The Dickinson City Commission on Nov. 4 approved a series of administrative, code and financing actions, including awarding an appraisal services contract, revising finance committee bylaws and adopting multiple code amendments that place explicit class B misdemeanor penalties in the municipal code.

City Administrator Dawson told the commission that two proposals were received for appraisal services and that the scoring committee recommended Bellbridge Appraisal Services, "which received the highest overall evaluation," to perform appraisals of three city-owned parcels for a total of $14,500. The commission approved the award on a unanimous vote.

Deputy City Administrator Carlson presented changes to the finance committee bylaws and a resolution (Res. 48-2025) that updates the staff title referenced in the bylaws and moves committee citizen appointments to staggered two-year terms. The commission adopted Resolution 48-2025 unanimously.

City Attorney Winkel presented three separate ordinance amendments that insert explicit penalty language to their respective code sections so each reads that a violation "shall be considered a class B misdemeanor." The commission approved Ordinance 18-36 (blighted structures), Ordinance 18-37 (permit regulations) and Ordinance 18-38 (International Property Maintenance Code) on unanimous votes.

Staff reported that three commercial properties requested abatement hearings; the commission agreed to schedule the abatement hearing for Jan. 6, 2026, which is the commission's regular meeting date. Staff noted the hearings were requested by the county; a formal motion and roll-call vote for setting the date was not recorded in the public transcript.

The commission adopted a zoning text amendment (Ordinance 18-35) to remove a conditional-use-permit requirement for oil wells from the Dickinson Municipal Code so the local code aligns with the permitting authority of the North Dakota Industrial Commission.

Senior Engineer Chris Keller presented a bond resolution (Res. 49-2025) for a $5,000,000 solid waste revenue bond series 2025 and an associated loan through the Bank of North Dakota to fund construction of the Baylor Building. Keller described the requested loan as a 20-year loan with a 2% interest rate and a maturity date of Sept. 1, 2045. The commission adopted Resolution 49-2025 unanimously.

The commission approved three personnel actions tied to the 2026 budget: a reclassification and updated job description for the engineering and community development coordinator (pay-grade change), an engineering technician pay-grade change, and creation of a GIS technician position (pay-grade G14). City engineering staff described the changes as intended to reflect additional responsibilities and to improve in-house capacity for permitting, inspections and GIS work.

City Engineer Josh Sklachuk presented two state revolving fund (SRF) loan requests for the Sims Second Street East to Ninth Street East project: a $1 million drinking water SRF loan (for roughly 2,150 linear feet of water main replacement) and a $1 million clean water SRF loan (for storm sewer upsizing, extensions and sanitary sewer repairs and relining). The total $2 million loan package (Res. 50-2025) was approved unanimously.

Votes at a glance (selected items):
- Approve amended order of business — moved by Commissioner Frederick, second Commissioner Murphy; outcome: approved (recorded ayes from Commissioners Bair, Riddle, Frederick, Murphy and the chair).
- Award appraisal RFP to Bellbridge Appraisal Services, $14,500 — moved by Commissioner Murphy, second Commissioner Bair; outcome: approved, unanimous.
- Adopt Resolution 48-2025 (finance committee bylaw changes) — moved by Commissioner Riddle, second Commissioner Frederick; outcome: approved, unanimous.
- Adopt Ordinance 18-36 (blighted structure penalty) — moved by Commissioner Bair, second Commissioner Murphy; outcome: approved, unanimous.
- Adopt Ordinance 18-37 (permit penalty) — moved by Commissioner Frederick, second Commissioner Riddle; outcome: approved, unanimous.
- Adopt Ordinance 18-38 (International Property Maintenance Code penalty) — moved by Commissioner Murphy, second Commissioner Frederick; outcome: approved, unanimous.
- Set abatement hearing date Jan. 6, 2026 — staff request approved; formal roll-call not recorded in transcript.
- Adopt Ordinance 18-35 (remove CUP requirement for oil wells) — moved by Commissioner Bair, second Commissioner Riddle; outcome: approved, unanimous.
- Adopt Resolution 49-2025 (Bank of North Dakota loan for Baylor Building), $5,000,000, 20 years at 2% — moved by Commissioner Frederick, second Commissioner Murphy; outcome: approved, unanimous. Staff noted the closing certificate contained an incorrect commissioner name that bond counsel will update.
- Approve job description/pay-grade changes for engineering & community development coordinator, engineering technician, and create GIS technician — motions and seconds varied; outcome: approved, unanimous.
- Adopt Resolution 50-2025 (SRF loans for Sims project), total $2,000,000 — moved by Commissioner Frederick, second Commissioner Murphy; outcome: approved, unanimous.

The commission recessed for a 5 p.m. public hearing session and later swore in the 2025–26 Dickinson Youth Commission and heard the chapter 6 public hearing (see separate item), then adjourned.