City Council Discusses Watermain Repairs
The Wolf Point City Council held their regular meeting Monday, Dec. 21. The meeting was made accessible via Great Northern Development Corporation’s Zoom account. Mayor Chris Dschaak expressed his appreciation to GNDC for the assistance.
Great West Engineering’s Greg Lukasik updated the council about watermain repairs currently underway in conjunction with BNSF. Recent utility inspection costs alone have run up to $49,706.25, which Dschaak and the council said was alarmingly high. Council member Dean Mahlum said he thought it was Great West’s responsibility to warn the city of expenses ahead of time.
Lukasik also updated the council on the status of TSEP, DNRC-RRGL and CDBG grant applications, which he said are pending.
Jeffrey Egemo utilized the public comment periods to speak to a list of concerns about city affairs, including rising water rates, which he said are damaging to residents with limited incomes. He also raised questions on several agenda items throughout the meeting.
Lukasik addressed some of Egemo’s questions directly and Dschaak said he would welcome a visit from Egemo to further discuss his concerns.
During new business, council member Erik Johannessen asked whether it would be possible to use city equipment to clean up trash and debris underneath the overpass. Dschaak said he was concerned about possible liability issues and would contact the state to inquire further.
The council authorized Dschaak to sign CARES Act grant closeout documents for the airport. The council also approved a pre-application packet for a planned purchase of a runway broom at a cost of $598,000. The city and county’s portion of the broom will be approximately $15,000 each.
During police and animal control committee reports, a fourth round of CARES Act funding was discussed. It will be the final round of funding for the department, with a payment of $82,589.17 due by Jan. 25.
The board of health and safety committee reported that the county has abated taxes due on property located at 425 Dawson St.
The personnel, policy and wage committee reported that liability training was held Dec. 2. Public works director Ward Smith provided his monthly activity report. He said city crews have also undergone recent training on special equipment.
City clerk/treasurer Marlene Malhum discussed feedback on her audit report for fiscal year 2019-20. She also distributed monthly financial reports. The council approved revenue and expenditure reports and treasurer’s cash reports for November.
Dschaak wished the council and the community a happy Christmas and New Year’s and reminded everyone that meeting dates for Jan. and Feb. have moved due to President’s Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 19.
