City Council Talks Urban Renewal

The Wolf Point City Council held their regular meeting Monday, Oct. 17. Steve Lambert spoke during public comment about crime and vandalism in the area. He listed a recent dog poisoning, domestic violence incidents and a shed that was broken into. Wolf Point Police Chief Alisha Morales told Lambert to report all incidents immediately and recommended he use the 911 system.

Council person Carrie Manning told Lambert that she is a neighbor on his street and would help call in any problematic incidents. She also suggested he reach out to Fort Peck Tribes security program director Angela Mathews.

Bill Juve followed Lambert during the public comment period. He thanked the council for implementing his urban renewal requests and asked that he be allowed to purchase approximately 700 square feet of property adjoining his land on Custer Street to improve access. He offered to pay $20.

Mayor Chris Dschaak said grant funding involved at the site may prevent the sale. He referred the matter to committee and asked for a recommendation at the next council meeting.

Juve then submitted his resignation from the urban renewal committee to avoid apparent conflict of interest. The council accepted his resignation. City Council

Continued from page 1 A possible ban on malt liquor sales was tabled. Council member Lance FourStar asked the council to consider adopting a ban pending legal input.

Dschaak said the language was still too vague to proceed. FourStar asked Dschaak if he had read the language adopted recently by the Tribal Executive Board, who passed a ban on the reservation.

Manning said the TEB followed the city council’s lead in adopting the ban on the assumption that action would be taken at the city level. Dschaak said the language of the TEB’s resolution was also too vague and added that he didn't think the ban would help.

“It’s really a Band-Aid on a larger wound,” he said.

FourStar said time was a factor.

“Literally people are passing away in the meantime due to seizures,” he said.

Dschaak tabled the topic for further input from legal counsel. The council is currently seeking a new city attorney following the departure of Anna Rose Sullivan in August.

During the parks and recreation report, Dschaak plans are being discussed to remove benches from Triangle Park so that city crews can clean them up indoors over the winter. A bike and walking path through the area are also being considered.

Dschaak said the Firemen’s Ball Oct. 15 was a success. Fie added that the department is down from full strength by 15 members. Fie said more members are needed and added that the department meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 6 p.m.

During streets and alleys, Dschaak said that paving efforts have concluded for 2022.

‘Asphalt weather is over,” said Dschaak.

Greg Lukasic with Great West Engineering provided an update on planned wastewater system improvements. Fie said additional funding may be available but said more information would be available after elk hunting season concludes.

A request was heard from local landowners to have the city waive dump fees for an urban renewal project planned at a local lot. Dschaak sent the matter to committee for further discussion.

During personnel, policy and wage discussions, department heads itemized six open positions with city, ranging from open police officer positions to legal counsel and maintenance worker. Animal control officer Calvin Clark resigned after 13 days on the job. That job is also open. All positions are being advertised in this newspaper.

City clerk Jhona Peterson presented the monthly revenue and expenditure reports, as well as the quarterly water/ sewer/solid waste revenue report. These were approved by the council.

The next regular council meeting is set for Nov. 21.

Council woman Carrie Manning (left) responds to resident Steve Lambert’s comments during the Oct. 17 regular city council meeting.

(Photo by James Walling)