Sept. 27, 2024

In July, 33 employees participated in the 2024 walking challenge and walked through the Philippines. The trek was completed in 22 days! Our initial goal was to complete this walk before the end of the month and we finished 9 days early!

The group made it through 12 milestones and walked 4,369,921 steps and 1,862 miles.

Winners are:

• 1st Place: Michael Breid with 480,645 steps (approx. 227 miles give or take a few)
• 2nd Place: Calvin Krueger with 454,793 steps (approx. 214 miles give or take a few)
• 3rd Place: Chad Nicklos with 322,895 steps (approx. 152 miles give or take a few)

First and second place won City of Mandan apparel and third place received a blue zones cook book.

Combined, these 3 walked 1,258,333 steps!

In September, the City Commission approved plan design changes to the Health Insurance plan for the 2025 benefit year.

These changes will be effective January 2025:

What is changing:

• Copays will be decreasing
• Deductible will be decreasing
• RX Deductible will now be combined with medical
• Out of pocket maximums will be increasing
• Important: This is not a high deductible plan. Coinsurance will start immediately after the deductible is met, the out of pocket max is the most a member would be required to pay annually.
• Two Voluntary GAP plans will be offered for those interested. This is optional to elect for those looking for additional coverage with out of pocket expenses. Gap plans can be selected uniquely to the member. For example if you have a family plan you can choose to only elect employee or employee + Spouse in GAP if desired.
• PPO Base_TC3_$0_100%_$1500.pdf
• PPO Buy Up_TC3_$0_50%_$5000.pdf
• Active enrollment year. This means that all members will be required to renew their medical plan enrollment and all voluntary options during open enrollment. Everyone will need to make enrollments for the 2025 plan year, nothing will roll over if not elected!

What is staying the same:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of ND will continue to be the health insurance provider
• The City will continue to cover 100% of a single employee plan premium. Employer Contribution for family plans will continue to follow the 5-year vesting schedule.
• The City will continue to cover 100% of EPD, EPS, & Family Policy upon hire for sworn officers.

More to come:

• Open enrollment dates have not been announced yet. Estimating for mid-November however, nothing has been confirmed. Please watch for communication on these dates from HR.
• NDPHIT will be providing enrollment appointments to those interested in making enrollments with assistance over the phone.

Please reach out if you have any questions or want to discuss anything further and watch for updates to come!

ALL STAFF HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATIONAL MEETING

Tuesday, Oct. 29

2:30-3:30 p.m.

Location TBD (based on number of employees who sign up to attend)

Register to attend: Sign up - October 29th - Health Insurance Meeting.xlsx

This spring, K-9 teams from around the state attended the Great Basin Dog Competition, hosted by the North Dakota Law Enforcement Canine Association (NDLECA) and Mondak Animal Rescue in Williston.

After demonstrations from K-9 teams around the state, five dogs were selected to compete in the “Hard Dog” competition. This competition is a 40-yard sprint to a fully suited decoy. There is very limited stimulation given to the K-9, it is up to the handler to get the K-9 locked on and worked up. The K-9 is then given the proper commands for the competition, and the decoy provides feedback. This type of static environment gives the decoy plenty of opportunity to gauge how hard the K-9 hits and bites. After the first round, three dogs were chosen to compete again. Mandan Police Officer Black and K-9 Medve won the “Hard Dog” competition!



The Williston decoy, taking his fair share of bites throughout the competition, stated K-9 Medve was the hardest biting, hardest hitting K-9 he has ever decoyed for. Congratulations to Officer Black and K-9 Medve.

In August, Mandan Police Department had three recruits graduating from the Law Enforcement Training Academy: Officer Helbling, Officer Klatte and Officer Mullin. Congratulations on completing the first milestone of your career!  

Throughout the quarter, many employees have had some professional development days. Professional development is important not just for each of us individually, but for all of us as building a stronger team!

Fusion Conference. On Sept. 5, six staff members (Assessor Kimberly Markley, Building Official Jordan Singer, City Administrator Jim Neubauer, Communications Specialist Kari Schmidt, Fire Chief Mitch Bitz, and Waste Water Superintendent Ryan Malsam) traveled to Bowman, ND for the Fusion Conference. It was a one-day conference for leadership development. The group learned the “trick” to balancing actual peacock feathers in the palm of their hands, and applied that to how everything in their day-to-day lives is a balancing act. “We heard from speaker Dan Thurmon about the importance of learning ‘to balance,’ not ‘being balanced’ as so many other books and speakers suggest, ‘balanced’ means we are sitting still, ’balancing’ means we are moving,” said Bitz.

Main Street Summit. Administrator Jim Neubauer, Business Development & Communications Director Madison Cermak and Communications Specialist Kari Schmidt spent two and a half days in Watford City in August for the Governor’s Main Street Summit, where they learned about different ways for Mandan to continue building on the pillars of the Main Street Initiative.

Fire Rescue International. Fire Chief Mitch Bitz attending an executive level leadership conference for the fire service in Dallas, TX. “I attended a session on the importance of mental health and healthy sleep hygiene for our team members, and I am totally amazed at how important sleep is for the mental and physical health of our employees and how little we as a society value healthy sleep,” shared Bitz.

National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program. Battalion Fire Chief Shane Weltikol was accepted into the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer (EFO) program and recently spent two weeks in the first of four on campus courses in Emmitsburg, MD. The EFO program is the pinnacle of the United States Fire Administration (USFA)’s commitment to support the needs of fire and EMS agencies in preparing executive officers to meet the ever-changing demands of the dynamic communities in which they serve. Through the EFO program, the NFA seeks to inspire, educate and empower current and future fire service leaders and create public service champions within communities. There are only 13 members from North Dakota that have completed the program, which has a very competitive application process (150 are accepted nationwide). The program comes with a significant amount of work, numerous essays and substantial research, along with online and in-person courses, culminating with a capstone research paper and presentation. Weltikol heads back in March for the second on-campus session.

ND SHRM State Conference. HR Director Amy Berger attended the ND SHRM State Conference in Grand Forks Sept. 16-18. There were many thought-provoking sessions, collaborating and opportunities for networking with other HR professionals. She enjoys being able to obtain knowledge and tools to bring back to Mandan on leadership, conflict resolution, recruiting, AI in the workplace and more!

Vanguard Users Conference. In September, the Assessing team attended the annual Vanguard Users Conference in Bismarck. Training covered program updates, appraisal pricing guidelines, income approach, sketching, on-site appraisal review and exempt property inspections.

State Board of Equalization & NDAAO Conference. Kimberly Markley, Jonathan Fleischer and Brenda Johnson attended the State Board of Equalization and the North Dakota Association of Assessing Officers (NDAAO) Conference in Bismarck. They learned about mass appraisals, grain elevators, reviewing an appraisal and assessing the non-typical properties.

North Central Regional Association of Assessing Officers (NCRAAO) Conference. Real Property Appraiser Jonathan Fleischer attended the NCRAAO conference Aug. 19-22 in Kearney, Nebraska, with fellow Morton County Equalization Assessor, Lori Dirk. Each of them was awarded free conference enrollment from the North Dakota Association of Assessing Officers (NDAAO). The conference provided an opportunity to network with other assessment officials within the 11 member states: North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin, and daily education options. One education session that Fleischer attended was a full day session on Valuation different forms of ownership (included PUD-Planned Unit Developments, Condominiums, Cooperatives and Income deriving properties).

ND Planning Association Conference. City Planner Andrew Stromme attended the North Dakota Planning Association Conference (and Planning Commissioner Training) on Sept. 18 in Grand Forks. The conference showcased various housing efforts across the state as well as other learning opportunities.

North Dakota League of Cities (NDLC) Annual Conference. City Administrator Jim Neubauer, Fire Chief Mitch Bitz, City Planner Andrew Stromme, Police Chief Jason Ziegler, and Commissioner Dennis Rohr attended the NDLC Annual Conference in Grand Forks during September as well. Commissioner Rohr was recognized for his public service and attendance to the NDLC Conference. The NDLC conference covers a variety of topics for City government staff and elected officials.

If you’ve attended a conference or will be attending one in the next quarter and want to share it with the group, please send the information to Communications Specialist Kari Schmidt.

Carolyn Reisenauer has been with the City of Mandan for 11.5 years. She currently is an Inspector with the Building Inspections Department.

Fun Fact about you: I grew up on a Dairy Farm south of Mandan (St. Anthony) along with 10 other siblings. I appreciated & respect the hard work that was instilled in me from my parents. 

What do you do in your role?  Inspect construction according to what was submitted. Check the structural quality and general safety of buildings. Enforce building & zoning codes, review plans and issue permits.  

What do you love most about your job? I love that every day is different, and love the challenge and opportunity to learn every single day. 

What’s a hobby you have outside of work? Love lake life (fishing, kayaking & boating) also love helping out at my brother's farm.

What’s one item you can’t live without? Water...because water makes coffee!

What’s your favorite thing to do in Mandan? Taking in the 4th of July festivities.

What’s your favorite restaurant/business in Mandan? The Rice Bowl

The Building Inspection Department is led by Building Official Jordan Singer.

What are the main responsibilities of your department? The Building Inspection Department takes building permits for residential and commercial projects, as well as remodeling for the structures within the City of Mandan. We look at foundations, footings, walls, egress windows, framing, mechanical, plumbing, fireplaces and fire walls, as well as all finish stages of construction. We determine if buildings and properties are code compliant. We also provide guidance regarding zoning, lot coverage and other site requirements and uses. 

What is the structure of your department? We have a building official (Singer), two building inspectors (Carolyn Reisenauer & Steve Roe) and a permit technician (current vacancy). There are different roles that include plan review, building inspections, and permit application approval process. 

How can your fellow co-workers help your department? If you ever receive anything “building” related, email or give our department a call. We answer many questions related to construction. We would rather people ask us first before a project or idea comes to fruition. It is never fun giving the bad news that something wasn’t built right, and needs to be rebuilt. We would rather have people ask us first before a project is started.

What’s your favorite thing about your department? We work as a team to get things done. It is fun to see what new and exciting projects are coming to our town. Whether it is a new commercial project, or a new concept, or technique that catches our eye in residential construction, we love projects! 

Are there any special talents in your department? Dealing with the public when things don’t go as they planned is a super power in any department! Thanks to everybody who takes phone calls. It can be stressful and tense, but being patient and respectful can go a long ways.  

Anything else you'd like your co-workers to know about your department? We are a pretty small department, but we carry a big tape measure and flashlight! That way we can highlight all the “mistakes” contractors make along the way. We also love what we do. If you have any building questions, or aren’t sure if something “looks right” let us know.

JULY

James Froelich, Mayor

Craig Sjoberg, Commissioner

Ryan Heinsohn, Commissioner

Thomas Jackson, Municipal Court Judge

Gregg Aune, Street Equipment Operator I

Shancee Porter, MMPL Bookmobile Services Associate

Brooke Redder, MMPL Bookmobile Services Associate

David Carrier, Code Enforcement Officer

AUGUST

Taylor Bosch, Part-time Firefighter

Dylan Kinsella-Greff, Part-time Firefighter

Matthew Bradley, Part-time Firefighter

Beaux Jones, Part-time Firefighter

SEPTEMBER

John Pfau, Police Officer

Skylar Terrill, Police Officer

Mark Diede, Building & Grounds Worker

Shane O'Keefe, Public Works Director

Mandan Fire Department honored the bravery and sacrifice of the firefighters and first responders who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, by hosting the annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at the Starion Sports Complex.

The event was open to the public, and approximately 70 individuals participated.

The stair climb is a symbolic way for participants to remember the 343 FDNY firefighters, paramedics, and officers who courageously ascended the towers to save lives, many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice. Climbers ascend the equivalent of 110 stories, the height of the World Trade Center towers.

Proceeds from the stair climb benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), an organization that provides support to the families of fallen firefighters and works to reduce firefighter deaths in the line of duty.

Mandan Police Public Safety Cadets #2853 (formerly the Mandan Police Explorer Post #2853) recently had their annual award ceremony recognizing cadets training, service and achievements. Check out all these cadets and their achievements:

• Cadet Gavin Soule 3-year tenure, Color Guard, 60 training hours, Law Enforcement Conference, Emergency Preparedness
• Cadet Craig Baltrusch 2-year tenure, Color Guard, 60 training hours, Corporal Promotion, Emergency Preparedness
• Cadet Adi Oza 1-year tenure, 100 training hours, Perfect Attendance, Color Guard, Law Enforcement Conference, Merit Award
• Cadet Erick Ritchotte Sergeant Promotion, 2-year tenure, 60 training hours, Color Guard, Emergency Preparedness
• Cadet Jace Engelstad Oath of Membership (swearing in), 1-year tenure, Law Enforcement Conference
• Cadet Kaylee Hughes 3-year tenure, 60 training hours, Law Enforcement Conference, Lieutenant Promotion
• Cadet Austin Klein Cadet of the Year, 2-year tenure, 60 training hours, Law Enforcement Conference, Captain Promotion, Emergency Preparedness
• Cadet Hunter Baier 1-year tenure, 60 training hours, Emergency Preparedness
• Cadet Jacob Johnson Oath of Membership (swearing in)
• Cadet Abby Bigelow Oath of Membership (swearing in)
• Cadet Quinn Boschee Oath of Membership (swearing in)
• Advisor Detective Halima Khalifa Advisor appreciation award
• Trooper Tarek Chase Instructor of the Year

Congratulations to the cadets and advisors on another great year! The Public Safety Cadets thank the community for their support of the organization.

We all have hidden talents and or are working towards goals either personally or professionally. We want to share those accomplishments in this quarterly newsletter. Don't be shy! Share your story or something you find interesting about a co-worker to be considered in future employee newsletters with Communications Specialist Kari Schmidt.