LANCASTER CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

The Lancaster City Council met for its Regular Meeting on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 6:00 P.M. The following persons were present: Mayor, Kathy Bernstrom; Council members: John Stenquist, Mike Olson, and Kevin Grabowska. Also present: Jack Waters with Kittson County Enterprise, Public Works Supervisor George Zondagh.

Olson moved to approve the July 8^th, 2026 Council Meeting Minutes, second by Grabowska 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 August 2026 bills and June and July 2026 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 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.

Approval to submit two applications for Sunday Openings were requested by Liquor Store manager, Shannon Bowlin. Olson made the motion to accept the request for the dates of November 15^th 2026 (Vikings vs Packers) and February 14^th 2027 (Super Bowl), with a second by Stenquist, and carried.

Annual Job Reviews of Public Works Supervisor, Liquor Store Manager, and City Clerk was reviewed and Bernstrom and Stenquist will work on a date to meet with these 3 individuals.

Clerk requested approval to attend three training events: August 14^th in Detroit Lakes, MN for MCFOA ($25 registration, 312 round trip miles); September 10th & 11^th for Clerk’s Academy in Staples ($250 registration, 438 round trip miles, two nights stay @ $119 per night and meals); and October 6^th LMC Fall Workshop for Safety Committee in Bemidji ($30 Registration, round trip 306 miles) for Johnson to attend, and if scheduling allows, Zondagh is also approved to attend. Motion to approve made by Stenquist, second by Grabowska, and carried. Fees/Reimbursements to be covered not exceeding the 2026 Rates, Fees & Appointments.

Council reviewed the preliminary proposed 2027 Budget and discussed several proposed expenditures and projects, including: large-scale sidewalk restoration; paving of the Community Center back parking lot; replacement doors at the City Shop; a five-year agreement for a new John Deere loader, including trade-in of the City’s current unit; a new lawn mower and 72-inch rotary mower/cutter three-point attachment; an annual fee of approximately $600 for maintenance of the City’s GPS mapping of water and sewer infrastructure; purchasing additional bar stools for the Liquor Store; and anticipated expenses associated with the Fire Department’s new storage building in 2027. Additional information was needed regarding several of these items. The Council will continue discussion at the September 12^th meeting and determine whether to approve the budget as proposed or adopt as the final 2027 Budget. The Council’s goal is to maintain the property tax levy at the 2026 amount of $130,000, utilizing reserve funds as necessary to maintain this levy amount. The Council also discussed paying off the Community Center debt in 2026, which would provide additional funds that could be designated toward proposed 2027 projects.

Council reviewed pricing for a front and back windshield for the city’s new Polaris Ranger and after discussion Olson motioned to approve a half windshield for the front and a full windshield for the back, not to exceed $500, purchasing via Amazon, second by Grabowska and carried.

Update on the un-mowed/vacant properties discussed at last month’s meeting. Clerk mailed out 4 certified letters to the owners of each property and 3 of the 4 letters came back “Return to Sender”. Clerk will keep track of the mowing once each lot has been mowed by the maintenance team and provide to the county at year’s end to be added to their property taxes. One owner did call and agreed to pay for the time the city mowed their property. Also, a day after this meeting another property was mowed for the first time this summer.

Approval to close a portion of 4^th Street during the Back-to-School Open House from as early as 4:00 pm to as late as 8:00 pm was motioned by Olson, second by Stenquist, and carried. Clerk to contact home owners next to the school to advise them.

Stenquist moved to submit a $2,000 request to the American Legion Post #214 gambling funds for help with the purchase of a new dumpster at the Golf Course, second by Grabowska and carried.

Resolution 2026-13, to accept a $3,000 donation from American Legion #214 Gambling, to help the city with the completion of the mobile stage project, was reviewed and certified with a motion by Olson, second by Stenquist and carried.

Resolution 2026-14, to accept a $500 Fire Fund Donation from AgCountry Farm Credit Services, was reviewed and certified with a motion by Grabowska, second by Stenquist and carried.

Council discussed a proposed ‘dog policy’ to be added to the Community Center rental agreement. No action was taken, and the matter was tabled for future discussion.

Bernstrom and Stenquist will review January-June 2026 bank statements.

Council reviewed June and July City financials and July Liquor Store financials.

Other items discussed: update tax forfeited property will have specials placed back on the parcel/owner agreed; discussed smoke testing of city sewers with MN Rural Water and Bollig Engineering.

Olson made a motion to void Ck #9131 to CHS for $820.11 as it was lost in the mail, second by Stenquist and carried. Certification of Lost Check Form to be completed by the payee.

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

Janet Johnson, Clerk/Treasurer

Approved: Kathy Bernstrom, Mayor

Approval Date: 09/09/2026

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

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