The Devils Lake City Commission met for a regular meeting on Monday, July 17 at 5 p.m. After approving minutes from previous meetings, the commission recognized Stephanie Armstrong, owner of Gilbertson’s Funeral Home. Gilbertson’s is proposing a 99-year lease with the Devils Lake Cemetery for land to place two columbariums, which are buildings with niches for funeral urns to be stored. The commission was open to the idea and will have an agreement drafted for review at a future meeting.
Next, representatives from the Devils Lake Park District were present to give an update on the recreation center. All the funding for the project is fully secured, and there is a tentative opening date of February 1. Demolition on the inside of the building will start this week, and anyone can go up to the building and scan a QR code to see project updates in real time. The rec center will be named “Dockside Entertainment,” and will feature pickleball courts, a bowling alley, lounge areas, and much more.
The Lake Region Law Enforcement Center approached the commission with budget proposals for 2024. Portions of the budget were approved at the LEC board meeting, but some were not. Approved budgets included the 911 budget, which would cover cards and training for EMD services, with a cost to the city of $265,661. The LEC budget was not approved by the LEC board and was amended before being presented to the City of Devils Lake. A proposal to increase board rates to $100/day was brought forward, which would bring the difference between what was budgeted and what more is needed to only $40,000. The LEC board will reconvene before the next special budget meeting of the city commission, and once a budget is approved there it will again be brought before the city.
During commissioner portfolios, a motion was made and unanimously approved to send a letter of condolences to the Fargo Police Department for the loss of the officer during the shooting on July 14. Commissioners voted unanimously via roll call vote to release Quarter 3 funds to the Lake Region Heritage Center ($9,920.50) and Quarter 1 & 2 funds to Forward Devils Lake ($1,057.50). City Administrator Spencer Halvorson gave a high-level overview of the general fund and projections for budgets for 2024. Halvorson stated that the city is levying 8 mills fewer than ten years ago, which is a sign of healthy spending.
The city commission then voted to approve a pay estimate for water main replacements of $137,235, as well as a construction agreement KLJ Engineering to share costs with the state DOT. After voting unanimously to pay the city’s bills, the meeting adjourned.
Past meeting minutes and future meeting agendas can be found at dvlnd.com.
