The LaMoure City Council met on Monday, November 14, 2022. Present were Clint Hoggarth, Lori Gentzkow, Stuart Good, Greg Pedersen, Vince Watkins, Dominic Hanson, Heath Schaffer, Art Hagebock, Mitch Carlson, Judy Meisch, Bob Flath, Gina Haugen. Also present via conference call Brandon Reber.
Minutes from October meeting & special meeting & November special meeting: Pedersen moved to approve. Gentzkow second. Polled vote: all yes. Financial Report: Gentzkow moved to approve. Pedersen second. Polled vote: all yes. Bills: Gentzkow moved to approve. Good second. Polled vote: all yes.
Visitors: Mitch Carlson was present from the LaMoure Community Development Corporation (LCDC). He stated that there is a need to figure out how to remove old buildings in the community, especially where there is a new business interested in the location. He proposed that the City of LaMoure, LaMoure County and LCDC work together to pay for the removal. It seems that it would be beneficial to have a joint effort and be proactive instead of waiting until they are returned to the county for lack of tax payment. The LaMoure County Public Health building proposal was discussed. It was also discussed that it is good for the city to get these lots cleaned up. The Mayor asked the Building Committee to research the cost of removing the 2 buildings on Center Avenue.
Judy Meisch reported for the LaMoure Housing Authority. Their group currently owns 4 units, they are all full with a waiting list. At their October meeting they decided that they are going to put the townhomes up for bids in the spring. There is $382112.00 remaining on the loan against them. If they sell, the city will need to decide whether or not to have the Housing Authority continue or to disband it. Meisch and Carlson left the meeting at this time.
Engineering Report: Reber stated that Meyer Contracting is in the middle of their current fix, but are done working on it for the season. Moore Engineering is recommending that we meet again with Ohnstad Twitchell to move forward with legal action pertaining to the contractor’s bond. He presented invoice 31620 for the amount of $5208.16 for work done on the water tower. The invoice was tabled until a later date along with the others that pertain to the defective work at the water tower site.
Legal Matters: The Emergency Center will be paid in full in January, so the governing board needs to put in place a new ordinance pertaining to sales tax monies collected. The Finance Committee will meet and make a recommendation on the ordinance.
Street Committee chair Pedersen stated that the committee recommends putting the old white truck up for bids. Watkins made the motion to put the white pickup up for bids. Gentzkow second. Polled vote: all yes.
Public Works: Ron will be in Bismarck for licensing the last week of November. Schaffer asked the council to be able to take extended sick leave in December for medical purposes. Pedersen moved to approve the request. Watkins second. Polled vote: all yes.
Police Report: Had 170 at Trunk or Treat. Had to replace a tire on the police vehicle. Hanson is working with the committee and the attorney on orders to show cause on ordinance violations.
Permits: The Lazy Pair: Off -site for the Chamber Awards banquet. Pedersen moved to approve. Gentzkow second. Polled vote: all yes. LaMoure Foods liquor/beer license off sale for 2023. Pedersen moved to approve. Good second. Polled vote: Good- yes, Watkins- yes, Pedersen- yes. Gentzkow abstained.
Meeting adjourned at 6:24 pm.