Williston commission unanimously approves licenses, grants, appointments and economic incentives

The Williston Board of City Commissioners on July 22 approved a series of routine licenses, financial items and appointments, each by unanimous vote or voice vote.

Licenses and hearings: The commission approved an Event Center license for Great Northern Events (202 1st Ave E Ste. 102), a specialty recreation license for The Mustang Room (202 1st Ave E Ste. 003), and a Domestic Winery license for 202 Brix (202 1st Ave E Ste. 112); each approval was recorded as pending legal review and carried 5–0.

Economic incentives and grants: The commission approved four Flex PACE buydown requests with not‑to‑exceed buydown amounts: Baha Petroleum (hydrovac trucks) $15,000; Twin Peaks Electrical (building purchase) $73,000; WPR LLC (Pizza Ranch permanent financing) $98,000; Williston Window Tint construction $38,000. The Board also approved two STAR Fund childcare grants: Little Learners Preschool ($5,500 match) and Little Scholars Preschool ($17,050 expansion grant to add 33 spaces). Motion records indicate approval by 5–0 votes.

Finance and appointments: Finance Director Hercules Cummings presented a semi‑annual pledged collateral review, stating invested funds are covered to 110% above FDIC coverage as required by North Dakota Century Code; the Board accepted the review. The commission approved appointments including Jeff Bloemker to the STAR Fund board, Cyndy Aafedt to Planning and Zoning, and nine appointments to the Downtown Design Review Board. The meeting adjourned at 6:41 p.m.

All items were approved without recorded opposition in the minutes.