City Commission

MEETING MINUTES OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DEVILS LAKE, ND MARCH 03, 2025 The regular meeting of the Devils Lake City Commission was held on March 03, 2025 with the following members present: President Moe and Commissioners Hach, Knowski, Pierce, and Uhlenkamp. MEETING ITEMS 1) Call to Order 2) Approval of Minutes – February 18, 2025 Commissioner Uhlenkamp made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from February 18, 2025. Commissioner Knowski seconded the motion, and the motion was approved unanimously. 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 COMMISSION PORTFOLIOS Commissioner Knowski – The Assistant City Engineer provided an update on the water break that initiated the boil order that expired a week ago. He said there were a few other unrelated watermain repairs that needed to be made. Commissioner Hach – the Assistant City Engineer said everything was going well in the Sanitation Department. Commissioner Uhlenkamp – The Assistant City Engineer said the Street Department has started street sweeping on some of the larger streets in town. President Moe asked about issues in alleys around time. The Assistant City Engineer asked that residents just let them know if they have issues and they can address them the best they can given the wet conditions. Commissioner Pierce – the Fire Chief said he was at state fire school and attended the chiefs meeting. He said they have officially taken over the ARFF mission out at the airport. The Fire Chief said they have gotten their first shipment of portable radios. Commissioner Pierce gave an update on some accounts receivable that were recouped from the federal government for the Law Enforcement Center. He said there is a legislative update at 1pm on Saturday at Lake Region State College. President Moe – The Police Chief said everything is going well in the Police Department. The City Administrator said everything was going well in his office. The City Attorney said everything was going well in his office as well. OLD BUSINESS CONSENT AGENDA NEW BUSINESS 1) Microbrewery License Application – Reese Brothers Brewing Company Douglas Reese addressed the Commission with Mr. Oehlke and communicated his plans to rent space from Black Brother’s Brewing Company and brew beer for sale. Commissioner Pierce made a motion to approve the microbrewery license application. Commissioner Hach seconded the motion, and the motion was approved unanimously. 2) Certification of Annual Maintenance Report Commissioner Uhlenkamp made a motion to approve the certification of the annual maintenance report. Commissioner Knowski seconded the motion, and the motion was approved unanimously. 3) Resolution Determining Insufficient Protests Were Filed – Street Improvement District 81- 25 Commissioner Knowski made a motion to approve the resolution for Street Improvement District 81-25. Commissioner Uhlenkamp seconded the motion, and the motion was approved unanimously.  4) Resolution Approving Plans and Specifications and Directing Advertisement for Bids – Street Improvement District 81-25 Commissioner Pierce made a motion to approve the resolution, specifications, and advertisement of bids for Street Improvement District 81-25. Commissioner Uhlenkamp seconded the motion, and the motion was approved unanimously. 5) Resolution Determining Insufficient Protests Were Filed – Street Improvement District 82- 25 Commissioner Hach made a motion to approve the resolution. Commissioner Pierce seconded the motion, and the motion was approved unanimously. 6) Resolution Determining Insufficient Protests Were Filed – Street Improvement District 83- 25 Dave Freidig addressed the Commission. He said he had bigger concerns than the alleys. President Moe said the alleys downtown are not in great shape and they will only get worse in time. Mr. Freidig expressed concerns about buildings downtown that are not in good shape and the city’s processes for getting owners to improve them. He also asked about the terms and amortization schedule for the special assessments in the letter. Commissioner Pierce made a motion to approve the resolution for Street Improvement District 83-25. Commissioner Knowski seconded the motion, and the motion was approved unanimously. 7) Resolution Determining Insufficient Protests Were Filed – Street Improvement District 84- 25 Commissioner Pierce made a motion to approve the resolution for Street Improvement District 84-25. Commissioner Knowski seconded the motion, and the motion was approved unanimously. 8) Resolution Determining Insufficient Protests Were Filed – Street Improvement District 85- 25 Todd Thompson addressed the commission about stormwater and designs and specifications for the alley improvements. He said he has concerns about water pooling up near his business. The Assistant City Engineer gave a summary of their plans for that area. Mr. Thompson also asked about the length of time roads would be closed since that impacts all the businesses. The Assistant City Engineer said it may be a day or two and they will do their best to communicate with business owners and accommodate. Mr. Thompson said he also had concerns with the timing given valuation increases, the school referendum, and other increases. He added he would like to see further improvements and investments at Bridgestone Park. Commissioner Pierce made a motion to approve the resolution. Commissioner Hach seconded the motion, and the motion was approved unanimously. 9) Designate Depositor for Certificate of Deposit – $726,000 The City Administrator said there was a US Treasury the City purchased that reached its maturity date. He said he polled the local banking institutions for rates on 1 year and 2 year rates for Certificates of Deposit. He said First United Bank had the highest proposal, with a 2 year Certificate of Deposit at a 4.21% interest rate. Commissioner Knowski made a motion to Designate First United Back as Depositor for a Certificate of Deposit for $726,000 at 4.21% for two years. Commissioner Hach seconded the motion, and the motion was approved unanimously on a roll call vote. 10) Budget Amendment 24-09- Budget to Actual The City Administrator gave an overview of the year end budget amendment. Commissioner Knowski made a motion to approve budget amendment 24-09. Commissioner Uhlenkamp seconded the motion, and the motion was approved unanimously on a roll call vote. CITIZEN COMMENT INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1) December 2024 Financial Report LIST OF BILLS Commissioner Knowski made a motion to approve the List of Bills. Commissioner Hach 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