The Devils Lake City Commission met first as the Jobs Development Authority to deal with a four-item agenda. They called the meeting to order, approved the minutes of the June 15 and June 30 meetings and listened to a report about the Mobile Career Exploration Classroom, the final item on their agenda.
Brady Ash, from Forward Devils Lake, introduced the topic reminding the commission that they had pledged their financial support for this project for both 2026 and 2027. He introduced Sandy Shively and Ann Pollert who fleshed out a report on the mobile classroom, the number of schools visited and how many students they had reached in Region 3.
Mayor Jim Moe stated more than once that this was a “great program” and he was glad to see it continuing.
Their request to release funds supporting this project was met with unanimous support of the Authority.
Then they adjourned their meeting to commence the City Commission meeting.
As the City Commission they also approved minutes of two previous meetings; June 15 and July 6.
Awards & Proclamations
First, Richard Godman was recognized and thanked for his 25 years with the City’s Sanitation Department.
Then Helen Carlson was recognized and thanked for her 35 years with Engineering Department. Her family and supporters there to congratulate her nearly filled the gallery in the Commission’s Chambers.
Brady Ash asked for the release of funds for a number of projects, expansions and initiatives Forward Devils Lake is working on. That request was met with full support of the commission with all voting “Aye” to release the $53,800 requested.
Under Commission Portfolios out of state travel request was approved. Mike Grafsgaard gave a brief report on the 200 trees planted or in the process of being planted in the city’s residential area.
Data centers were briefly discussed and the city attorney, Jason Sayler, stated that perhaps the city should be looking at ordinances to govern those as it appears interest is being shown in our state and region, it might be beneficial to begin discussing them.
Dominic Eritano, director of the Devils Lake Regional Airport presented a detailed report on the improved use of the Devils Lake Airport. Of the state’s airports only a few – three maybe four – have increased usage and Devils Lake’s is one of those fortunate few. Eritano stated that this might be due to increased advertising in the Grand Forks area of the daily flight directly to Denver and that the airport does not charge parking fees. He added that for July 2026 it has been the best month ever, “It will prove to be a huge record once all the figures are in,” he added.
Old Business
The second reading of Ordinance 1040 regarding tobacco retailers was discussed at length and the ordinance before them was passed as is with the understanding that funding sources for and training for all who sell tobacco products would be pursued.
The fate of Sunnyside Childcare Center was also discussed at length. The current owner, renting the building from the City, had requested to be allowed to stay in possession of the facility until the end of August. Much discussion ensued around this topic, but in the end it was decided to allow the request, provided rent would be paid for the additional months of July and August.
The consensus was that they should forge ahead with the RFP, get that in place and see what comes in. The RFP was approved of, unanimously. That allows anyone to present a plan to use the facility, no matter what the business plan might be but to give preference to a child daycare center because that is a real need for the community and what the building was designed to accomodate.
Rob Johnson gave his suggestions for the days and weeks ahead as the city goes into its 2027 budget process. He stated that he believed a number of special meetings would be needed to help him, and all department heads, to meet and put together the budget with this year’s financial restraints in mind. “How are we going to make this work?” Johnson asked. The commissioners agreed that the additional meetings might be the place to start and the sooner the better. One of those special meetings could most likely be as early as July 28, according to their discussion.
For more information regarding this meeting, go to the city’s website at www.dvlnd.com and watch the portion of interest to you or the entire proceedings.