One notable issue discussed was the ongoing challenges at the Cut and Buffler site, where the presence of dead timber and persistent buckthorn has become a safety and environmental concern. The Public Works director highlighted the ineffectiveness of the goats employed to manage the vegetation, pointing out that while they helped with some areas, larger buckthorn required more aggressive measures. He emphasized the need for a drum mulcher to effectively clear the site, stating, “I just hate to see us waste all the money on the goats and we still have a problem.” The director further explained that the current state of the area, with its “big brushy stuff,” poses risks not only to workers but also increases the potential for fires, drawing parallels to fire hazards seen in places like California. He urged council members to visit the site to witness the challenges firsthand, advocating for the drum mulcher as a long-term investment that could serve future projects as well.

In another significant agenda item, the council reviewed and approved plans for the 2025 Capital Improvement Project (CIP) concerning 11th Avenue Northwest. The city engineer presented the plans, which include realigning the intersection at 10th Street Northwest to improve traffic safety and upgrading a gravel roadway to an urban design. The project will also eliminate one parking lot entrance due to its proximity to the intersection and construct a new entrance off the realigned roadway. A multi-use trail is proposed along the east side of the new alignment, connecting existing trails at Bar Cave Park to Bar Cave Estates. This development is part of a broader effort to enhance the city’s infrastructure, with the council unanimously approving the plans and advertising for bids.

The council also addressed an application for an off-sale liquor license for Nolc Incorporated, which operates the River View Greens Golf Course and Event Center. The application sought to combine an off-sale license with their existing on-sale license, and the council approved it without objection.

Additionally, the meeting covered a maintenance agreement with Hestad County, which included an increase in reimbursement for specific county road segments compared to the previous year. The council approved the agreement unanimously.

In other business, the council approved the trade-in of a 2020 John Deere Z997 mower for a new 2025 model, with the trade-in offer set at $10,000 and the purchase price for the new mower at $15,286. This decision aligns with the council’s ongoing efforts to maintain and upgrade the city’s equipment for efficiency.

The meeting also featured updates from various departments. The City Engineer reported that work for the Legacy construction project is progressing, with designs approximately 30% complete. At least six roadway construction projects are set to take place over the summer.

The Library Director provided updates on the adult winter reading program, which encourages patrons to read three or more books between January 21 and March 21. He also mentioned the transition from the Horizon library system to Evergreen, a web-based system that promises new capabilities for outreach events, with the transition expected to go live on May 1.

The Chamber of Commerce reported on the upcoming Winterfest events, a four-day celebration with a full schedule aimed at boosting community engagement. The chamber also noted the initiation of a recruitment process for a finance officer position, inviting council member involvement during the interview stage.

Public safety updates included an overview of calls for service, which had increased from the previous year. Discussions focused on recent incidents involving youth and property damage, highlighting the challenges of dealing with minors. The officer noted, “that’s why the agreement is there because they’re not of age,” emphasizing the need for tailored approaches to youth-related incidents.