Cooperstown public meetings in 2021
23 substantive meetings from 2021, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Council
The Cooperstown City Council approved a $275,063.89 payment for the Street Improvement project, a change order reducing the contract by $6,635, and the second reading of ordinances on alcoholic beverages and shipping containers. They also amended a Midco antenna lease to one year, appointed Charles Dehoff to fill a vacant council seat, and approved a list of bills totaling $370,361.25.
- Approved Contractors Application for Payment #6 for $275,063.89 for Street Improvement project
- Approved Change Order #2 reducing contract price by $6,635.00
- Approved 2nd reading of Ordinance 2021-1 (Alcoholic Beverages) and Ordinance 2021-2 (Shipping Containers)
- Amended Midco Antenna and/or Equipment Location Lease from 5-year to 1-year
- Approved bills totaling $370,361.25, including $22,192.92 for a JD5055E utility tractor
City Council
The Cooperstown City Council approved enforcing liquidated damages of $18,900 against the street improvement contractor for delayed Milestone 1, and approved payment of $1,312,975.08 (less the penalty). They also approved a $27,000 bid for demolition of the old body shop, discussed a nuisance abatement, and held first readings of ordinances on alcoholic beverages and shipping containers. The council deferred signing a cell tower lease with Midcontinent Communications to compare rates with other cities.
- Enforced $18,900 liquidated damages for delayed street project Milestone 1
- Approved contractor payment of $1,312,975.08 for street project
- Approved $27,000 bid from Dirt Pro for demolition of old body shop
- First reading of Ordinance 2021-1 (Alcoholic Beverages) and Ordinance 2021-2 (Shipping Containers)
- Deferred signing Midcontinent Communications antenna lease to research other cities' payments
City Council
The Cooperstown City Council held a special meeting to discuss a single building permit application. The council voted unanimously to approve the permit submitted by John Hatcher.
- Approval of building permit for a garage submitted by John Hatcher
City Council
The Cooperstown City Council approved a $1,205,398.44 payment for the Street Improvement project and voted to enforce liquidated damages of $2,100 per day for incomplete work. They also set a $1,500 annual fee for Off-Sale Liquor Licenses, approved the 2022 final budget with a $214,737 general fund levy, and dismissed several nuisance complaints. The meeting included routine approvals of minutes, bills, and transfers.
- Approved $1,205,398.44 payment to Bituminous Paving for CAP4 Project 2020-1 & 2021-1
- Enforced liquidated damages of $2,100 per day for street project delay
- Set Off-Sale Liquor License fee at $1,500 annually
- Approved 2022 Final Budget with $214,737 property tax levy for general fund
- Certified unpaid utility bills totaling $5,000+ to property taxes
City Council
The Cooperstown City Council approved several expenditures, including $147,540 for paving 16th Street and $14,000 for additional paving near the Country Club. They also handled multiple nuisance property complaints, approved a new city assessor, and adopted an ordinance extending Sunday alcohol sales hours. The meeting included a public hearing for a Community Development Block Grant application.
- Approved $147,540 for paving 16th Street from Foster Ave south to Rollin Ave, funded by sales tax
- Approved $14,000 for additional paving in front of Cooperstown Country Club
- Approved payment of $238,174.65 to Bituminous Paving for street project
- Adopted Ordinance 2021-01 extending Sunday alcohol sales hours
- Appointed Farrah Saxberg as City Assessor
City Council
The Cooperstown City Council held a special meeting to discuss and approve purchases of equipment funded through a USDA Community Facilities Grant, and to address finishing work on Cooper Drain #3. All motions passed unanimously.
- Approved purchase of JD 5055E tractor with 520 Loader for $20,957.92 after trade-in from Leading Edge Equipment
- Approved purchase of JD 1570 front deck mower with 72” deck for $9,000.00 after trade-in from Leading Edge Equipment
- Approved purchase of Land Pride 11” flex-wing mower for $6,520.00 after trade-in from Cooper Implement
- Approved Tom Dahl to complete Cooper Drain #3 finishing work at $250/hour, total cost not to exceed $10,000
City Council
The City Council voted against performing proposed work on 16th Street at this time. The council also approved an ordinance change to allow Millers Fresh Foods to apply for an Off Sale Beer & Liquor license.
- Voted not to proceed with proposed work on 16" Street
- Amended ordinance 2016-3 to eliminate Section 3 regarding authorized alcoholic beverages
- Approved request for Millers Fresh Foods Off Sale Beer & Liquor license eligibility
- Discussed blight in preparation for August 17, 2021, public hearings
City Council
The Cooperstown City Council approved a $796,501.03 payment for the Street Improvement & Water Improvement projects, along with a seeding option to complete work by October 8, 2021. They also approved the 2022 Preliminary Budget, the first reading of an ordinance extending Sunday alcohol sales hours, and several building permits and liquor license renewals. No action was taken on a request for an off-sale beer and liquor license or on purchasing used pickups.
- Approved $796,501.03 payment for street and water improvement projects
- Approved 2022 Preliminary Budget; final hearing set for Sept. 13, 2021
- First reading of Ordinance 2021-01 extending Sunday alcohol sales hours
- Approved liquor license renewal for Coachman Inn
- Ratified building permits for Jeremy Zaun and Omar Abraham
City Council
The City Council approved a large contractor payment for ongoing infrastructure improvements and reviewed several building permits. The council also discussed potential ordinance changes regarding liquor licenses and fireworks.
- Approved $840,757.05 payment to Bituminous Paving Inc for street and water improvement projects
- Received $27,300 USDA Community Facilities Grant for a tractor and mowers
- Approved building permit for Christian CDJR for an addition and remodel
- Approved renewal of the lease agreement with the Cooperstown Country Club
- Authorized quotes to demolish the city-owned building at 604 10% NE
City Council
The Council discussed a $85,800.00 paving quote for 9 St and potential cost-sharing with the county for 16 Street. The Council also voted against selling the city-owned building at 604 10th St NE.
- $85,800.00 paving quote from Bituminous Paving for 9 St
- Decision not to sell the city-owned building at 604 10th St NE
- Approval of beer garden special event permit for Di's Oasis bar
- Approval of CMC Foundation Local raffle permit for July 10
- Approval of Cooperstown Community Club street dance permit for July 10
City Council
The Cooperstown City Council held a special meeting to handle bond financing for an improvement district. Members accepted a bid from Northland Securities to sell bonds at 2.05% interest and passed resolutions creating the district and authorizing the bond issuance. The meeting was brief and procedural, with all present members voting in favor.
- Accepted Northland Securities bid to purchase bonds at 2.05% interest rate
- Approved resolution creating an Improvement District fund
- Authorized issuance of $6,690,000 Refunding Improvement Bonds, Series 2021B
- All votes were unanimous among the five council members present
City Council
The Cooperstown City Council met to approve routine minutes, a street improvement change order, an $800,000 water treatment revenue bond, and new dental/vision benefits for full-time employees. They also approved several permits for community events and building projects, and discussed water service for a property outside city limits.
- Approved Change Order No. 1 for Street Improvement & Water Improvement projects, with Sheyenne Tooling approached to cost share a second sewer service
- Approved $800,000 Water Treatment Revenue Bond resolution
- Approved dental and vision benefits for full-time employees (city pays 75% dental, 50% vision)
- Approved water supply to Lyle Andel's property outside city limits, with Andel responsible for installation and repairs
- Approved permits for fireworks (Trinity Lutheran Church, July 9), beer garden (Oasis Bar, July 10), bingo (Knights of Columbus), raffle (GCC Boosters), and building permits for Stephen Larson (house) and Dennis Monson (fence)
City Council
The Cooperstown City Council held a special meeting to discuss repayment options for the special assessment bond for the Street Improvement District No. 2020-1 project. They voted to approve a payment plan that defers principal payments and makes interest-only payments for the first four years. The motion passed with three in favor and one against.
- Approved payment plan for Street Improvement District No. 2020-1 bond
- Interest-only payments for first 4 years, principal deferred
- Vote: 3 yea (Perry, L. Olson, Eslinger), 1 nay (Gruman)
City Council
The Cooperstown City Council approved several actions, including repairs to a sidewalk and water service as part of ongoing street and water improvement projects, the appointment of Christine Olson as city auditor, and a contract with the state to administer local sales tax. The council also discussed nuisance properties, policing options, and a state law allowing earlier Sunday alcohol sales, with further discussion planned for June.
- Approved sidewalk repair in front of Dakota Outpost as part of street project
- Approved supplying water to Stephen Larson property, requiring a change order
- Approved contract with State of North Dakota for sales/use tax administration, fee lesser of $35/year or 3%
- Approved building permits for fence at 1001 Park Ave NE, garage at 606 Odegard Ave, and others
- Approved liquor license renewal for Town & Country
City Council
The Board of Equalization reviewed changes to the true and full value of parcels for the 2021 tax year. City Assessor Farrah Saxberg reported a median sales ratio of 100%. The board voted unanimously to approve the changes to the assessment roll.
- Approval of 2021 tax assessment roll changes
- Notification sent to property owners with value increases of $3,000 or 10%
City Council
The Cooperstown City Council approved major infrastructure contracts for street and water improvements, including a $5.9 million bid for roadway and water work. They also approved a property sale, zoning changes, and several building permits. The meeting included routine approvals of minutes, bills, and reports.
- Approved $5,895,311.20 in bids for Street Improvement District No. 2020-1 and Water Improvement District No. 2021-1, including Bituminous Paving, Inc. base bid of $5,287,566.45 for roadway and $527,245.00 for water improvements
- Approved zoning of annexed property as Commercial via Ordinance 2021-1
- Accepted $500 bid from Aaron Larson for city lots (Lot 18A, Commercial Addition)
- Approved water rate increase to $29.75 base, $4.75 per 1,100 gallons residential, $5.00 commercial starting September 2021
- Approved abatement of $8,588.68 in special assessments on city-owned property
City Council
The Cooperstown City Council held a special meeting to address the upcoming vacancy of City Auditor Nancy Lunde. They voted to offer the City Auditor position to Christine Olson at a specified salary and approved advertising for a Deputy Auditor position.
- Approved offering City Auditor position to Christine Olson at $3,160.00/month for 40 hours/week
- Vote was 3-1 with one abstention
- Approved advertising for Deputy Auditor in newspaper, Job Service, and Facebook for 2 weeks
- Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm and adjourned at 7:30 pm
City Council
The Cooperstown City Council held a special meeting to receive an update from the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District and Burian & Associates on the Red River Valley Water Supply Project/Lake Agassiz Water Authority. The council previously approved participation in the project in 2016 with a flow rate nomination of 0.2 cubic feet per second. No new decisions were made at this meeting.
- Update on Red River Valley Water Supply Project/Lake Agassiz Water Authority
- 2016 council approval to join project with 0.2 cubic feet per second flow rate
City Council
The City Council approved the publishing of Ordinance 2021-1 to extend city boundaries. The council also discussed potential infrastructure funding for a new medical center and loan repayment options for a water street project.
- Approval of second reading for Ordinance 2021-1 (Annexation Ordinance)
- Discussion of special assessment district for Cooperstown Medical Center infrastructure
- Review of SRF revenue loan options for water portion of upcoming street project
- Proposed utility rate changes: increasing base rate and additional charges by $.25 or $.50
City Council
The Cooperstown City Council held a public hearing and approved annexation of land for the Cooperstown Medical Center's new hospital site, then discussed financing options for related infrastructure. The council also debated raising the city sales tax (motion failed) and considered changes to water utility rates, deferring a decision for more information.
- Approved annexation petition for Cooperstown Medical Center property
- Heard 1st reading of Ordinance 2021-1 to extend city boundaries
- Discussed SRF water project financing: revenue bond vs. special assessment
- Motion to raise city sales tax by 2% failed (2 aye, 4 nay)
- Approved $2,600 for 2 air compressors and $1,300 for map holders
City Council
The Cooperstown City Council held a special meeting to review and approve plans and specifications for a citywide street rehabilitation and water main replacement project, and to authorize seeking bids. They also discussed financing options for the water main portion, approved a tax abatement, and set dates for a lot sale and an annexation hearing.
- Approved plans and specs for Citywide Street Rehabilitation and ACP Water Main Replacement; bid opening set for March 19, 2021
- Approved amendment for bidding services from Moore Engineering
- Discussed financing water main replacement via special assessment or water utility rate increase
- Approved a tax abatement application
- City lot sale bid opening set for April 5, 2021; special meeting for annexation ordinance second reading set for March 8, 2021
City Council
The City Council approved a resolution to apply for a North Dakota DEQ loan under the Drinking Water or Clean Water Act. The council also authorized the purchase of a Reiten box scraper for $5,400.00.
- Resolution authorizing application for NDDEQ loan under the Drinking Water/Clean Water Act
- Purchase of a Reiten box scraper for $5,400.00
- Approval of up to $1,000.00 for shop office addition materials
- Approval of Cooperstown Golf Club Liquor License and Archery Local Permit
- Discussion regarding city blight and potential sales tax increases
City Council
The Cooperstown City Council met on January 4, 2021, and approved refunding the city's Series 2012 Bond with a lower-interest bid, authorized $2,130,000 in new refunding bonds, and accepted two energy conservation grants. The council also approved up to $1,000 for materials for a shop office addition and heard a request to reconsider police coverage contracting.
- Approved refunding Series 2012 Bond with Stock Growers Bank at 1%, saving $114,645.42
- Authorized $2,130,000 in Series 2021A refunding improvement bonds
- Approved two energy conservation grants totaling $24,475.03 and $1,102.50
- Approved up to $1,000 for shop office addition materials
- Heard request from apartment manager to reconsider police coverage with county