May 2, 2022 Regular Meeting
The Lakota City Council held its regular meeting May 2nd, 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 and D. Mattern who were absent. Barry Glienke, Tom Hendrickson, Jarad Crisman, Josh Nelson, and Darryl Klundt were all audience members. 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.
Auditor Vasichek requested to add a special event permit to the agenda.
Member Hess made a motion to approve the April 4th, 2022, regular council meeting minutes and the April 4th, 2022, Tax Equalization meeting seconded by Member R. Mattern. Motion carried.
Mayor Hooey recognized Darryl Klundt.
Mr. Klundt stated he was in attendance to request vacating 1st Ave SW running in front of CHS property. Mr. Klundt explained that he was always under the impression the road was CHS property but has come to find out there is no document recorded stating the road was ever vacated.
Member Solberg spoke on past grievances he has with CHS and Cargill, one being the elevator should have been built further west of the current location to allow space for a buffer area between industrial and residential areas.
Mr. Klundt stated he would like to install another pit area to be side by side of the current location, which would cause restricted use of the current street. Mr. Klundt indicated on a map to the council where he would like to start the street vacation, starting approximately midway of Block 4 South Addition and proceeding west.
Attorney Tenneson stated Mr. Klundt will need to follow to procedure on how to vacate a street and it would start with writing up a petition for the council to review. Mr. Klundt stated he understood the process but wanted to let the council know the situation prior to his request.
Mr. Klundt left the meeting at 6:22pm
Mayor Hooey recognized Josh Nelson and Jarad Crisman.
Mr. Nelson stated his business, Nelson Electrical Solutions, was contacted recently on assisting with a blown fuse for the warning siren. Mr. Nelson stated a few years back it was discovered the siren has a manufacturer error with overloading the electrical component when the siren is activated by starting both the siren and the spin feature of the siren at the same time causing it to fail. Mr. Nelson stated when this error was discovered, the siren was still under warranty and the consultant for the siren stated it was a manufacturer error that could not be fixed. After that, additional fuses were purchased to have on hand. Mr. Nelson stated he could install a time delay to offset the spin of the siren from the siren horn. Supt. Ulland stated the city would need to absorb the liability if this alteration does not work. Supt. Ulland stated he is hoping this option works and if it does not the next step would be to change out the entire siren.
Member Hess made a motion to purchase a smart relay for the emergency siren, seconded by Member Solberg. Doing well call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Mr. Nelson and Mr. Crisman left the meeting at 6:32pm.
Mayor Hooey recognized Tom Hendrickson and Becky Nelson.
Mr. Hendrickson stated they were in attendance to observe.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Mayor Hooey recognized Barry Glienke.
Mr. Glienke gave an updated plan for the Hulstrand development along with a resolution to start the bidding process.
Attorney Tenneson stated he would recommend having a title opinion and abstract built for the property to prevent any issues for future owners in the development.
Mr. Glienke stated supplies are extremely delayed and inflation is a factor in the project.
Member Hess made a motion to approve the Resolution to approve the plans and specifications for the Hulstrand development and to authorize advertisement of bids contingent on a 2-week timeline to prepare an abstract and title opinion, seconded by Member Solberg. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Mr. Glienke stated he believes the topography for the city hall property should be done this Wednesday and will provide him information on how to proceed with the parking lot design.
Attorney Tenneson stated he was made aware of a title issue with Home Run Court and is working with Jeff Anderson to clear it up. Attorney Tenneson stated it is something a previous owner in 1919 put in place and it is estimated to cost $5,000-$7,000 to clear up. Attorney Tenneson stated he felt the right thing to do is the city should absorb the cost as it was property, they sold to the new owners in Home Run Court.
The council instructed Attorney Tenneson to do some research on the property prior to advertising for bids and to contact Engineer Glienke on the results.
NEW BUSINESS
Attorney Tenneson stated he had previously written a memo to the council on the process to re-zone an area in town. The council discussed the idea to rezone the south half of Block 3 in the Sundeen’s Addition to commercial. Attorney Tenneson suggested to write letters to neighboring property owners to let them know of the potential rezoning.
Member R. Mattern made a motion to approve the proposal to rezone Block 3 in the Sundeen Addition as the north half will remain residential and the southern half to change to commercial, seconded by Member Hess. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Mayor Hooey stated the community center committee recently met about improvements to the building. Mayor Hooey stated the rental agreement with the school is up for renewal and he suggested to the committee the rent would be $25,000/year. Mayor Hooey stated if approved he would suggest that next year the school and the city have a 50/50 cost share of operations of the building in lieu of a lease agreement.
Member Hess made a motion to approve offering $25,000/year community center lease agreement for 1 year, seconded by Member Solberg. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Auditor Vasichek stated Katie Peavy of Valkyrie Fitness is interested in obtaining a long-term lease option for the community center gym to use for a twice a week fitness bootcamp. Auditor Vasichek stated Ms. Peavy had her first bootcamp program at the community center this past month and it was well attended.
Member Solberg made a motion to offer a lease agreement to Katie Peavy allowing to have evening fitness classes up to two times a week at the community center gym at a rate of $30/occurrence or $200/month if it were a year lease, seconded by Member Fahey. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor.
Auditor Vasichek stated Troy Bullis had suggested for the city to offer a membership rate for use of the community center for open gym and walking on a more convenient time using a key fob system. The council discussed the idea and said it was with a fitness center opening in town they did not think it was a good idea to compete with a private business but did say the key fob system was a good idea to use.
Auditor Vasichek provided the council with a BND Flex Pace request from David Matejcek for an interest buydown. Auditor Vasichek stated historically the council has approved these projects in the past utilizing Sales Tax Economic Development funds and partnering with Nelson County JDA to supply 50% match for the local share. Auditor Vasichek stated the local share for the entirety of the loan is $3,193.69, which the city would be supplying half of that.
Member Hess made a motion to approve the BND Flex Pace interest buydown proposal for David Matejcek, Lakota Feed for 50% of the community share totaling $1,596.84, seconded by Member Solberg. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Mayor Hooey stated with the recent break ins for Lakota he wants exterior security cameras installed on city buildings and main street. The council reviewed the cost of cameras through Polar Communications and suggested putting four at the city shop, 4 total at the community center 3 outside and 1 inside, and two on Main Street looking north and south. Auditor Vasichek was designated to request permission from State Bank of Lakota to ask permission from them to install cameras outside their building.
Member Hess made a motion to hire Polar Communications to install ten security cameras on city buildings and main street, seconded by Member Solberg. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Member Hess made a motion to approve the special events permit for Tiki Shack on June 2nd, 2022, located at the Lakota Fire Hall, seconded by Member R. Mattern. All voting in favor. Motion carried.
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
Supt. Ulland’s report was provided to the council.
Supt. Ulland stated he would like to get a new pump at the lift station as one has failed. Supt. Ulland stated it will cost about $15,000 for the pump, plus installation.
Member R. Mattern made a motion to approve the purchase of a new lift station pump for approximately $15,000 and to refurbish the existing one as backup, seconded by Member Hess. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Mayor Hooey stated he would like to declare an emergency in Lakota with the failed pumps.
Member Hess made a motion to approve the Resolution to declare and emergency based on flooding, added stress on the sanitary sewer, late spring with snowfall and rain, seconded by Member Fahey. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Mayor Hooey stated he would like Member Fahey and Supt. Ulland to start interviewing for the positions recently posted.
ENGINEER REPORT
No additional report provided.
SHERIFF’S REPORT
No additional report provided.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Member Solberg stated the streets have opened and crack sealing needs to be done this year.
Mayor Hooey stated at least two valley gutters need to be replaced.
Member R. Mattern stated a vehicle on main street that appears to be inoperable needs to be moved off the street. Auditor Vasichek will reach out to the owner.
Member Fahey stated the city should really consider getting surveillance signs around town to hopefully deter any further break-ins. Auditor Vasichek will check into options.
Member Fahey suggested updating the golf course sign to indicate it is a public course. Further discussion was tabled until next meeting.
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 invited the council to the upcoming Roger Brooks follow up conference in Minto on May 18-19.
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 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 4-0.
Advanced Business Methods $ 300.06
Apex Engineering $ 2,806.00
Aramark $ 40.90
BCBS $ 6,070.28
Border States $ 346.82
Cardmember Services $ 2,475.30
CHS $ 50.00
City of Lakota $ 150.00
Dakota Implement $ 57.94
Dept. of Environmental $ 76.76
East Dakota Steam $ 1,153.24
EFTPS $ 2,447.75
EFTPS $ 2,414.31
Farmers Union Oil $ 15,274.44
Fahey, Gary $ 10.00
GF Utility $ 26.00
Hawkins $ 1,007.42
Job Service $ 394.19
Karas, Randy $ 440.67
L & S Enterprises $ 270.00
Lakota American $ 292.46
Lakota Hardware $ 200.83
Lakota Municipal Utilities $ 310.00
Lakota Municipal Utilities $ 609.97
Lakota Municipal Utilities $ 8,897.46
Lakota Sanitation Service $ 7,942.99
Leach, Rick $ 1,632.72
MARC $ 347.54
MRES $ 59,949.12
NDPERS $ 3,059.24
Nelson County Sheriff $ 2,318.40
Nelson Electrical $ 1,565.06
Neon Link $ 64.00
Nodak $ 820.89
ND One Call $ 3.90
ND Telephone $ 59.80
Office of State Tax $ 331.00
Pioneer Research $ 474.23
Polar $ 964.05
Quadient Leasing $ 203.07
Quill $ 43.76
Red River Land Company $ 50.00
Rock Creek Club House $ 1,078.57
Rysavy Plumbing $ 355.07
Skogen, Christian $ 25.00
Verizon $ 282.42
City Salaries $ 12,682.40
City Salaries $ 12,782.87
TOTAL $ 153,158.90
Next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 6th, 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