Unofficial 5-18-26 City Council Meeting Minutes
Unofficial Pembina City Council Meeting Minutes for May 18, 2026
Date: Monday, May 18, 2026, 6pm
Location: Professional Building
Council Members Present: Fitzgerald, Norby, Snitker, Needham (via telephone), Carattini
Absent: Flores, A Huttunen
Guests: Koropatnicki, City Super; Stoiber, City Auditor; Fleming, City Attorney; Fanfulik, City Engineer; Tryan (North Border Eagles); Sharp Shears by Nicole, Greg McBridge (PCI Roads), Tracy Foy (The Bridgestone), Greg Kneeshaw, Brenda Masloski, Jasper Ventner, Dean (Bolton & Menk)
6pm Public Portion called to order by Mayor Fitzgerald
Public Portion:
· Foy request for street closures 6/20/26 for Cavalier Ride in, also during Bronco event and 3rd, 4th , 5th of July
· Sharp Shears unfair to withhold a portion of damage deposit when she offered to repaint, also way it was worded in letter as “normal wear & tear” is not allowed via Century Code. Since there was no pre-move in pictures or documentation of existing damage, motion by Carattini, 2nd by Snitker to refund $125 held for patching, painting, extra cleaning; all ayes, motion carries.
· Tryan bringing site authorization for NB Eagles at The Bridgestone
· McBridge (PCI Roads) need permission to dump recycled water at pond (old racetrack)
Public portion closed at 6:13pm by Mayor Fitzgerald
Regular Council Meeting called to order at 6:13pm by Mayor Fitzgerald
Changesto Agenda—motion by Snitker, 2nd by Carattini to approve changes to agenda; all ayes; motion carries.
· Approval/Changesto April 20, 2026 Special Meeting Minutes and April 20, 2026 MeetingMinutes—motion by Snitker, 2nd by Carattini to approve; all ayes, motion carries
· Old Business
o Valley Landfill—Norby—why are we still being charged the full amount of fees when we’re no longer collecting for some businesses? Can’t Valley Landfill just invoice themselves and leave City out of it?
o Citywide Cleanup Day—Tentatively set out is June 2 with pickup being June 3—A Huttunen absent, so just going based on what he said last council meeting.
· CommitteeReports
o Rec Board – no meeting—retroactively approved last month’s information.
o Ice Rink—no meeting
o Cemetery—no meeting
o Library—minutes attached
o Professional Building—no meeting
o Daycare Committee—no meeting—Trails End built the new sandbox
· Employees Report/Concerns
o Koropatnicki:
§ RR Bridge Project/PCI Roads—waiting for $5800 equipment deposit check; will be running water line from 3rd Street near Highway through culverts for water demo. They will be using approximately 7000 gal of water per hour 10 hrs/day for 10-14 days. Bridge wb completely closed down 21 days in July. NRWD wouldn’t allow use of their hydrant. City clearwell refills at 125 gal /minute. Equipment will spray water, then suck up debris and water, strain and purify it, and then it wb dumped into the racetrack pond. Snitker—this is peak fire season—will it affect PVFD ability to deal with fires? Carattini—what about water trucks—no, not enough volume—need constant flow. Fleming—must indemnify city for damages as part of the contract. They are being charged at the bulk rate per 1000/gallons. Motion by Norby, 2nd by Needham to approve use of hydrant and dumping of water into to the racetrack pond; all ayes; motion carries.
§ Crack Sealing by JetBlack $58249.80—roads are in really bad shape. Need to do something. Motion by Snitker to do all crack sealing as per bid from Jet-Black and use remainder of 2025 Prairie Dog Funds on water tower generator; 2nd by Carattini; role call vote—Ayes: Carattini, Snitker, Needham, Norby; motion carries.
§ Generator Tower Pumps $85619.72—for water tower if power goes down—city would still have water access. See motion under crack sealing.
§ Vacation—hoping to get call to leave for 2 weeks or so. Norby to supervise. K Schafer wb gone until end of June. LR Steyn wb starting 5/26/26. Mensch and Santiago will be working as well, and Chaput will be as needed to fill in.
· Fire Department—
o Ordered extrication equipment w/ LJW Grant
o Fire Equipment rep measured firefighters for gear City is funding—60-90 day before they arrive
o PFA Steak Feed July 3—approximately 400 steaks donated by Bridgestone/Wilwand Farms—free will donation
o PVFD Chief part of Emergency Management group—discussion on burn bans—sheriff wb called if someone is burning with out a permit
o PVFD Chief met with Cavalier Fire Chief
o Tornado siren needs repairs—possible battery or board issue—City wb billed
o Safety concern: multiple vehicles have been doing burnouts on the main street and community center area
· Engineer Report—Fanfulik—still looking at 2027 construction possibly for lagoon
· Attorney Update
o Mobile home lease and pet addendum for Michels sent to Stoiber
o Had discussion with Gladen—they discussed 5th St with Koropatnicki and they’re not willing to set up there.
o Variance for Sexton/Nunez build on Stutsman—there has been some concerns raised about a possible zoning issue; however, there is nothing in the minutes to reflect a change of zoning on Stutsman except for certain properties, and no new zoning map. Motion by Snitker to approve building permit based on current mapping; 2nd by Carattini; ayes: Snitker, Carattini; nays: Norby, Needham; Mayor Aye; motion carries.
· Update&Business: Mayor/Mike Fitzgerald
o Running for Mayoral candidate as write in candidate, minutes to reflect this decision
· Update&Business:CityAuditor/Teri Stoiber
o April 2026 Financials—motion by Snitker, 2nd by Carattini to approve—all ayes, motion carries
§ Stoiber to transfer $30,000 from Flood/Crisis fund to Flood MMA to earn interest
§ State Auditor advised to condense all 500 funds into one Utilities Fund with “departments” to keep track of revenues and expenses—approved.
o Delinquent Accounts Update:—see notes
o Water/Sewer/Lagoon rates—NRWD raise water prices 3% last year and 3% this year—next year will be a true up—raised rates 5%, should we do another 5% now to try and stop the losses? Sewer costs are definitely not being covered. This can only be addressed during budget talks.
o $200,000 grant—old water plant furnace installed; Community Center 2/3 done; next up wb fire department (Northdale wb replacing the “crinkled interior lines” on the exterior of PVFD with black iron as per code) and Professional Bldg.
o Would like to get loan from Stockholders to cover cost of firefighter equipment to avoid depleting the Public Safety Fund. Snitker—no, why spend 3% interest to get the money? Move City paid Fire Department expenses to general fund, not out of Safety Fund.
o “Sparks” program—increased property tax revenue, new homes, etc.—Tabled to next meeting
o Fish Cleaning Station Upgrade—Catfish Committee has committed to up to $10,000; F&G will cover 75%. Balance must be covered by grants or City. Snitker: Brenda (Masloski), would Rec Board be willing to help cover cost? Brenda: we don’t have any money available. Stoiber to look for grants to help cover difference. If Stoiber can’t get F&G to cover more, or can’t locate grants to cover the cost, the project will be dropped.
o Building Pemit—Wilmer/motion by Norby, 2nd by Snitker to approve; all ayes, motion carries. G Kneeshaw—there needs to be a variance to build on city property. Fleming needs to research City right of way, petition for vacation of City property.
o Pet Licenses—many pets unlicensed—how to enforce? Call PCSD and report strays, etc.
o Site Permit—North Border Eagles—motion by Carattini, 2nd by Norby, all ayes motion carries
o Special Event Liquor License—Golf Course for 4th of July beer garden—motion by Carattini, 2nd by Snitker to approve; all ayes, motion carries.
· New Business
o Bridgestone street closures: Motion by Snitker, 2nd by Norby to approve all dates with condition that all neighbors agree and signage/cones are put up appropriately; all ayes, motion carries.
o Bolton & Menk—introduction of company by Dean, explained City doesn’t have to do full lagoon build, could subdivide what is there for far less than building of new; would like to be City’s engineering firm. Doesn’t charge to come to meetings, has been working on information gathering in the hopes they can considered. Mayor—do we have a contract with Widseth? Stoiber: No, expired 12/31/25. Mayor: we get contacted every June by firms, but this is something to consider. They get appointed in July by new Mayor, along with Attorney, City Super, and Auditor.
Adjournment—Motion to adjourn at 8:07pm by Norby
By: Mayor Fitzgerald
Attested to: Stoiber, City Auditor
The Next City Council Meeting will be held on June 15, 2026, at 6pm in the Professional Building.