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City Council Talks Law Enforcement, Property Crime

The Wolf Point City Council held their regular meeting May 16 in council chambers. Council member Jeff Wozniak was absent due to work. Engineers John Bach and Greg Lukasik were in attendance.

Three audience members attended the meeting to express frustration about local crime and vandalism. Harry Beauchamp introduced himself and said he needs help with vandalism to his properties on Wolf Point’s south side. Beauchamp is a property owner and operates charitable activities in the area.

“I’m there to help with the cause,” said Beauchamp. He expressed concern about crimes in the area.

Council member Dean Mahlum said that law enforcement efforts should be more transparent so that area residents have some idea what’s going on. Mayor Chris Dschaak described recent meetings with area stakeholders leading to dog roundup efforts. He said curfews and more law enforcement officers in the area would help with security. “We are moving fast with things right now,” said Dschaak.

A task order was passed for Interstate Engineering to proceed with asphalt paving plans at the airport in the amount of $45,900. Dschaak was authorized to sign the SRE closeout report. Airport roof repairs are on hold.

Building permits are active at Family Dollar in Wolf Point. Dschaak said the grand reopening at that location is planned for the end of June, early July, Dschaak said a five minute survey has been prepared for city residents who wish to provide feedback on municipal issues. It is available at the city website: ci.wolf-point. mt.us.

Lukasik offered an updated on the wastewater improvement project, He said meetings were held in person and over the phone in recent weeks. He said bids are pending. Resolutions were passed to authorize environmental findings, preliminary engineering reports and grant application packets related to the project.

Lukasik also provided an update on the storm water project. He said tours were organized of problem areas and grant letters have been sent out to the Fort Peck Tribes and other stakeholders.

Ward Smith relayed a request from Daniels County to handle solid waste in the future. He said the move, which could be as far off as five years down the road, would bring income to the city. Smith called it a “no-brainer.” No action was required by the council.

During police and animal control committee reports, the resignations of Wolf Point Police Department officers Erik Bridge and Chris Noser have been accepted as of April 15 (Bridge) and June 3 (Noser) respectively.

Interviews are scheduled for applicants for the Wolf Point Police Chief job. Dschaak said there are three applicants with a large amount of combined law enforcement experience are being interviewed. More information will be presented at the June council meeting.

City Attorney Anna Rose Sullivan told the council that the city’s drug policy update is nearing completion, as is the King Well property deed, which is finished pending signatures. The latter item was removed from the council agenda.

Revenue and expense reports were approved. The next city council meeting is set for June 20 at 7 p.m.

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