If Rugby High School was not be able to hold 2020 graduation ceremonies on school grounds or the football field, the City of Rugby had another option for a location.

In an announcement Wednesday, Gov. Doug Burgum announced North Dakota schools would be able to use school facilities for graduations, provided proper cleaning, social distancing and safety precautions are observed.

In a regular meeting Monday evening, members of the Rugby City Council voted to make the Recreation Softball Complex available as an alternate location for graduation ceremonies on the weekend of May 22-24.

The motion stemmed from Rugby Public Schools Superintendent Mike McNeff contacting Rugby City Hall, inquiring as to whether or not the city would allow using the softball diamonds for graduation.

Ward 2 Councilman Gary Kraft said the inquiry may have been the school district doing its “due diligence.”

“I don’t know why (we would) be against this,” said Kraft, who made a motion to approve the request.

Ward 1 Councilman Bruce Allen Rheault was absent for the meeting.

Other actions

– The council approved a policy in which the city would allow private mobile home court owners to install and remove water meters for individual homes in their courts. The owner is responsible for all removals and installations. The city would bill each account with an installed meter $20 per month, maintain control of the curb-stops and would not bill $50 for installations or removals.

– The council approved a floodplain permit application, from the North Dakota Department of Transportation, for a project that would include replacing a section of the existing storm drain between 4th Street SW and 1st Street NW with a larger trunk line. The trunk line would outlet into a tributary that goes into Rush Lake.

– The council approved the second reading of Ordinance No. 424, which makes changes to Planning & Zoning Commission member compensation. Members who are not on city payroll would receive $50 per meeting they attend. Members who are on city payroll would receive no compensation.

– The council approved a task order from Advanced Engineering & Environmental Services, Inc.. Upon request from the city, AE2S would perform basic general engineering tasks, as well as services related to council and city-related meeting attendance. The city would pay for services rendered on an hourly basis plus expenses.

– The council approved proclamations for Police Week (May 10-16) and Emergency Medical Services Week (May 17-23).

– The council approved April meeting minutes, minutes from a special meeting on March 23, Convention & Visitors Bureau board meeting minutes from Feb. 6, bills, financial statements, Job Development Authority minutes and financials, and the Municipal Judge’s report.