City Council Meeting March 8, 2021
The City Council met at 5:30 pm at the Emergency Center with the following members present: Mayor Willey and Council: Gentzkow, Hoggarth, Watkins, Sandness, and Pedersen; employees Haugen, Schaffer and Hanson, Engineer Reber & newspaper Hagebock. Attorney Radermacher via conference call. Visitors: Jody & George Johnson, Kelli Just, Bruce Huber
Mayor Willey called the meeting to order.
Minutes: Pedersen moved to approve February minutes. Gentzkow seconded. Polled vote: all yes. Motion carried
Financial: Watkins moved, Hoggarth second to accept financial reports as presented. Polled vote: all yes. Motion carried
Bills for January: Gentzkow moved, Pedersen second to pay bills as presented. Polled vote: all yes. Motion carried.
Visitor Comments: Kelli Just stated that her father, Jim Bitz received a grant and would like to use it to install a flagpole at the Emergency Center. Hoggarth motion to approve the installation of the flagpole between the sign and the sidewalk, Pedersen second. Polled vote. All yes. Motion carried. Just left the meeting.
Nogosek joined the meeting via conference call.
Jody & George Johnson presented their concerns with dogs running around town and in their yard. Chief Hanson stated they should contact him when there is a problem and he will handle them. The Johnsons left the meeting.
Bruce Huber expressed his concerns with the property line issues on the north end of town. The council feels this is an issue between the home owners and they will need to figure out a solution. Huber asked if the city would consider a cost share to do the replat. Mayor Willey will talk with the homeowners to try to get them to work together towards a solution. Radermacher has sent the state statutes to the council in regards to the property issue on the north end.
Engineer Report: The manhole is being installed at this time. Reber presented the change order for the building material at the new water tower sight. Pedersen made a motion to approve as presented, Gentzkow second. Polled vote. All yes. Motion carried. Reber presented an invoice for $4583.63 for surveying, clean up and the storm sewer. Watkins moved to approve, Hoggarth second. Polled vote. All yes. Motion carried.
Committee Updates: Personnel committee met and recommended the following salary increases for this year. Haugen increase to $45,000, Schaffer 3% increase. Hoggarth motion to approve, Pedersen second. Polled vote. All yes. Motion carried.
Public Works: Main lift station panel should be replaced, cost $22,000 for the panel & installation. $45/month for the controls. The generator needs to be moved along with this. Watkins moved. Pedersen second to approve. Polled vote. All yes. Motion carried. Need to replace the small lawn mower. Snow removal for next year will be put up for bids. Schaffer presented the job duties for a second man. Discussion included: how to pay for this person considering the budget has been completed for the year as well as what Schaffers role will be. Mayor Willey stated that Schaffer would be the manager of the new person. Pedersen moved to start the process of hiring a second person. Sandness second. After discussion, Pedersen amended his motion to start the process of hiring a second person after the budget has been reviewed and amended to accommodate a second person in the public works department. Polled vote. All yes. Motion carried.
Legal Matters: Radermacher has reviewed the easement for the Dorich property. She continues to work on the lift station at the grocery store.
Old Business: City Office: An architect has looked at the old grocery store building. He stated the costs with repairing the heaving floor, cracks and to bring it to code would be in the same price range as building new. The civic center was also looked at, it too would not be cost effective to do the work to repair it. A quote was given for adding an office into the police/ambulance bay of $25,000 with no flooring or electrical work. Radermacher stated she would be open to discussion on her current office building. The council will continue to local for alternative options at this time.
Gaming & Building Permits: LaMoure Lions – raffle – Hoggarth moved, Watkins second to approve. Polled vote. All yes. Motion carried
Caleb Dorich easement: Radermacher has reviewed and approved. Watkins moved, Hoggarth second to approve the easement. Polled vote. All yes. Motion carried.
Scott Mart – storage building. Watkins moved to approve with 12 ft walls and the dimensions added to the permit. Pedersen second. Polled vote. All yes. Motion carried.
Police Report: There were 16 calls for service. Received a grant for an AED in his car. Chief Hanson will be going to car seat training April 13-16. Presented a plan to provide a female self defense course in town. Gentzkow moved. Pedersen seconded the plan to move forward with the training. Polled vote. All yes. Motion carried.
Other Business: Tax Equalization meeting is scheduled for April 12, 2021 from 5-6 pm at the Omega Room. Council meeting will follow in the same location.
NDLC spring conference is April 20 & 21 in Bismarck.
Meeting adjourned at 7:15 pm.