February 7, 2022 Regular Meeting
The Lakota City Council held its regular meeting February 7th, 2022, at the City Hall. Mayor Brad Hooey called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. All Council Members were present, except Members Vasichek, Solberg and D. Mattern who were absent. Barry Glienke and Keith Olson were the audience members. City Auditor Amie Vasichek and City Attorney Jayme Tenneson were also in attendance.
The council and audience stood and conducted the pledge of allegiance.
Member Hess made a motion to approve the January 3rd, 2022, regular council meeting minutes seconded by Member R. Mattern. Motion carried.
Mayor Hooey recognized Barry Glienke.
Engineer Glienke stated the topo results are in for the Hulstrand property showing the gravity flow for the sanitary sewer is not deep enough to service a full basement walkout house in the parcel. Engineer Glienke stated that is something the city would need to disclose to any buyer of the property and there are ways to properly address the issue. Engineer Glienke stated the next step would be to conduct the PER for the property and create an assessment district for the water and sewer lines.
Member Hess made a motion to approve the Apex Engineering to conduct a PER for the Hulstrand Development, seconded by Member R. Mattern. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor.
Mayor Hooey recognized Sheriff Olson.
Sheriff Olson stated they had about 145 calls last month and have been bust with automobile accidents and recent bust for theft in Petersburg.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Auditor Vasichek stated she received a call from an interested buyer of one of the lots at the Hulstrand development.
Auditor Vasichek stated the council would need to approve a Bond Resolution to continue to have AMKO Advisors review the water debt.
Member Hess made a motion to approve a Resolution Providing Issuance and Sale or City of Lakota, ND Water Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2022, and Related Matters, seconded by Member Fahey. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Auditor Vasichek stated the monthly cost for the webcam on main street starts at $200 and was wondering if the council would like her to continue pursuing this option for the public. Member Fahey stated the camera is also for security purposes and the city should continue to pursue it. It was decided the best location would be to place it by the hair salon pointing south. Auditor Vasichek stated she will discuss the next steps with Supt. Ulland and get the process going.
Auditor Vasichek stated she was provided with some information on the work needing to be done for the north parking lot of city hall, but it isn’t quantified to obtain estimates from different contractors. The council suggested asking USDA if some of the grant funds could be used to hire Apex Engineering to write the scope of work for the project and get estimates.
NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Hooey stated the council needs to do something about the deck on the west side of Sunlac. Mayor Hooey stated to his knowledge no building permit was obtained to put a roof on the deck and the deck is already falling apart. Attorney Tenneson was instructed to write a letter to the owners of the Sunlac to make them aware of the issues on their property.
Auditor Vasichek stated the Lakota EDC met recently and would like to city to pursue acquiring the vacant lot next to the Johnson’s Store on main street. Auditor Vasichek stated the committee would like to utilize that space for an ice-skating rink in the winter months and an outdoor space with tables and games in the summer months. The council did not see an issue with pursuing it and requested Auditor Vasichek to reach out to the property owner.
Member Hess suggested having the city bring back a community garden. Location ideas would be the lots north of Sunlac and the empty cemetery lot on the northwest part of town. Auditor Vasichek will look into the options and water sources.
Member Fahey stated he would like to consider the southern lots of Block 3 Sundeen’s addition to be rezoned to commercial lots. Attorney Tenneson stated he will review the process to rezone.
Member Fahey questioned the status of the RV Park. Auditor Vasichek stated she has a grant application to the ND Parks and Recreation Facilities Grant for the park expansion. Member Fahey stated the estimated cost for an RV Sewer dump without the concrete expense is up to $8,000. Auditor Vasichek stated she will utilize that figure in her application.
Member Fahey suggested the city to look into having drag races on the airport runway and checking with the city of Jamestown on how they have operated theirs. Auditor Vasichek will research the requirements with the FAA on closing the airspace during an event like this.
Mayor Hooey stated the community center committee recently met and the committee was happy with the touchless improvements recently made. Mayor Hooey stated they are looking into new scoreboards for the building and still need the trim for the doors and west door completed.
Sheriff Olson left the meeting at 7:02pm
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
Supt. Ulland’s report was provided to the council.
Auditor Vasichek stated Supt. Ulland has an estimate to purchase transformers for $7,385 to have on hand.
Member R. Mattern made a motion to approve the purchase of transformers for $7,385 from T & R Electric, seconded by Member Hess. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Mayor Hooey would like the city to start exploring putting the electrical lines underground.
ENGINEER REPORT
No additional report provided.
SHERIFF’S REPORT
No additional report provided.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Member R. Mattern stated he believes the city plows and equipment all need to have city logos on them. The council instructed decals to be on all city vehicles/equipment. Member Hess suggested having a contest with the school system to “name the plow truck.” Auditor Vasichek will work on getting something to the school about the contest and giving the winner $25 in Lakota Bucks.
ADVISORY REPORTS
No report provided.
MAYOR REPORT
No report provided.
AUDITOR REPORT
Auditor Vasichek’ s written report was provided and attached with minutes.
Auditor Vasichek stated the street project loan has not been closed yet and the Bank of ND has $383,000 in available funds if the city needs them. There was discussion on street repairs that were cut out of the original project that still need to be done. Auditor Vasichek was requested to ask BND if we can give them an answer after spring in order to assess any street repairs needed.
The council reviewed the financial and utility reports provided.
ATTORNEY REPORT
After review of the bills and vouchers, a motion was made by Member Hess to pay all the bills presented for payment and those bills paid prior to the meeting. Member Fahey seconded the motion. Motion carried, on roll call vote of 3-0.
Advanced Business Methods $ 300.06
Aflac $ 464.16
Apex Engineering $ 2,050.00
Aramark Uniform $ 40.90
BND $ 4,865.67
BCBS $ 12,140.56
Bolton & Menk $ 17,476.00
Capitol One Trade $ 31.75
Cardmember Services $ 181.45
City of Lakota $ 100.00
Cookman, Michael $ 100.00
Dakota Implement $ 75.54
Dept of Environmental $ 90.00
EFTPS $ 2,126.89
EFTPS $ 2,171.71
Farmers Union Oil $ 4,446.23
Fisk, Warner $ 100.00
GF Utility $ 88.00
Interstate Billing $ 1,362.69
John Deere Financial $ 2,047.72
Lakota American $ 342.03
Lakota Auto $ 62.70
Lakota Golf Club $ 52.62
Lakota Hardware $ 172.26
Lakota Municipal Utilities $ 290.00
Lakota Municipal Utilities $ 677.69
Lakota Municipal Utilities $ 12,790.88
Lakota Sanitation Service $ 7,591.75
Mailfinance $ 600.00
Mclean, Gary $ 25.00
MARC $ 3,158.11
MRES $ 75,958.42
MMUA $ 600.00
NC Highway $ 263.75
Nelson County Sheriff $ 2,318.40
Nelson Electrical $ 876.86
Neonlink $ 60.40
Nodak $ 6,884.79
ND One Call $ 1.25
ND Secretary of State $ 36.00
ND Telephone $ 59.99
Pioneer Research Corporation $ 236.40
Polar $ 991.67
PS Doors $ 151.70
Quadient Leasing $ 203.07
Quill $ 130.03
Rysavy Plumbing $ 27,218.23
Schuh, Katie $ 50.00
Verizon Wireless $ 164.42
Williams, Rebecka $ 38.96
City Salaries $ 11,315.83
City Salaries $ 11,828.52
TOTAL $ 215,411.06
Next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday March 7th, 2022, at 6pm.
Member R. Mattern made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Member Fahey.
Meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.
APPROVED BY: SUBMITTED BY:
Brad Hooey, Mayor Amie Vasichek, Auditor