Unofficial Minutes for April 10th, 2023, Pembina City Council Meeting
City Council Meeting
Date: April 10th, 2023, at 6:00pm
Location: Professional Building
Present: Mayor Mike Fitzgerald, Connor Snitker, Ken Norby, Jeff Watts, Pat Burton, Renee Thomas
Absent: Allen Huttunen
Guests: Sherri Carattini, Greg Koropatnicki, Rob Fleming, Brad Bail, Phil Hall, Ben Kneeshaw, Jennifer Winter, Brenda Maslowski, Blaine Eisenbeis, Jason Tryan, Nicole Venter, Lyndi L. Needham, Garrett and Darcy Reis
Public Meeting: 6:00 pm
Meeting called to order at 6:05 pm
Changes to Agenda: Add Gary Crotty to Employee Concerns. Add trapping gophers on the dike to New Business. Add Flood Prep/Committee to Old Business. Motion to accept changes by Snitker, seconded by Thomas. All ayes present. Motion carries.
Approval/Changes to March’s Minutes: Update to specify that Norby to help with snow removal only. Motion to approve changes to minutes by Burton, seconded by Watts. All ayes present. Motion carries.
Old Business
- Garbage/Recycling – Mike mentioned that there will be a meeting on Thursday, April 13th, at 7:00 pm, in Drayton to discuss Valley Landfill concerns.
- Lagoon – Rob Fleming presented a draft purchase agreement to purchase the land for $50,000. After some discussion, a motion was made by Snitker to buy the land with the Covid monies. Seconded by Burton. Roll call vote = unanimous.
- Generator – quotes from Todd’s Electric provided by Watts. After some discussion, decision was made to table this until further information and specifics were provided.
- Water meter readers – Tabled; Brad Bail will provide the council with information on getting money to help with the purchase.
- Street Repairs - Tabled
- Masloski’s lot - Tabled
- Weight Limit Signs – motion by Snitker to designate a truck route from Stutsman to Cavalier to Rolette to 2nd and back to Stutsman at a weight limit of 80,000 pounds. Seconded by Thomas. Four ayes, one nay. Motion carries.
- House Condemnations – 422 N 5th St – Rob Fleming mentioned that the current owner will be expected to pay for the asbestos inspection/removal and past utility payments.
- LCRR: Awaiting confirmation/denial of application.
- Fish & Game – Tabled
- Flood Prep – Flood Committee will include Mike Fitzgerald, Connor Snitker, Blaine Eisenbeis, Matthew Jones, and Jeffrey Bridell. Blaine will get more information on Thursday about flood predictions/ranges. Korpat mentioned that Twomley will be in town on Tuesday to clear the ditches. Mike will work on calling a meeting of the committee.
Committee Reports
- Fire Department – Blaine provided an update on their budget and upcoming required purchases. After a discussion, Snitker made a motion for the city to loan the Fire Department $20,000 – with a stipulation that this be paid back within one year. Seconded by Burton. Roll call vote – unanimous.
- Rec Board – Sherri mentioned that a new fund line was added to the Rec Board account specifically for playground equipment funds. Brenda Maslowski mentioned that they had 43 children at the Easter Egg hunt and that Summer Ball registration will be on April 26th at the Professional Building.
Employees Report/Concerns – Mike mentioned that there were concerns about Gary Crotty not clearing snow which contributed to employee accidents. After some discussion it was decided that Mike would call Mr. Crotty and his caretaker to see if the issue can be resolved.
Engineer Report/Brad Bail – Brad mentioned that he is reviewing options to help with the backup problem at the Rec Center.
Attorney Update – Rob mentioned the complaint against Gas Trax. This was tabled.
Update & Business: Mayor – no updates
Update & Business: City Auditor/ Sherri Carattini
- March Bills & Financials – Motion to approve financials by Norby, seconded by Thomas. All ayes present. Motion carries.
- Sherri shared a cash balance report showing where we are spending/not spending money. This will be used for the upcoming budget.
- Sherri provided a Delinquent Accounts update. Water will be shut off to those not paying. Ernie Ruet’s delinquency will be added to tax charges.
- New Furniture for Office – Sherri provided some quotes for review. After a discussion, Burton made a motion to purchase a new u-shaped office desk from Curt Seed for $3696.00. Seconded by Snitker. All ayes present. Motion carries.
New Business
- Jason Tryan was here to request authorization for a gaming permit. Motion to approve by Snitker. Seconded by Thomas. All ayes present. Motion carries.
- Daycare Lease – The current lease expires on May 31st. The current director has texted some community members that she is leaving May 21st. Nicole Venter has volunteered to help out until a new daycare director is in place.
- Summer Help – Two applications received. Motion to hire Ayden Stainbrook at $16.00/hour by Snitker. Seconded by Watts. All ayes present. Motion carries. Motion to hire Lance Santiago – contingent upon him turning 16 prior to starting work – at $15.00/hour by Snitker. Seconded by Thomas. All ayes present. Motion carries. City will continue advertising through May 15th in order to hire one more person.
- Owen Symington’s Dike – Contributing to flooding problems for the city. Fleming stated that, because it is outside city limits, an official complaint should be made which could lead to an order to tear it down. He also said that the Water Board is aware of the problem.
- Leash Law for Cats – after some discussion, no action was taken to amend the current ordinance.
- Sherri requested to take time during the week of June 19-23. She will have accrued by then 2 vacation days and 3 sick days. Motion by Snitker to approve the absence and advance her three vacation days (and not use sick days). Seconded by Burton. All ayes present. Motion carries.
- Trapping gophers on the dike – a motion was made by Snitker to permit the trapping. Seconded by Burton. All ayes present. Motion carries.
Adjournment – Motion to adjourn at 7:44 PM by Burton.
By: Mayor, Mike Fitzgerald
Attested to: Sherri Carattini, City Auditor
The next city council meeting will be held on May 8th, 2023, at 6:00pm in the Professional building.
