The Devils Lake City Commission met for a regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 2 at 5:30 p.m. After approving the past meeting’s minutes, the commission heard from Suzie Kenner with the Devils Lake Chamber of Commerce with an update to all the events and initiatives the Chamber has been implementing over the past few months. Highlights include that walleye tournament participation was up 11% and the Holiday Showcase coming up on November 14. Quarter 3 and 4 funds were also released to the Chamber by unanimous roll call vote.
Under commission portfolios, the Law Enforcement Center board voted to accept the city and county proposals to deed the building to the LEC board, but the board’s attorney, Howard Swanson, had several questions. State’s Attorney Beau Cummings answered his questions, and the city and county are now waiting for a response from Attorney Swanson. The LEC board also voted to proceed with a feasibility study to determine the future usability of the physical facility. The Devils Lake Police Department received a $30,000 grant from AAA for another digital speed sign in school zones that will be placed near Minnie H Kindergarten Center.
City Administrator Spencer Halvorson recently attended the League of Cities and noted that Devils Lake is lucky in several areas that other communities are struggling with, such as health insurance rates for 2024. City Assessor Rob Johnson has been working with Corporate Technologies to inventory technology hardware and assess the age of workstations and servers. The city servers are coming to the end of their life soon and will need to be replaced before the end of the year. There will be a plan in place to cycle out computers and workstations to mediate the need to release emergency funds to replace a computer that goes out unexpectedly.
Under old business, the commission then decided on the Western-Summers Manufacturing loan guarantee. Commissioners had requested further clarification after the last meeting, and following meeting with Western personnel, now felt comfortable voting on how to pay this guarantee. Commissioner Rob Hach recused himself from discussion and the ensuing vote. The commission voted unanimously to pay the entire sum of over $340,000 to Western State Bank, with Commissioner Hach abstaining.
Lake Region Ambulance Services Director Sean Roed gave an update on the new training center, which is almost ready to start furnishing and finishing the inside of the building. The first reading of an ordinance for snow removal and street maintenance was presented, and no action was needed. Commissioners then approved to void a check to purchase a new sanitation truck, adjust city lodging rates to follow the state rates, a refusal ordinance that better defines the city’s DUI ordinance, and to renew a custodial service agreement.
Finally, commissioners voted to approve to pay the list of bills with the exception of the Midstate Volunteer Program, with the need for more research and clarification to be presented to determine if this funding is necessary.
Past meeting minutes and future meeting agendas can be found at dvlnd.com.
