The meeting was called to order by Mayor Daniel Imdieke on Monday, October 6, 2025 at 5:00 pm. Upon roll call, the following council members were present: James Gartner, Brian Jacob, Randall Meidinger, Wayne Ehley, Travis Dockter, Eric Schmidt. Also Present: City Attorney Joseph Hanson; Public Works Director Tyler Gross City Administrator/Auditor Sharon Jangula.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
A motion to approve the September 2, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes was made by Wayne Ehley, seconded by Travis Dockter. Unanimous aye vote; motion carried.
Visitors/Public Comments:
Lilian Dahms addressed the council regarding blight in her neighborhood. She was informed the city continues to work on the problem.
Donald Wilhelm addressed the council regarding a lot he purchased and cleaned up. He said there is no incentive to purchase lots and clean them up when special assessments get added to the purchase price and cleanup costs. He also did not agree with the amount of the special assessment on the property. During the discussion, it was noted the street project is not complete and will be finished next Spring.
Keaton Peterson addressed the council regarding issues with dogs barking, getting out of their fence and coming into his yard. He was advised to meet with City Attorney Hanson on the issue.
Shelly Serr addressed the council regarding the need to hire a police officer. There was discussion on law enforcement.
Mike Kunz addressed the council regarding the relining of the storm sewer near his residence. He was informed the contractor has the relining project on their schedule.
Douglas Scovill addressed the council requesting the city council approve registering a car dealership business at a residential address he owns. There was discussion on the property being located in a residentially-zoned area and ND Century Code Chapter 39 regarding the requirements for a dealership. After further discussion, a motion to deny the request was made by Brian Jacob, seconded by James Gartner. Unanimous aye vote; motion carried.
At 5:36 p.m. the Public Hearing was held regarding the 2026 City Budget. There were no oral or written comments from the public regarding the budget. During discussion, it was noted there were no changes made to the Preliminary Budget which was approved at the August 5, 2025 meeting.
A motion to adopt the 2026 Final Budget & Annual Tax Levy was made by Randall Meidinger, seconded by Brian Jacob. Unanimous aye vote; motion carried. The tax levy is as follows: General Fund-$181,967.00; Emergency Fund-$7,465.00; Cemetery Fund-$5,795.00; JDA-$6,500.00; Library-$11,600.00; Airport-$11,600.00.
A Public Hearing was held for the Linton Park Board 2026 Budget. The budget was presented with Park Board President Mark Weber available to answer questions. The budget showed a Tax Levy of $94,514; Other Income of $98,500; expenditures of $207,200. It was noted cash reserves will be used to pay the budgeted deficit. There were no comments or questions from the public.
Mara Boone, Moore Engineering, updated the council on the 24-1 Street Project as follows: the alley paving is completed; the scrub seal and fog coat will be in the Spring of 2026. She presented Bituminous Pay Request #4 in the amount of $19,806.55. A motion to approve the pay request was made by Brian Jacob, seconded by Randall Meidinger. Unanimous aye vote; motion carried.
Ms. Boone explained that Bituminous Paving Inc. is requesting a change in the contract allowing retainage of 1% of work completed. After discussion, a motion to approve the request was made by Randall Meidinger, seconded by Wayne Ehley. Unanimous aye vote; motion carried.
Donavin Grenz addressed the council regarding Building Permit Application 25-48 which was tabled from the August meeting. The permit application is to build a work shop/storage shed in the floodway. Mr. Grenz had been informed he will need to obtain a no-rise certificate before the city can approve the building permit. He was informed the no-rise certification is a requirement of FEMA and the City Floodplain Ordinance. Mr. Grenz said he would like to speak with someone from the State or FEMA about the requirement for a no-rise certification. Mayor Imdieke said the city will arrange a meeting. The building permit application was tabled to the next meeting.
A motion to approve the Building Permit Applications was made by Randall Meidinger, seconded by James Gartner. Unanimous aye vote; motion carried. Building Permit Applications: 24-69 Scott Seashore-build garage (request extension for completion date from 11/4/25 to 6/30/26); 25-49 Francis & Marilyn Lawler-build deck; 25-50 Blaine & Joyce Lemer-build garden shed.
A motion to deny Building Permit Applications 25-51 Kevin Evanson-build garage and 25-52 Kevin Evanson-remodel house was made by James Gartner, seconded by Wayne Ehley. Unanimous aye vote; motion carried. During discussion it was noted that Mr. Evanson had previously been informed that he will not be issued any new building permits until all existing projects are completed; there are existing projects which have not been completed.
At 6:15 pm Mayor Imdieke spoke on the 24-1 Street Improvement Project. He said the project is about 10% under the initial cost projections and the final assessment will reflect the cost reduction.
Council Member Wayne Ehley spoke about different property tax credits that are available to property owners.
Sharon Jangula informed the group that no written appeals or objections to special assessments were filed with the City Auditor’s office prior to the meeting.
Mayor Imdieke asked if there was anyone present that would like to address the council on the street project or the special assessment for their property.
Michael Schumacher addressed the council asking if any work to raise manholes will be done prior to the chip seal next Spring. Tyler Gross will look into the matter.
Shelly Serr addressed the council. She felt the street project should have been put to a vote of the people and asked the council to consider the next project be put to a vote of the people.
Lilian Dahms addressed the council and said she understands the need for the project, but was surprised by the amount it cost. She said this a good city to live in and felt the city council overall is doing a good job.
Don Wilhelm addressed the council to say the city should have done a better job of communicating the project and the cost to the public. He was informed the city will try and do a better job of communications.
Donavin Grenz addressed the council regarding the special assessment against his property on the west side of town, Parcel 52-0005-00189-000. Mr. Grenz said he feels the assessment to the property exceeds the benefit to the property. Mr. Grenz was informed how the special assessment was calculated and the amount of the special assessment. No action was taken to adjust the assessment to the property.
A motion to approve the 24-1 Special Assessments as presented was made by Randall Meidinger, seconded by Brian Jacob. Unanimous aye vote; motion carried.
A motion to approve Gaming Permit Applications was made by Brian Jacob, seconded by Wayne Ehley. Unanimous aye vote; motion carried. Gaming Permit Application: 25-13 Voices for Lake Oahe – raffle 5/2/2026; 25-14 American Legion Dan R. Richardson Post #54 – raffle 12/31/25.
A motion to approve Special Event Permits allowing the sale of alcoholic beverages was made by James Gartner, seconded by Eric Schmidt. Unanimous aye vote; motion carried. Special Event Permits: Green Lantern to McCrory Parking Lot for Chamber of Commerce Chili Cook-off on October 11, 2025.
The second reading of Ordinance No. 2025-09-01 to Amend Existing Ordinance 82-3 and Set New Regulations Pertaining to Gambling Within the City of Linton was held. A motion to approve Ordinance No. 2025-09-01 was made by James Gartner, seconded by Randall Meidinger. Unanimous aye vote; motion carried.
A motion to approve the September 2025 Monthly Financial Report was made by James Gartner, seconded by Travis Dockter. Unanimous aye vote; motion carried.
A motion to approve the payment of bills was made by Brian Jacob, seconded by Wayne Ehley. Unanimous aye vote; motion carried. Auto Value Parts Stores-supplies $52.99; Banyon Data Systems-software & IT support-$2,325.00; BEK Communications-telephone, internet $330.15; Benz Roofing & Gutters LLC-gutter repair $1,113.86; Bituminous Paving, Inc.-24-1 street project $61,808.04; City of Bismarck-landfill fees $4,785.70; Cole Papers Inc-Civic Center supplies $195.24; Elan Financial Services-cc payment (supplies) $30.49; Emmons County Record-publishing $388.91; D&E Supply-supplies $631.59; Ferguson Waterworks-parts $231.28; Fireside Office Solutions-office supplies $43.80; Interstate Power Systems-transmission fluid $44.46; IRS-payroll taxes $12,642.07; KEM Electric Coop-power bill $121.95; KEM Electric Coop-power bill $122.89; Craig Kitzan-Aug Civic Center maintenance $822.50; Craig Kitzan-Sep Civic Center maintenance $980.00; Spencer Larson-special assessment commission fee $1,000.00; Linton Auto Parts-parts $103.35; Linton Lions Club-community calendar telephone listing $50.00; Maverick Ag-chemical(weed control)- $494.40; MDU-power bill $3,826.13; ND PERS-Sep pension $6,306.59; ND-Microbiology Dept-Aug drinking water testing $54.00; ND-Microbiology Dept-Sep drinking water testing $54.00; ND One Call-utility locates $13.50; NDPHIT-employee insurance $6,541.52; Nodak True Value-supplies $39.66; Patriot Fuels-Aug premium unleaded, unleaded $436.59; Patriot Fuels-Sep premium unleaded, unleaded $220.74; Payroll $42,554.11; Rough Rider Industries-street signs $70.90; Sayler Implement Inc-parts $782.65; Sayler Implement Inc-labor & parts $2,584.32; SCWD-water $15,199.60; Team Lab-lagoon sonar testing $800.00; USDA Rural Development-13-1 water project loan 91-05 $7,363.79; USDA Rural Development-13-1 water project loan 91-03 $19,251.07; USPS-postage utility bills $267.18; Verizon Wireless-cellphone & monthly iPad plan-$70.39; Daniel Weber-special assessment commission fee $1,000.00; Mark Weber-special assessment commission fee $1,000.00.
A motion to approve a variance to Allow Alcoholic Beverages along Broadway Street from Sampson Avenue to Walnut Avenue during the Chamber of Commerce Chili Cook-off on October 11, 2025 was made by James Gartner, seconded by Eric Schmidt. Unanimous aye vote; motion carried.
The council reviewed the lagoon sonar test results and recommendations for treatment. A motion to move forward with a treatment plan for the lagoon was made by James Gartner, seconded by Wayne Ehley. Unanimous aye vote; motion carried.
A letter from Richard Spaeth was reviewed by the Council. In the letter, Mr. Spaeth requested the council amend the Home Rule Charter. Attorney Hanson advised the council the Home Rule Charter can only be amended by a vote of the people. No formal action was taken on the request.
The council was provided copies of the LIDC Balance Sheet as of 08/31/25 and minutes of the July 9, 2025 LIDC Board of Directors Meeting.
The next regular City Council meeting will be held on Monday, November 3, 2025 at 5:00 pm.
A motion to adjourn was made by Brian Jacob. Meeting adjourned.
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