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City Commission

Regular Meeting

Devils Lake, ND · January 6, 2025

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Minutes

MEETING MINUTES OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DEVILS LAKE, ND JANUARY 06, 2024 The regular meeting of the Devils Lake City Commission was held on January 6 2024 with the following members present: President Moe and Commissioners Hach, Knowski, Pierce, and Uhlenkamp. MEETING ITEMS 1) Call to Order 2) Approval of Minutes –December 16, 2024 Commissioner Knowski made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from the December 16, 2024, regular meeting. Commissioner Hach seconded the motion, and the motion was carried unanimously. AWARDS AND PROCLAMATIONS PUBLIC HEARINGS – 5:30 PM BID OPENINGS VISITORS OR DELEGATIONS 1) Lisa Crosby – Lake Region Heritage Center Lisa Crosby with the Lake Region Heritage Center provided the Commission an update on their operations to include the Lake Region Arts Center. She said all was going pretty good with both entities. Commissioner Pierce made a motion to release the quarter one funds. Commissioner Uhlenkamp seconded the motion, and the motion was carried unanimously on a roll call vote. COMMISSION PORTFOLIOS - Auditing – 2024 Year End Economic & Utility Data - Auditing – Investment Portfolio Review - Administrator – 2025 Legislative Session Topics of Interest Commissioner Pierce – The Fire Chief said everything was looking good for the upcoming fishing derby. Commissioner Pierce said for the LEC facility subcommittee, they have met with the USDA to discuss options for low interest loans. He said they have requested the architect create multiple plans for a potential new Law Enforcement Center. He said they should be getting more DOCR inmates at the LEC. Commissioner Pierce expressed concerns about crime downtown given the most recent incident in the news, especially near Nellies Bar. He said the City should look at the zoning downtown in the effort to drill down on permissible uses for buildings. He showed the Commissioners a lease addendum from Burnsville, MN for crime free and drug free housing. Commissioner Pierce called on the Governor and state legislators to work on the legal services in the state. He mentioned pre-trial services for multiple violators of the law and concerns. He also called on local judges and states’ attorneys to refrain from releasing early people with multiple offenses. He expressed that they as elected officials need to do what they can to try keep people safe and that he feels law enforcement’s hands are tied. Commissioner Pierce said he understands the “rehabilitation over incarceration” philosophy but that people need to start working together to make things better. President Moe said he did not disagree with anything Commissioner Pierce just said. Commissioner Pierce said the City needs to find a way to get things under control. President Moe said it is challenging with current jail populations and the decisions being made by local judges and attorneys. Commissioner Hach said he would think that properties receiving federal or state assistance for affordable housing would have to abide by terms consistent with that of the lease addendum Commissioner Pierce handed out from Burnsville, MN. The City Administrator said there are a lot of components but that what he generally heard was a desire to increase safety in the downtown area. He suggested the Commission think about possibly creating a task force for downtown safety in the effort to organize future conversations on the subject. He said the Commission could pass a motion with the intent to create a task force, and then further discussion could occur at the next meeting. Commissioner Pierce made a motion for the examination of creating a task force for downtown safety. Commissioner Uhlenkamp seconded the motion, and the motion was carried unanimously. Commissioner Uhlenkamp – The City Engineer said everything was going well in the Streets Department. Commissioner Uhlenkamp said they have a Library Board meeting on Wednesday this week. Commissioner Hach – the City Engineer said everything was going well in the Sanitation and Engineering Departments. The City Assessor said the primary residence property tax credit application window is open, as well as the homestead property tax credit application. He said he would provide open office hours at the Library on Wednesday afternoons for anyone that has questions with either property tax credit application. Commissioner Knowski – The City Engineer said everything was going well in the Utilities Department. President Moe – The Police Chief said they have sworn in the new corporals consistent with the restructure of the department approved as part of the 2025 budget and salary plan. The City Administrator gave an overview of 2024 year end economic and utility data. He included the investment portfolio and results. He said the 2025 legislative session is getting underway he’ll be monitoring things impacting property taxes, valuations, and prairie dog infrastructure funding. He added that the city hall renovation working group will be meeting prior to the next meeting. The City Attorney said he sent a letter to an owner of a liquor establishment downtown relating to a couple violations from October. He said they will now await to see if the owner commits to a voluntary two-day suspension of their license. President Moe said he received a phone call from the CEO of Altru Health System and that everything seems to be in order for them to assume ownership of the hospital in February. OLD BUSINESS CONSENT AGENDA NEW BUSINESS 1) Urban Roads 2025 Program Approval The City Engineer requested approval of the project submittal list included in the 2025 Urban Roads program. Commissioner Knowski made a motion to approve the project submittal list in the 2025 Urban Roads program. Commissioner Pierce seconded the motion, and the motion was approved unanimously. LIST OF BILLS Commissioner Pierce made a motion to approve the List of Bills. Commissioner Uhlenkamp seconded the motion, and the motion was carried unanimously on a roll call vote. __________________________________ __________________________________ SPENCER HALVORSON JIM MOE CITY ADMINISTRATOR/AUDITOR PRESIDENT OF CITY COMMISSION

Agenda

Saturday, January 6, 2024 5:30PM CST Jobs Development Authority Meeting Agenda Devils Lake City Hall Commission Chambers 423 6th St NE, Devils Lake, 58301 Meeting Items 1) Call to Order 2) Pledge of Allegiance 3) Approval of Minutes – December 02, 2024 4) Façade Loan – Timbers Lumber and Supply 5) Retention and Attraction RWIP Grant Update City Commission Meeting Agenda Devils Lake City Hall Commission Chambers 423 6th St NE, Devils Lake, 58301 Meeting Items 1) Call to Order 2) Approval of Minutes – December 16, 2024 Awards and Proclamations Public Hearings – 5:30 PM Bid Openings – 5:30 PM Visitors or Delegations *Limited to five minutes per guest, unless extended by presiding officer 1) Lisa Crosby – Lake Region Heritage Center Commission Portfolios - Auditing – 2024 Year End Economic & Utility Data - Auditing – Investment Portfolio Review - Administrator – 2025 Legislative Session Topics of Interest Old Business Consent Agenda New Business 1) Urban Roads 2025 Program Approval Page 1 of 2 Citizen Comment Informational Items Motion to approve payment of the list of bills as submitted. The City of Devils Lake may convene in an executive session as provided by NDCC 44-04-19.2 to consider and discuss closed or confidential records and information, negotiating strategy or negotiating instructions as provided by NDCC 44-04-19.1, 44-04-19.2, 44-04-18.4. Page 2 of 2 MEETING MINUTES OF THE JOBS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF DEVILS LAKE, ND DECEMBER 02, 2024 The regular meeting of the Devils Lake Jobs Development Authority was held on December 2, 2024 with the following members present: Jim Moe, Jason Pierce, Joe Knowski, Lisa Uhlenkamp, and Rob Hach. MEETING ITEMS 1) Approval of Minutes – August 19, 2024 Commissioner Pierce made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from the August 19, 2024 meeting of the Jobs Development Authority. Commissioner Uhlenkamp seconded the motion, and the motion was carried unanimously. 2) BND Flex Pace Buydown – 6 Mile Lodge Expansion Brad Barth with Forward Devils Lake introduced Chance Sotvik who briefed the JDA on his development plans. Mr. Barth said the project qualifies as primary sector tourism. Mr. Sotvik said they are looking to expand. He said they have had people come from 26 different states and Canada spend time at their current lodging offerings. He said things have been going really well and he wants to keep that going forward. Commissioner Pierce made a motion to approve the BND Flex Pace Buydown for the 6 Mile Lodge Expansion. Commissioner Hach seconded the motion, and the motion was carried unanimously on a roll call vote. 3) Façade Loan – Hometown Hobbies Commissioner Knowski made a motion to approve the façade loan request from Hometown Hobbies. Commissioner Uhlenkamp seconded the motion, and the motion was approved unanimously on a roll call vote _______________________________ __________________________________ SPENCER HALVORSON JIM MOE CITY ADMINISTRATOR/AUDITOR PRESIDENT OF JOBS DEV. AUTHORITY MEETING MINUTES OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DEVILS LAKE, ND DECEMBER 16, 2024 The regular meeting of the Devils Lake City Commission was held on December 16 2024 with the following members present: President Moe and Commissioners Hach, Knowski, Pierce, and Uhlenkamp. MEETING ITEMS 1) Call to Order 2) Approval of Minutes –December 16, 2024 Commissioner Pierce made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from the December 2, 2024, regular meeting. Commissioner Uhlenkamp seconded the motion, and the motion was carried unanimously. AWARDS AND PROCLAMATIONS 1) Years of Service – Devin Grey Water (10 Years) President Moe recognized Devin Grey Water for his 10 years of service to the Devils Lake Police Department. PUBLIC HEARINGS – 5:30 PM BID OPENINGS VISITORS OR DELEGATIONS COMMISSION PORTFOLIOS Commissioner Pierce – The Fire Chief said they are working on preparing for the annual fishing derby and will be monitoring ice thickness levels after Christmas. He said the training forms for the ARFF mission have been provided to the airport manager. Commissioner Pierce said they will be having an LEC meeting on Wednesday and thanked local law enforcement officers for their work on shop-with-a-cop. Commissioner Uhlenkamp – The City Engineer said everything is going well in the Streets Department. He said the Streets Department is taking ownership of a new snowplow that was purchased over a year ago. Commissioner Hach – the City Engineer said everything was going well in the Sanitation Department. The City Assessor said tax statements were sent out by the County and that the primary residence property tax credit application window is now open. Commissioner Knowski – The City Engineer said they are working on some of the filters at the Water Treatment Plant. He said water quality is still good and that the work will be happening Wednesday and Thursday. The City Engineer said there will be no impact to the taste of the water. President Moe – The Police Chief said everything was going well in the Police Department. The City Administrator said the first municipal infrastructure bucket from “operation prairie dog” has been filled and that the second bucket looks to likely be filled in quarter 1 of 2025. He said he expects 2.5 million from the first bucket to be deposited in January. He said he has met with the Engineering Department on prospects for a remodel of City Hall that is budgeted for 2025. He requested the Commission delegate President Moe and Commissioner Hach to a City Hall Renovation Steering Group to help define scope and provide recommendation to the Commission. President Moe asked the Commission their thoughts regarding a possible renovation of the current facility or renovation with addition to the west side of the building for a new Commission Chambers. The City Administrator said the ultimate goal is to get to action on something and avoid some of the analysis paralysis The City Administrator said he, the Public Works Director, and Sanitation Supervisor met with Lake Region Corporation last week on the current and future outlook for the recycling program. He said it was a productive meeting and that Lake Region Corporation was generally acceptable to a potential future partnership that included just the bailing of cardboard and not curbside recycling pickup. The City Administrator said it would be a lot of change and it would need to occur in tandem with the transition to the automated truck and new cans to avoid residents having to purchase an additional can with the current programs service offering. The City Attorney said everything was going well in his office. The Mayor said all was going well with the transition of ownership of the hospital and that it looks like it should be officially approved near the beginning of February. OLD BUSINESS CONSENT AGENDA NEW BUSINESS 1) Approval of Preliminary Report and Resolution Directing Preparation of Plans – Street Improvement District No. 81-25 Commissioner Pierce made a motion to approve the preliminary report and resolution directing preparation of plans for street improvement district No. 81-25. Commissioner Hach seconded the motion and the motion was carried unanimously. 2) Approval of Preliminary Report and Resolution Directing Preparation of Plans – Street Improvement District No. 82-25 Commissioner Knowski made a motion to approve the preliminary report and resolution directing preparation of plans for street improvement district No. 82-25. Commissioner Uhlenkamp seconded the motion and the motion was carried unanimously. 3) Approval of Preliminary Report and Resolution Directing Preparation of Plans – Street Improvement District No. 83-25 Commissioner Hach made a motion to approve the preliminary report and resolution directing preparation of plans for street improvement district No. 83-25. Commissioner Knowski seconded the motion and the motion was carried unanimously. 4) Approval of Preliminary Report and Resolution Directing Preparation of Plans – Street Improvement District No. 84-25 Commissioner Knowski made a motion to approve the preliminary report and resolution directing preparation of plans for street improvement district No. 84-25. Commissioner Hach seconded the motion and the motion was carried unanimously. 5) Approval of Preliminary Report and Resolution Directing Preparation of Plans – Street Improvement District No. 85-25 Commissioner Pierce made a motion to approve the preliminary report and resolution directing preparation of plans for street improvement district No. 85-25. Commissioner Uhlenkamp seconded the motion and the motion was carried unanimously. 6) Devils Lake Regional Airport Grant Closeout Budget Adjustments and City/Airport Cost Share The City Administrator said the included budget adjustments are related to closing out the inactive grant accounts for the airport. He said normally the airport authority would receive a grant from the FAA and there would be a local match associated with the grant. The airport would request that the City supply the local match, which they traditionally have done through the city’s infrastructure fund. He said that once the projects were over, if there was any money left over, the remaining funds would be transferred back into the City’s infrastructure fund. He said the most significant of the adjustments pertain to grant 9029 and the roughly -$233,000 cash balance in the account. The City Administrator said there was a land acquisition deal as part of a runway expansion project that ended up in mediation and a -$533,000 cash balance on the City’s books. The results of mediation are not recognized by the FAA so their was no reimbursement of the added expenses. He said the City received a grant for $150,000, of which the City matched for another $150,000, and transferred over to the negative balance to bring it to its current amount of -$233,000. The City Administrator said the City and the airport authority have gone back and forth on how to address the negative balance over the past few months. He said he viewed it as an airport issue and they have adequate reserves in their operations account to clear the balance. He said the airport authority members were under the impression the City was going to cover the negative balance. The City Administrator said the frequent conversations over the past few months under the Mayor and Commissioner Hach’s leadership occurred with the goal of finding a resolution acceptable to both the airport authority and the City. He said the City proposed to the airport authority that the City would match them dollar for dollar, splitting the amount 50/50. He said they presented that to the airport authority with the mindset that they were in the mess together and that they would solve it together, and that the airport authority was acceptable to the terms. President Moe said there really isn’t a win for anyone with the situation and it is necessary to clean up the books. Commissioner Knowski made a motion to approve the budget adjustments and the cost share of Grant 9029. Commissioner Uhlenkamp seconded the motion, and the motion was carried unanimously on a roll call vote. CITIZEN COMMENT INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1) November 2024 Financial Report LIST OF BILLS Commissioner Pierce made a motion to approve the List of Bills. Commissioner Uhlenkamp seconded the motion, and the motion was carried unanimously on a roll call vote. __________________________________ __________________________________ SPENCER HALVORSON JIM MOE CITY ADMINISTRATOR/AUDITOR PRESIDENT OF CITY COMMISSION [Type here] January 6, 2025 Spencer Halvorson City of Devils Lake 423 6th St. Devils Lake, ND 58301 As the director of the Lake Region Heritage Center, I am formally requesting funds for the first quarter of 2025. Continued funding will allow us to preserve and share the rich history and heritage of the Lake Region, connecting past and present. Thank you. With sincerest appreciation, Lisa Crosby, Director Lake Region Heritage Center 502 4th St. NE PO Box 245 Devils Lake, ND 58301 701-662-3701

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