Welcome to Leonard, ND

April 2021 City Minutes
April 2021 City Minutes
April 12, 2021 meeting called to order by Mayor Tracey Jacobson. Motion made and approved
to adjourn March 1 meeting. Jacobson, Bjerke, Nudell, Goltz, Plante and T Nudell present.
Secretary and Treasurer Reports read and approved (Bjerke, Goltz) Cass County Sheriff’s report
for Quarter 1 (Jan, Feb & March) is as follows: 10 building checks, 2 public assists, 6 traffic
stops/accidents/complaints, 4 medicals, 17 calls for service (burglaries, suspicious, fraud), 7
other calls.
Midco representative attended meeting & brought new franchise agreement to be signed.
Current franchise agreement ends May 5 th . Motion made to extend current Midco franchise
agreement 10 years. (Plante, Bjerke)
MLGC will be offering internet, MLGC streaming TV, and phone services in Leonard. MLGC will
be sending info via postcard and info will be posted on the City website (cityofleonardnd.com)
Motion made to designate week of April 26 th as clean up week. (Bjerke, Plante) Four roll offs will
be delivered to the old airport area by the end of the day April 23. Garbage company discussion
tabled. Motion made and approved to notify Cass County Sheriff about theft of pea rock and
sewer rock from city storage area. (Bjerke, Nudell) Council will check into purchasing a
surveillance system due to this recent theft of rock from city inventory. Nudell reported that
Matt Heuer with Heuer Construction is willing to donate labor to repair sidewalk by library.
Motion made and approved to have Matt Heuer take care of this sidewalk repair. (Plante,
Bjerke)
First reading of the new ordinances were read. Second reading of these ordinances will be at
the next regular meeting.
The following bills were approved to be paid: Leonard Post Office $165.00, Vandrovec
Accounting $1567.42, ND Sewage & Lift Station Service $275, Waste Management $1576,
Farmers Union Insurance $101, Kubota Leasing $15,016.79, Trina Nudell $369.40, Tracey
Jacobson $554.10, Bill Bjerke $461.75, Rita Goltz $384.82, Mike Nudell $384.82, Tony Plante
$307.86, Eric Vangsness $115.45, Wesly Schatzke $172.00, Mike Nudell $83.12, Bill Bjerke
$83.12, Bill Magstadt $83.12, Ryan & Onica Johnson $294.52 (reimb for swings for park)
Meeting recessed. Next regular meeting will be Monday May 3 at 7 pm.
June 2021 City Minutes
June 2021 City Minutes
May 3, 2021 meeting – Bjerke, Jacobson and T Nudell present. Quorum not reached.
June 7, 2021 meeting called to order
Motion made and approved to adjourn previous meetings. Jacobson, Bjerke, Nudell, Goltz,
Plante and T Nudell present. Secretary and Treasurer Reports read and approved (Nudell,
Plante) Cass County Sheriff’s report for April is as follows: 6 building and bar checks, 3 public
assists, 6 traffic stops/accidents, 1 medical, 6 calls for service (burglaries, suspicious, fraud).
Report for May is as follows: 1 Fire Call, 2 Traffic Complaint, 2 Medical, 1 Animal Call, 1 Grass
Fire, 1 Suicidal Person, 1 911 Hang Up, 1 Welfare Check & 1 Public Assist.
Public Concerns: Sheet rock had recently been dumped in the airport strip twig pile. Concern
about tires were also mentioned. Sheet rock, tires and all other prohibited items cannot be
brought to the city area as posted on signs. Nudell will take care of disposing the tires properly
since they cannot remain laying around city property. Last public concern was smoke blowing
into houses when city branch pile is burned. Wind direction and speed is always considered but
sometimes the wind changes as the pile burns. Alternative location for city branch pile will be
looked into. (Bjerke, Plante)
Below is the second official reading of the new city ordinances. Ordinances approved (Nudell,
Plante)
10.0108 Keeping of the following animals/waterfowl is prohibited within the city limits of the
city of Leonard, ND
1 Bees / all kind
2 Felines other than house cats
3 Goats / all caprine
4 Horses / all equine (meaning, not kept in yard in city limits as its permanent dwelling)
5 Racoons
6 Scorpions
7 Sheep/ all ovine
8 Skunks
9 Boa Constrictors and all venomous and non-venomous injurious snakes as defined by
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services.
10 All raptor
11 All waterfowl
12 Any animal controlled or governed by the North Dakota Game, fish, US Fish and
Wildlife Service or the US Department of Agriculture
13 All pigs; porcine
No one shall be grandfathered in.
10.0109 Limitation of number of Chickens/Roosters
No household within the city limits of the city of Leonard ND shall be permitted to keep more
than 25 chickens. No more than 2 of the 25 chickens can be roosters.
Owner of Fat Mat Trash attended meeting. Motion made and approved to sign five year
contract with Fat Man Trash LLC. Rates will remain the same. Contract will contain a clause that
contract will be null and void in the event the company is sold. July 2 will be the first pickup.
(Plante, Goltz)
Motion made and approved to check into adding a light on the road to the convenience store to
ensure kids walking to that bus stop have adequate light early in the morning and are as safe as
possible (Bjerke, Goltz)
Motion made and approved to keep researching installation of a surveillance system at the
airport strip. Barb wire around pea rock pile will also be considered. (Bjerke, Nudell)
Motion made and approved to designate the Senior Citizens building as the location for the free
Midco service and to proceed with installation (Plante, Bjerke)
Jacobson presented an idea to start a Yard of the Month contest. Motion made and approved.
(Nudell, Plante) Contest will start in July.
Motion made and approved to do necessary crack repair on paved streets. (Bjerke, Goltz) Rest
of paved street repair will be budgeted for next year.
The following bills were approved to be paid: US Treasury 280.95, Jet Way 652.50, Wesley
Schatze 286.26 & 617.59, T Jacobson 84.58 (reimb for funeral flowers), T Nudell 369.40 &
369.40, Cass County Reporter 86.00, One Call Concepts 7.70, Waste Management 1576, 1576,
1576, 577.22, M Nudell 129.29, Bill Magstad 290.90.
Meeting recessed. Next regular meeting will be Monday July 12 at 7 pm due to Independence
Day.
July 2021 City Minutes
July 2021 City Minutes
July 12, 2021 meeting called to order at 7:02 pm
Motion made and approved to adjourn previous meeting. Jacobson, Bjerke, Nudell, Goltz,
Plante and T Nudell present. Secretary and Treasurer Reports read and approved (Bjerke,
Nudell) Cass County Sheriff’s report for June is as follows: 4 dispatched calls (1 crash, 1 loud
party, 1 traffic stop, 1 harassment) Miscellaneous: building checks, offender checks & civil
papers delivered.
Bjerke brought up the dry conditions that are creating dry streets and dust. Bjerke will check
into options and pricing of street treatment for dust control. Soybean oil may be one option.
Motion made and approved (Bjerke, Nudell) to move forward with mailing letters to residents
that have unused unlicensed vehicles and/or unwanted debris on their property. Items need to
be removed by midnight August 31, 2021. The letter to the second resident will also include
verbiage about the newly created animal and waterfowl ordinances. Resident has until
midnight July 31, 2021 to remove the waterfowl on their property. If not removed, ND Game
and Fish will be contacted by the City to remove the waterfowl. Any costs incurred will be
charged to the resident.
Motion made and approved (Bjerke, Goltz/Plante) to increase City Auditor pay by $150 per
month effective July 1 since Trina has taken over the billing and accounting duties previously
done by the Vandrovec Accounting. Their accounting office had been charging over $300 per
month for utility billing and administration plus additional fees for quarterly financials,
quarterly payroll reports, budget preparation, Annual Report, 1099’s and W2’s.
Motion made and approved to increase monthly forestry charge from $2 to $3 effective
January 1, 2022 (Bjerke, Plante)
Rita Goltz announced her resignation from the City Council. Anyone interested in this council
position should come to the August meeting. Rita’s replacement will be appointed by the
council at the August meeting.
The following bills were approved to be paid: ND Sewage and Lift Station Service $575,
2639.71, 2542.50, Tony Plante crack and seal street repair materials & labor 8,000, One Call
Concepts 3.15 + 1.95, Waste Management 545.48 + 1576, Fat Man Trash 1584, ND Municipal
Finance Offers Association 30, Trina Nudell Reimb ($55 stamps, 84.91 toner, 180 Auditor
Certification Training, 35.14 envelopes) M Nudell 92.35, Bill Bjerke 92.35, Bill Magstad 453.67,
Wesley Schatze 711.10, T Nudell 507.93
Meeting recessed. Next regular meeting will be August 2 at 7 pm.
August 2021 City Minutes
August 2021 City Minutes
Aug 2, 2021 meeting called to order at 7:01 pm
Motion made and approved to adjourn previous meeting. (Nudell, Bjerke)
Jacobson, Bjerke, Nudell, Plante and T Nudell present. Secretary and Treasurer Reports read
and approved. (Bjerke, Plante) Cass County Sheriff’s report for July is as follows: 7 dispatched
calls (3 animal calls, 1 traffic stop, 1 medical assist, 1 public assist supporting another county, 1
disturbance)
Bjerke will continue to check into options and pricing of street treatment for dust control.
Bjerke will follow up with Cass County electric about the light by the convenience store bus stop
since they haven’t called back.
Motion made and approved (Bjerke, Plante) to accept Rita Goltz’ resignation. Bonnie Gruel was
the one interested individual that attended the meeting. Unanimous vote to appoint Bonnie
Gruel to open council position. Position is up for re-election in June 2022.
Motion made and approved (Bjerke, Plante) to make $800 donation to Leonard Lions to help
with Fall Festival.
2022 Preliminary Budget is due to Cass County August 10. Motion made and approved to
increase 2022 property tax levy by $20,000 (Bjerke, Plante)
Budget hearing will be Monday October 4, 2021.
The following bills were approved to be paid: US Treasury 1015.43, Cass County Reporter
91.16, Farmers Union Insurance 492, Dakota Hills Electric 80, Bill Bjerke 110.82, Bill Magstad
318.61, Wesley Schatze 346.31, T Nudell 507.93
Meeting recessed. Next regular meeting will be September 13 at 7 pm.
Sept. 2021 City Minutes
Sept. 2021 City Minutes
September 13, 2021 meeting called to order at 7:00 pm
Mayor Tracey Jacobson, Bill Bjerke, Mike Nudell, Tony Plante, Bonnie Gruel and Auditor Trina
Nudell present. Secretary and Treasurer Reports read and approved. (Bjerke, Plante)
Cass County Sheriff’s report for August is as follows: 15 calls for service, 1 medical assist, 2 drug
related. The bulk of the calls were of the public assist and suspicious variety. There were three
arrests made on current warrants (misdemeanors). There was also a report for a gas drive off
taken. A disturbance was also in this group of calls but it ended up being more of a non-physical
domestic/argument with no injury or related crimes.
Bjerke will continue to contact Cass County Electric regarding adding a light by the convenience
store bus stop since they are not returning calls. Nudell disposed of the illegally dumped tires
accumulating in the airport area by hauling them to Fargo. Cost of disposal was $2.50 per tire.
Nudell will continue to research surveillance cameras for the city airport area to monitor illegal
dumping, thefts of city inventory, etc.
There have been inquiries about a fall clean up week. After discussion, motion made and
approved to designate week of October 11th as clean up week. (Nudell, Gruel) Two roll offs will
be delivered and taken away when full. Trina mentioned that the cost of these roll offs are
currently not being charged to city garbage customers. The City is footing the entire bill for
spring clean up, fall clean up and disposal of illegally dumped items. Garbage rates may need to
increase in the future to offset these additional costs not being charged to residents.
2022 Final Budget is due to Cass County October 10th. City of Leonard budget hearing will be
Monday October 4, 2021 at 7 pm at the Leonard Senior Center.
The following bills were approved to be paid: L&L Tree Service $500, Custom Graphics 150,
Plains Grain & Agronomy 236.25, Cass County Reporter 62.30, 40.05, ND One Call 26.20, 4.35,
Fat Man Trash $1600, Mike Nudell tire disposal reimb 124.50, Bill Magstad 290.90, Wesley
Schatzke 283.98, Trina Nudell 507.93
Meeting recessed. Next regular meeting will be October 4 immediately following the 7 pm
budget hearing
October 2021 City Minutes
October 2021 City Minutes
October 4, 2021 meeting called to order at 7 pm
Motion made and approved to adjourn previous meeting. (Plante, Gruel)
Jacobson, Bjerke, Plante, Gruel and T Nudell present. Secretary and Treasurer Reports read and
approved. (Bjerke, Plante) Cass County Sheriff’s report for September given by Deputy
Mortenson.
2022 final budget is due to Cass County October 10 th . Motion made and approved to levy taxes
as submitted in the preliminary budget sent to Cass County August 10 th (Bjerke, Plante)
Motion made and approved to proceed with installing surveillance system at airport area.
(Bjerke, Gruel) Fines and fees for illegal dumping will be discussed at the November meeting.
The following bills were approved to be paid: Bill Magstad 263.20, Wesley Schatzke 295.52, M
Nudell 55.41, T Nudell 507.93, Leonard Convenience 154.12, Postmaster 84.00
Meeting recessed. Next regular meeting will be Monday November 1 at 7 pm.
Leonard City Council
The Leonard City Council met Monday November 1, 2021 at 7 pm for regular meeting.
Present: Mayor Jacobson, Bjerke, Nudell, Gruel and Auditor T Nudell. Meeting called to order at 7:04 pm.
Secretary and Treasurer Reports read and approved. (Bjerke, Nudell) Cass County Sheriff’s report for
October given by Deputy Mortenson. There were five calls for service.
The City of Leonard’s allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding from the state is $36,111.93.
Required paperwork was submitted to the state on September 15. The first $18,055.97 installment was
received October 1. and the second installment will be received in 2022. Dollar amounts were determined
by population. The city needs to allocate where/how the funds will be spent by the end of 2022 and all
funds need to be spent by the end of 2024.
No public concerns.
The Senior Center has decided to keep the Senior Citizens building rather than turning it over to the city.
The surveillance system at the airport area has been installed and works well. Adding a second camera at a
different angle would be beneficial. Decision to purchase second camera tabled until next meeting. Motion
made and approved to impose a $50 fine for each instance of illegal dumping (Bjerke, Gruel) Council
members will make or purchase a sign that says NO ILLEGAL DUMPING to be used in conjunction with the
sign already there that states which items cannot be dumped at the airport area.
Santa Day will take place on December 11 at the Senior Citizens Center from 1-3pm. The city will provide
refreshments. All are welcome.
The following bills were approved to be paid: US Treasury 578.04, Bill Magstadt 180.08, Wesley Schatzke
342.85, T Nudell 507.93, Fat Man Trash 1600, 1027.41, ND League of Cities 451, 33, Tracy Jacobson reimb
for printer ink 42.99, Kindred True Value 13.76, Cass County Finance 500, SL Computer Services 130,
Farmers Union Oil Company 1746.86, MLGC 840.16, Cass County Reporter 56.76, ND One Call Concepts
2.80.
Next regular meeting will be Monday December 6 at 7 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Trina Nudell, City Auditor
Dec. 2021 City Minutes
Dec. 2021 City Minutes
Leonard City Council
The Leonard City Council met Monday December 6, 2021 at 7 pm.
Present: Mayor Jacobson, Bjerke, Plante, Gruel and Auditor T Nudell. Meeting called to order at
7:03 pm. Secretary and Treasurer Reports read and approved. (Bjerke, Plante)
November Cass County Sheriff’s Report: 5 calls for service
No public concerns.
Senior Center may allow the City to use the corner office of the Senior Citizens building for
meetings and office space. Locks would need to be changed. More details will be given once the
Senior Citizens members have discussed further.
Ornaments and cards will be given to residents from the City Government. Jacobson will
deliver. (Bjerke, Plante)
Sewer budget was submitted to the USDA by December 1 deadline and $42,704 USDA sewer
loan payment will be automatically withdrawn from bank account on December 16th. IRS form
was submitted in November to claim interest rebate. That interest refund of 6K will be sent
from the IRS to our bank account later in December or early next year.
The following bills were approved to be paid: Fat Man Trash $1600, Leonard Convenience 50,
Leonard Cafe 50, Bonnie Gruel reimb for cards & ornaments 298.38, Farmers Union Oil
Company 77.69, Dick’s construction 977.46, Cass County Reporter 25.81 & 53.40, ND One Call
Concepts 6.30.
Next regular meeting will be Monday January 3 at 7 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Trina Nudell, City Auditor
Jan. 2022 City Minutes
Jan. 2022 City Minutes
Leonard City Council
The Leonard City Council met Monday January 3, 2022 at 7 pm for regular meeting.
Present: Mayor Jacobson, Bjerke, Nudell, Gruel and Auditor T Nudell. Meeting called to order at 7:01 pm.
Secretary and Treasurer Reports read and approved. (Bjerke, Gruel) Cass County Sheriff’s report for
December given by Deputy Mortenson. There were four calls for service.
No public concerns. The locks will not be changed on the corner office door at the Senior Center Building,
but the city could purchase a locked cabinet for that office if they’d like. Cass County sent all political
subdivisions in Cass County an agreement called “Joint Powers Agreement” which lays out the terms by
which the County, City and District shall coordinate the holding of their general elections in conjunction
with the County’s Primary Election. Joint Powers Agreement approved. (Bjerke, Nudell)
The city is considering purchasing a small salter for spreading salt when the roads in town are extremely icy.
Cost and options were discussed. Due to supply chain issues and lack of inventory, the city wouldn’t receive
until after winter was over, so tabled until summer. For now, bags of pellets will be purchased to have on
hand in the event of an ice storm. Council members are willing to spread by hand this winter if necessary.
The City has had to remove snow at Sunrise Apartments twice so far this winter because the garbage truck
and residents have been getting stuck. City has reached out, but owner has not responded. Motion made to
bill RK&K Property Management a minimum of $200 each time the city has to remove snow at Sunrise
Apartments. (Bjerke, Nudell)
Ballot signature forms need to be filled out and submitted by anyone interested in running for this year’s
election of two council seats. The election for the other two council seats and mayor will be in 2024.
No new guidance or updates from the state on how the city can spend the $18,055.97 received from ND
through the American Rescue Plan Act. (ARPA) The second installment of $18,055.97 coming in 2022. Funds
need to be allocated by the end of 2022 and spent by 2024.
The following bills were approved to be paid: Myron Myer 200, ND One Call 1.40, Sheyenne Valley Lumber
57.58, Cass County 23.68, Fat Man Trash 1600, Tony Plante reimb for street repair materials $8,000.
Next regular meeting will be Monday February 7 at 7 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Trina Nudell, City Auditor
Feb. 2022 City Minutes
Feb. 2022 City Minutes
Leonard City Council
The Leonard City Council met Monday February 7, 2022 at 7 pm for regular meeting.
Present: Mayor Jacobson, Bjerke, Nudell, Gruel and Auditor T Nudell. Meeting called to order at 7:01 pm.
Secretary and Treasurer Reports read and approved. (Bjerke, Nudell) Cass County Sheriff’s report for
January given by Deputy Mortenson. There were three calls for service.
No public concerns. More ARPA guidance was e-mailed out from ND League of Cities on January 18. The US
Department of Treasury released the final rule on the American Rescue Plan Act on January 6. Each city can
now spend the ARPA funds on anything fitting into the category of government services. The ARPA
guidance defines government services as “any service traditionally provided by the government, including
road building and maintenance, general government administration, staff and administrative facilities,
environmental remediation and provision of police, fire, and other public safety services.” ND League of
cities also notes that according to the US Treasury publication, sewer and storm projects do not appear to
qualify under the revenue loss category. So, cities that want to spend their ARPA grants for water, sewer
and storm sewer projects can still so, but the projects still need to qualify as projects under the Clean
Water State Revolving Fund or the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and expenditures in this category
will have more detailed ARPA reporting requirements. Restrictions on ARPA funds are as follows: cannot be
used to directly or indirectly offset a reduction in net tax revenue, cannot be deposited into a pension fund,
cannot be used to pay off debt or replenish financial reserves, cannot be used to satisfy judgements, and
cannot be used in any way that would undermine the purpose of ARPA (undermining COVID mitigation
practices for example) The first reporting deadline for all cities is April 30, 2022. Funds need to be allocated
by the end of 2024 and spent by the end of 2026.
Information about the Main Street ND Initiative 2022 Vibrancy Grant was also sent out to city leaders by
the ND League of Cities. Leonard is considering applying for this grant.
Motion made to have electrical components on the light poles uptown rewired/upgraded so Christmas
decorations and other items can once again be plugged in. (Bjerke, Gruel)
Motion made to install proper drainage/culverts on 4th Street South. (Bjerke, Gruel)
Motion made to research cost of street repair/resurfacing on 4th Street South from Railroad Ave South to 2nd Ave South. (Bjerke, Gruel)
The following bills were approved to be paid: Fat Man Trash 1600, Cass County Reporter 137.60, One Call
Concepts .70
Next regular meeting will be Monday March 7 at 7 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Trina Nudell, City AuditorI