Valley City Commission Proceedings
Tuesday, January 21, 2020 5:00 PM
President Carlsrud called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM.
Members present: Commissioner
Bishop, Commissioner Erickson, Commissioner Powell (arrived at 5:05 PM).
Members absent:
Commissioner Magnuson.
Others present: City Attorney Martineck, City Auditor
Richter, City Assessor Hansen, Public Works Accountant Jacobson, Building
Inspector Andersen, Fire Chief Magnuson, Police Chief Hatcher, Chad Petersen
from KLJ.
Proclamation
President Carlsrud read the Proclamation declaring January
26 – February 1 as Catholic Schools Week.
Approval of Agenda – Removal of R6 (a & b)
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Bishop moved to approve the minutes from the
January 7, 2020 meeting, seconded by Commissioner Erickson. Motion carried.
Approval of Consent Agenda
- Approve Raffle Permit for Sheyenne Valley Friends of Animals,
Valley City High School Music Boosters
Commissioner Erickson moved to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Commissioner Bishop. The motion passed unanimously.
Public Comments
President Carlsrud
read a question: “Is the City hauling snow out of town?”
Commissioner Powell
arrived at 5:05 PM.
Resolution
Refinancing of 2008
Bonds by Essentia Health
- Approve Joint Powers Agreement by and among Cass
County, cities of Jamestown, Wahpeton, and Valley City, North Dakota for
Issuance of Revenue Bonds under Municipal Industrial Development Act
- Approve Resolution No. 2229, a Resolution
Approving the Issuance of Bonds by Cass County, North Dakota on behalf of
Essentia Health and its Affiliates under the Municipal Industrial Development
Act
Commissioner Bishop moved to approve R1a and R2a, seconded by Commissioner Powell. The motion passed unanimously.
Approve Resolution
No. 2230, a Resolution Approving the Replat of Lots 2 Through 17, Walkers
Addition
City Attorney Martineck stated this area is south of the
former City Auditorium. The purpose of the replat is to reflect the north 10’
of those lots that are currently occupied by 4th Street SW. The land
is owned by the City, Parks & Rec, and the University. Planning &
Zoning Commission recommends approval. Chad Petersen from KLJ stated the intent
is to build [permanent flood protection] on the between the street and the sidewalk.
Commissioner Bishop moved to approve Resolution No. 2230,
seconded by Commissioner Powell. The motion passed unanimously.
Approve the following
Resolutions for 2020 Valley City Public Works utility rate increase
- Resolution No. 2231, a Resolution Establishing
Electric Utility Rates
- Resolution No. 2232, a Resolution Establishing
Water Utility Rates
- Resolution No. 2233, a Resolution Establishing
Sewer Utility Rates
Public Works Accountant Jacobson stated the last rate
increase was done in 2016. The Water Department has an ongoing deficit and a 9%
increase is recommended. Electrical and Sewer departments are at 2% profit
margin and asking for 3% increase for Electrical Department and 4% increase for
Sewer Department.
The average increase is $5.86 per residential customer. Commissioner Powell moved to approve Resolutions No. 2231, 2232, 2233; seconded by Commissioner Erickson. The motion passed unanimously.
Approve the following Resolutions for Paving Improvement District No. 120
- Resolution No. 2234, a Resolution Creating
Paving Improvement District No. 120 (NDDOT Project# UGP-2-999(051), PCN 22280),
a mill and overlay project on Central Avenue S
- Resolution No. 2235, a Resolution Approving
Engineers Report & Directing Preparation of Detailed Plans, Specifications
& Estimates of Probable Cost for Paving Improvement District No. 120
Chad Petersen from KLJ stated special assessment district is
only for mill & overlay portion of Streetscape II. The last paving
improvements was in 2002 for seal coat and last surfaced in 1979.
Commissioner Bishop moved to approve Resolutions No. 2234
& 2235, seconded by Commissioner Erickson. The motion passed unanimously.
Approve the following
Resolutions for Paving Improvement District No. 121
- Resolution No. 2236, a Resolution Creating
Paving Improvement District No. 121 (2020 Seal Coat)
- Resolution No. 2237, a Resolution Approving
Engineers Report & Directing Preparation of Detailed Plans, Specifications
& Estimates of Probable Cost for Paving Improvement District No. 121 (2020
Seal Coat)
Chad Petersen from KLJ reported the corridors included
received overlays in 2017-2018. The goal is to provide a seal coat within 2-3
years. The estimated cost is $259,000 paid by Special Assessments ($172,000)
and the R&R Fund ($86,000).
Commissioner Bishop moved to approve Resolutions No. 2236
& 2237, seconded by Commissioner Powell.
Removed: Approve the
following Resolutions for grant application – North Dakota Main Street Program
sponsored by South Central Dakota Regional Council
- Resolution No. 2238, a Resolution of Sponsorship
- Resolution No. 2239, a Resolution Declaring Slum
and Blighted Area
New Business
Approve Construction
Engineering Contract for 5th Avenue NW Reconstruction Project in an
amount not to exceed $339,500.00 (Paving
Improvement District No. 118; Sanitary Sewer Improvement District No. 65; Storm
Sewer Improvement District No. 53; Watermain Improvement District No. 101)
Chad Petersen from KLJ stated the lighting has been removed
from the contract. VCPW will provide options for lighting at the February
finance meeting. There is minimal construction engineering for the lighting
with the City installing it. The preliminary schedule calls for construction to
start in mid-April and be completed in October. The south half will be
completed first; and then the north half will be completed. A pre-construction
meeting will be held with the public.
Commissioner Powell moved to approve the construction engineering contract, seconded by Commissioner Bishop. The motion passed unanimously.
Consider purchase of
EZ-Screen 1200XLS in the amount of $45,898.79 for the screening of compost
Public Works Accountant Jacobson stated this purchase was included in the capital budget. Rental of a machine is ½ the cost to outright purchase a machine.
Commissioner Erickson moved to approve the purchase, seconded by Commissioner Bishop. The motion passed unanimously.
Approve Gaming Site
Authorization for North Dakota Winter Show at the North Dakota Winter Show
Event Center
City Auditor Richter stated this request is through June 30,
2020. Commissioner Bishop moved to approve the gaming site authorization,
seconded by Commissioner Erickson. The motion passed unanimously.
Public Comments
Public Works
Superintendent Differding stated that snow is being dumped by the Old Mill; 5th
Avenue NE and at the Industrial Park.
Approve 2020 updates
to the Employee Policy & Procedure Manual
City Attorney Martineck asked for adoption of the Employee
Policy & Procedure Manual retroactive to January 1, 2020. Martineck
reviewed changes to the following sections:
- Sick
Leave Conversion, Sick Leave
Payback, and Sick Leave Payment
Upon Termination
- Background
checks
- Use or
Abuse of Alcohol and Other Drugs
- Policy
Review and Change
Commissioner Bishop moved to approve,
seconded by Commissioner Erickson. The motion passed unanimously.
City Updates & Commission Reports
City Attorney
Martineck stated the Transition Team will be meeting to discuss the City
Administrator position with plans to advertise next week.
Building Inspector
Andersen has received calls regarding snow removal. Andersen reminded that
it is illegal to push snow into the street. Andersen stated the City will
address corner visibility issues as they have time.
Commissioner Powell
thanked the snow removal crew.
President Carlsrud asked
the public to be respectful to others.
Adjourn
Meeting was adjourned at 5:33
PM.