Welcome to Leonard, ND 

October 2022 Special Mtg. City Minutes

The Leonard City Council met Tuesday October 18, 2022 at 6:30 pm for a special meeting called on October 11. Present: Mayor Tracey Jacobson, Tony Plante, Bonnie Greuel, Onica Johnson, Ryan Hinkel, Auditor Trina Nudell, Wesley Schatzke and numerous community members.

October 3 meeting minutes read and approved (Plante, Johnson)

Mayor Jacobson addressed attendees about purchasing the café building from Tony Plante. On Friday

October 14, the council announced to Tony via text message, that upon further consideration, the City of Leonard couldn’t financially purchase the café building. Greuel made a motion to retract the October 3 motion to purchase the café building. Johnson seconded the motion to retract.

Mayor Jacobson stated that they were considering the café building because it was the only option they had. It would have helped get the city government a place to work out of. After the October meeting, a lot of research concerning the purchase was done and it started to become evident that it wouldn’t be feasible.

The reasons for looking for a building are:

1) To fully use the city’s status as a municipality, a place to work out of is a must. This would enable

the council to carry out city ordinances.

2) City auditors have had to work out of their homes. If a fire occurs in their home, whose insurance

covers property destroyed? The city would like a building to work out of so all city information can

stay in one place, where the auditor, mayor and council members can go to work.

3) The council would also like to be able to give back to the city. The hope is to find a building that’s

the right price and size, so part of the building could be used by the community for large meetings,

birthday or anniversary parties, graduation parties or just community gatherings.

Both Mayor Jacobson and council member Greuel stated that the October 3rd motion should have been worded differently. The wording of the motion should have been that consideration would be given to purchasing the café building and research will be done rather than making a motion to purchase the cafe building for $200,000.

After the meeting, it was discovered that a commercial appraisal would have cost $3,500-$5,000 and an inspection would have cost $3,000 and funding just wasn’t there. That’s why a meeting was set up to withdraw the October 3 motion.

After the mayor’s statement and council members spoke, the floor was then opened for public comment where community members could voice their thoughts, concerns and ideas. Topics included why the café closed, possibility of renting a portion of the Senior Building, Senior Building updates needed, and electrical repairs needed, and costs of building a Morton-type steel building being $300,000-400,000. Also mentioned was the city owned land where the Olson building was torn town. The ground has to be packed on that land, which will cost thousands of dollars. Other ideas brought up were the old Bremer bank building and purchasing a fireproof filing cabinet.

The council asked the community members in attendance to please give any and all ideas and also would appreciate contact information of places to call to get steel building prices.

Discussion also included office space options for law enforcement. Sheriffs in other towns use space in the fire hall or city building. The Leonard fire hall doesn’t have enough space unless the conference room is an option.

The Senior Center Board meets the third Thursday of every month. The council will plan to attend the

November meeting or arrange a time for Senior Center board members to meet with the council.

Johnson made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Greuel and Plante.

Next meeting will be Monday November 7 at 7 pm.

Trina Nudell, City Auditor

November 2022 City Minutes

Leonard City Council

The Leonard City Council met Monday November 7, 2022 at 7 pm. Present: Mayor Tracey Jacobson, Tony Plante, Bonnie Greuel, Onica Johnson, Ryan Hinkel, Auditor Trina Nudell, Maintenance Manager Wesley Schatzke and community members.

New information was sent via group text on Oct 21 regarding adding the switch on the west side of the

hanger door. Dakota Hills Electric can do the work, but the new door put in on the west side of the hanger requires a light to be up to code if their work gets inspected. Cost will be $465 for the inside light switch, $290 for the outlet and $545 for the outside light. $1,300 total. Onica Johnson made a motion to proceed. Seconded by Greuel.

October 18 special meeting minutes read and approved (Plante, Greuel)

Cass County Sheriff’s report: 8 calls for service.

The city has experienced repeated vandalism and is considering adding more security cameras. Marty with MLGC gave council members information about camera options for the ball diamond, city shop, and park. Cameras are available with or without internet access. Cost to bury 850 feet of fiber optic cables to all locations would be $3,464, which includes labor. Price including four model 1100 cameras, four routers and four housing shells would be $4,994.22. Waterproof/weatherized boxes would also need to be purchased for each location. Cost of monthly internet access was not included in that price. The option to put internet access on a very tall pole for all cameras was discussed, but buildings and trees block the signal. The option of cameras without internet access was also discussed. Motion made by Johnson, seconded by Plante to get quote for internet at hanger and upgraded camera so license plates can be seen. Decision on remainder of locations will be tabled.

A public concern brought up by a community member was dogs not on leashes. Dogs have been seen running around town and owners are not around. One individual has already been warned by the Cass County Sheriff’s Department. Council encouraged community members to take pictures and show pictures to law enforcement. Also let council members know and they’ll keep track of complaints/incidents. Mayor Jacobson had previously inquired about Cass County fines regarding dogs. First offense is a written warning. Second offense is a $50 fine and another written warning. Then $50 citations continue.

Bill Magstadt has resigned. The city is looking for a replacement to take over his snow removal and mowing duties.

It was discovered that the city plow truck has seven cracks and the plow itself is twisted to the right handside. Todd could frame-weld pieces of metal to fix the cracks. Motion by Greuel to have Todd fix the plow truck. Seconded by Johnson.

Mayor Jacobson mentioned all the free materials sent to promote the new city app.

A new liner needs to be purchased for the ice rink. Please also spread the word that the city is looking for ice rink volunteers. Plante made a motion to purchase liner for ice rink. Seconded by Hinkel.

Jeanne Johnson will be including the $50 building permit payment for their deck with their city bill

payment.

Santa day will be December 3 from 1-3. There will be a bake sale and coloring and/ or craft activities for the kids. There will also be a holiday house/yard decorating contest. Deadline is December 17. $25 prize for winner.

There have been complaints about yards and vehicles. Jacobson will send out a list of City Clean Up letters that need to go out. The first letter will be a warning to allow the homeowner to come up with a plan. For vehicles, current tabs are needed, or vehicle needs to be removed. A second letter will be sent if problem continues. Motion made by Johnson that after second letter is sent, if not taken care of in 30 days, vehicle will be towed by Hopewell’s. Seconded by Greuel.

Neil Roesler would like to split a portion of the Roesler land from the farmland for a home. Eventually, the piece of land will be reunited with the quarter. Since this is within the extra-territorial limits of Leonard, council approval is needed. Council says platting a new parcel is not necessary. Ok to make change via legal description and deed. Approved by Johnson. Seconded by Plante.

The following bills were approved to be paid:

Cass County Reporter 124.71 & 97.12, Fat Man Trash 1,898.82, Kindred True Value 34.94, 32.55, 45.27, Leonard Post Office box renewal $90, Ohnstad Twichell 802.05 , Plains & Agronomy 12.50, Leonard Convenience 351.88, ND League of Cities 465 & 34, Leonard Fire Department 20.77, Cemetery 10.19, Library 29.74, Bill Magstadt 270.12 & 55.41, Wesley Schatzke 547.17, Trina Nudell 507.93

Motion to adjourn by Johnson. Seconded by Hinkel.

Due to scheduling conflicts, next meeting will be Thursday December 1 at 7 pm.

Trina Nudell, City Auditor