REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Monday January 7, 2008
7:00 PM
PRESENT: Mayor McConnell Council Members: Anderson, Sinner, Silbernagel, Spooner, Wangler and Tillisch.
ALSO PRESENT: City Attorney Brad Burgum, City Engineer Kyle Meyer, Sergeant De Wayne Nitschke, Deputy Joe Crawford and Auditor Brandy Pyle.
Anderson made a motion, seconded by Tillisch to approve the minutes of December 3, 2007, City Attorney's Report; the Police Report; the Municipal Judge's Report; and the delinquent utilities list. All voted aye on roll call; motion carried.
Silbernagel made a motion, seconded by Tillisch, to approve the following bills, water deposit refunds and salaries for the month of December. All voted aye upon roll call vote; motion.
| Aflac | $179.46 | Johnson Pest Control | $135.00 | |
| Ameripride Linen | $182.14 | The Forum | $431.80 | |
| Bank of ND | $300.00 | American Welding Supplies | $6.06 | |
| Blue Cross | $3,391.00 | Community Safety Net | $30.00 | |
| Burgum Law Firm | $1,083.33 | ND One Call | $7.44 | |
| Bremer | $650.00 | ND Planning Association | $300.00 | |
| Casselton Parks & Rec | $400.00 | Bob Christiansen Trucking | $175.00 | |
| Cass County Electric | $437.70 | Dakota Tire Service | $107.15 | |
| Casselton Public Library | $3,000.00 | Xcel | $340.70 | |
| Cass Rural Water | $22,547.84 | Officemax | $402.50 | |
| Fargo Water Equipment | $84.64 | Orbitcom | $272.57 | |
| City of Fargo | $2,448.10 | Otter Tail | $4,001.86 | |
| Farm Plan | $691.47 | Schlagel | $592.36 | |
| Hardware Hank | $94.34 | Sam's Club | $35.00 | |
| Hawkins Chemical | $775.88 | Interstate Power Systems | $369.33 | |
| Holiday Inn | $174.00 | ITD | $30.75 | |
| Farm Plan | $47.24 | Verizon Wireless | $107.96 | |
| Doug Farquhar | $92.28 | Workforce Safety | $4,912.90 | |
| Phyllis Baumgarten | $625.00 | Casselton Fire Dept. | $4,000.00 | |
| Baldwin Cookie | $194.63 | Jerry's Excavating | $757.93 | |
| Cass County Government | $9,358.00 | Ken's Heating & AC | $75.00 | |
| Cass County Reporter | $440.92 | Casselton Drug | $5.47 |
Correspondence was received from Market Place for Kids. It was suggested to forward it onto the DECA Club at the school.
Condolences on behalf of the City Council were given to Councilman Spooner on the loss of his sister.
The Council discussed the parking ordinance on Front Street. It has been difficult for the Public Works Department to remove snow when there are cars parked on the street. Sergeant De Wayne Nitschke noted that the law enforcement would increase their patrol.
Discussion continued about the Swan Creek Diversion Reconstruction project. Project Engineers Chad Engels and Brandon Oye attended that State Water Commission Meeting. The project is on the Commission's agenda as a flood control project for their April meeting. Engels and Oye are hoping to receive 50% funding for the project. They are still working on the right of way around the Veterinary Clinic and the road that leads to Lorne Sterner's house.
The following are ideas that were discussed:
* A road on the south side of the Vet Clinic leading to Sterner's house.
* A road on the north side of the Vet Clinic leading to Sterner's house, ending in a dead end.
* A new road on the quarter section line south of the Vet Clinic.
* If the road was on north side of the clinic, there would be a section that would have a retaining wall as the road would lie too close to one of the Vet Clinic's buildings.
Councilman Silbernagel also is concerned with the southwest corner behind Cottonwood Drive. Questions were raised to see if it could be reinforced temporarily until the ½ mile is done during the first phase of the project . The Council plans to continue with the project and hopes to receive the financing from the State.
Anderson mad a motion, seconded by Sinner to approve the financial reports. All voted aye on roll call vote; motion passed. General Fund $339,446.51; Special Revenue Funds $385,348.65; Debt Service Funds $(38,148.84); Construction Funds $77,717.91; Special Assessment Funds $63,057.03; Enterprise Funds $913,863.36; Trust and Agency Funds $117,759.26 for a total of $2,434,043.88.
Planning and Zoning Committee Chairman Lorne Sterner reported on the received conditional use permit application. Nancy Burley, 1021 1st St N requested a conditional use permit for a Class B home occupation and a sign in her house for the beauty shop she is opening. The property is currently zoned Mixed Use Residential and requires a conditional use permit with a Class B Home Occupation according to the Casselton Land Use Ordinance. Neighbor Dean Yokem submitted a letter opposing the request to the Planning and Zoning Committee. He later withdrew his opposition after attending the meeting. Tillisch made a motion, seconded by Silbernagel to approve a conditional use permit for a class B home occupation sign at 1021 1st St N. All voted aye on roll call vote; motion passed.
Brock from Tubs of Fun submitted a survey to the City to see what the City's needs were for the pool. This was referred to the Pool committee for further discussion.
Claire Vigesaa from Cass County Electric approached the Council with requests from the Maple River Grain and Agronomy and Unverferth for new roads, water, sewer, and drainage improvements in the industrial park. They have been working on a grant application through Lake Agassiz Regional Council and a RDLG low interest loan through USDA. Cass County Electric will submit the applications on behalf of the City.
Sinner made a motion, seconded by Silbernagel to recognize KC Pro West a public spirited organization and to approve their raffle permit application contingent upon KC Pro West submitted a copy of their insurance for the race. All voted aye on roll call vote; motion passed.
Wangler made a motion, seconded by Tillisch to designate Bremer Bank, First State Bank of ND and Wells Fargo, all of Casselton ND, as depositories for the City's funds.
JDA appointments tabled until next month.
The Auditor had been approached by a property owner to prepay specials before they were certified. The request was denied, because the City did not have a policy in place to do so, nor was an amount available at the time of the request. The Council agreed that the opportunity to pay off specials should remain within the 10 day window of public notification when published in the official newspaper.
The Habitat for Humanity house was discussed next. The committee is looking to put a house in the Martin's Addition. Mayor McConnell noted that he would look into grant program to help pay a portion of the balance of specials on a lot. The matter was referred to City Attorney Brad Burgum to look into how other area communities have done this type of project.
There have been many complaints concerning the excessive dust from Valley Grain. It is covering cars and homes surrounding the elevator. Mayor McConnell will talk with them. Sinner made a motion, seconded by Silbernagel to call the appropriate authorities concerning the elevator dust. All voted aye on roll call vote; motion passed.
Sergeant DeWayne Nitschke presented his annual Casselton Police Report. He noted that nothing of significance happened during 2007 except that Deputy Crawford has replaced Deputy Dawkins, a drug dog was purchased for the department and more Field Training Officers will be added. He expects that 2008 will be the biggest influx of people in town due to the ethanol plant. Nitschke has had several complaints of people riding over the dikes. Airport Manager Robert Miller noted that they too have had problems with snowmobiles hitting runway lights.
Councilman Anderson noted that Assistant Public Works Supervisor Larry Davis should be compensated for his increased responsibility while Public Works Supervisor Kevin Mayer is deployed. Silbernagel made a motion; seconded by Sinner to pay Davis $200 a month back dating to March 2007 and ending when Mayer returns. All voted aye on roll call vote; motion passed.
Motion to adjourn.
Brandy L. Pyle
City Auditor
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CASSELTON CITY COUNCIL
Thursday, January 17, 2008
7:00 PM
PRESENT: Mayor McConnell; Council Members: Spooner, Tillisch, Anderson, and Wangler.
ALSO PRESENT: City Engineer Kyle Meyer and City Auditor Brandy Pyle.
Mayor McConnell called the meeting to order and gave the chair to Council President Lee Anderson, as McConnell noted a conflict of interest.
Kyle reviewed the project specifications.
The plans are to:
* Extend Heartland Avenue North past the proposed fertilizer plant
* Extend Industrial Boulevard west to connect with Heartland Avenue. (Both roads will be concrete.)
* A water retention pond just south of Hwy 10 to service the Industrial Park.
* Water and sewer lines to service the undeveloped area.
Maple River Grain and Agronomy and Unverferth have requested a TIF district to pay for their portion of the improvements. The total estimated cost for all four projects is $1,490,000.
Councilman Silbernagel arrived at this time.
The drainage project raised the most concern due to the cost involved. Storm sewer pipe would have to be laid under Hwy 10 and a lift station would be needed to pump water to the retention pond. Property owners discussed the minimum work that needs to be done, see if they should go ahead with the all the projects or wait on a few.
The 80 acres north of Industrial Park creates the many of the water issues for the industrial park. The farm land drains to the south into the developing park. The Council thought that they should annex the land to be able to assess the property for the improvements.
One idea that was discussed was to create smaller retention ponds north the hotel and then pipe it into the existing retention pond with the Maple River Grain and Agronomy Fertilizer Plant's water drain north instead of north to help reduce the amount of water flowing to the south.
Another idea was to annex the land to the west of RDO as this area's water flows south and would benefit from any improvements made to the area.
Councilman Silbernagel expressed frustration of how land had been annexed in small parcels which creates problems such as water retention and detention. He would like to see a better plan for annexations and infrastructure. Meyer was instructed to study the area to see if the Maple River Grain and Agronomy's surface water would be able to flow north, the cost for streets on Heartland Avenue and Industrial Boulevard and other options or drainage.
Another idea discussed is to acquire the land south of Hwy. 10, (south of the Governors' Inn), for a future retention pond.
Council agreed to bid the road project out by the end of February as Unverferth plans to break ground this spring.
Council President Anderson rescinded the chair to Mayor McConnell.
The discussion moved to Nickel Pool. If the project is estimated to be over $100,000, than an engineer will be needed. The committee plans to have Higher Engineering, a structural engineering firm, to review the plans so it complies with all ADA requirements. Council agreed to invite Michelle Rieniets and the Park Board to the next meeting to review the plans.
Councilman Wangler noted that Valley City has monthly meetings to discuss grant opportunities and would allow Casselton to participate if they would like.
Motion to adjourn.
Brandy L. Pyle
City Auditor
[About][City
of Casselton][Parks][Events][Contacts]
[History][Education][Services][Airport][Housing][Businesses]
[Home]