CITY OF THOMPSON REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING THOMPSON COMMUNITY CENTER June 6, 2022 The regular meeting of the City Council, City of Thompson, County of Grand Forks, ND was held June 6, 2022, at 7:00 PM. City Council President Hughes, Council Members Bergeron, Fretheim, Wojciechowski, City Auditor, Plant Services, Public Works and City Engineer Melissa Knutson (Knutson) were present. Mayor Larimer, City Administrator and Chief of Police (COP) were absent. President Hughes called the meeting to order. He confirmed the next regular meeting will be held Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at 7:00 PM. “Any Individual requiring special accommodations (i.e., alternative formatting of literature, an interpreter, or help in accessing the facility) should advise the city by contacting the City Auditor at PO Box 266, Thompson ND 58278, or by phone at 701-599-2973. Requests should be made seven (7) days prior to the meeting.” Council member Bergeron motioned to approve the City Council meeting minutes of May 2, 2022. Council member Fretheim seconded the motion. All said aye. The motion carried. Council member Wojciechowski motioned to approve the Financial Reports. Council member Fretheim seconded the motion. All said aye. The motion carried. Council member Bergeron motioned to approve the payment of bills totaling $72,009.58. Council member Wojciechowski seconded the motion. All said aye. The motion carried. Council member Bergeron asked for clarification on the increase of the CPS bill. City Engineer Knutson explained that the company produced a searchable document of the City Ordinances that can be posted on the City Website. The document has and will continue to save staff/professional services significant time and money when researching ordinance related topics. Council member Fretheim motioned to accept Mayor Dean Larimer’s resignation as of May 18, 2022. Council member Wojciechowski seconded the motion. All said aye. The motion carried. Knutson explained to the council what the PIP Grant entailed. The PIP Grant is currently available for up to three years. The City of Thompson was awarded the maximum first year grant for $25,000.00. The next step will be to notify identified partner organizations and schedule a meeting with them. She further explained that the meetings will likely be held on intermittent Monday evenings at 5:30 p.m. but would not coincide with the regular City Council meetings. The first meeting is subject to partner organization availability, but is targeted for June 27th at 5:30 p.m., at the Thompson Community Center. Council member Wojciechowski motioned to approve moving forward with the PIP Grant. Council member Bergeron seconded the motion. All said Aye. The motion carried. A discussion of the North Sky Agreement was led by City Engineer Knutson. She explained the agreement covers Dollar General’s inspections on their building that are not directly specified as contractor responsibility in the construction plans. The estimated cost of inspection fees was included in the building permit fees paid by Dollar General. The city would require an amendment to the agreement if costs should change. All costs will be reconciled with Dollar General prior to occupancy. Knutson confirmed that Dollar General has paid all fees for the building permit, so they are able to move forward with building. Council member Bergeron motioned to accept the North Sky Agreement. Council member Wojciechowski seconded the motion. Bergeron and Wojciechowski said aye. Fretheim abstained. The motion carried. Council member Fretheim asked Public Works to reposition the speed sign currently attached to the light pole on 8th street to a regular steel post and position it closer to the road. Engineer Knutson reiterated that Grand Forks County will be installing more signs soon. President Hughes commented that the average speed clocked on 8th street by Chief Kurtz is between 16.08 and 17 miles per hour. President Hughes requested documentation of these speeds be included in the meeting minutes. (see attached) A question arose about the maximum speed reduction increment. Knutson indicated that due to the short distance available to slow down, “reduced speed ahead” signs are required. This will allow a greater incremental speed reduction. Knutson explained the NDDOT reviewed the Dollar General traffic study. The traffic study indicated that the criteria for left-turn construction on ND15 were met and a turn lane was recommended; however, because the criteria were marginal and estimated, NDDOT will conduct a new traffic study 1-2 years after Dollar General opens and reevaluate at that time. No turn lane is required by NDDOT at this time, and if one is required in the future, it will be funded by NDDOT safety funds. Everything the city was waiting for before letting Dollar General start their building has been fulfilled. Knutson mentioned that Polar Communications no longer plans to build next to Northdale Oil due to site constraints identified in its Planning & Zoning request submittal. Polar Communications is in the process of selecting a new location. The City Attorney advised to go with a “Warranty Bond” in place of a deposit with contractors hired by a resident to dig up the road for sewer repair. A warranty bond cannot be issued until after the all the repair work is completed. The total cost of the project is needed to figure the cost of the warranty bond. A refundable deposit of a portion of the cost could be held by the City until the bond is issued. Public Works and City Engineering will work to determine a formula for the cost of the deposit. Information was presented that by following current ordinance and policies, a sewer line issue that required cutting the street, only took two days to complete. As recommended by the City Engineer, the final paving can wait until later in the year. This will allow for preliminary settlement, as well as save costs should similar work be necessary in other areas. Discussion was had on how to notify residents of the process of repairing sewer lines and streets, with a possible list of contractors experienced and bonded in this type of work. A possible summary sheet for contractors listing the steps to proceed with this type of work may be created. Council member Bergeron inquired as to how situations are handled in the event that an individual starts a project and hasn’t followed the required steps to get a building permit. Obtaining a building permit serves to notify the City that the work is happening. Without the permit, the City has to “catch” this happening in order to address it. Often neighboring property owners are the ones who notice and report the activity. Provided the construction is in compliance, typically having the Building Inspector contact the person, and having them obtain a permit is enough. It was suggested that a generic letter be written for Building Inspector Aasen to hand out to residents in violation. The letter would explain the steps and fines associated with the situation. Where issues such as encroachments or noncompliant structures result from these activities, the City may pursue legal action to correct the noncompliant items. Where encroachments occur, the encroached property owner must be involved in these proceedings. Speed limit signs on the State Highway #15 were discussed based on a quote from 3D Specialties. It was mentioned by state patrolman, Heisler, that signs like that do cost certain cities like Grand Forks $20,000 and up. It was decided to table the discussion until Police Chief Kurtz was present. The council was advised by Heisler to get NDDOT approval before purchasing. President Hughes mentioned the crosswalk signage was a separate discussion and that the school was planning to share the cost of this signage with the city. The city was looking into a grant to aid in the city’s share of the cost. Patrolman Heisler also mentioned the importance to wearing helmets while riding in golf carts and side-by-sides. Council member Fretheim mentioned that he witnessed Police Chief Kurtz pulling over one that rolled through a stop sign and lecturing the kids. He mentioned that Chief Kurtz had also been talking to the parents. It was mentioned by Patrolman Heisler that informational meetings should be set up at the school and at city hall to inform students as well as the parents on the North Dakota State laws on this subject. It was mentioned that maybe instead of ticketing the drivers, they should site them into court to deal with the judge. Parenting is a big part of teaching kids the safe, correct, and lawful way to drive these vehicles. The City Council wishes it to be clear that Chief Kurtz has their full support when enforcing the laws regarding the use of these vehicles. Council member Fretheim motioned to adjourn. Council member Wojciechowski seconded the motion. All said aye. The motion carried. Barb Robinson, Auditor Jeremy Hughes, City Council President (August 17, 2022) 91393