City Commission

MEETING MINUTES OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DEVILS LAKE, ND FEBRUARY 18, 2025 The regular meeting of the Devils Lake City Commission was held on February 18, 2025 with the following members present: President Moe and Commissioners Hach, Knowski, and Pierce. Commissioner Uhlenkamp was absent. MEETING ITEMS 1) Call to Order 2) Approval of Minutes – February 03, 2025 Commissioner Pierce made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from the February 03, 2025, regular meeting. Commissioner Hach seconded the motion, and the motion was carried unanimously. AWARDS AND PROCLAMATIONS PUBLIC HEARINGS – 5:30 PM 1) Nellie’s Bar and Lounge Liquor License The City Attorney said the proposed action regarding the liquor license for Nellies Bar and Lounge as indicated in his letter was either suspension or revocation due to routine violations of City ordinances, and that it is put forward to the City Commission for its judgement on the matter. He gave a brief history of recent violations and enforced or voluntary suspension of Nellie’s Bar and Lounge’s Liquor License. Chuck Nelson’s Attorney Kelly Swenseth addressed the Commission on behalf of Mr. Nelson. Ms. Swenseth said that after receiving the letter and discussing the matter, Mr. Nelson is requesting that the City suspend the liquor license but not revoke, so Mr. Nelson could list the property for sale and a new owner and/or operator could request a transfer of the license. She said she understands there are many calls for service to the bar and apartments above the establishment. She said Mr. Nelson intends to close the business and requests suspension of the liquor license. Commissioner Pierce made a motion to suspend the license indefinitely until further transfer of the license. Commissioner Knowski seconded the motion, and the motion was approved unanimously on a roll call vote. BID OPENINGS VISITORS OR DELEGATIONS COMMISSION PORTFOLIOS Commissioner Knowski – The Assistant City Engineer provided an update on the large water break that occurred on Monday. He said one of the pipes directly adjacent to the water tower broke and a significant water loss occurred, causing loss of pressure throughout the entire water distribution system. He said they were able to get the break isolated and pressure restored in a couple hours. As standard procedure, due to the loss of pressure a boil order had been put into effect until the City passes a water sample test. The Assistant City Engineer said samples were sent to Bismarck earlier in the afternoon and they are working closely with the Department of Environmental Quality. He said they are hoping to get information on the test results tomorrow afternoon but that a boil order is in place until further notice. He added that relevant information is posted on the City’s website. President Moe thanked all City staff that aided in the response to the water break and the business owners that provided food and beverages to the City workers. Commissioner Knowski said they would receive a lot of praise for being first responders and he wanted to make sure the utility crews don’t feel like they are taken for granted. President Moe asked about the level of water loss that occurred during the event. The Assistant City Engineer said the water tower holds 500,000 gallons and that it was emptied, so the water loss is expected to be greater than that at a minimum. The City Administrator thanked the City Engineer and Utility Departments for the expertise and confidence with which they handled the problem with. Commissioner Hach – The Assistant City Engineer said the Sanitation crews were doing a double route today despite the bitter cold and thanked them for their service to the City. He said everything was going good in the Engineering Department. The City Assessor said there is a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting later in the week. Commissioner Pierce – The Fire Chief said they intend to take over the ARFF mission on Monday and that State Fire School is on the 27th of February. He overviewed the monthly report provided on the agenda. Commissioner Pierce said they have an LEC meeting tomorrow. President Moe – The Assistant City Engineer said everything was going well in the Public Ways Department. The Police Chief gave a high-level overview of their 2024 annual report included as part of the agenda. The City Administrator and City Attorney said everything was going well in their departments. The Airport Manager said everything was going well at the airport. OLD BUSINESS 1) Downtown Safety Task Force Update Commissioner Pierce said they had a good first meeting and that the next meeting would be on March 12. He said they are working on a contact sheet for community services that could be provided to downtown business owners to assist with people that may need those services. 2) City Facility Long Term Planning and Funding Options The Assistant City Engineer gave an update on conversations they have had and will have with architects in the effort to get cost estimates for the proposal outlined at the previous meeting. The City Administrator said he, Mayor Moe, and the assistant City Engineer went to the Police Department to get their feedback on the proposed relocation to downtown. He said the meeting went well and they seemed supportive of the proposition. The City Administrator asked the Commission if they had further thoughts since the last meeting on the concept of raising the City’s sales tax, using a portion of it for a bond payment to relocate City Hall downtown by ideally renovating an existing dilapidated building, moving and moving the police department to the existing City Hall location. With that, the City would buy down the Water Source Replacement Fee, saving each account holder $108 per year. The excess revenue would be put into the general fund and a mini-legacy fund for the City. Commissioner Pierce said he thinks renovating City Hall for the continued use of City Hall and keeping the Police Department with the LEC would be the best way to move forward. He said he is afraid of the City, County, and LEC budding heads. He said there is a sense that the community can’t do both projects. The Police Chief said he likes the proposal to have the Police Department downtown, due to its strategic location in the community. The City Administrator said that removing the Police Department out of the LEC project would save the project $10 million, and it is informally projected that the City’s project could cost $6 million. With that, the City would not have to make a lease payment to the LEC which would also be beneficial to the City. He said on a high level it seems to be in the City’s financial interest. The City Administrator said there are good people doing a hard job at the LEC and that he is trying to present plans that are favorable to the City specifically. Commissioner Knowski said if the City creates a mini-legacy fund for itself and grows it up to $3 million, that the money should be put into CD’s at local banks to help support them as well. The City Administrator said they would have more information at future City Commission meetings. CONSENT AGENDA NEW BUSINESS 1) Amendments to Rates and Fees – Sanitation Roll-Offs Commissioner Knowski made a motion to approve the resolution amending rates and fees for the sanitation roll-offs. Commissioner Hach seconded the motion, and the motion was approved unanimously on a roll call vote. 2) Contract for City Fireworks Display – J&M Displays Commissioner Knowski made a motion to approve contract with J&M Displays contingent upon City Attorney review and approval. Commissioner Pierce seconded the motion, and the motion was approved unanimously on a roll call vote. CITIZEN COMMENT Nicole Steinhaus addressed the Commission regarding concerns she had about the Devils Lake Police Department. She said she was a witness to drug trafficking and human trafficking at the Holiday Inn Express when she was an employee there. She said she has presented her concerns to the Police Department but does not feel they have been adequately followed up on. She said she has spoken with Detective Rodrigues, Captain Harkness, and Chief Toso. It was concluded to have Ms. Steinhaus fill out a formal complaint and formally submit it to the City Administrator for review and follow-up. 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