Wahpeton, North Dakota

July 20 Council

The City Council will hold a joint meeting with the Park Board to review schematic designs for the Southern Prairie Activity & Recreation Center (SPARC). The body will also consider a preliminary budget and tax levy for 2027.

• Construction Management at Risk Contract with Comstock Construction, Inc. for SPARC Project
• Preliminary Certificate of Levy for 2027 budget at $2,433,883
• 2026 Concrete Repairs Proj. bid award of $28,364.58
• Well Field Proj. W19-251 contract change order with KPH, Inc. for $750
• June 2026 Bill Pay Report of $1,658,728.27

July 20 Council

The Finance & Personnel Committee is meeting to review the 2027 preliminary budget and tax levy. The session includes a review of committee referrals.

• 2027 Preliminary Budget & Tax Levy
• Committee Referrals

The council voted to close the meeting for an executive‑session attorney consultation, then voted to end the closed session and reconvene, and finally moved to adjourn the meeting. No substantive policy decisions were made.

• Motion to close meeting for executive session (carried)
• Motion to adjourn closed session and re‑open meeting (carried, all aye)
• Motion to adjourn the meeting (outcome not recorded)

Finance Committee Regular on the 2nd 4th Mondays

The Finance & Personnel Committee will meet to discuss the preliminary budget and tax levy for 2027. The meeting also includes a review of committee referrals.

• 2027 Preliminary Budget & Tax Levy

City Council

The City Council convened a special meeting to enter an executive session for attorney consultation regarding legal strategy. No motions were made during the closed session, and the meeting was adjourned shortly after reopening.

• Executive session held pursuant to NDCC 44-04-19.1 for attorney consultation

Public Works Committee Regular on 2nd 4th Mondays

The Public Works & Public Safety Committee will discuss a construction management contract with Comstock Construction, Inc. and review quotes for the 2026 Concrete Repairs Project. The body will also consider change orders for the Well Field Project.

• Construction Management at Risk Contract with Comstock Construction, Inc.
• Quotes and award recommendation for 2026 Concrete Repairs Project
• Well Field Project Contract Change Order No. 1 Air Release Manhole
• Well Field Project Phase II Contract Change Order #1 for culvert extensions and project completion extension
• Disposition of Wausau Snowplow from the 2009 Sterling Plow Truck

July 20 Council

The council swore in newly elected members and re‑elected officials. Council members voted to appoint Jason Goltz as Council President and Tiana Bohn as Vice President. The body also approved committee appointments, the consent agenda items, and confirmed 2026 appointments to various boards, while referring the 2027 preliminary budget to the Finance, Personnel & Economic Development Committee.

• Approved Jason Goltz as City Council President (all voting ‘aye’)
• Approved Tiana Bohn as City Council Vice President (all voting ‘aye’)
• Approved appointments to City Council committees (all voting ‘aye’)
• Approved the consent agenda items, including minutes of June 15, 2026 (all voting ‘aye’)
• Confirmed 2026 appointments to Airport Authority, Library Board, Golf Board, Planning Commission, Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Zoning Board (all voting ‘aye’)
• Amended confirmation to include re‑appointments to the End of the Woods Task Force Board (all voting ‘aye’)
• Referred the 2027 Preliminary Budget & Tax Levy to the Finance, Personnel & Economic Development Committee

City Council

The City Council held an organization meeting to elect leadership and appoint committee members. The session included public testimony regarding the proposed Southern Prairie Activity and Recreation Center (SPARC) and its overlap with the Infinity Center in Breckenridge.

• Election of Jason Goltz as Council President and Tiana Bohn as Council Vice President
• Public discussion on the number of gym courts and amenities planned for the SPARC project
• Approval of Games of Chance licenses for Head of the Red Youth Activities and BW Blades Youth Hockey
• Confirmation of 2026 appointments for the Airport Authority, Library Board, Golf Board, Planning Commission, CVB, and Zoning Board of Adjustment
• Request for comments on the Dakota Ave. & ND 210 Traffic Controls Project ST25-290

City Council

The council voted 7-0 to adopt the draft 2027-2031 Capital Improvements Plan, including possible schedule changes for 2nd Street South and 3rd Ave./5th St. S. reconstructions. It also approved the Charitable Gaming Site Authorization Policy, adopted Ordinances 1078 and 1079, and authorized two Right‑of‑Way licenses for the Water Transmission Pipeline Project W22‑268. Additional approvals included a $4,259.19 refrigerator replacement for the Bois de Sioux Golf Club and a $37,500 bid for police department windows and doors.

• Approval of 2027-2031 Capital Improvements Plan (motion 7‑0)
• Adoption of Charitable Gaming Site Authorization Policy (motion 7‑0)
• Adoption of Ordinance No. 1078 (Noxious Weeds) and Ordinance No. 1079 (Floodplain Management) (each motion 7‑0)
• Approval of Right‑of‑Way licenses for Water Transmission Pipeline Project W22‑268 (motion 7‑0)
• Funding of $4,259.19 to replace the Bois de Sioux Golf Club clubhouse refrigerator

City Council

The City Council approved a capital lease for a new John Deere motor grader and a contract for concert production. The body also held a first reading of an ordinance to update floodplain management dates.

• Resolution 3941: Capital lease for 2026 John Deere 622P Motor Grader totaling $363,405
• Supplemental contract with KSL, LLC for sound and lighting production of $4,000
• Authorization for Braun Intertec geotechnical study for RJ Hughes Drive Grade Raise Project for $9,426
• First reading of Ordinance No. 1079 regarding floodplain management/flood damage prevention
• Approval of street closure for 200 and 300 blocks of Dakota Avenue on August 15, 2026

City Council

The City Council approved renovations to the police impound building at a cost of $55,861.90, funded in part by the 1% restaurant tax. It also adopted Resolution 3940 establishing $50 and $100 fines for noxious weeds and uncut grass, and approved a memorandum of understanding with ND DOT and Wilkin County for maintenance of the Dakota Avenue Bridge. Additional actions included approving the SPARC logo option A and directing staff to draft a charitable gaming site authorization policy.

• Police Impound Building Renovations – $55,861.90 approval
• Resolution 3940 – $50 first‑offense and $100 second‑offense fines for noxious weeds/uncut grass
• MOU for Dakota Avenue Bridge maintenance with ND DOT and Wilkin County
• SPARC logo Option A (AdShark Draft 3) approved
• Charitable Gaming Site Authorization Policy draft directed

City Council

The council adopted Resolution No. 3939 authorizing a $3,011,000 water revenue bond to fund rehabilitation of Water Towers 1 and 2. It also approved an amendment to the ND Department of Water Resources cost‑share agreement for the Well Field and Transmission Line Project, adding $8,207,909 in state participation. Additional community‑enhancement items were funded from the 1% Restaurant Tax Fund, including painting the Prairie Rose Carousel, new downtown banners, and bleacher replacements in Chahinkapa Park. Street‑closure requests were approved for the Headwaters Music Festival and Chalkfest events in July.

• Resolution No. 3939 authorizing $3,011,000 water revenue bond for Water Tower 1 & 2 rehabilitation
• Amendment I to ND DWR Cost Share Agreement adding $8,207,909 state share for Well Field & Transmission Line Project
• $10,000 from 1% Restaurant Tax Fund for exterior painting of the Prairie Rose Carousel building
• $2,500 from 1% Restaurant Tax Fund for downtown banners on Dakota Avenue
• $35,000 from 1% Restaurant Tax Fund for new bleachers in Chahinkapa Park

City Council

The City Council decided on the placement of the Southern Prairie Activity & Recreation Center (SPARC) and approved several infrastructure and equipment contracts. The body also addressed local sales tax compliance and upcoming election details.

• Approved placement of Southern Prairie Activity & Recreation Center (SPARC) in Phase I of Legacy Lakes
• Awarded 2026 Sealcoat Project ST26-294 to Asphalt Preservation Company, Inc. for $100,267.79
• Approved Motorola Body Camera Contract for $73,872
• Approved street closure of the 300 Block of Dakota Avenue on June 25th for the 250 Years of Liberty Wahpeton Celebration
• Approved March 2026 Bill Pay Report totaling $1,671,682.72

City Council

The Wahpeton City Council approved Resolution 3937, adopting the Emergency Operations Plan. It also approved a lease for the Bois de Sioux Golf Club cart fleet with Club Car at $175,915 and a $14,500 contract with Snake Oil/Ikons of Rock for the 250 Years of Liberty celebration. Additional approvals included a $1,616 purchase of a municipal court audio package and the issuance of 2026 retail and display fireworks licenses to six applicants.

• Adoption of Resolution 3937 – Emergency Operations Plan
• Resolution 3938 – Golf cart lease with Club Car for $175,915
• Contract with Snake Oil/Ikons of Rock for $14,500 for 250 Years of Liberty celebration
• Purchase of Municipal Court audio package for $1,616 from STAGEnet
• Approval of 2026 retail and display fireworks licenses for six applicants

City Council

The Wahpeton City Council approved its consent agenda and received loan awards of $16,006,000 for the Legacy Lakes project and $3,011,000 for water‑tower rehabilitation. It authorized a $1,000,000 private‑placement bond for the Bois de Sioux Golf Club irrigation system and awarded residential waste‑collection services to Waste Management at $21.44 per household. The council also approved plans for the 2026 Sealcoat Project and voted to discontinue negotiations with the North Dakota State College of Science for the Southern Prairie Activity & Recreation Center (SPARC) site, directing the architect to explore alternative locations.

• Legacy Lakes Project low‑interest loan of $16,006,000 approved
• Water Tower Rehabilitation loan of $3,011,000 approved
• $1,000,000 private‑placement bond proposed for Bois de Sioux Golf Club irrigation
• Residential waste collection contract awarded to Waste Management at $21.44 per household
• Council voted to end SPARC site negotiations with NDSCS and task JLG Architects with finding a new site

City Council

The council adopted Resolution 3936 to approve and record the Legacy Lakes II Addition plat. The council also heard a financing update for the Bois de Sioux Golf Club irrigation project, a $1,255,000 effort funded by $825,000 from the Richland/Wilkin JPA and $450,000 from the club. Consent agenda items, including minutes and raffle permits, were approved. The Public Works & Public Safety Committee approved Phase II and Phase III plans for the Well Field Relocation Project W19‑251.

• Resolution 3936: approval and recording of Legacy Lakes II Addition plat
• Bois de Sioux Golf Club irrigation system financing: $1,255,000 total cost, $825,000 JPA assistance, $450,000 club contribution
• Well Field Relocation Project W19‑251 Phase II plans and specifications approved
• Well Field Relocation Project W19‑251 Phase III plans and specifications approved
• SPARC Request for Qualifications for Construction Manager at Risk approved

City Council

The council certified the results of the Jan. 27 special election, confirming Robert Ostmo as the winner. It adopted Ordinance No. 1077 to repeal and reenact the city’s floodplain management regulations after FEMA approval. The body also approved multiple resolutions authorizing plans, cost estimates, and bid advertisements for the Water Towers 1 & 2 rehabilitation project (W24‑285) and for the Legacy Lakes Improvement District (ST21‑263).

• Certification of Jan. 27, 2026 special election results (517 ballots cast, Robert Ostmo elected).
• Adoption of Ordinance No. 1077 (Floodplain Management) with formatting changes.
• Resolution No. 3932 approving engineer’s plans and cost estimate for Water Towers 1 & 2 rehabilitation (Project W24‑285).
• Resolution No. 3933 directing publication of bid advertisement for Water Towers 1 & 2 rehabilitation construction.
• Resolution No. 3934 approving engineer’s plans and cost estimate for Legacy Lakes Improvement District (Project ST21‑263).

City Council

The Wahpeton City Council adopted the consent agenda, approved $507,031.82 in fiscal year‑end transfers, and accepted $5,384,232 in 2025 budget amendments. Council members also named the proposed Southern Prairie Activity & Recreation Center (SPARC) and gave the first reading of Flood Plain Ordinance No. 1077. The board voted to move forward with a public‑private partnership for an irrigation system at the Bois de Sioux Golf Club.

• 2025 Budget Amendments approved – $5,384,232
• 2025 Fiscal Year End Transfers approved – $507,031.82
• Official naming of Southern Prairie Activity & Recreation Center (SPARC)
• First reading of Flood Plain Ordinance No. 1077
• Bois de Sioux Golf Club irrigation system proposal approved

City Council

The Council heard presentations and public testimony regarding the SPARC and Infinity Center recreation projects. Several financial and infrastructure items were referred to the Finance, Personnel & Economic Development and Public Works & Public Safety committees for further review.

• Infinity Center projected costs: Phase 1 at $11,432,377 and Phase 2 at $10,113,375
• Request for $3,000,000 from the State of Minnesota Bonding Fund for the Infinity Center
• Oath of Office administered to new police officers Kylen Athey and Zachary Manock
• Referral of Water Towers 1 & 2 Rehabilitation project plans and specs to committee
• Referral of Bois de Sioux Golf Club irrigation system proposal to committee