The December 2, 2024, Minot City Council meeting highlighted several important discussions, from proposed budget amendments to strategic decisions surrounding the Broadway Circle Project
Key Agenda Items
1. Consent Items and Approvals
Several routine items were presented and approved by the Council. Notably, 40 liquor licenses remain to be renewed for 2025, with the deadline set for December 31. Three consent items were pulled for further discussion.
- Insurance Services Proposal: Council member Blessum thanked staff for their efforts in securing a proposal for insurance services, which was approved unanimously.
- Storm Sewer District 121 Puppy Dog Coulee: Council member Fuller congratulated staff for securing a proposal under budget, though the item was pulled for discussion and approved without further changes.
- Sanitation Trucks Purchase: Fuller raised concerns about the maintenance costs and questioned the option of selling old trucks instead of keeping them. The city typically purchases one new sanitation truck per year, and the old trucks have been plagued with frequent breakdowns. After weighing the costs, the purchase was approved, with further discussions on maintenance to follow.
2. Broadway Circle Property Management
The Broadway Circle project, funded through a National Disaster Resilience (NDR) grant, includes a Family Homeless Shelter, a 17-unit Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) apartment complex, and three commercial-ready suites. While the Family Homeless Shelter is set to open by December 16, 2024, and the LMI apartments by April 7, 2025, securing property management has been challenging.
The city terminated its agreement with Project BEE in February 2024 and assumed control of the project. The first RFP, issued in August 2024, received only one response, from a company interested in managing the apartment complex. However, no proposals were submitted for the shelter or commercial spaces.
Concerns over high operating costs, particularly property taxes and insurance, which are estimated at over $180,000 annually, have made the property unappealing to potential managers. Additionally, ongoing lease negotiations for the restaurant space have led some to feel that future management entities would be restricted by pre-existing agreements.
The City Council discussed several alternatives, including:
- Reissuing the RFP to better highlight tax breaks and financial incentives.
- Implementing a Land Use Restriction Agreement (LURA) to reduce taxes on the LMI apartment complex during the affordability period.
- Direct City Management of the apartments, ensuring compliance with LMI requirements.
The Council is committed to finding a solution to ensure the project's success, which aligns with Minot’s goals of providing affordable housing and supporting vulnerable populations.
3. Amendments to City Ordinances and Infrastructure Projects
- Amendments to Chapter 28: The Council discussed proposed amendments to Chapter 28, which governs streets, sidewalks, and public grounds. These amendments would allow rock in the boulevard and adjust driveway width limits for both commercial and residential properties. The revisions aim to increase flexibility, especially for larger residential lots and commercial areas that require wider driveways for truck traffic. Staff noted that while rock in the boulevard is not ideal, enforcement has been resource-intensive, and the amendment would alleviate this burden. The proposed changes would be reviewed further, with Council potentially bringing them back for formal approval.
- Broadway Circle Completion Date: Due to ongoing delays, the substantial completion date for the Broadway Circle project was extended to April 6, 2025. Council members discussed the possibility of splitting the additional costs with the company responsible for the delays, though City Manager Stewart advised against this. The motion passed 7-0.
- Utility District 2025-1: A proposal to create a new utility district for a potential development in Bolton Heights failed in a 2-5 vote. The project, which would have involved special assessments for development, faced opposition due to concerns about the developers not taking on enough of the financial burden.
- Parks Sales Tax Proposal: The Council moved forward with a proposal to hold a special election on June 3, 2025, to impose a half-cent sales tax for the Minot Park District. The proposal passed 6-1, with Council member Samuelson voting in opposition.
Next Steps and Moving Forward
Several key projects are in motion, and the Council is focusing on ensuring the city's continued development while managing costs effectively. The Broadway Circle project will remain a priority, with staff directed to explore ways to better attract potential partners and secure a sustainable management model for the property. The city is also looking at options for future infrastructure development and how to balance public needs with fiscal responsibility.
The City Council will meet again on Monday December 16, 2024
To view this weeks meeting: Minot City Council 12/2/2024 at 5:30 p.m.
Watch this week's episode of Minot Talk with special guest Leif Snyder breaking down the meeting as well as discussing the recent Police Investigation here
