Alderman Jim Hatlelid of Ward 3 is the new president of the Minot City Council. He replaces Alderman Dean Frantsvog.
The council elected Hatlelid as president and Alderman Blake Krabseth of Ward 6 as vice president during its reorganizational meeting Tuesday. The council seated new members Amy Moen and Milt Miller in Ward 4. They were elected June 12.
Hatlelid was re-elected June 12 to the seat he has held since 2008. He also served from 1981 to 2004 on the council. Krabseth served 10-1/2 years in Ward 7 before moving from the ward and resigning in January 2009. He ran and was elected in Ward 6 in 2010.
Hatlelid will retain his chairmanship of the council's Airport Committee, while Krabseth will chair the Liquor and Gambling Control Committee. Scott Knudsvig remains as chairman of the council's Public Works and Safety Committee. Mark Jantzer replaces Chuck Barney as chairman of the Finance and Improvements Committee.
The council recognized Chuck Barney for his 12 years of service on the council in Ward 4. Barney did not seek re-election.
The council also approved an ordinance on first reading that is designed to expedite the rebuilding process for some homeowners in the flood zone. The ordinance would enable city staff to approve zoning variances in instances when applications do not increase the building's footprint, generate no protest and meet other specified criteria. Requests that don't meet the criteria will continue to go to the planning commission for review.