July 12, 2021 Regular Meeting
The Lakota City Council held its regular meeting July 12th, 2021, at the City Hall. Mayor Brad Hooey called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. All Council Members were present. Kara Koski was the audience member. City Attorney Jayme Tenneson, City Auditor Amie Vasichek and City Superintendent Josh Ulland were also in attendance.
Member D. Mattern made a motion to approve the June 8th, 2021, regular council meeting minutes seconded by Member Vasichek. Motion carried.
Mayor Hooey recognized Kara Koski
Mrs. Koski stated she was in attendance to talk about the wading pool in the park. Currently the pool is unusable and an eye soar. The council decided they will fill the wading pool with a material and then lay 2” of concrete to cover it. It was felt that this will allow the material to be easily removed when the city is ready to install a splash pad.
Mrs. Koski stated the pool house painting is almost complete, but the trim needs to be done. Mrs. Koski stated she had originally told her lifeguards that she would personally pay them for their work, but it is getting a little costly for her. Mrs. Koski requested $400 for the city of Lakota to cover for payroll costs for her staff to finish the work in addition to the wages she was going to cover personally.
Member D. Mattern made a motion to approve the city of Lakota covering the payroll cost up to $400 for the pool lifeguards to finish painting the pool house, seconded by Member Hess. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Mrs. Koski left the meeting at 6:14pm.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Attorney Tenneson stated he does not believe the city will need to go into executive session for the Caldwell Tanks settlement offer.
Attorney Tenneson stated Caldwell Tanks attorney has provided him with their offer to have the city make final payment of $46,854.67. This would include $21,029.34 for payments made to Micro-Comm that should have went thru the project costs. Attorney Tenneson stated after consulting with AE2S’s engineer Meredith Quinn, she had indicated $8,318 should be an allowance item which would make the final payment to Caldwell as $38,536.67. Attorney Tenneson stated the amount suggested for a final payment is far less than where we had started from.
Member Hess made a motion to offer a final payment to Caldwell Tanks of $38,536.67 for the water tower project, seconded by Member Vasichek. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Member Vasichek stated he and Attorney Tenneson met with the Lakota School board to discuss the community center lease agreement and the school board voted down the cost share proposal. Member Vasichek stated the school board countered with a 5-year lease for $20,000/year.
Mayor Hooey stated he is frustrated with the ongoing negotiations with the school board and suggested a $30,000/year lease and if the school board does not accept it the two parties can part ways.
Member Vasichek stated he believes this partnership is still salvageable but wants to know what the city council would like him to go back to the board with. Mayor Hooey suggested the school take over scheduling of the facility to help prevent conflicts. The city council did not agree with the suggestion.
Member D. Mattern stated the city should offer the original proposal of $20,000 ($10,000 for rent and $10,000 in a shared improvements account with the school) or a $30,000/ year lease.
Member D. Mattern made a motion to offer the Lakota School District the options to lease the community center building of $30,000/lease or $20,000/year with $10,000 for rent and $10,000 to go into a shared community center building improvements account with the School District, seconded by Member Hess. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Mayor Hooey reviewed the proposed revisions to the building permit form. Auditor Vasichek provided the council with a working document to the building permit form that would categorize each option and the requirements of each type of improvement. There was still some concern on the requirement for a land survey for different construction. Attorney Tenneson suggested having the City Superintendent and Mayor be responsible for approving exceptions to requirements.
Member Vasichek made a motion to approve the revised building permit form and to allow exceptions to the requirements on the form be granted by the City Superintendent and the Mayor, seconded by Member D. Mattern. All voting in favor. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Hooey read aloud the Business Tax Incentive application from David Matejcek.
Member Vasichek made a motion to approve David Matejcek’ s 2-year tax exemption, seconded by Member R. Mattern. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Auditor Vasichek stated she is currently working on the 2022 budget and her plan for the $50,000/year chip seal funding would be to increase the levy by $15,000-$20,000/year and rely on the Sales Tax Infrastructure fund for the balance.
Mayor Hooey stated the four-wheeler the city crew utilizes is no longer in commission. Mayor Hooey would like the city council to approve a lease agreement with Leading Edge Equipment for a closed cab gator for $3,000/year. There was discussion on other options for an ATV, but they were not aware of any other dealer offers a lease agreement.
Member Hess made a motion to approve a lease agreement with Leading Edge Equipment for a closed cab John Deere gator for $3,000/year, seconded by Member R. Mattern. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor, except Member Vasichek who abstained. Motion carried.
Member Hess made a motion to approve the BCBS renewal, seconded by Member R. Mattern. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Mayor Hooey stated he would like to pursue the work for the back door at the city hall and will be working to get additional estimates for the work.
Mayor Hooey read aloud pay estimate #3 from Wagner Construction for the Water Transmission Line project of $44,596.80.
Member Vasichek made a motion to approve Wagner Construction’s Pay Estimate #3 for the Water Transmission Line project of $44,596.80, seconded by Member Hess. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
Supt. Ulland provided a list of work that was completed the last month.
Supt. Ulland stated cracking filling is done for the year.
Supt. Ulland stated he would like to purchase a 65-gallon tank for the gator for spraying the streets and sidewalks.
Member Solberg made a motion to purchase a 65-gallon spray tank for $1,250, seconded by Member Fahey. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor, except Member Vasichek who abstained. Motion carried.
Supt. Ulland stated he will be in contact with Bob Zeug to talk about the needed work for the secondary electrical on the west end of town.
ENGINEER REPORT
No additional report provided.
SHERIFF’S REPORT
No additional report provided.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Member Hess questioned if the city should consider a chicken ordinance. The council was not interested at this time.
Member Solberg questioned the status of the building across the street from the city hall to the south. Auditor Vasichek stated she has not seen any activity nor a mason to review the brick work. Attorney Tenneson stated he will check on the ownership of the building as he didn’t think Aron Gunn recorded his deed for the property.
ADVISORY REPORTS
No report given.
MAYOR REPORT
Mayor Hooey stated he is concerned about the 4 brick buildings in Lakota and their structural integrity. Attorney Tenneson stated there is a process to go thru on the safety of buildings and he will go thru it by the next meeting. Attorney Tenneson stated he will write letters to the property owners of the buildings to come to the next meeting.
AUDITOR REPORT
Auditor Vasichek’ s written report was provided and attached with minutes.
Auditor Vasichek stated she had been approached by the golf club house to donate the city’s share of tournament proceeds from the most recent tournament to the school’s golf program. Attorney Tenneson stated the city is unable to donate funds. No action was taken.
Auditor Vasichek stated she has finally been able to successfully acquire the vacant Beck property west of the city shop. Auditor Vasichek stated she has consulted with the fire department to do a controlled burn of the structure and suggested utilizing the land for the city’s gravel piles, etc.
Member Vasichek stated he was approached by the Golf Clubhouse president to ask the city to allow the entire green fees received from golf tournaments to remain as the club house’s revenue. After discussion it was decided to deny this request.
The council reviewed the financial and utility reports provided.
ATTORNEY REPORT
Attorney Tenneson stated the Cruise to Lakota night will be held July 14th.
After review of the bills and vouchers, a motion was made by Member D. Mattern to pay all the bills presented for payment and those bills paid prior to the meeting. Member Vasichek seconded the motion. Motion carried on roll call vote of 6-0.
ADAPCO $ 1,501.50
Advanced Business Methods $ 289.00
AFLAC $ 232.08
Agcom Credit $ 498.20
Aramark $ 96.87
BCBS $ 6,028.57
Blueline $ 3,310.00
Bolton & Menk $ 28,893.00
Border States $ 2,736.07
Capitol One Trade $ 246.50
Cardmember $ 8,509.87
CHS $ 175.00
Dakota Implement $ 213.97
Dakota Supply $ 527.44
Dept. of Environmental $ 45.00
East Dakota Steam Clean $ 1,153.24
EFTPS $ 3,299.44
EFTPS $ 3,352.53
Environmental Equipment $ 709.45
Farmers Union Oil $ 1,527.89
GF Utility $ 88.00
H.E. Everson $ 33.66
Hanson, Pat $ 25.00
Hawkins $ 3,754.01
Job Service $ 1,455.80
Karas, Randy $ 450.05
Lake Region Pest $ 355.00
Lakota American $ 867.34
Lakota Auto $ 182.31
Lakota Golf Club $ 2,591.86
Lakota Hardware $ 4,550.19
Lakota Municipal Utilities $ 290.00
Lakota Municipal Utilities $ 365.49
Lakota Municipal Utilities $ 7,320.56
Lakota Sanitation Service $ 8,305.75
Langdon Fire $ 1,019.00
Leach, Rick $ 5,000.00
Laybourn, Alison $ 171.68
Mailfinance $ 600.00
Menards $ 241.67
MFOA $ 30.00
MARC $ 2,717.83
Miller Repair $ 1,787.89
MRES $ 57,866.11
Moen, Helen $ 25.00
MMUA $ 600.00
Nationwide $ 290.00
NDLC $ 904.00
NDPERS $ 3,085.90
Nelson County Sheriff $ 2,318.40
Nelson County Treasurer $ 1,964.44
Nelson County Water Resource $ 2,700.00
Nelson Electrical $ 2,510.33
Neonlink $ 28.00
Nodak Electric $ 3,014.26
ND One Call $ 36.00
ND Telephone $ 121.91
Office of State Tax $ 381.79
Ohnstad Electric $ 540.00
Polar $ 691.52
Powermanager $ 50.00
Praxair $ 224.90
Pro Turf Systems $ 6,255.96
Pisha, Engjell $ 18.14
QTPOD $ 480.00
Quill $ 218.96
Russo, Jeff $ 250.00
Rysavy Plumbing $ 4,190.99
TEAM Lab $ 3,403.50
Troy Bullis Construction $ 13,350.00
Verichek $ 17.15
Verizon $ 430.73
Wagner Construction $ 22,776.72
City Salaries $ 16,814.88
City Salaries $ 18,570.81
TOTAL $ 269,679.11
Next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday August 2nd, 2021, at 6pm. The council also discussed the September meeting scheduled for September 6th as that is a holiday. The council decided to move the September meeting to September 13th.
Member D. Mattern made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Member Solberg.
Meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m.
APPROVED BY: SUBMITTED BY:
Brad Hooey, Mayor Amie Vasichek, Auditor