City of Pembina, ND

Official Minutes for November 9th, 2020, Pembina City Council Meeting

Council Members Present: Mayor Mike Fitzgerald, President Jeff Watts, VP Ron Fritz, Pat Burton, Greg Koropatnicki, Jennifer Martin and Allen Huttunen (via phone)

 

Absent:

 

City Employees Present: Lisa Hall/Auditor, Gary Helland/ Public Works Superintendent

 

City Attorney Present: Rob Fleming

 

City Engineer: absent-Brad Bail

 

Others present: Blaine Eisenbeis-PFD Chief, Trevor Kneeshaw Brian Osowski-AMKO (via phone)

 

Public Portion-Trevor here inquiring about property that the city would have for sale. Currently only lots ready to build on are the ones on Rolette by the Corneliusen house. Brian Osowski with AMKO on phone. Presented a money saving opportunity for the city on their Sales Tax Bonds. Also, Lisa had contacted him about a bond for the fire department rig instead of a loan. Brian informed the city it would be around 2% for 10 years and would save over the course of time almost $140,000. Lisa will let him know tomorrow what city decides.

 

Meeting called to order by Mayor Fitzgerald at 6:10 p.m.

 

Huttunen arrives via phone at 6:10 p.m.

 

Changes to Agenda

 

Add Budget under Old business, Valley Landfill update under committee reports, updates and Stutsman & Hwy 171 under Employees, Questions under attorney, airport authority and 4^th Street/Railroad bed under new business. Motion by Watts second by Koropatnicki to approve agenda with changes. Ayes all present.   Motion carries.

 

Motionby Burton,second by Martin to approve October’s meetings minutes. Ayes all present. Motion carries.

 

Committee Reports:  

 

• Fire Department- Did not get the grant from FEMA they submitted for. Have submitted multiple other grants that they are waiting to hear on. Pancake breakfast fundraiser this year will be takeout and delivery only due to COVID. Possibility of land from Meuchadim of ND to put new station. Presented a couple rigs. Looking for city to do $200,000 bond for rescue rig and a pumper.

   

• Valley Landfill- A new truck was found and purchased.

   

  Employee Report/Concerns-

• Tree pile bid- Received bid from Forest Colony for $1000. Lisa will call to verify if that is in same trip as houses or anytime rate.

   

• Updates- Potholes have been filled plus some others Gary found, rain gutters not on well house yet-Fritz helping this week, take speed bump signs down, ditch has maybe 100 feet left to clean east of paint shop. Hydrants are flushed, sander is ready to go and 2 inches is policy on going out to clear snow.                                                                          

   

• Stutsman & Highway 171- not discussed-Huttunen not responding on phone

   

   

  Old Business

• Security camera- Tabled.

   

• Water/sewer rates (lagoon) - Have Lisa run costs analysis on flat rate versus usage based fee.

   

• Generator at school- No further information at this time. Item can be removed and when Watts has something he will add again.

   

• Budget- Nothing new yet from Banyon. Watts will give Lisa copy of what he has as example.

   

  Engineer Report/Brad Bail – absent.

  Attorney Update / Rob Fleming-

• Update condemned buildings- Letters have been sent and the owners have until December 4^th to demolish or repair. Next step will be a hearing in January. Demolishing won’t take place before February.

   

• 4^th Street- Has never been vacated remains a city street. It is 80 feet wide running from north end of town to south end of town. Mason Peter’s inquired about the trees being cut before falling on parcel. Motion by Koropatnicki second by Burton to have surveyor pin the entire rail road bed from Division Street to the Highway 59 right away. Motion withdrawn until Rob gets costs of surveying.

   

• Complaints- Burton inquiring aboutcomplaint form if council has to vote. Rob advised Mayor runs meeting so if he wants the form no vote required.

   

• Storm gates- ask Brad about these again

   

• Gastrak- waiting on final Thorlakson bill

   

  Update & Business: Mayor – Nothing discovered yet on who did the vandalism on signs and Polar pods.

   

  Update & Business: City Auditor/Lisa Hall

• Motion by Watts second by Burton to approve October financials. Ayes all present. Motion carries.

   

• Request budget from daycare.

   

  New Business:

• Airport authority- Mark Hatloy contacted Koropatnicki inquiring why they didn’t get mills.

   

  Motion to adjourn by Fritz at 7:45 p.m.

 

By: Mayor, Mike Fitzgerald

 

Attested to: Lisa Hall, Auditor