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Votes at a glance: Dickinson commission approves contracts, funding requests and appointments; tables public‑comment policy
Summary
The Dickinson City Commission approved a series of contracts, engineering task orders, a voluntary hazardous‑tree special assessment program and recall election worker appointments; it also unanimously tabled a proposed public‑comment policy for further drafting.
At its March 11 meeting the Dickinson City Commission approved a bundle of administrative and engineering actions and agreed to table a proposed public‑comment policy for additional drafting.
Key outcomes (motions, movers/second and outcomes): - Motion to approve recall election workers for the March 11 recall election (judges Susan Westfall and Joan Heckman; clerks Ron Keller, Les Dykeman, Joanne Heiser, Peggy Maduna). Motion to approve by Commissioner Bair; second by Commissioner Riddle; vote: unanimous; outcome: approved. The appointed workers will be paid $21 per hour.
- Motion to approve an agreement with High Road Partners to assist with rewriting the employee handbook and related chapter review (estimated cost $2,500–$3,250 for handbook work; optional $1,000–$1,500 for Chapter 42 code review). Motion to approve by Commissioner Frederick; second by Commissioner Riddle; vote: unanimous; outcome: approved. Deliverable timeline: work to begin after commission approval; materials will return to Civil Service and then commission for review.
- Motion to approve Resolution No. 06‑2025 establishing a voluntary Hazardous Tree Removal Improvement District, allowing homeowners to request hazardous‑tree removal and special‑assess the cost over a 10‑year period. Motion to approve by Commissioner Frederick; second by Commissioner Riddle; vote: unanimous; outcome: approved. The city forester may assist homeowners on request.
- Motion to approve a Master Service Agreement (MSA) with Civil Science Infrastructure, Inc. to establish consistent contract terms for future engineering tasks. Motion to approve by Commissioner Baer; second by Commissioner Riddle; vote: unanimous; outcome: approved.
- Motion to award the 2026 Road Maintenance engineering task order to Civil Science Infrastructure, Inc. (project 202601; scope includes survey, evaluation, plans, specifications, and two bid packages for mill/overlay and chip/fog seal). Motion to approve by Commissioner Frederick; second by Commissioner Riddle; vote: unanimous; outcome: approved. Funding: project included in the 2025 capital improvement program and funded through gross production tax (GPT).
- Motion to approve a contract amendment with Moore Engineering, Inc. for the Tenth Avenue East (Velarde to Museum Drive) project for an additional $12,530 to cover utility coordination, two curb ramp designs and right‑of‑way agreements. Motion to approve by Commissioner Riddle; second by Commissioner Bair; vote: unanimous; outcome: approved. Staff said DOT bid‑readiness and federal‑aid funding remain pending.
- Motion to approve a task order with Barr Engineering for initial engineering services for Manns Dam (project 202508), not‑to‑exceed $6,000, to support a Department of Water Resources (DWR) cost‑share application and project scoping. Motion to approve by Commissioner Frederick; second by Commissioner Riddle; vote: unanimous; outcome: approved.
- Motion to approve a letter of support and cost‑share request for Manns Dam DWR funding: expected application $135,000 with an estimated Dickinson share of $45,000 (25%), total estimated project cost $180,000. Motion to approve by Commissioner Bair; second by Commissioner Riddle; vote: unanimous; outcome: approved. Staff said the project is in the 2025 CIP and funding would come from cash on hand.
- Motion to approve a task order with Barr Engineering for Queen City Dam EAP engineering work (project 202310), not‑to‑exceed $6,000 to assist with a DWR cost‑share application. Motion to approve by Commissioner Riddle; second by Commissioner Bair; vote: unanimous; outcome: approved.
Votes on routine meeting business: The commission approved the order of business and consent agenda early in the meeting (motions carried by voice vote). After the packet presentations and the public‑comment period, commissioners directed staff to return with the drafted public‑comment resolution; that tabling motion was moved by Commissioner Frederick and seconded by Commissioner Bair and carried unanimously.
Why it matters: The commission approved engineering work and grant‑application support that will position Dickinson to apply for state water‑resources cost share and advance multiple infrastructure projects included in the 2025 capital plan. The hazardous‑tree program provides a voluntary, special‑assessment mechanism for homeowners to manage hazardous trees and spread cost over time. The High Road Partners agreement begins a multi‑step rewrite of personnel policies and the employee handbook.
What staff will do next: City staff will proceed with vendor task orders, apply for DWR cost‑share funding where appropriate, and prepare the draft public‑comment resolution for a future meeting.
