00:00:09,770	Good evening We will get our meeting called to order. The man Down City Commission. Today’s date is May 7th 2024. We are in the Ed Bosch Frelich meeting room at Mandan City Hall. It is 5:30 P.m. Call for roll Call Vice President Kisa Comm. Olson here, Comm. Kisa Oops. Still here? Comm. roar Comm.

00:00:36,600	Brown mayor Heling is absent. And then we’ll move into the pledge of Allegiance. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. To the Republic for which it stands. One Nation under your honor, indi. With liberty and justice for all. All right. We’ll move into the Next item announcement. So. We have a introduction of a few employees.

00:01:14,570	So. Um have jordan take it away? Good Evening commissioners tonight I have Shasta Reindel with us. Shasta is our new permit technician. Uh, she’s, uh, Washington State native moved to North Dakota in in June of 2023. And. She has several years of experience in management sales and operation. She loves to make new friends do home improvement projects.

00:01:38,100	Read Cook relax, Be outside and travel, which is a lot of things that we all like to do right and we’re happy to have her on board. We’ve had her here for about a month now.

00:01:51,300	And, uh, takes care of all of our phone calls and things that come in for all the permits and, uh different things and building inspections. So, This is Shasta. Wonderful. Thank you for choosing man down and being in a part of our community and part of our staff. That is a very tough job, so I, I. I’m with you. So. Good luck.

00:02:07,600	We wish you the best career here with the city of man down Thank you and when you travel always make sure you turn back here, OK? Maybe Uh, All, right. We’ll have a few public works employees. I’ll turn it over to director bits. Good evening, Uh, Vice President, cisa and commissioners. I have a three employees that would like to introduce this evening. The. First one is Lance Shide.

00:02:29,470	Wanna make sure I pronounce it right, Lance Come on up here. Uh, Lance is born and raised in Mandan. Uh, you still live in Mandan? Correct, Lance, Uh he is in our utilities department. Uh, brings a background in concrete and construction And he’s also a member of And in rural fire Department so Welcome. Thank you. Next.

00:02:52,900	Is Jeremy crying with our street department. Me up so You. Gotta. Get on camera, So proof you were here as I mentioned Jeremy’s with our street department. Um, he was, uh, lives. From Bismarck but currently lives in Mandan, um, graduated from Bismarck High School, Correct.

00:03:17,000	And, uh, enjoys outdoor activities, boating and spending time on the river. So Right Welcome words, Jeremy. Ok, thank you. Next is Lance Hagel. So. Lance is also from man, Dan, Um, lifelong resident here, Correct, Lance and, uh, has four kids, I believe, and, uh, comes also with a background in construction and agricultural land helps us out in the street department currently as a heavy

00:03:43,830	equipment operator. So, Um those are our newest public works employees, Lance and Lance will have to figure out a way to keep that straight. But Uh, Lance Ln Jeremy, Welcome to the city of man down. We Hope you have a nice long career with us and you know we look forward. And the equipment.

00:03:59,430	Thank you. Thank you. All right, continuing on with the agenda we’re gonna move into, uh minutes. So Consider the approval of the April 16th 2024 minutes of the sit Mandan City Commission meeting. Move to approve the minutes. Second Moved by a Comm. Braun seconded by Comm. or any questions, comments concerns. If not roll Call vote, please.

00:04:33,070	Commissioners Roar Olsen? Yes braun? Yes, Vice President camisa, and that motion is approved. Moving through. We’ll head on down to public hearings to item number one, which is to consider a preliminary plat in zone change from a agriculture and our seven residential to a PUD or a planned unit development for the shores at Lakewood Second Edition.

00:05:00,270	Take it away, andrew Good evening, Mr Mesa commissioners, you can tell it’s spring with what’s on the agenda tonight. I’ll try and get through these as quick as I can. This is a request from TRX developers for a subdivision Plat preliminary for the shores at Lakewood. Phase two.

00:05:18,970	I’ve got my location map on the screen just to get your bearings. We did notice the public hearing for this evening’s consideration of the plot and the zone change and subsequent to that noticing going out.

00:05:37,100	The developer did request that this item, not, um Be considered or approved tonight, of course, with the public hearing notice, we do have to conduct one in case there is someone who has comments on the project. Um, but considering there are no updates or items that the applicant really wants to discuss or approved this evening, Um Staff’s recommendation.

00:05:57,670	Regarding this request is to postpone it to a future item of the city commission where we can Reno the item and and bring it back when it’s ready to Approved and when, when it’s ready to move on to the final plat stage. Um, I do have in my recommendation that the applicant do resubmit.

00:06:15,670	An application fee as this item has been noticed, Um three or four times now and has about hit the The total cost of the application, and the applicant is willing to reapply to make sure that To. Make sure that the applicant’s noticing fees and things like that are covered by the developer. So. That is my recommendation. Do. You have any questions for me? Uh, Andrews being that we’re going to postpone this and have them re well really were Terminating the item to reapply.

00:06:33,970	We don’t need to have a public hearing today. Vice chair committee. I believe, as a public hearing was noticed. We do need to conduct one Yeah. Cause, then we’ll have to have I would assume a second public hearing once that application is is finalized. Comm. that it is correct. It will come back as a as another public hearing.

00:06:53,300	Any preliminary plans approved by the city at the City Commission must be a public hearing. Any questions or comments from commission Chair andrew are in this particular designated area here now, uh, like Doesn’t circle Thats. The City Street. Is that correct? Vice chair, the Comm. Rora. That would be a public city street. Correct.

00:07:16,370	Any streets are going through here in this particular development area would also end up being a city street rather than private. They are proposing a combination of public and private streets for the phase two. How many there are so some of the main traffic were fares to probably be public, and they they’d have to maybe do it.

00:07:32,900	D auxiliary streets that go into other places. Maybe That is correct. I didn’t have any other question. Any other questions for andrew before we open our public hearing. Yeah, we will open up the public hearing to consider the preliminary plat and zone change from a agriculture and R seven residential to a PUD for shores at Lakewood second edition, If anyone in the

00:07:56,430	audience or online would like to step forward and make any comments for the project. Please State your name and your address for the record. Second call for anyone to approach and make any comments. This is a public hearing. Last and final call for anyone to approach and make comments for this public hearing. Seeing no.

00:08:20,900	I will close out the public hearing and turn it over to the commission. Your wishes. I move, according to the reading here to postpone the consideration of preliminary patent zone change. Or shores at Lakewood second addition, subject to Applic applicable Public hearing.

00:08:47,170	Noticing requirements and the submission of a new development application in order to cover costs associated with additional review and re noticing the item. OK, thank you. Moved by Comm. Roar Seconded by Comm. Braun Any other question or comments Roll call vote, please. Comm. olson. Yes Brown? Yes Roar? Yes, Vice President Kisa? Yes. In. That motion is approved. Item number two under public hearing.

00:09:12,770	Consider a parking variance for Lot two lest the South 125 ft Block one Highland a second replant in section 22 Township 139 North Range 81 West andrew Struck me. So. This is a request from Damara development. I have my location map on the screen.

00:09:33,030	This is AC commercial zone property in the land use client supports commercial uses in the future. The applicant is requesting to reduce the number of parking spots that are provided from the required amount of 50 down to 46, which would represent an 8% reduction in the amount of parking provided versus what would be required for the use. The project that would be built would be a 25 unit.

00:09:53,900	Uh, town home project on the site. And The applicant states in their in their request, Um they provided a statement of hardship that speaks to The amount of parking that is utilized by developments like such Which would be considered a A. Low income family housing. Um Development.

00:10:16,230	I’ve included some findings of fact from the Planning and Zoning Commission public hearing. The board did identify that the the applicant does have a hardship and that strict application of the provisions of the code would deprive the applicant of the reasonable use of the property. And. Therefore, the very request is being recommended for approval.

00:10:36,570	Do you have any questions for me? Any questions for andrew? Mr Chair Andrew that that location specifically in my mind is is right just to the South of the Eagles, right? So when you look at the Eagles, you see, they pay parking lot then without stops, that would be the area going south for this particular project Vice chair Comm.

00:10:55,830	roar on the screen, You’ll see, um, an image of the property included in the packet, but it’s It’s this one yet to the South. OK? Any other questions before. Move forward. I have a question in regards to I had a couple of people talk to me about parking That’s gonna be on Collins.

00:11:19,930	What, are we gonna be doing with that? It’s not a very wide road anyway, but Vice chair meets the Comm. olson. Parking is not allowed on Colins people seeking on street parking spots would have to look for 13th 12th or 11th Street. Thank you for clarifying that? Any other questions before we open the public hearing. OK, see none. We will move into the public hearing.

00:11:41,970	This is a public hearing to consider a parking variance for lot, two less the South 125 ft. Block one Highland second relat in section 22 Township 139 North Range 81 West If. You have any comments or questions if you’d like to approach please state your name and your address for the record. And. This is a public hearing.

00:12:05,230	Second call for anyone here or online that would like to make any comments under this public hearing, please step forward. Last and final call. Seeing none will close out the public hearing and move it to the wishes of the commission.

00:12:26,030	Move to approve the parking variance for lot, two less the South 125 ft Block one of Highlands second Repla in section 22 Township 139 North Range 81 West Second Moved and seconded. It was moved by Comm. braun Seconded by Comm. olson. Any other questions and comments. Seeing none will move into a roll call vote, please. Comm. is roar. Olson Yes Vice President Kisa? Yes in that motion is approved.

00:12:54,000	We’ll move into public hearing item number three. Consider a setback variance for lot one block one Ramblewood 11th Edition, andrew Mr Kisa on my screen is the location map for this item? I’ll. Just call it out, because I think it is a little bit.

00:13:11,970	Um Maybe not known as a development parcel, so Uh, the property that we’re looking at here is is shaded in the the CC commercial district. The Land use line is for commercial. It’s just to the to the west of the McDonald’s restaurant on third Street southeast in Memorial Highway, So. That is where the property would be located. This is a request from ben and richard Holmes, Um and they’re seeking a setback.

00:13:29,830	Variance to the CC commercial district, which requires 35 Ft of setback. For, um For. Any buildings. I have a site plan on the screen as well. That shows the proposed building location the applicants seek to construct A drive through coffee hut and and place it at 25 ft, off of the property line, whereas the zoning, of course,

00:13:51,000	require 35. This is a 28% reduction in the front yard setback for the property. As you can see from the site plan. It would be kind of a double sided building so vehicles would approach it from both directions. Utilizing a shared driveway with the the restaurant and a driveway of their own.

00:14:13,470	The Planning Commission did consider this request that their meeting in April and similar to the last item found that the application of the provisions of the ordinance would deprive the applicant of the reasonable use of the property. And they were able to identify a hardship based on the applicant’s statement.

00:14:31,100	I believe that they Sort of have just enough space for the type of use that they’re proposing on this site. But, I think given um And. The lack of understanding of this being a development parcel in the past.

00:14:49,670	I just wanted to call it out its location and the proposed use, Um Would be kind of considered a trend in a way that maybe wasn’t considered back in 2005 when the subdivision was approved. Recommendation on this item is to is to approve a setback variance that’s presented. Do. You have any questions for me? Andrew question on the the two driveways, So. You got one That’s gonna be a shared driveway with McDonald’s. And. Then. There’s the second driveway on third.

00:15:13,700	Uh, are we still looking at potentially restricting a left? Turn, uh, out of that particular driveway to leave only one driveway for a left turn so that we it it gets very busy at certain times of the day on third, and I think that would cause a lot of potential issues with cars making a left turn across

00:15:31,770	traffic? Yeah, I didn’t mention it in my comments. Uh, the the site specific driver would be right in right out only Any other questions from the commission. I have a couple. Um And I. Guess. It comes from some other people, too. And just me when I used to go there. Get coffee in the morning.

00:15:53,770	As are the entry and the exit is gonna be wide enough. I mean I was there at times when You, get a couple of trucks trying to go in and out, and it’s It’s pretty crowded there. And then I was thinking about over in Bismarck, where they have the big boy. So. If.

00:16:10,300	People are trying to pull in from the West. And. There’s what? How many Cars. Available lined up there. What happens if it goes past and out to the street and past the intersection and stuff like that, cause then now you’re actually impeding traffic going across, say to the golf course and so forth like that, So, I

00:16:32,700	think and and it’s always at one time and it’s always in the mornings where you’ve got Such a big, congested area, and I just I don’t know if those like if they’re the shared one, especially I. Don’t think that’s big enough. I. Just don’t think that’s gonna work. Comm. Olson.

00:16:52,070	I’ll probably defer to the applicant to speak to how they kind of run their business. But The site is showing what the city requires for for stacking of drive through spaces. Yeah I.

00:17:19,700	I believe that there’s enough, um, car space and just like a consumer would, um, be if they see that the car stack is, you know, impeding or you know too long. They’re just gonna go to the next, um either coffee shop or just had to work without coffee that day. Um We hear You know from customers before is just like, Oh, the lines were too long. I. I have to miss you. This is Comm. Kisa. I have one question for you.

00:17:45,230	I have seen, you know, copy location in town that does butt up against an alley and I have seen traffic backed into that alley. Um, when the car stacking gets pretty pretty dense, So, if we do have any issue where there are gonna be cars, stacking on to third to make that left turn in there because they decided

00:18:05,030	to wait. Um, how How would we go about mitigating that? With you as a business owner. Um, I think that we’ve talked about before putting a turn line in Um On third because of the street is wide enough. And I can add a couple cars. As there’s one for McDonald’s.

00:18:30,170	I believe OK? And, then I think it’s just up to the consumer II. I would assume that you know if the line is too long, um, they just go past it.

00:18:51,130	And we do, um The tests were that’s like one of our big, um Dishes is, uh, we do a speed test in our stand where we do, It’s a 10 drink challenge that we do, and we have braces. Do that in, um five minutes, so as far as like you’re gonna see a different kind of speed. From us than you are with other Coffee shops per SE. Thank you for that Comm. is any other questions for Andrew or the applicant? See.

00:19:16,700	None will move into the public hearing. So again. This is a public hearing for a setback. Variance for lot one block one Ramblewood 11th Edition If. Anyone would like to step forward and make comment on this particular item. Please step forward to the podium now. I’d like to add, Um Some stuff.

00:19:37,630	I do appreciate you guys taking the time to consider the request for the variance to the setback regulations. I like to share a bit about daily perks and why we believe this adjustment is crucial for our business and the community of Mandan. Daily perks has been a beloved coffee destination in Dickinson for over the past.

00:19:57,700	10, plus years, Um, in a market where competition has steadily grown. We’ve remained steadfast in our commitment to exceptional service and top quality products. Our dedication has been recognized with numerous best of the West awards, a testament to the support and loyalty of our customers. With two locations in over 25 employees. Daily Perks is more than just a coffee shop. It’s a grassroots.

00:20:19,030	Success story that highlights the entrepreneurial spirit of Dickinson. Now. We are excited to take the next step in our journey by expanding our double sided drive-through coffee concept to mandate The Latin question is an ideal fit for our concept, offering ample space for car stacking smooth traffic flow and easy accessibility by making this adjustment for heist and best

00:20:39,330	use. We not only enhance the accessibility to our business, but also contribute to the vitality of man Dan’s economy and inspire other entrepreneurs to think creatively about unused land. In summary our requests for a setback. Variance is not just about daily perks.

00:21:02,270	It’s about fostering innovation, supporting local businesses and enrich enriching the fabric of the city. We appreciate your consideration and look forward to the opportunity to serve Mandan. For the years to come. I do appreciate you guys’ consideration. Thank you. Anyone else would like to approach the podium and make any comments for or against this. Final call.

00:21:27,900	See none foreclose public hearing and I’ll turn it over to the commission for their wishes. Hm? I moved to approve the very requests contingent upon a minor plot. Is there a 2nd 2nd Moved by Comm. Orr Seconded by Comm. braun Any other questions or comments Seeing. None move into a roll call Vote, please. Comm. Olson. No. Ron. Yes. Roar? Yes. Vice president Kisa. Yes. That motion is approved.

00:22:03,700	We’ll move into public hearing number four and this is related to our hearing for an ordinance. It’s the first consideration of ordinance 1445 a zone change to RH residential for Meadow Park. Andrew Turk MIA commissioners.

00:22:26,730	The next two items are very similar Meadow Park and Gateway Park were purchased by out of state owners and they were seeking clear entitlements for the ability to make improvements to the parks as mobile home parks. Um the city ordinance prohibits when there is a zoning nonconformity present, um the expansion or the refurbishment or otherwise, Um A renovation when there is a nonconformity president and the applicant, um CMG Community management group wants to be

00:22:51,230	able to, um, clearly have the entitlement to bring in new homes to the park. Our codes specifically prohibits moving in new buildings, including mobile homes when there is a nonconformity in a park when interpreted black and white, the applicant needed to be able to have the full clarity when purchasing these parts to be

00:23:10,000	able to make the improvements desired, including moving New buildings. Um The property. So, um Meadow Park when it was originally developed, was zoned to the MH S district, the city at some point in time repealed MH S from its zoning ordinance, but never rezoned the property to another district.

00:23:32,830	It’s essentially been zoned to a district with no, um ordinance based standards. We have not been able to advise people in the park. Um the placement based on a code of new homes, for example, it’s been sort of difficult to do, Uh, The Review of development requests in the park. With that condition present.

00:23:52,700	There’s been some sort of inconsistent enforcement of the nonconformity by the city over the years, and this represents a step in the direction towards clarifying and removing these legal nonconformity whenever possible. The ordinances that will most particularly affect the homeowners within the park would be the ones that I have Bolden on the screen. And.

00:24:13,900	They speak to how when a new home is brought in or when someone chooses to make improvements to a property that exceed the threshold in the code of 25% of the structure’s value or more. These would apply, and it would basically state that each lot has to have a minimum square footage of 5000 Square feet, which this park meets.

00:24:33,400	That the structures cannot cover more than 50% of the site, which this park generally meets and should be able to achieve with homes placed on it. It also states that each home should be able to have access to a street, which this park meets and it states setback requirements of 5 ft from the property line.

00:24:50,530	We do not have any rules like this right now. So when someone calls and wants to place a home, we have nothing in the code to tell them what to base it off of this will be a big improvement for the For the staff looking at, um Reviewing the plans for this park basically.

00:25:10,070	This was considered at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting in April, and that board recommends approval. So. We can conduct a public hearing under this item and then go down to Resolutions and ordinances to approve the first consideration of ordinance 1445 there.

00:25:34,070	Andrew So, In essence what we’re doing with 1445 is we’re taking The zoning that it currently has, which really has no rules and regulations attached to it, cause we as a commission eliminated it, but we never told them we have to go through a zone change process to apply a particular zone. To that property that does have a set of rules and guidelines. Yes.

00:25:54,900	So th This is just an example of how outdated some of our code elements are and how much we need to, you know, really Get that code study move forward that our consultants working on So. Uh, do we have any other locations in the city where this is the situation? Yes, um, Vice chair Comis.

00:26:19,230	I believe, um Will have Mobile home parks in six different zoning districts after this for Getting rid of the seventh, but we’ll have Um we have parks and heavy industrial light industrial heavy commercial. We have another zoning district that was repealed. So some work to do yet. And. Do. We have any that are in this outdated Um, particular zone that we don’t have any rules and regulations. At least some of those other districts.

00:26:39,300	We, We do have zoning provisions in place for Oyster Kissa, um, the only district that we have that has rules for the placement of mobile homes would be the district that this is going into. So. There are a few parks that actually are zoned.

00:27:02,630	To be conforming in that way there is, I believe Nicola’s and The one in northwest Mandan, Cortez both have large scale mobile home subdivision zoning, which was also repealed in the 19 nineties. Thank you any questions or comments for Andrew? Sure. I think it’s anything we can do to support you know, the updating and and, uh Dealing with a mobile home park. Some of them have disintegrated.

00:27:24,070	Quite Quite a quite a bit over the years and they become rather poma. I’ve seen some around where their starting to take some of these old ones out, replace them. I know some of these have to be 70 years old, and I. Don’t think, uh, he’s home would have built the last that long.

00:27:38,370	Is anything that we can do to help. Promote, you know, getting the old ones are getting in better. Constructed and better, uh, residences in those homes areas would be nice. Any other questions or comments. All. Right, CNN. We’ll move into the public hearing. So. This is a public hearing for the first consideration of ordinance.

00:28:00,870	1445 a Z own change from RH residential for Meadow Park. Anyone has any comments that they wish to bring forward. Please step to the podium at this time. Again. This is the public hearing second call. Last and final call for any comments. Seeing.

00:28:29,130	None will close the public hearing and we will move down to Resolutions and ordinances. Item number one. I Turk meets the commissioners. This is the ordinance 1445 the first consideration of it, It will come back for a second consideration at the May 21st meeting. And staff recommends approval. Do You have any questions for me? Any additional questions for andrew. If not your wishes.

00:28:53,630	A move to improve the first co ordination Ordinance 1445. The zone changed from MH S Trailer Park district to RH residential mobile home. Park for Middle Park. Second Moved by Comm. Roar Seconded by Comm. braun any other questions or comments Seeing none Roll call vote, please. Commissioners roar. Olsen? Yes Brown. Yes, Vice President Kisa? Yes. And.

00:29:22,430	That motion is approved. We’ll move on to public hearing number five. This is a public hearing for the first consideration of ordinance 1446 a zone change from CB commercial to RH residential for Gateway Park, Andrew I Turk Misa Comm. is the same situation as applying to Gateway Park. I have a location map on the screen.

00:29:44,300	Uh, the same group is purchasing this park. It’s CB commercial zoning does not permit mobile homes in it, so there are no rules to regulate the replacement of mobile homes and they are seeking to be able to do that The RH district will permit them to be able to do that and similar to Meadow Park, um, a

00:30:00,430	lot to mentions in the home placement will work very well with Gateway Park because they all meet the minimums in I would recommend approval of the first consideration of this and to conduct a public hearing under this item and then go down to resolutions to Make a motion on the ordinance.

00:30:21,230	Do You have any questions for me? Commissioners. Any questions for andrew? See none. I’ll open up the public hearing. This is a public hearing for the first consideration of ordinance 1446 his own change from CB commercial to RH residential for Gateway Park. If you have any Testimony like you.

00:30:38,330	You would like to bring forward please step to the podium at this time. Again. This is a public hearing. Second call. Last and final call for commentary. Seeing Nano close out the public hearing and we’ll move down to resolutions and ordinances. Item number two. The first consideration of 1446 Andrew Vice chair meets the commissioners.

00:31:05,600	This would be the ordinance that would, um Be the instrument to rezone the park. It will it will also come back for a second consideration on May 22nd and staff for 21st and staff recommends approval. Do You have any questions for me? Commissioners. Any questions? Seeing none Your wishes.

00:31:26,900	Move to approve first consideration of ordinance 1446 a Z own change from CB commercial district to RH residential mobile Home Park for Gateway Park. There a 2nd 2nd. Moved by Comm. braun seconded by Comm. Roar. Any final questions or comments. Seeing. None move into a roll call vote, please. Mrs Olsen? Yes Ron! Yes Roar! Yes, Vice President Kisa? Yes. And. That motion is approved. Final item under public hearing number six.

00:31:55,170	Consider an appeal of denial of a variance to build a garage without a house. Or Riverside second Edition andrew. It meets the Comm.. This is a request from Brenda Wise. Um I have my location map on the screen here. We’re just in Southwest Mandan.

00:32:17,030	Um Kind of to the west of the 10th Avenue viaduct on the north side of Municipal golf course just south of the tracks in that little neighborhood there. The pro properties are in the R, 3.2 district and the city’s land use plan recommends, um, uses be low density residential in nature on this property. The applicant requested a variance to sections 105, 37, B and 105134 of the city code of Ordinances.

00:32:38,370	Um, one of those states that you can’t have a garage on a lot unless there’s a home and the second one speaks to the use of properties in the R 3.2 district, the applicant seek to be able to, um, construct a home on one of the lots and heavy shop on a different lot.

00:32:53,970	Um And and not have them be on one lot kind of combined in common ownership, as we typically see so the variance that they requested would be to be able to use a lot as a shop kind of on its own and then for the purpose of of of personal items, storage.

00:33:13,370	These are things that are only allowed when there is a house on a property in this district. The Planning Commission considered this request at its meeting. In April. And. Um, they did not find a hardship or justification to support the request and did recommend denial of the request to the city Commission.

00:33:36,230	The applicant seeks to appeal that denial and to be able to move forward. We did have a couple options to consider with the property, such as the consolidation of an into one lot. And based on kind of the characteristics of their project.

00:33:55,300	Um, that won’t be possible What was understood as kind of being owned commonly was more so in the same broad family so that it wouldn’t be the same individual owning both of the buildings. It would be a a father and a son. Kind of a separate and and it’s not possible for two people to Kind of own.

00:34:17,770	These people to own the properties together as we understand it, So, um That would have been kind of a a workaround strategy to potentially vacate the alley. Combine the lots into one and create this as an entitlement rather than a variance request because there is some concern with the precedent that that this would establish in in the residential areas of town, so My recommendation for the board this evening is to consider the The Planning Commission’s

00:34:38,030	recommendation to deny this request and also to consider the applicants a statement of appeal and I’ve drafted two motions for the board. Do. You have any questions for me? Commissioner’s questions for andrew. Mister Chair, andrew.

00:35:02,670	Is there Anything that differentiates this particular request from other possible situations here in the city of Mandan, it would make this unique in terms of consideration. As chair meets the Comm. roar off the top of my head, I. I can’t think of any Um And. He’s really real similar requests. I Know.

00:35:26,100	Last summer There was a request to do storage in the downtown fringe district where that wouldn’t have been permitted, and that request was recommended for denial by the City Commission. But. No, I can’t really think of a A great case, OK? Yeah. Any other questions or comments. Andrew in this Specific district. Have we ever had a, uh Request for a variance for something like this. Vice Chisa Comm. Braun. I wasn’t able to review um, historic actions by the city.

00:35:58,700	In in kind of that great of detail, However, within the general vicinity of the property. There are two, I guess probably on this picture. This building here is not owned by anybody in the neighborhood. This is a a shop. On a lot on its own. And. Then.

00:36:21,630	I think this home or this structure here is also a shop on a lot on its own. Hm? So. Andrew if I’m hearing you, right, we so we do have other properties that are being used as a shop. Or were they at a house or just a garage that was converted into a shop? How.

00:36:51,570	How would that potentially have passed? Zoning or or land use per our current zoning code. Vice chair, Kisa. I’m not sure that kind of how these came to be. Um It’s sort of difficult to access records from when these homes were constructed in this area, but As. We would understand it. It would be there.

00:37:16,630	There is no living quarters in the two examples that I shared and they are not owned by anybody in the neighborhood for what it is worth. Um They would be considered unless there was some sort of special granting, um, or special authorization of them to be permitted as such, they would be considered zoning violations. Can. You. Speak to the applicants.

00:37:38,500	Uh, their inability to combine the lots you know talking about, Um Ownership issues in In theory, you can have those owners on a single Property. It just sounds like there isn’t a desire to really go down that route.

00:38:01,370	I struck me so I would probably defer to the applicant in their surveyor to, um to characterize the specific circumstances a little more in detail. Um, what we understood in the pre application and kind of reviewing this was that they would be owned commonly, and we we sort of understood that that was gonna be the same person owning the house as the shop.

00:38:19,200	Uh, I think it kind of became more clear that they wanted them to be owned separately, I think for maybe financing purposes or other, um Ownership purposes. With the house would be owned. I believe by the applicants, son and then the applicant would own the shop. On the separate lot, and they could characterize, um The specific conditions affecting why they wouldn’t want to own them together.

00:38:45,170	Thank you any other questions or comments before we open the public hearing? Mister Chair and was there any opposition when you had the first zoning hearing from any of the neighbors? Uh, That area down. There was very concerns regarding this. Mister Kisa Comm. rne. I don’t recall receiving any public comments from the neighborhood.

00:39:05,600	Um, I guess I can share the sentiments of the Planning commission was that they? They weren’t really concerned about the appearance of this what it would look like to someone in the area.

00:39:28,200	They’re more concerned about the creation of a Of, a non residential structure in this area where the city’s land use plan wants residential uses the concern there is that Um It’s really unable to be sold as a as a house in an area that is supposed to be housing because there is no living quarters with it, and That sort of thing can cause what’s called Use creep, where the first per the first use that’s approved by a jurisdiction. Maybe.

00:39:45,570	It’s conforming with the code, but because of the form of it, it encourages people to take interest in the property for use is not allowed by the ordinance. But then you kind of state unless I misunderstood that there are structures down there that are very similar over that are separate. Already. It’s true um, Comm. roar that is correct.

00:40:07,430	These structures are down there, I. I don’t know, I. Guess. How. The neighborhood feels about them, but they do exist. My concern with that is, um That that came and we we don’t even know when that came. So that came some time ago.

00:40:26,630	Um My question was more towards if we had done a variance within a reasonable time when this commission was on Um Like, you said, and I concur. We’re going down the road. Uh, Dealing with precedents and and I Don’t think that’s where we want to go.

00:40:43,400	I know they have the option for variance and I know we look at specific reasons, but Um It seems clear to me that this is not The direction. We should go. Any other questions for Andrew OK CNN will open up the public hearing. This is a public hearing to consider an appeal of denial of variance to build a garage without a house for Riverside second edition.

00:41:05,770	Anyone, including the applicant that may be here that would like to step forward and make any comments. Please do so now State your name for the record. I’m scott Wise, Um Brenda is actually my mother. Uh, she currently Owns both lots but my son has purchased the the larger of the two lots. It just hasn’t been recorded yet.

00:41:27,030	We’re trying to get things moving, so we didn’t want to get the recording holding up the building process. And I am purchasing the smaller one adjacent to that. And financing reasons He cannot get a garage going as well as the house. I mean things are super expensive right now, so we wanna get the garage built so we can get Classic cars.

00:41:52,630	In and stored inside, so they’re not being vandalized, damaged and and just sitting out and just I don’t like things looking Unkempt so We’re going to move forward. We would like to move forward with the garage first, and I can finance that.

00:42:10,770	You know just I can’t put that burden on my son who may not be able to move forward with this house even this year yet just because cost of things you may have to Move forward at a later date, so the plan would be The garage being built first on that separate lot again.

00:42:32,700	I don’t want the burden on him for taxes and everything else and at some point You know it will be his. I mean I’m not gonna be here forever. So then it’s going to be sided. With residential Uh, like color lab or the, uh, smart LP siding. So. It’s gonna look the same as his house. So I mean once his house is built, they’ll look like a matched pair.

00:42:55,100	It just We’re kind of in time crunch mode here. Good. Want want those vehicles inside and Cleaned up and just wanna get moving forward on it, So. I don’t know if there’s any other questions, but that’s kind of where we were at before. I.

00:43:14,370	Don’t think I made it clear that He’s already purchased the One lot and I’m purchasing the other one. That’s why the vacation of the Alley wouldn’t Be a benefit to us. So, um There is intent to build a house on the same lot.

00:43:50,630	There’s two lots Um, I don’t know if the Or vice chair, said the two lots in the plot would be cursor over lot one and lot two. So the the one lot that doesn’t have a house. That would be the the I believe the one to the East. That would be the one that he would eventually build a house on so his would be the larger one to the South.

00:44:10,370	So that The woman a cursor on it right now, That is that would be the lot that he has purchased now, and that’s Yeah. You, keep you keep mentioning that he’s gonna build a house.

00:44:24,830	I’m just trying to figure out where that that is where he’s building the house and then right across the alley to the north, where the cursor is currently at that is the lot that I would like to build a garage on, so they’re just separated by an alley. So. Would there be a an ability to Merge those lots if he’s gonna eventually, If, it’s vacant. He’s gonna put a house on it. So. He’s putting the house on the South. Parcel. Yeah. And, then the the North Parcel.

00:44:48,230	On the other side of the alley is the one that I am purchasing, so there’s completely separate lots at this. You know, and I don’t want to combine them and put the complication of taxes and everything with two different Owners. Yeah. So. If I’m on.

00:45:11,300	I’m understanding you correctly, the South lot would be obviously where the shop would go. No south one. The, Larger. One is the house. The shop is the north one on the corner. Where. The cursor is currently at Andrew. I’m having some trouble too. Can you move the cursor to exactly what we’re talking about. Commissioners the the plat is It’s not too equal squares. Its lot.

00:45:33,930	One is This portion up here. Lot two is this portion down here? Lot one is on the north side. It would be The So. We’d have lot one. And lot to They would like to keep the alley in between them. Thank you. Mister Chair Andrew. I just wanted to mention also that I currently live right down there.

00:46:05,700	Our shops are right down there. That’s the the blue buildings, their chief construction That’s ours and my mother lives there. I mean we live in the area. Currently so it’s not like we’re just Putting this in And like you say there are two other garages and the Second one. Has been within the last 20 years.

00:46:25,470	It’s not like it’s been there for 40 years or anything. Any other questions. I did have a question. Scott can ask over a Maybe andrew. But. Let’s say, For example the house has been built now the one you’re about to build. Let’s say it was built and then you wanted to put the shop there.

00:46:45,170	Would that have made any difference. Andrew in terms of of, uh, allowing this Had the house ready dinner? Is there any relevancy to the house being put there now and passed or later? Mr meets the Comm.

00:47:06,570	or the city’s ordinance allows grudges once a house has been built, so if a house is joined the lots, though, right? Yeah so without a home on the property, a garage can’t be built on it if, in the hypothetical scenario, someone had a lot, built a house on it, then they can build a garage, so the house was built on this one lot and across the alley. They. You built the building.

00:47:24,970	You know, the That would be permissible. Uh, vice chair, the Comm. or No because they would be separate law, right? Yeah, that’s what I was getting at. Yeah, yeah. The way that it would possibly be able to happen. Would be for the house to be built.

00:47:48,700	First and then the shop to go or possibly, um Yeah, I really can’t think of it has to be a connection on the same lot for this to be, uh, Legally acceptable and in the eyes of the city. That’s correct. Any other questions for the applicant. And does it include? Or? Does this have anything to do with the the alley? That’s there. Yes. Andrew can Answer this. I.

00:48:13,700	Guess When I watched the The meeting the zoning and planning. I. Guess that was one of the concerns too. That. You do have an alley that goes in between. Andrew that was Does the alley have anything to do with this Also. Vice chair. Kissa Comm. olson.

00:48:36,800	We did discuss an option that would include the vacation of the alley. There are very few properties that benefit from the alley in this area. Um, as you can see, there just aren’t a critical mass of structures with alley loaded garages and things like that. So. How that would work would be the applicant would be able to request As owning Both sides of it jointly or separately.

00:48:58,630	They would be able to request to vacate and split the difference of the alley. Um and then. They would be able to use it sort of as their own kind of private driveway after that was done. Any other questions.

00:49:21,500	And the only reason we really didn’t Wanna do that is we have a very good relationship with the neighbors down there, and I don’t wanna step on anyone’s toes because they do use the couple houses that are there. Use the alleys for access to get their campers in and everything and I don’t wanna Shoehorn em in to not be able to use their property so and again.

00:49:43,170	Unless we both unless one of us was on the property. Um, both parcels. We wouldn’t be able to I mean the vacation would still be It wouldn’t be applicable for me. I mean it doesn’t make sense. Again I.

00:50:04,400	I Wanna move forward with the garage to get the classic cars inside and Don’t want to be held up with Waiting for my son to get enough for a down payment to get his house going so I just like to move forward with the garage as soon as possible so we could Clean things up and be ready for buggies and blues. Yeah.

00:50:26,170	See no other questions well, and anything else you like to share any questions for me or anything, But, yeah, we’ll continue with public hearing if anyone else would like to step forward for or against. The agenda item. Last and final call. Seeing none in a close out public hearing, and I’ll turn it over to the commission. Well as stated before I. I appreciate your testimony.

00:50:55,630	I I didn’t know the term Property Creek before but I, I think along with precedent Mo the one option you have is to vacate the alley, but you would need basically To work with your your neighbors. You would need that permission or you would ask for it. As you wish. Um But.

00:51:15,600	We’re back to the precedents issue and I can’t get past that, Um We’ve had people come before since I’ve been on the commission where they offer to do something, and then it doesn’t follow through Now. I’m not saying that in this case, All I’m saying is Based on history. Sometimes.

00:51:34,500	Things happen FINANCIAL issues whatever the case is, and then you can’t build a house. Um So a promise just Is not cutting it right now. Well. I’m not even looking for the promise of building a house. I would like to build a garage. There’s other garages there. It’s a one inlet to the whole neighborhood. And. It’s A but the railroad. It’s not Prime properties.

00:51:58,930	The, only people that are down there are people that live there or people that are lost. It’s. There’s no traffic through So. I mean there’s already garages there. So. The precedent has already been set. I.

00:52:22,670	Appreciate that I do not agree with that The president said was said or or being said was not what this commission. We have an individual that came forward and part of when he when he asked for this job was to start making corrections so we could be fair across the board across the city. So from From when I start. That’s My goal, I. I don’t I don’t I don’t want to.

00:52:40,400	We’re going to be fair across the board. Then why right across the street as there are currently a garage, it’s right across the street, right? So. I can’t answer that. And. Could you tell me what year that was offered or that we don’t have a clue. It’s not mine, I. I don’t know either. But.

00:52:57,330	I mean those people do not even live in the neighborhood. My house is 200 FT Away. Then if we proceed with your request. And. We have another one coming up. Now. We’re locked in and and we can’t do the right thing, which is to follow the policy in my mind, sir.

00:53:23,970	That’s I’m just I’m gonna stop you because we closed public hearing for the moment unless there is any any questions from the commission with This. The sun Yeah any other questions or comments? Your wishes. Well. I move to deny the variance to build a garage without a house on Riverside Second edition.

00:54:10,430	Is there a second? Second Motion to accept the Planning commission’s recommendation to deny the variance was a, uh moved by Comm. seconded by Comm. olson. Any questions, comments Just have one comment. I think it’s you know you’re trying to do something now and we’re we’re trying to set this new precedent. Maybe. We need to go back and Redo some things first and then Maybe.

00:54:38,700	We can adjust to this. But just by going with what we as a commission has done now, Um, I. Just don’t think it’s The right time to do that. Anything else from commissioners before we go into a roll call. We’ll call vote, please. Commissioners Braun Yes. Roar. No Yes. Vice president Kisa. No.

00:55:11,300	That motion dies for lack of a majority vote correct However, that puts us in a tricky position because We don’t really have a decision either way, Um You can, either. Make another motion or perhaps postpone until the mayor helpling returns. Comm. as my recommendation would be to to table the matter until we’re a full commission. Great.

00:55:43,870	Is there any objection from staff? Andrew No. So if a Comm. would like to make a recommendation to table this to our next meeting, I would entertain that motion. I moved to table this issue before we have a complete commission. Second Moved by Comm. Braun Seconded by Comm. olson to table the matter any questions, comments See none.

00:56:16,900	Roll call vote, please. Olsen? Yes, Ron? Yes, Roar. Yes, Vice president Kisa. That motion is approved and the matter is tabled. We’ll move on to the next part of the agenda for bids. Uh, item number one. Consider, a municipal con concrete contract bits Vice chair commissioners. Um, we advertised for our municipal concrete contract. Uh, recently.

00:56:45,230	Um this is in, uh, a program that kind of serves three purposes. It’s an opt in program for citizens to, um, get concrete work done in front of their properties and finance it through special assessments.

00:57:04,170	Uh, we use it to address safety concerns that we identify around town and then public works also uses this contract contract to make, um, repairs that they identify. Um In the streets around town. On April 9th. We, uh, opened bids and we received three Brit three bids for the project, one from foursquare Concrete, one from noose, construction and one from Waldos Construction. Um, the apparent low came from four square concrete at about $194,000.

00:57:30,100	It’d be our recommendation to award the contract to four square concrete in that amount as presented, and I can answer any questions if you have any Commissioners. Any questions for jerk? See none your wishes. Yeah.

00:58:01,870	Is there a motion? A move to award a construction contract for the public men and public works, So that’s how I got the wrong one here. This is a contractor’s bond. Interrupted. I’ll. Uh, I’ll move to approve the contract. Contracts and contractors bond for the ad Municipal concrete project. They’re a second. Were awarding. I have a question where so we’re awarding that to Four square concrete.

00:58:44,770	Yes, um, for your point of information? Yes, it would be the ordinance that is in the packet that would be approved. I’ll second that Moved by Comm. Roar Seconded by Comm. olson Any questions, comments See. None will call for a roll call. Vote Commissions Roar Yes. Yes, Yes, Vice President Kiso. Yes, and that motion is approved. We’ll move on to Uh, bids.

00:59:15,770	Item number two consider a public works. Solar panel bids Mr Chair commissioners. Um, we recently advertised, uh, for, um, a project that would include the furnishing and installation of solar panels on the public works building. Um We received one bid for this project from light Spring LLC at about $178,000. Um With engineering and a $20,000 contingency.

00:59:48,070	Um, we’re anticipating this project to cost around $210,000 and we are expecting to be able to utilize a $75,000 tax credit in in a in association with this work. Um With that we would expect the um and a return on investment of about 7 to 10 years. Uh, through power savings, uh, related to switching to solar power.

01:00:16,100	Um We would recommend awarding the contract to light spring. LLC has presented Jarek. Can. You explain how these tax credits work as a government entity. I don’t think that I would be able to explain that Does anybody else would anybody else be able to take a shot at that? Is it most people that are watching are going to look

01:00:32,170	and say You’re a government entity. You don’t pay taxes. How do you get a tax credit? Vice President, Kisa and commissioners. Um, we have a I believe it’s around a $75,000 E ECB G Grant, which is awarded to us, So. That is, um, a A It’s a grant that it It’s not a.

01:00:53,530	We have to apply for tax credits or anything like it’s just an award to the city, and so we’ll be using those funds to offset the cost of the of the B. So. In essence. It’s a grant. That might be midday energy conversation block Grant, I think is what they’re called.

01:01:13,200	So Perfect any other questions or comments for Derek? OK, Chair Jared. So, it says a total cost would be $210,000. But that’s That’s the cost right now without receiving any of the supplemental assistance. Correct correct, which we don’t know what that is going to be. I believe it will I.

01:01:35,230	I think there’s there’s the The Receiving the funds is a little what was that? Yes 75. It is in the amount of $75,000. But I think there is a little bit of, uh, strategy around awarding, awarding the contract purchasing, purchasing the equipment and moving forward with insulation. I think it will take take ordination internally. Um, so we are representing the full amount here.

01:01:58,030	Is this the first solar energy use for the city in terms of a using this type of energy to supplement Regular power. Um, Comm.. That’s correct. For for public works, Uh, facilities. So just mainly to, uh, operate the electrical needs within that particular building. Um yes, Commission Comm. Roy I.

01:02:23,200	I believe it would be cutting lowering our cost our like pretty much cutting our electric bill down for our public works facility. That I think I see a head nod from director Bitts. Good reason to have sun shining days in North Dakota. All, right any other questions or comments for Derek? See none. Uh, well, Your wishes.

01:02:53,730	I moved to the cons construction contract for the Mandan Public Works Solar panel project to light Spring LLC as presented Second Moved by Comm. olson Seconded by Comm. braun Any other questions or comments Seeing none will move into a roll call vote, please. Commission is yes. Wrong. Yes Roar. Yes, Vice President camisa. Yes and that motion is approved.

01:03:22,970	We’ll move on our to our consent agenda. So item number one. Consider, allowing staff to apply for a marathon petroleum community investment program Grant Item two. Consider approval of the following special event permits touch a truck may 18th 2024 Mac and Cheese Festival may 11th 2024 buggies and blues June 8th and 9th 2024. Item number three.

01:03:50,770	Consider the approval the following gaming site authorizations. Man and Hockey Club Inc at Blackstone Tavern from July 1 2024 to June 30th 2025. Next Man Down Hockey Club Inc at Central Station from July 1 2024 to June 30th 2025 Number three man Down Hockey Club Inc at Vicky’s Sports Bar from July 1 2024 to June 30th 2025.

01:04:18,500	Fourth one Mandan Hockey Club Inc at old 10 Bar and Grill from July 1 2024 to June 30th 2025. Number five Bismarck Cancer Center Foundation at Prairie West Golf course from May 8th to June 30th 2024. Next one Prairie Public Broadcasting Inc at the Strawberry Strawberry Bar and Grill from July 1 2024 to June 30th 2025.

01:04:45,270	Man down Touchdown Club at story in sports Complex from August 1 2024 to December 1 2024. Man dan Touchdown Club at Dicky’s Barbecue from July 1 2024 to June 30th 2025. Consent Agenda Item, number four consider approval to allow the police department to apply for a fiscal year.

01:05:08,900	2024 community oriented policing services also known as the Cops hiring program, grant for four police officers. Number five. Consider, a man and Progress organizations. Event Grant Applications, number six. Consider minor plat for Riverwood Commercial Park Fourth Edition number seven Consider proclaiming, May 19th to may 25th 2024 as national public works week in the city of Mandan. Number eight.

01:05:37,130	Consider 2022 to 2023 Veteran credit abatements for tom Tuntland. Number five consider annual highway closure agreement. Number 10, consider scheduling a public hearing to vacate a portion of right away in Lakewood Seventh edition. Any agenda Items Commission would like to pull off for separate consideration. Mr. Chair number four. OK number four will be pulled. Any others.

01:06:03,830	OK, I’ll entertain a motion to approve the remaining part of the agenda. Consent Agenda Less Item four. So moved Is there a second? But moved by Comm. Braun and seconded by Comm. Roar. Call a roll call vote. And ron Yes. Yes, Yes Vice President camisa. Yes, and that motion is approved. We turn back to consent Agenda Item, number four.

01:06:37,300	Consider approval to allow the police department to apply for a fiscal year. 2024 community oriented policing services known as the Cops hiring program, grant for four police officers chief Ziegler Uh, Vice President Ciso, Uh, this grant. Uh, we applied for once in the past, and we had two. That was a couple of years ago. It’s already expired.

01:06:58,170	Um and those two police also are currently on our list. Um, as our city grows our police force in order to keep up with public safety and stuff has to grow also of I’ve requested a positions in the past, and I’ve Not always got in the positions and I completely understand it, Uh, these four positions are

01:07:17,830	crucial to the growth of our city and to provide AH police services. Uh, if we get this grant, and this is just requesting to apply for the grant, Um, it’s up to the commission.

01:07:37,100	Whether the four or how many of these positions you want, Um, when you look at the Department of justice and what they, uh are recommending cities have they base it upon population per 1000, and it’s two officers per 1000 is is the number the DOJ actually recommends with that number in consideration and not looking at all the statistics Uh, that surround it. Uh, we should be around.

01:07:59,030	49 police officers were currently sitting at 41 when Foley staffed. Um so this would help us get up there. Plus. It would offset the cost to the city for the three years after the third year is done, then the city is required to keep those police officers for one year, um, with with the hopes of making them full time permanently.

01:08:18,100	So This year’s Just a a request for us to apply for the grant. There’s nothing that says that the Department of justice will grant us the the positions funded through the grant and, uh, I would stand for any questions. Chief. A. Couple questions for you.

01:08:38,600	So when we’re looking at the ground, Um if we were to apply for the grant put in the four fold positions do and were awarded the four positions Do. We have the ability to let’s say only move forward with two or three If, for instance, we’ve determined that it the budget’s getting tight for for additional positions, even though we were given some funding.

01:09:00,370	That would be, um Probably not a thing I would recommend doing. Uh, I’m I’m guessing that we could possibly do it. The Federal government is pretty finicky when it comes to when we accept a grant. Let’s say we get the four positions and then the commission says, OK. Yes, we’ll we’ll take.

01:09:16,970	We’ll Take the positions Then later on, we say, Well, we can’t really do that. Now, I! I’m I’m I’m. I’m not the federal government, So. I can’t tell you what the people are evaluating how they look at that. Uh, what I can tell you is that it might hurt us in future grants.

01:09:33,070	And when we’re looking, because now they’re gonna say well, we’re applying for stuff and we can’t even fulfill our side of the obligation. I would much rather the commission look at, um Taking it from the aspect of OK if we don’t want the total four Um, let’s let’s get a a map to to to get our police department up to where it needs to be. So.

01:09:52,730	Maybe we will do the two this year and let’s look at maybe one next year or one, you know, give me a road map, something that will give me tangible.

01:10:10,330	Um Ability to move forward with the police department and get the staffing up to where it needs to provide the highest quality of police services to our citizens. With. Our current staffing in with the subdivisions that we have planned, but not yet developed. Um are you seeing that currently and not considering the growth? Are we able to be in a proactive policing direction at the at this current moment right now, our police forces is mostly reactive.

01:10:35,530	It’s hard to respond to all the the, uh, public needs out there. Uh, we get a lot of traffic complaints. A lot of different things. I know we had a parent in last year. That was requesting, uh, more ability to, uh, for us to get into the elementary schools and all that stuff.

01:10:53,570	Um, with this with this, uh, community outreach the officers would be required to be helping out with those traffic complaints helping out with the the schools that need somebody there. Uh, we have two school resource officers and their main focus right now. Is that the middle school and the high school.

01:11:12,770	Um so these, these officers would would really And out, also help out with our business community and their needs and desires to help reduce crime with inside the business community, Uh, parking violations and you know you just just All the stuff that we would like to do as a police department, But when we are handling almost 15,000 calls for service a year, um, in our

01:11:32,070	patrol staff is 26. And. Then. We’ve got five detectives and you know it just there’s just not enough. People. To to do everything that’s requested. So. Um, whatever the commission’s desire is, um, I respect it. But I.

01:11:54,430	I will let the commission know that we we gotta keep we gotta move forward In the longer we put this off the worst, the more Worse position that we’re putting our city in and and the police department to handle the calls. Chief final question for you.

01:12:14,700	Um if we put in for four has the federal government when they have done these these grants before, have they partially funded? So if you put in for four do they either just say yes. No Or could they come back and say we’ll provide you a partial grant award for two positions, for instance, they they have done that in the past, uh, with us? No, because we’ve only asked for two and we do have a domestic violence. Ah, Detective that is fully well.

01:12:34,470	It’s 80 20% funded it used to be fully funded, but we moved to in 8020 with them. Um and that is up in 2026. I believe or No at the end of 2025. Excuse me. Comm. any questions for Chief Ziegler before I asked Finance director Welch to come forward. I pulled this off for a particular reason.

01:12:54,870	And that is to, uh First of all I bring to the public dishwashing some knowledge of what’s going on here and the needs in that respect, too, And also because this has a large fiscal impact later on, Uh, when this goes out, it may cost those four officers may cost us a half a

01:13:09,370	million dollars. To to keep him going. And so you know there is a large Impact that we have to look at now. I spent some time with the financial director to talking about this and you can listen to what I say about this, too. But.

01:13:25,170	I want to be sure in my mind that when we take on this here if we get to the point of approval that we Meeting C’s expectations in terms of the staffing and meeting demands, but also being able to afford and continue on, you know, paying for these things. There are certain things that always you know you that are for a scene.

01:13:44,530	We don’t know what the cost of livings are going to be. We don’t know what the cost and male is going to be. But. This all has to be looked at. And, uh, And discuss and and I want chief Ziegler when he has these four officers to submit a a specific plan on how it’s going to be utilized to show that these particular

01:14:02,600	services are going to be additional, or met that we haven’t met in the past. I know there’s a we don’t have a lot of resources for traffic enforcement, and that’s one area.

01:14:17,600	That’s, uh, that’s kind of gone downhill over the years because of the lack of a of attention to the manpower needed for this, and there’s other things, too, and there’s more being brought into the police arena. For Expectations from playing, so there’s a whole gamut of whole things out there that that affect the dynamics of what officers do or need to do, and things like that, so, but I think we know once if we get the plan for for

01:14:35,270	our service, I’d like to see a specific plan. OK. This is what is going to Be done with this money he officers for the police department. This is how we’re implemented and this will be the outcome. Vice President Kamis and Comm.

01:14:55,970	roar part of the, uh, federal government’s, uh, grant requirements if we if we let’s say you say yes to this and we apply for it and we get get these officers, uh, we’re required. There’s reporting requirements that we have to do to them to fulfill the obligations of the grant. And. All. That stuff is public record and and and we can make it available.

01:15:13,570	Our reports to the federal government, uh, to track that word using the police officers the way that we originally The planning and the packet Captain Hal here. He can explain if there’s anybody has questions of what all goes into Grant.

01:15:31,870	He’s My Grant, uh, specialist at the Police department is very versed in how the federal government operates and what the record, uh, reporting requirements and, um, you know, like he was explaining, uh, earlier, um to myself, and, uh, Administrator NAU about you know, we’re given six options and the the community outreach option, which I think is really needed in our community right now, um Is is the option that fits our

01:15:51,500	community. The Best of the of the six options they give. I think one of them was making an Intel unit. And so they get all these specialized things where agencies are size can’t really absorb that and dedicate, you know, for officers to do nothing but intelligence gathering and and, uh, you know, so, um That.

01:16:11,770	There’s questions about the grant itself, Captain. How can answer it, but, uh yeah, we get we have to report to the federal government on a monthly basis. A report on what we’re using them for and how they’re being used.

01:16:27,400	We don’t have to get two inch cut now, because right now we’re only seeking to approve to seeking of the grand. So it’s a preliminary action at this point in time, and we could, you know, do all that. That’s correct so specifics more as time goes on. Any other questions. How often do these come up these grants they come out. Uh uh. Vice President, cami Comm. Olson.

01:16:45,900	These grants come up yearly. Uh, typically, you don’t see a lot of what we call stacking of grants. So if we apply for Let’s say, you say two this year, then I want you to apply for two more next year to kind of spread them out. You typically don’t see them stacking up that way. The way.

01:16:59,930	I like to run Our Grant program is that will apply for these three. I mean these four positions for the next three? Years after the fourth year is completed of the city taking on those officers, then we’ll look to apply for another one because I like to get like that year to two years, separation

01:17:18,100	of applying for grants that way the federal government can absorb and say, OK, Yeah. They’re doing what they’re supposed to do, and they’re just not just trying to stack grants on top of grants. And to point out in the last 10 years.

01:17:33,530	We’ve hired three That which I You know it is not a tremendous number as men apply here, but it’s three in the last 10 year period. Vice president, uh, Kisa and Comm., or that’s correct. We did do some position conversions where we took civilian positions that were being eliminated. Uh, like one of them was the truancy position.

01:17:54,770	We converted that to a school resource position, which the school district also pays 75% of that officer’s salary for that school resource, so that one was absorbed that way. Um, and then we had when they, uh with all the juvenile law changes and stuff we had a civilian juvenile officer. That.

01:18:16,200	Uh um when she left because the workload wasn’t Happening like it used to be, Um, we I took the that position and Transferred it into a juvenile detective, which is actually working very, very well with the school districts and, uh, social services to help with the new juvenile laws so they can deal with, you know, missing juveniles, Uh, juveniles that are committing crimes.

01:18:32,100	Anything that goes on with inside the school they can help out with the the school resource officers to investigate stuff that That is linked or tethered to the school itself. All. These commentaries are important for those. I’m surprised A. Number of people actually watch these meetings and but, uh, you know, to also to let the public know what’s going on with the police department.

01:18:52,270	Certainly is there, so I think his commentary is a very important here. Any more questions for chief Ziegler. I ask finance Director Welch to come forward. I think the commission when when we’re looking at, you know, increasing a number of positions, especially potentially at one time, and I do understand from the way the the cops grant is is that there

01:19:17,600	is some some flexibility to maybe do a little bit of spacing, But overall, we are gonna have some budget impact. And. So. What, Are. You seeing potentially, um in terms of one If. This was the only issue coming up for budget consideration.

01:19:39,100	Are we able to afford this and what other potential, um, budget constraints might we be seeing going in the future? Because? The Commission here hasn’t seen the budget requests yet, so we don’t know what might be coming in the pipeline. Right, Um, Vice chair. Uh, camisa, Uh, commissioners, Um we are very early into the 2025 budget process. Um, right now.

01:20:01,400	It’s projected that the general fund, um looks like it’s gonna have about a $3.6 million unreserved fund balance at the end of 2024 that can be used for consideration for the 2025 budget and for future years, the Finance Department Uh, calculates in operating budget for the next fiscal year, plus three more years.

01:20:29,030	So we revise the current your budget on paper with updated projections. We’re entering into our new budget cycle for 2025. But on paper. We also make budgetary projections for 2026, 2027 and 2028. Based on, um, current operations.

01:20:53,800	Uh, the the budget constraints that we’d be looking at would be, um, cost of living increase that we we would anticipate for 2025 is that number been released yet? It hasn’t but the preliminary projection it might be about 5%. Based upon the employment cost index As of a march of this year. For, state and local governments, so that would be the recommendation from the Finance Department. As. We start looking at preparing the 2025 budget.

01:21:14,670	Uh 5% salary increase. We don’t know what the monetary impact of that is. Excuse me because we haven’t calculated that yet because we’re very early in the 2025 budget development process. Uh, we don’t know what the health insurance premium impact will be for 2025. We’re still waiting for recommendations.

01:21:35,230	Uh, from the committee that A sign that task, so we’ll know more information, probably within the next 30. Days of of what we would be anticipating for 2020 25, but, um We have to keep in mind, too, that we’re also anticipating other position requests within the General fund.

01:22:00,100	Fire department being one We know that we’re always going to have Equipment requests for vehicles. Police department public works, all that needs to be taken into consideration when we look at affordability. When. We look at unreserved fund balance. We like to target those dollars for one time costs not for ongoing recurring. So if We’re only looking at. Let’s say if the cops grant was the only budgetary issue.

01:22:26,500	Yeah we could certainly, you know, pay for that out of our unreserved general fund balance. Um You know Revenues aren’t unlimited, so we always have to, you know, be cognizant that we’re not gonna run out of our reserves.

01:22:49,230	But if this was the only issue we would have enough On reserve fund balance to sustain Those four positions, but we know full well that we’re gonna have budgetary requests for personnel from other departments. But, then we also have to be cognizant of the fact that departments are also going to have other personnel needs. And equipment needs for 2026 through 2028. So. That’s all part of our budgetary projections, but In isolation. Yes, we could.

01:23:14,030	We could afford the four additional police officers, but we know that we’re gonna have other budgetary commitments. Thank you any questions for finance Director Welch? Yeah. Thank you? You’re welcome. Um so, I, I think going forward. We have a couple of options. Um, you can as a commission.

01:23:39,130	Uh, since I’m not in my usual seat, um, to make motions or or second we have the the ability we can approve. The request to allow the application process to go forward. We can deny and not allow the police Department to to move forward with just the application, so this is not accepting the grant.

01:23:59,370	This is just approving them to go and make the application. Um we can table the matter for additional conversation if we need to look at other numbers in terms of how many positions that we we may take, Uh, take on potentially with the grant application. Um or, um We? We could just, you know, say no. Or.

01:24:22,900	We should say we can amend We can amend that number and say we would only allow a certain number of, uh, whether it’s 123 officers to be applied for under the grant. So. I would say Those are our our options. Um, me speaking.

01:24:44,330	I would say that we should move forward with the four because we do have the ability to turn the grant down. If. We look at our our budget and it’s not something we can we can afford to do. Uh, I think it doesn’t hurt to Put an application in outside of, uh, Maybe Captain hugs time. Uh, as he would be the chief administrator of the grant.

01:25:02,430	Um, but Tho those are my my thoughts Any any thoughts from the commission? Chief. Excuse me. I understand the federal system just a little bit, and I know it’s they go by the concept, use it or lose it so He asked for four and then we turn on. We. Say. No. What.

01:25:25,300	We can only take two and then you come back and the next year and try to apply for a grant. They. See, that seems to come back up. So when you apply for these grants Um What’s your experience with the chances of us receiving this I mean has every grant that’s gone in been accepted for us. Vice president camisa Comm. braun.

01:25:47,600	Uh, we’re very selective on what grants we do apply and for and we Have somewhat confidence. In our needs when we apply for them so we wouldn’t apply for them unless we felt that We would we would have a sta A a good chance of getting the grant. And you’re You’re correct, sir.

01:26:09,370	That, if, uh, we do turn them down. It does kind of put a black eye on future grants. So. That’s. That’s my concern is Considering everything that was said, and we need I. I know we need an emergency services, but I keep going back to every year on our budgetary meetings. We have the same issues that come up as I need this.

01:26:31,630	Can we budget for it. And we have all these needs and then we have to try to figure out a meeting for that. So. If. We. We tell chief to apply for four. Based on what greg has said. We. We really don’t know. If.

01:26:48,270	We’re going to be able to afford four officers through our budget in in the three years after we apply, so I’m I’m just thinking that in my mind, do we If he applies for four and then we It’s it. It’s just seems to me it’s too early for the budget. Section to tell us that We can we can afford for officers in three years, four years.

01:27:08,600	That’s my only concern. Any other thoughts. I just have one. You know when I started this I, look at it and go as far as the whole community. How do you benefit the whole community? Police and fire I. I support those you guys all that all the way.

01:27:37,330	Um, there’s been some other ones that I haven’t been a big proponent, you know for because they only Or maybe just Or benefit a certain few. And. A. Lot of it is some of the Bismarck people coming over and and, um I. Just see that the number one priority should be police and fire. I.

01:28:03,370	I have and if we need more help within the city, That’s that’s fine, but We’re still adding people there, too. And. How does that really help? Community. Yeah in a certain way it does. But, not like police and fire. And I. Just. Uh, you know one of the things that I’ve been talking and and again, I think everybody knows it.

01:28:23,200	You know the airport? I haven’t been a very good supporter of the airport. But yet we’re paying for that. So how many People have manned in, like have planes. We need police. We need fire and I think that’s I would suggest you if we can afford things like that down the road.

01:28:43,970	Yeah, we’re going to have to give up some of the other things. We are like Some vehicles, trucks or whatever have you some internal Positions and so forth, but I’ll never back down for police and fire. Administrator neubauer, vice president, CISA and commissioners.

01:29:08,830	I know that, uh, mayor Heling has certainly weighed in on this over conversations the last couple of days he would like to He would suggest that the item be tabled. And. If we do that. I think that would be, uh, we could bring back at the next meeting. I know we have June 12th, I think is the date in which to Submit. For the grant application.

01:29:27,170	Um I would propose that we bring back at the next meeting. Here’s a compilation of what we see as the full list of personnel requests for the 2025 budget, so that you are fully aware of what? Um All those asks are Not that they will be fully vetted. But.

01:29:47,970	We’ve got the initial asks Um out there so that you have a better idea on what? Because? I don’t like. I think, um Greg said that I think fire is going to ask him be be asking for two additional firefighters and police and things like that. So we, you know, we could bring a full The full gamut to you for your consideration as you decide.

01:30:07,270	On how you want to apply for this. Thoughts, Commissioners. I If. We can have another more input. I would prefer to have we table it? Yes. Well If the mayor and I been here and BZ has some concerns.

01:30:31,830	Uh, If I would want to table it on because the fact that we have him provide his input and Whatever he wants to add to to this here. Otherwise. You know, I think most of our Or not negative as necessary. But if and I don’t think cheap, would buy another the next next round. Next meeting we dealt with with that impede the process. Vice President Kisa Comm. or no would not impede the process. Uh, Yeah.

01:30:57,530	The Police Department is a a public servant and we do what the commission desires and that’s your You’re appropriation source. So if that’s what the commission desires, then, yes.

01:31:22,230	Commissioners you know, while I’m, Uh I’m in favor of moving forward because it doesn’t lock us in, Uh, if it’s the wishes of the commission to table the matter we can most certainly do that if somebody would wanna make that motion Well. I move that we table item number four to the next meeting. They are a second. Motion was made to table. Is there a second? There is no second. Then. The motion will die.

01:31:56,130	Well that’s coming indicator that we need to go forward here. So as a Portfolio, holder of the police department. I move to approve allowing the police department to apply. For, the FY 24 cops hiring Program Grant. Second There are motion to approve the police department, allowing them to make the application for four police officers was moved by Comm. Roar Seconded by Comm. Olson.

01:32:24,370	Any comments, questions discussion. Just for clarification, Chief So We approve this tomorrow. He sets up the request for the four officers. OK, so It would be going forward directly. And then we get into the issues again as I mentioned. We can’t afford it. We can only afford two.

01:32:50,030	He’s put it in Now we now we Ideally suffer as chances the next time he offers for a grant, but That’s all. Thank you. Any additional discussion. See none. Roll call vote, please. Commissioners Olson Yes, braun. No. Roar. Yes. Vice president. Yes, and that motion is approved. That concludes our consent agenda. Uh, we do not have any old business.

01:33:20,100	We’ll move on to new Business item number one update related to the Morton County Senior Center. Good evening. Good evening. Uh, Vice chair, Kisa. Um, commissioners. I want to thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today about the martin County Council on aging and share with what you share with you What we do and how we evolved.

01:33:46,030	My name is Debbie Lafferty. I’m, the executive director of the Morton County Council on Aging. I will be doing the first half of a Two part presentation, County Comm.. Morell will be doing the second part of the presentation.

01:34:07,000	Morton County Council on Aging’s mission is to promote better health for elderly through nutritionally sound meals, Health maintenance, information, referral services, education, transportation and recreation. For those citizens in Morton and Oliver County. It is our purpose to eliminate the barriers that isolate our elderly and to afford them the opportunity to live their remaining years in dignity.

01:34:23,630	The primary program run through the Morton County Council on Aging is the senior nutrition program as you can see on that hand out, there are six communities throughout the county, where senior meals are provided under the Martin County Council on aging. They’re in Elmont Flasher, Hebron, Glen and Mandan and New Salem. At. One time All.

01:34:40,070	These sites had their own kitchen, their own, cook their own inventory, and they provided a hot meal at the community Senior center The hand out you received illustrates the changes to the senior nutrition program in the communities of Morton County.

01:34:56,700	I’m gonna take you back a few years prior to what is illustrated on the handout to begin with the first site that saw a change to the nutrition program, which was in Elmont in 2015. The Ahmad site lost its cook. The decision was made not to hire replacement cook for that site. This decision was based on the number of meals prepared at the site, which is only averaging about per two per day.

01:35:12,730	The community still had the option of frozen meals or if they were able to travel hot meals were available at the Glen in or New Salem Senior center. Since 2015, the Ahmad senior center was inactive.

01:35:31,900	That is up until last year in September 2023, a former representative from Elmont, who sat on the Morton County Council on aging board of directors contacted me and asked if it would be possible to visit and discuss the possibility of getting senior meals in Elmont once again. The community felt that the meals in the form of frozen meals would best meet the needs of the community at this time. So in January 2024.

01:35:48,200	We started delivering frozen meals to Elmont on a regular weekly basis. The second site that saw a change in the way the senior nutrition program was implemented, was in Hebron in 2018, the cook from Hebrew and retired. Upon her retirement.

01:36:14,570	The Morton County Council on aging felt it was an it was operating at The decision was made to combine resources with the Glenallen program in an effort to benefit both programs. So in 2018 meals for Hebrew were prepared and Glenmullen and transported to Hebron for distribution. From this 0.2018 to January 2023. No changes were made to any of the community programs as far as away as the way the nutrition programs were implemented, But as you can see from the handout.

01:36:35,230	Prior to 2023. All the meal sites operating under the Morton County Council on aging. We’re operating at a pretty significant deficit with the exception of Mandan. We did some financial improvements during Covid deficits for the sites were reduced due to some increased funding.

01:36:58,300	At the end of fiscal year 2022 the Morton County Council on aging decided that changes need to be made to get the nutrition programs in the smaller community sustainable. As. Everyone is aware over the past couple of years, things have begun to change economically with the rising food costs and the rising wages combined with the decline in participation in the meal programs, self sustainability was even more of

01:37:15,200	a challenge in the rural communities. In 2022, the Morton County Council on aging board of directors started discussing implementing changes to a couple of sites offering the program. Flasher New Salem had the smallest milk counts, and so it made sense that alternative methods for implementing the nutrition program should start in these two communities.

01:37:33,700	Martin County Council on aging board of directors decided that starting January 1st 2023 meals for New Salem would be prepared to manned in and delivered to the door of any senior In, the New Salem community who requested a meal. The Morton County Council on Aging board also discussed making changes to the program and Flasher. So in 2023.

01:37:51,770	We discontinued meals at the Flasher Senior Center and partnered with sweet creations, which is a big shop or cafe and the flash of community and they provided the nutrition program to the senior population in that community.

01:38:08,330	As you can see by the numbers, the changes we implemented in 2023 for the nutrition program in these two communities made a significant impact on their financial sustainability. Throughout 2023, the Glenallen program was being watched in different strategies were put into place in an effort to stabilize the program or to minimize the losses to the program.

01:38:29,030	In February 2020 for the Morton County Councilor Council on aging board of directors met and reviewed the Glenallen program and the trajectory it was on and decided that a change to the way the program was implemented was warranted. The decision was made that in 2020 for the preparation of meals for Glenmullen would be done in Mandarin and delivered to the Glenallen Senior Center for distribution. This went into effect April 1 2024.

01:38:45,630	In addition to the change we made in Glendale and other changes made in 2024 included on April 1st 2024 Meals for Hebrew were prepared in Mandan and just delivered to the Hebrews Senior Center for distribution.

01:39:05,430	Sweet creations and Flasher declined to continue to provide the senior nutrition program in that community, saying service standards of the program we’re challenging to incorporate and what they could provide for the community. So in January 2024 flash or no longer had a hot meal program. Meals for flash or residents are currently available in the form of frozen meals, which are prepared in man down.

01:39:23,130	Some people thought that in 2023, we would see a decline in the number of meals provided because of the changes we made to Flasher and to New Salem. Actually the number of meals we served in 2023 were the largest. We served to date. The number exceeded the number of meals served during Covid in 2022. We serve 67,164 meals. And in 2023. We served 76,303 meals a 13% increase.

01:39:50,230	To sum things up the challenges. Small communities are facing economically has required us to look at changes to the implement implementation of the program. The changes are being made to keep the program moving forward.

01:40:06,700	Some of the seniors living in these smaller communities depend on the nutrition program, and in some cases, it stands between them being able to live in their own home or having to move to a more restrictive living environment. Now as you can see on the handout. Amanda Insight now prepares all the meals from Morton County. This has provided challenges to the Mandan site or the man and kitchen in particular.

01:40:24,630	Because in addition to those extra meals being prepared for the smaller communities, the programming mandate has been growing by quite a lot. Five years ago in 2019, the Mandan senior nutrition program provided in Mandan provided 36,519 meals. 16,425 of those were to the homebound. Last year.

01:40:54,970	The Mandan senior nutrition program in the mandate community provided 56,884 meals of which 38,022 were for the homebound. This is a 55% increase in the total meals were provided to Mandan, senior citizens and a 133% increase in the number of meals were provided to the homebound in Mandarin.

01:41:15,430	I’m going to end by one reassuring you that the goal of the Morton County Council and aging continues to be to ensure that the nutrition program in those rural communities remain viable and continued to be offered to the seniors residing in those communities and to to make sure the Mandan program has the resources it needs to continue to grow.

01:41:32,170	It is our intent to move the program forward for the county to sue the city to serve the senior population. Not only today but tomorrow also I believe the changes that we made over the course of the past few years where change is needed to ensure the program is implemented in the most efficient, cost effective manner. For this to continue we need to make.

01:41:50,100	We need to look at some changes to the mandate M program. And with that I will hand it over the second half. The presentation will be done by county commissioner morale and I would either address questions now if you have any or we can wait until he’s done whatever the commission wishes. Comm. is.

01:42:08,570	Do you have any questions now? Or would you like to wait to the end? Yeah, well, wait till the end. Thank you. Vice president Cammiso and commissioners of the mainland city. Um my name is Ray morale among Morton County Commissioner and I’m portfolio holder for the Morton County Council, the aging And amplify what Comm.

01:42:33,730	also mentioned modern law enforcement, um as as a needed service to to focus on for the betterment of our communities. I’ll add to that with our youth and our elderly As important demographics that we need to remain focused on for our communities.

01:42:54,530	So I’m, speaking on behalf of Donate coachman, she serves as chairperson of the ad hoc Morton County Council, the aging site build committee. Last spring during the budget process. The Morton County Commission was apprised of the demands being pushed on the Morton County Council, the aging, compounding of potential need. For New Senior center building.

01:43:14,700	At that meeting I propose that the border directors for the Morton County Council, the aging work with the Western Plains Public Health board of directors to collaborate on a possible joint facility. With consent to the other commissioners. This wasn’t a great approach. Since, then Western Plains negotiated with the property owner their facility and addressed their space confines. Morton County constantly. Agent continued moving forward independently. And. This committee was formed.

01:43:41,430	Members include any college woman as the chairperson Dan Omer as vice chair. Dave Berger. Ralph Gay Bridge. Jerry. Haig’s dead Dead. Lafferty is executive director of Morton County Council, the aging and myself as a portfolio holder. The Committee formulated a mission purpose statement and it goes as follows.

01:44:05,500	Serving as a congregate source of meal serving as a congregate source for meals, recreation and organized activities. We are planning for the future. Identifying the needs of our senior population. Not only for us today. But for you tomorrow Our goal is to find a site where a new senior center can be located. That will address the current and future needs of our growing senior population within Morton, Coney.

01:44:29,970	There is a need for a larger kitchen due to the increase in meal preparation. A need for more parking a larger gathering space because of the senior population is growing. And more. We serve 51,639 meals in 2019 and are now serving 76,303 meals across Morton County. I don’t want kitchen.

01:44:57,770	In 2019 We home delivered 20,977 meals Today we home, deliver 39,342 meals. And side note on that, based on a recent report that council the agent provided to Morton County Commission for the first quarter. We’re on track right now to meet or possibly even exceed these numbers for this year.

01:45:22,830	The committee began working with local Realtor Karen flag who facilitated informal site assessments to evaluate market inventory, along with the respective strengths and weaknesses for possible sites and the needs of the senior population as relates to the mission. The committee continued to assess the market and provide insight regarding this current site under consideration. The old man, Dan Villa nursing home. Owned by Sanford.

01:45:49,130	Upon recommendation of the committee, the Morton County Council, the aging submitted a letter of interest to Sanford. Seeking the acquisition of the building. We have not received a response. But senior staff of Sanford has been working with our committee. Regarding access to the building and providing necessary information on the build itself.

01:46:11,270	Due to the existing configuration and current condition of this facility. We see the need to demolish the structure and build new This is an advantageous site. Because of its close, Uh, close proximity of the current senior housing The property is large enough to add additional housing. There is ample parking. There’s opportunity to partner with other entities such as a clinic.

01:46:36,070	A gym or other thoughts that would benefit Morton County seniors as well as the neighborhood. The committee has met with the Lewis and Clark Development Group. And. It’s been appraised of available funding strategies. We’ve been communicating with the mainland city planner on the prospects of supporting the larger vision of a possible site. Capabilities and service needs.

01:47:02,700	City planner Andrew Stormy has encouraged grant applications that support the environmental assessment and abatement for demolition. And possible grants to support stakeholder and visioning sessions with a greater population. The committee is developing a communications plan with execution of stakeholder meetings across Morton County to affirm the current and future needs of the proposed project.

01:47:28,270	This project will hit the ground running once a property is secured. There are grant application deadlines to meet this year in order to start construction as soon as possible. One deadline is the end of September for low income housing credits.

01:47:50,400	Vision of the project has been met with great support for the Morton County Council of the aging, which is comprised representatives from every incorporated city across Morton County in the central populations. Members of the Golden Age Club. Morton County officials and maintained city staff. We’re not seeking any action from the city commission at this time. The. Sole purpose of this presentation is to inform you Of, the current actions taken and the needs coming into the future of our senior population.

01:48:14,770	Thank you for your time and I stayed for any questions. Comm. morale. Thank you for giving that presentation and to you as well, Um, there’s no ask now, but are we looking at any point potential financial impact going forward where there might be a request at some point in the future and also on a non

01:48:37,700	financial front? Um, are you going to need any letters of support or anything for any of these grants that you might be applying for from the city? Direct financial assistance for this project. At this time we do not see any, but we’re just beginning the strategy of identifying funding streams, mainly primarily through the Lewis and Clark.

01:48:57,100	Development group. Um And as far as the letters of support letters of intent most definitely depending on what those grants might be. Definitely agree. Suspect that asked to come forward. Yes. And.

01:49:18,370	Then one last question, so the funding for senior meals is that something very similar to social services for those that are watching is that coming from the state that assistance to pay for those meals? How. How does that finance for that question directly to death? Because. She looks at the numbers. Thank you. Funding for the senior meals person. It’s partially funded through state and federal funds. The meal program It runs under the Older Americans Act.

01:49:41,670	Ah, we have county money mill money goes into that and then we have contributions that the seniors themselves make, so there’s kind of a whole assortment of funding that goes into the program. Thank you, commissioner is any comments, questions? For our presenters. Okay. Done Thank you very much to the both of you.

01:50:06,830	We’ll move on to the next agenda item under new business will move on to item to consider increasing the monthly parking lot spot rent for city owned parking spots. Chief Ziegler Vice President Commission Commission, um The parking authority met and they had some discussion on the current situation with the parking spots and what the city was charging for the spots.

01:50:31,300	The, chair of the parking authority. Rene Marsh is here, too. Uh, present their decision and recommendation to the commission. Good evening. Good Evening. Good evening. Vice president can use and commissioners after taking a peek at what the parking authority kind of overseas and whatnot we would like to recommend that we increase our 71 parking slots that the city

01:51:01,000	owns. Currently. They are at $20 a month and they’ve been $20 a month since everyone can remember. Um and doing the comparative to our Sister City, those comparing apples to apples of those surface lots with no electricity.

01:51:28,600	No covering their p in $64 in some of the alleyways over and her sister city where the, um businesses kind of have their own parking spots. They’re paying up to $70 for their alley parking ways and that is in your packet that comparison. So. We would like to recommend that we at least increase our parking spots to $30.

01:51:50,430	And this would take an effect January 1st of 2025, so it gives ample opportunity for The business is that people who who already rent out those spaces time to take that consideration. Is that the permit year. Calendar year. Is that what we follow? That’s typically how they pay. That’s why we picked that date.

01:52:11,770	Most of it is the bank kind of takes a lot of those those lots and they pay yearly, so that’s Um, kind of the reason why we picked that. Okay Comm. is any questions? Do you? Do. You foresee if we if we raise the price that we’re going to lose some of those people that are going to Pay for that. I.

01:52:35,770	Don’t think so, um, considering How lack of a better word low. We are, um I. Don’t think so and far as who rents those spaces, I would say, probably chief. I would say. 70% is business owned.

01:53:00,900	It’s about 70% is is business owned and It’s It’s the cost of doing business that we need to keep in mind, you know, for our city and you know we have. There’s some other things that we’re looking at trying to accomplish in the realm that we are that we kind of oversee. And so it’s just it’s time to To come up two times here. Makes sense.

01:53:21,730	What What made you choose this amount rather than it may be a little bit more in terms of Bismarck. Well. It’s What the what the rest of the board sought. I initially wanted to go for 35. Um, But After talking with the rest of the committee. They’re like Yeah, Let’s go 10 and go from there.

01:53:43,170	Our, Sister City After looking at you know how they increase it Looks like they increased like to dollars every other year. Um So But You know, since we’ve never increased issue You know it’s it’s time. Thank you. Any other questions. See none. Thank you. Thank you. Chief Ziegler. Do we currently have a waiting list. Still.

01:54:09,770	I know that usually, uh PD staff usually maintains a waiting list for those seeking permits. Do You know if we have anybody on that waiting list, Vice President committees, Uh, typically the way the waiting list works is people want to get closer to their businesses, so there may be a waiting list for specific spots if they open up.

01:54:24,530	Um I don’t have that list in front of me. I can get it for the commission. Uh, I know there’s I think there’s three or four spots that are currently open and they seem to stay open for quite some time. Because. They’re further away from the business areas.

01:54:43,370	So, but the ones where they’re closer to the downtown area and stuff like that there, there was a waiting list on the last time I looked at it. Thank you. Right Commissioners your wishes. I moved to increase the monthly parking Rent city owned parking From 20 to $30 effective January 1st 2025. Second Motion was made by Comm. Olson seconded by Comm. roar.

01:55:19,530	Any discussion questions, comments seeing none real cold, Please commissioners Olsen? Yes Ron. Yes Roar Yes President COMESA. Yes. That motion is approved. New business Item number three. Consider Engineering Service Agreement for 2025 Street reconstruction Project Jerick chairs commissioners before you Today. We have an engineering service agreement with more engineering for the 2025 Street your construction project.

01:55:45,670	Um, if it feels like this is coming early, it’s because we’re about six months ahead of where we were last year. Ah, for the for the 2024 version of this effort. Um But.

01:56:07,770	We are on a more appropriate time line this year for this type of work, um Included in this preliminary engineering study phase, We would be essentially amending the decision document that was presented to the commission last year. Last year, there were five areas that were presented to the commission and we ended up moving forward with two of those areas for the 20 24th Street Reconstruction project. We have three areas remaining from that study.

01:56:27,100	Um, with this with this, uh yes, A, we would be supplementing that study with a couple more areas and updating the ones that were considered last year so that we can make apples to apples comparisons.

01:56:47,670	On, Um, making an informed decision on which area to continue forward areas to continue forward with for the 2025 version of this project, or Iteration of this of this effort. Um, at the end of this phase, we would be presented with a decision documents similar in structure to the one that was that we had last year. As well as a We would also receive assistance from more engineering for this special assessment district creation process. Um And.

01:57:12,470	Then if that district was successful, we would then be looking to amend the contract to continue on with final design on whatever areas we decided to move forward with, Um I would be able to answer any questions that you might have and also grant from more engineering is here as well. Jerick.

01:57:33,170	So when we were looking at the downtown area for, um, how we were gonna move forward. Get. That study, you know, brought up the speed, so then we can look at how to apply for grant funding. We did a change order to add an additional services for that? So is.

01:57:51,870	Is this related to some of that? Or? Um, could you maybe clarify the question? I’m not entirely clear on what the question is. Why I where is this particular change order coming from for the special assessment District. This is not achieved. This would not be a change or two this this contract. Excuse me.

01:58:15,230	This task order would be essentially, um Starting Ah, the 2025 version of the of the effort knew we’d be starting new but we wouldn’t necessarily be starting from scratch would be taking the pieces that we developed through the 2024 effort. We wouldn’t be throwing those away. We would be picking up those pieces, making sure that there’s still applicable.

01:58:35,130	Um, integrating some new pieces and then making informed decisions based on that, so this wouldn’t just be for the downtown area. This is for all of our projects this would be for yes, this would be for right now. The area that we’re introducing, or that we’re proposing to introduce into the study that was completed last year is may be known as the midtown West.

01:58:53,770	Area, which would be just north of downtown, Uh, west of Collins, east of 67, in northwest south of Division. Um there’s been a lot of talk around needing to get that area looked at, and you didn’t get that area done.

01:59:13,600	But not entirely knowing what type of effort that’s going to end up looking like Um, with this with this, Uh, study, we would get a better sense of what That effort looks like and we would be able to compare that directly to, um Similar studies so that we would be making as informed decision as we can. Okay.

01:59:42,400	Thank you commissioners any questions? Okay to approve task order by for the study phase of 2025 straight relocation project. Second Moved by Comm. Roar seconded by Comm. Braun Any discussion questions. Seen done. Roll call vote, please. Comm. Braun? Yes. Roar Olsen? Yes Vice President Lisa. Yes, and that motion is approved. Item number four. Consider Engineering Service Agreement when Budget amendment for Water meter replacement project.

02:00:14,430	Vice chair Commissioners? Yes Before you we have a engineering service agreement with 82 s paired with a budget amendment. Um, this would be for an application to the water Smart program. Um, in this program, we would be eligible for $100,000 grant funding for three consecutive years. Uh, in order to replace some of the older meters around town.

02:00:40,000	Um, this project would or these. These. These grants do require a local match. Um, but before you today would just be the application. Uh, portion of it, and that application amount is about $15,000 estimated to be about $15,000 and, um, we are optimistic about our success in receiving these grants.

02:01:03,430	Um and we would we would be expecting to return Maybe. $300,000 in grant money over the next three years for water replacement water meter replacement efforts. Um, I’d recommend approval, but I stand for any questions as well. Comm. has any questions for jerk, Jerry, uh, replacement water meters to replace him Just Okay.

02:01:26,600	We’re gonna replace this money because of that old or do you have to wait for some kind of functional impairment or something before you replace them? Um, Comm. Roar. I would I would say that it would the there at the end of their useful life. The exact reasoning. Why they might be replaced might be different A Mitch on that Director bits.

02:01:48,500	Vice, President Commies Commissioners Comm. or to answer the question we replace on part of maintenance that all the water meters have batteries in them that send our signal out to our radio towers. So that’s the the need to stay ahead of replacement before we start to have catastrophic failure amongst the are across the entire city.

02:02:07,670	Um So the life expectancy is about 20 years on those, so as we approach it, 15 year mark. We’re training that’s stretching in, so we want to make sure we’re changing them proactively, and we think this is a good way to Um, get our meters on a rotation system.

02:02:24,700	That answers your question or not, but I don’t remember when you had to meet a reader going around and he went to the other system, which was Brie advantageous. Yep, all the the entire city is read through our radio towers now. Correct. Thank you. Any other questions for Derek. Seeing none.

02:02:51,830	Your wishes moved to approve the engineering service agreement with a two s and budget amendment for water. Me, too. Replacement project. There a second. I can Moved by Comm. Braun seconded by Comm. roar. There’s no further discussion. Roll Call Vote, please. Commissioners Olsen. Yes Ron Yes roar. Yes Vice President Lisa. Yes, And. That motion is approved. Item number five. Sorry, just jumped out.

02:03:17,500	I think we also need a motion to authorize use of $15,000 out of the city utility fund. Correct jerk. I might I might be mistaken, but I believe Comm. Brown included a Budget amendment comment in his motion. I apologize. I didn’t hear that part. I believe that was there was an end in the In his motion.

02:03:41,070	Okay. Great. Thank you. Sorry. Item number five. Consider listing of a 1.5 acre portion of lot a in the northwest quarter of the Southeast quarter and lot of government lots seven. Last 12.32 acres of Lot seven for a total of 44.2 acres known as 9001. C, a city owned property for sale. Joe Camisa commissioners.

02:04:11,430	The Planning Department was approached by members of the lower heart Water Resources District for its assistance and conveying a portion of a city owned property. The department’s previously been tasked with doing this when properties have came back from tax foreclosure, for example, and are given in the city’s name. We do have a process.

02:04:31,970	There’s some Language within this section of the ordinance 248 that permits the city to coordinate with A, local real estate broker for kind of Their assistance. It sort of allows us to focus on our strengths here and the realtor that we would be working with. It’s a familiar name for the project. Oaktree Realtors.

02:04:53,200	That’s helped us with pretty much all of these, um The request for this evening is to consider approval for staff to get that property listed at the time of drafting the agenda document.

02:05:14,470	Um, I did not have the listing agreement available, but I will be sharing it with the commissioners for their kind of Subsequent approval if there’s any questions or comments, however, it is very standard. When compared to Um then the numerous times we’ve done this before. Um, just for a little bit more overview on the project. This is where the city owned lot is located.

02:05:35,400	So we are in pretty much far far Southeast man, Dan and this is the parcel south of the wastewater planted the city owns. It’s part of a parent parcel and we would be selling Or requesting the transfer of about that much That’s that depicts what 1.5 acres would look like.

02:05:55,730	The reason that we are doing this is because there is a piece of land that is in this area that is necessary for the lower heart water resource districts Flood Risk reduction project. And. The City has a process to be able to To convey or trade or transfer property for sale. Or by sale. Um So.

02:06:17,430	What we would be doing is we would be assisting the Lower Heart Water resource district, knowing that we definitely need the flood risk production project to move forward at the community. You have greatly benefit from its completion. So. What we would be doing is we would be offering this for public purchase. Reviewing. Any offer that is turned in. And, um and ultimately transferring the property to to whoever purchases that, however, we do have a strong preference to trade the property for a similar parcel in this area.

02:06:39,300	And sort of have an idea of Which person we want, which one will give And. This is just the public process associated with it that allows us to understand if there is a an alternative or a better offer out there for the city that we haven’t quite figured out, however.

02:06:59,100	There is sort of, um A recommendation from the water resource district to make this publicly available with a piece of land in mind that we would seek the trade for So Sort of procedural in nature, but that’s a little bit of background on the request of any questions for me. Andrew so of to sum up. What.

02:07:18,830	We’re what we we would be approving is that we’re taking portion of city on property traded with privately owned property that has part of the river levee that’s currently on it.

02:07:41,770	So then we would trade that property out so that the property owner Would be able to have usable property because I would imagine with the encumbered easement for the Levy, the property owner would have very little use of that land. Um Are we going to potentially have any issues with our future growth around that area by not having that buildable land Vice chair, Joe Camisa.

02:08:03,830	I’ve kind of had a little bit of, Uh um I guess kind of a crash course in this project, But as I understand it the way it’s been outlined is the most beneficial to the city. So if the trade doesn’t happen, we would potentially would have to the lower heart water district would have to work with the property owner to acquire the land and if the property owner does not want to

02:08:21,400	allow that, then there would have to be some legal action in order to for the lower heart to acquire that land. Is that correct? Oyster comments. That is how I understand it. Thank you any other questions or Comments for Andrew. Okay. Thank you. I’ll turn it over to the commission for your wishes.

02:08:43,630	I moved to prove staff working to this property for public sale trade. Second Motion made by Comm. Roar seconded by Comm. Olson. There is no discussion. We’ll call vote, please. Commissioners Roar. Yes. Awesome? Yes Ron Vicepresidente Lisa. Yes, and that motion is approved.

02:09:14,270	We handled all of our resolutions and ordinances, any other business Anything Commission like to bring up Yes, Seeing. None will move into you. I was just going anywhere. There’s going to be something that city shop coming up pretty soon. Is that something to announce an hour later. Director bits. President. Community commissioners. Correct Thank you for reminding me Comm.

02:09:44,600	or public works week is may 19th through May 25th and we in celebration of that on May 23rd from 4 to 6 P.m. in our city shop. We invite the public to come down to an open house and check out our facilities and our equipment and meet the staff. And ask any questions that they might have and will serve a light meal.

02:10:00,000	Some hot dogs, hot dogs, and I think we’re doing burgers this year. Maybe I’m not even sure So spending the menu. We invite everybody to come down and check things out. It’s A. It’s really nice facility, and it’s something to be proud of as a community so No, The kids like it, too.

02:10:15,530	Downer, Absolutely for for those with little ones. I know, my three year old loves absolutely getting into the street sweeper and not getting out of the street sweeper. Are you going to be doing rides again this year Commissioners. There will be rides and probably a sweeper as well as a snowplow truck. Great looking forward to it.

02:10:33,670	Thank you Thank you, commissioner or for for that reminder, any other Business. See none. Future meeting dates for the border city commissioners may 21st 2024 start time at 5:30 P.m. June 4th 2024 start time at 5:30 P.m. and June 18th 2024 Start time 5 p.m. Here in the Bosch for meeting room.

02:11:00,330	There is nothing else before the commission entertain a motion to adjourn. So the movie. You did a good job tonight. Thank you made it through it. All those in favor of a journey. Say I supposed We are adjourned.