December 7, 2020 Regular Meeting
The Lakota City Council held its regular meeting December 7th, 2020, at the City Hall. Mayor Hooey called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. All Council Members were present, except Members D. Mattern and Vasichek who were absent. City employee Matt Herda, Sheriff Keith Olson and Engineer Barry Glienke were in attendance. City Attorney Jayme Tenneson was on speaker phone.
Member Hess made a motion to approve the November 2nd, 2020 regular council meeting minutes and the November 16th, 2020 special meeting minutes, seconded by Member R. Mattern. Motion carried.
Mayor Hooey recognized Sheriff Olson.
Sheriff Olson stated his department had around 152 calls last month. Sheriff Olson stated there was a recent drug bust in Devils Lake that amounted to seizing around 4,000 pills laced with fentanyl. Sheriff Olson stated he has communicated with the drug task force to assist with the growing drug problem in Nelson County. There was some discussion on the recent drug incidents and safe harbor laws in ND.
Sheriff Olson left at 6:09pm
Mayor Hooey recognized Engineer Barry Glienke.
Engineer Glienke provided a review and update on the water transmission line install project. Engineer Glienke stated he anticipates pushing the bidding back one week. Engineer Glienke also stated that the State Water Commission (SWC) would like to provide 75% grant funding to change the current location of the emergency water tie in with Tri-County Water to be placed by the water treatment plant. Engineer Glienke stated that Tri-County Water District is also interested in possibly one day taking over Lakota’s clear well for water storage. There was some discussion on the future of the water system in Lakota between the council members. The council was in favor of changing the tie in location with Tr-County Water District.
Engineer Glienke stated the SWC has preliminary approved $497,600 towards the original transmission project and CDBG has preliminarily approved $210,000 towards the project. Engineer Glienke stated all will be reviewed and voted on by both entities this Friday. Engineer Glienke stated Red River Regional Council has a phone call with CDBG that same day to discuss the possibility of receiving the entire grant request of $351,282 vs. $210,000.
Engineer Glienke questioned if the council would accept a temporary date change to the regular city council meetings to accommodate his schedule during the project.
Member R. Mattern made a motion to change the regular city council meeting day to the first Tuesday of each month instead of the first Monday of every month for the next six months or until the water transmission project is complete, seconded by Member Hess. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Mayor Hooey questioned if the city has received a response from Caldwell Tanks on closing the water tower project. Attorney Tenneson stated he has received an e-mail from Caldwell Tanks acknowledging that they have received the city’s letter and will plan to respond in the next week.
There was discussion on what to do if Caldwell Tanks does not submit a response. Attorney Tenneson stated he would recommend sending a final letter indicating the city’s final position and close out the project.
NEW BUSINESS
Auditor Vasichek stated it is that time of year to discussion 2021 wages and review employee evaluations. Auditor Vasichek stated someone will need to be designated to conduct the Auditor and Supt evaluation and since Member Fahey is new to the Personnel Committee, she was not sure who the council would like to handle it. Mayor Hooey stated he would like Member Fahey to conduct the evaluations. Auditor Vasichek stated she will get all the materials to Member Fahey and requested the council to make decisions by the January meeting so it can reflect on the January 1st payroll.
Mayor Hooey stated he would like to change the designated truck route in town to remove the entire A Ave as an option. Mayor Hooey stated he is upset with CHS running their trucks on A Ave instead of utilizing the frontage road since that is maintained by the state of ND. Member Solberg suggested speaking with CHS instead of changing the route. Mayor Hooey stated he would ask CHS to direct their trucks to the frontage road.
Mayor Hooey reviewed 3 liquor license renewal applications for DD’s Place, Tiki Shack and Sundowner Lounge.
Member Hess made a motion to approve the liquor license renewals for 2021 from DD’s Place, Tiki Shack and Sundowner Lounge, seconded by Member R. Mattern. On a roll call vote, all voting in favor. Motion carried.
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
Supt. Herda provided his report of the crew activities to the council and is attached with the minutes.
Supt. Herda stated the roofing project went will at the city hall.
Supt. Herda stated he has looked into training for meter change outs and secondary power task for him and his crew and they would charge $1,500/day to come on site. Supt. Herda stated the training will most likely take 3 days. Mayor Hooey stated he would like to hear from Josh Nelson owner of Nelson Electric on his thoughts about the city’s policy for meter sockets. Mayor Hooey stated he would recommend the city not to pay for electric meter sockets going forward.
Member Solberg stated he would like to hear more about the training from Mike Willets from MMUA before anything is decided.
Mayor Hooey requested the council to approve the fencing estimate from Dakota Fence for the substation in town.
Member Hess made a motion to approve the Dakota Fence bid of $13,197.00 to expand the fencing around the in-town substation, seconded by Member R. Mattern. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Supt. Herda stated there was a sewer issue by Wes Brooks rental house that was handled by Witzel Construction at no charge to the city.
Mayor Hooey requested to have Forest River Salvage clean up the city landfill while they are in town for the church demo. Supt. Herda stated he spoke with Martin from Forest River Salvage and he quoted $2,500.
Member Solberg made a motion to approve $2,500 to Forest River Salvage for excavation work at the city landfill, seconded by Member Hess. On a roll call vote, all members voting favor.
ENGINEER REPORT
No additional report provided.
SHERIFF’S REPORT
Sheriff not in attendance.
COUNCIL REPORTS
No reports provided.
ADVISORY REPORTS
No report given.
MAYOR REPORT
No report given.
AUDITOR REPORT
Auditor Vasichek’ s written report was provided and attached with minutes.
Auditor Vasichek requested information from the council on any concerns or comments for the NDDOT frontage road project. Member Solberg stated he would like to find out if the road could be widened about 6-8 feet.
The council reviewed the financial and utility reports provided.
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 R. Mattern seconded the motion. Motion carried on roll call vote of 4-0.
Advanced Auto Parts $ 190.00
Advanced Business Methods $ 289.00
Aflac $ 1,284.78
Agcom Credit $ 339.12
Airport Association $ 225.00
BCBS $ 4,707.37
Bolton & Menk $ 21,065.00
Border States $ 518.80
Brent’s Service $ 369.60
Cardmember $ 624.62
CMS $ 155.38
D & D Roofing $ 48,165.00
Dakota Business Solutions $ 49.95
Dept. of Justice $ 447.60
EFTPS $ 1,873.81
Farmers Union Oil $ 1,368.56
Farmers Union Oil $ 1,044.74
Forx Radiator $ 212.97
GF Utility Billing $ 189.00
Knife River $ 129,304.74
Krabbenhoft Auto $ 23.39
Lakota American $ 528.78
Lakota Auto Truck & Tire $ 507.20
Lakota Hardware $ 1,096.31
Lakota Municipal Utilities $ 300.00
Lakota Municipal Utilities $ 439.19
Lakota Municipal Utilities $ 6,451.02
Lakota RV $ 22.98
Lakota Sanitation Service $ 8,143.39
Mailfinance $ 600.00
MARC $ 2,120.55
MRES $ 55,895.96
NDLC $ 210.00
NDPERS $ 5,795.25
NMPP $ 5,128.00
Nelson County Highway $ 480.00
Nelson County Sheriff $ 2,318.40
Nelson Electrical $ 143.53
Nelson International $ 585.01
Nodak Electric $ 668.89
ND One Call $ 3.60
ND Telephone $ 120.48
Polar $ 689.06
Powerplan $ 39.16
Quill $ 117.70
Rysavy Plumbing $ 1,236.21
Stumper Pumper $ 750.00
Tri-County Water $ 7,155.00
Vericheck $ 15.50
Verizon $ 230.44
City Salaries $ 11,160.48
City Salaries $ 10,525.75
TOTAL $ 335,926.27
Next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 5th, 2021 at 6pm.
Member R. Mattern made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Member Hess.
Meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m.
APPROVED BY: SUBMITTED BY:
Brad Hooey, Mayor Amie Vasichek, Auditor