City Council Discusses Vacant Officer, Council Positions
Public Hearings Held, More Planned
The Wolf Point City Council held their regular meeting Monday, July 20. Following roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance, the council approved minutes for the June 15 meeting.
During planning board and board of adjustments, it was pointed out that McDonald’s has not paid for a pending interior remodeling permit.
Planned alarm siren installations have been delayed until November 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fire department officer elections were approved by the council.
During police and animal control reports, it was noted that there were 88 calls for service during Stampede weekend, down from 111 calls last year. Police chief Jeff Harada said that a solution is needed to resolve unproductive appearances in tribal court. Attempts to utilize remote access technology have not proved successful.
Under water/sewer improvement projects, Greg Lukasik with Great West Engineering reported that Maguire Iron has a team in place to make the repairs. He said repairs are set to take place in August. A water rate increase of $13 has taken effect as of July 1.
A call for bids for BNSF watermain repairs was approved by the council. A public hearing for a wastewater PER will be held in August. The council also approved a sewer cleaning contract with NASH for $54,792.70. Lukasik added that a petition needs to be signed by the council supporting a water/wastewater grant application.
During personnel, policy and wage, a minor salary increase for city employees was approved, effective July 1. The council also discussed a vacant city police officer position. City clerk/treasurer Marlene Mahlum told the council that there isn’t adequate funding available for the position.
“Previous years budgets were a killer partially because of mistakes on my part,” she said, “but we were okay because we had an open position. [...] Thankfully, we haven’t filled the vacant officer position.”
Mayor Chris Dschaak said the voters of Wolf Point already approved funding the position.
“We were mandated to add the extra officer,” said Dschaak. “We’re going to have to think of something.”
Budget committee meetings are being scheduled to discuss the matter moving forward.
Quarterly insurance reports were presented. An pending insurance claim against the city was discussed.
Mahlum presented a monthly activity report. The council approved revenue and expenditure reports, treasurer’s cash reports and monthly securities and withdrawals. Quarterly securities, revenue and investments reports were also approved. Year end budget transfers were approved, along with cash deficits and street maintenance assessments.
City attorney Anna Rose Sullivan said that 50 nuisance complaints related to blighted properties have been filed and individuals have been served.
“Hopefully, [the properties] won’t end up in our hands,” said Sullivan.
Public works director Ward Smith presented his monthly activity report. He wished Dennis Thompson well after retiring from the city. Thompson served the city for more than four decades.
Dschaak reminded the public that a vacant council seat still needs filling in Ward 2. He concluded by reporting that a grant from Keystone XL contractor TC Energy has awarded a to the city in the amount of $20,000 for COVID-19-related supplies.
Claims and payroll for June were approved by the council.
Prior to the meeting, two public hearings were held. A TSEP environmental hearing was held to discuss environmental concerns about air pollution and erosion related to planned improvements to the city’s wastewater system. No public comment was offered. The council’s conclusion was that the improvements will not significantly affect the quality of human life.
A first hearing was held to inform the public about various funding programs offered by the Community Development Block Grant program. No public comment was offered. The deadline for CDBG grant applications is Oct. 15.
An agenda meeting has been scheduled for Aug. 11 at 8 a.m. in council chambers. The regular council meeting will be held Aug. 17 at 7 p.m.
