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CITY OF LANCASTER, MINNESOTA
LANCASTER CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
The Lancaster City Council met for its Regular Meeting on Wednesday, June 11th, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. The following persons were present: Mayor, Kathy Bernstrom; Council members: Krista Matthew, Teri Halvorson, John Stenquist and Kevin Grabowska. Also present, Anna Jauhola, Kittson County Enterprise reporter, and Tyler Swenson, Assistant Fire Chief. Stenquist moved to approve the May 14th, 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. Stenquist moved to approve the minutes for the Special Meeting held on June 5th, 2025 concerning the sale of city lot/parcel #38.0008200, 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 June 2025 bills and May 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. Matthew moved to approved bills and EFT’s, second by Halvorson and carried. An abstract of bills will be posted with the minutes and are available upon request. Tyler Swenson, Assistant Fire Chief, was present to discuss additional material ordered for the new building/storage shed for the Fire Department. Roof Tin was ordered in the amount of $8,031.17 and members of the fire department will install it themselves so there will not be an additional labor charge from Vig Construction. This additional material cost is within the previously approved amount not to exceed $55,000 as discussed in March of 2025, so no motion was needed to approve this. The proposed budget for 2026 was discussed and a 4-person committee was determined. Carol Johnson will come in to assist Clerk Johnson, Mayor Bernstrom, and Council Member Grabowska, with the proposed budget. This committee will meet and discuss further in July. Mayor set Liquor Store inventory for Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at 9:00 AM. Motion made by Matthew, second by Halvorson and carried, to retroactively approve the emergency purchase of a new Beer Cooler for the Liquor Store as it broke down even after Jeff’s Refrigeration came this month to service it. Liquor Store Manager Bowlin had worked with Mayor Bernstrom and Council Member Stenquist to purchase the new cooler when it broke down. The old cooler was also discussed as there were a couple people interested in it and they determined to allow bids to be accepted. Clerk to post information to accept bids on this unit “as is”. As previously discussed in October 10th 2023, the City is to pay United Valley Bank for ½ the total cost for rehabilitation of their commercial property’s sidewalk. This is based on the adopted Section 176.01 Sidewalk Rehabilitation Ordinance effective June 1, 1989. Bank associate, Montana Knoll provided a copy of an April 2024 estimate in the amount of $4,210.75 from Kroening Concrete. Motion to approve this payment made by Stenquist not to exceed $2,500, second by Matthew and carried. State demographer report shows that the 2024 population estimate is 356 and household estimate is 153. Council reviewed May City and Liquor Store financials. The 59 City Park was discussed as a number of items needed to be done to improve it and we still had the $2000 from the Legion Gambling last year designated for some of this needed work. Sand for the play area is being donated by Strata Corporation of Hallock, MN. Paint was ordered for the Bathroom building and Pavilion. Joni and Jesse Peterson are working on donating a new grate for one of the BBQ Grills near the picnic shelter. The garbage dumpster is in need of a lot of work as the lid is currently broken. It may be spray painted to spruce it up a bit. New baby swings and swing seats are being researched. The Gazebo Park was discussed as there were citizens wondering about the shrubs on the north end, wondering if they could be trimmed down or even removed as they were not looking good. Mayor advised that she spoke to a Lion’s member and they were ok with them being taken out. Mark Bernstrom had agreed to take out the shrubs and put down new mulch in the entire area and had a bid of $450 for mulch. After discussion, Halvorson made the motion to approve this, not to exceed $500, for the removal of the shrubs and the addition of the mulch, second by Matthew and carried. Other items discussed: Gravel needed on Hawaii Ave to be handled by Mayor Bernstrom; A resident asked the mayor if they could build a fence on their property, she will provide them with the city ordinance and is working further with them on this; The new owners of the Vintage Plus building questioned what could be done about the deteriorating bench and sidewalk outside their building. Mayor Bernstrom to discussed and provided them with the Sidewalk Restoration Ordinance information; 3 on 3 Basketball wondering how they could mark the street during Heritage Days; Liquor Store Manager and Clerk to attend free CASH-WA Distributing Food, Products, and Trends Show in Mahnomen June 17th for ideas on new bar menu items; Job Reviews to be worked on in July by Mayor Bernstrom and Council Member Halvorson; Underage drivers of Golf Carts and ATV complaints discussed and will be further researched in July; Tree branches hanging over a stop sign on the corner of 3rd and Central Ave to be addressed by Halvorson with the home owner and she will help remove the branches. Mayor closed the meeting as there was no further business for council. Janet Johnson, Clerk/Treasurer Approved: Kathy Bernstrom, Mayor Approval Date: July 9, 2025
Other links: Lancaster Riverside Golf Course | Lancaster Public School | NW MN Multi-County HRA |
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