City Commission Minutes

Minutes of the Tax Equalization Meeting held on April 1, 2025 at City Hall at 3:30 PM.

Present:  Lyn James, Vice-Chair Ryan Shear, Benjamin Schaaf, Sara Bullis (arrived 5 minutes late), Myron Vail, Chief Headley, Peggy Allen, Jodi Freier and Bill Rotenburger.

Absent:  None

President James called the meeting to order at 3:30 pm.  Motion by Shear, second by Schaaf to approve the agenda as presented.  RCV= all aye, MC.

NOTICE OF INCREASE:

Assessor Freier reviewed the Notices of Increase.  This is done when the property value changes $3,000.00 and 10% or if it was previously not taxed and is now taxable.

RESIDENTIAL:

There needs to be 30 sales for the year to figure the median value, this year she had 35 sales.  The median is at 95.83%, and we must be between 90 – 100% of market value.  Freier recommends to leave it at 95.83%.

James said the County Commission overrode the City’s decision last year and did a 2% increase to residential after the City Commission approved to leave it alone.  The City Commission wasn’t happy with the kickback they received from the community.

COMMERCIAL:

There was a total of 6 sales, so since she didn’t have 30 sales, she included sales from 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 and still didn’t hit 30 sales so she had to do some appraisals.  After that she is at a median of 95.28%, so she recommends leaving it at 95.28%.  Freier said the County Commission was okay with leaving it.

AGRICULTURE: 

Current Ag land in Bowman County is within tolerance at 96% for 2025.  Freier recommended leaving it at 96%.

PUBLIC HEARING:

Bill Rotenberger:  He purchased the old Jack and Jill Grocery Store and when recording the sale of the property, they realized that a portion of land behind the store had not been being taxed, approximately 9/100’s of an acre.  There was a misunderstanding between Freier and Rotenburger on the value and amount of tax to be paid on this land.  When it was made clear that the tax was $12.42, Rotenburger was fine with that.

Motion by Schaaf, second by Shear to equalize and correct the tax roll with no changes for the 2025 values for residential, commercial, or agriculture.  RCV=  all aye, MC.

Motion Schaaf, second by Vail to adjourn the meeting at 3:55 pm.  RCV= all aye, MC.

Minutes of the Regular City Commission Meeting held on April 1, 2025 at City Hall at 4:00 PM.

Present:  Lyn James, Vice-Chair Ryan Shear, Benjamin Schaaf, Sara Bullis, Myron Vail, Chief Headley, Aaron Allen, Jodi Freier, Josh Buchman, Brad Mosher, Shannon Hewson, Brooklyn Engelhart, Pine Abrahamson, Attorney Andrew Weiss, Kasey Burke, Miles Waterbury, William Fiegel, Attorney Jared Gietzen, Steven Ness, Peggy Allen, and Stacy McGee.  Absent: Todd Hofland

President James called the meeting order at 4:00 pm.  James requested to add the Roosevelt Custer Meeting Survey and Highway 85 Expansion Letter to the agenda.  Motion by Shear, second by Schaaf to approve the amended agenda.  RCV= all aye, MC.

Direct Deposit: $35,722.99; Checks # 14345 – 14360; Voided Checks: None  Bills: ND Post Board $100.00, Advanced Business methods $66.83, Boss Office Products $138.84, Bowman Auto Parts $113.93, Bowman Park and Rec $53,392.45, Bowman Sales and Service $75.05, Brosz Engineering $5,730.00, Dakota Dust Tex $126.30, Ferguson Waterworks $654.19, Frontier Travel Center $476.11, Loretta Olind $1,150.00, MDU $10,380.00, S & T Plumbing $132.15, Summit Fire Protection $310.00, Visa $2,100.54, and Westlie Truck Center $7,798.69.

BROSZ ENGINEERING – HEWSON:

 SRF Proposed Loan for Sewer slip lining project with potential for loan forgiveness: A committee meeting was held to discuss this slip lining project scope of work.  There is over 15,000 LF of 6” and 8” clay tile mains to slip lined, and it was proposed to replace all clay tile remaining.  Hewson presented a cost estimate for the original 8” only replacement and 8” and 6”.  We will get a loan forgiveness amount after we submit both projects, there is a good chance we could get 75% loan forgiveness.  James and Hewson need to talk to DEQ to make sure that we don’t jeopardize losing the loan forgiveness by adding extra work from what was originally proposed.  We would have all of town slip lined if we can do it all.

Hewson completed a schedule for review and needed to know when the 2024 Audit would be completed.  Allen will check with the external auditor and inform Hewson of an estimated date.

Option 1:  The estimated cost of the whole project is $3,455,662.50-$2,591,746.88 (75% of loan forgiveness) =$863,915.63 which would be our local match cost loaned at a 2% interest rate.  A 20 year loan annual payment would be $52,500.00 and a 30 year loan annual payment would be $38,500.00.

Option 2:  The estimated cost of just 8” sewer is $2,113,462.50 – $1,585,096.88 (75% loan forgiveness) = $528,365.63.  A 20-year loan annual payment would be $32,000.00 and a 30-year annual loan payment would be $23,500.00.

Motion by Schaaf, second by Vail to approve applying for both options for sanitary sewer rehab project along with the budget and schedule depending what we learn from DEQ.  RCV= all aye, MC.

Hewson stated that any point repairs can’t be slip lined through, they will have to dig down and put new pipe in.

Water Tank:  Dept. of Water Resources (DWR) cost share agreement was approved by the City and submitted to DWR.  The city pays 40% and DWR pays 60% of $205,000.00 for engineering.  Hewson is asking for James to sign the amended January 7^th Task Order, he separated the design engineering from construction engineering costs.  Motion by Vail, second by Bullis to approve Brosz Engineering amended Task Order #3 for the water tank engineering dated 1/7/2025 in the amount of $270,000.00.  RCV= all aye, MC.

NESS -WATER AND SEWER DEPT.:

Dept Head Report:  They had a water leak on Thursday located at 5^th Avenue and 1^st Street, a slow leak on the curb.  It was only 3’ or 4’ from the last leak.  They called JK Excavation and Construction and they came Friday to fix it.  It was a pin hole on the pipe so they put a saddle on it, the water was only off for 30 minutes.

CHIEF HEADLEY – POLICE DEPT.:

Activity Report: Headley didn’t have a report, it will be on the next meetings report.

ALLEN-GARBAGE DEPARTMENT:

Allen fixed the one garbage truck and now the other one has a damper issue, needs the radiator fixed and there is a code that needs checked out. The truck is going to have to go to Dickinson for repairs.

JAMES-PRESIDENT:

 Roosevelt Custer Meeting:  James was in a stake holder meeting for a tourism Strategic Vision Plan for Region 8.  They got an EDA Grant and the hired A2ES to do it.  They asked to get as many people as they can to take a survey.  Allen handed out flyers for commissioners to do the survey.

Highway 85 letter:  The County requested to be on the signature line of the letter that was written requesting TRE to run through the City of Bowman.  The County requested a few revisions to the letter so Allen revised the letter and will email and mail it to the NDDOT.

ALLEN – FINANCIAL AUDITOR:

Renaissance Zone Public Hearing:  Allen informed the Commission there was an option for allowing an 8 year property tax exemption to be added to our Development Plan. Motion by Schaaf, second by Shear to approve inserting the 8 year tax exemption into the Development Plant for the Renaissance Zone as presented.  RCV= all aye, MC.

Why is the Renaissance Zone Needed:  James said it has proven to be successful, there is more work to be done and there are new opportunities due to all the new people that have moved to the area.  This program could mean the difference between a sale and a no sale of a property for commercial or residential.

Renaissance Zone Public Comment:  President James asked for public comment on the Renaissance Zone renewal.  No one had any question or had comments.

Renaissance Zone Resolution:  James read Resolution #2025-RZ-2 Renewal of Renaissance Zone.  Motion by Shear, second by Schaaf to approve Resolution #2025-RZ-2 Renewal of the Renaissance Zone.  RCV= all aye, MC.

City Hall Furniture:  The Commission was given pictures of a few furniture pieces for the entrance for the vacated “old driver’s license” area and front entry.  Baker Furniture will be asked if they could bring the table and chairs over, the end table and bucket chair for the Commission to look at.  A quote will be brought back to the next meeting for discussion.

PARK AND REC – CITY PARK ROOFS:

Roof Quotes for Shelters at City Park:  They contacted 10 contractors for quotes on the City Park shelter roofs and received three quotes.  Park and Rec was quoted for a 30-year warranty on the shingles.   The City said they would waive the fee for the shingle disposal.

Quotes:  Peoples Contracting $7,080.00 x 3 shelters= $21,000.00, Justin Fisher $17,170.00, Riquelme Construction $4,850.00 x 3 shelters = $14,550.00.  Motion by Vail, second by Schaaf to approve Riquelme Construction minus the disposal fee: $14,550.00 – $525.00 disposal fees = $14,025.00.  Payment funds will come from Hail Insurance Fund and the City Improvement Fund. RCV= all aye, MC.  Waterbury will get the contractor going on the project.

BCDC-ENGLEHART:

Jump Pillow:  The BCDC would like to purchase a jump pillow like Medora has.  It would go north of the splash pad in Rotary Park.  The BCDC will purchase the pillow and pay for the install using BCDC Growth Funds.  Park and Rec will do the maintenance and repairs on the jump pillow. The pillow would be deflated at night, covered during the winter, and they will have to seal coat it every year.  There will be cement between the splash pad and jump pillow, same as Medora’s.  There will be signage with rules and ground rubber around it. The insurance will be $500.00 annually liability and $16.00 for structure added onto the City’s insurance.  Motion by Shear, second by Schaaf to approve adding this jump pillow to our insurance.  RCV= all aye, MC.

SILVER DOLLAR – WILLIAM FIEGEL:

PD Complaint:  Attorney Weiss announced that any public discussion relating to employees specifically would have to go through the established complaint process and couldn’t be talked about today.

Fiegel voiced his concerns about the Bowman Police Department and his business.  His attorney Jared Gietzen said he feels his client is asking for common sense enforcement.

Police Commissioner Schaaf informed Fiegel and Gietzen that the City has just approved to implement the Gardian Score Program for our officers at the request of Chief Headley.  Each person that deals with the Police Department will be given a business card with a one time use survey of the stop or interaction with our Police Department and the survey results will be given to the Commission on a regular basis for review.

SHEAR-COMMISSIONER:

Liquor Ordinance Discussion:  Shear inquired if the Commission would be in favor of adding another liquor license classification for a non-city liquor license holder permit for when there are special events in town.  The stipulation would be that they have to hold a county and state liquor license, be in our ET Zone or county and it would only be good for a one-day event with a larger fee such as $350.00 – $500.00 per event.

Shear spoke with Windy’s Bar, Crystal Bar, and Silver Dollar Bar owners, and all three bar owners do not see a problem with having the one-day permit.  Buchman (South Main Lanes) was in attendance and said he is okay with it, but there should be a fair amount for the permit.

James said, to protect those who invested in a business that sells alcohol, the initial fee was put in place to protect them from having anyone just being able to sell alcohol and she felt they should be annexed into the City.

James said this is a decision that needs more thought, it was decided to table it for today, and it will be brought back to the next meeting for more discussion.

CLOSE OF MEETING:

Motion by Shear, second by Schaaf to approve the bills and 3/25/25 meeting minutes.  RCV= all aye, MC.

Next Meeting:  4/15/25

BOWMAN CITY COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA

Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 4:00 pm

Bowman City Hall, 101 1st St. NE

*Agenda Policy*:  The City follows a strict agenda policy in order to insure transparency to the citizens of Bowman.  NO topics will be discussed that are not on the agenda unless said topic constitutes an emergency action.  This agenda has a rolling schedule so scheduled appointments may take place sooner than the scheduled time unless it is a public hearing.

 4:00  –  4:05 PM               Call Meeting to Order, Approval of Agenda and Pledge of Allegiance

Commissioners Review of Bills

4:05 – 4:30PM                  Dept. Head Reports/Engineering (A. Allen, Hofland, Mason, Chief Headley, and Brosz Engineering)  Hewson:  Chip Seal Bid Results

ALLEN

Baker Furniture Quote

Park and Rec City Sales Tax Request

Park and Rec Memorandum of Understanding

Cleaning Contract

Property Tax Refund – Value Change

Property Tax Refund – Property Became Tax Exempt

SHEAR

Alcohol Ordinance Revisited

DTCC Special Event Permit

Open Forum

Close of Meeting

• Approval of Bills, and 4/1/25 and 4/1/25 Tax Equalization Meeting Minutes.
• Next Meeting Date: 5/6/25
• Adjournment of Meeting