July 5, 2022 Regular Meeting

The Lakota City Council held its regular meeting July 5th, 2022, at the City Hall. Mayor Brad Hooey called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. All Council Members were present. Jodi Bruns, Maxine Lukach, Traci Lagein and Sheriff Keith Olson were in the audience. City Attorney Jayme Tenneson, City Engineer Barry Glienke, City Auditor Amie Vasichek and City Supt. Josh Ulland were also in attendance. 

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

Mayor Hooey called for additions to the agenda.

Member Mattern made a motion to approve the June 28th, 2022, special meeting minutes seconded by Member Fahey Motion carried.

Mayor Hooey recognized Engineer Glienke.

Engineer Glienke provided the council with plans for the city hall parking lot.  Engineer Glienke stated this is a project originally associated with the water tower project utilizing Rural Development grant funding.  Engineer Glienke stated with a RD project, it is required to have city buildings be ADA compliant and the city hall currently is not.  Engineer Glienke explained the parking lot to the north of the city hall will provide wheelchair access to the building and parking.

Member Vasichek made a motion to authorize bidding for the city hall handicap parking, seconded by Member Fahey.  On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor.  Motion carried.

Engineer Glienke stated his office is reviewing the specs on replacing the 3rd pump at the lift station and hoping to have a recommendation soon.

Mayor Hooey recognized Jodi Bruns. 

Ms. Bruns stated she was in attendance to re-visit about the NDSU Extension program Community Impressions.  Ms. Bruns stated the council had agreed to participate in the program in 2019 and then COVID-19 happened.  Ms. Bruns stated she could pair Lakota up with the city of Kenmare if the council is still interested.  Ms. Bruns stated the fee for this program is $250.

Member Vasichek made a motion to have the city of Lakota participate in the NDSU Extension Community Impressions program, seconded by Member Fahey.  All voting in favor.   Motion carried.

Ms. Bruns, Ms. Lukach and Ms. Lagein left the meeting at 6:18pm.

Mayor Hooey recognized Sheriff Olson.

Sheriff Olson stated his office had around 215 calls of service last month and are currently housing some prisoners in Grand Forks with the ongoing issues at the Lake Region Law Enforcement center.

Sheriff Olson left the meeting at 6:21pm.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Attorney Tenneson stated he has all the information to the attorney’s in Langdon to assist with the paper work for the title issue of Block 5 Sundeen’s Addition.

Attorney Tenneson stated he will send a letter to Auditor Vasichek to be sent out to property owners near the re-zoning of Block 3 Sundeen’s Addition.

Mayor Hooey stated he is concerned about moving forward on the Hulstrand property development.  Mayor Hooey stated he believes the city should focus on correcting the lift station issues first and then look into the property development.  Member Vasichek stated he understood that the city should slow the pace of the development, but suggested putting up signage to promote the development and engage interest. 

Member Solberg entered the meeting at 6:33pm.

Engineer Glienke stated he estimated bidding and platting the development would be about $2,000 in addition to what the city has already spent on engineering.

Member Vasichek made a motion to approve Apex Engineering to mark the property lines for the Hulstrand Property Development with fence posts, seconded by Member Nelson.  On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor.  Motion carried.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Auditor Vasichek stated she provided Jeff Zemek, owner of Jim Sloan property, with the offer of $5,000 to purchase the property as instructed in the last meeting.  Auditor Vasichek stated Mr. Zemek reluctantly countered with $8,000.   Member Vasichek stated he would consider splitting the difference on the property.

Member Vasichek made a motion to offer $6,500 to Jeff Zemek for his property, seconded by Member Fahey.  On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor.. Motion carried.

Mayor Hooey stated he would like to review the landfill charges and make revisions especially for the home and structure demolition.  Member Vasichek requested to get comparable landfill fee’s of other cities for next meeting.

Mayor Hooey stated he would like to have the city crew install an overhead door on the northwest corner of the city shop they are currently enclosing and possibly put down a concrete floor for cold storage. 

Member Mattern made a motion to order a overhead door for the northwest corner of the city shop, seconded by Member Fahey.  All voting in favor.  Motion carried.

 

SUPERINTENDENT REPORT

Supt. Ulland’s report was provided to the council.

Supt. Ulland stated he would like to put security cameras in the park as there has been vandalism this summer.  Supt Ulland received a quote from Polar of $755 install which will be credited back to the account over a year’s time.  Supt. Ulland stated there will be an additional charge for the equipment of $820. 

Member Mattern made a motion to approve the install of security cameras at the city park, seconded by Member Nelson.  On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor.  Motion carried.

Member Fahey questioned if the pool street light could be repaired.  Supt. Ulland stated he will check into it

ENGINEER REPORT

No additional report provided.

SHERIFF’S REPORT

No additional report provided.

COUNCIL REPORTS

Member Mattern stated he would like Tom Hess to correct the street striping he had completed for the city and reviewed it with Mr. Hess.

Member Vasichek stated the community center committee should get together soon to reorganize the storage rooms.  Member Vasichek stated School Supt. Baumgarn was looking into air exchanges.

Member Solberg asked if the water break by Solberg Motors will be repaired soon.  Supt Ulland stated he is having trouble getting a contractor in town, but will check with Witzel again on the work.

ADVISORY REPORTS

No report provided.

MAYOR REPORT

Mayor Hooey stated he would like the council to consider a new position of a parks activity director to oversee all the activities and grant writing with dissolving the park board.  Mayor Hooey stated it has been tough to get an active park board and felt having someone oversee the library, pool, and baseball programs might be beneficial to the quality of life in Lakota.  Attorney Tenneson stated the park board needs to be elected by the public so he does not believe it can be dissolved.

 

AUDITOR REPORT

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

Auditor Vasichek stated the Lakota Fire Department will be hosting a golf tournament as a fundraiser and would like the required green fees to be waived.

Member Vasichek made a motion to waive the required green fee payment for the Lakota Fire Department golf tournament fundraiser, seconded by Member Solberg.  On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor.  Motion carried.

Auditor Vasichek stated the E-Waster trailer will be in town on August 24th for devices to be dropped off.

Auditor Vasichek stated she will need to take updated council and employee pictures at the next council meeting.

 

The council reviewed the financial and utility reports provided.

ATTORNEY REPORT

Attorney Tenneson stated he will be hosting a cruise night on July 13th at the community center parking lot and all are welcome to join.  Supt. Ulland stated he could bring picnic tables to the community center for use.

 

After review of the bills and vouchers, a motion was made by Member Mattern to pay all the bills presented for payment and those bills paid prior to the meeting. Member Solberg seconded the motion. Motion carried, on roll call vote of 6-0.

Advanced Business Methods                             $          300.06

Aflac                                                               $          419.56

Agcom Credit                                                   $          241.94

Apex Engineering                                             $       12,821.00

Aramark                                                          $             43.35

Associated Pool Builders                                  $         7,716.56

BCBS                                                               $        6,070.28

Border States                                                    $           682.20

Capitol One Trade Credit                                  $           114.97

Cardmember Services                                       $         3,819.00

CHS – Lakota                                                   $           209.20

Cole Papers                                                      $           555.33

Dakota Implement                                            $           231.67

Dept of Environmental                                      $              87.36

EFTPS                                                              $         3,343.90

EFTPS                                                              $         3,992.06

Farmers Union Insurance                                  $         8,667.00

Farmers Union Oil                                            $         4,349.25

Ferguson Waterworks                                       $            120.14

GF Utility                                                         $            44.00

Hanson, Pat                                                      $             25.00

Hawkins                                                          $         2,818.66

Lakes Area Turf                                               $         8,975.00

Lakeside Lock & Key                                       $            337.87

Lakota American                                              $            146.12

Lakota Drug                                                     $               20.59

Lakota Hardware                                              $          1,462.17

Lakota Municipal Utilities                                $            310.00

Lakota Municipal Utilities                                $            440.38

Lakota Municipal Utilities                                $          8,200.16

Lakota Sanitation Service                                 $          8,294.34

Linde Gas                                                         $             127.56

Martinson, Kaden                                             $            225.00

Mclean, Gary                                                   $              25.00

MARC                                                             $             737.50

Miller Repair                                                    $             728.73

Minnesota Pump Works                                    $        34,864.67

MRES                                                              $        31,440.84

MJ Salon                                                          $            522.49

Moen, Helen                                                    $               25.00

Nationwide                                                      $             145.00

ND Dept. of Environmental                              $               50.00

NDPERS                                                          $         3,141.24

Nelson County Auditor                                     $            420.00

Nelson County Sheriff                                      $         2,318.40

Nelson Electrical                                              $         2,101.34

Neon Link                                                        $               65.20

Nodak                                                              $          2,515.05

ND One Call                                                    $               15.60

ND Telephone                                                  $               59.80

Peterson, Dale                                                  $               25.00           

Polar                                                                $             720.98

Powerplan                                                        $             430.26

Quill                                                                $             197.49

Rough Rider Industries                                     $               29.73

Rysavy Plumbing                                             $                9.96

T. H. Renovations                                            $         1,210.00

Tri-County Water                                             $         3,750.00

Trottier, Shawn                                                $            706.20

Verizon                                                            $             179.96

City Salaries                                                     $       17,177.60

City Salaries                                                     $       21,407.98

            TOTAL                                                            $     210,232.70

Next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 1st, 2022, at 6:00pm.

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

Meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

            APPROVED BY:                                             SUBMITTED BY:

           

 

Brad Hooey, Mayor                                          Amie Vasichek, Auditor