June 23, 2020 Final Meeting before Reorganization
The Lakota City Council held its final meeting before the reorganizational meeting on June 23rd, 2020, at the City Hall. Mayor Russo called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. All Council Members were present, except Member Hess who was absent. City employee Matt Herda was in attendance. Audience members were Kara Koski, Nancy Skogen and Mayor Elect Brad Hooey.
Mayor Russo called the meeting to order.
Member Vasichek made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 1st, 2020 regular meeting and the June 1st Tax Abatement hearing, seconded by Member Rainsberry. All voting in favor. Motion carried.
Auditor Vasichek stated the city hall location survey results were as follows: Current location – 53, City Shop – 35 and Does not Care – 5. Member D. Mattern stated he heard complaints that there should have been the cost estimates for each location listed on the survey. Member Vasichek stated the cost to improve the city shop is unavailable but would assume it is more than the rood repair for the city hall. Member Vasichek also pointed out the heating cost would increase dramatically at the city shop with adding the city hall.
Mayor Russo questioned what would be Member D. Mattern’s plans for the current city hall building if the city were to leave it. Member D. Mattern stated he had a couple different commercial businesses express interest to him about the building. Member Solberg stated one problem about renovating the city shop offices was that contractors are hard to find currently. Member Solberg continued that he felt the city hall should be in the downtown area and is a central point for the town.
Audience member Hooey questioned if the city hall is an historical building and if there are grants available to improve it. Auditor Vasichek stated the building is not on the historical registry, but if the city were to look into grants affiliated with historical buildings the guidelines become more strict and engineering would have to be complete; increasing the cost of the total project. Mr. Hooey pointed out the city shop location would need to have a paved parking lot that which could cost around $15,000. Mr. Hooey stated he thinks the city hall should be at the city shop, but if the majority of the people who filled out the survey disagree with that, he could not object.
Member R. Mattern stated he felt the city hall should remain at the current location. Member Rainsberry stated he would hate to see another business leave the downtown community so he feels the city hall should remain at the current location.
Mayor Russo stated the roof repair to the city hall has a 10-year warranty that the council should consider.
Member Rainsberry made a motion to accept the results of the city hall survey (53 in favor of current location to 35 in favor of moving to city shop) and accept the roof repair bid for city hall from D & D Roofing - $46,858, seconded by Member Solberg. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor, except Member D. Mattern who opposed. Motion carried.
Member Rainsberry stated Member Vasichek and himself met with the Lakota School board about the community center lease agreement proposal of $20,000/annual lease with an 1.4% increase each year for three years. Member Rainsberry stated the school board agreed to the annual increase nor a three-year contract. Member Vasichek stated it was clear the school board and the city’s relationship needs work going forward and more communication would be needed. Member Vasichek suggested cc’ing the president of the school board for all e-mail correspondence to the school about community center activities.
Member Vasichek made a motion to approve a one-year lease agreement of the community center to the Lakota School District for one year in addition to utilizing a shared cloud calendar for scheduling, seconded by Member Solberg. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Member Vasichek made a motion to approve the fireworks permit for B & K Fireworks, seconded by Member D. Mattern. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Member D. Mattern made a motion to approve the gaming site authorization for the Lakota Fire District, seconded by Member Vasichek. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Mayor Russo thanked the council for his years serving as mayor and a city council member.
Member D. Mattern made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Member R. Mattern.
Meeting adjourned at 6:36 p.m.
APPROVED BY: SUBMITTED BY:
Jeff Russo, Mayor Amie Vasichek, Auditor