Council actions at a glance: agenda, consent items, two ordinances, emergency contract payment approved

The Lincoln City Council on April 3 approved several procedural and substantive items during its regular meeting, including an amended agenda, consent financial statements, two ordinances at different stages, and payment for emergency water repairs.

Key votes and outcomes - Agenda amendment: Council approved an amendment to move the State Auditor report (item 12 on the original agenda) to item 8 and to remove item 13 from tonight’s agenda. Motion recorded with a first by Councilman Berenstek and second by Councilwoman Artapio; outcome: approved by voice vote. - Consent agenda: The council approved the consent agenda containing the March and February financial statements. Motion by Councilman Kernstead, second by Councilman Schumacher; outcome: approved by voice vote. - J‑break ordinance (second reading): The council conducted the second reading of an ordinance regulating and prohibiting the use of “unbundled compression breaks.” The item passed the second reading (votes recorded in the transcript as affirmative for the councilmembers present). The ordinance sets a $50 fine for violations. - Burn-restriction ordinance (first reading): Council approved the first reading of an amended ordinance to align Lincoln’s code with Burleigh County’s burn-restriction language. Motion: Councilman Bjorksteck; second: Councilman Shoemaker. The council discussed that the change uses the term “burn restriction” (the state-preferred term) and does not add new fines beyond state/county enforcement; outcome: first reading approved. - Emergency water repairs — contract and payment: The council approved ratifying an emergency contract for repair work performed by Wiese & Sons and authorized payment for completed work. The invoice presented at the meeting was $114,620.08; council approved using Prairie funds to cover the bill. Motions and roll call were recorded in the transcript (motion to approve contract: moved by Councilman Bjornstead, second by Councilman Shoemaker; motion to use Prairie funds: moved by Councilman Dieruffstead, second by Councilman Schumacher). Outcome: both motions approved (roll calls recorded as affirmative for the councilmembers who answered during roll-call).

Notes on the votes: Several motions were moved and seconded on the record; for some ordinance votes the transcript records an affirmative roll-call exchange but does not include a full printed tally in the minutes text. Where the transcript does not list all members’ recorded votes, this summary reports the motion, mover/second where recorded, and the stated outcome as shown in the council record.

Ending: The meeting proceeded to other agenda items after the votes; council did not take additional binding action related to the auditor report itself.