Unofficial Minutes for October 9, 2023, Pembina City Budget Meeting and Council Meeting
Date: October 9th, 2023, at 6:00pm
Location: Professional Building
Present: Jeff Watts, Renee Thomas, Connor Snitker, Ken Norby, Al Huttunen (arrived late), Mayor Mike Fitzgerald
Absent: Ken Norby, Pat Burton
Guests: Sherri Carattini, Greg Koropatnicki, Lee Cariveau, Aimee Eisenbeis, Rob Fleming, Nicole Vetner, Jasper Vetner, Monte Flores
Public Meeting: 6:00 pm – No Public Comments
Regular Meeting called to order at 6:01 pm
- Nicole Vetner – Current Lease expires in November. Nicole requests an extension due to no daycare. Motion by Snitker to extend current lease by 6 months. Seconded by Thomas. All ayes present. Motion carries.
Changes to Agenda: Add Community Center Rules to New Business. Motion to approve changes by Watts. Seconded by Snitker. All ayes present. Motion carries.
Approval/Changes to September 5th Minutes: Motion to approve minutes as presented by Watts, seconded by Snitker. All ayes present. Motion carries.
Old Business:
- Garbage/Recycling/Clean Up Day – Huttunen absent: clean-up day tabled until spring (no clean-up day for 2023)
- Daycare – no applications received; discontinue newspaper ads, continue to advertise on social media
- Lagoon Update – Fleming stated that the land has been purchased and the tiling is in progress
- Automated Water Meter Readers –Widseth applied for loan; currently awaiting IT from Ferguson to set up Banyon, product is still arriving
- House Condemnations – 251 N. 2nd St = hearing with owner scheduled for Nov 13th Council Meeting. 455 N. 5th street will be deeded back to the city.
- Huttunen arrived at 6:23
- Pembina County 2023 Self-Help Application – Huttunen made a motion for the council to approve Rec Board self-help application to purchase new dumpster for $1975.00 plus tax and for city to apply for the purchase of another dumpster (two self-help applications for the purchase of two dumpsters total). Seconded by Snitker. All ayes present. Motion carries.
- Fish & Game/Widseth Rock Dam – Tabled
- Employee Evaluations – meeting scheduled by Mayor Mike for Wednesday, Oct 11, at 6:00 pm.
- Specials – Pay them off? – Tabled until January.
- City newspaper (Cavalier Chronicle vs. Borderland) – city agrees to continue with Cavalier Chronicle
Committee Reports:
- Fire Department – Aimee Eisenbeis announces her election to Assistant Fire Chief. She also asked for clarification of who is responsible for Fire Hall maintenance (e.g leaky roof & doors). City owns building – but FD is responsible for care and upkeep. Aimee also reported that fire hydrants were flushed, hoses were tested (one faulty one will need replacement), and that 3 firefighter will visit PreK-6 for Safety Week presentation. Finally, Aimee requested clarification re: audit and Sherri will contact her regarding ay information that will need to be submitted.
- Rec Board – Huttunen reported Halloween Party on October 21st and Christmas Party on December 3rd.
Employees Report/Concerns: no reports
Engineer Report: no report
Attorney Update: no report
Update & Business: Mayor – no updates
Update & Business: City Auditor/ Sherri Carattini
- August Bills & Financials – Motion to approve financials by Watts, seconded by Thomas. All ayes present. Motion carries.
- Delinquent Accounts – Sherri will send two-week notices to identified accounts
New Business
- Gaming Permits Regulations – inform ALL organizations that they need to submit application form at least 30 days in advance of requested date AND that the city council MUST approve ALL requests prior to Sherri submitting requested form and city form to the state for their approval. Otherwise, local permit WILL NOT be provided.
- Open Meeting Regulations – committees are still not publicly posting their meeting dates and times and are still not submitting meeting minutes to Sherri for publication.
- Professional Building Locks quotes – replacing all locks rejected by council. Sherri will get quotes to replace city office lock, salon lock, and make additional locks for other offices.
- Speed Limit/Radar Sign at Stutsman & 5th – Motion to remove sign and disconnect electricity by Huttunen. Seconded by Thomas, All ayes present. Motion carries.
- Gas Trak Complaint – motion to withdraw complaint by Snitker, seconded by Thomas. Three ayes, one opposed. Motion carries.
- Community Center Rental Rules – Mayor Mike reiterated that ALL renters must pay the $150 DEPOSIT PLUS RENT IN ADVANCE of receiving key (Less than 4 hours = $60/day, More than 4 hours = $100/day, Weekend event = $200/day, plus $50 extra to use the kitchen) AND that ALL renters are to receive a copy of the Rental Rules. Upon return of the key, the Community Center will be inspected to determine whether deposit will be returned.
Adjournment – Motion to adjourn at 7:34 PM by Thomas.
By: Mayor, Mike Fitzgerald
Attested to: Sherri Carattini, City Auditor
The next city council meeting will be held on November 13th, 2023, at 6:00pm in the Professional building.
