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CITY OF
LANCASTER,
MINNESOTA
LANCASTER CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
The Lancaster City Council met for its Regular Meeting on Wednesday, April 9th, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. The following persons were present: Mayor, Kathy Bernstrom; Council members: Krista Matthew, Teri Halvorson and John Stenquist and Council Member Appointee, Kevin Grabowska. Justin Peterson with Lancaster Housing Solutions was present, along with Casey Faken, Tyler Swenson, Dean Halvorson, and Clark Weleski with the Fire Department. Also present Anna Jauhola, with Kittson County Enterprise.
Motion was made to accept Lancaster Lumber’s quote, as presented at the March 12th meeting, by Matthew, second by Stenquist and carried.
Clerk administered Oath of Office to new council member, Kevin Grabowska, and reviewed Code of Ethics & completed the Disclosure of Financial Interests. Grabowska’s term will end January 2027.
Stenquist moved to approve the March 12, 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 April 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. Halvorson moved to approved bills and EFT’s, second by Matthew and carried. An abstract of bills will be posted with the minutes and are available upon request.
Justin Peterson, representing LHS (Lancaster Housing Solutions), was present to discuss what it would take to have homes brought into the town. Justin and the council discussed possible locations of where they would like to add up to four homes, one possible location being on the south end of the current new development. Justin wondered if there was existing infrastructure there for homes, and there is nothing there currently. Mayor Bernstrom advised that she reached out to Bollig Engineering and they have agreed to work with the city and provided an agreement for professional services via task order. With the signed document, Bollig would be able to review infrastructure needs and available funding sources to present at a future council meeting. They also advised there is not grants/funds at this time, but there would be in the coming future for assistance in what they discussed. Bernstrom was advised by Bollig that there was no cost or money committed at this time by signing the agreement. A motion was made by Stenquist to sign/move forward with the Task Order and second by Grabowska and carried.
Stenquist moved to make application to the Lancaster Legion #214 in the amount of $3,000.00 for the help with the new Fire Department building, second by Grabowska and carried.
Motion made by Halvorson to accept a donation in the amount of $2,500.00 from PODCO LLC for the Community Center Debt Service Fund, second by Matthew and carried.
The Fire Department was present to discuss the construction of their new building as the department voted to have the shell construction to be hired out. The building shell would be put up and paper wrapped, but would have no roof (steel/tin), windows, or doors. Faken advised they would address additional needs for funding in a few months as needed for the previous mentioned items. They provided a quote from Thomas Vig Construction in the amount of $40,000 to frame, sheath, apply roof paper, and house wrap on the 50’x 80’x16’building. Dean Halvorson advised this was the only quote they had at this time and felt they would not find a lower quote if they waited for more. Matthew made a motion to accept the quote, second by Grabowska and carried with Halvorson abstaining. Chief Faken also presented a check in the amount of $15,000 from their Fire Relief Fund to the Fire Fund, motion to accept the check made by Matthew second by Stenquist and carried.
Clerk was advised by Zondagh that a few new flags/poles would be needed for Flag Day. Motion was made by Grabowska, second Stenquist, to order 10 new flags and poles for Flag Day, not to exceed $700, and carried.
Bernstrom contacted Agassiz Asphalt, LLC to discuss the approved quote from last year for patching up three locations in the city (Post Office, Laundromat, and 3rd St.) and they have advised that they will be here June 8th to get this done. Council also discussed fixing a few pot holes throughout the city and near the school which would be above the approved quote. The council discussed this additional work and a motion by Matthew to approve additional fees up to $7000, and second by Stenquist, and carried.
Council reviewed the City and Liquor Store financials for April and a motion was needed to approve the bills for March as this was missed at our last month’s meeting. Stenquist made the motion to approve the March bills with a second by Matthew and carried.
Clerk brought up to the council to review the hydrant at the skating rink again for approval on what was previously discussed. Matthew made a motion to approve getting a quote, second by Stenquist and carried. Zondagh will work on this with Anderson Construction to see what it would cost and what options there would be to add one or update an existing one at the Gazebo Park.
Other items discussed: Roasters for the Community Center and reckless drivers throughout the town.
Mayor closed the meeting as there was no further business for council.
Janet Johnson, Clerk/Treasurer Approved: Kathy Bernstrom, Mayor
Approval Date: May 14, 2025
Other links: Lancaster Riverside Golf Course | Lancaster Public School | NW MN Multi-County HRA
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