Attendance: Beverly Burke, John Feldman, Rick Senum, Nancy Thompson, Mayor Warren Hillukka. Absent: Pat Burton, Kyle Dorion
Present: Kathy Johnson, Auditor/Admin., Attorney Daniel Gaustad via telephone. Others present: Larry DuBois, Larry Wilwant, Frank Moll, Ken Norby, Betty Pelletier, Dan Pelletier, Larry Pelletier, Nathan Greene, Donna Christenson.
Public Hearing called to order at 7:04 p.m., by Mayor Hillukka.
L. Wilwant - 1. reported the RRRB Conference in Winnipeg was positive as people are now talking about the "choke point" at Emerson and considering the railroad bridges on the east. 2. He is off the Pembina River Basin Board, but Hetty Walker and Leon Dubourt are new members. The Canadians seem interested in a Pembilier-type dam, as the Sandy Lands aquifer is just a stop-gap measure for the Altona/Winkler growth area water supply. ND state officials do not seem to support this type of project yet. 3. The dike lawsuit continues to progress, looking favorable so far.
L. DuBois - presented evidence that the county had sold a parcel of property twice; the second time to the City of Pembina. In that the property in question is on the west side of I -29, approval was noted to sign a quit-claim deed to this property.
F. Moll – had presented a petition asking that the Community Center renovation be placed on the June ballot. W. Hillukka explained the project to date. Plans are to raise funding needed through grants and individual donations. A vote would be required for a general obligation bond.
Regular Meeting called to order at 7:50
1. Changes to agenda: Property motion under #8
2. Motion by Feldman, second by Burke, to approve Feb. minutes as amended. Motion carried unanimously.
3. City Attorney Update: 1. Letter of undertaking – no new developments. 2. Title opinions with abstracts being reviewed. Project should be complete by the March 31 deadline stated. Motion by Feldman, second by Thompson, to give mayor and auditor authority to sign the Affidavit of Possession which will be presented by Gaustad. Motion carried unanimously.
4. Employee Report: a) Review of staff and auditor goals/priority lists. Council reiterated that staff can use city equipment to clean their personal property, but it must be done on their own time and after other areas are cleaned. b) Auditor asked to follow up on heat in the Masonic Lodge. c) Motion by Senum, second by Feldman, to purchase a self-contained steamer unit through the M&R fund to be used for opening drainage. Motion carried unanimously. d) Gaustad had reviewed the proposed lease. Motion by Feldman, second by Thompson, to approve the wording of the Professional Building lease agreement, adding a 2 ½% increase/yr if leases are extended past one year, a damage deposit per unit of $200, and a carpet cleaning fee upon vacancy of $50/carpeted unit. Motion carried unanimously. e) Delinquent account #237 discussed. Utilities used must be paid.
5. Mayor’s Update: 1. Motion by Feldman, second by Thompson to sign the required paperwork for the CDBG participation. Motion carried unanimously. 2. Motion by Feldman, second by Burke, to amend the Feb. 3, 2006 minutes to include approval to hire Anchor Marketing for the Community Center project. Motion carried unanimously.
6. Auditor’s Report: a) Feb. collections/disbursements and general ledgers reviewed & approved. b) March bills to be paid approved.
7. Committee Reports: a) Growth – agreed to purchase new planters and maps.
b) Building/Zoning – 1. Public hearings held re: alley and conditional use permits & recommended approval. Motion by Senum, second by Thompson, to accept the Building/Zoning recommendations to approve closure of the partial alley on block 53 and the conditional use permit for Wayne O’Hara, pending compliance to section II, paragraph H of the Land Development Code. Motion carried unanimously. 2. Motion by Feldman, second by Thompson, to require Valley Crete to add 10ft. to their smoke stack to reduce soot & odor. Motion carried unanimously.
c) Personnel Committee & Recreation Boards – did not meet.
8. Motion by Feldman, second by Burke to give mayor and auditor authority to sign the quit-claim deed prepared by Mr. DuBois referred to under the public hearing. Motion carried unanimously.
9. Motion to adjourn by Burke at 9:30 p.m.
By: Warren Hillukka, Mayor
Attested to: K. Johnson, Auditor/Administrator
