City Council

June 23, 2020 Special City Council Meeting MINOT CITY COUNCIL – SCHEDULED MEETING – JUNE 23, 2020 AT 5:32 P.M. ROLL CALL Members Present: Jantzer, Olson, Pitner, Podrygula, Sipma, Straight, Wolsky Members Absent: None PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Sipma presiding and led the City Council in the Pledge of Allegiance. MAGIC CITY DISCOVERY CENTER DOD DCIP PROGRAM (G&A021) Alderman Jantzer moved the City Council authorize the City of Minot to be the pass-through entity for Magic City Discovery Center to apply for the Department of Defense Program entitled “Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot” (DCIP). Motion seconded by Alderman Pitner. Alderman Wolsky stated, he is supportive of all the organizations on the agenda and that it isn’t the Council’s place to choose between them. The grant proceeds are a decision for the Department of Defense. He then commented on what a great project the Magic City Discovery Center is and how the City has supported it in the past with Community Facility funds. He said, however, he envisioned the Discovery Center as a potential anchor for downtown and although the project has been designed for the North Hill location, it would greatly benefit downtown. He also considered it as a resolution to the parking garage challenge and suggested exploring the possibility for that site once the legal issues with the parking structures are resolved. Alderman Pitner agreed with Alderman Wolsky’s comments. Whereupon a vote was taken on the above motion by Alderman Jantzer, seconded by Alderman Pitner and carried by the following roll call vote: ayes: Jantzer, Olson, Pitner, Podrygula, Sipma, Straight, Wolsky; nays: none YWCA MINOT DOD DEFENSE COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE PILOT PROGRAM (G&A022) - APPROVED Alderman Olson moved the City Council authorize the City of Minot to be the pass-through entity for YWCA Minot to apply for the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), Department of Defense Program entitled “Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot” (DCIP). Motion seconded by Alderman Pitner and carried by the following roll call vote: ayes: Jantzer, Olson, Pitner, Podrygula, Sipma, Straight, Wolsky; nays: none SOURIS VALLEY ANIMAL SHELTER DOD DEFENSE COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE PILOT PROGRAM (G&A023) – APPROVED Alderman Pitner moved the City Council authorize the City of Minot to be the pass-through entity for the Souris Valley Animal Shelter (SVAS) to apply for the Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), Department of Defense Program entitled “Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot” (DCIP). Motion seconded by Alderman Wolsky. Mayor Sipma commented that it was nine years ago the Souris Valley Animal Shelter was operating out of the NDSU Extension Center as the emergency shelter during the flood. A vote was then taken on the motion by Alderman Pitner, seconded by Alderman Wolsky and carried by the following roll call vote: ayes: Jantzer, Olson, Pitner, Podrygula, Sipma, Straight, Wolsky; nays: none PRESENTATION OF AWARDS TO OUTGOING COUNCIL MEMBERS Mayor Sipma presented awards to outgoing Aldermen, Straight and Wolsky.  June 23, 2020 Special City Council Meeting ADJOURN Alderman Straight moved the City Council Adjourn. Motion seconded by Alderman Wolsky and carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 5:44 pm. **************************************************************************************************** SWEARING IN OF NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS & SIGNING OF THE OATH OF OFFICE DeVawn Beckman, Chaplain, performed the oaths of office for the newly elected Council Members, Tom Ross and Carrie Evans. ROLL CALL Members Present: Evans, Jantzer, Olson, Pitner, Podrygula, Ross, Sipma Members Absent: None PROCLAMATION- LGBTQ PRIDE MONTH The Mayor Proclaimed June as LGBTQ Pride Month. WHEREAS, the City of Minot recognizes the month of June 2020 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) “Pride Month” throughout the City of Minot; and WHEREAS, the City of Minot will observe Pride Month with a Pride flag raising ceremony to honor the history of the LGBTQ liberation movement and to support the rights of all citizens to experience equality and freedom from discrimination; and WHEREAS, the rainbow flag is widely recognized as a symbol of pride, inclusion, and support for social movements that advocate for LGBTQ people in society; and WHEREAS, all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. LGBTQ individuals have had immeasurable impact to the cultural, civic and economic successes of our country; and WHEREAS, the City of Minot is committed to supporting visibility, dignity and equality for LGBTQ people in our diverse community; and WHEREAS, while society at large increasingly supports LGBTQ equality, it is essential to acknowledge that the need for education and awareness remains vital to end discrimination and prejudice; and WHEREAS, this nation was founded on the principle that every individual has infinite dignity and worth, and the City of Minot calls upon the people of this municipality to embrace this principle and work to eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists; and WHEREAS, celebrating Pride Month influences awareness and provides support and advocacy for Minot’s LGBTQ community, and is an opportunity to take action and engage in dialogue to strengthen alliances, build acceptance and advance equal rights. NOW, THEREFORE, DO I, Shaun Sipma, Mayor of the City of Minot, hereby proclaim June 2020 as LGBTQ Pride Month in support of the LGBTQ community. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the rainbow flag will be raised on this day, Monday, June 1st 2020, recognizing all LGBTQ residents whose influential and lasting contributions to our neighborhoods make the City of Minot a vibrant community in which to live, work and visit.  June 23, 2020 Special City Council Meeting ELECTION OF CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT Alderman Jantzer nominated Alderman Olson for the office of City Council President. Nomination seconded by Alderman Evans. There being no further nominations, Alderman Pitner moved to close the nominations. Motion seconded by Alderman Jantzer. Whereupon a vote was taken on the nomination of Alderman Olson for the office of City Council President and carried by the following roll call vote: ayes: Evans, Jantzer, Olson, Pitner, Podrygula, Ross, Sipma; nays: none ELECTION OF CITY COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT Alderman Olson stated, in the past few months there has been a lot of conversation regarding an Executive Committee so she wanted to clarify, the City bylaws do not have an Executive Committee. There is a Mayor, a President and a Vice President to ensure the continuance of government. She said, any one of them could certainly fill that need. She also said there has been a growing sense to want to change and in that spirit Alderman Olson nominated Alderman Evans for the office of City Council Vice President. Nomination seconded by Alderman Pitner. There being no further nominations, Alderman Jantzer moved to close the nominations. Motion seconded by Alderman Pitner. Whereupon a vote was taken on the nomination of Alderman Evans for the office of City Council Vice President and carried by the following roll call vote: ayes: Evans, Jantzer, Olson, Pitner, Podrygula, Ross, Sipma; nays: none APPOINTMENT OF COUNCIL COMMITTEES Alderman Jantzer moved to affirm the following committee assignments. Motion seconded by Alderman Pitner and carried by the following roll call vote: ayes: Evans, Jantzer, Olson, Pitner, Podrygula, Ross, Sipma; nays: none All Seasons Arena (Q) 2. Stephen Podrygula 1. Mark Jantzer 3. Paul Pitner 2. Tom Ross 4. Carrie Evans 5. Tom Ross Liaison (City/County/Park/School) (Q) 1. Mark Jantzer CVB (Visit Minot) (M) 2. Lisa Olson 1. Paul Pitner Community Development (AN) Emergency Resource Council Steering CMTE 1. Mark Jantzer 1. Stephen Podrygula 2. Paul Pitner 3. Tom Ross Eureka Township PC (AN) 4. Carrie Evans 1. Lisa Olson 5. Lisa Olson 2. Paul Pitner Commission on Aging (M) Afton Township PC (AN) 1. Stephen Podrygula 1. Mark Jantzer 2. Carrie Evans Souris Basin Planning Council (M) 1. Lisa Olson Pension Board (AN) 1. Mark Jantzer Library (M) 2. Tom Ross 1. Carrie Evans Ward Co. Narcotics Task Force (AN) MADC (M) 1. Mark Jantzer 1. Shaun Sipma (Mayor) Renaissance Board (AN) County Planning (M) 1. Paul Pitner 1. Stephan Podrygula 2. Carrie Evans Zoning Ordinance Steering (M) 1. Tom Ross Franchise (AN) 1. Lisa Olson Buyout Program (NDR)  June 23, 2020 Special City Council Meeting 1. Mark Jantzer 1. Tom Ross Ecological Restoration Plan (NDR) Vulnerable Population Action Plan (NDR) 1. Stephen Podrygula 1. Stephan Podrygula LMI Housing (NDR) Affordable Housing Master Plan (NDR) 1. Carrie Evans 1. Carrie Evans Family Shelter (NDR) Funding & Finance Strategy For Target NDR Projects 1. Carrie Evans (NDR) 1. Shaun Sipma (Mayor) Center for Technical Education (NDR) 1. Lisa Olson (M) Monthly (Q) Quarterly City Hall (NDR) (AN) As Needed 1. Shaun Sipma (Mayor) (NDR) National Disaster Resilience Liaison Economic Development Strategic Plan (NDR) BUDGET WORKSHOP Finance Director, David Lakefield, presented an overview of the City budget and provided information on how they are formulating the 2021 budget. He shared the timeline spanning from meetings with individual departments, to drafting the preliminary budget and eventually approval from Council to finalize the budget in September. He reviewed Legislative impacts and appropriations from the State. He said, a reduction in funding from the State Water Commission will reduce Minot’s appropriation by about 40 percent. The House Bill regarding the Revolving Loan Fund will be a leading topic during the 2021-2022 Legislative session, which would greatly improve the City’s financial position. Mr. Lakefield summarized the long-term impacts on the City budget from the 2011 flood and the oil boom. Increases in population, City infrastructure, and City services have had a huge impact on the way the City operates. He explained the City’s revenue sources as well as how it is separated into Governmental and Enterprise funds. He then explained the various expenses that allow the City to provide services throughout Minot. He described how the five-year projection model was developed including what inputs and assumptions were used. He said they had hoped for an increase in Hub City revenue as a result of the new formula, however, plummeting gas prices will likely result in the revenue being flat compared to the previous year. He pointed out some of the budget modifications that have taken place over the past few years in an effort to reduce spending. He also mentioned that the five-year Capital Improvement Plan includes $422.83 million in projects. Flood Control and NAWS make up a large portion of the CIP but the City has also decided to delay projects as a result of the current economic climate. He described the impact that low interest financing could have on funding Flood Control. Mr. Lakefield discussed sales tax allocations and the effect from lower sales tax collections during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also mentioned the renewal for the second penny of sales tax and said staff is working with the State Tax Commissioner to develop language in anticipation of its expiration. He assured the Council that there are some available reserves which staff does not want to dip into but the overall outlook for the budget is not as distressing as initially believed. He then summarized the 2020 budget priorities and compared them to those established for 2021. He concluded by responding to questions from the Council. **************************************************************************************************** Mayor Sipma then performed the oath of office for Alderman Podrygula’s new term since it was not done earlier in the meeting. The Mayor took a moment to acknowledge that it had been nine years since the flood on June 23, 2011. He said, the budget will be impacted for decades and he thanked all the individuals who helped during the evacuation, demolition, and reconstruction of so many homes. He emphasized the sacrifices made throughout the community and said it is difficult now to see the scars. Minot has made a tremendous comeback.  June 23, 2020 Special City Council Meeting ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Alderman Pitner moved the City Council meeting be adjourned. Motion seconded by Alderman Jantzer and carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:46 pm. ATTEST: ______________________________ APPROVED: _______________________________ Kelly Matalka, City Clerk Shaun Sipma, Mayor