Regular Council Meeting - 3/17/2025

​City of Colfax – Regular Council Meeting 3/17/2025
The regular March meeting of the Colfax City Council was called to order by Mayor Krump at 7:05pm. Present were Mayor Kyle Krump, Council Members Tom Steinolfson, Scott Gauslow, and Jesse Moch. Absent was Shaun Jacobson. Audience members in attendance were Inis Frankl, Todd Johnson, Lyle Boehm, Kim Berseth, Amy Clark, Kory Kaste, Zach Hatting, Nathan Berseth, Nathan Moen, Tate Miller, Sheena Miller, Travis Elser, Sid Berg, John Haverland.
Krump recognized the audience. Kory Kaste with Southern Valley Economic Development Authority introduced himself and stated that SVEDA can help small businesses, start-up businesses, or any businesses looking to move into the area connect with necessary resources.
Zach Hatting with Interstate Engineering provided updates on various city projects. ND Finance Authority had their meeting this morning, hoping to hear back yet this week or early next week regarding city finance applications.
The EPAC Wet well & manhole 1 are installed. Pipe being laid to the north. Then the project is on hold until above freezing temps so they can drill water. There is currently a large delay on the control panel on the lift station. Currently hoping to receive it in May or by the end of June.
Colfax Reserve plans and specs will need approval tonight. Bids will be contingent on the finance approval.
Boehm Addition’s preliminary engineering report is complete and the council needs to review before approving.
The minutes of the 2/17/25 City Council meeting were reviewed. Steinolfson motioned to approve minutes as presented, seconded by Gauslow. Motion carried.
 
Moch motioned to move $10,162.99 from General fund to Highway fund, $465 from Sewer fund to Wastewater Revenue Bond fund, and $12,511.96 from General fund to Comprehensive Plan fund effective 12/31/2024, seconded by Gauslow. Role Call vote: Gauslow – yes, Moch – yes, Krump – yes, Steinolfson – yes. Carried.
January & February financials were presented. Steinolfson motioned to approve the financials as presented, seconded by Moch. Role Call vote: Gauslow – yes, Moch – yes, Krump – yes, Steinolfson – yes. Carried.
March bills were presented. Gauslow motioned to approve the bills as presented, splitting the Interstate Engineering bill between general and CM4, seconded by Steinolfson. Role Call vote: Gauslow – yes, Moch – yes, Krump – yes, Steinolfson – yes. Carried.
Discussion was held regarding the Colfax Meadows 4 loan closing. Moch motioned to add a $3,000 admin fee before closing out the loan, seconded by Gauslow. Role Call vote: Gauslow – yes, Moch – yes, Krump – yes, Steinolfson – yes. Carried.
Trackside loan can’t be closed out until after Spring work is completed. Auditor Skoog will determine how much of her time is dedicated to the Trackside project.
Water Loop project won’t be complete until after Spring work is completed. Currently waiting for final financing approval. April meeting will address rate increases.
Currently waiting for final EPAC financing approval. Change order was presented to the council for $1,302. Moch motioned to approve the change order as presented, seconded by Gauslow. Role Call vote: Gauslow – yes, Moch – yes, Krump – yes, Steinolfson – yes. Carried.
Currently waiting for final Reserve financing approval.
Skoog presented a revised Building Permit application. Steinolfson motioned to replace the currently building permit application with the new permit application, seconded by Moch. Carried.
Resolution 2025-1.1 - Steinolfson motioned to pass a resolution to adjust the new single-family home building permit fee to a flat $1,250, seconded by Moch. Call vote: Gauslow – yes, Moch – yes, Krump – yes, Steinolfson – yes. Carried.
Some street blading was done, however more will be completed this Spring. Council needs to line up gravel to be laid as soon as streets are bladed.
A building permit for 608 Peterson Loop (Pete Krump) was presented. Gauslow motioned to approve the permit as presented, seconded by Steinolfson. Carried.
Gauslow motioned to proceed with the purchase of Lot 7 in Colfax Meadows 3 for $15,000, seconded by Moch. Role Call vote: Gauslow – yes, Moch – yes, Krump – yes, Steinolfson – yes. Carried. Currently waiting on a purchase agreement from Nancy Kelly to sign.
The plans & specs for Colfax Reserve were reviewed by the council and discussion was held.
Resolution 2025-02, Resolution Directing Preparation of Engineer’s Report and Cost Estimate for Colfax Reserve Addition Improvements Assessment District No. ST24-004 was presented. Moch motioned to accept the presented resolution as read, seconded by Gauslow. Role call vote: Moch-yes, Gauslow-yes, Steinolfson-yes, Krump-yes. Jacobson absent. Motion carried.
Resolution 2025-03, Resolution Approving Engineer’s Report and Directing Preparation of Detailed Plans and Specifications for Colfax Reserve Addition Improvements Assessment District No. ST24-004 was presented. Gauslow motioned to accept the presented resolution as read, seconded by Steinolfson. Role call vote: Moch-yes, Gauslow-yes, Steinolfson-yes, Krump-yes. Jacobson absent. Motion carried.
Resolution 2025-04, Resolution Approving Engineer’s Plans, Specifications and Estimates for Colfax Reserve Addition Improvements Assessment District No. ST24-004 was presented. Moch motioned to accept the presented resolution as read, seconded by Steinolfson. Role call vote: Moch-yes, Gauslow-yes, Steinolfson-yes, Krump-yes. Jacobson absent. Motion carried.
Resolution 2025-05, Resolution Directing Advertisement for Bids for Colfax Reserve Addition Improvements Assessment District No. ST24-004 was presented. This resolution included a contingency upon approval of funding. Steinolfson motioned to accept the presented resolution as read, seconded by Gauslow. Role call vote: Moch-yes, Gauslow-yes, Steinolfson-yes, Krump-yes. Jacobson absent. Motion carried.
Gauslow motioned to have Kyle move forward with signing the developer agreements for 5K and Richland #44, seconded by Steinolfson. Carried.
No update regarding the City Water Employee.
Council received a Home Rule Charter recommendation from the appointed Home Rule Charter Committee. Discussion was held on the possibility of including a sales tax vote at the same time as the Home Rule Charter is voted on. Gauslow motioned to accept the Home Rule Charter recommendation as presented and to proceed with the special election of the said Home Rule Charter, seconded by Steinolfson.
Gauslow motioned to Call the Election for June 3, 2025 at the Colfax Community Center for the vote of the Home Rule Charter and a 2% City-wide sales & use tax, seconded by Steinolfson. Role Call vote: Gauslow – yes, Moch – yes, Krump – yes, Steinolfson – yes. Carried.
The Well pumphouse property was tabled for next month’s meeting.
Skoog brought forth the suggestion to combine the current three checking accounts into one account for ease of use. Council agreed and directed Skoog to move forward.
A liquor license application was received from the Richland #44 Foundation for the EPAC center. Steinolfson motioned to approve the license application as presented, seconded by Gauslow. Carried.
Steinolfson provided a quote to the council members via email regarding a technology implementation for the community center. The quote came back much higher than expected. Discussion was held. Council discussed rejecting the bid and getting a basic screen and projector for less than $1k.
The city Spring Letter and Spring Clean-up date will be available on the website this month.
There being no further business, Gauslow made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Steinolfson.  Carried. Adjourned at 10:22 pm.