AM.

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

Clerk presented the bank statements for review. Olson will review city bank statements and Nordin will review the liquor store bank statements.

Jen Rice, Liquor Store Manager, wants to celebrate the liquor stores 50th birthday next year. She will present the council with a proposed budget.

Being no further business the council adjourned.

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

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