jschramm@minotdailynews.com
Jill Schramm/MDN
Jeff Geinert looks over materials in Minot Public Library Tuesday. Masks are required in city buildings, including the library.
COVID-19 restrictions will be easing in Minot city buildings but not until mid-May.
The Minot City Council voted unanimously Monday to lift mask requirements in city buildings and end specific COVID-19 leave for city employees on May 15. The May date is to give staff time to receive the COVID-19 vaccines.
“Part of the reason I’m willing to support this motion is that there is light at the end of the tunnel,” council member Stephan Podrygula said. “As a political compromise, I’m willing to end the mask policies, but I’m willing to do that under a couple of conditions internally, personally for me. The first is that people continue taking this seriously and then we strongly recommend the staff and visitors that they continue to wear masks for the foreseeable future.”
jschramm@minotdailynews.com
The language in an agreement with the Minot Area Chamber EDC was a subject of debate for members of the Minot City Council Monday.
The council voted 5-2 to approve a professional services agreement with MACEDC that will provide the economic development organization with an additional $246,375 for the remainder of the year. In January, the council had approved a three-month agreement for $82,125 as a temporary measure while MACEDC completed its organizational phase.
The Minot Area Chamber of Commerce and Minot Area Development Corp. merged in January.
MACEDC also receives economic development funding from Ward County and member investors. Executive Director John MacMartin said the investor pool diminished somewhat last year due to COVID-19.
Gonzales Weekly Citizen
On a night when the Gonzales City Council approved a proclamation declaring March as Flood Awareness Month, public concerns over drainage issues prompted the council to table approval of a proposed new subdivision.
Councilman Tyler Turner made a motion to table approval of a preliminary plat and drainage impact study of the proposed development of 10.3 acres into 28 lots on Orice Roth Road adjacent to Gonzales Middle School. Tyler proposed a community meeting so that councilmen and the public could gather more information. A community meeting would be the best option, he said. It would give them more time to voice their concerns and to answer any questions they might have.
Minot City Council considers inadvertent tax break | News, Sports, Jobs minotdailynews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from minotdailynews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
jschramm@minotdailynews.com
Flood protection and bonding bills top of the list of 2021 legislation being watched by the City of Minot in the state Capitol.
Shane Goettle, Minot’s assistant city attorney for legislative affairs, reported to the council Monday on bills of interest, including some on which the mayor, certain council members or city staff have testified during committee hearings.
Goettle said he is tracking and monitoring just over 150 bills and resolutions.
“Every aspect of city governance and responsibility is touched by one bill or another,” he said. “We prioritize, for example, flood protection and NAWS, and almost not a day goes by without me talking to somebody about where we’re at with that.