Regular Council Meeting - 6/16/2025

​City of Colfax – Regular Council Meeting 6/16/2025
The regular June meeting of the Colfax City Council was called to order by Mayor Krump at 7:00pm. Present were Mayor Kyle Krump, Council Members Shaun Jacobson, Tom Steinolfson, Scott Gauslow, and auditor Jen Skoog. Absent was Council Member Jesse Moch. Audience members in attendance were Amy Clark, Zach Hatting, Jason Orbeck, Lyle Boehm, Inis Frankl, Travis Elser, Dave Pasquel, Paul Lucas, Todd Johnson, Nathan Moen, Kim Berseth, and Nathan Berseth.
Krump recognized the audience. Amy Clark discussed the proposed Sales, Use, and Gross Tax ordinance. Clark requested a 1st reading of proposed Ordinance 2025-1 that evening, with the 2nd reading happening prior to July 1st. If passed, this would allow the ordinance to be effective October 1st. If the ordinance isn’t passed until after July 1st, the ordinance won’t be in effect until January 1st. Steinolfson motioned to approve the 1st reading of the proposed sales tax ordinance, seconded by Gauslow. Role Call vote: Steinolfson – yes, Jacobson – yes, Gauslow – yes.
Clark reviewed the possible need for an ETZ expansion since Reserve is now being developed. This will require a publication by the city, followed by a hearing.
Amy addressed the proposed Boehm development agreement and reviewed the final document. Detailed plans and specs are not yet complete, and will need city approval before construction starts. Lyle would be responsible for financing as no financing will be done through the City. The City also requires a bond to ensure completion of the project. It was also noted that the improvement project will need to be completed by December 31, 2025. Gauslow motioned to approve the development agreement as presented, seconded by Jacobson. Discussion was held. Role Call vote: Gauslow – yes, Steinolfson – yes, Jacobson – yes
2025 Special Election results were read by Skoog. Question 1 passed and Question 2 passed. Skoog confirmed that all absentee ballots have been received and accounted for. Gauslow motioned to accept the canvasing results of the election, seconded by Steinolfson. Role Call vote: Jacobson – yes, Gauslow – yes, Steinolfson – yes
Todd Johnson suggested that any remodel projects can begin right away with Todd’s approval, prior to the city council approving. Council agreed to this suggestion effective immediately.
The meeting minutes of the 4/21/25 Tax Equalization meeting were reviewed. Steinolfson motioned to approve minutes as presented, seconded by Gauslow. Carried.
The meeting minutes of the 4/21/25 City Council meeting were reviewed. Jacobson motioned to approve minutes as presented, seconded by Gauslow. Carried.
The meeting minutes of the 5/2/25 Special City Council meeting were reviewed. Jacobson motioned to approve minutes as presented, seconded by Gauslow. Carried.
The meeting minutes of the 5/19/25 City Council meeting were reviewed. The minutes should read “Krump recognized the audidence”. Gauslow motioned to approve minutes as presented, with the modification, seconded by Jacobson. Carried.
The meeting minutes of the 6/6/25 Special City Council meeting were reviewed. Steinolfson motioned to approve minutes as presented, seconded by Jacobson. Carried.
Old Business
Zach has some SRF loan documents that need to be complete and signed to close out the SRF funding for the Water Loop project.
The Reserve project is currently waiting on environmental clearance. SRF has had the documents for about 3 weeks, waiting for a publication date, then a 30 day comment period before being able to award the project.
The Trackside had issues arise with utility easements being in a difficult place with wide & deep ditches. Trackside plat will need to be updated due to the changes. Pins have been placed. The City is waiting for the final Interstate Engineering bill so financing can be closed out.
For the EPAC project, the DEQ received the final approvals. SRF now has these and hopes to have approval done within the next week.
Discussion was held regarding the reservoir expansion. The City has reached a point where this is becoming a necessity, which means the City has a better chance of receiving the 60% cost share. It was requested that Zach put together an estimate for Interstate Engineering to estimate what the cost would be to put together an updated estimate for the project.
Discussion was held on who is responsible for the Colfax Meadows 4 pond maintenance. The Council will need to refer back to the development agreement to see who that would be.
Discussion was also held that the original Engineering Services Agreement with the Reserve was made between Interstate Engineering and Nathan Berseth; however, a new service agreement needs to be signed with Interstate Engineering and the City since the City is the one securing the fundings. This is a requirement with SRF funding. Gauslow motioned to sign the presented service agreement with Interstate Engineering, seconded by Steinolfson. Carried.
TJM brought gravel into town. Gauslow brought forth information for dust control throughout town. Steinolfson motioned to allow Gauslow to work with Glacier Ent to apply a dust control throughout town.
The Water Loop final balancing Change order was presented to the council. Jacobson motioned to accept and sign the change order, seconded by Gauslow. Role Call vote: Steinolfson – yes, Gauslow – yes, Jacobson – yes
Water Loop Estimate #2 (Semi-final) for $120,680.85 and Estimate #3 (Final) for $4,862.45 from KPH were presented to the council. Steinolfson motioned to accept and sign, seconded by Gauslow. Role Call vote: Jacobson – yes, Gauslow – yes, Steinolfson – yes
Funds were received from BND for the EPAC project. Steinolfson motioned to pay back $277,889.87 of the Richland #44 Foundation loan, seconded by Gauslow. Role Call vote: Gauslow – yes, Steinolfson – yes, Jacobson – yes
Regarding the Jeremy Boehm rezoning, Jacobson and Moch will work with Amy on this outstanding issue and will report back to the council. Steinolfson motioned to create the above committee and bring back to the council, seconded by Gauslow. Carried.
A building permit applicaton from Orbeck for a deck was presented to the council. Jacobson motioned to approve the application, seconded by Steinolfson. Carried.
A building permit application for a new, single-family home at 100 Andy Ave was presented to the council. Gauslow motioned to approve the application, seconded by Steinolfson. Carried.
June Bills were presented. Steinolfson motioned to approve the bills as presented, adjusting the EMC bill to the new amount of $1,281.49, adding Todd Johnson for $25,098.93, adding John Myers for $800, seconded by Gauslow. Role Call vote: Gasulow -yes, Steinolfson – yes, Jacobson – yes
April financials were presented. Jacobson motioned to approve the financials as presented, seconded by Gauslow. Role Call vote: Gauslow – yes, Jacobson – yes, Steinolfson – yes.
May financials were presented. Gauslow motioned to approve the financials as presented, seconded by Jacobson. Role Call vote: Steinolfson – yes, Jacobson – yes, Gauslow - yes
Steinolfson motioned to place $36,000 into a 7 month CD, seconded by Gauslow. Role Call vote: Jacobson – yes, Gauslow – yes, Steinolfson - yes
New Business
A mowing bid for flat area near the City lagoon from Ethan Skoog for $40/each mow, to be completed every other week. Jacobson motioned to accept the bid, seconded by Gauslow. Role Call vote: Gauslow-yes, Steinolfson – yes, Jacobson – yes
Discussion was held regarding charges for different services for the EPAC waer meters. It was decided that the main usage meter should have all regular city services being charged, and the fire suppression meter will be base rate + actual usage.
It was noted that the City had issues with the water reservoir this year when the park board moved forward with filling the pool without prior notification. It was determined that specific rules need to be in place for future pool filling.
The council proceeded with completing the 2026 Preliminary City Budget. Jacobson motioned to approve the 2026 Preliminary Budget as presented, seconded by Steinolfson. Role Call vote:  Gasulow-  yes, Steiolfson – yes, Jacobson – yes
There being no further business, Jacobson made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Gauslow.  Carried. Adjourned at 9:42 pm.