[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,97],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6078394,"mediaKeyId","2959762-7bddb35227686996ccaca5673854342a","parentId",2959762,"title","Dickinson City Commission approves parcels, public works contracts and infrastructure plans; tables decorum and retirement items","audioSeconds",350,"startMs",3140000,"endMs",2790000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959762-7bddb35227686996ccaca5673854342a&start=3140&end=2790","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2959762-7bddb35227686996ccaca5673854342a/thumbnail_3140000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6078394/Dickinson-City/Stark-County/North-Dakota/Dickinson-City-Commission-approves-parcels-public-works-contracts-and-infrastructure-plans-tables-decorum-and-retirement-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078394-16f230acb6d8598ad58b78725ad678d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139757&Signature=Fgs1TN77vAasGCLGOcWSqKV3yaFJ4utkcCn7GypdJdaGbWKNc-YF15z7lcwZG9ic58JR2mEX-ToHi1w5M2WtTbAayI8nz6c~ghWVDF~vNaIKDeC6BrGH2ezObHQTOejCv8WdITM3XHri7kCDuams1r5am-qjnS1wqDKPrC~6ctXE1puTQpOGoFksEz8FSn8Klq~nWHLM4jCgayd7z708yos0siUcaGQGOPUlQlgziwrvEhlW4zmaC9u8ZzXoe--LFMZHcBs62rrJuYZ8xDN6kxWfwgymaDhojkewO8tnTkv1IYkX8dn1d4QNMA2KY~dbGdDlnkBo3VhGpKrmd-IKQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Dickinson, ND","date","2025-03-18T00:00:00Z","article","The Dickinson City Commission on March 18 approved a series of routine and project-specific measures, including purchase of several county-owned parcels, a water infrastructure facility plan, multiple vendor contracts for public works and landfill services, and a revitalization loan program award. The commission also appointed members to a canvassing board for a March 24 canvass and voted to table both a proposed public-comments decorum resolution and a staff recommendation on the NDPRS 457 retirement option pending additional edits and fiscal analysis.

The actions move ahead critical maintenance and capital work and preserve funding and bidding timelines while commissioners asked staff to return with clarified language on the public-comments resolution and a fiscal note on the retirement-plan proposal.

Most votes were unanimous; a single recorded no vote occurred on a special-assessment resolution for North Industry Street improvements. Several items approved will be paid from designated capital or utility budgets, special-assessments and a combination of state cost-share funds where noted.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to approve order of business — Passed (unanimous).
- Consent agenda approval — Passed (unanimous).
- Planning and Zoning Board appointment (Matthew Rothstein) — Motion to appoint approved (unanimous).
- Purchase of parcels returned by Stark County (six parcels: 523 DuPont St.; Pena Canyon Subdivision Lot 6 Block 4 drainage ditch; Painted Canyon Lot 15 Block 4 drainage ditch; Sundance Cove tract/pond Track 1 Block 7; Peanut Canyon Lot 1 Block 1; Painted Canyon Lot 22 Block 4) — Individual motions to approve each parcel purchase passed (each unanimous). City staff recommended $20 recording fee + $1 auditor fee per parcel; some parcels already maintained by Public Works.
- Facility plan: Water main and lead service line replacement Phase 2 (Apex Engineering / SRF loan eligibility) — Motion to approve facility plan and proceed with public comment close and application for State Revolving Fund (SRF) financing — Passed (unanimous).
- Gate City Bank Dickinson Revitalization Program (award of $1,000,000 for home renovation loans) — Accepted; program details announced and application opening March 17 — Passed (unanimous).
- Canvassing board appointments for March 24 recall canvass (Vice President Baer to serve as canvass president; Commissioners Oderman and Riddle to serve) — Approved (unanimous).
- Task order with Houston Engineering for landfill monitoring, reporting and related services — Approved (unanimous). Not-to-exceed estimate $63,000 (includes lab testing billed directly).
- Contract with Cone Cranes for inspection, maintenance and repair of 19 overhead cranes and 3 service trucks (three-year agreement) — Approved (unanimous).
- Contract amendment with Braun Intertek (material testing and specifications for East Water Tower interior) — Approved (unanimous); amendment not-to-exceed $6,250.
- Drone inspection and condition assessment with Bartland West for East Water Tower (submersible drone) — Approved (unanimous); lump-sum $5,000.
- EMS fee schedule and training fee schedule — Adopted; commission approved resolution establishing fees.
- EMS billing contract with QuickMed Claims (third-party billing at 5% of collections; onboarding and training included) — Approved (unanimous).
- Development agreement with Dickinson Public School District No. 1 for a water-main extension to serve the high school expansion; city to bid project and pursue ~60% state cost-share (ND Dept. of Water Resources) — Approved (unanimous). City estimate: cost-share eligible portion $486,729; remainder $359,486 to be invoiced to the district if not eligible.
- Resolution modifying previously approved Special Improvement District (North Industries street & stormwater) — Approved; assessment $795,000, 10-year special assessment at interest rate previously set at 3.7%; one commissioner (Riddle) recorded a “no” based on assessment location.

Tablings and next steps

- Citizen comment / public décor resolution (staff-drafted guidelines on who may speak, time limits, sign-in requirements, decorum and removal for disruptive conduct) — Commissioners discussed multiple edits (including a change to allow the presiding officer to extend a speaker’s time and revisions to the sign-in/address requirement). Motion to table the resolution and return a clean amended draft at the first April meeting — Approved (unanimous). Staff will incorporate language about sign-in procedures, address privacy concerns and check pending state legislation (Senate Bill 2180 referenced by staff).

- NDPRS 457 (DC 2025) retirement-plan participation and employer match question — Staff requested direction and fiscal analysis before committing to offering the NDPRS 457 plan match to new employees; commissioners voted to table the decision until staff provides a budget/fiscal note and implementation steps (motion to table passed).

Context and why it matters

The packet of approvals advances several infrastructure projects that the city identifies as priorities for 2025: water-main replacements and lead-service-line removals (eligible for low-interest SRF financing), crane and landfill compliance work, tank condition assessment and school-site utility work tied to the new high-school expansion. Approvals also lock in a third-party ambulance-billing vendor and a private bank’s loan commitment for home rehabilitations intended to support neighborhood revitalization. The deferred action on public-comment rules and the retirement-plan choice reflect ongoing policy and fiscal questions the commission signaled require additional public vetting and budget detail.

What’s next

Staff will return the revised public-comments resolution at the first April meeting (clean, with tracked edits incorporated). Engineering staff will continue SRF facility-plan steps and move toward project bidding in the 2025 construction season. Commissioners set a March 24 canvass date for the recall election; time set for 4 p.m. for the canvassing board.

(For granular roll-call vote lists, motions and mover/second attributions, see the meeting minutes and transcript sections linked in provenance.)","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Dickinson City Commission Meeting - March 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Dickinson City Commission on March 18 approved multiple property purchases, public-works contracts and infrastructure plans while tabling a proposed public-comments decorum resolution and a retirement-plan decision pending additional review.","taxTitle","Dickinson City, Stark County, North Dakota","taxId",51194,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6078383,"Public comment session spotlights free-speech, live-stream concerns and neighborhood parking issues",4973,767000,5740000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959762-7bddb35227686996ccaca5673854342a&start=767&end=5740","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2959762-7bddb35227686996ccaca5673854342a/thumbnail_767000.jpg","/articles/6078383/Dickinson-City/Stark-County/North-Dakota/Public-comment-session-spotlights-free-speech-live-stream-concerns-and-neighborhood-parking-issues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078383-9ba60865cf58b036e8dac3335c6c5ea5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139757&Signature=dn95iq4esJDvDQgq6hVI1M8~XZmX50PqwO2KSuyE1gk7oyAhAxdTc8TMMz3CDeJYNQcftaO06fzOoWamLgg62klY4qKnI7tljn2WCnMSiPcobHbOtfwHXJ1-J7t97L9v3186fCkn0JVnTG01omj7KA8yf4jV2kMBua-701oVWkBtyEQXk78jghAhQ8CEwdu4KnGQR~ieetw46glnnFkmU63K~i6ZRycnLDKLYNEUO51732YhQLES9PN2GAvgw0QiFm8pwOVKgpegC5hKdSVIKYGDipdRH3D2i2oMDV7RihTL3mNwNPH6cyyUZsyn0Qh6Kgy~~CJO-6ODm5g7kRRKCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A large public-comment segment at the March 18 Dickinson City Commission meeting covered several community concerns: the proposed public-comment/decorum resolution, local land-use questions around front-yard parking pads, requests related to the city’s live-streaming of meetings, and local hunger-relief events.

Free-speech and decorum

Several speakers criticized elements of the draft resolution that would limit who may speak and require sign-in information; some said the proposal would chill speech. One resident urged the commission to preserve broad public-comment access while another speaker suggested temporarily disabling the meeting live-stream because of online reposting that, the speaker said, had been used to amplify indecent material. Comments on both sides were made during the public-comment period; the commission later tabled the resolution for rewrite.

Live-streaming

A resident asked the commission to suspend the meeting live-stream temporarily so the city could review how a third party was re-posting footage on social platforms. The speaker said the re-posting had led to repeated dissemination of objectionable clips; commissioners did not vote immediately on live-streaming policy but said they would discuss it as part of the broader decorum conversation.

Parking pads and zoning

Two residents asked the commission to reconsider city code that limits front-yard parking pads. One resident said neighbors have added off-street front-yard parking while another described being told the city does not allow a new front-yard pad. The speaker requested formation of a working group or ordinance review, citing public-safety and accessibility reasons and noting that older neighborhoods were built before modern parking requirements.

Community events and service

United Way and local volunteers used the public-comment period to describe upcoming hunger-relief events: a “CantArtOpia” fundraiser running March 25–31 at Prairie Hills Mall and an Empty Bowls community meal on March 28 (lunch 11 a.m.–1 p.m.; dinner 4:30–7 p.m.). The United Way speaker asked for awareness and donations.

Notable concerns about speech and content

Meeting minutes show a number of speakers addressing the decorum draft; the commission subsequently tabled the resolution for revisions that address privacy, enforcement discretion and statutory interplay. The commission did not adopt any change to live-streaming or take enforcement action during the meeting.

Why it matters

Public-comment rules and how meetings are recorded affect access, transparency and safety. Commissioners signaled they intend to balance open participation with privacy and order; the public-comment draft will return in April with staff recommendations.","Speakers at the March 18 public-comment period urged protection of free speech and criticized proposed meeting decorum rules, asked the commission to reconsider prohibitions on front-yard parking pads, requested a temporary pause on the live-stream, and highlighted local hunger-relief events.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":79,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":82,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6078385,"Commissioners ask staff to redraft public-comment decorum resolution after privacy and enforcement concerns",396,1163000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959762-7bddb35227686996ccaca5673854342a&start=767&end=1163","/articles/6078385/Dickinson-City/Stark-County/North-Dakota/Commissioners-ask-staff-to-redraft-public-comment-decorum-resolution-after-privacy-and-enforcement-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078385-7d28a631968b20bfd5e2badd26446b29/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139757&Signature=gQ9VfUOyEkY~F5r-YrChU2x7Anq6aO9Lje8tL~wOPdvuQZ-LtUPLnhYYZXnW9Kd~A01NuXM4bkEM9I0JPyhfUj~wB~ypSPrLcZkKnddLPmpzl-bxIRnNbu8RhjS3R1tg~Nn6LhFvdZHSIgIFkiD-IAfWjn1TrfkLQfcM~O47d9Te~a~EVZsyWrKpW4bhcjC0eHhl~TR7nnDocb47vL2~c9cCg6QNMuRocje2nuRP~Pnh5KWfIWylVJTy1~ltXUUfk2hfdq~RJnSzmk9NY1SzDH3KmrdqaCnoU1lqAmJIZseub2MW~QCNg9j~4Qj0~UwkRXGZOEOSCDo47WBCsMhxkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Dickinson City Commission on March 18 discussed a staff-drafted resolution that would set rules for public comment and decorum at commission and board meetings. City Administrator Scott Dossinger presented the draft, which includes sections on who may speak, a five-minute time limit per speaker, sign-in requirements and a list of behaviors the city would deem disruptive.

Commissioners raised several concerns during discussion, including whether the presiding officer should be explicitly authorized to extend a speaker’s time, how the city should collect and handle sign-in addresses (and whether that information would be public record), and the subjectivity of some “disruptive” behavior examples.

“...I believe the presiding officer should have the ability to extend that time,” Commissioner Bair said when asking whether extensions were permitted in meaningful discussions. City Attorney Wenkel confirmed staff could incorporate explicit authority for the chair to extend a speaker’s time.

Privacy and statutory compliance

Commissioners also noted a pending state bill (referred to in discussion as Senate Bill 2180) that would require meeting attendees who provide comment to supply name and address in writing to the political subdivision; the commission asked staff to check the bill’s status and how it affects the draft resolution. Commissioners expressing privacy concerns said requiring speakers to announce a street address at the podium could endanger residents who have protection orders or who wish to keep a home address private. Several commissioners suggested a sign-in sheet collected by staff and verified internally as a compromise that would not force a speaker to state their address aloud.

Enforcement and subjectivity

Commissioner Oderman questioned wording that lists outbursts, booing, hissing and similar behaviors as “disruptive,” calling some examples subjective and asking how future presiding officers might apply the policy. Attorney Wenkel said the presiding officer would have discretion to warn and, if necessary, request removal by security or police for conduct that “disrupts or impedes the orderly and efficient conduct of the meeting.” Commissioners noted that a regular meeting includes an appeal mechanism for decisions of the chair.

Outcome

Commissioner Oderman moved and Commissioner Baer seconded to table the resolution so staff could consolidate edits and return a clean, revised draft at the first April meeting. The motion to table passed unanimously. Staff said it would prepare a draft that explicitly authorizes chair discretion to extend speaker time, offer a sign-in procedure that respects privacy, and reflect any statutory changes from pending state legislation.

Why it matters

Rules for public comment affect public access, safety and the conduct of local government meetings. Commissioners said they want the final resolution to balance orderly meetings and the public’s First Amendment rights while addressing privacy and safety concerns for vulnerable residents. The item will return for a vote after staff brings a revised draft and explains how the city will process sign-in records and redaction requests if required by open-records law.","After extended debate the Dickinson City Commission agreed to amend a draft resolution on public comment and decorum, asking staff to return a consolidated, edited version at the first April meeting that clarifies sign-in/address handling, the presiding officer's ability to extend speaker time and enforcement processes.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":100,"_43":101,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6078390,"Dickinson Area Public Library reports record visits, circulation and outreach in 2024",179,2056000,2235000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959762-7bddb35227686996ccaca5673854342a&start=2056&end=2235","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2959762-7bddb35227686996ccaca5673854342a/thumbnail_2056000.jpg","/articles/6078390/Dickinson-City/Stark-County/North-Dakota/Dickinson-Area-Public-Library-reports-record-visits-circulation-and-outreach-in-2024","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078390-eaf1d945439a3792f3abc6f5626d7ee6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771139757&Signature=J2Br~K5RgfisR3ocuyGD5MVM~LJ5VMMWKwKdW~X-lYbEmanFOZT90dSTTwQko82X3BZ38JlH1GtlCnLXH7mQESCTUZ1niuwyhqZH1ASkp3h4Ay~W81NVOrbZZWiSTgKOLuR1PLl7qSUpUk3Ca-siYvjnX1gdOYNsPITZeCSe8pcmnG6u6SANAOatT2JxhrPdU8~jAskG0utckT3rH0BL0p5BzZbLHTCD-wwEt3seHKr6CgGE5cApE1J4f~mi5GVinptlRozukKLyPPNRh6bFpBzvt6MjKevYEj~5~6wq19nzLH5eiTvbRhsvKdhelbQ-e1vvdabzdNkBEF7RgemebQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dickinson Area Public Library Director Natalie Anguino presented the library’s 2024 annual report during the March 18 Dickinson City Commission meeting, saying the library set records for patrons, circulation and programming while expanding outreach to schools and elder-care facilities.

“We had 76,695 patrons visit the Dickinson Area Public Library in 2024. That's 6,000 more than in 2023,” Anguino told commissioners. She also reported record circulation numbers, with strong growth in both physical and digital collections, and expanded outreach through the bookmobile and school-based programs.

Why it matters

The library’s report shows a sustained increase in community use of public library services. Increased circulation, higher program attendance and the bookmobile’s expanded stops indicate broader reach into Stark and Billings counties; Anguino said the bookmobile made 306 stops in 2024 and traveled more than 14,000 miles. The library’s new “experience pass” program allows patrons to check out free admission passes to local and regional attractions and has seen strong demand.

Key figures and programs

- 76,695 patrons visited the library in 2024 (up ~6,000 from 2023).
- 53,194 physical children’s items borrowed; total physical circulation also set records.
- Digital circulation (ebooks and audiobooks) rose to 50,319.
- The bookmobile recorded 306 stops and served 1,430 unique patrons off-site; it circulated 2,631 items from the bookmobile alone.
- The library achieved the state “future focus” status (highest achievement for state funding) on June 3, 2024.
- Programming increased to 492 sessions in 2024 (from 357 in 2023); attendance grew 16% overall with notable gains among teens and adults.

Programs highlighted

Anguino outlined successful offerings including preschool and tiny-tot story times, STEAM programming, a popular “Rough Readers” program where children read to a trained dog, middle-school lunch events with library-provided meals, and outreach “armchair travels” for elder-care residents. The experience-pass partnerships include the Badlands Dinosaur Museum, Dakota Zoo and other regional sites.

Budget note and next steps

Anguino said the library’s 2025 budget request was reduced by about 20% from prior years while maintaining service levels. She also said work continues on building maintenance and preservation tasks, including window replacement and masonry repairs, and that staff hope to expand school partnerships to every Dickinson school in coming years.

Commission response

Commissioners congratulated Anguino and library staff on the report and the expanded outreach. Anguino said she would return with additional updates as projects and school partnerships expand.","Library Director Natalie Anguino told the Commission that 2024 was the library’s best year for visitors, circulation and programming, with expanded school and elder-care outreach and new experience-pass partnerships.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Dickinson City Commission approves parcels, public works contracts and infrastructure plans; tables decorum and retirement items

Public comment session spotlights free-speech, live-stream concerns and neighborhood parking issues

Commissioners ask staff to redraft public-comment decorum resolution after privacy and enforcement concerns

Dickinson Area Public Library reports record visits, circulation and outreach in 2024