June 3, 2019 Regular Meeting
The Lakota City Council held its regular meeting June 3rd, 2019, at the City Hall. Mayor Russo called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m. All Council Members were present. Engineer Brad Muscha from Moore Engineering and City Employee Kim Burkland were in attendance. Audience member was David Matejcek.
Member Hess made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 6th, 2019 regular meeting, seconded by Member Vasichek. All voting in favor. Motion carried.
Member D. Mattern made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 8th, 2019 special meeting, seconded by Member Hess. All voting in favor. Motion carried.
Mayor Russo recognized David Matejcek.
Mr. Matejcek stated he has submitted a request to lease the storage shed by the lift station and would like to the council to consider his request. Member D. Mattern stated he was not in favor of leasing the facility for free as indicated in the proposal and stated there should be a fee. Member Vasichek stated at the previous meeting it was stated in lieu of Mr. Matejcek paying for utilities, he should instead contract for pest control at the facility.
Member D. Mattern suggested adding the city of Lakota as an additional insured in his proof of insurance for the facility.
Member D. Mattern stated he is still concerned with the rodent issue that could impose a problem to the surrounding buildings. Mr. Matejcek stated he does not foresee an issue with rodents being attracted to the seed as it is not edible to them.
Member D. Mattern made a motion to approve a one-year lease agreement to David Matejcek for the front portion of the building located at 212 2nd St SE, Lakota, ND and providing pest control for the facility, seconded by Member Solberg. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Mr. Matejcek was asked to provide proof of insurance for the facility by June 10th ,2019 and Attorney Manbeck will draw up the lease agreement also by June 10th, 2019.
Mr. Matejcek left the meeting at 6:14pm.
Mayor Russo recognized Engineer Brad Muscha.
Engineer Muscha stated Knife River was in town last Friday to handle the grinding down of the cold joints and planned to be back shortly.
Engineer Muscha stated he is still waiting for the council to provide additional information to the punch list for the west side of town. Member Solberg stated he found numerous areas that require additional work and he feels the majority is due to the temperature of the asphalt when it was last poured.
The council reviewed areas around town for Engineer Muscha to review and add to the ongoing punch list.
Member D. Mattern questioned what work would be done for the large cracks found in the streets prior to sealcoating. Engineer Muscha stated the cracks would either be blown out or routed out to crack seal prior to chip sealing.
Member D. Mattern questioned the remedy for the dip in front of city hall. Engineer Muscha stated the area has corrected with shifting of the frost coming out.
The council had discussions on Engineer Muscha’s additional work areas and agreed to proceed with additional work at locations 2, 4, 7, 11, 14a, 14b, 15, and 16.
Member Solberg questioned how long chip sealing lasts on average. Engineer Muscha stated it is intended to last 5-7 years.
Member D. Mattern stated the corner at A Ave West and 6th St West the city crew could tapper the curve with millings.
Mayor Russo stated he will be reviewing the special assessment commission and providing the council with his recommendations.
Engineer Muscha reminded the council the sewer re-lining project will hold a pre-construction meeting on June 5th at 11am located at the community center. Engineer Muscha stated the work will take place possibly in July.
Engineer Muscha left the meeting at 7:15pm.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Member Vasichek stated he and Auditor Vasichek along with Bruce Anderson met with a small group from the Lakota School Board to discuss the community center lease agreement and the issues the school has. Member Vasichek stated he felt the meeting was beneficial and suggested to provide a one-year lease agreement to the school but continue the fee of $25,000/annually.
Member Hess made a motion to approve a one-year community center lease agreement to the Lakota Public School in the amount of $25,000, seconded by Member Vasichek. On a roll call vote all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Member Vasichek stated for future communication with the school board, it would be best to conduct it thru a meeting that is face to face. Member Vasichek also suggested hanging a restroom cleaning checklist on each bathroom door for verification of cleaning.
Mayor Russo questioned the council on what their thoughts were with the vacant city superintendent position. The council had some discussion the history of city superintendents and if they were all journeyman lineman.
Mayor Russo tasked Members Hess and Solberg to conduct interviews with all applicants the week of June 10th. Mayor Russo requested Auditor Vasichek to assist with communication strategies for the out-of-state applicants.
Mayor Russo stated he would like to appoint Auditor Vasichek as interim City Administrator until a City Superintendent can be hired to allow the city staff a direct supervisor. The council agreed with this appointment.
NEW BUSINESS
Member D. Mattern made a motion to approve the resolution to set bond for city auditor, seconded by Member Hess. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Member D. Mattern a made a motion to approve the firework sales permit for B & K Fireworks for June 27th, 2019-July 5th, 2019, seconded by Member Hess. On a roll call vote, all members in favor. Motion carried.
Member Vasichek made a motion to approve the special events permits for DD’s Place on June 21st and 22nd, 2019, seconded by Member D. Mattern. On a roll call vote, all members in favor. Motion carried.
CITY SUPT. REPORT
Water Operator Kim Burkland stated he would like the city to upgrade the computer for the SCADA system for the water system. Employee Burkland stated the computer should be replaced every 5-7 years. Employee Burkland stated he would like wi-fi access at the water treatment plant so he could utilize the SCADA system easily. Auditor Vasichek was requested to find out from USDA if this would be an approved cost under the project.
Member Hess made a motion to approve the purchase of a computer for the SCADA system if approved by USDA funding, seconded by Member R. Mattern. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Auditor Vasichek provided information on an alarm monitoring system brought to her by Norris Severtson that could be used for the lift station. Employee Burkland was asked to review the information and find out if the system would need it.
ENGINEER REPORT
No additional report provided.
SHERIFF’S REPORT
Report provided in the council books.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Member Vasichek stated there was a recent Nelson County planning & zoning meeting that he attended, and it spoke on wind towers going up North of Petersburg, ND.
Member D. Mattern questioned the status on a cell tower ordinance. Mayor Russo stated the NDLC has put it on the back burning for the time since they believe it won’t get to ND for a few years.
Employee Burkland left the meeting at 7:56pm.
ADVISORY REPORTS
MAYOR REPORT
Mayor Russo stated back in December 2018 the council approved a pay increase for the council/mayor and there will need to be a second reading on that change.
Member Hess made a motion to approve the second reading of ordinance 1.0207, seconded by Member R. Mattern. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Mayor Russo stated the city has received 2 applications for summer help and they are Brady Bartlett and Chris Hendrickson.
The council agreed to hire both summer help applicants for $10/hr. and will have Auditor Vasichek as their direct supervisor.
AUDITOR REPORT
Auditor Vasichek’ s written report was provided and attached with minutes.
Auditor Vasichek stated Jay Sundeen and the State Bank of Lakota have expressed interest to pay for an additional logo on the north side of the new water tower. Auditor Vasichek stated the expense is around $4,725.00 and would require a work change directive which is provided as Work Change Directive #3.
Member R. Mattern made a motion to approve the Work Change Directive #3 for a second logo on the new water tower, seconded by Member Solberg. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Auditor Vasichek stated she has received bids for the electrical work at the shop, but each bidder had bid in a different method. Auditor Vasichek stated one bid was for single phase power and the other 2 were 3 phase power with different information within the bid. Auditor Vasichek stated the bidding process would need to be completed again showing the correct need for the project.
The council reviewed the bids and decided to request new bids for a new 800amp single phase main service panel.
Auditor Vasichek stated the first payment for the street project to BND is now due. The city has the option to push back the payment for next year, but that would involve new bond documents and could be costly. The council stated they felt comfortable with paying the installment now.
Member D. Mattern made a motion to approve the Bank of ND bond payment of $254,217.95, seconded by Member R. Mattern. On a roll call vote, all members voting in favor. Motion carried.
Auditor Vasichek stated she had a potential property buyer for Lakota request if he could set his camper on a residential lot for 2 weeks and connect to utilities. Auditor Vasichek stated she reminded the buyer that there are options in town for RV hookups rather than purchasing land within the city. The council stated a camper is not a permitted structure for residential space and declined the utilities hookup.
Council members reviewed the financial and utilities reports.
ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Attorney Manbeck had nothing to report.
After review of the bills and vouchers, a motion was made by Member D. Mattern to pay all the bills presented for payment and those bills paid prior to the meeting. Member Hess seconded the motion. Motion carried on roll call vote of 5-0.
ADAPCO $ 185.00
Advanced Business Methods $ 281.00
Aflac $ 344.66
Agcom $ 62.59
Ameripride Services $ 45.71
At&t $ 280.65
BND $ 254,217.95
Bergeson, Eric $ 25.00
BCBS $ 4,276.80
Brent’s Service $ 41.09
Cardmember Service $ 40.69
CMS $ 61.60
Dakota Implement $ 177.99
EFTPS $ 2,580.69
EFTPS $ 2,579.03
Farmers Union Oil $ 1,724.51
Ferguson Waterworks $ 1,531.77
GF Utility $ 41.00
Hawkins $ 2,503.25
Herda, Matt $ 80.00
Lake Region Pest Control $ 80.00
Lakota Golf Club $ 300.00
Lakota Grocery $ 17.78
Lakota Hardware $ 149.87
Lakota Municipal Utilities $ 240.00
Lakota Municipal Utilities $ 477.20
Lakota Municipal Utilities $ 4,492.77
Lakota Sanitation Service $ 8,065.18
Mailfinance $ 600.00
Menards $ 356.92
MARC $ 2,515.06
MRES $ 32,819.19
Moore Engineering $ 4,990.00
Naastad Brothers $ 9,258.14
ND Dept of Health $ 37.66
Nelson Co. Recorder $ 60.00
Nelson Co. Sheriff $ 2,318.40
Nelson Electrical $ 4,057.64
Nelson International $ 171.38
Nodak Electric $ 519.07
ND Telephone $ 59.14
Petty Cash $ 14.00
Polar $ 628.59
Pro Turf $ 3,928.00
Quill $ 164.72
R & R Products $ 257.39
Rysavy Plumbing $ 716.08
State Bank of Lakota $ 12,364.06
United Laboratories $ 3,151.66
Van Diest Supply $ 1,228.40
Vasichek, Amie $ 25.00
Vigen, Craig $ 419.24
West Shore Services $ 211.85
Young, Malia $ 50.00
City Salaries $ 13,269.03
City Salaries $ 13,738.54
TOTAL $ 392,832.94
Member D. Mattern questioned why there were millings placed on the alleys on the north end of town when it was directed in passed meetings to Supt. Zeug not to. Mayor Russo stated he gave permission to Supt. Zeug to place millings on the alleys as he was told by Supt. Zeug the millings were getting bad.
Next regular meeting is scheduled for July 1st, 6pm.
Member R. Mattern made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Member D. Mattern.
Meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m.
APPROVED BY: SUBMITTED BY:
Jeff Russo, Mayor Amie Vasichek, Auditor