LANCASTER CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

The Lancaster City Council met for its Annual Meeting on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 6:00 P.M. The following persons were present: Mayor, Kathy Bernstrom; Council members: Krista Matthew, Kevin Grabowska, John Stenquist, and Mike Olson. Also present Jack Waters, with Kittson County Enterprise.

The clerk administered the Oath of Office to the Mayor and all Council Members, presented all members with the City Code of Ethics Policy and had all complete Financial Disclosures for 2026, and provided handouts: Making Meetings Work & Summary of Motions.

Olson moved to approve the December 10, 2025 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 January 2026 bills and November & December 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 2026 Rates Fees & Appointments Schedule. Matthew moved to approved bills and EFT’s, second by Grabowska and carried. An abstract of bills will be posted with the minutes and are available upon request.

Council reviewed additional items on the Rates & Fees for 2026 as from Kittson Marshal Water provided a notice of a 5% increase for 2026. Council determined raising the Minimum Water rate from $72 to $74 (a 2.78% increase) with a motion by Olson, second by Stenquist and carried. Sewer Minimum rate was changed from $68 to $69 (a 1.47% increase) with a motion by Grabowska, second by Olson and carried.

Matthew made a motion for approval for the Fire Department to purchase (2) APX 900 Portable Radios, not to exceed $6,000 with a second by Stenquist and carried.

Matthew made a motion for approval for the Fire Department to purchase Turnout Gear not to exceed $3,000 with a second by Grabowska and carried.

Resolution 2026-01 to accept various monetary donations, totaling $17,140, from Fire Fund Donations that came in throughout the 2025 year was approved with a motion by Matthew, second by Grabowska and carried.

Olson made a motion to approve and allow mayor to execute 2026 MN DNR Fire Contract/Invoices totaling $25,000; payable (2) times a year, with a second by Matthew and carried.

Approval to allow mayor and clerk to execute Audit Engagement Letter from Auditor Hoffman, Philipp, & Martell, PLLC with a motion by Matthew, second by Olson and carried.

Approval for clerk to complete the Authorization Form to sign up for Electronic Payments (ACH) for Vendor Payments with Kittson County with a motion by Stenquist, second by Grabowska and carried. Kittson County is transitioning to paperless for all future payments.

Olson moved to approve the 2025 Council Year End Per Diems, second by Matthew and carried. This step was missed by the clerk at the December 10, 2025 meeting. Motion by Olson, second by Matthew, and carried to approve January 2026 Council Per Diems.

Final year end (July to December) Bank Statement reviews will be completed by Bernstrom for the City and Matthew for the Liquor Store.

Liquor Store flooring discussion tabled to next month as manager is waiting on a second quote.

Council reviewed December 2025 Liquor Store and City financials.

Other items discussed: Siren currently not working; ice rink volunteers wishing to use city sweeper to clean off snow; Community Center outside lights not working out the kitchen back door; wild animal feeding ordinance was read and discussed.

Stenquist moved to request $2,000.00 from American Legion #214 Gambling fund for Fire Department’s new building, second by Matthew and carried.

Matthew moved to approve the Minnesota Deer Hunters Assoc. North Red River Chapter LG220 Application for Exempt Permit to conduct lawful gambling, second by Grabowska and carried.

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

Janet Johnson, Clerk/Treasurer
Approved: Kathy Bernstrom, Mayor
Approval Date: February 11, 2026

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

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