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Gladstone council appoints Bill O’Connor acting mayor, adopts floodplain ordinance and approves fee changes
Summary
At its March 2 meeting, the Gladstone City Council appointed Councilmember Bill O’Connor as Acting Mayor, adopted a Floodplain Ordinance on second reading, approved a revised 2026 fee schedule (including a reduced chicken license fee), and authorized up to $500 for a memorial tree for Darrell Sadowsky.
The Gladstone City Council met March 2, 2026, at Gladstone City Hall and appointed Councilmember Bill O’Connor as Acting Mayor, adopted a Floodplain Ordinance on second reading, approved changes to the 2026 fee schedule and authorized a memorial tree expenditure.
Council discussion opened with the mayoral vacancy and the mechanics for filling it until the June election. Mitchell Kovash moved to appoint Bill O’Connor as Acting Mayor; Niki Larson seconded and the motion carried. The council noted the mayorship is on the ballot in June, so no special election will be held and the appointee would return to a council seat after the election.
On a separate agenda item, Dannielle Parkin moved to adopt the Floodplain Ordinance on second reading; Niki Larson seconded and the motion carried, completing adoption of the ordinance. The minutes do not list a roll-call tally for the vote beyond “motion carried.”
The council also approved the 2026 Fee Schedule with a change to reduce the chicken license fee from $20 to $15 per bird annually. The motion to approve the amended fee schedule was made by Mitchell Kovash, seconded by Dannielle Parkin, and carried.
City Auditor Maria Kolling reported no bids were received in the box-plow bid opening. The council discussed additional advertising options and competitive bidding requirements under state statute; City Attorney Christina Wenko advised preparing a Resolution declaring the item surplus and Maria will contact ND Surplus to confirm process and timing. If an interested party contacts the city, the bid can be reopened.
On property inquiries, the council reviewed three items: Lanet and Steve Scherr’s Block 2, Lots 9–11 (owners not present; council not in favor of selling the alley), Deb Cassezza’s Block 25, Lots 7–8 (applicant absent; council expressed snow-removal/access concerns and tabled the item), and a sale inquiry from Hamilton Enterprises for Block 14, Lots 1–3 (council declined to pursue purchase and agreed to provide Hamilton Enterprises with the contact information for the interested buyer).
Other administrative items included two plumber’s bills for water leaks (248 Cottage and 438 2nd Ave). City Attorney Christina Wenko recommended submitting those bills to the city insurance company before final decisions; she confirmed bills addressed to the city should be paid by the city and the city may invoice the citizen depending on insurance outcome. The council declined participation in MDU balanced billing.
The council approved a motion to spend up to $500 from the General Fund for a memorial tree and related supplies for Darrell Sadowsky; Maria Kolling will coordinate details and North Park was recommended as the planting site because of water access. The council also recommended that an individual rent a street sweeper from Bierschbach rather than the city assuming liability.
The meeting concluded with approval of minutes and bills for February and adjournment at 7:32 PM.
Votes at a glance: - Appoint Bill O’Connor as Acting Mayor — mover: Mitchell Kovash; second: Niki Larson; outcome: carried (no roll-call tally listed). - Adopt Floodplain Ordinance (second reading) — mover: Dannielle Parkin; second: Niki Larson; outcome: carried. - Approve 2026 Fee Schedule (chicken fee reduced to $15 per bird) — mover: Mitchell Kovash; second: Dannielle Parkin; outcome: carried. - Approve up to $500 for memorial tree for Darrell Sadowsky — mover: Mitchell Kovash; second: Niki Larson; outcome: carried. - Approve February 2 and February 24 minutes — movers/seconders noted in minutes; outcomes: carried. - Approve February 2026 bills (total $18,320.99) — mover: Niki Larson; second: Mitchell Kovash; outcome: carried.
What’s next: Maria Kolling will follow up with ND Surplus about declaring the box plow surplus, obtain updated quotes for crack-sealing priorities, and follow up on Abandoned Auto Grant paperwork; the council expects the mayorship to be resolved by the June election.
