The LaMoure City Council met on Monday, January 9, 2023. Present were Clint Hoggarth, Lori Gentzkow, Stuart Good, Greg Pedersen, Brad Nogosek, Steve Sandness, Dominic Hanson, Ron Paul, Art Hagebock, Brandon Reber, Bob Flath, Hope Coleman, Kelli Isaacson, Katie Kramer, Gina Haugen. Also present via conference call Kim Radermacher.
Minutes from November meeting: Pedersen moved to approve. Gentzkow second. Polled vote: all yes. Financial Report: Gentzkow moved to approve. Sandness second. Polled vote: all yes. Bills: Gentzkow moved to approve. Pedersen second. Polled vote: all yes.
Permits: The Other Bar – Liquor license January-June 2023. Pedersen moved to approve. Good second. Polled vote: all yes. License is approved.
Engineering: Brandon brought treats, he had no invoice and he did not talk much.
Visitors: LaMoure Park Board was represented by Kelli Isaacson, Hope Coleman and Katie Kramer. Kelli stated that Frank Van Eeden had resigned his board position. They have nominated Carly Rott as his replacement. They have $165,041.18 in the pool fund that has been raised through community pledges. They are hoping for a new round of grants to come available through Park & Recs in March and will apply. They are also working on updating promotional materials. The ice-skating rink should be up and running soon, they have had some issues with the ice not setting smoothly.
Legal Matters: Sales Tax Ordinance: The second reading of the Sales Tax Ordinance was held. Nogosek moved to approve. Sandness second. Polled vote: all yes.
Committee Updates: Councilman Pedersen brought a recommendation from the Water, Sewer & Garbage Committee that trash and recycle prices should be increased as Waste Management increases their prices annually as is in the city’s contract with them. The committee recommended raising trash from $20.54 to $21.00 monthly and recycle from $5.14 to $5.50 monthly. Radermacher will create the resolution with these changes. Pedersen moved to approve the resolution with the recommended changes. Gentzkow second. Polled vote: all yes.
Public Works: Schaffer expresses his appreciation to Ron Paul and the those who helped to clear all the snow while he was away. They have now been working on clearing hydrants and pushing back snow from the corners.
Old Business: LaMoure Community Development Corporation (LCDC) is looking to help keep the LaMoure County Public Health business in downtown LaMoure. They would like to partner with the city to create a plan to gain ownership, and demolish buildings located along Center Avenue. If the city agrees to move forward, the group will get quotes and details needed to make the decision on how to move forward. Good made a motion to partner with the LCDC to create a plan to own the lots, demolish the current buildings and get the space ready to move forward for construction. Pedersen seconded the motion. Polled vote: all yes. Motion carried.
New Business: The building located on the corner of Center Avenue and 1st Street SW formerly doing business as Cornerstone Pub & Grub has been sold by the county and the new owner is requesting that the city forgive the utility bills for the months of January, February and March of 2023. Discussion was held and it was stated that the city has an ordinance that all buildings pay the utility bills regardless of whether they are using them at the time or not and did not feel they were willing to change that.
Police Report: Hanson has been completing year end reporting du to the state. He is also working on renewing his car seat installation certification and taser trainer certification. He also states it is fender bender season and has been busy with those call.
Other: The Lions have been approved for a permit for bingo.
Meeting adjourned at 6:12 pm