LANCASTER CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

The Lancaster City Council met for its regular Meeting on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 6:00 P.M. The following persons were present: Mayor, Kathy Bernstrom; Council members: John Stenquist, Krista Matthew, Kevin Grabowska, and Mike Olson, along with Casey Faken and Tyler Swenson with the Fire Department. Also present was Anna Jauhola with Kittson County Enterprise.

Olson moved to approve the February 11, 2026 Council Meeting Minutes, second by Matthew 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 March 2026 bills and February Electronic Fund Transfers and 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 2026 Rates Fees & Appointments Schedule. Stenquist moved to approve bills and EFT’s, second by Matthew and carried. An abstract of bills will be posted with the minutes and are available upon request.

Jesse Peterson met with the council via a phone call to request an $80,000 loan from the City Revolving Loan Fund to purchase RPMotor Sports to create a similar business repairing small engines, ATVs, and also sell parts in store and online under the name Peterson Repair & Performance. The council reviewed the recommendations from Northwest Regional Development Commission. Matthew moved to loan Jesse Peterson $80,000 for a period of 15 years (monthly payments) at 3% interest per year and the city will have 2^nd position on all equipment, inventory and accounts receivable and 2^nd mortgage on the property (Subordination of this Mortgage will be to United Valley Bank), city to be named as loss payee on hazard insurance on the property and inventory and life insurance on Jesse Peterson in the amount of the loan debt with a personal guarantee from Jesse Peterson; loan recipient pay 1% loan origination fee and all disbursements (recording fees, mortgage registration tax, deed tax, UCC filing fee, and abstract fees); this loan is dependent upon completion of United Valley Bank loan to Jesse Peterson, second by Grabowska and carried.

Resolution 2026-03 to accept (donations totaling $6150) $1000 from Crop Insurance Assoc, Inc; $5000 from American Legion Post #214 Gambling; and $150 in various donations to the Fire Fund approved with a motion by Matthew, second by Stenquist, and carried.

Leave of Absence Request from the Lancaster Volunteer Fire Department, not to last longer than 12 months, from James Hauert, was approved with a motion by Matthew, second by Stenquist and carried. Should Hauert not give proper notice of his intentions at the end of 12 months, the city will consider his status as terminated. The termination after 12 months enables the city to have a full roster of active firemen.

Stenquist moved to approve two applications from Henry Neva and Braxton Wallenberg to the Lancaster Fire Department, pending positive in nature background checks with Kittson County Sheriff’s office, second by Grabowska and carried.

Fire Department also discussed their building status with Tinning the Lid; Garage Doors; upcoming training in Lake Bronson, and Moorhead; burger feed; purchasing turnout gear; and a credit with Auto Value from a past engine core.

Council agreed to move the April monthly meeting from April 8^th to April 15^th as Clerk Johnson will be on vacation, with a motion by Matthew, second by Stenquist and carried.

Liquor Store Inventory set for April 1^st 2026 at 8:00 am. Clerk to post Inventory Notice.

Motion by Stenquist to approve Clerk Johnson to attend MCFOA Region 1 Meeting & Training in Park Rapids April 23^rd , for $25 fee plus milage of $130.50, second by Matthew and carried.

Council also reviewed the February 2026 City and Liquor Store financial information.

Other items discussed: American Crystal Sugar Company grant request to help with playground renovations; residents feeding deer and the possibility of other wild animals coming into town as a result.

Motion by Matthew, second by Stenquist and carried to have the siren blow “as is” at Noon, 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM.

Motion by Matthew, second by Grabowska and carried to hold monthly meetings at 6:00 PM instead of 7:00 PM going forward.

Mayor closed the meeting as there was no further business for council.

Janet Johnson, Clerk/Treasurer

Approved: Kathy Bernstrom, Mayor
Approval Date: 04/15/2026

Other links: Lancaster Riverside Golf Course | Lancaster Public School | NW MN Multi-County HRA

This Web Page Created with PageBreeze Free HTML Editor