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Britton to lead Kenmare Police Department

Mayor Dwight Flygare announced the retirement of Kenmare Police Chief Gary Kraft at the monthly meeting of the City Council on Oct. 9.

10/17/17 (Tue)

Changing of the guard... Sgt. Allisha Britton has been named lead sergeant of the Kenmare Police Department, taking over the duties of Gary Kraft who retired at the end of September. 

By Terry Froseth

Mayor Dwight Flygare announced the retirement of Kenmare Police Chief Gary Kraft at the monthly meeting of the City Council on Oct. 9.

Flygare said Kraft had resigned effective Sept. 30. The city will pay for his October health insurance, in addition to $3,868.56 in lieu of accumulated sick leave and six additional months of health insurance.

The council accepted Kraft’s resignation and councilman Todd Ankenbauer added, “I’d like to thank him for his years of service to the community.”

The mayor appointed Allisha Britton as lead sergeant of the Kenmare Police Department. “She has time and grade over Chris [Almlie],” Flygare said, “I think Allisha will do a good job for us.”

Council members applauded Britton, who was present at the meeting.

Later in the meeting, Flygare and Britton informed the council the police force will operate with just the two officers.

Britton said they’ve worked out a schedule that allows more evening and night coverage, with not as much overlap of duty times.

Flygare added that Ward County has a deputy living and working out of Donnybrook. He said the county is agreeable to having Kenmare contact the Sheriff’s Dept. whenever help is needed.

Britton said of the Ward County deputy, “We have worked with him quite a bit.”

Brownsfield Assessment

The council agreed to be considered for a Brownsfield Assessment.

If Kenmare was approved, the project would inventory, characterize, and assess aging or hazardous buildings and properties in town.

The old Irvin Hotel and the big, vacant apartment building on the downtown business square were mentioned as examples of properties that might be evaluated as Brownsfields.

Funding might then become available to rehabilitate the property for a green space or other use.

Pool and park meeting

Councilman Jamie Livingston was appointed to represent the city on the swimming pool/park future committee. Flygare said 49 people attended the meeting on Oct. 4 and there continues to be a lot of interest expressed through an online poll.

Ankenbauer added, “No one wants to see it go away.”

Waste contracts

Waste Management was approved for a five-year contract for its transfer roll-offs at the city landfill. A representative of the company said the new rate structure should result in lower fees for the city.

Ankenbauer Dray was also approved for a five year contract, with a 2 percent increase each year, for garbage collection.

Mayor honored

Flygare was congratulated by the council for being named 2017 Outstanding City Elected Official at the North Dakota League of Cities annual conference on Sept. 20 in Fargo.

Tax properties for sale

The council reviewed the prices listed for county tax deed properties available for sale in Kenmare. There being no opposition from the city, the properties will be available for sale by the county on Nov. 21.

Concerned citizen

Jim Hillestad attended the meeting to express his concern over a nuisance letter he received regarding two vans he owns.

He said the vans have been removed from the street and will be sold next May when he has an auction.

“I don’t think I deserved that letter. It made me mad,” Hillestad said.

Council members agreed the vans could remain on his property until the auction.

Hillestad informed the council that a culvert behind his home is too small and also needs to be cleaned out. Hillestad said the culvert often backs up runoff water and floods his basement as a result.

Hillestad added that the skating rink across the street from his home is not properly drained in the spring, causing ground water to seep into his basement until the rink dries up.

Rob Shelton, city director of public works, said he hadn’t been aware of those issues and he would take a look at them.

In other business:

• A Fund Itt matching grant of $240 toward a new sign for Cookies and Confections was approved.

• A prepay propane contract with Farmers Union Oil of 7,000 gallons for $1.25 per gallon for heating the Memorial Hall was approved.

• A special event liquor license transfer for Pizza Hub for serving alcoholic beverages in a tent in the parking lot during the GooseFest Chili Cook-off was approved.

• A special event liquor license for City Limits Bar & Bottleshop was approved for serving of alcoholic beverages at the Memorial Hall during GooseFest events.

• A grant application for purchase of an emergency backup generator for the city through Ward County Emergency Management was approved. Documentation detailing power outages and power surges will be submitted with the application.

• Kenmare Country Club asked that the city consider having the organization’s primary employee, the groundskeeper, be covered under the city’s benefit package.

The Country Club would reimburse the city for the cost. The city was also asked to consider the groundskeeper for winter employment by the city.

The council will have the personnel committee consider the request.

• Passed on second reading the adoption of updated traffic and motor vehicle regulations.

• Council gave its support to a letter to Congressman Kevin Cramer opposing privatization of the nation’s air traffic control system.

• The city motor grader will be repair and back in use this week.

• The city will begin using an impound lot, imposing a $5 per day fee, in addition to towing charges.

• Council members were reminded of an international meeting regarding U.S. Highway 52 to be held in Kenmare on Oct. 19... Read EVERY WORD on EVERY PAGE of The Kenmare News by subscribing--online or in print!