City staff gave several public-works updates, including a new brine-making machine purchase, roundabout planning with NDOT, a DNR permit submission for a baseball project, and a proposed yard-waste arrangement.

Mayor (Speaker 5) said the city and Tipton County held joint training on the newly purchased brine-making machine and that NDOT has told the city and county they may no longer store salt with NDOT; the machine will allow the joint effort to produce more brine locally. The mayor cautioned that brine is effective only within certain parameters but said greater local control could improve winter road conditions.

On the baseball project, Speaker 5 confirmed that the DNR permit application and related permit materials were submitted and that the city cannot undertake work at the facility until DNR approves the permit. The city is "in the hurry up and wait process" and remains in contact with DNR staff regarding the permit's progress.

Speaker 5 also summarized a first meeting with Shrewsbury Engineering and NDOT regarding a proposed roundabout at Park Road and said NDOT plans more community-engagement meetings rather than surprising residents with projects.

Regarding yard waste, Speaker 5 said staff have been in contact with Caldwell Incorporated, which holds an IDEM license to compost; under the proposed arrangement Caldwell would supply a 4-yard container, pick up full containers and replace them, reducing the on-site pile and associated rodent issues at the solid-waste facility.

What happens next: The city will await DNR permit approval before the baseball facility groundbreaking, continue roundabout planning with NDOT and engineering consultants, and pursue the yard-waste arrangement with Caldwell Incorporated pending final arrangements.