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Lisbon council approves $255,000 Berube building purchase, business grants and library roof funding
Summary
At its Sept. 2 meeting the Lisbon City Council approved purchase of the Berube building for $255,000 (city-financed $200,000; $55,000 from reserves), authorized STAR grants/loans to three local businesses, and amended the public building budget by $48,000 to pay for a library roof; all motions were unanimous.
The Lisbon City Council on Sept. 2 voted unanimously to buy the Berube building for $255,000, approve several small-business grants and loans through the city’s STAR program, and amend the public-building budget to pay for a new library roof.
Council member Ben Gemar moved to approve the purchase of the Berube building; Council member Rob Waletzko seconded. The council recorded that the city will finance $200,000 of the purchase and use $55,000 from reserves. The motion passed with an "All Aye" vote by the members present.
The council also approved STAR program awards to three local businesses. The council approved a $10,000 grant and a $10,000 loan to BK Lao Thai Kitchen to help purchase kitchen equipment; a $5,000 grant and a $6,210.39 loan to Johnston Enterprises for an interest buydown tied to the flexpace program; and an $8,000 grant and an $8,000 loan to The Bronc for updated kitchen equipment. All STAR awards were approved unanimously.
Separately, the council approved a $48,000 budget amendment to the public building account to pay for the library roof (motion by Waletzko, second by Gemar). The auditor’s economic-development report and a Renaissance Zone application by Johnston Enterprises to purchase property at 19 5th Ave W were also approved.
The council granted an off-site liquor license to The Bronc for two entertainment events at the Scenic Theater on Oct. 25 (6:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m.) and Oct. 31 (5:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m.). The auditor’s office recorded two gaming permits (Bronco Bullseyes calendar raffle and Michels Family Benefit raffle) and the code administrator’s list of building permits was accepted by the council.
Tracy Eslinger, an engineer with Moore Engineering, provided project updates during the meeting; the council approved the engineering/auditor reports as part of the consent business.
Council member Ben Gemar moved (second Rob Waletzko) to approve the bills as presented, which included large payments such as $208,389.15 to Moore Engineering and $336,680.00 to the Bank of North Dakota; the claims were approved by unanimous vote.
The meeting concluded with announcements about the NDLC annual conference (Sept. 17–19), a "Meet the Badges" event on Sept. 25 and a preliminary budget hearing scheduled for Sept. 29 at 5:30 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 8:56 p.m.
Votes at a glance: - Purchase of Berube building for $255,000 — approved (mover: Ben Gemar; seconder: Rob Waletzko). City financing $200,000; $55,000 from reserves. - Library roof budget amendment — approved, $48,000 (mover: Rob Waletzko; seconder: Ben Gemar). - STAR program awards — BK Lao Thai Kitchen ($10,000 grant/$10,000 loan); Johnston Enterprises ($5,000 grant/$6,210.39 loan); The Bronc ($8,000 grant/$8,000 loan) — all approved. - Renaissance Zone application for Johnston Enterprises (19 5th Ave W) — approved. - Off-site liquor license for The Bronc (Scenic Theater events Oct. 25 and Oct. 31) — approved. - Gaming permits (Bronco Bullseyes calendar raffle; Michels Family Benefit raffle) — recorded/approved by auditor’s office. - Building permits and bills — accepted/approved (motions carried "All Aye").
