City Council Talks Blight, Street Dance Approved
The Wolf Point City Council held their regular meeting Monday, May 17. Tori Matejovsky from Great Northern Development Corporation addressed the council via Zoom. She said her organization has been helping businesses manage the Payroll Protection Program, which is winding up. She said there is very little money left in the program but added that some credit unions have funds remaining. Interested parties should reach out to Matejovsky and GNDC at 406-6532590.
Nakoa HeavyRunner spoke to the council about concerns he has documented in the community about possible radiation exposure from cell phone towers, Wi-Fi routers and other equipment.
“Our research finds that radiation sickness is coming from cell towers and being amplified in the homes via wi-fi routers, cell phones and heavy wifi use from anything that uses wifi like laptops, computers, and smart tvs etc.,” HeavyRunner told the Northern Plains Independent.
“One of the best things we found to reduce levels is a faraday cage for home wifi routers. It blocks about 90 percent of the radiation. Personally I’ve found that using TP links for internet to computers also dramatically reduces the levels from the computer because it doesn’t have to use wifi. We are happy to share our findings with anyone interested.”
Heaveyrunner can be reached at rezkastmedia@gmail.com.
A bid was approved for a planned airport broom project. The total project cost will be $526,427. The city and Roosevelt County will split a five percent matching requirement. The council approved that expenditure, as well as an aeronautics loan to cover the city’s share.
Recreation director Dan Horsmon spoke to the council briefly about pending plans for soccer and improvements to various recreational facilities. He also updated thee council about current fundraising efforts, which are ongoing.
The filing deadline for the mayor and council positions is June 21. There are five spots in play, with a mix of two- and four-year terms. The mayor is also up for reelection. To inquire, visit the Roosevelt County Clerk and Recorder’s Office. The filing fee is $10.
Mayor Chris Dschaak told the council that nine blighted properties are coming up for tax sale. He said city attorney Anna Rose Sullivan is taking the lead on managing the possible transfer of the properties to the city, at which point they can be cleaned up.
A new contract was approved for Sullivan. She will represent the city through 2024.
The police and animal control committee agreed to meet and review the city’s ordinances related to medical and recreational marijuana sales. A fourth local dispensary has plans to open up in town. The committee will review that plan and update the council.
A street dance was approved for July 9. The event will take place downtown for one night. A youth group is scheduled to help with cleanup.
Wolf Point Police Chief Jeff Harada said Charlene Allmer, currently enrolled at Montana State University Billings, will be taking a summer internship with the department. The summer internship will be 135 hours in total and will be unpaid.
Great West Engineering’ Greg Lukasik spoke to the council about the water main settlement with Mike Coleman Construction, Inc. He said Sullivan is leading negotiations. “We were able to reduce Coleman’s claims pretty significantly,” said Lukasik.
Lukasik said his colleagues are currently learning about the details of “Biden Bucks” from the American Rescue plan. He said significant funding will be targeted in and around Wolf Point.
