LANCASTER CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

The Lancaster City Council met for its monthly Meeting on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. The following persons were present: Mayor, Kathy Bernstrom; Council members: John Stenquist, Krista Matthew, and Teri Halvorson. Also present John Wynne with Wynne Consulting, Diane Hayes with Northwest Community Action, Casey Faken, Tyler Swenson, Dean Halvorson and Clark Weleski with the Lancaster Fire Department. Also present, Gary & Diane Rice, board members of Lancaster Senior Housing, and Anna Jauhola with Kittson County Enterprise.

Matthew moved to approve the February 12, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes, second by Stenquist 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 2025 bills and February 2024 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.

Mayor Bernstrom called to order the Public Hearing and John Wynne with Wynne Consulting and NWCA, along with Diane Hayes with NWCA, met with the Council to discuss the Small Cities Grand Application and process. Wynne previously submitted a preliminary application in November of 2024 with an original total request of $118,178. Wynne discussed the process of the application which would be the final application with a total amount requested at $143,750. Halvorson made a motion to hold the public hearing to allow citizens input and adopt a citizen participation plan, second by Stenquist and carried. The meeting was open for public questions and discussion. Although there were a couple citizens present, no comments or questions were brought up or addressed. Matthew moved for approval and authorization for the full application of the Small Cities Grant, due April 17^th 2025 to be submitted by John Wynne with NWCA, second by Halvorson and carried. Lastly, Stenquist made a motion for the resolution of sponsorship from the City of Lancaster with full support to move forward with the repairs for the Lancaster Housing foundation issues, second by Matthew and carried.

Fire Department met with the council to discuss building material quotes from Lancaster Lumber and K-T-B Lumber & Supply Co. for their new 50’ x 80’ stick frame storage shed. They discussed options to buy now in hopes of avoiding cost increases, Stenquist made a motion to allow the Fire Department to purchase materials not to exceed $55,000 from the Fire Fund. This amount was a little higher than the quotes (Lancaster Lumber $52,577.30 and KTB $53,004.76) to cover for any incidentals or changes in material prices. The motion was seconded by Matthew and carried. Council also discussed making a request to Legion Gambling in the coming months for funds to help with the building expenses.

Matthew moved to make application to the Lancaster Legion #214 in the amount of $3,000.00 for the Lancaster Fire Department for purchasing building materials for the new building, second by Stenquist and carried.

Council reviewed the 2025 Fire Contracts and motion was made by Stenquist to approve the City Appropriation amount $8,638.52 to be transferred from General Funds to the Fire Fund, second by Halvorson and carried. Also discussed were the Fire Fund Drive and various donations dated from November 15^th 2024 to February 13^th 2025 totaling $14,540. Motion made by Halvorson to accept the donations, second by Matthew and carried.

Council reviewed Revolving Loan Policy Monitoring Policy. Stenquist moved to accept the policy as present, second by Matthew and carried.

Retroactive approval to submit ‘Lead Line Inventory’ Phase 2 Application to MDH as the closing date was fast approaching. Motion to approve by Stenquist, second by Matthew and carried.

Matthew moved to accept the Lancaster Legion #214 donation of $2,000.00 to support Lancaster communitywide school reunion, second by Stenquist and carried.

Matthew moved to accept the Lancaster Lions donation of $5,000 to the Community Center Debt Service Fund, second Halvorson and carried.

Stenquist moved to make application to the Hallock Eagles #2617 in the amount of $3,000.00 for the golf course to help with grounds equipment maintenance, second by Matthew and carried.

Stenquist made a motion to nominate Kevin Grabowska as Council Person (Term to expire January 2027), second by Matthew, Halvorson obtained, and nomination carried.

Brought to the council again as per request from American Federal Bank. Stenquist made a motion to remove Michael Olson, Carol Johnson and Jim Hilman and add Kathy Bernstrom, Janet Johnson and Teresa Halvorson to the American Federal Bank signature card, effective March 1^st 2025, second Matthew and carried.

Council discussed Janet Johnson becoming a Notary. Matthew made the motion to approve the process, not to exceed $200, second Halvorson and carried.

Motion to set Liquor Store inventory for April 1, 2025 at 10:00AM by Matthew, second Stenquist and carried. Clerk to post Inventory Notice.

Motion by Halvorson to approve Janet Johnson to attend Safety & Loss Control Workshop/Training in Bemidji March 25^th, not to exceed 400, second Stenquist and carried.

For informational/discussion, there was a re-posting of (2) Lots the city has for sale. Site 1 located at 300 N Central Ave., and Site 2 noted as Lot 3& 4, Block 1 in Lancaster Addition, 3^rd St. West. Based on previous council discussions, the city thought it best for there to be a house on the lots if sold to provide a taxable income to the city. They will discuss this further at a later date.

Council also reviewed the February 2025 City and Liquor Store financial information.

Other items discussed:

Halvorson motioned to make application to the Lancaster Legion #214 in the amount of $3,000.00 for the mural on the east side of the Old Fire Hall building prepped and finished, (Mayor/Bernstrom verified that $3000 would be enough money, Halvorson agreed it would be enough and that she would have the wall touched up and she would contact Bakken for the completion) second by Stenquist and carried.

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

Janet Johnson, Clerk/Treasurer
Approved: Kathy Bernstrom, Mayor
Approval Date : April 9th, 2025

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

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