Milbank City Council Proceedings • August 15, 2022

August 15, 2022

PURSUANT TO DUE CALL AND NOTICE THEREOF, a special meeting of the City Council was duly held at City Hall, August 15, 2022, at 5:45 PM. The following members were present: Mayor Pat Raffety. Councilmen Mindy Rogers, Roger Briggs, John Weyh, Craig Weinberg and Mike Hanson (6:03 pm). Absent: Josh Karels. Present from the staff: Mark Reedstrom, John Forman, Dan Keyes and Cynthia Schumacher.  Public present: Kathy Ward, Holli Seehafer, Lisa Coomes and John Coomes.

Mayor Raffety called the meeting to order and roll call was taken.

No bids were received for the baseball field foul poles.  Administrator Forman reported he was working to confirm a quote received earlier for $11,029.00.  The quote was for the standard foul poles and ground sleeves, no installation.  

Mayor Raffety asked Administrator Forman for an update on the Main Street BNSF crossing agreement. Forman reported he could not find any crossing agreements with the BNSF Railroad. He recommended waiting until 2023 to do the crossing project.  The City’s cost share would be $88,362.  

Council Weinberg expressed frustration that tax dollars are required to repair the railroad’s crossings. 

Attorney Reedstrom stated he reviewed several crossing agreements, case studies and railroad policies. The railroad operates under the philosophy that their tracks were present prior to any roads over it. Therefore, the cost to improve any crossing shall be borne by the entity requesting owning the road. Often the municipality/county is responsible for the entire cost. A cost sharing proposal was a best-case scenario.  

Mike Hanson spoke in favor, affirming the city should move forward if the railroad maintains the offer to cost share.  

Lisa and John Coomes questioned if there were any drainage plans considered with the project. Currently, there are large volumes of dirt runoff every time it rains, causing issues at the Main Street/Diggs Avenue intersection, on their property and with the Whetstone Creek.  Administrator Forman reported he has discussed this issue with the railroad and will continue to do so.  However, he has no authority over the railroad.  

A motion was made and seconded to approve the railroad crossing project in 2023, with the BNSF cost sharing agreement confirming the City’s share at $88,362.  Motion carried 4-1, Weinberg voting against.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the payment a $86,629.00 payment to Crouch Recreation, Inc. for picnic shelters.  Motion carried 5-0.

Adjourn –The next regular meeting will be September 12, 2022, at 7:00 PM. A motion was made and seconded to adjourn at 5:55 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.

/s/ Pat Raffety, Mayor

ATTEST

/s/ Cynthia Schumacher, 

Finance Officer