City Commission Minutes

Minutes of the Regular City of Bowman Commission Meeting held on September 1, 2026

at Bowman City Hall located at 101 1^st Street NE, Bowman ND at 4:00 PM.

Present:  President Lyn James, Vice-Chair Gene Anne Kulseth, Myron Vail, Cole Benz, Tad Lewton, Chief Headley, Todd Hofland, Shannon Hewson, Steven Ness, Aaron Allen, Dorval Bedford, Dave Horn, Paster Corey Jenkins, Peggy Allen, and Brad Mosher.  Absent: None

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

                Direct Deposit: $37,717.79; Checks # 15212 – 15235 & 94257 – 94258; Voided Checks: None; Bills: Advanced Business Methods $295.97, Badlands Patriot $940.10, Boss Office Products $136.91, Bowman Ace Hardware $167.91, Bowman Auto Parts $313.98, Bowman Electric $302.54, Bowman Park and Rec $8,366.04, Brosz Engineering $78,555.00, Core and Main $671.05, CW Structural Engineer $300.00, Dakota Pump and Control $1,478.50, Morgan Foss $900.00, Frontier Travel Center $1,018.97, Little Missouri Ranch Supply $11.37, MDU $9,212.49, Northwest Tire $1,209.27, ProPoint $651.34, Swanston Equipment $1,372.88, Team Laboratory Chemical $1,080.00, Vector 3 $2,375.00, VISA $857.14, WDEA $125.00, Bowman Fire Department $477,866.32, and ND Dept. of Commerce $10,755.00.

Tax and Tourism Check #: 15127 & 15226

Tax and Tourism Bills:  BCDC $775.90 and Headless Horseman $500.00

BROSZ ENGINEERING – HEWSON:

                Sewer Rehab: Hewson gave an update on the project.  He reported that there are some service connections that come in level or negative to the grade for the sewer connection.  There are 4 so far off of the 4 blocks worked on, homeowners will be told because there could be issues.  They have been digging back to try to get additional grade, but it’s difficult because it’s tight in there.  They are keeping a list of the homeowners and maybe we should send letters so it’s well documented.  James asked for clarification if these lines were already this way and Hewson said yes.  He will bring a letter back for the Commission to review.  Now is the time if the owner wants to remedy their situation while the hole is open in the ground.  (We are talking inches, not feet that their lines are off.)  Hewson was questioned if most of them will have problems, he said probably not, maybe one.

                Sewer Rehab Project Change Order #1:  Hewson presented Change Order #1 (contract increase) in the amount of $13,686.99 for addition of steps to the precast manholes for accessing as requested by Public Works.  SRF is fine with adding the cost to the project. Motion by Vail, second by Lewton to approve Change Order #1 in the amount of $13,686.99 for the sewer rehab project for adding ladders system in the manholes.  RCV= all aye, MC.

                Sewer Rehab Project Pay Application #1: Hewson presented the first pay application for the sewer rehab project in the amount of $426,756.90 for JR Civil, LLC. ($282,994.50 for work and $152,536.30 for materials stored).   Motion by Lewton, second by Kulseth to approve Pay Application #1 to JR Civil, LLC in the amount of $426,756.90 and approve Allen to pay when the funds come in from the state.  RCV=all aye, MC.

5^th Ave Water Main Replacement: This project is on hold and not awarded to date.  Brosz will apply for funding through the DWR Cost Share Program which is currently out of funds and would be reviewed at the July 2027 DWR Commission Meeting.

Bowman TA Shared Use Path Phase I: Survey is scheduled for Fall of 2026, design in 2026-2027 and Construction in 2028.

Stormwater Review: Draft ordinance is being completed which will be submitted for review.

HOFLAND – STREET/VECTOR/LANDFILL DEPTS.:

Dept. Head Report: Hofland stated with this sewer rehab project happening he doesn’t want to have a fall wood cleanup and the City has already had two cleanups this year.  The Commission still wants to have the fall wood cleanup but the alleys that are closed will not have cleanup, and the landfill would be open for them to take their wood out and the same for the spring cleanup. The fall wood cleanup will be the week of September 21^st.  The City will not pick up any wood curbside on the alleys being worked on as we do not want to damage any lawns.

Zimmerman fixed the Able sidewalk, and he thought he would get those other areas worked on.

NESS -WATER AND SEWER DEPT.:

                Dept Head Report: Did water samples today and did his quarterly report.

CHIEF HEADLEY – POLICE DEPT.:

Activity Report for 8/17/26 – 8/30/26:  Incidents:  6 (traffic stop-2, DUI Alcohol or drugs, hit and run accident, violation of city ordinance, and theft); Calls for Service:  50 (extra patrol-9, noise complaint-3, agency assistance-3, violation of city oprdinance-3, public relations-3, medical emergency-3, traffic hazard-2, direct traffic-2, traffic control for fire, found property, unsecure premises, citizen assist, lockout, alcohol offense, lost animal, vagrancy, information report, sex offender, theft, welfare check, motorist assist, possession of stolen property, domestic dispute, bar check, traffic stop, animal noise, suspicious object, circumstance, civil standby, and alarm); Traffic Stops: 16 (citation-7, verbal warning-3, written warning-3 and arrest-3); Arrests:  Other criminal offense/driving while suspended-2 and driving under the influence.)

MCGEE:

                McGee requested a committee to work on the water/sewer project utility bill fees, she wants to wait until the water tank bids so we have a better idea of water tank costs. Vail, McGee, James, Allen, and Hewson will meet after the bid opening on the 10^th to discuss the monthly fee.

ALLEN – GARBAGE DEPT:

Dept. Head Report: Allen wasn’t present, but he left a note to be relayed to the Commission.  He stated that he had to replace the belt drive, brake can, and welded the kicker bar on the 2017 Freightliner.  He is pretty sure they are going to have to replace the idler pully also.

ALLEN – FINANCIAL AUDITOR:

                City Hall Roof Update: Allen contacted Tooz Construction on August 19^th and they stated that the materials should be here mid September and they should be starting at the end of September or early October and be done near the end of October               

Little Missouri Law Office Letter of Engagement: The Commission reviewed the Letter of Engagement. This letter of engagement keeps the current retainer of $200.00/month through the end of December 2026 and the new monthly fee will be $1,000.00 a month for 2027.  Motion by Benz,  second by Lewton to approve the terms of the letter of engagement with the Little Missouri Law Office.  All of the Commissioners signed it.  RCV= all aye, MC.

                Park and Rec City Sales Tax Request: Allen presented the City Sales Tax Request for Bowman Park and Rec for cameras, The Edge door and an engine for a mower.  Motion by Vail, second by Benz to approve the City Sales Tax request for Park and Rec in the amount of $3,680.39.  RCV= all aye, MC.

                Extra Mile Day Proclamation: James read the annual proclamation for Extra Mile Day which is on November 1, 2026.  Motion by Kulseth, second by Lewton to sign the Extra Mile Day Proclamation for November 1, 2026.  RCV= all aye, MC.

                Transfer of Sewer Rehab funds: Allen requested to transfer funds from Fund #3000 Capital Projects to the Sewer Building Fund #6220 in the amount of $200,000.00.  Motion by Vail, second by Lewton to approve the transfer of $200,000 from the Capital Projects Fund #3000 to Sewer Building Fund #6220.  RCV= all aye, MC.

Rural Catalyst Grant: The City received the fire department’s Rural Catalyst Gant funds, but Allen believes that they sent $10,755.00 too much.  Allen is waiting for verification from the state on the amount and Allen asked the Commission for approval to pay out the correct amount to the Fire Department and send funds back to the state if necessary. The Commission was okay with Allen paying out the funds.

JAMES:

E-Bike Ordinance: There was discussion on having an E-bike Ordinance.  Horn has a local store and offered some information to the Commission.  Horn is willing to support the ordinance it and will hang up the regulations in his store when the Commission gets the Ordinance together.

Allen gave the Commission Dickinson’s E-bike ordinance to review and they liked it.  There was discussion on fines, requirements such as needing to be age-appropriate sized bikes, taking a safety course and giving stickers to be put on their bike with the class they are approved for.  The Commission wants to use the City of Dickinson Ordinance and make sure the definitions are in it.  Headley will talk to the school about being a guest speaker and offer the class. The Commission hopes to have the Ordinance finalized by the first of the year.

Prairie Public Interview: James was interviewed on Prairie Public TV regarding her leadership.  

CLOSE OF MEETING:

Next Meeting: 9/15/26

Motion by Vail, second by Kulseth to approve the bills and the 8/18/26 City Commission Meeting Minutes.  RCV= all aye, MC.

President James adjourned the meeting at 5:25 pm.

BOWMAN CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA

Tuesday, September 29, 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.  The Public Comment Policy will be adhered to during the meeting to ensure fair opportunity to be heard while maintaining an orderly and efficient meeting.

4:00 PM              Call Meeting to Order

Approval of Agenda

Retired Landfill Regulations

Review of Attorney Letter

Adjournment