Lancaster has new mayor, searching for councilor

By Editor | February 3, 2025 |

By Anna Jauhola
The Lancaster City Council reorganized for 2025 during the first meeting of the year on Wednesday, Jan. 8.
Councilor Kathy Bernstrom resigned her position to accept the mayor position as she was elected during November. Clerk Carol Johnson administered the oaths of office to Bernstrom, and re-elected councilors Teri Halvorson and John Stenquist.
Bernstrom then continued the meeting to discuss finding her replacement.
“You’re going to have to come up with ideas for a new councilor. You’d appoint that person to complete the next two years until the next general election,” Johnson said.
Councilor Teri Halvorson asked whether Randy Weberg would be able to fill the position, as he works for the city part time in the summer maintaining the Highway 59 park. Johnson said a previous opinion from the state attorney general’s office allows for non-benefited employees to be councilors. However, he would have to abstain from decisions on issues like payroll or buying tools that help with that position.
The council will work on finding someone to fill the position, and appoint them at the February meeting.
When approving the rates, fees and appointments for 2025, the council approved Halvorson as vice mayor.
In other business, the council:
• Discussed and approved delegating authority over cannabis regulations to Kittson County, which sent a proposed ordinance to the city. The council had already signaled its intent to delegate authority to the county last spring. They approved delegating authority to the county pending review of a final county ordinance.
• Approved a quote from Halvorson Home Improvements for $2,595 to fix wind damage on the old fire hall. Halvorson abstained from the vote.
• Approved making a request for $2,000 from the Legion gambling fund to assist with the community and school reunion this summer.
• Approved Johnson to construct a fundraising letter for debt retirement on the community center and to spend up to $500 on postage for sending the letters.
The next regular meeting is set for Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. in Lancaster City Hall.