October 3, 2022 Regular Meeting
The Lakota City Council held its regular meeting October 3rd, 2022, at the City Hall. Mayor Brad Hooey called the meeting to order at 5:59 p.m. All Council Members were present. City Auditor Amie Vasichek and City Supt. Josh Ulland were also in attendance; City Attorney Jayme Tenneson was in attendance via speaker phone. Preston Sundeen was in the audience.
The council and audience stood and said the pledge of allegiance.
Mayor Hooey called for additions to the agenda. Auditor Vasichek included Special Events Permit and Variance application. Member Mattern requested to add NCJDA board position.
Member Vasichek made a motion to approve the September 6th, 2022, regular meeting minutes seconded by Member Mattern. Motion carried.
Mayor Hooey recognized Preston Sundeen.
Mr. Sundeen stated he was in attendance to discuss the Nelson County Deputy coming to his residence on a Sunday evening in regard to a complaint made by Mayor Hooey with underage drivers of an OTV. Mr. Sundeen stated his nephew was the driver of the vehicle and he has his certificate allowing him to drive. Mr. Sundeen stated his nephew was not wearing his helmet, but otherwise following the law. Attorney Tenneson stated this is a law enforcement issue and Mr. Sundeen’s complaint should be directed at the Sheriff’s Department. Mayor Hooey stated in addition to this complaint that Sunday he has signed a formal complaint on another OTV parked at the school. Mayor Hooey stated he has no personal vendetta with these drivers, but he would like the law to be enforced and is getting frustrated with the sheriff’s department for not doing their part.
Mr. Sundeen felt the mayor was overstepping by making these complaints and contacting the school superintendent and school board member about these vehicles driving to school.
Attorney Tenneson stated the sheriff’s department is in a no-win situation as they could be doing too much or not enough with enforcement of OTV laws, but they need to start somewhere and unfortunately it started with the Mr. Sundeen’s nephew.
Mayor Hooey requested Law Enforcement representative Dan Ferguson to speak with the sheriff’s department on OTV law enforcement.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Attorney Tenneson stated the Home Run Court property is waiting on the judge to sign the judgement dissolving the restrictions on the property. Attorney Tenneson stated he has some more papers to serve on property owners and the rest of the property should be cleared.
Mayor Hooey stated there was nothing new to report on the Hulstrand development.
Auditor Vasichek stated Strata is supposed to be starting soon on the parking lot at city hall and will verify with Engineer Glienke about the additional concrete work of the sidewalk by Gen Strand’s. Mayor Hooey stated he is wondering if the city hall work waits too much longer the additional sidewalk work should wait until next year.
Supt. Ulland provided the council with snowblower options and prices from Butler and Leading Edge Equipment.
Member Mattern made a motion to approve the purchase of the Snowblast 8600A and trading in the 2004 Farmking 960 to Leading Edge Equipment for a total price of $18,000, seconded by Member Nelson. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor except Member Vasichek who abstained. Motion carried.
Member Mattern made a motion to utilize Sales Tax Infrastructure funds for the purchase of the Snowblast 8600A, seconded by Member Solberg. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor, except Member Vasichek who abstained. Motion carried.
Member Nelson stated he needs to review the electrical service connection cost share policy more and will present it at next month’s meeting.
Supt. Ulland stated the panel for the 3rd pump at the lift station is currently being built and should be installed by mid-November.
NEW BUSINESS
Member Fahey spoke about completing a tree maintenance plan for the city. Member Fahey suggested hiring a contractor to lay down a dead tree and having the city or the owner of the tree clean up the debris to save money.
Auditor Vasichek spoke about the ND Forestry Council tree grants available and the proposed Boulevard Tree planting program the city could approve.
Member Vasichek spoke about the community center committee meeting and launching a fundraising campaign to make improvements to the community center with listing the cost of each improvement. Member Vasichek stated the school knows the gym floor is still an ongoing issue and they are looking for a new floor to replace it. Auditor Vasichek presented cost estimated on kitchen improvements and a digital sign for the front of the building.
Mayor Hooey stated he is concerned with golf carts in town and preventing an accident. Attorney Tenneson stated the state law prohibits golf carts to be driven in the city. Member Solberg stated the city should continue to follow state law and not make additional regulations to it.
Member Nelson stated Golf Course Groundskeeper Randy Karas has purchased sprinkler parts from the Fargo Country Club. The city council requested to find out if Mr. Karas would need additional supplies.
Member Mattern made a motion to approve the special events permit for DD’s Place on October 22nd, 2022, at the community center, seconded by Member Nelson. All members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Attorney Tenneson stated the variance request needs to be published prior to the council reviewing the request and the property owners requesting the variance should communicate to the neighbors about the request.
Attorney Tenneson left the meeting at 6:59pm
Member Mattern stated his term on the NCJDA is expiring at the end of the year and the council will need to make a suggestion to the County Commissioners for a council representative. Mayor Hooey suggested Dennis Fahey.
Member Vasichek made a motion to recommend Dennis Fahey to the Nelson County Commissions to appoint to the NCJDA, seconded by Member Solberg. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
Supt. Ulland’s report was provided to the council.
Supt. Ulland reviewed his next plans for the electrical system and stated North Holt will be back to replace or straighten a variety of electrical poles.
Supt. Ulland stated he would like to look at replacing the street sweeper. Supt. Ulland stated currently the trade in value is around $30,000. Member Vasichek stated the trade in value is not worth it at this time and the city should retain it. Member Mattern suggested looking at rhino lining the tank of the sweeper.
Member Mattern suggested getting a cover for the salt/sand mix for the city shop.
Member Mattern made a motion to allow up to $3,000 to purchase a cover for the street salt and sand, seconded by Member Vasichek. All members voting in favor. Motion carried.
ENGINEER REPORT
No report provided.
SHERIFF’S REPORT
No additional report provided.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Member Mattern thanked the crew for taking care of the trees by the catholic church. Supt. Ulland stated he has Brent Huso lined up to come to town for stump grinding soon.
Member Fahey questioned if the city plans to replat the lots north of the Sunlac to make it more appealing to purchase for a residential property. Mayor Hooey stated he would like to meet with Member Fahey to plan out the lots.
Member Nelson stated the golf course is winding down for the season. Member Nelson stated the library is looking to change out their security system.
Member Solberg questioned the status on Kristi Carrick’s property. Auditor Vasichek stated she believes the property is up for tax foreclosure this year and the city did not receive a response offering the use of the truck to clean the property. It was suggested to send another letter offering the city to clean up the junk on the property.
Member Solberg questioned the status of Jim Sloan’s property. Auditor Vasichek stated she has contacted Tom Benson for the demolition of it but does not have a date of the work.
ADVISORY REPORTS
No report provided.
MAYOR REPORT
Mayor Hooey stated there are new owners of the property on the west end of town that was potentially going back for taxes and the new owners plan to put a house on the property.
AUDITOR REPORT
Auditor Vasichek’ s written report was provided and attached with minutes.
Auditor Vasichek stated the MRES regional meeting is on October 27th at Northwood and invited all to attend if able.
Auditor Vasichek stated she plans to put in for the tree planting grant with the ND Forestry Council and with the feedback from the council she will plan for a project in the city park.
Auditor Vasichek reminded the council of the utility rate review and hopes to have it on the agenda in November.
The council reviewed the financial and utility reports provided.
ATTORNEY REPORT
No additional report provided.
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 Vasichek seconded the motion. Motion carried, on roll call vote of 6-0.
58344 Rentals $ 1,840.62
Aaker Funeral Home $ 2,000.00
Advanced Business Methods $ 300.06
Aflac $ 127.02
Agcom $ 790.41
Apex Engineering $ 3,178.00
Aramark Uniform $ 43.35
Associate Supply $ 79.27
BCBS $ 6,440.54
Border States $ 14,297.18
Cardmember Services $ 3,597.69
Dept of Environmental $ 680.54
EFTPS $ 3,089.88
EFTPS $ 2,657.03
Fargo Country Club $ 1,500.00
Farmers Union Insurance $ 1,412.00
Ferguson Waterworks $ 653.83
GF Utility $ 44.00
Hendrickson, Carter $ 134.61
Johnson Excavating $ 1,000.00
Johnson, McKayla $ 25.00
Karas, Randy $ 250.13
Krabbenhoft Auto $ 79.10
Lake Region Sheet $ 111.30
Lakota American $ 324.89
Lakota Bucks $ 100.00
Lakota Municipal Utilities $ 310.00
Lakota Municipal Utilities $ 409.84
Lakota Municipal Utilities $ 4,393.51
Lakota Sanitation Service $ 8,180.89
Land Surveying $ 790.00
Leading Edge Equipment $ 125.97
Leon’s Building $ 95.16
Mailfinance $ 600.00
Menards $ 317.56
MRES $ 32,251.51
Madche, Jesse $ 12.67
Nationwide $ 145.00
NDLC $ 250.00
NDPERS $ 3,151.41
Nelson County Sheriff $ 2,318.40
Nelson Electrical $ 612.00
Nodak $ 1,353.45
ND Telephone $ 61.02
North-Holt $ 6,203.00
Petty Cash $ 11.40
Polar $ 1,202.12
Quill $ 42.24
Rock Creek Clubhouse $ 1,174.95
Skogen, Nancy $ 21.56
US Department of Energy $ 5,000.00
Verizon $ 179.99
Zion Bank $ 6,786.05
City Salaries $ 13,953.35
City Salaries $ 16,204.51
TOTAL $ 150,914.01
Next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 7th, 2022, at 6:00pm.
Member Mattern made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Member Nelson.
Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
APPROVED BY: SUBMITTED BY:
Brad Hooey, Mayor Amie Vasichek, Auditor