The Devils Lake City Commission met Monday, Nov. 17, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers at City Hall. The first agenda was a meeting of the Jobs Development Authority, which began with the Call to Order, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the minutes from the meeting on Oct. 20.
The next item was a review of the progress of Pay Estimate No. 4 for Single Family Housing Project. City Manager Spencer Halvorson said the estimate of progress up to date for broken windows and door installation for the homes totaled $158,000, which the Commission approved.
Item 5 looked at the current status of FlexPace Interest Buydown for Enduring Properties, LLC. The Commission heard from Brady Ash, executive director of Forward Devils Lake Corporation, who reviewed the application to the Renaissance Zone Project put forth last month by Enduring Properties, LLC for the purchase of what used to be Lone Tree Designs, a business that made metal yard ornaments and signs, located between Freije Chiropractic Center and Dollar General on the east side of College Drive. Their plan is to locate their two different businesses in the building, which include cleaning service and mental health therapy; they also want to renovate the space to accommodate a couple of other businesses. Lisa Hawley of Enduring Properties was on hand to answer any questions, but there were no other questions and the Commission move forward with approval.
The final item in the Jobs Development Authority Meeting was the Lake Region Law Enforcement Letter of Interest sent last month by County Commissioner and Chairman of the Law Enforcement Center Board Jeff Frith making a proposal for acquisition of land in Outlot #44-0002, located in an industrial park area. Brady Ash with Forward Devils Lake confirmed that the purpose of the proposal for the acquisition is to add space to construct a new law enforcement center. Frith and City Commissioner Jason Pierce did a presentation for the Forward Devils Lake Board at one of its most recent meetings, presenting the state of the current facility, the need for improvements and how the new facility would address the recent concerns.
Ash cited a letter he sent to Mayor Jim Moe in his capacity as President of Devils Lake Jobs Development Authority, in which the Forward Devils Lake Board decided not to recommend that this parcel be transferred at this time. “This decision reflects the Board’s responsibility to safeguard the long-term strategic value of the industrial park and the opportunity costs associated with the use of its land,” Ash said in the letter. “The industrial park remains a critical community asset in advancing future industrial and economic development opportunities for the Devils Lake area. The FDL Board views it is important to maintain the flexibility necessary to support future growth and investment.”
At the meeting, Ash told the Commission that he understood the need for a new law enforcement center. “It’s an important project,” he said. “We just wish to keep the industrial park for its intended purpose.”
Moe seemed to be in agreement. “The particular area that I think you’re looking at is one that’s probably one that we want to keep the most because it has the most viability for outside manufacturing because of the access of the (railroad) tracks and the highway,” he said.
Pierce said that his reasoning for the acquisition proposal was that the property has sat unused for a number of years. Ash responded that the Forward Devils Lake Board wasn’t ready to close the door on its potential in other ways. “I have leads on a couple of projects that could take up 75 acres.”
Moe noted that there was private land that could be available to the west of the area reserved for the industrial park, but Pierce responded that his main reason for the original land choice was that it was likely to be less expensive. City Administrator Spencer Halvorson observed that the land’s location had great potential, and transferring the land for a new law enforcement center would end that potential growth. “Right now, it’s an asset,” he said. “It’s an asset that the city has that could grow its taxbase, create jobs, all sorts of stuff. Has it happened yet? No. But it can.”
Pierce spoke of another reason for acquisition of the land, that they’re trying to find an area to move the Lake Region Residential Reentry Center, a facility designed to help individuals transition back into the community, and is currently located near Minnie H Kindergarten Center. However, he stressed that he understood the decision not to recommend the property acquisition. The Commission ultimately decided to deny the request for now and reopen the issue at a later date.
The Jobs Development Authority Meeting was then closed, and the regular City Commission Meeting commenced, which began a Call to Order and approval of the minutes from the meeting on Nov. 3. There were no awards or proclamations.
In the public hearings section, they addressed the Final Plat for Smith’s Second Addition located on 16th Street SE. City Assessor Rob Johnson said it was fully supported. “It breaks down one chunk of land that had four homes on it already, so that those would be parceled out and then there will be three more vacant blocks on the east side there as well,” he said. “One of the things that (Public Works Director Mike Grafsgaard) did request as part of the process was to have it mapped out, so to ensure that all current setback rules are being followed with the division and they all are, so that’s a recommended approval.”
After the hearing closed, the final plat was approved, and a second hearing was held for a Change in Zoning from Agricultural to Planned Unit Development for Outlot #05-0172. Johnson said this would be more of a preliminary hearing to get some information and figure out their next steps. “They’re looking to put a commercial development out there for shop condos,” he said. “I think the idea is supported. There’s just some work that needs to be done specific to getting in touch with Rural Water, looking at whether or not residential use is going to be allowed within the commercial buildings, which would require a higher standard on the building enforcement, and we’ll just kind of work through those details, so it was a productive meeting in discussion, but we’re not ready for any action on this year.”
Johnson recommended that the hearing be tabled for now. Moe closed the hearing with no action required for now. There were no bid openings, no visitors or delegations.
Under commission portfolios, Grafsgaard said that regarding Engineering, his team is still working on one spot in the downtown alleys. “We’re at the 11th hour,” he said. “It’s something that we have to do an interim mix and then readdress it in the spring.”
Grafsgaard added that one member of his Public Works team is doing a lot of survey work for projects scheduled for next year.
He also reviewed upcoming details of events including a mill and overlay along Highway 2, as well as on the south side. “We’re trying to grab all the information we need to put plans together.”
Fire Chief Nate Bennett said there was a Hazmat Awareness and Ops Test available for members of the fire department coming Nov. 23. “Hopefully, we get a few guys through that, so we have some more certified guys for hazmat awareness and operations,” he said, adding that they’re working on a few remodels of the stations.
Pierce is preparing for a big tree planting event for Arbor Day next year. “Somebody grabs a tree, plants the tree, try to make it an event for the city to come out and do that.”
Pierce also talked about the Downtown Planning Meeting that he attended on Nov. 12, which reviewed some of the upcoming events for Devils Lake, including the Christmas Tree Lighting scheduled for Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, 4 p.m. at Lake Region State College, part of the Hometown Holiday Celebration, as well as Santa Claus appearing every Saturday at the Arts Center, starting Nov. 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and a Chamber Holiday Cheer Mixer at the Arts Center on Dec. 3, 4-6 p.m.
Pierce also followed up on some suggestions made by local business owners for city improvements, including repair of the downtown sound system, as it’s currently unable to play music for the holiday season. “We got to figure something out for that,” he said, adding that some of the banners used for tourism and other events have faded and need to replaced.
Mayor Moe said that earlier, he and Halvorson attended an Altru community event and that he believes the future of the new Altru Hospital in Devils Lake is closer to fruition, hopefully there will be something more concrete by the end of the year, adding that the delays seem to originate from the side of the Vatican, which currently owns the medical center. Moe felt there would be a resolution soon.
The Commission also addressed new business, including the approval of new ordinances 1025, 1026 and 1027 improving competitive bidding, procedure and conveyance, sale, lease or disposal of property. City Attorney Jason Sayler restated what he said at a previous meeting, that the new ordinances are consistent with state law and with what other cities in North Dakota are doing. Halvorson said that they give Devils Lake more tools to enter into transactions and provide greater flexibility.
The Commission next approved the five-year tax exemption of improvements to a residential structure on 12th Avenue NE. However, the new detached garage would not be considered eligible for the exemption. There was also approval of the Maintenance Certification for the City’s Urban Roads Project as well as the 2026 City Calendar, including approving a full day off for city workers for Christmas Eve.
The session then adjourned to go into executive session to discuss legal matters.
Midway through the regular meeting, wearing a Devils Lake High School Firebirds vest, Moe also took time to offer his compliments to the new state champion football team on winning the Dakota Bowl in Fargo on Saturday, Nov. 15. “I’d like to congratulate them on a very proud moment for our community.”
Moe also put forth for consideration investing in a more lasting sign of recognition to the Firebirds for their achievement.
