Year-end business on council's agenda

The Carrington City Council did some housekeeping and year-end business at their meeting last week.

During the meeting, the board approved licenses including house moving, gas fitters, plumbing, beer and liquor, trailer coach park and tree contractor licenses.

They also approved the contract for grant writing from Daniel Schwartz of Nexus with a few changes.

In other business:

• Motions were approved for a progressive estimate for Bohlman Trenching as well as the city fee schedule, an update to the city’s personnel policy on overtime and year end transfers.

Committee Reports

FIRE:

Carrington Fire Department Chief Ken Wangen reported that the city received three false alarms since the last meeting as well as a structure fire.

He also said shop with a hero had 30 kids who attended and all had a blast.

FINANCE & LEGAL:

• Mayor Tom Erdmann reported that the city will receive a $500,000 check from the Prairie Dog funds.

• He said the library received a $15,000 grant and the city received a forestry grant to replace trees.

• Erdmann said the committee discussed giving all city employees $125 for a Christmas bonus.

• Finally, Erdmann said Jill Edinger was hired as the administrative assistant for the city.

CCEDC:

• The board received a check from Strengthen N.D. for Rainbow Gardens and closed on the property.

Dennis Swanson is working with a fundraising committee.

• Swenseth Properties Foster LLC, DBA High Plains Equipment, their Bank of North Dakota participation was initially approved by the city council on June 14, 2021 with the loan amount estimated at $925,000 and a 10 year buydown.

Bremer Bank, the lead lender, has requested to revise the loan amount to $1,550,000 with a five-year buydown period. The city’s portion will be $85,714.28 to be repaid under the current program terms of a lump sum repayment or over three to five years at three percent interest. Motion passed.

• The board approved the funding applications from Kollman’s and Pizza Ranch. Both were tabled.

CVB:

• CCEDC Director Laurie Dietz reported that the Jamestown Chamber & Tourism are not interested in taking on Birding Drives Dakota, but are willing to share birding information on their website.

• Dietz reported she will apply to host a North Dakota Street Rod Association event in 2023.

AIRPORT:

• It was reported that the furnace in the new hangar has been acting up.

The AWOS will be installed.

POLICE:

• The new pickup has arrived, but the equipment for it has been delayed.

TREE BOARD:

• It was reported that 44 trees were cut down and 25 trees were planted to replace them.

PUBLIC WORKS:

• The water loop for the industrial park and the trailer park will be finished next spring.

• There was a water leak at the wrestling club building and a water break on 13th Avenue North, but has since been repaired.

BUILDING OFFICIAL:

• There were no building permits issued in the past month.