News

City Council holds its April meeting

By Scott Wagar

04/15/2014

The Bottineau City Council held its April meeting on the seventh and discussed a number of items dealing with development, the city armory, ordinances, garbage rates and other issues concerning the city.

Matt Johnson of Wold Engineering spoke on west lift station, water line loop and the 2013 sewer expansion projects, and stated all three projects were currently on hold due to weather.

Johnson also touched on the Energy Impact Fund for the city’s lagoon expansion and the third phase of the water line loop. He stated the projects would be reapplied for during next year’s application process, but warned that this fund normally goes to larger urban settings.

The city attorney, Swain Benson III, stated that contact has been made with the family of the late Clayton Gagner and those responsible for eminent domain issues with the city over the sewer expansion project on the Gagner project. Benson stated that through the contact with the Gagner party he was able to discuss having an appraisal done on the property in question.

After the first reading to re-plat and vacate a street for Roger Riley’s Preserve development on the west end of town, Benson stated in the meeting that no second reading had to be conducted according to law, and that these two issues were considered completed and approved by the council.  

In cement bids for the city, only one bid was presented to the city, which came from Onarheim Construction, which was accepted by the city.

To see the entire bid and pricing from Onarheim Construction, contact City Auditor Penny Nostdahl at the city office.

A number of issues came up regarding the City Armory. First in order was a check received by the city from the North Dakota National Guard for $2,500 to assist the city in painting the armory’s gymnasium.

The issues of increasing rent for activities in the armory also came up and it was decided to increase the rent for all activities at the armory, with additional cost for the east room, its kitchen and the main stage in the gymnasium. Costs also increased for additional days if needed and law enforcement’s fee.

The local 4-H has made a request to utilize the armory for archery shooting, which was approved by the council.

Ryan Henry in March requested from the aldermen that the city place a new gym floor in the armory, along with additional basketball hoops. Henry stated that he would present quotes to the City Council to review.

It was brought out in the April meeting that Leo Jostad, Bottineau Airport Authority, had met with the planning commission on March 14 to caution the city about the flight patterns over the east side of town. He requested the city should consider monitoring the height of all buildings that will be constructed in the new development on the east side of town, and, the city should warn all residents that airplanes will be present overhead.

The new city ordinance book has been completed and was approved after its second and final reading at the council meeting. The entire ordinance book is presently being formatted and placed on the city’s website for individuals to read.

The utility committee met on March 19 and recommended to the council to increase garbage rates due to the new can system which will start at the end of May or early June. The council agreed to an increase in garbage rates because of the expense of the new can system and the city is discussing what the increase should be concerning the cost.

With the new system, each household will received one free can. If they need more than one, the owners of the home will be responsible for purchasing an additional can(s). The city has also stated that the new city can has to be used, and if property owners place garbage in a different can, bag or box those items will not be picked up by the city.

The city will be placing the city can on the street for the homeowner sometime in May. Residents are asked to pay special attention to where the city places the can on their property or street, because property owners are to place the can in the same spot with the open lid facing the street so the new garbage truck can pick up the new trash can.