December 6, 2021 Regular Meeting

The Lakota City Council held its regular meeting December 6th, 2021, at the City Hall. Mayor Brad Hooey called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. All Council Members were present; Member Solberg and Attorney Tenneson were on speaker phone. Barry Glienke and Randy Karas were the audience members. City Auditor Amie Vasichek and City Superintendent Josh Ulland were also in attendance. 

The council and audience stood and conducted the pledge of allegiance.


Member D. Mattern made a motion to approve the November 1st, 2021, regular council meeting minutes seconded by Member Vasichek. Motion carried.

Mayor Hooey recognized Randy Karas.  Mr. Karas stated he was in attendance to give the council proposals of work he would like to complete at the golf course next summer.  Mr. Karas stated the most important thing he needs to get done right away is adding new guard rails to the golf cart bridge. 

Mr. Karas left the meeting at 6:07pm.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Mayor Hooey recognized Barry Glienke.

Engineer Glienke stated Land Surveyors would like to complete the topographic work for the Hulstrand property if conditions allow before year end.  Engineer Glienke stated this is something that would need to be done to move forward with the property development and would cost roughly $2,000-$3,000.

Member Vasichek made a motion to approve the expense of up to $3,000 for topographic work on the Hulstrand Property when conditions allow, seconded by Member Hess.  On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor.  Motion carried.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Hooey questioned if all employee evaluations have been submitted.  Auditor Vasichek stated the evaluations are complete and in each employee personnel file for review.  Mayor Hooey stated he would like for the council review the cost share of health insurance for the full-time employees.  Mayor Hooey suggested it might be favorable to most of the employees to get more of the health insurance paid instead of a wage increase.  Auditor Vasichek provided a spreadsheet listing each employee’s current wage and health insurance deduction.  Auditor Vasichek provided examples of what a 3% or 5% wage increase would be or an 80/20 or 90/10 health insurance cost share for each employee.

Mayor Hooey requested the council review all the information and to table the discussion until next meeting.  Mayor Hooey congratulated Supt. Ulland for passing his water certification.

The council reviewed the 2022 liquor license renewal applications for the The Lakes, Tiki Shack and DD’s Place.

Member Hess made a motion to approve the 2022 liquor licenses for The Lakes, Tiki Shack and DD’s Place, seconded by Member Vasichek.  On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor.  Motion carried.

Auditor Vasichek provided an estimate from Rysavy Plumbing to replace new fixtures at the community center to touchless.  Auditor Vasichek stated the estimate is itemized so the council could pick and choose which items to replace.  Member Vasichek stated the improvements are needed and he would like to move forward with it.  Mayor Hooey suggested speaking with the community center committee to propose a portion of the expense to come out of the shared savings with the school district for improvements.  The council agreed to move forward with the project and pay for the entire expense utilizing previous CARES funding.  The council stated the community center committee can discuss later if they would like to utilize the joint account or not.  Member Vasichek stated he doesn’t feel the kitchen needs to be included with the improvements at this time.

Member D. Mattern questioned if the city needs to get additional bids for the work.  Auditor Vasichek stated the project is under $150,000 estimated expense, therefore is not required to do so.

Member Vasichek made a motion to approve the estimate from Rysavy Plumbing to proceed with replacing the fixtures at the community center except for the kitchen, seconded by Member Hess.  On a roll call vote, all members voted in favor.  Motion carried.

Auditor Vasichek sated she received a resolution from County Emergency Manager Angela Herda for the council to approve for the Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan which is as follows:

Whereas, City of Lakota recognizes the threat that natural, man-made or technological hazards pose to people and property within our community; and

Whereas, undertaking hazard mitigation actions will reduce and/or eliminate the potential for harm to people and property from future hazard occurrences; and

Whereas, an adopted Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan is required as a condition of future funding for mitigation projects under multiple Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) pre- and post-disaster mitigation grant programs; and

Whereas, the City of Lakota participated in the preparation of this plan in accordance with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000; and

Whereas, adoption of the Nelson County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan demonstrates the commitment to hazard mitigation; and

Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the City of Lakota, Nelson County, North Dakota adopts the Nelson County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan as approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

 

Signed this _____ day of December, 2021.

Member D. Mattern made a motion to approve the Nelson County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Resolution, 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 completed the previous month.

The council thanked Supt. Ulland and the city crew for a job well done moving snow in the recent storm.

Supt Ulland stated the city hall and the crew have been successful with having the utility software read the electric meter for one of the new water meters installed. 

Mayor Hooey questioned the status of the vactron purchase.  Supt. Ulland stated he will check with North-Holt.

 

ENGINEER REPORT

No additional report provided.

SHERIFF’S REPORT

No additional report provided.

COUNCIL REPORTS

Member Fahey questioned the status of the Solberg property development.  Member Solberg stated he spoke with his brother about gifting the property, but it doesn’t sound like it is available.

Member Hess stated Lyle and Ellie Pederson would like to sell the old Lakota American on main street for $5,000 if there is any interest.

 

ADVISORY REPORTS

No report provided.

MAYOR REPORT

Mayor Hooey stated he would like to pursue further on the RV Park at the community center parking area.  Mayor Hooey suggested providing water and electricity hook ups but only a RV dumping station for sewer.

 

AUDITOR REPORT

Auditor Vasichek’ s written report was provided and attached with minutes.

Auditor Vasichek reminded the council of the 2022 election and petitions can be picked up after the first of the year.

Member Fahey questioned about getting a live camera on main street.  Auditor Vasichek stated she needs to get information back to EarthCam ion order to get an estimate.

 

The council reviewed the financial and utility reports provided.

ATTORNEY REPORT

Attorney Tenneson stated he plans to approach the council down the road about rezoning some lots he recently purchased. 

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.

           

 

Advance Auto Parts                                          $            13.85

Advanced Business Methods                             $          300.06

Advanced Engineering                                      $       3,476.32

Aflac                                                               $          232.08

Agcom                                                             $          158.68

Airport Association                                          $            75.00

Aramark                                                          $            40.90

Benson Excavating                                           $           350.00

            BCBS                                                               $        6,070.28

            Border States                                                    $           873.03            

            Cardmember Services                                       $           307.68

            Chapman, Tristian                                            $           142.62

            Dept. of Environmental                                     $             45.00

            EFTPS                                                              $        2,156.25

EFTPS                                                              $        1,946.01

Farmers Union Oil                                            $        2,205.98

Ferguson Waterworks                                       $           701.40

GF Utility                                                         $             44.00

Govoffice                                                         $         6,700.00

Hawkins                                                          $           432.25

Home of Economy                                           $           149.99

Interstate Billing                                               $           306.00

Ivan Berg Trees                                                $         6,150.00

Johnson, Connie                                               $              99.21

Lakota American                                              $            402.75

Lakota Auto Truck & Tire                                 $              20.02

Lakota Farm Service                                         $       14,398.00

Lakota Hardware                                              $            206.04

Lakota Municipal Utilities                                $            290.00

Lakota Municipal Utilities                                $            405.43

Lakota Municipal Utilities                                $         5,230.57

            Lakota Sanitation Service                                 $          8,065.83

            Land Surveying                                                $          1,325.00

            Mailfinance                                                      $             600.00

            MRES                                                              $       33,867.23

            Nationwide                                                      $              72.50

            NDPERS                                                          $         3,026.30

            ND Rural Water                                               $            435.00

            NMPP                                                              $         5,128.00

            Nelson County Highway                                   $            200.00

            Nelson County Sheriff                                      $             250.00

Nelson County Sheriff                                      $         2,318.40

Nelson County Water                                       $         4,050.00

Neonlink                                                          $              26.80

            Nodak                                                              $            905.67

            ND One Call                                                    $                7.50

            ND Telephone                                                  $              60.50

            NXTEC USA                                                   $           835.96

            Ohnstad Twichell                                             $        2,500.00

            Polar                                                                $            756.68

            Quill                                                                $              44.99

            Rysavy Plumbing                                             $           389.38

            Skogen, Christian                                             $           250.00

            Stumper Pumper                                               $           600.00

            US Dept of Energy                                           $         3,000.00

            Uline                                                                $              71.73

            Vericheck                                                        $             37.75

            Verizon Wireless                                              $           222.66

            City Salaries                                                     $       11,698.04

City Salaries                                                     $       11,026.34

            TOTAL                                                            $     145,701.66

Next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday January 3rd, 2022, at 6pm.

Member D. Mattern made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Member Fahey.

Meeting adjourned at 6:48p.m.

            APPROVED BY:                                             SUBMITTED BY:

           

 

Brad Hooey, Mayor                                          Amie Vasichek, Auditor