City Commission Minutes

Minutes of the Regular City Commission Meeting held on May 6, 2025 at City Hall at 4:00 PM.

Present:  President Lyn James, Vice-Chair Ryan Shear, Benjamin Schaaf, Sara Bullis, Myron Vail, Trevor Bergerson, Bill Mason, Todd Hofland, Pete Knopp, Todd Walby, Josh Stuchal, Stacy McGee, and Peggy Allen.  Absent: Aaron Allen

President James called the meeting order at 4:00 pm.  Peggy Allen requested to add Cleaning the Joint Shop and City Hall to the agenda.  Motion by Shear, second by Schaaf to approve the amended agenda. RCV= all aye, MC.

Direct Deposit: $36,908.67; Check #14380 – 14419; Voided Checks: None;  Bills:  AT & T $788.42, Bismarck Hotel and Convention Cetner $218.00, John Deere Financial $246.65, Slope Electric $1,174.00, SW District Health Unit $25.00, Woodley Construction $25.38, Advanced Business Methods $183.75, Badlands Patriot $305.76, Black Mountain Software $1,500.00, Boss Office Products $92.81, Bowman Auto Parts $343.34, Bowman Grain 37.96, Bowman Park and Rec $58,399.55, Bowman Sales and Service $463.17, Bowman Vet Clinic $115.00, Brosz Engineering $7,707.50, Core and Main $641.61, Dakota Dust-Tex $126.30, EIDO Connect $108.00, Frontier Travel Center $552.89, Hawkins $1,674.70, Loretta Olind $1,150.00, MDU $9,431.95, Michael Snow $345.69, ND Information Technology $88.10, Newby’s Ace Hardware $76.72, One Call Concepts $239.35, Prevention Magazine $320.00, Professional Auto Body $798.05, ProPoint Cooperative $508.20, RDO Equipment $524.60, Riquelme Construction $3,371.46, Steven Ness $500.00, Team Laboratory $1,043.50, Terry Brooks $300.00, USA Bluebook $90.56, VISA $3,843.27, Westlie Truck Center $335.10, Wild and Weiss Law Office $600.00, and Woodley Construction $6.19.

BROSZ ENGINEERING – STUCHAL:

Chip Seal Bid: The chip seal bid was tabled until this meeting to allow time to clarify if 11^th Avenue NW maintenance was a shared cost with the County.  It was found that the contract between the City and the County was not completed yet, so it is unclear at this time.  To move forward with the project the City decided to award the contract, the 11^th Avenue NW section can always be taken out of the contract if so desired at a later date.  Motion by Schaaf, second by Vail to approve the base bid in the amount of $259,243.76 and Alt A in the amount of $57,681.64 to Asphalt Preservation Company, from Detroit Lakes, MN for a total contract of $316,925.40.  RCV= all aye, MC.  We don’t have a start date yet.

Water Tank Project:  Stuchal said there will be soil boring done on May 12 at the water tank site.  Allen asked Stuchal to check into their project files, Allen thought that Jon Brosz had done this when we were looking at purchasing the land.

Sewer Slip Lining:  ND DEQ should have a response to us regarding the slip lining project by the end of next week.  

HOFLAND – STREET/VECTOR/LANDFILL DEPTS.:

Dept. Head Report: Mason won’t be working during clean-up week.  Someone needs to ride with Ness that has a CDL.  Shear said to ask the garbage crew for help and see if one of them can ride with him.

Street Signs: Signs were knocked down by ProPoint, it was a farm vehicle that ran over them, it was caught on a video camera at the courthouse.  It was a header, and it knocked some of the teeth off the header at 9:15 pm last night.  Signs have been fixed.

NESS/MASON -WATER AND SEWER DEPT.:

                Dept Head Report:  They have been flushing hydrants and mowing.  Ness is working on his CDL hours behind the wheel.

TREVOR BERGERSON – POLICE DEPT.:

Activity Report:  4/14/25 – 5/4/25:  Incidents – 11(DUI Alcohol or Drugs-3, Assault-2, Narcotics/Paraphernalia Possession, Traffic Accident with Injuries, Criminal Mischief, Animal Noise, Traffic Accident with Damage, Unruly Child, Assault-Simple); Calls for Service – 56 (Extra Patrol-22, Information Report-6, Public Relations-4, Unruly Child-3,Dog or cat running at large-3, Citizen Assist-2, Animal Noise-2, Agency Assistance-2, Domestic Disturbance-2, 911 Hang-up, Civil Standby, Medical Emergency, Noise Complaint, Lockout, Reckless Driver, Alcohol Offense, Suspicious Vehicle or Circumstance, Alarm, and Intoxicated Person) Traffic Stops – 57 (Verbal Warning-25, Written Warning-18, Citation-10, Arrest-3, No Action-1); Arrests – 4 (Driving Under Influence-3, Drug Possession-2, Other Criminal Offense-1, and Assault – Simple, Domestic-1)

ALLEN – GARBAGE DEPT:

Dept. Head Report: The 2019 Freightliner had to have the radiator replaced.  The 2024 Peterbilt had to have the serpentine belt replaced and then the brakes went out which have been repaired.

DAKOTA TERRITORY CAR CLUB-SHEAR:

                Letter of Approval for Use of City Property: Shear is applying for a grant that requires a letter of permission for the Dakota Territory Car Club to use Main Street.  Motion by Vail, second by Schaaf to approve James signing off on the permission letter for the DTCC to use Main Street.  RCV= all aye, Shear abstained.

1. ALLEN – FINANCIAL AUDITOR:

11^th Avenue and 6^th Street NW Agreement with County: Discussion was held regarding different scenarios; it was decided to have a committee meeting on Wednesday the 28^th of May at City Hall at 4:00 pm and come up with a few ideas to present to the County.  Then James will get on the County agenda for the first meeting in June to discuss it with the County Commission.

Property Tax Refund: This was a refund application for property tax that was tabled at the last meeting and the Commission requested Tax Director Freier be present for discussion.  The question was “Do we have to refund two years’ worth of property tax even though they are allowed to apply for it?”  Freier stated that they have until November of this year to apply to get back 2023 and 2024, but the City is not required to give back both years.  The Commission struggles with allowing going back two years for a refund.  Motion by Shear, second by Schaaf to refund the taxes for 2024 in the amount of $2,213.52.  RCV= all aye, MC.

National Small Business Week 2025 Proclamation:  The City was approached about doing a proclamation again for National Small Business Week.  Motion by Schaaf, second by Shear to approve the Proclamation for National Small Business Week to be May 4 – 10, 2025.  RCV= all aye, MC.

State of Regional 8:  Allen inquired if any of the other Commissioners would be attending besides James, no one else was able to attend.

Riquelme Construction Funds Request:  Riquelme Construction is requesting a down payment for the materials cost for the City Park shelters in the amount of $3,371.46.  Motion by Bullis, second by Vail to approve Riquelme Constructions request for funds for shingles for the City Park shelters in the amount of $3,371.46.  RCV= all aye, MC.

City Hall Lighting Grant:  Allen applied for a lighting grant for City Hall LED light bulb replacement.  The grant did not cover the pole lights outside.  We received a separate quote from Tiger Electric for those.  The grant was awarded in the amount of 50% of the cost of the interior lights.  Motion by Vail, second by Schaaf to approve signing the grant contract for the Energy Conservation Program with the of ND Dept of Commerce with reimbursement of $3,641.53 and approve the quote from Tiger Electric in the amount of $7,283.06 (interior LED lights).  RCV= all aye, MC.

Tiger Electric Lighting Grant Quotes:  Allen presented the quote from Tiger Electric for the light replacement on the City Hall light poles on the east side parking lot and on the front side below the flag.  Motion by Vail, second by Schaaf to accept the bid from Tiger Electric for LED lighting in the amount of $2,122.38 for the exterior pole lights.  RCV= all aye, MC.

Gaming Permit #24-65:  Allen presented a 50/50 raffle permit from the Bowman Boosters.  They are doing a 50/50 raffle for Quin Andrews Medical Expenses.  Motion by Schaaf, second by Shear to approve gaming permit #24-65 for the Bowman Booster Club.  RCV= all aye, MC

Park and Rec City Sales Tax Request:  Allen presented two city sales tax requests for Park and Rec.  Motion by Shear, second by Schaaf to approve Park and Rec city sales tax request for The Edge bond interest in the amount of $10,900.00 and the cabin building expenses at Butte View Campground in the amount of $44,267.52.  RCV= all aye, MC.

City Hall Yard:  Allen asked the Commission what they wanted to about the City Hall yard.  Do they still want to do concrete around the building and fix the sprinkler system?  The grass is starting to die in sections.  The Commission decided to table it until the next meeting so they could think about it.

Bank Rec Adjustment:  Allen informed the Commission that in order to balance for month end, she made a temporary adjustment and will see if it washes out next month.  She thinks it has to do with the auto distribute journal voucher from the utility billing.

Joint Shop and City Hall Cleaning:  Morgan Foss said she would do the cleaning at City Hall and the City/County Joint Shop.  Foss was also told that if she felt like there was more work than what the Commission approved for payment, she needed to let Allen know and it will be revisited again.  Motion by Schaaf, second by Bullis to approve Morgan Foss cleaning at the Joint Shop for $375.00 monthly and City Hall $425.00 monthly for a total of $800.00 per month for remainder of the year and Allen will bring this back for discussion in November.  RCV= all aye, MC.

BCDC – ENGLEHART:

Trees on Boulevards:  The trees will be here on Wednesday or Thursday.  Englehart had a meeting with a couple of City Commissioners and Park and Rec regarding these trees being in the boulevard and what would be whose responsibilities.  The BCDC will care for trees for two growing seasons. The nursery said they will repair the sprinklers and the electrical line if they wreck them during the planting of the trees.  Englehart got the sprinkler drawings from Mason and she gave them to the landscaper.  There is a central water line that runs through the middle of the boulevards, that is why the trees can’t go in the middle of the boulevard.

Hofland said the trees will get hit with snow off the plow because the snow flies as tall as 9’.  Shear is concerned about the spacing, mowing, and snow flying.  James said the plows need try to go slower, if possible, Hofland said the consistency of the snow depends on how fast they drive.  Englehart said the trees will have 20 gallon water bags, twice a week at first they will be watered, then watering will be tapered off.  There will be mulch piled around the trees.  McGee inquired who was going to be responsible for replacing the trees if they died.  Englehart said the first two years the BCDC office will monitor their condition and work with nursery to fix dead trees.

Englehart said the Main Street trees need to be watered again, Englehart wondered if Aaron Allen would water them.  Allen was not present to discuss this with.

Approval for BCDC Employees to Drive City Vehicles:  Ness was concerned with the use of the sewer pickup being used to water the trees, he said they were offered the big truck, but it was a stick shift and so far no applicants for the watering position can drive a stick shift.  It will take approximately 8 trips to water the trees because the water tank is smaller in the pickup.  Ness said if the Commission was okay with it, then he is. Brooklyn will be the backup for watering in case whomever they hire goes on vacation or can’t water for some reason.  Allen is running the tree waterer applicants through the insurance company to see if they are insurable by pulling their driving record.

NDDOT CONTRACT FOR HWY 12 BOULEVARD TREES & BCDC TREE AGREEMENT FOR MAINTENANCE:

James reviewed the two agreements for the trees with the Commission.  Motion by Vail, second by Schaaf to approve signing the NDDOT tree agreement and the tree maintenance agreement with the BCDC.  RCV= all aye, MC.  James will sign the NDDOT agreement electronically but will sign a copy for our file.

JOSH BUCHMANN:

                Sell City Land?:  Buchmann inquired if the City would sell the vacant lot kiddy corner from the garbage shop?  Discussion was held and no decision was made.  We will have to put it out for bid, we can’t just sell it outright.  The walking path goes through it which we would want to keep ownership of.  The Commission is open to selling it.  The City needs to consider keeping a portion of land to the east of the garbage shop in the event that we need to expand the garbage business.  Allen will have to talk to the engineers about the walking path getting singled out.  We will let Buchmann know when we have a decision.

LIQUOR PERMIT:

Shear reviewed the proposed language for adding a special permit that would allow two special events a year and they would be required to pay $350.00 an event.  Motion by Bullis, second by Schaaf to approve the language presented for a non-city liquor license holder to obtain a special on-sale permit with the line being struck out that it must be signed off by the other on-sale liquor license holders and add that the City Commission will approve the special event permit through a regular meeting.  Allen stated the final verbiage will be brought back in ordinance format at the next meeting for a first reading.  RCV= all aye, except James was a no, MC.

CLOSE OF MEETING:

Next Meeting: 5/20/25 at 4:00 pm.  Motion by Shear, second by Schaff to approve the March 2025 financials, bills and 4/15/25 meeting minutes.  RCV= all aye, MC.

President James adjourned the meeting at 5:55 pm.

BOWMAN CITY COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA

Tuesday, May 20, 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) Headley – Senn Graduation Party – Block Frontage Road

 4:30 PM                              First Reading of Chapter 8, Article 6, verbiage change to Section 8.0603,

8.0604.1 (1) and add Special Event Permits to Section 8.0604.1 (2)

ALLEN

City Land Replatted

Park and Rec City Sales Tax Request

Asphalt Preservation Company Contracts for Chip Seal

All State Peterbilt Line of Credit

Gaming Site Authorization

2025-2027 City Sales Tax Agreement with the State

Slope Electric Ballott

City Hall Roof

Open Forum

Close of Meeting

• Approval of Bills, April 2025 Financials and 5/6/25 Meeting Minutes.
• Next Meeting Date: 6/3/25
• Adjournment of Meeting