The Walcott Home Rule Charter Committee public hearing was held August 5th, 2024 at 7:00pm at the Walcott Fire Hall.

In attendance were committee members Brian Boyle, Nina Stone, Keith Anderson, Beth Oestreich, and Jon Rieger. Also in attendance were Attorney Brittany Hatting, Mayor Vining, City Council members Brown, Oestreich Rhodenbough, and Janowicz. Audience attendees were John Kristianson, Jill Berg, Charles Hunt, Kathy Hunt, Shannon Brown, Eric Brown, Allen Stone, Sheila Davis, Ron Davis, Stuart Swandal, Shelly Swandal, Lydell Brandon, Diane Brandon, Linda Nelson, Christine Walz, Don Walz, Mark Olson, AubreAnna Colvin, Rose Wise, Paul Moyer, and Wes Fornshell.

Rieger called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. He turned the meeting over to Brittany Hatting.

Brittany introduced herself and provided a brief overview of Home Rule Charter and what this means for Walcott. Brittany reviewed examples of items the city can and cannot do under Home Rule Charter.

Questions were presented by public and discussion was held.

Beth Oestreich motioned to close the public input of the meeting, seconded by Keith Anderson. Carried.

Keith Anderson motioned to submit the draft of the Home Rule Charter to the city council for review, seconded by Beth Oestreich. Carried.

Hatting confirmed that the function of the home rule charter committee has been completed and thanked everyone for their service.

Janowicz motioned to approve the draft Home Rule Charter and to move forward with placing the measure on the November 2024 ballot, seconded by Rhodenbough. Carried.

Hatting provided the council with a draft measure for the November ballot. Oestreich motioned to approve the measure language, seconded by Janowicz. Carried.

Discussion was held regarding doing a publication of the charter or the option of delivering door-to-door. Council agreed to publish in the Daily News. A note will also be included on the water bill, and another letter will be sent out to all residents.
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Meeting was concluded at 8:00pm.

The Walcott City Council Meeting was held August 5th, 2024 at 8:00 pm at the Walcott Fire Hall.
In attendance were Mayor Vining and council members Brown, Oestreich Janowicz, and Rhodenbough. Also in attendance was Brittany Hatting and John Kristianson.

July minutes & financials were read and approved by Rhodenbough, 2nd by Brown. All approved, motion carried.

Attorney has confirmed that a letter has been sent regarding the park board legal matter and the matter is considered closed.

Hatting did a preliminary review of the AE2S contract and it looks to be good, however, she would like to review it in further detail before we agree and sign. Not all engineering companies require this, and Hatting advised that the city isn’t required to sign, and is able to refuse to sign. Council agreed to halt the attorney review and avoid spending more money on the process.

Chase with AE2S has been in contact with a local land owner regarding purchase of land needed for a lagoon expansion. The price of the land has increased since last discussions. Discussion was held about actual value and other options to move forward. Vining will work with AE2S on getting an appraisal of the land.

Once the daycare project is complete, Glacier will start working on fixing main street. Jeff is going to ‘shoot’ the ditches to the East of main since more water will start to run that way once main is fixed.

Gravel for town is ordered and will be spread soon.

Eric Nygren has agreed to be on the park board. A couple other write-ins were contacted, however, Vining is still waiting to hear on who accepts a position.

The Horace Lions Club has asked that the park board go online and fill out the application for funding. No definition has been made on how much the park board would be eligible for.

Discussion was held regarding the pipeline and the possibility of it coming to Walcott. No further information has been received from the pipeline company and they have not yet contacted Walcott about further exploring the possibility.

Skoog provided a summary of the lead inventory meeting held on earlier in the day August 5th.

Water bills were discussed.

Next Meeting September 9th, 2024

Janowicz motioned to adjourn, seconded by Rhodenbough. Carried.
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General Fund Balance $175,325.97
OTPCO 44.33 & 434.06; Jen S 738.80 & 10.72; VanDiest 1817.75; Column Software 8.10 & 32.40; Lies Bullis Hatting 420.24 & 800; ND League of Cities 497; Glacier Ent 900 & 525; RDO 493.61; Jon Rieger Seed 4473; TJM 567; CHS 123.71; Farmers Union 532 & 1905; US Treasury 550.80; USPS 146; FCCU 751.51
WSG Balance $144,648.55
Brian B. 369.40 & 278.72; WM 1928.16 & 13.47; OTPCO 191.62 & 292.67; SEWU 1465.48; AE2S 90 & 90; Glacier Ent 3425 & 2750; City of Fargo 14 & 62; Ferguson 11.83