LANCASTER CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

The Lancaster City Council met for its Regular Meeting on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. The following persons were present: Mayor, Kathy Bernstrom; Council members: Krista Matthew, John Stenquist, Kevin Grabowska, and new council member Michael Olson. Also present were John Wynne with Wynne Consulting and Diane Hayes with Northwest Community Action; Casey Faken, Tyler Swenson and Clark Weleski with the Lancaster Fire Department; city residents Dan and Jessica Stumberg, Teri Halvorson and Milly Fletcher; and Anna Jauhola with the Kittson County Enterprise.

Clerk administered Oath of Office to new council member, Michael Olson, and reviewed Code of Ethics & completed the Disclosure of Financial Interests. Olson was appointed to replace Halvorson’s term which will end January 2029.

John Wynne and Diane Hayes were here present information and documentation for the council to adopt and sign dealing with the Small Cities Grant process for the Lancaster Housing foundation repairs. Matthew made a motion, second by Olson and carried to adopt all forms listed below with signatures by the mayor and clerk as needed: U.S. Dept. of Ag Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace Requirements; Policy on the Prohibition of the use of Excessive Force; Fair Housing Plan; Section 3 Plan City of Lancaster; Program Income Plan City of Lancaster Program Income & Local Reinvestment; Residential Antidisplacement and Relocation Assistance Plan for the City of Lancaster; Administrative Services Contract; and City of Lancaster Rental Rehabilitation Program Policy and Procedural Guide. John also provided an Environmental Review to be available at the city office and Diane posted a Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds Small Cities Development Program in the City Hall Meeting Room as well as the Post Office bulletin board. Hopefully by the middle of January they will hear more about the release of funds from the state for this project.

Due to recent issues with the “No Parking/Residential Parking Only Signs” located on the North side of 4^th street to the corner of Wisconsin Ave. (which were issued/agreed upon back on October 12, 2022) the council wanted to revisit the motion. After lengthy discussion the council made a decision to remove the signs with a motion by Matthew, second by Stenquist and carried. Grabowska added if the homeowners have their driveway blocked by parked vehicles they can contact the sheriff department directly.

Matthew moved to accept Dean Halvorson’s resignation from the Fire Department effective November 16, 2025, second by Grabowska and carried with Olson abstaining.

Members of the Fire Department were present to discuss their annual voting results for fire officials. A motion by Grabowska, with a second by Matthew to accept Casey Faken as Fire Chief for 2026. Olson abstained. Faken also discussed increasing the retirement rates, which will be worked on for 2027; the new hydrant near the skating rink working out great; meat raffle and burger basket dates; and paying the chief’s salary on a yearly basis.

Stenquist moved to approve the November 12, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes, second by Matthew and carried. Special Meeting Minutes from November 25^,2025 were also approved with a motion by Stenquist, second by Matthew and carried as well. 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.

Motion by Matthew, second by Stenquist and carried to rescind Resolution 2025-16 for the land sale of the sports complex due a missed exception in the legal description. A corrected Resolution 2025-17 was presented and approved with a motion by Stenquist, a second by Grabowska and carried.

The council reviewed the December 2025 bills and October 2025 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 2025 Rates Fees & Appointments Schedule. Matthew moved to approved bills and EFT’s, second by Olson and carried. An abstract of bills will be posted with the minutes and are available upon request.

Council reviewed the proposed 2026 budget and General Fund Property Tax Levy. Stenquist moved to accept the 2026 Budget as presented and set the 2026 General Fund Property Tax Levy at $130,000 with the overall General Fund Budget set at $321,208, second by Grabowska and carried. Clerk to provide the final levy information to the county as well as having the 2026 Summary Budget published in the Kittson County Enterprise.

Council discussed 2026 Rates & Fees.

Council and Mayor approved and signed their Per Diems as follows: Kathy Bernstrom $2,400.00; Kevin Grabowska $1,300.00; Krista Matthew $1,600.00; John Stenquist $1,600.00; and Michael Olson $100.00.

Clerk presented Minnesota Statute 181.101 stating “every employer must pay all wages, including salary, earnings, and gratuities earned by an employee at least once every 31 days” which includes paid elected and appointed officials. There is an exception for volunteer firefighters being paid at longer intervals if mutually agreed upon. Olson made the motion to pay the Mayor and Council Members monthly, starting January 2026, with a second by Stenquist and carried. Matthew made a motion to pay the Fire Chief annually, second by Grabowska and carried.

Council set a special meeting for January 21, 2026 at 5:30 pm regarding Township Fire Contracts.

Resolution 2025-18 approved with a motion by Matthew, seconded by Stenquist, and carried to accept $2000 from the American Legion Post #214 Gambling to help with the cost of the new double door refrigerator for the Community Center.

Resolution 2025-19 approved with a motion by Matthew, seconded by Grabowska, and carried to accept $2000 from the American Legion Post #214 Gambling for $1000 to help with the cost of material for the new fire department building and $1000 as a contribution to their Annual Fund Drive.

Mayor set the Liquor Store inventory for January 2, 2025 at 8:00 am.

Council reviewed November City and Liquor Store financials.

Approval not needed for clerk to attend training/meeting on December 11,2025 as it was cancelled due to weather.

Matthew moved to not charge stop payment fees to reissue (2) lost checks as long as Certification of Lost Check form is completed, second by Olson and carried.

Other items discussed: Reminder of city ordinance for snow events; Kittson County public meeting regarding use of opioid crisis settlement; well testing; kitchen door at the community center.

Motion by Matthew, second by Grabowska and carried to have the clerk post the monthly meeting agenda at the post office and on the main page of the city web site, starting January 2026.

Council also agreed with a motion by Matthew, second by Olson and carried, to change the times of the City Council Meetings to start at 6:00 pm instead of 7:00 pm for the winter months of January, February and March in 2026.

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

Janet Johnson, Clerk/Treasurer

Approved: Kathy Bernstrom

Mayor Approval Date : January 14, 2026

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

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