Williston board approves 2026 license renewals, authorizes out-of-budget vehicle purchase and enters executive session

The Williston Board of City Commissioners voted on a package of routine and administrative matters during its Dec. 23, 2025 meeting, approving license renewals, authorizing a vehicle purchase, accepting finance reports and moving into an executive session on economic development contract negotiations.

Shawn Wenko, City Administrator, presented the 2026 business-license renewals and said the Board’s approvals should be contingent on completed paperwork and any required inspections, specifically for alcoholic-beverage licenses. "One thing I do ask is if you approve this tonight that it is contingent on all the paperwork that is in and filed, specifically on the alcoholic beverages," Wenko said. On a motion by Commissioner Bervig, seconded by Commissioner Siemieniewski, the Board approved the renewal of business licenses for 2026 contingent on passing any required inspections, final signatures and maintaining compliance with City Code (vote 4–0). The Board approved alcoholic beverage license renewals on a separate motion by Bervig, seconded by Gjovig (vote 4–0). The minutes record 155 business licenses and 61 alcoholic-beverage license holders.

Finance staff presented accounts, claims and bills; the minutes list a Voucher Total of $2,442,232.03, Payroll Total of $845,169.03 and a Grand Total of $3,287,401.06 across 549 checks. The Board accepted those reports as part of the consent agenda.

Anna Nelson, Economic Development Director, requested authority to move the purchase of a planned 2026 vehicle into the 2025 budget because a suitable vehicle under budget was available on local lots. Staff estimated the purchase would not exceed $50,000 and discussed whether to trade in the existing vehicle or retain it for use elsewhere in the fleet. On motion by Commissioner Bervig, seconded by Commissioner Siemieniewski, the Board authorized the out-of-budget purchase not to exceed $50,000 (vote 4–0).

President Klug moved the Commission into an executive session under N.D.C.C. §§ 44‑04‑17.1, 44‑04‑19.1, 44‑04‑19.2 and 44‑04‑18.4 to consult about economic development contract negotiations. The motion carried 4–0; the record shows the Commission recessed to executive session at about 6:21 p.m., returned at 6:45 p.m., and recorded a roll-call vote on a motion made in executive session (4–0). The minutes do not disclose the substance of the motion taken in executive session. The meeting was then adjourned at 6:48 p.m. on a motion by Commissioner Siemieniewski, seconded by Commissioner Gjovig (voice vote unanimous).

All motions recorded in the minutes passed unanimously with Commissioners Gjovig, Siemieniewski, Bervig and Klug voting aye; Commissioner Bekkedahl was listed as absent.