00:00:05,400	25, it is 5:30 p.m. and we are in the Bosh Froehlich meeting room at Mandan City Hall. City administrator Neubauer, could you please take the roll call, Commissioners, Rohr Here Sjoberg Here Heinsohn Braun, yes, Mayor Froelich here.

00:00:28,170	Now we will have Department will lead us. Lead from here. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. To the republic for which to stand. ation God You Justice for all. Thank you, Matt.

00:01:01,630	Uh, we’re going to head to announcements and Amy Berger will come up and we will announce the quarterly work anniversary recognition. Recipients OK, good evening, everyone. Uh, we are excited to announce the Quarter one. Years of service anniversaries for 2025. Um, for this quarter, we have 10 employees that have completed 35, 10. 15 and 25 years of employment with the city of Mandan. Uh, so we’re very excited to recognize and congratulate those employees.

00:01:50,130	Uh, we do have 2 that were not able to attend tonight, so we did want to. Congratulate them first one being Allison Gross, equipment operator 2, and she has 5 years of service. And the next is Brad Glass, and he is the utility maintenance superintendent with 10 years of service with the city of Mannan.

00:02:12,470	So congratulations to Allison and Brad, and we will get them their certificate at a later time. So now at this time, I will call those that are in attendance to come forward and receive their certificate from Mayor Froelich and congratulate you guys for your years of service, and we were just asked

00:02:34,470	that you would stay up at the front until we’re done so we can get a picture at the end. So first up, we have 3 years of employment. Megan Brody. Police officer. Next we have 5 years of employment. Benjamin Bumiller. Part-time firefighter. Another 5 years of employment. We have Jace Timmy.

00:03:20,500	Mechanical supervisor and our public works department. Moving on to 15 years of employment. Handy Fleck Our clerk of courts at the municipal court. Um, another 15 years of employment, Matthew Hennessy. Firefighter. Thus at the fire department. 20 years of employment, Bryan Dirk. And Brian is our street maintenance superintendent.

00:04:26,100	OK, our last two are 25 years of employment. Uh, the first one is Kenneth Albrecht, and he is our water treatment plant operator 3. Congratulations Kenneth. And our last. I My last employee that we want to recognize some of you may recognize his name.

00:04:56,470	I, I have never heard of him, so he might be someone I need to meet tonight. uh, Jim Neubauer, 25 years of employment, our city administrator. Congratulations, Jim. Or should we just stand behind you? Sorry. You 3 0 11 60 11 and please. OK Congratulations to everyone. And thank you on behalf of the city of Mandan for your service.

00:06:15,630	Uh, Comm, you have the agenda in front of you? Make the motion to approve tonight’s agenda. 2nd. We have a motion by Comm Heinsohn, a second by Comm Rohr. Any further discussion? Hearing none, roll call, please, Comm Sjoberg. Yes, Braun, yes, Rohr, Mayor Frelick, yes.

00:06:44,370	Consider the approval of the March 4th, 2025 Border City Comm meeting. Look for a motion to approve. A move to prove the minutes of the March 4th Board of City Comm meeting minutes as um, Written I can We have motioned by Comm Sjoberg, seconded by Comm Rohr. Any further discussion regarding the minutes, hearing none.

00:07:11,570	Roll call, Comm Heinsohn, Rohr. Sjoberg, Mayor Froelich, yes. We’ll move to agenda item F. Uh, consider a zone change from agricultural and MC industrial to agricultural. For the Hart River woman’s transformational center, Andrew, good evening, Mayor Froelich and Commissioners. I have pulled up a location map for this item on the screen this evening.

00:07:39,870	Uh, this is a zone change from both the agricultural and MC districts to just go into the agricultural district this is related to HRWTC edition, which is the state of North Dakota’s project, uh, related to the Women’s Transformational Center being constructed on the west side of town.

00:08:00,670	Um, The project involves the consolidation of multiple lots into one and as such, only one zoning designation may be placed on the property. The agricultural district will work for the proposed use of the the women’s transformational Center and its staff recommendation to approve agricultural zoning for this property.

00:08:19,800	It says when I noticed as a public hearing for this evening and as such, one must be conducted and a recommendation and a motion may be made under item K2 in the packet this evening. Uh, so I would recommend having the public hearing now and then moving down to K2 to make a motion on the first consideration of ordinance 1460.

00:08:41,270	Do you have any questions for me? Any questions for Andrew? Hearing none, we will open the public hearing now. Are there any comments? Second call for comments. 3rd and final call for comments. Hearing none the public hearing is now closed. We will move to. A key agenda item K. Number 2 consideration of ordinance 1460 is all changed from agricultural. And MC Industrial to agricultural for heartwos. Transformational center edition.

00:09:31,470	Mor Free Elian Comm is a draft of Ordinance 1460 is included in the packet. The recommendation this evening is approval contingent on the approval of utility servicing plan, which is a condition that’s been following this item.

00:09:51,100	Um, do you have any questions for me? Any questions for Andrew? He done And I moved to approve the first consideration of orders 1460 zone change from a agricultural and MC industrial to a agriculture for the Heart River Women’s Transit. Transformational center edition. Second, A motion by Comm Rohr, seconded by Comm Braunn. Any further discussion? Hearing none roll call, please, Comm Braun Rohr, yes, Sjoberg, Mayor Froelich.

00:10:23,370	Yes We have no bids tonight, so we’ll move to. Each on your agenda and that is the consent agenda. Are there any items you would like pulled, commissioners? I would just ask Mayor if we could have clarification on items 2, the entire block, so 2A through. Uh, OK Would you like it Polder to clarification at this point.

00:10:55,900	Just clarification, OK. Uh, we’ll bring up Greg Welch. Good evening, Mayor Commissioners, um, according to the city’s budget policies, the transfer of year-end expenditure budget balances from the current fiscal year, um, in this case, 2024.

00:11:28,870	Referencing the agenda, uh, to the following fiscal year, which is 2025, uh, may be allowed for specific department operations or commitments authorized but not completed for the current fiscal year and the transfer must be approved by the board of City Commissioners no later than March of the following fiscal year, um, that is the adopted city uh budget policy for the action.

00:11:55,630	Uh, before you And um North Dakota Century code allows for the budget to be amended at any time during the year. Um, and so the, the practice and the procedures that the city is following, um, this, this time of the year is rather consistent with what other cities and municipalities do throughout the state.

00:12:16,630	And this is a, a, a practice that we have done the city of Mandan for, for many, many years. And there are a number of departments listed under this as items, so if you have any questions or, or, uh, or, uh, comments, uh, feel free to ask any of the department managers who are here this evening to get up and they can probably answer whatever specific

00:12:37,200	questions you would have regarding their, their department transfer. Mayor Greg would be safe to say there’s two categories. One of them has to do with transfer from uh SA departments unspent monies.

00:13:00,230	And then the other would be maybe projects that The money received is outside and the money has not been spent because the project has been not finished yet, so those monies would be transferred so what would it be safe to say there’s basically those two categories. Mayor, Comm, that would be correct. Thank you. Any other questions for Greg? Thank you, Greg. So considering the consent agenda. I would entertain a motion to approve.

00:13:21,000	So moved Second We have a motion by Comm Braun, a second by Comm Sjoberg, and he further discussion? Roll call, please, Comm Rohr. Yes, Schober, yes, Hans, Mayor Froelich. Yes On to new business. Item number one, consider Memorial Highway Engineering Service Agreement and Project update Jarek.

00:13:53,100	Mayor and Commissioners, good evening, um, for your consideration tonight, I have an amendment to our current engineering service agreement with HDR. Um HDR has been our uh consultant that has been designing uh the underground utility portion of the Memorial Highway project for us and this amendment would take that existing contract and add um construction oversight and um kind of active construction, communication

00:14:22,670	efforts to the contract that they already have. Um, this is an expected amendment we typically structure our contracts. I do have a kind of a visual on screen here.

00:14:39,470	Um, we usually structure our contracts in in 3 stages and then for the Memorial Highway project, it’s technically two projects, so we have 2 separate 3-stage efforts, um, and the one we’re talking about tonight is this one right here. Um, so we have kind of anticipated this amendment and um we did take it into account when we were estimating special assessments and, um, everything up to this point, um.

00:14:58,370	It’s our recommendation to approve the amendment as presented. Um, if you have any specific questions, I’d be happy to answer them or Craig Mazerra is also here from HDR, and he’d be able to answer them too. Any questions for Jarek? If not, I would entertain emotion.

00:15:23,800	I moved to approve the amendment to our engineering service contract with HDR as presented. We have a motion by Comm Heinshaw, a second by Comm Sjoberg. Any further discussion? Mayor, just to point out, I think there’s a lot of uh work by the city departments all to let the public know, especially the people out that are going to be affected by this project that’s

00:15:41,400	gonna be ongoing cause a lot of transitional things occurring, uh. You know I telling the meeting the other day that there was a lot of effort being made by the city to, to work with the people and keep people informed the traffic flows, the businesses have concern, and so for.

00:15:57,630	I was watching others, uh, you know, keep a tone, a tuned to the city, the website, if you have questions, uh, to check with us and go from there. Thank you. I, I agree.

00:16:20,400	With that, roll call, please, Comm And then, sorry, I was gonna say on top of that I do have a a little bit of a project update if that’s. OK. By all means. OK. Um, just, just to let everybody know we don’t want to take or don’t want to pass up an opportunity to maybe let people know about the project.

00:16:36,030	We’re currently anticipating the project to start on April 1st, and the first portion of that project will be the storm installation on the south end of the corridor.

00:16:56,370	Um, we did have a graphic kind of prepared for us, um, associated with the storm installation, there will be 2 expected street closures during the month that we’re expecting to start during the month of April 1 of those would be a closure at 19th Street Southeast that we’re expecting to be about 3 weeks during the installation of the storm sewer underneath that road, and then a similar closure at 21st Street Southeast once again.

00:17:14,800	Three weeks long, um. It would be our expectation for the closure. We just want to let everybody know about that and uh start uh. Start uh setting expectations to uh see traffic control devices out there and Construction crews and and everything.

00:17:34,370	Is this the primary contractor or subcontractor doing the uh. I, I believe this would be the, the utility subcontractors and the dirt subcontractors right now. OK. Any comments? It Think Jarek. Item number 2, consider acceptance of state homeland security grant. Through the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services. Captain Pat Hague Welcome.

00:18:15,100	Thank you, Comm Mayor, um, as you know, back on February 18th of 2025, I came before you and asked permission to apply for, um, the state Homeland Security grant on March 13th, um, we received an award letter, um, that we have been accepted. For those funds of $135,000. Um To purchase that modular vehicle system.

00:18:43,400	Um, that we’ve Um, to help secure our downtown area during our numerous events. Um We’ve, we’re also requesting, um, on the fiscal side, an amendment to the 2025, um. Police department’s capital outlay budget for that $135,000 to make the initial purchase and then once that purchase is completed, we will submit a reimbursement to, um.

00:19:12,270	That uh North Dakota Department of Emergency Services for, um, a full refund of that money through the grant. Any questions for me? Pro just to clarify for those watching these, these, these are barbarriers just explain what.

00:19:36,230	What the purpose and and outcome is to be from those correct, uh, the particular barrier system we’re looking at is a very robust one, each barrier itself is, um, about 700 pounds apiece, um, and have the ability to stop um large vehicles, um, from entering our enclosed area should they hit one of these barriers or several of these barriers, um, it is designed to stop the vehicle, um, they’re actually considered a non.

00:19:57,630	lethal way of of stopping a vehicle from penetrating a closed area, um, where there’s a large amount of pedestrians and stuff to um reduce injury and even in death, so the whole idea is to use these, um, to control those closed areas downtown, um, from a vehicle entering into our closed areas, um, And to avoid

00:20:21,370	um. Some of the incidents you’ve seen recently, uh, for instance, uh, New Orleans incident, um, where the truck was able to enter an area where there were a number of pedestrians and um.

00:20:41,500	Obviously, um there were a number of deaths and a large amount of injuries, so these are to help reduce that possibility. We proactively want to be prepared and make it safe for our citizens to come to our events and people.

00:21:01,270	Make our events safe, uh, Comm, uh, Mayor, that is correct, um, we’re trying to do everything we can, um, to secure these downtown areas during all these events, um, so that. Anybody visiting or attending these events, um, we’ll feel safe and um. Protected from a vehicle entering these areas. Thank you. So I would consider this phase one, in the hardening of our events, and we do have a uh broad committee. In place that is working on this.

00:21:28,400	Uh, from all angles to secure our events. So I commend Captain Haug. For taking the lead on this. But all of the emergency response entities are involved. Um The Morton County Emergency Management. Um are involved, so there there’s a lengthy process in securing these areas during the events.

00:21:54,630	And we will continue to do that. Thank you. And at that point to approve the acceptance of the fiscal year 2024 State Homeland Security grant through the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services in the amount of $135,000. To amend the 2025 Police Department’s capital outlay budget of $135,000 for the purchase of the equipment.

00:22:23,470	Second, we have a motion by Comm Braun, seconded by Comm Hendon. Any further discussion? Hearing none, roll call, please, Comm Heinsohn Braun, yes, Rohr Sjoberg, Mayor Froelich. Yes Item number 3, legislative update, Mr. Dubauer. Mayor Froelich and commissioners, um, don’t mean to sound like a broken record, um, but House Bill.

00:22:54,370	1176, which has been supported by legislative leaders and the governor has moved from the Senate Finance and Tax, I think on Monday, um, on to the Senate Appropriations Committee where I would expect that it might move fairly quickly after that because I did, again this is legislative leadership and the governor’s

00:23:13,530	property tax proposal, um, that calls for a 3% caps and also increases the, the $500 primary residence credit to Much more significant amounts over time. So that’s kind of the big thing that has been going on this week. We’ll continue to keep an eye on that. um, just wanted to give you an update also.

00:23:32,370	Last week did was able to attend on behalf of the North Corta League of Cities, the, um, National League of Cities congressional conference in Washington DC for a few days, did have an opportunity to meet with, um, Representative Fedorzek also with Senator Hoen and staff members of Senator

00:23:50,470	Cramer, who is still recovering from his fall at home. We did, um, mention a few things that the is effective for basically all states and municipal bonds that are issued.

00:24:13,870	There was some talk about municipal bond interest becoming taxable, um, if that were the case, that would drive our borrowings, the interest rate that we pay up, um, because of their if the. The holders of those bonds are having to pay tax on the interest on that, then obviously the cost of those rate of return needs to go up.

00:24:30,630	We were assured that that was a thought, um, that was not getting a lot of attention at the federal level. A couple other things we mentioned. Were to um provide for sustainable and consistent transportation funding, um, so we oftentimes see ebbs and flows in the amount of money that is available for transportation projects, makes it very difficult for us to, uh, plan projects, um, that we may be having in the works if we don’t

00:24:52,870	know what kind of federal funds may be available from year to year for from year to year, so we pushed on that. We also on the behalf of the city of Mandan, we have a wastewater treatment plant project, um, in the works right now, so we mentioned any assistance for wastewater treatment plants, um,

00:25:11,100	would be certainly appreciated and we’re given a direction on a few places to look for additional funding for that. Also are recently submitted build grant which covers the area kind of from 2nd Street. All the way up to Division Street, the center part of town, Mandan proper as um congressional support for that application, so.

00:25:32,130	Three things that were, um, We, I was able to go there and, and, uh, um certainly support those on behalf of the city of Mandan along with the North Dakota League of Cities.

00:25:52,200	One of the things that we did here, um, obviously there’s a lot of state of flux in the federal government right now as far as what agencies are existing and which ones aren’t, um, kind of the word was that if we have the, they likened it to North Dakota often talks about the revenue streams and buckets. where these buckets are headed for.

00:26:10,770	The one bucket that we have our signed contracts that we have with the federal government. Those are pretty much. We can count on those. Nothing’s guaranteed in this world today, um, but we can probably count on those as our cups, grants and some other things are, we don’t think are being touched at this point in time.

00:26:28,500	There are issues with Agreements that have been approved, but those contracts have not yet been signed. Those we need to contact our congressionals and delegation and find out what the status of those are, those are kind of in flux right now and there’s also federal programs that we may have applications in, but we haven’t heard word on where

00:26:45,170	they stand yet. Those are kind of in that third bucket where we just don’t know right now. So again, we are fortunate that I think the contracts that we have with the federal government on those two issues.

00:27:04,770	whether it be lower hearts, um, FEMA match and things like that, and also cops grants things, those are signed contracts that we have so we can pretty much count on those ones still being available, but, um, anything that isn’t signed yet, um, would be in flux. So just wanted to kinda bring you up to date on those things.

00:27:19,200	Other than that, we will keep our eye on all legislative issues that are currently going on right now. Any questions. Any questions for Mr. Dubar? Thank you very much. Let’s move on to resolution and ordinances. Item number one. Resolution establishing rates and charges for services at cemetery. Mr. O’Keefe Good evening, Comm Mayor.

00:27:50,670	Ah, what I got here tonight is to present a resolution regarding adjustments to the rates and charges for services at the Mandan Union Cemetery. As you know, the cost of maintaining the cemetery continues to rise due to increasing expenses for maintenance, equipment and staffing. To ensure the long term sustainability of of cemetery operations while continuing to provide quality services to the community.

00:28:12,530	We are proposing necessary fee adjustments. Specifically, we recommend a $50 increase to both opening, closing fees, and the grave right fees. Along with a $100 increase. For burials taking place after 3:30 p.m. And on Saturdays.

00:28:36,230	These adjustments will help offset rising operational costs while allowing the cemetery to maintain its level of service and upkeep. This resolution sets new rates which would take effect on May 1st, 2025, the proposed changes have been carefully considered to balance financial sustainability with affordable for the residents. Today I’m just asking for approval of this resolution to support the continued maintenance and care of the Mandan Union Cemetery.

00:28:58,500	Thank you for your time. Do you have any questions? Shane, what is the total cost at present? Uh, on what Specific fee or purchase a lot right now for residential is 700. So it’d be going to 750. OK, I don’t recall specifically, but I, I seem to recall it was. That fee just for burial cost.

00:29:23,030	Basically goes away within a short order. We’re talking a few months and then. We’ve got to end up paying for it through the city tax fund. Am I correct? Mr Bramay, that would be incorrect. I guess what I’m saying Greg or she is after they pay for for the plot. Um When we incorporate.

00:29:49,770	Help, groundskeep, maintenance, all of that, that, that money essentially is. Is gone, so we have to. We end up paying For the for the Cemetery fees. Out of another area. Uh, Mayor, uh, Comm Braun, is your question regarding, um, what other financial assistance does the cemetery fund receive other than just.

00:30:14,500	The charges for services. I’m, I’m more trying to, uh, just make a statement that. The the the fee raise and the amount that we initially pay. is, is very minimal and. We end up paying through other sources in a short time due to all of the other infrastructure costs and staff and things like that. Correct.

00:30:35,230	OK, that’s all I’m trying to say he’s trying to say that the cemetery is not self-sustaining. That’s correct. With its fees. It’s not, but what is the uh what is the additional Monies that this will raise. Uh, historically.

00:30:59,930	You know, if you take Per year, what are you looking to raise? Mayor Commissioners, right now we Our average or 5-year averages that we sell about 100 lots, and we have about 100 opening closings. So raising up, you know, the $50 on this so on the lots that would. Give us the additional um. $5000. And then The additional Sorry, yeah, that would be our, and then the. 10,000 total.

00:31:28,170	Sorry, doing simple math in my head drive fast. On the average of 100, um, lot sales and average of 100 opening and closings with the $50 fee added to each of those.

00:31:45,230	He’s a 100, I mean, uh, per year, right? Per year, yes, yep, that’s just our 5 year over 5 years, but you didn’t specify whether it’s per year. yep, sorry, that’s our 5-year average. We’d about 100 a year. Uh, Mayor and, uh, Shane, when was the last time that we did increase this rate? I don’t know if I saw that. Yeah, I can.

00:32:19,470	2 OK Could you repeat that? You gotta, you gotta don’t hold it, hold it. Come up here, please. Mayor Commissioners, I’ll uh pull up Jason Herman. He’s the Superintendent at the cemetery. Mayor, Comm, um, in 2024, we upped the uh burial rites, um,,, ,, $100 for residents and non-residents. We did not adjust the opening and closing fees though. OK.

00:32:44,270	So this will be $200 in the last two years total 150 150. And are you keeping pace? Uh, like compared to other, are you? We raised it 100 last year. We raised it at 50 this year, correct? Yes.

00:33:09,870	Soul Is this 50 enough? I’m gonna kind of look at Greg on this one or is this enough for what we think are. Normal increases or. And I guess, Jason, is this comparable to other cities. We compare to other cities, um, some private cemeteries around here, um, we are within the ballpark of them. We are not the highest and we are not.

00:33:30,830	The lowest either price wise, we are kind of in the middle ground, so to speak. Hi Greg, did you have something to add? The question regarding is this enough, um, these charge, um, Rate increases will not. Um Make the cemetery fund whole as far as that these charges pay for 100% of the operating costs.

00:33:58,470	Um, the general fund is still providing some assistance between 500 and 60,000 just to help. But these increases certainly will reduce that general fund contribution to the cemetery fund. Now when we talk about major purchases, um.

00:34:23,100	Like major equipment or major projects out there, these fees and charges do not support those costs. This is where either the general fund or the sales tax fund would have to help the cemetery fund meet those obligations. Very good. But this is an incremental approach to try to have the cemetery fund as self-supporting as possible, but trying to keep the rates in line and reasonable with other cemeteries.

00:34:47,670	Mayor Greg, the Calibariums, you know that something that we’ve initiated here in recent years. What’s the cost to obtain a Caliarium after. Oh Commissioners, Mayor, the colibarium is, uh, per space $600. OK There are plans in the future to uh construct more of those out there.

00:35:17,730	Mayor Comm, yes, there is a plan to enhance that. Thank you Any other questions for Mr. O’Keefe, Mr. Mayor and Commissioners, I guess that’s what I was trying to say, uh, in the lengthy comment was simply that this is more than reasonable. To increase at this amount, so. Thank you.

00:35:42,630	Any other questions? Happy Saint Patrick’s Day, Mister O’Keefe, and thank you. Thank you. I moved to approve the resolution establishing rates and charges for services from the cemetery fund. We motion by Comm Hahn, seconded by Comm Braun.

00:36:15,670	Any further discussion? Hearing none, roll Item number 3, 2nd and final consideration. Of ordinance number 1462 which creates the prohibited camping ordinance. Deputy Chief Bier. Comm Mayor Froelich, thank you. This is the 2nd and final consideration of the ordinance prohibi camping on public property. Uh, since the first, the introduction, there’s been one minor change.

00:36:44,530	The word levy has been added to the ordinance, um, as an area that’s prohibited. For camping We received one written comment. Since the, the first reading. I was from a citizen, um, essentially inquiring how we’re taking steps to protect. Uh, people who are homeless who may who may be affected by an ornance such as this.

00:37:08,630	I did reply to her and answer her questions and um. I have not heard anything back. I’ll take any other questions you might have. Deputy Chief here, why did we add the levee system into the ordinance? Um, that was requested by, uh, one of the staff members just to clarify, I think for the

00:37:31,570	general public to know that the levy system. is part of the public property that is not allowed to be camped on. Thank you. Any other questions? Mayor Deputy Chief Beer, uh, you haven’t received any additional letters of support other than the one you’ve, we received prior to the last meeting.

00:38:02,470	Is that correct? Uh, Comm Hanselmeyer, yes, that’s correct. Thank you. At this point, any further questions? I moved to approve 2nd and final consideration of ordinance number 1462. Second We have a motion by Comm Braun is seconded by Comm Sjoberg. Any further discussion? Hearing none, roll call please. Commissioners Rohr. Sjoberg, Heinsohn, yes, Braun, yes, Mayor Froelich, yes.

00:38:41,530	There is no other business to consider tonight. Future meeting dates for the board of City Commissioners, March 25th, 2025 at 5:30. This is a special meeting, working session. Long range financial planning. April 1st, 2025 at 5:30. Uh, the city commission meeting with the Board of Equalization meeting at 7 p.m. April 8th, 2025 at 5:30.

00:39:10,730	Special meeting working session, long range financial planning. April 15, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. Uh, city commission meeting in May 6, 2025 at 5:30 City Commission meeting. And with that, Be kind to your neighbor. And onward