June 6, 2022 Regular Meeting
The Lakota City Council held its regular meeting June 6th, 2022, at the City Hall. Mayor Brad Hooey called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. All Council Members were present. Darryl Klundt was in the audience. City Auditor Amie Vasichek and City Supt. Josh Ulland were also in attendance. City Attorney Jayme Tenneson was on speaker phone.
The council and audience stood and conducted the pledge of allegiance.
Mayor Hooey called for additions to the agenda.
Member Hess made a motion to approve the May 2nd, 2022, regular council meeting minutes seconded by Member R. Mattern. Motion carried.
Mayor Hooey recognized Darryl Klundt.
Mr. Klundt stated he has provided the council with the completed petition to vacate the street that runs by CHS.
Attorney Tenneson stated he had reviewed the petition provided and everything looks to be in order. Attorney Tenneson stated if the petition is approved by council, it will need to be published in the newspaper for 4 weeks and then have a meeting to hear the public opinion.
Member Vasichek made a motion to approve the petition to vacate 1st Ave SW from 6th Street to Lot 7 of Block 4 South Addition, Lakota, ND, seconded by Member R. Mattern. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Mr. Klundt thanked the council for their time and exited the meeting at 6:09pm.
Attorney Tenneson stated he is still working on the Home Run Court title issue and is anticipating working with a legal firm in Langdon later this week. Attorney Tenneson stated he has had conversations with the Huwe’s on the title issue and indicated it should be clear in about 2 months. Attorney Tenneson stated he recommended the city pay 100% of the work on this project as these lots were originally sold by the city and are obligated to make sure the title is clean. Attorney Tenneson estimated $2,500 cost per property owner.
Member R. Mattern made a motion to approve the legal expense to obtain a clear title for Home Run Court, seconded by Member Hess. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Member Fahey abstain. Motion carried.
Attorney Tenneson stated he will work with Jeff Anderson to get a title opinion on the Hulstrand development.
Mayor Hooey stated he has checked on prices for the materials and labor to install water and sewer lines in the Hulstrand development. Mayor Hooey estimated about $40,000 in materials and $35,000 in labor to allow for 8 services. Mayor Hooey stated he felt the proposed platted lots need to be wider allowing for 4 homes instead of 6. Member Vasichek stated he is fine with having the city not bid the project if the estimated cost is under the $200,000 as long Mayor Hooey is the point person for the project. The council agreed. Mayor Hooey stated he would visit with Engineer Glienke on the change.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Auditor Vasichek supplied the council with a letter from Larry & Nancy Hulstrand thanking the city for planting trees on the development property. The Hulstrand’ s were requesting the council to correct the value of the property donated to the appropriate amount of $5,000 versus what was reported in the January 2022 council meeting.
Member D. Mattern made a motion to correct the value of the Hulstrand development property to be $5,000, seconded by Member Fahey. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Member Vasichek questioned how the city was going to pay for the new infrastructure for the Hulstrand Development. The city decided not to special assess for the improvements and instead sell the lots for the value of the improvement.
Member Vasichek made a motion to utilize Economic Development funds to complete the Hulstrand Development, seconded by Member Solberg. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Attorney Tenneson and Auditor Vasichek stated they are still working on the documents to rezone Block 3 in the Sundeen’s Addition.
Mayor Hooey stated he has received 2 complaints about the long-term parking in front of the post office and suggested putting a 15-minute parking between 8-11am sign in front of the building. Auditor Vasichek will get the sign made.
Member D. Mattern made a motion to approve the fireworks permit for B & K Fireworks, seconded by Member Hess. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Member Vasichek made a motion to approve the special events permits for June 17th from Tiki Shack and DD’s Place, seconded by Member D. Mattern. All voting in favor. Motion carried.
The council reviewed an application from David Matejcek to purchase Lots 7 & 8 of Block 7 in the South Addition for $3,500. Auditor Vasichek stated Mr. Matejcek’ s plan is to not build on the property, and it would be just to use to put equipment on and add to his current business property.
Member Hess made a motion to approve the offer of $3,500 from David Matejcek to purchase lots 7 & 8 of Block 7 in the South Addition, seconded by Member Vasichek. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Mayor Hooey stated Auditor Vasichek has been speaking with the new owner of Jim Sloan’s property and there may be an opportunity to purchase it. Auditor Vasichek stated the new owner is Jeff Zemke and he would like between $10,000-$12,000 for the property in order to cover his expenses. Auditor Vasichek stated Mr. Zemke also had a list of requirements he would like with the sale of the property, such as recycling materials within the residence, getting heirlooms to the Sloan family, and salvaging stain glassed windows and trim.
Member D. Mattern stated he doesn’t feel the property is worth that amount and would offer $5,000. Member Fahey suggested explaining to the property owner the structure will be condemned if it stays as is. Auditor Vasichek explained the owner did mention he would allow a friend of his to sell the property for $12,000 to anyone interested, but she will provide him with the counteroffer.
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
Supt. Ulland’s report was provided to the council.
Supt. Ulland stated Lynette Smaage’s sewer line was recently plugged and needed to be dug up to repair. Supt. Ulland stated he is unsure who is responsible as she shares the extension to the main with her neighbor. Mayor Hooey stated the ordinance is the property owner is responsible to the main and the property owners would need to pay for it.
Supt. Ulland stated the lift station will need pump 3 to be replaced. The council directed Supt. Ulland to do what is needed. Mayor Hooey stated he will work with Auditor Vasichek to come up with an advertisement to express the urgency for the residents to put sump pumps to run outside and not in the sanitary sewer.
Supt. Ulland stated he met with Polar Communications about the security cameras around town and they provided an estimate of the work. Supt. Ulland provided the council with cost of the cameras and the estimate for the installation. The council stated they would like Polar to complete the installation to make sure it is completed to their specifications.
Member Vasichek made a motion to proceed with leasing security cameras from Polar Communications and having them install throughout the city, seconded by Member Solberg. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Mayor Hooey stated the pump at the landfill has been running for the last 9 days.
ENGINEER REPORT
No additional report provided.
SHERIFF’S REPORT
No additional report provided.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Member Solberg stated some areas on the streets are needing patching.
Member D. Mattern wanted to know what happened with the water break at 10496 44th St NE. Mayor Hooey stated the ordinance states if the water runs through the meter, it is billable. Auditor Vasichek stated the bill was about $17,000.
Member D. Mattern stated there needs to be gravel put on the street by his shop and estimated at 4-5 loads.
Member D. Mattern questioned the price for lots in the Sundeen’s addition. Auditor Vasichek stated residential lots are $.25/sq. ft and commercial are $.50/sq ft.
Member D. Mattern gave a list to Tom Hess on the areas throughout town that need the parking removed before street striping is completed.
Member Fahey wondered if the city could start an incentive program to entice residents to discharge sump pumps outside. Attorney Tenneson stated he would check into the legality of a program like that.
Member Vasichek suggested working with the local plumber to get an estimate of how much a sump pump change would be to better promote the option.
Member Hess stated he would suggest revising the sump pump discharge ordinance to require discharging in the property and not in the street.
ADVISORY REPORTS
No report provided.
MAYOR REPORT
Mayor Hooey stated he has tried to work with the school to cost share the sidewalk replacement by Gen Strand’s residence with no luck so far. Mayor Hooey stated he will try to get an estimate to the school board to better negotiate the cost share.
Attorney Tenneson left the call at 7:47pm
Mayor Hooey stated he has a building permit her would like to have the council approve that is for his personal garage.
Member Vasichek made a motion to approve a building permit from Brad Hooey to build a garage, seconded by Member Fahey. All voting in favor. Motion carried.
Mayor Hooey stated he has checked around on prices to pursue the RV Park by the community center and would like to move forward with the project.
AUDITOR REPORT
Auditor Vasichek’ s written report was provided and attached with minutes.
Auditor Vasichek suggested using the ARPA funds for the RV Park.
Auditor Vasichek reminded the council of the upcoming Turkey BBQ happening in Lakota, the school election and the primary election.
Auditor Vasichek stated Mortenson & Rygh will be in the office the next 3 days to perform the 2021 audit of the finances.
The council reviewed the financial and utility reports provided.
ATTORNEY REPORT
Attorney Tenneson was not present for the meeting.
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 Hess seconded the motion. Motion carried, on roll call vote of 6-0.
Advanced Business Methods $ 300.06
Airport Association of ND $ 75.00
Apex Engineering $ 23,306.00
Aramark $ 84.26
BND $ 254,217.95
Benson Excavating $ 450.00
BCBS $ 6,070.28
Border States $ 278.82
Capitol One Trade Credit $ 634.55
Cardmember Services $ 14,064.72
City of Lakota $ 50.00
Dakota Implement $ 57.89
Dakota Supply Group $ 350.28
EFTPS $ 2,860.47
EFTPS $ 3,098.95
Farmers Union Oil $ 3,809.28
Ferguson Waterworks $ 488.82
Hawkins $ 2,450.52
Home of Economy $ 65.95
Karas, Randy $ 46.61
Lake Region Pest $ 355.00
Lakota American $ 756.23
Lakota Drug $ 11.09
Lakota Hardware $ 1,300.91
Lakota Municipal Utilities $ 165.00
Lakota Municipal Utilities $ 491.84
Lakota Municipal Utilities $ 6,889.10
Lakota Sanitation Service $ 8,126.47
Madche, Jesse $ 250.00
Mailfinance $ 600.00
McLean, Gary $ 50.00
Menards $ 119.92
MARC $ 4,131.00
MRES $ 43,729.99
Nationwide $ 290.00
Nelson County Soil $ 100.00
Nelson County Sheriff $ 2,318.40
Nelson County Water Resource $ 3,035.81
Nelson Electrical $ 10,642.41
Neon Link $ 32.00
Nodak $ 1,042.10
ND One Call $ 22.30
ND Telephone $ 59.80
Petty Cash $ 20.00
Polar $ 555.36
Powerplan $ 149.09
Quill $ 218.13
R & R Products $ 61.12
Rock Creek Club House $ 425.00
Rysavy Plumbing $ 59.36
TEAM Lab $ 6,923.50
Transcript Publishing $ 550.00
Verizon $ 179.96
Wheeler, Ron $ 25.00
Young, Malia $ 100.00
City Salaries $ 14,571.01
City Salaries $ 16,101.07
TOTAL $ 437,227.38
Next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 5th, 2022, at 6:00pm.
Member R. Mattern made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Member Fahey.
Meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m.
APPROVED BY: SUBMITTED BY:
Brad Hooey, Mayor Amie Vasichek, Auditor