Two sworn in; commission reassigns portfolios and approves routine contracts

Charlotte E. Kozlowski and Brandon Lazier were sworn in as city commissioners at the Washburn City Commission meeting.

Kozlowski read the oath of office, saying, “I, Charlotte E. Kozlowski of Washburn, North Dakota, do solemnly swear or affirm,” and affirmed she would support the constitutions and discharge the duties of the office. Brandon Lazier likewise read and affirmed the oath before the commission.

Why it matters: With the new members seated, the commission moved quickly to assign portfolios so commissioners could participate fully in votes and ongoing projects.

Commission business that followed included a slate of portfolio assignments. By voice vote the commission appointed Jamie Weber as street commissioner; the commission also appointed Mark (surname not specified in the meeting packet) as water and sewer commissioner and airport authority representative; Brandon Lazier to buildings and grounds; Buddy to police and fire; and confirmed Don Simon to continue representing the city on county planning and zoning. Commissioners also assigned library, forestry and planning duties among the group and confirmed that human-resources and finance portfolios will continue to be staffed by experienced commissioners who will onboard the newly assigned members.

The commission approved several routine items during the meeting. It authorized a one-year work contract for Damon Fish to operate the fish-cleaning station and accepted the engineer’s pay application No. 1 for the recent seal-coat project, moving to pay $153,401.96 from the city’s sales-and-use tax street-infrastructure fund. The motion to approve the pay application passed on a roll call/voice vote.

What’s next: Commission members said they will review portfolio-specific follow-up (insurance values, spending thresholds, onboarding for new commissioners) and expect to revisit some items at the next meeting.