Washburn City Commission

Official Meeting Minutes

Monday, March 8, 2021

6:30 p.m., City Hall

 

Members Present: Larry Thomas, Don Simon, Mike Herdt, Marvin Stroh, Kollin Syverson

Absent: None

President Thomas called the regular City Commission meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

Syverson motioned to approve February 8, 2021 commission meeting minutes. Stroh seconded. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye. Motion carried.

Syverson motioned to approve March 1, 2021 special meeting minutes. Herdt seconded. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye. Motion carried.

Jamie, with Weber Electric, was present to discuss light quotes for the library, streetlights, and repairing the pole that was hit during the winter. One quote is to replace 59 lights at the library with LED bulbs. Syverson motioned to replace all the lights at the library for $3,210.00. Simon seconded. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye. Motion carried. Jamie presented quote #2 for replacing all the bulbs in the streetlights on main street. The two different bulbs were put up to give the commission an idea of how bright they would be. The commissioners will look at both lights and decide at the next meeting. Quote #3 was what would be the best option to determine the damage of the light pole that was hit and how to repair it. Weber’s will do an inspection to see what needs to be done. Thomas motioned Weber to stabilize the pole, dig it up, and inspect it. The city will verify with them the damage with Weber. Syverson seconded. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye. Motion carried.

Washburn Life was requesting a wavier of fees for the Taste of Washburn that will be held at the Memorial Hall on Saturday, March 27^th, 2021. Herdt motioned to waive the fee. Syverson seconded. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye.

Planning and zoning committee made a recommendation to combine Pamela Hoffer’s lots. Stroh motioned to approve the joining of the lots. Herdt seconded. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye.

During the utility billing conversion process, it was discovered that Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center only had a 50% sewer usage charge. Upon reading old meeting minutes it was discovered that a motion was made to lower their sewer usage because of the water consumption they were using to water their grass. Thomas motioned to adjust the 50% reduction to only four months during summer watering. Stroh seconded. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye. Motion carried. Thomas motioned the months to be May, June, July, and August. Simon seconded. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye. Motion carried.

The city was approached about paying their dues for Coal Conversion of Counties. The city has not been a member for several years now. Currently, they have been a great deal of work with the legislature. Thomas motioned to rejoin Coal Conversion of Counites for $500. Simon seconded. Syverson-nay, Stroh-nay, Herdt-nay, Simon-aye, Thomas-aye. Motion failed.

Load restrictions will be implemented as soon as the county does.

A resident prepaid her water bill and had the water turned off at her residence before all the prepaid money was used. She requested a refund. Prior to her prepaying, the water was turned off at the same residence due to nonpayment and assessed to the property tax bill. Thomas motioned to apply the credit on the account to the assessed special. Syverson seconded. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye. Motion carried.

The city has received many phone calls inquiring when the area to dump trees and grass would be opening again. L. Thomas wanted to get the area cleaned up and have dumpsters delivered first. This is only for lawn clippings and tree branches that are less than 4’ in diameter. There is a camera to catch those who are not complying with the restrictions.

Herdt motioned to have clean-up week May 3-7 with curbside pickup on the 8^th. Stroh seconded. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye.

Thomas wants to work on removing the green building on main street from the Historic Register. The American Legion also supports this as they are looking to create a veteran memorial park and gathering space with bathrooms and benches for events. Syverson motioned for Larry to proceed with working on getting the green building off the register. Simon seconded. Syverson-aye, Stroh-aye, Herdt-nay, Simon-aye, Thomas-aye. Motion carried.

Thomas is looking at a couple different areas around town that need street repairs. He has been talking with Eric, from AE2S. Thomas motioned to allow Eric to come up with an estimate on street repairs by the Cenex tower and across the highway. Stroh seconded. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye. Motion carried.

Thomas presented a spreadsheet of the different loaders and different options that they come with. Thomas motioned to purchase the Case 521GXR. Stroh seconded. Syverson-nay, Stroh-aye, Herdt-nay, Simon-nay, Thomas-aye. Motion failed. Herdt motioned to purchase Case 621G with angle plow. Syverson seconded. Syverson-aye, Stroh-nay, Herdt-aye, Simon-aye, Thomas-nay. Motion carried. Stroh motioned to pay for the loader in 5 payments out of sales and use tax committee with the plow bought out immediately. Herdt seconded. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye. Motion carried.

Eric with AE2S was present to update the commission on FEMA funding. The grant that is already secured will most likely be extended, one year at a time. There is a good possibility that the city could also receive some additional federal funding for the project. Eric is also looking at different ways for drainage in heritage heights area. He and Larry will go look at different options.

Portfolios:

Syverson-Nothing

Stroh-Thinks that someone needs to be shown how to use all the equipment at the MH so when there are events there someone is knowledgeable

Herdt-There is a possible gas leak in the kitchen. The doors have been working. The elevator is not working, he will contact CHI.

Simon-Nothing

1. Thomas-Nothing

Lazier-Board of Equalization meeting will be April 12^th at 6:00 PM. The 2020 audit should be wrapping soon.

A Thomas-Unimog was hauled down. They did not have the correct diagnostic controls. L Thomas motioned to purchase 32 barrels of tar. Syverson seconded. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye.

Syverson motioned to pay the bills except Coal Conversion check.

1100 Farmers Sec. XX0074

Check # Vendor Name Check Amount       -89987 EFTPS 2127.46 -89986 EFTPS 2175.38 -89985 BCBS 4359.9 -99981 BANK OF NORTH DAKOTA 53750.00 30841 US POSTAL OFFICE 276.13 30887 US POSTAL OFFICE 166.72 30888-30892 Payroll 6944.59 -99987 WEST RIVER TELEPHONE 641.82 -99986 CIRCLE SANITATION 8163.40 -99985 MDU 1206.92 -99984 MCLEAN ELECTRIC 182.50 -99983 OTTERTAIL POWER 4679.62 -99982 MIDCO 88.00 30919-30923 Payroll 6902.28 30924 Unum 25.76 30925 Aflac 212.52 30926 Chelsey Lazier 384.62 30927 American Funds 607.78 30933 ADAM THOMAS 108.98 30934 AE2S 2268.00 30935 AMERIPRIDE 337.65 30936 ASCENDUM MACHINERY 1933.81 30936 ASCENDUM MACHINERY 1933.81 30937 AT& T MOBILITY 51.07 30939 BHG LEADER NEWS 426.88 30940 BOBCAT OF MANDAN 729.78 30941 CARDMEMBER SERVICES 772.97 30942 CORE & MAIN LP 847.25 30943 DACOTAH PAPER COMPANY 122.76 30944 ENERBASE COOPERATIVE 621.57 30944 ENERBASE COOPERATIVE 621.57 30945 HAWKINS 4915.76 30946 INDUSTRIAL LUBRICANT COMP 1620.41 30947 LEVEY’S PLUMBING, HEATING, & AIR LLC 176.69 30948 LIBERTY BUSINESS SYSTEMS 79.01 30949 MCLEAN COUNTY IMPLEMENT LLC 65.65 30950 MCLEAN COUNTY SHERIFF DEPT 13943.52 30951 MVTL LAB 25.00 30952 ND DEPT OF HEALTH – CHEMISTRY LAB 542.88 30952 ND DEPT OF HEALTH – CHEMISTRY LAB 542.88 30953 ND DEPT OF HEALTH LAB SERVICES-MICRO 64.00 30953 ND DEPT OF HEALTH LAB SERVICES-MICRO 64.00 30954 ND WORKFORCE SAFETY 1984.96 30955 NRG TECHNOLGY SERVICES 659.34 30956 ONE CALL CONCEPTS 1.20 30957 PROTECTION SYSTEMS, INC 385.00 30958 SALHUS SEPTIC PUMPING 180.00 30959 SCOTTS HARDWARE 108.36 30962 WASHBURN FIRE DEPARTMENT 5650.00 30963 WEBER ELECTRIC INC 618.63

Stroh seconded. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye. Motion carried.

 

Thomas adjourned the meeting at 8:32 p.m. 

 

_____________________                                          _________________________

Chelsey Lazier, Auditor                                             Larry Thomas, President       

City of Washburn                                                        City of Washburn 

 

 

Washburn City Commission

Official Meeting Minutes

Monday, March 1, 2021

6:30 p.m., City Hall

Members Present: Larry Thomas, Don Simon, Mike Herdt, Marvin Stroh, Kollin Syverson

Absent: None

President Thomas called the Special City Commission meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

Herdt motioned to hire Matthew Richard. Simon seconded. Discussion had on starting salary and benefits. Herdt amended his motion to hire Matthew Richard at $21 an hour and benefits starting immediately. Simon amended his second. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye. Motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m.

 

 

_____________________                                 _________________________

Chelsey Lazier, Auditor                                 Larry Thomas, President

City of Washburn                                           City of Washburn

 

 

Washburn City Commission

Official Meeting Minutes

Monday, February 8, 2021

6:30 p.m., City Hall

 

Members Present: Larry Thomas, Don Simon, Mike Herdt, Marvin Stroh

Absent: Kollin Syverson

President Thomas called the regular City Commission meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

Stroh motioned to approve January 11, 2021 commission meeting minutes. Simon seconded. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye. Motion carried.

Calla Edwards was present to discuss the community garden. She stated that there has been lots of interest in the community garden. Would like to extend it and add on more plats. She is requesting permission to extend it and ask for permission to use the city water again. Herdt motion to allow them to expand the garden and do the same as last year. Simon seconded. Thomas questioned the dollar amount per plot for water. Check into that. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye. Motion carried.

Ron with Bobcat was present to discuss a 2021 Doosan LD 250-5 US10 loader and financing options.

Randy with John Deere was present to discuss and 2021 John Deere 544P loader and financing options. The commission was a given a quote. Two commissioners will meet to discuss the different functions of each loader and bring a recommendation to the next commission meeting.

Clayton Verke was present requesting waiver of fees for their annual EMS Banquet at the memorial hall. Thomas motioned to waive the fees for renting the memorial hall. Herdt seconded. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye. Motion carried.

Thomas motioned that if Dollar General wants to build a store in town, they will need to hook up to city water and sewer at their expense. Herdt seconded. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye. Motion carried.

The boat dock has seen some erosion and ND Game & Fish would like to see it taken care of. A. Thomas stated the wash out was filled in back in August. The commission will look at other ways to fix this and get in touch with Game & Fish.

WAIA is looking to continue the housing incentives for new residents that move into town with a welcome packet. Rhonda Johnson asked if the city would still be interested in providing three months free of basic city water and sewer. Thomas motioned to approve three months of basic water and sewer for new or existing residents buying or building their first home that includes the lot. Herdt seconded. Stroh-nay, Herdt-aye, Simon-aye, Thomas-aye. Motion carried.

Thomas informed the commission that a letter went out to FEMA signed by all our representatives to keep our grant money secured for the intake project. Currently it is due to expire next month, in March. Sally Johnson with Senator Hoevan’s office also gave some other grant research options that might be available to the city. Thomas motioned to allow AE2S to look into these grant options and see if the city qualifies for any. Stroh seconded. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye. Motion carried.

Thomas motioned to accept the securities pledge from Farmers Security Bank. Stroh seconded. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye.

There has been some issues within the city about boulevards and who is responsible for them. A boulevard is property between the curb and property line. It is city owned but maintained by the resident. Nothing should be stored on this, no parking, etc. The city will look at updating this with an ordinance as well as parking ordinance.

Portfolios:

Stroh-questioned who moved snow in front of memorial hall and why it has not been done lately

Herdt-received two quotes for a fence at the compound

Simon-received 6 applications for public works position. Want to see if a couple are willing to move closer to Washburn and then interviews will be conducted.

1. Thomas-stumps and logs have all been cleared out. Would like to close the area except for the ash dumpster for the winter.

Lazier-2020 audit has been scheduled to start on February 22. Asked the commission what reports they would like to see with the new program. Discussion was had and will start with a couple similar to what they were used to seeing in the past. Weber was not able to get a quote ready for the LED lights or what it will cost to fix the streetlight that was hit.

A Thomas – Received two quotes for the compound gate. Herdt motioned to purchase a cantilever gate from Security Fence for $3,904.05. Stroh seconded. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye. Motion carried.

The Unimog is having engine issues. There are error codes, but we have no way of reading them. Will be hauled down to Bismarck to be checked over.

Thomas motioned to pay the bills.

1100 Farmers Sec. XX0074

99998E       MIDCO                                    88.00

99997E       MCLEAN ELECTRIC                         195.50

99996E       MDU                                     918.35

99995E       GLOBAL PAYMENTS                          64.23

99994E       REVTRAK                                 195.53

99993E       MIDCO                                    88.00

99992E       MCLEAN ELECTRIC                         182.50

99991E       MDU                                    1143.00

99990E       OTTERTAIL POWER                        5296.00

99989E       WEST RIVER TELEPHONE                    639.85

99988E       CIRCLE SANITATION                      8962.25

89988E       BCBS                                   4476.30

89987E       EFTPS                                  2127.46

30844-30848  Payroll                                 7490.52

30878-30881  Payroll                                6494.16

30888-30892  Payroll                                6944.59

30893        AE2S                                   1460.10

30894        AMERIPRIDE                              517.37

30895        ASCENDUM MACHINERY                      921.91

30896        AT& T MOBILITY                           10.59

30897        BHG LEADER NEWS                         213.54

30898        BLACK MOUNTAIN SOFTWARE               13829.00

30899        CARDMEMBER SERVICES                     454.84

30900        DACOTAH PAPER COMPANY                   144.08

30901       FRONTIER PRECISION, INC               1650.00

30902       HAWKINS                                 24.20

30903       INNOVATIVE OFFICE SOLUTIONS             142.08

30904       KOLLIN SYVERSON                         27.26

30905       KRAUSES SUPERVALU                       27.29

30906       LIBERTY BUSINESS SYSTEMS               158.02

30907       MCLEAN COUNTY IMPLEMENT LLC            511.84

30908       MCLEAN COUNTY SHERIFF DEPT           13943.52

30909       MVTL LAB                                25.00

30910       ND DEPT OF HEALTH LAB SERVICES-MI       32.00

30911       NRG TECHNOLGY SERVICES                 659.34

30912       ONE CALL CONCEPTS                        2.40

30913       PAINTED WOODS GOLF COURSE            35000.00

30914       ROCKY MOUNTAIN PRINT SOLUTIONS, I      450.95

30915       SCOTTS HARDWARE                        188.87

30916       WAIA                                 34090.21

30917       WASHBURN AUTO BODY                     982.08

30918       WEBER ELECTRIC INC                     500.00

 

Stroh seconded. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye. Motion carried.

 

Thomas adjourned the meeting at 8:06 p.m.

 

_____________________                                          _________________________

Chelsey Lazier, Auditor                                             Larry Thomas, President

City of Washburn                                                        City of Washburn

 

 

Washburn City Commission

Official Meeting Minutes

Monday, January 11, 2021

6:30 p.m., City Hall

 

Members Present: Larry Thomas, Don Simon, Mike Herdt, Marvin Stroh, Kollin Syverson

Absent: None

President Thomas called the regular City Commission meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

Syverson motioned to approve December 14, 2020 commission meeting minutes. Simon seconded. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye. Motion carried.

Herdt motioned to approve December 21, 2020 special commission meeting minutes. Simon seconded. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye. Motion carried.

Syverson motioned to approve December financials. Stroh seconded. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye. Motion carried. 

 

Dan Leingang, along with many others, was present to discuss concerns about Dollar General coming into town and what that could mean for property owners along Border Lane who have storage units but no need for city sewer. He was also concerned about property taxes and he feels they are high enough already. Darrell Scheresky, who was in attendance, agreed that the rules have been set and The Dollar General should have to follow them just like Enerbase had too. Thomas informed the residents that what the engineer did was a brief look at what it would take to get sewer to the lot the Dollar General was interested in and that nothing would be forced on the property owners up there. He also made a comment that a precedence has been set with Enerbase.

 

Lowell Malard with Butler was present to go over options and financing on purchasing a new 926M wheel loader. Warranty on the machine would be for 7 years/5,000 hours and include all powertrain, technology, & hydraulic issues. The commission also asked about a motograder and what some options would be for a new/used one. Lowell will get some options put together for the commission.

 

Thomas motioned to forego the second reading of Ordinance #136A-2 amendment and approve it as written. Simon seconded. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye. Motion Carried.

Simon motioned to approve the second reading. Herdt seconded. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye. Motion carried.

 

Thomas motioned to continue our contract with Game & Fish through 2025. This contract is an O&M agreement to help offset expenses of fish cleaning station. Stroh seconded. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye. Simon was absent. Motion carried.

 

There was a light pole across from city hall, in front of Weber Electric, that was hit back in December. There is some damage to the pole itself and the bulb hit the ground. It will be submitted to insurance.

 

Adam had received a quote from Dakota Fence regarding a gate for the compound. The commission would like to see other pricing and different alternatives.

 

The City received their prairie dog funding in December. It must be reported to the state what the funds are spent on. Lazier asked where the commission would like to put the money so that its trackable. It was decided that its own fund would be set up for it and the transfer made of $125,000. 

 

The commission is going to look at updating the snow ordinance that would prohibit trailers, machinery, any other apparatus parking on the street during certain months. There was a concern about houses that have no off-street parking and how they would be affected.

 

Lazier presented job descriptions for a janitor position and a public works position. The janitor position is part time and public works will be full time. Will be advertised in the paper and online.

 

Lazier had a new report for the commission to sign after reviewing all bills. This will be signed at every commission meeting now and checks will be printed the following morning in case of a check that the commission is questioning.

 

AE2S Update:

There is no new update with Blue Flint. They have been very quiet.

The fema grant that the city currently has secured expires in March 2021. Eric will request an extension but there is no guarantee that the funding will be secured. If it is not, the city can apply again at a later date.

Proposed sewer options presented had four different scenarios.

 

Portfolios:

Syverson-Wants to look at programming reports for Water Treatment Plant so they are printed the same time every night for more accuracy. The last upgrade to the servers came in under budget so will look to see what it cost to be able to print these reports

Stroh-Burning the coulees is up in the air at this point if they can get it done.

Herdt-Nothing

Simon-asked about the pickup the city kept and what one was returned.

1. Thomas-nothing

Lazier-Informed the commission that the new card security system has been finished at the Memorial Hall. It was decided that the police and fire departments will each get a physical key. Herdt motioned to charge $10 for an additional key card if misplaced. Syverson seconded. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye. Thomas was absent. Weber presented a quote for replaced all lights on Main Street to LED lights. Syverson would talk to them about some concerns they had. Lazier mentioned that in 2020 the city went over their dumpster allowance. A spreadsheet will be created to track this better.

A.Thomas-Nothing

 

Rhonda Johnson with Washburn and the Santa Committee was present to say thank you to the city for all their help with Santa Days.

Calla Edwards was present to ask if it would be acceptable to run a cable behind the duct work from the air conditioning unit to the bathrooms so they could hang two nets. Mike will take a look at with Calla and determine a good solution moving forward.

 

 

Herdt motioned to pay the bills.

1100 Farmers Sec. XX0074

 

22611E	CIRCLE SANITATION	$9,077.05
22612E	MCLEAN ELECTRIC	$195.50
22613E	MIDCO	$88.00
22614E	MDU	$558.51
22615E	OTTERTAIL POWER	$5,021.19
22616E	WEST RIVER TELEPHONE	$662.90
22617E	OTTERTAIL POWER	$4,385.49
22618E	INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE	$1,855.78
22619E	INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE	$2,461.70
22620E	INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE	$206.55
22623E	GLOBAL PAYMENTS	$54.83
22624E	REVTRAK	$248.98
22625E	BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD	$3,074.00
30781	US POSTAL OFFICE	$170.43
30823	DAKOTA WEST CREDIT UNION	$450.00
30849	AE2S	7816.60
30850	AFLAC	212.52
30851	AMERICAN FUNDS	593.19
30852	AMERIPRIDE	317.37
30853	ASCENDUM MACHINERY	459.00
30862	BENJAMIN FREDERICK	25.00
30854	BHG LEADER NEWS	268.23
30855	BORDER STATES ELECTRIC	41.35
30856	CARDMEMBER SERVICES	256.93
30857	CHELSEY LAZIER	384.62
30858	COLLIERS SECURITIES LLC	500.00
30859	DACOTAH PAPER COMPANY	46.22
30860	DOCS SHOP, INC	820.51
30861	ENERBASE COOPERATIVE	104.39
30863	HAWKINS	2495.95
30843	INLAND TRUCK PARTS & SERVICE	2168.15
30864	INNOVATIVE OFFICE	111.80
30865	KOLLIN SYVERSON	19.16
30866	KRAUSES SUPERVALU	168.90
30867	MCLEAN COUNTY IMPLEMENT LLC	69.08
30868	MCLEAN COUNTY SHERIFF DEPT	13943.52
30869	MCLEAN COUNTY TREASURER	39839.45
30870	MVTL LAB	50.00
30871	ND DEPT OF HEALTH – CHEMISTRY LAB	18.54
30872	ND DEPT OF HEALTH LAB SERVICES-MICRO	32.00
30839	ND SURPLUS PROPERTY	7500.00
30873	NRG TECHNOLGY SERVICES	1318.68
30873	NRG TECHNOLGY SERVICES	1318.68
30874	SALHUS SEPTIC PUMPING	490.00
30875	SCOTTS HARDWARE	740.31
30876	SPECIALTY LOCK & SAFE SERVICE, LLC	3066.74
30838	US POSTAL OFFICE	170.15
30877	WAGON WHEEL LUMBER	53.90
30782-30786	Payroll	$5,996.47
30824-30837	Payroll	$10,045.87

 

 

Simon seconded. Upon roll call, all members present voted aye. Motion carried.

 

 

Thomas adjourned the meeting at 8:57 p.m.

 

Thomas reopened the meeting at 8:58 p.m. to read the court report for 2020 from Lauren Hunze, municipal judge.

 

Thomas adjourned the meeting at 8:58 p.m. 

 

_____________________                                          _________________________

Chelsey Lazier, Auditor                                             Larry Thomas, President       

City of Washburn                                                        City of Washburn