News

City Council holds monthly meeting

By Scott Wagar

12/09/2014

The Bottineau City Council held its monthly meeting on Dec. 1 and discussed such items as the city’s audit report, water meter replacements and the Preserve Development.

AUDIT REPORT

Lervik and Johnson CPA’s conducted the city’s audit for the 2012-13 year, which was given good standing by the accounting firm. It was passed by the state in November and on Monday evening the council approved the audit. The cost of the audit to the taxpayers is presently a partial bill of $16,800. The remainder of the bill will come at a later date.

WATER METERS
    
The city continues to replace water meters with radio-fed meters, which allows the city to read water meters with a hand-held device by either driving by in a vehicle or walking by a home or business. According to Kevin Milbrath, director of maintenance, the city has 10 residents and 60 businesses left before the project can be completed. There has been some difficulties with the businesses due to security reasons and the city’s ability to get inside their businesses to complete the project. 

Keith Fulsebakke, city superintendent of Bottineau, will work with Milbrath to get the meter installations completed. 

THE PRESERVE

In November, Roger Riley, owner and developer of the Preserve Addition on the west end of Bottineau, was present at the meeting to discuss revising the payment plan for hookup fees which comes with upgrading the sewer lift in that area that will be utilized by the residents of the Preserve.

He stated that the manner in which fees are now charged is confusing to individuals he is trying to sell lots to, because it deals with other fees and interest. Riley presented a one time fee, with interest, to make the process simpler for all involved. 

The council made the decision to refer Riley’s plan to the planning committee.

On Monday evening, the planning committee members made the request to keep the sewer hook up fees the same.

NEXT MEETING

The next city council meeting will be Monday, Dec. 29, at 8 p.m. in the city office for the year end business meeting.