City Commission

Minutes of the Devils Lake City Commission July 01, 2024 The Commission began with recognition of previous Commissioners present. Outgoing City Commissioner Dale Robbins was given a plaque for his years of service and President Moe expressed his appreciation for Commissioner Robbins. The organizational meeting of the Devils Lake City Commission was held on July 1, 2024 with the following members present: President Moe, Joseph Knowski, Jason Pierce, and Rob Hach. Administer Oath of Office to Municipal Court Judge – The City Administrator administered the oath of office to Peter Halbach for the position of Municipal Court Judge. Administer Oath of Office to New Commissioners – The Municipal Judge administered the oath of office to Joseph Knowski for the position of City Commissioner. Elect Vice President of City Commission – Commissioner Knowski made a motion to elect Commissioner Hach to serve as Commission Vice President. Commissioner Pierce seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Commission Portfolios and Committee Assignments – Commissioner Pierce made a motion to approve the list of Commission portfolios and committee assignments. Commissioner Hach seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Appointment of Appointive Officers – Commissioner Pierce made a motion to approve the list of appointive officers for the City. Commissioner Knowski seconded the motion and the motion was carried unanimously. Approval of Meeting Minutes – June 17, 2024 – Commissioner Hach made a motion to approve the June 17, meeting minutes. Commissioner Pierce seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Public Hearing - Recommendation from Planning Commission – Conditional Use 517 1st Street - Commissioner Hach made a motion to approve the recommendation from the Planning Commission to offer a conditional use for a residential dwelling at the address of 517 1st Street. Commissioner Knowski seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. Public Hearing - Recommendation from Planning Commission – Conditional Use for Accessory Dwelling Unit – Morehouse – The City Assessor briefed the item and said the item before the Commission was for a garage and accessory dwelling unit for the property at the address 2317 14th NW. The City Assessor said there is an intent to building a primary residence on the same plot of land after the garage would be built. The primary residence would be built out of town and brought to the property in about two years. The City Assessor noted that because of no mail service on Juneteeth, some of those in the neighborhood were not notified until the day of the Planning Commission meeting. A few residents spoke during the public hearing. - Greg Fee, and adjacent property owner expressed a little frustration over the timeline with notification. He asked what would happen if after two years a house was not built on the property. The City Assessor said they would be found in violation of their conditional use permit, which comes with a monetary fine of up to $500. Mr. Fee said he was concerned about the potential of commercial activity one day occurring on the property. - Jacob Roemmich, an adjacent property owner said he was concerned about commercial activity occurring at the property. He also expressed concern over the notification timeline. President Moe asked if Mr. Roemmich found the conditions as acceptable. He added that he would like to see the house built before the garage. Commissioner Pierce asked if commercial activity was permissible on the property. The City Assessor said there currently is not, nor does the conditional use permit provide for, commercial activity. - Dwayne Morehouse, the property owner, addressed the Commission. Mr. Morehouse said he does run a welding business, but he is not open to the public for everyday commerce activity. He said  most of everything he does stays within the shop. Mr. Morehouse asserted that he should have the right to weld on his property so long as he doesn’t disturb the neighborhood, just like everyone else should on their property. Commissioner Hach said he lived in the neighborhood and has not had issues. Mr. Morehouse asserted he does not run commercial shop at that location. Commissioner Pierce made a motion to approve the recommendation from the Planning Commission for the conditional use permit. Commissioner Knowski seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. Recognition of City Employees – Years of Service - Annette Buchmeier (30 Years) – President Moe provided a certificate and words of appreciation to Annette Buchmeier for her 30 years of service to the Devils Lake Police Department. Recognition of City Employees – Years of Service - Joel Myhro (30 years) – President Moe provided a certificate and words of appreciation to Joel Myhro for his 30 years of service to the Devils Lake Utilities Department. Commissioner Pierce – The Fire Chief said if inclement whether forces the Independence Day parade to be canceled, that it would not be rescheduled. He said if inclement weather forces the fireworks show to be postponed, it will take place the evening of Friday, July 5th. Commissioner Hach – The Public Works Director had no updated for the Sanitation Department. The City Assessor had no update on the Assessing Department. The City Engineer had no on the Engineering Department. Commissioner Knowski – The Public Works Director requested authorization to call for bids for a new utility pickup. Commissioner Knowski made a motion to authorize the call for bids. Commissioner Pierce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. The Public Works Director said there is a planned aerial spray for mosquitos on Wednesday, July 3rd weather permitting. If they are unable to spray on Wednesday, he said they would spray Friday. The Public Works Director asked if the Commission would have a problem if the Street Department did a little dura-patching in the movie theater parking lot. He articulated that the City does not normally do such work on private property but given the partnership between the Jobs Development Authority and the movie theater redevelopment as well as the minimal work hours that would be required, that it could be something done quickly, cheaply, and with little hassle. There were no objections from Commissioners. The City Administrator provided an overview of the budget briefings and approval deadlines for the 2025 Budget. Commissioner Pierce asked if the Law Enforcement Center would be present at the next Commission meeting to go over their budget. The City Administrator affirmed that was planned. The City Attorney had no update to provide. Appointments to Board of Adjustments – Commissioner Pierce made a motion to reappoint Chad Peterson and Rick Jorgenson and appoint Chase Frideg to the Board of Adjustments. Commissioner Hach seconded the motion. The motion was carried unanimously. Appointments to Parking Authority – Commissioner Pierce made a motion to reappoint Shane Diseth to the Parking Authority. Commissioner Knowski seconded the motion. The motion was carried unanimously. Appointments Renaissance Zone Authority – Commissioner Hach made a motion to reappoint Renard Bergstrom, Tony Prozinski, and Brad Barth and appoint Suzie Kenner and Kevin Osborne to the Renaissance Zone Authority. Commissioner Pierce seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. Change Order #2 – Watermain Replacement 28-23 and 29-23 – Commissioner Pierce made a motion to approve Change #2 for Watermain Replacement 28-23 and 29-23. Commissioner Knowski seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. Pay Estimate #6 - Watermain Replacement 28-23 and 29-23 – Commissioner Pierce made a motion to approve the pay estimate. Commissioner Hach seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. List of Bills – Commissioner Pierce made a motion to approve the list of bills. Commissioner Knowski seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote. SPENCER HALVORSON JIM MOE CITY ADMINISTRATOR/AUDITOR PRESIDENT OF CITY COMMISSION