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City to annex site for new Gooseneck Implement store
Kenmare will expand in size by 40 acres with the annexation of a portion of property recently purchased by Gooseneck Implement.
4/13/11 (Wed)
By Terry Froseth
Kenmare will expand in size by 40 acres with the annexation of a portion of property recently purchased by Gooseneck Implement.
The parcel is located adjacent to the southeast edge of the city limits, to the east of U.S. Highway 52, and to the south of the municipal airport.
The Kenmare City Council approved the annexation on first reading at their regular monthly meeting on Monday.
Gooseneck Implement purchased 137 acres, but only the westerly 40 acres were part of the annexation request.
Kevin Borud of Gooseneck Implement announced his plans last month to build a new store and shop at the site. The property is currently zoned as agricultural district and will next have to go through the Planning Commission for rezoning to commercial, following a second reading of the annexation next month.
City will bid new
$1.2 million water tower
The council authorized bidding for the new 275,000 gallon water tower to be erected and ready for use this fall. Bids will be due May 9th.
City engineer Ryan Ackerman estimated the cost will be $1.2 million.
The current water tower has a capacity of 50,000 gallons with an additional 180,000 gallon cistern that is pumped into the tower.
Water rates increase
The council approved raising the water rates for all users to generate additional revenue to pay for the new water tower and other water system improvements.
Mayor Roger Ness said the city will also tap the city sales tax intended for infrastructure for $4000 per month.
Ness said the water bill will increase by $7 per month for a household using the 2000 gallon minimum amount.
The minimum water rate was increased from $23 per month to $30 per month, which is made up by increasing the per meter charge by $2 and increasing the per 1,000 gallon charge by $2.50.
The same increases were approved for commercial, industrial and institutional users.
The bulk water sales rate was also increased by $2.50 per 1,000 gallons.
Ryan Ackerman projected the increases will generate approximately $74,000 in additional revenue annually. Additional amounts of $84,000 from bulk water sales and $48,000 from city sales tax are anticipated, Ackerman reported, bringing the total revenue increase to $206,000 annually.
The new rates will go into effect with the May billing.
Water meter reading
still a problem
Public Works Director Mike Thompson said the city still has about 50 water users that have not responded to the city’s requests to install new remote water meter equipment in the homes.
Thompson said the residents have been contacted multiple times, and the city may have to consider shutting off their water.
The new remote reading system cannot be tested and implemented until every household is actively hooked up.
Thompson said any household without a black “touch pad” which was later covered with a white plastic MXN box (about 4” x 6” is size) is on the list and should contact the city auditor’s office.
Incentives approved for commercial properties
The council gave its approval for two Renaissance Zone applications for tax abatements. The first application was from Penny and Dave Sigloh, the new owners of the drive-in restaurant, formerly Chill-n-Grill and now renamed the One Stop Burger Shop. The Siglohs plan to erect a new building on the site.
The second application was from William Cox, for the former Ralph’s Flooring store on the south side of the downtown business square. Cox plans to begin renovation of the building this week to convert it to office space and a two-bedroom second floor apartment.
The Renaissance Zone program allows for a five-year property tax exemption on improvements made to a property. Taxes are paid on the valuation of the property before the improvements.
Sex offender moves in
The council and police chief Gary Kraft briefly discussed a registered high risk sex offender from Washington state who moved into a Kenmare residence on Monday.
Kraft gave notice to The Kenmare News on Monday and was checking with the North Dakota Attorney General in regards to posting and publishing of the subject’s photo.
The man, Martin (Marty) J. Drake, has rented a house at 514 3rd Avenue NW in Kenmare. A full notice is published on page 5 of this issue.
Kraft and officer Bill Cox told the council that landlords can have a background check done by the Minot Police Department for a fee of about $30 to $35. There was also mention of a state website for North Dakota registered sex offenders (www.sexoffender.nd.gov).
In other action:
• Accountant Jan Kostad presented the financial report. He stated the city is in good financial shape after the first three months of the new year, with tax proceeds coming in and a positive balance of $47,391 in the general fund.
• Bids were opened for the city’s three-year-old Bobcat skidsteer loader. The high bid of $29,505 was received from Randy K. Bilstad of Crosby, ND. The city can purchase a new Bobcat from Swanston Equipment Company under a government discount for $29,600. The problem is, the new Bobcat will not be delivered until June. The city will check with the high bidder to find out if he will wait until June to complete the purchase. There was discussion of rebidding the sale in June if the Bobcat cannot be sold now.
• Raffle permits were approved to St. Agnes Altar Society, FLBA, and Goose City Gobblers.
• A $300 donation from the Minot Hockey Boosters (South of the Border) gaming fund was approved to Kenmare Township for mowing of the Rosehill Cemetery.
• The council approved formation of a Kenmare Housing Authority. Appointed to the committee were Jason Brothen for a five year term, Shane Harris for 4 years, Chuck Leet for 3 years, Cameron Bartuska for 2 years, and Merle Wallstrum for 1 year.
• A final payment to closeout the Phase II Water Distribution System Improvements of $59,814.96 was approved to Hight Construction for construction and $1,500.00 to Souris Basin Planning Council for administration.
• A new police car is scheduled to arrive in June.
• The city will hire a couple high school students as summer employees.