Wahpeton public meetings in 2023
25 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Council
The Wahpeton City Council approved the consent agenda, including minutes and permits. They also reviewed financial reports, granted tax exemptions for a dental office project, rezoned land for Contitech, and discussed various public works projects.
- Approved 2024 Business Licenses
- Granted property tax exemption for POW Properties LLC at 421 Dakota Avenue
- Scheduled joint public hearing on rezoning requests from OtterTail Power Company in favor of Contitech and Interstate Engineering
- Awarded Rosewood Tree Removal Bid to Carr’s Tree Service for $24,900
- Approved purchase of a new fire department pumper truck up to $893,023.39
City Council
The City Council approved a transition to Mutual of Omaha for employee life insurance to reduce premiums. The council also authorized an increased Revolving Loan Fund loan of up to $80,000 for the Bois de Sioux Golf Club.
- Approved transition to Mutual of Omaha group life insurance for a 26% premium reduction
- Authorized a Revolving Loan Fund loan of up to $80,000 for Bois de Sioux Golf Club mower purchase
- Approved an $8,000 initial inspection of the golf course pedestrian bridge by Interstate Engineering
- Approved disbursement of $25,548 in Back the Blue Grant funds
- Acknowledged 2023 Tax Levy Summary totaling $20,604,023
City Council
The Council certified the results of a special election to extend the 2% local sales tax. Additionally, the Council approved changes to the Renaissance Zone Development Plan, including a 10-year program extension and new tax exemption options.
- Approved Ordinance No. 1052 to extend the 2% local sales tax following a 88% 'yes' vote in the special election
- Approved Resolution 3880 to extend the Renaissance Zone Program for 10 years and add an 8-year exemption tier
- Allocated $100,000 from sales tax to recapitalize the Mini-Match+ Grant Program
- Approved a $17,532.64 contract change order for Ti-Zak Concrete Inc on the Downtown Side Streets project
- Approved an $18,117.06 contract change order for Sellin Brothers Inc on the 8th Avenue North Reconstruction Project
City Council
The City Council approved a joint public hearing for November 20 to discuss extending the Renaissance Zone for 10 years. The meeting also addressed upcoming special elections, library programming changes, and various infrastructure project payments.
- Joint Public Hearing scheduled for November 20 at 5:00 p.m. regarding Renaissance Zone extension
- Approved $9,690 Change Order #3 for 8th Avenue North Reconstruction Project
- Approved $32,495.06 final pay application for Loy Avenue & 12th Street North Reconstruction
- Approved $22,569.67 final pay application for Eastside Sanitary Sewer Phase B Part II
- Approval of raffle permits for NDSCS Diesel Club, Chahinkapa Zoo Association, and Breckenridge Wahpeton Swim Team
City Council
The City Council approved several large-scale special assessment resolutions for sewer and street reconstruction projects. The Council also voted to sustain an order regarding a substandard trailer home at 802 Center Street South, requiring its removal or demolition.
- Approved Resolution No. 3878 for Eastside Sanitary Sewer ($822,892.01), Loy Avenue & 12th Street North ($1,781,081.96), and Westdale 3rd Addition ($1,431,001.84) assessments
- Sustained Building Official's Order for the removal or demolition of a substandard structure at 802 Center Street South
- Ratified a $3,500 minimum sales price for tax-forfeited vacant lot at 719 3rd Avenue North
- Created North Loop Addition Improvement District via Resolution No. 3879
- Approved BND Flex PACE Interest Buydown application up to $85,714.32 for Farmers Union Oil of Moorhead
City Council
The City Council adopted the 2024 budget ordinance and approved rezoning for portions of Valley First Addition and Rosewood Third Addition. The council also scheduled a public hearing for October 16 to confirm over $4 million in special assessments.
- Adoption of 2024 Budget Ordinance No. 1062
- Approval of rezoning Ordinance No. 1061 for Valley First and Rosewood Third Additions
- Approval of $4,019,924.13 in special assessments for various improvement projects
- Approval of $12,046.76 supplemental engineering agreement for Dakota Ave. Side Streets
- Approval of up to $40,550.78 interest buydown for Tri-State Aviation, Inc.
City Council
The City Council approved the final plat for the North Loop Addition twin home development and increased a loan for Rosewood 3rd Addition to $1,700,000. The council also held the first reading of the 2024 budget ordinance, which includes a projected property tax levy of $2,119,902.
- Approval of North Loop Addition Final Plat for proposed twin homes
- Resolution to increase Bank of ND loan for Rosewood 3rd Addition to $1,700,000
- First reading of Ordinance No. 1062 for the 2024 City Budget
- Approval of School Resource Officer contract with Wahpeton School for 2024-2027
- Approval of $20,000 from Restaurant Tax for Chahinkapa Park renovation
City Council
The City Council approved a contract for the City Hall flat roof replacement and funding for the Chamber of Commerce holiday campaign. The meeting also included discussions on rezoning requests, property tax exemptions, and upcoming budget hearings.
- Awarded $78,800 contract to MJ Dalsin Roofing for City Hall flat roof replacement
- Approved $10,000 from sales tax for the Chamber of Commerce 'Keep the Cheer Here' campaign
- Approved Resolution 3874 to vacate a portion of Wash Way (20th Avenue North)
- Approved $22,008.50 change order and $137,408.50 final pay for Lime Lagoon Dredging Project
- Approved street closure for Dakota Avenue on October 5 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
City Council
The City Council approved transitioning the city's internet and telephone services to Red River Communications, reducing monthly expenses by approximately $200. Other notable items included scheduling public hearings for North Loop development and approving a street closure for a community event.
- Approved transition of internet and phone services from Midcontinent to Red River Communications, saving $200/month
- Scheduled joint public hearing on September 5th regarding the vacation of Wash Way in Cenex Addition and preliminary plat for North Loop Addition
- Approved street closure request by Circle of Nations for a street dance on August 25th from 7pm to midnight
City Council
The City Council approved a $10,000 marketing and branding proposal from Mint Marketing. The Council also passed Resolution No. 3873 to direct assessments for several street and utility improvement districts.
- Approved $10,000 Mint Marketing proposal for City Marketing & Branding Campaign
- Adopted Resolution No. 3873 for Eastside Sanitary Sewer, Loy Ave./12th St. N., and Westdale 3rd Addition improvement districts
- Approved amendment to Hohenstein Homes Twin Home development agreement
- Discussed sales tax special election planning for November 7th
- Reviewed 202 $10,000 marketing proposal and various raffle permits
City Council
The City Council approved a loan modification to increase funding for the Rosewood 3rd Addition Project to $1,700,000. The meeting also addressed various municipal contracts, including a new waste removal agreement and golf cart leases.
- Approved $1,700,000 loan from Bank of ND for Rosewood 3rd Addition Project ST22-269
- Approved $58,620.30 capital lease with CapFirst for 10 additional golf carts at Bois de Sioux Golf Club
- Approved 3-year residential waste removal contract with Waste Management
- Approved final payment of $101,552.16 for the 2023 Sealcoat Project ST23-273
- Approved preliminary 2024 tax levy certificate of $2,119,902
City Council
The City Council and Planning Commission approved the adoption of the 2045 Wahpeton Comprehensive Plan. The council also approved a $1,445,575 loan for Rosewood 3rd Addition improvements and an interest buydown for golf simulators at 324 Dakota Avenue.
- Adoption of the 2045 Wahpeton Comprehensive Plan
- Resolution 3865: $1,445,575 debt issuance for Rosewood 3rd Addition improvements
- Approval of BND Flex PACE interest buydymow of up to $4,446.49 for Woods & Irons LLC
- Adoption of Ordinance 1054 regarding seatbelt use and primary enforcement
- May 2023 Bill Pay Report totaling $1,442,728.69
City Council
The City Council approved a $1,445,575 commitment to the Bank of North Dakota for the Rosewood 3rd Addition project. The council also approved the 2024-2028 Capital Improvement Plan and several police department equipment purchases.
- $1,445,575 loan commitment for Rosewood 3rd Addition residential lots
- Approval of 2024-2028 Capital Improvement Plan
- $23,894 purchase of Motorola Body Cameras for the Police Department
- $19,546 contract with Heitkamp Construction for Street Shop overhead door
- First reading of Ordinance No. 1054 regarding seatbelt use in certain vehicles
City Council
The council approved amended repayment terms for four Bank of ND PACE loan interest buydowns. They also renewed a sales tax collection contract with the ND State Tax Commissioner and authorized the sale of an old city truck.
- Amended Bank of ND PACE Loan Interest Buydowns totaling up to $172,984.83
- Renewal of Sales Tax Collection Contract with ND State Tax Commissioner (7-1-2023 to 6-30-2025)
- Disposal of a 1977 2-Ton Chevrolet Truck via local newspaper and Three Rivers Trading
- Development Agreement for 11th Street North Project with Troy and Darla Thimjon
- April 2023 Bill Pay Report totaling $2,124,849.78
City Council
The City Council approved modifications to the Housing Entry-Level Program (HELP) to provide grants for water and sewer line replacements. The Council also approved a reduced contract for holiday lighting on Dakota Avenue and 16th Avenue. Additionally, several BND PACE loan interest buydowns were authorized.
- Modified HELP program to allow up to $5,000 grants for water/sewer line replacement and up to $15,000 in special assessments
- Amended Dakota Designs holiday lighting contract from $20,350 to $10,500
- Approved up to $172,984.83 in total BND PACE loan interest buydowns for four local businesses
- Authorized up to $33,000 for 16 barriers, a trailer, and portable warning signage
- Approved up to $9,600 for 24 planters on Dakota Avenue
City Council
The City Council approved a $796,295.42 engineering contract for the 8th Avenue North Reconstruction Project and awarded the 2023 Sealcoat Project to Asphalt Preservation Company, Inc. The meeting also addressed natural gas pipeline expansions and various committee referrals regarding development and public safety.
- $796,295.42 construction engineering contract for 8th Avenue North Reconstruction Project ST19-248
- $89,625.92 award for the 2023 Sealcoat Project to Asphalt Preservation Company, Inc.
- $5,942 approval for Braun Intertec soil borings for the Vector Control Building
- Approval of rate changes to the Hydrant Meter Policy effective May 1, 2023
- March 2023 Bill Pay Report totaling $1,876,967.99
City Council
The City Council approved a capital lease for a new street sweeper and authorized a loan application for wastewater facility planning. Additional actions included approving retail fireworks licenses and amending gaming site authorizations.
- Approval of $257,450 capital lease for a 2022 Elgin Pelican Street Sweeper
- Approval of five 2023 Retail Fireworks Licenses
- Amendment of Wahpeton Eagles Club gaming site authorization for one Twenty-One table
- Authorization to file a loan application with the NDDEQ for wastewater facility planning
- Approval of up to $180,000 for a tractor purchase
City Council
The City Council held a public hearing regarding a proposed Wastewater Treatment Facility Plan. The plan includes upgrades to blowers, diffusers, and the addition of a pretreatment building to address capacity needs through 2043. Approval of the plan will be moved to the next City Council meeting.
- Wastewater Treatment Facility Plan with approximately $10 million total project cost
- Proposed expansion and upgrades to include a new pretreatment building, turbo blowers, and coarse bubble diffusers
- Target completion date of August 2026 for the construction portion
City Council
The City Council approved several resolutions for street reconstruction projects and an emergency declaration for flood preparedness. Additionally, the council awarded major construction contracts for 8th Avenue North and Downtown Side Streets.
- Awarded $6,609,990.80 contract to Sellin Brothers Inc. for 8th Avenue North Reconstruction
- Awarded $362,845.12 construction engineering contract to Interstate Engineering Inc. for Downtown Side Streets Phase II
- Adopted Resolution 3852 declaring a flood preparedness emergency
- Approved the 2022 North Dakota Transportation Funding Report
- Passed Ordinance 1050 regarding harassment amendments
City Council
The City Council approved a $1,197,000 bond series for permanent financing of the East Side Sanitary Sewer Project, authorized disbursement of $7,378.68 in Bull Bash funds to the Fire Department Relief Association, and approved purchasing two police vehicles for up to $155,373. Several items were referred to committees for further discussion, including sales tax planning, a parking lot improvement, and the police fee schedule.
- Approved Resolution 3851 for $1,197,000 in improvement bonds for East Side Sanitary Sewer Project at 2% interest over 25 years
- Approved $7,378.68 disbursement of excess Bull Bash funds to Wahpeton Fire Department Relief Association
- Approved purchase of two police patrol vehicles from Smith Motors for up to $155,373
- Approved first reading of Ordinance 1050 amending harassment section and Ordinance 1051 on dog and cat redemption procedures
- Approved write-off of $12,286 default on Frontier, Inc. loan and amendment to compensatory time policy
City Council
The Wahpeton City Council approved the 2023-2026 Council Goals and Priorities, which include preserving sales tax collections, planning a wellness center, reducing property tax dependency, and business retention. The council also received a $1,363,648.85 Prairie Dog fund payment and referred several items to committees, including PACE loans, compensatory time policy, online payment review, and various public works projects. The meeting included updates on state legislation and community events.
- Approved 2023-2026 City Council Goals & Priorities: preserve sales tax, plan wellness center, reduce property tax dependency, business retention
- Received $1,363,648.85 in Prairie Dog (Municipal Infrastructure) funds on Feb 17
- Referred PACE loan program review to Finance Committee
- Referred 2023 patrol vehicle purchases to Finance and Public Works committees
- Referred draft ordinance on keeping chickens to Public Works Committee
City Council
The City Council held a retreat to review past goals and draft priorities for 2023-2026. Discussions included city marketing, local sales tax history, and the potential for a community wellness and recreation center.
- Drafting of 2023-2026 goals including sales tax preservation and business retention
- Discussion regarding a community wellness & recreation center
- Police department staffing update regarding Michael Erickson
- Upcoming body camera demo for Axon Mobile and Watchguard
City Council
The City Council approved seven ordinances updating engineering and design standards for streets, sidewalks, utility excavations, and plats. It also approved a $30-per-employee Employee Assistance Program contract renewal with The Village, acknowledged the fiscal year-end fund activity report, and authorized a lead service line inventory grant application. A proclamation honored retiring Municipal Judge Simone Sandberg.
- Adopted Ordinances 1043–1049 updating standards for streets, sidewalks, utility excavations, plat requirements, and service line repairs
- Approved 2023 Employee Assistance Program contract renewal with The Village at $30 per full-time employee per year
- Authorized Resolution 3850 to apply for NDDEQ grant for lead service line inventory
- Approved Wahpeton Winter Wonderland Festival fireworks display permit
- Set public hearing on draft Wastewater Treatment Facility Plan for March 27, 2023
City Council
The council approved a $1,503,655 Bank of North Dakota loan for street and utility improvements in Westdale 3rd Addition. They also adopted a zoning change from residential to business for Rosewood Third Addition, approved a final plat for the same development, and passed an emergency declaration for potential state funding after a snow event. A taxicab license for A & B Taxi was approved, and the council rescinded a previous appointment to the SVEDA board, creating a vacancy.
- Approved Resolution 3849 for $1,503,655 BND loan for Westdale 3rd Addition street and utilities
- Adopted Ordinance 1041 rezoning Rosewood Third Addition from R-3 to B-3
- Approved Resolution 3847 for final plat of Rosewood Third Addition
- Approved Resolution 3848 emergency declaration for potential state funding after snow event
- Approved BND Flex PACE interest buydown of up to $40,196.86 for Eagles Club at 219 Dakota Avenue
City Council
The council approved first readings of two ordinances: one rezoning Rosewood 3rd Addition from residential R-3 to business B-3, and another amending the cul-de-sac length limit to allow up to 1,000 feet with emergency access conditions. A joint public hearing with the Planning Commission is set for January 17. The council also appointed Amanda Miller Fisher to the Southern Valley Economic Development Authority and approved consent items including minutes and raffle permits.
- First reading of Ordinance 1041 rezoning Rosewood 3rd Addition from R-3 to B-3
- First reading of Ordinance 1042 amending Section 38-145 to allow cul-de-sacs up to 1,000 feet
- Joint public hearing scheduled for January 17 on the rezone and preliminary plat
- Appointment of Amanda Miller Fisher to Southern Valley Economic Development Authority
- Police promotions: Matthew Anderson to Chief, Tim Appell to Deputy Chief, and three sergeants