City Commission Minutes

Minutes of the Regular City Commission Meeting held on December 29, 2025 at City Hall at 4:00 PM.

Present:  President Lyn James, Vice-Chair Ryan Shear, Benjamin Schaaf, Sara Bullis, Myron Vail, Chief Headley, Steve Ness, Todd Hofland, Shannon Hewson, Aaron Allen, Peggy Allen, Brad Mosher, Josh Buchmann, Jeff Gooss, Kevin Bucholz, Debbie Bucholz, Dean Pearson, Pine Abrahamson, Josh Stuchal, Rocky Wallman, Jean Nudell, Kevin Heinrich, Larry Njos, Duane Bowman, Scott Hardy, Bill Feigel, Alan Peters, Margie Russ, and Dave Horn.  Absent: None

President James called the meeting order at 4:00 pm.  Motion by Shear , second by Schaff to approve the agenda. RCV= all aye, MC.

                Direct Deposit: $42,081.51; Checks # Voided Checks: 14806;  Bills: AT & T $799.74, Cenex Fleetcard $5,285.40, Consolidated Telecom $1,305.41, John Deere Financial $184.76, Slope Electric $1,222.00, Boss Office Products $147.81, Bowman Auto Parts $151.48, Bowman County Auditor $1,620.00, Bowman Park and Rec $3,320.55, Bowman Sales and Service $779.58, Bronson’s Marketplace $69.75, Dakota Dust-Tex 87.49, Fallon County Treasurer $6,830.40, Hawkin’s $951.84, ND Technology $92.80, Northside Truck and Auto $142.23, Northwest Tire Inc. $71.45, One Call $48.00, RDO Equipment $1,443.52, State of ND Chemistry $367.04, SW District Health $50.00, Swank’s Pest Control $150.00, Team Laboratory $751.00, Advanced Business Methods $220.39, Blue 360 Media $507.78, Bowman Cemetery Assoc. $237.50, BCDC $20,477.16, Dakota Western Bank $12.97, BCDC $17,456.48, Bowman County Fair Association $10,000.00, Bowman Sales and Service $125.43, The Blitz $2,000.00, Arnston Stewart Wegner PC, Bowman Ace Hardware $57.27, VISA $1,536.69, Westlie Truck Center $192.50, KPOK $65.00, Slope Electric $222.00, CM Services $23,653.23, Bowman Vet Clinic $270.00, and Brosz Engineering $61,505.00.

BROSZ ENGINEERING – HEWSON:

                 TA Shared Use Path and Walk Path Repairs Grant Application: Hewson presented a grant application through the Safe Routes to School Program for the shared use path out to The Edge and the walking path repairs.  If awarded this project, it can be turned down by the City if needed.  Estimated total cost of project is $1,857,566.55 with the City’s portion estimated at $643,158.04.  Motion by Shear, second by Schaaf to apply for TAP grant for walking paths.  RCV= all aye, MC.

HOFLAND – STREET/VECTOR/LANDFILL DEPTS.:

Dept. Head Report: Everything is going well.

P. ALLEN – WATER AND SEWER DEPT.:

                Dept Head Report: Ness is at training and taking his last test.  Allen stated that the sewer backup incident on Thanksgiving Day was turned into the insurance company and we are awaiting a response.  Allen will bring the insurance company’s response back to the Commission.

CHIEF HEADLEY – POLICE DEPT.:

Activity Report for 12/1/25 – 12/26/25:  Incidents: 10 (hit and run, assault, search warrant, alarm, domestic dispute, DUI alcohol or drugs, traffic stop, menacing, criminal mischief and aggravated assault), Calls for Service: 82 (extra patrol-28, information report-6, lockout-4, medical emergency-4, agency assistance-3, lost animal-3, public relations-3, signs and signals-3, house watch-2, citizen assists-2, welfare check-2, narcotics intelligence-2, suspicious person or circumstance-2, property damage not vandalism-2, aggravated assault, escort, DUI drugs or alcohol, unsecured premises, unruly child, harassing phone call/letter, truancy/absenteeism from school, criminal trespass, periodic checks, traffic complaint, abandoned vehicle, citizen dispute, stray animal, industrial accident, vehicle inspection, and reckless driver); Traffic Stops: 19 (verbal warning-9, written warning-7, arrest-2, and citation); Arrests:  3 (driving under the influence, simple assault-2, assault on a police officer, traffic violation, interfering with 911 call and vandalism.)

ALLEN – GARBAGE DEPT:

Dept Head Report: Everything is running ok.

ALLEN – FINANCIAL AUDITOR:

Police Wiring Quote: The Police Department is having issues with their internet connection, so they called Consolidated to come and look at it.  They found if they cleanup the wiring and change how things are connected, the PD will have better internet connection.  The quote is $3,452.00 for wire cleanup, router and an access point.  Motion by Schaaf, second by Shear to approve the wiring cleanup and repairs in the amount of $3,452.00 for Consolidated.  Allen will split the cost between codes #351 phone and #420 upkeep in the Police Department budget.  RCV= all aye, MC.

                RZ Application #Bow-19 Farmers Union Insurance-Marcus Fisher Final RZ Approval for Commercial Purchase with Major Improvements: Allen stated the Fisher completed his Renaissance Zone project and it was approved by the Renaissance Zone Board/Zoning Board.  Motion by Schaaf, second by Vail to give the final approval of the RZ Commercial Purchase with Major Improvements project for Marcus Fisher (Bow-19 Project).  RCV= all aye, MC.

RZ Application #Bow -20 Two Tired Garage – Bonden Scott – Purchase Only Commercial Property Renaissance Zone project:  Allen presented an initial Renaissance Zone application for Bonden Scott to purchase the NW Tire Building on Main Street.  The Renaissance Zone/Zoning Board approved the application.  He is applying for purchase only.  Motion by Schaaf, second by Vail to approve the RZ application for Two Tired Garage Commercial Purchase Only (Bow-20).  RCV= all aye, MC.

Agreement with BCDC:  Allen presented the annual Agreement between the City of Bowman and the BCDC which explains the Scope of Services the BCDC offers to the City.  Motion by Shear, second by Schaaf to approve the agreement between the City of Bowman and BCDC for 2026.  RCV= all aye, MC.

Resolution #2025-F-24 BCDC Funding for 2026: Allen presented the annual BCDC Resolution for Funding Programs for the City.  Motion by Schaaf, second by Vail to approve Resolution #2025-F-24 for BCDC Funding in 2026.  RCV= all aye, MC.

Liquor License Renewal for 2026:  Allen presented the liquor license renewals for the following entities:  Frontier Travel Center – Class VI Off Sale Beer and Wine, Silver Dollar Bar and Grill – Class I On and Off Sale, Bowman Lodge and Convention Center – Class VIII-A Motel/Hotel On Sale Liquor and Beer, Bronson’s Marketplace – Class III Off Sale Liquor and Beer, South Main Lanes, LLC – Class I On and Off Sale, and Crystal Bar – Class I On and Off Sale.  Windy’s Bar did not renew their license due to the pending transfer and sale.  Motion by Shear, second by Schaaf to approve the liquor license applications as presented for 2026.  RCV= all aye, MC.

Public Comment Policy:  James, Allen and McGee want to make a few changes before its brought back for approval.

LUCKY GOOSE GRILL AND BAR – LLC- JEFF GOOSS:

Jeff Gooss stated they leased the Old Windy’s Bar prior to purchase which will occur in January.  He would like to open for New Years Eve.  Gooss asked the Commission if he could obtain his license earlier than first requested.  Motion by Shear, second by Schaaf to approve The Lucky Goose Grill and Bar, LLC Class I liquor license for Dec 30 and 31^st of 2025 and the year of 2026, fees need to be paid in the amount of $5,955.10.  RCV= all aye, MC.

Site Authorization for Lucky Goose Grill and Bar: Allen presented a Gaming site Authorization for Lucky Goose Grill and Bar LLC for the normal gaming Windy’s Bar had done previously at the same location for things such as bingo, pull tab and E-tab.  Motion by Shear, second by Schaaf to approve the gaming site authorization for Lucky Goose Grill and Bar, effective 12/31/25 to 6/30/26.  RCV= all aye, MC.

2025 Budget Amendments: Allen presented budget amendments for the 2025 budget as follows:

Motion by Bullis, second by Schaaf to approve the budget amendments presented and allow Allen to make necessary amendments and authority to amend the salaries and related accounts to the exact amount.  RCV= all aye, MC.

2025 End of Year Transfers: Allen presented the end of the year transfers as follows:

Motion by Shear, second by Schaff to approve the end-of-year transfers as presented.  RCV= all aye, MC.

MORITORIUM ON GAMING SITE AUTHORIZATIONS:

Resolution #2025-M-19 Moratorium on Charitable Gaming Site Authorizations: There was discussion held on having a Moratorium on the Gaming Site Authorization Policy until a committee could get together to write one up.  James read the resolution.  Motion by Vail, second by Bullis to approve Resolution #2025-M-19 A Moratorium on Gaming Site Authorizations as presented.  RCV= all aye, MC.  Members of the City will form a committee to bring a draft of the policy to the public hearing.

CLOSE OF MEETING:

Next Meeting: 1/6/26 at 4:00 pm

Motion by Shear, second by Schaaf to approve the bills, November 2025 Financials and 12/2/25 Meeting Minutes.  RCV= all aye, MC.

BOWMAN CITY COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA

Tuesday, January 6, 2026 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 – 4:30 PM                 Dept. Head Reports/Engineering (A. Allen, Hofland, Ness, Chief Headley, and Brosz Engineering)  McGee – Sewer Vacant Position and Rate Resolutions

4:30 PM                              Emergency Operations Discussion

Open Forum

Close of Meeting

• Approval of Bills, and 12/29/25 Meeting Minutes.
• Next Meeting Date: 1/20/26 with Public Input Meeting for Sewer Rehab at 5:15 pm
• Adjournment of Meeting