Bottineau council approves resolutions to pursue SRF loan and create citywide special assessment district for lead service line replacement

The Bottineau City Council on May 4 took multiple formal steps to advance a Lead Service Line Replacement Project covering the entire city. The council approved a "Resolution of Necessity for the Lead Service Line Replacement Project" and a separate motion to create a special assessment district that would include all city limits. Those actions followed Finance Committee recommendations that the city cover engineering and bond counsel fees as part of the SRF loan application process.

Council members discussed engaging Burian & Associates for the SRF loan application work and retaining bond counsel; Auditor Penny J. Nostdahl reported that the city had contacted attorney Scott Wegner of Arntzen, Stewart, Wegner for bond counsel services. Seykora moved that the city be responsible for engineering and bond counsel fees; the motion passed on roll call. Stewart moved, and Mehlhoff seconded, approval of the resolution of necessity for the project; Marsden moved and Getzlaff seconded the motion to create the special assessment district. Later the council also passed a resolution authorizing application for the SRF loan to fund lead service line replacements.

The minutes do not specify the estimated project cost, the proposed assessment amounts per property, or an expected timeline for construction; those details will be determined during design and financing steps. The council recorded these approvals as necessary procedural steps to seek SRF financing and to establish a funding mechanism through special assessments if the project proceeds.