Commission approves Durapatcher, crack sealer, land lease and contract amendment; reclassifies city forester

The Dickinson City Commission approved several public works capital and administrative items on the consent/regular agenda, including the purchase of a Durapatcher, a crack sealer, a one-year land lease for the fire training grounds, contract amendments related to a water project, and a reclassification of the city forester position.

Public Works recommended buying a SIM-line Durapatcher from Swanston Equipment under a Sourcewell cooperative contract for $100,065; staff said the capital purchase was included in the 2025 budget at $115,000 and would be financed on a five-year lease. The motion to approve the purchase was made by Commissioner Riddle, seconded by Commissioner Bair, and passed unanimously (four ayes, one absent).

The commission also approved the purchase of a Simline crack sealer from Swanston Equipment, using Sourcewell pricing, at a listed cost of $587,050 after a $10,000 trade-in. Staff told the commission the 2025 budget included funding for this capital purchase and that the equipment would replace a 2013 unit. Motion to approve was made by Commissioner Bair, seconded by Commissioner Riddle; the vote was unanimous among those present.

The commission approved a one-year farm lease with Randy Hondle for approximately 11 acres commonly known as the Fire Training Station Grounds at $40 per acre, effective Feb. 10, 2025. The lease reserves the city's right to terminate the agreement if the property is needed for municipal uses.

Public Works staff presented a contract amendment negotiated with the North Dakota State Water Commission that added language on the permitted use of leased property (staging equipment only; no fueling/maintenance on site) and additional hazardous-substance provisions requiring contractor responsibility for cleanup of spills. Staff and the city attorney recommended approval; the amendment passed by unanimous vote.

Separately, the commission approved a reclassification of the city forester job description from grade 15 to grade 17, a change the city said was included in the 2025 budget. Deputy Public Works Director Jake Waldo described the forester's duties and the education/experience requirements that supported the reclassification.

All votes on the items were unanimous among the four commissioners present; Commissioner Oderman was absent.