LANCASTER CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

The Lancaster City Council met for its Monthly Meeting on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 6:00 P.M. The following persons were present: Mayor, Kathy Bernstrom; Council members: John Stenquist, Krista Matthew, and Kevin Grabowska. Absent was Mike Olson. Also present was Liquor Store Manager, Shannon Bowlin.

Stenquist moved to approve the January 14, 2026 Council Meeting Minutes, second by Matthew and carried. Council also approved Meeting Minutes from the January 21^st Fire Contracts Special Meeting with a motion by Stenquist, 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.

Council amended new council member’s, Mike Olson, term ending date from January 2029 to January 2027 with a motion by Stenquist, second by Matthew and carried. This date was an error by the clerk from a previous meeting.

Shannon Bowlin, Liquor Store Manager, was present to discuss year end 2025, month end January 2026, and flooring bids. Bowlin presented two bids for removal of old, and installation of new flooring. Stenquist motioned to approve Lancaster Lumber’s bid at $12,364.51 over Schulz Carpeting’s bid of $14,503.77, second by Grabowska, not to exceed $13,500.00, and carried.

Council discussed transferring $6,000.00 from the Liquor Store fund to make an extra payment on the USDA Community Center loan. Matthew moved to transfer $6,000.00 from Liquor Store fund to Community Center Debt Service fund, second by Stenquist and carried.

Grabowska motioned to make an additional payment to the USDA on the Community Center Loan of the $6,000.00 Liquor Store monies plus the extra built-up funds in the Community Center Debt Service Fund of $4,000.00, for a total of $10,000.00, seconded by Stenquist and carried.

An additional item discussed for the 2026 Rates & Fees, was the Water per 1000 Gallon Rate. In a motion by Stenquist, it was raised from $8.00 to $8.25, second by Grabowska, and carried. This amount was missed when the council agreed to increasing the Minimums Per Quarter amounts at the January meeting.

On a motion by Matthew, to approve the following Rates and Fees schedule, second by Stenquist and carried with none voting against the 2026 Rates and Fees schedule, was adopted at the Lancaster City Council Meeting on February 11, 2026.

Council reviewed the 2026 Fire Contracts and motion was made by Matthew to approve the City Appropriation amount $8,638.52 to be transferred from General Funds to the Fire Fund, second by Grabowska and carried.

Council discussed work done on the siren to get it in working order, as a fuse was blown. They also discussed the times the siren rings per day, but a decision on this has been tabled for another meeting.

The council reviewed the January 2026 bills and January 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 Matthew and carried. An abstract of bills will be posted with the minutes and are available upon request.

Grabowska moved to accept the quote for $1,040.00 from Rigg Electric for replacing the damaged emergency lighting fixtures in the Community Center and Meeting Room, second by Stenquist and carried.

Matthew moved to adopt Resolution 2026-02 Approving Permit Applications to Kittson County for Closure of CSAH 27 and CSAH 26 Roads for 2026 Year Special Events, second by Grabowska and carried.

Clerk Johnson presented council with the 2025 Revolving Loan Fund year-end report.

Council reviewed City and Liquor Store final/year end and January financials.

Clerk advised the MN Dept of Health Drinking Water Report came back good, with: “No coliform bacteria were detected”.

Approval granted for the clerk to utilize the city credit card to secure and pay for hotel rooms for the purpose of Fire Training schools and seminars. Motion to approve by Grabowska, second by Matthew, and carried.

Other items discussed: Christmas Lights can now be turned off.

Motion by Matthew, second by Stenquist and carried to make an application to the Lancaster Legion #214 in the amount of $3,000.00 to help in purchasing a new walk behind floor scrubber. Clerk Johnson is currently waiting on estimates.

Kristy Vasques advised the mayor she no longer has the time to devote to plating/maintaining the flowers around the city/campground park, but her sister, Cheri Sullivan, is interested/able to for the same pay as Kristy is currently getting. Motion by Matthew, second by Grabowska and carried to hire Cheri for this job.

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

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

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

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