LANCASTER CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

The Lancaster City Council met for its Regular Meeting on Wednesday, October 9, 2019, at 7:00 P.M. in the City Hall Meeting Room. The following members were present: Mike Olson, Jim Hilman, Kathy Bernstrom and Luke Nordin. Faye Potrament absent.

Nordin moved to approve the Council minutes of the September 11, 2019 regular meeting and the Minutes from the Special Meeting September 25, 2019 second 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 October 2019 bills presented this night; 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 2019 Rates Fees & Appointments Schedule. Hilman moved to approve the bills second by Bernstrom and carried unanimously. An abstract of bills will be posted with the minutes and are available upon request to the clerk.

Council reviewed bids from Maguire Iron, Inc of $172,500 and TMI Coatings, Inc of $224,000.00. Maguire Iron will spread the amount due over 5 years with no interest installments of $34,500.00 per year and TMI would require a full payment of $224,000.00 upon completion. Both bids are full a full sandblast/lead abatement, zinc primer, epoxy and then polyurethane final coat. Bernstrom moved to accept the bid from Maguire Iron, Inc., second by Nordin and carried unanimously.

Council discussed using some reserves and other ways to pay for the water tower painting project. Clerk will do a comparison of other city water rates for next month’s meeting.

Received a Certificate of County Board of Classification of Forfeited Lands from the Kittson County Administrator for the council’s review and approval. Hilman moved to accept the classification and allow the council to sign the form, second by Nordin and carried.

Council reviewed payroll options for 2020. Bernstrom moved to accept the proposal that gives a larger increase in the bottom starting scale of all job descriptions and granting 1 step increase to all eligible employees that have worked in 2019 prior to July 1st; an increase of 1-3% to all other employees above step 1, second by Hilman and carried.

Council discussed changing the clerk’s hours from 32 per week to 40 hours per week due to increasing job duties and the new safety program implementation workload. Bernstrom moved to increase the clerk hours to 40 per week as of January 1, 2020, second by Nordin and carried.

Council also reviewed Council reviewed the September 2019 City and Liquor Store financial information.

Council discussed the upcoming 100 Year School Anniversary/Reunion to be held during the June 2020 Heritage Days. The council would like to encourage city residents and business owners to clean up their properties. The clerk is directed to draft a letter in this matter for the councils review next month.

Council discussed the Paul Dahlman property directly north of the Covenant Church that has a well on it that is in a state of disrepair. Olson will contact Dahlman to have the issue taken care of.

Storm sewer just southeast of Foxy Roxy’s on 2^nd street is caving and in need of emergency repair. Nordin moved to have Faken & Hilman make the repairs as soon as possible, second by Bernstrom. Voting in favor Nordin, Bernstrom and Olson. Abstaining Hilman.

Olson discussed the curb at the intersection of Hawaii Avenue and 1^st Street that has sunk. Only quote received was from Faken & Hilman for $2,500.00 for removal and replacement of a concrete 17’x8’ section. Bernstrom moved to accept the quote, second by Olson. Voting in favor Bernstrom, Olson and Nordin. Abstaining Hilman.

Council discussed obtaining information regarding installation of a projector and projector screen in the community center and that the cost might be prohibitive.

Fire Chief, Casey Faken reported that Clifford Steyn has moved out of the Lancaster Fire Service area. Nordin moved to terminate Clifford Steyn as a fireman effective October 1, 2019 and send notice to Steyn, second by Bernstrom and carried.

Council discussed the renewal of the Fire Contracts for 2020-2022 between the City and Townships and will suggest a 3% increase per year to all contracts. Mayor set a meeting date of January 15, 2020 at the Lancaster City Hall 7:00PM to have all interested persons meet and review budgets and any issues they may wish to address. Clerk will send notice to townships.

City Council reviewed a proposed Ordinance Establishing Fees for Emergency Protection Fire Services. Bernstrom moved to adopt the Ordinance Establishing Fees for Emergency Protection Fire Services effective January 1, 2020 and have a summary of the ordinance posted and published, second by Nordin and carried.

As there was no further business the council adjourned.

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

Approval Date: Nov. 13, 2019

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