November 11, 2009

Council okays $12,500 in Roughrider grants

By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor

The Watford City City Council gave its stamp of approval to two Roughrider Fund grants totalling $12,500 to Watford City businesses during its regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 2.
The grants for OK Implement/NAPA and Roosevelt Inn & Suites were recommended by the Roughrider Fund, according to Jim Svihovec, fund chairman. As approved, OK Implement/NAPA received a $2,500 grant for a signage totalling $4,000, while Roosevelt Inn & Suites received a $10,000 grant on a $110,000 exterior upgrade to the motel.
During Monday night’s meeting, the council also accepted a letter of resignation from Daryl Vance as the city’s police chief effective March 15, 2010.
In other business, the city council:
• Approved a liquor and beer license and a Sunday Alcoholic Beverage Permit for the Little Missouri Grille, Inc. for the period of Nov. 2, 2009 to June 30, 2010.
• Discussed the Planning Commission’s recommendation not to exercise the city’s ability to regulate zoning and enforce building codes within the city’s extraterritorial limits. The issue was referred to the Ordinance Committee.
• Approved the second and final reading of a Limited Franchise agreement with McKenzie Electric Cooperative.
• Approved raffle permit applications for Friends of the Relay for Life and Friends of the Watford City Fire Department.
• Approved an amendment to the city’s Abandoned Property and Building Demolition Policy.
• Approved step increases for city employees Brett Wold, Randy Chaplin and Troy C. White Owl.
• Approved giving city employees the day after Thanksgiving off as a holiday and closing City Hall at noon on Dec. 24.
• Approved advertising for the Chief of Police position until it is filled.
• Approved changing the Employee Personnel Manual to provide for a cash payment of any accrued vacation time when an employee leaves the employment of the city.
• Authorized the purchase and installation of three decorative street lights for the 500 Block of 4th Street SE and to have MDU install street lights on wooden poles on the 500 Block of 5th and 6th Streets SE.
• Approved the Bill of Sale and Agreement between the City of Watford City and LSS Housing for the transfer of ownership of city-owned water lines in Block 3, 4, and 5 of the Creekside Addition to Watford City from the city to LSS Housing.
• Approved spending approximately $24,000 to improve the drainage problem in the vicinity of the Watford City Elementary School and the Watford City Housing Authority project.
The next meeting of the Watford City City Council will be at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 7.

WATFORD CITY WEATHER