The Harlem City Council held its regular monthly meeting on October 13. Prior to the start of the regular meeting there were two informational presentations to the council. Representatives of KLJ, an engineering firm hired to conduct a housing survey for Harlem, explained how they would evaluate the housing needs for the city. A combination of real estate and tax information plus a physical evaluation of the housing situation would be used to complete a final report by January, 2016. The report will summarize housing potential and possible needs to be addressed for increased housing in the city. KLJ is doing a similar survey in Malta and Chinook.

Willy Welzenbach, from New Fields, presented information about Brownfields sites—properties that require material disposal and/or clean up. New Fields is contracted with Bear Paw Development, through a grant, to identify Brownfield sites. He explained Bear Paw Development has grant money to cover the costs of site assessment and can help a local government find grant money for site clean-up of Brownfield sites. Welzenbach said he was attending the housing survey informational meeting to discuss potential redevelopment options in Harlem.

The regular council meeting was then called to order by Mayor Bill Taylor. Council members in attendance were Kenneth Hansen, Ralph Schneider, Eva English and Marc Arensmeyer. A quorum was present. Council motioned and approved the September meeting minutes as well as the monthly claims and payroll.

During the public forum portion of the meeting David Saboe, a property owner who had been notified of violations of the city’s decay ordinance, spoke with the council. He explained his plans to correct certain problems, some contingent on decisions by the ditch company. Mayor and council listed clean up priorities for the affected properties and asked Saboe to bring an update to the November council meeting.

During the comment period, Yoyo Johnson commended the city on the improved water quality. She also has noticed a decrease in the loose dogs around town and expressed her appreciation for what the city had done to help with that problem.

Eryn Nissen, representing Bear Paw Development, will arrange a conference call once all the initial community kickoff meetings are held regarding the housing survey. She will make sure KLJ keeps up with the monthly progress reports to the various cities and the community outreach items KLJ has planned.

Mayor Taylor reported the GeoTechnical field work for the Waste Water Treatment Plant had been completed and that the TSEP contract was ready to be signed. Taylor also noted he would be talking to Commissioner Kulbeck to determine the next step regarding the drain ditch issue.

Welzenbach, from NewFields, explained that DEQ has approved the request to continue monitoring wells at the former Equity Coop site. Work will continue with DEQ to get the site eligible for redevelopment.

Harlem Clerk-Treasurer Rebecca Skoyen explained that one property owner who had received a letter from the city attorney had not made acknowledgment of their violation of the decay ordinance. The city attorney will write that property owner into city court. The property that was discussed at the September council meeting, regarding the old refrigerators, has been cleaned up.

Mayor Taylor told the council that he had not received any word from the Belden family yet on the city’s offer. The council took no action on this.

The mayor reported on the status of the water plant settling pond. After discussions with DEQ, Mayor Taylor said the best plan of action was to till up the sludge in the settling pond, then roll and pack it. The city would add some water and let everything sit for a while, then have the water tested to find out if there are any contaminants. After finding out that the sludge would have to be disposed of, increasing the cost even more, this alternate plan was devised to help the city save money.

During council concerns/committee reports, Council President Kenneth Hansen noted he had asked the fire chief to report on the recent ISO audit. The chief was responding to a fire and was not available for the council meeting. The audit report item was moved to the November council meeting agenda.

The city council will hold its next regular meeting on Monday, November 9 at 6 p.m. Meeting was adjourned.