LANCASTER CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

The Lancaster City Council met for its Regular Meeting on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 7:00 P.M. The following persons were present: Mayor, Kathy Bernstrom; Council members: John Stenquist, Krista Matthew, and Kevin Grabowska. Also present Anna Jauhola, with Kittson County Enterprise; Mendy Coffield, Business Manager Lancaster School; Tyler Swenson and Chris Johnson with the Lancaster Fire Department; and Ned Webster.

Council discussed the Sports Complex amongst themselves as they need to know better what the school actually wants from the city. The members are in agreement to sell or donate the land to the school but have added questions such as taxes, rental fees, maintenance agreements, and how men’s softball might be affected.

Council accepted Teresa (Teri) Halvorson’s resignation letter with a motion by Stenquist, second by Matthew and carried.

Motion made by Matthew to approve Teresa’s Per Diam for the 2025 year, second by Grabowska and carried. Halvorson to be paid during the next payroll period.

Council discussed appointing a new council member to replace Halvorson’s term. Stenquist made a motion to nominate Michael Olson as Council Person (Term to expire January 2029), second by Grabowska, and nomination carried.

Council discussed to replace Teresa Halvorson’s position as Acting Mayor. This position allows council member to act if Mayor is absent and Official is allowed to sign checks and Certificates of Deposits. Matthew motioned to appoint Kevin Grabowska, second by Stenquist, and carried.

An update is needed on the American Federal Bank Account Resolution to remove Halvorson. Matthew made a motion to remove Teresa Halvorson and add Kevin Grabowska as Acting Mayor to the American Federal Bank signature card, effective November 12^th 2025, second Stenquist and carried.

Matthew made a motion to remove Teresa Halvorson from United Valley Bank (City Checking, Liquor Store Checking and Preferred Savings) and 4M Fund effective November 12^th 2025 and have the clerk work with both organizations to update signature/names, second by Grabowska and carried.

Mendy Coffield with the Lancaster School was present to discuss the Sports Complex. Mayor Bernstrom asked what the school wants from the city and she stated as they don’t own the land, anything the school does would need to be run by the city or if the city sold the land, they would then have control over it all. The school can’t proceed without a definite plan and doesn’t want to put time and money into something they don’t own if this isn’t going to work out. Mayor advised the council is in favor to donate or sell the land but a price still needs to be determined and our contribution to the project would be the land and would provide something for the school for their next board meeting.

Matthew moved to Not Waive the Statutory Tort Limits for as set by State Statute for 2026 year, second by Stenquist and carried.

Mayor Bernstrom is working with University of Minnesota, Crookston and Anna Certs to put solar panels on 3 public buildings (Community Center, the new Fire Department storage building and the bathroom/shower building at the city park) in the city. There are grants as well as rebates for the solar panels. Mayor needs to get three proposals and will follow up on this process. Fire Department was present to advise if they would agree to solar panels on their new storage building. Swenson and Johnson were in agreement to having the panels added to the roof of the building.

Matthew moved to approve the October 8, 2025 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 November 2025 bills and September 2025 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. 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.

Motion by Matthew to accept Ned Webster’s bid of $110/acre for the 2026, 2027, & 2028 years, second by Stenquist and carried. Ned was present for this acceptance.

Stenquist moved to adopt Resolution 2025-14 Designating Polling Place for 2025 as the Kittson County Courthouse, second by Matthew and carried. Voting in favor: Stenquist, Matthew and Grabowska with none apposed and none absent.

Retroactive approval to purchase a new pump for Lift Station #2 with a quote cost of $12,988.93, not including freight, but MN Pump Works estimated freight to be around $400. Motion to approve quote made by Grabowska, second by Matthew and carried.

Matthew moved to approve the Bernstrom Oil Co. 2026 renewal application for 3.2 Off Sale Liquor license, second by Grabowska and carried.

The new Minnesota Paid Leave Law (MNPL) was discussed to determine how to split the 0.88% quarterly premium. In a motion by Matthew and second by Stenquist, the city of Lancaster will pay 50% (0.44%) of the required premium and employees will pay 50% (0.44%) of the premium cost through payroll deductions starting January 1, 2026 based on hours worked. The clerk will send out acknowledgement forms to all current, part-time, and seasonal workers so everyone is aware. The council also adopted and agreed to update the current Employee Handbook to include the MNPL requirements, adding Section 12.01 A and has also updated Section 12.09 and has changed the wording for Pregnancy and Parenting Leave to Minnesota Women’s Economic Security Act (WESA) in a motion by Matthew and a second by Grabowska and carried.

Resolution 2025-15 approved with a motion by Matthew, seconded by Stenquist, and carried to accept $500 from the American Legion Post #214 to help the Lancaster Golf Course with the purchase of a new greens’ mower. Council also approved the clerk to cut a $500 check payable to the golf course in a motion by Grabowska, with a second by Matthew.

The council disregarded an agenda item to request gambling funds from the American Legion for the Fire Department as they received additional funds from the last gambling request.

Motion by Stenquist, and a second by Grabowska to accept the rate increase from the DAC for their cleaning services at the Liquor Store and Fire Hall. The rates for 2026 will be $12.75 per hour, up from the current rate of $11.50 per hour.

Mayor Bernstrom read a letter from Minnesota Housing as they approved the city’s request for funding under the Greater Minnesota Housing Infrastructure Grant Program 2025 Request of Proposals. The City of Lancaster has been awarded a grant in the amount of $480,000.

Clerk advised the MN Dept of Health Drinking Water Report came back good, with no bacteria detected.

Council reviewed October City and Liquor Store financials.

Other items discussed: Liquor Store wifi strong enough to maintain the new E-Tabs; Apartment Garbage overflow issue, Mayor to discuss with Ned Webster; Bollig Engineering visit in October for Needs Assessment; No Parking signs on 4^th street was discussed and will be on next month’s agenda; paying Council monthly for 2026.

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

Janet Johnson, Clerk/Treasurer

Approved: Kathy Bernstrom, Mayor

Approval Date : December 10, 2025

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

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