County, Wolf Point Discuss Goal of Improving Properties

After Roosevelt County and City of Wolf Point officials each agreed to extend the memorandum of understanding regarding the clean up of abandoned tax deeded properties in Wolf Point, the next step came Tuesday, Oct. 28, when commissioners and Mayor Chris Dschaak discussed possible properties.

On the list of five tax deeded properties, both parties agreed what made the most sense is researching the possibility of the demolition of two buildings on First Avenue South.

Dschaak said he feels the two neighboring buildings could be considered one structure, and commissioners didn’t argue the point.

The Wolf Point mayor said he’s not opposed to conducting research so more can be determined about the buildings.

When asked about the possibility of a large amount of asbestos in the buildings, Dschaak answered, “That’s my biggest fear. I don’t know how we would address that.”

Commissioner Robert Toavs mentioned the possibility of applying for a Brownfields grant to help with the project’s costs.

Parts of the MOU include:

• The city and county agree to jointly clean up lots identified as tax delinquent properties when the county accepts tax deed properties from the tax delinquent property list.

• The city will waive all landfill costs associated with the cleanup of said lots as part of this agreement.

• The city shall retain no ownership interest in the cleaned up properties. The county shall maintain full ownership interest in the cleanup properties, despite the city contributing to the cleanup effort as outlined in the MOU. The county shall be free to dispose of the properties as desired.

Commissioner Robert Toavs said that he feels conducting such a big project will kick start the cleanup campaign in Wolf Point.

Dschaak said he will hear from the city council during its next meeting on Nov. 17 and then return to the commissioners for discussion.

Also during the meeting, there was discussion regarding the City of Wolf Point supervising the mosquito district. Commissioner Gordon Oelkers said the original resolution had the city in charge of the mosquito district.

“I would like to turn it back over to the city,” Oelkers said.