The City Commission Meeting began on Tuesday, July 21, 2020 at 5:00 PM CT, at City Commission Chambers, 254 2nd Avenue NE, Valley City, ND. Members of the public were not permitted in the Commission Chambers due to COVID-19 and as allowed in ND Executive Order 2020-16.
Members of the public may view the meeting online (https://zoom.us/j/97914864324?pwd=WU9HcjJhSDVaZmwvRnQxQjVkWmlxZz09) Password 9PhqpQ or listen by calling (1 253 215 8782) Webinar ID: 979 1486 4324 Password 481130
President Carlsrud called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM.
Members present: Commissioner Magnuson, Commissioner Bishop, Commissioner Erickson, Commissioner Gulmon.
Others present: City Administrator Crawford (entered at 5:01), City Attorney Martineck, Deputy Auditor Klein, City Assessor Hansen (by Zoom), Building/Fire Inspector Andersen, Public Works Accountant/Manager Jacobson, Fire Chief Magnuson, Police Chief Hatcher, Chad Petersen from KLJ.
Approval of Agenda
Removed N2
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Bishop moved to approve the minutes from July 7, 2020 meeting, seconded by Commissioner Erickson. Motion carried.
Approval of Consent Agenda
- Approve Mechanical Contactor License for Laney’s Inc.
- Approve Block off Street Application for the VC Chamber of Commerce on July 22nd for Crazy Daze.
Commissioner Gulmon moved to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Commissioner Magnuson. Motion carried.
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
Ordinance
Approve second and final reading of Ordinance 1058, an Ordinance Creating Section 20-04.01 to extend City Sales, Use & Gross Receipts Tax dedicated to Permanent Flood Protection.
Commissioner Magnuson moved to approve the second and final reading of Ordinance No. 1058, seconded by Commissioner Erickson. The motion passed unanimously.
Approve second and final reading of Ordinance No. 1062, an ordinance to amend and reenact sections 14-8-07 and 14-08-20 of the Valley City Municipal Code related to penalties for striking unattended motor vehicle and driving without liability insurance.
Commissioner Gulmon moved to approve the second and final reading of Ordinance No. 1062, seconded by Commissioner Bishop. The motion passed unanimously.
Resolution
Approve Resolution 2258, a resolution accepting bid and awarding contract for Permanent Flood Protection Erosion Mitigation Phase 1 (Woodland Park Riverview Drive). (KLJ Engineer)
Chad Peterson from KLJ stated bids were open last Friday for project, two bids were received. Low bid was Strata Corporation out of Grand Forks with a bid of $445,914.96 and Scherbenske Inc. out of Jamestown at $505,910.00. These bids are under the Engineers estimate and KLJ recommends awarding the contract to Strata Corporation.
Commissioner Magnuson moved to approve Resolution No. 2258, seconded by Commissioner Bishop. The motion passed unanimously.
New Business
Approve Special Alcohol Beverage Permit for the Valley City Eagles Aerie 2192 on Central Ave-200 Block for Summer Nights on Central Event on 7/23/2020, 7/30/2020, 8/20/2020 and 8/27/2020. Commissioner Gulmon moved to approve the Special Alcohol Permit, seconded by Commissioner Erickson. The motion passed unanimously.
Census 2020 Report (Mayor Carlsrud/Fire Chief Magnuson) Fire Chief Magnuson thanked everybody who has already completed their census also. Valley city is at 70% completed. Census takers will be going door to door only to those who they show have not completed the census. They will observer social distancing and will have a badge for identification. Fire Chief Magnuson encouraged everyone to complete their census if they have not already. The census takes place once every 10 years and is important information used to determine how much money is appropriated for the city and county to use for various projects and departments. For each individual that does not complete the census we will lose approximately $19,000 over 10 years. Mayor Carlsrud added, “If you complete the census before, they won’t come knocking on your door.”
City Administrator’s Report
City Administrator Crawford reported on meeting regarding the lights in the park. Work was requested to start this fall. After discussing with Marshall Senf the lights that were originally chosen matched the others in the Streetscape project but they direct the light more to the ground. Marshall recommended the acorn shaped lights which would emit a brighter glow and also help with safety concerns. Chad Peterson (KLJ) spoke with Tyler Jacobsen (VCPR) whose main concern was having glass in the park. The acorn lights are polycarbonate, not glass, whereas the previous lights were glass so Tyler agreed the acorn lights would be the best decision. Valley City Parks and Rec will need to sign a waiver stating the City can start on the project waiving the assessment notification process.
City Administrator Crawford went on to state she is continuing to meet with the department heads and discuss concerns and ideas, some of which have save us money. We also had a meeting with the company that handles our uniforms and addressed the concerns we have been having and will continue to monitor that situation.
City Administrator Crawford stated she attended the rescue drill and it was very impressive and thanked them for the invite.
City Updates & Commission Reports
Attorney Martineck reported on the opening for the Operations Superintendent and the City Engineer position. We did receive one internal application for the Operations Superintendent. As long as he meets the minimum requirement we should be able to have that filled within the next week. We received two full applications for the City Engineer position and will be discussing with the Commissioners and City staff on how to move forward with interviews for that position..
Deputy Auditor Klein reminded of the budget meetings next week.
Public Works Accountant/Manager Jacobson stated on 7/22/2020 it will have been one year since the recycling contract was signed. The original benchmark was set at 700 tons, they surpassed that at 992 tons. This year the benchmark will be set at 800 tons. Along with that as part of the contract, the recycling fee we have collected we passed on $62,760 to aid the recycling effort.
Building/Fire Inspector Andersen provided an update on the Love’s project stating work is moving forward. The equipment for the College is moved in and they are starting to drive pilings. The contractor for the Barnes County Jail was supposed to stop in for a permit but has not yet. Building/Fire Inspector Andersen thanked everybody as this will be his last meeting before he retires.
Fire Chief Magnuson the water is extremely high in Valley with a possible crest of 13.5 tomorrow. Cautioned citizens that the river is high and the current is strong recommends with these conditions people avoid being near the river.
Chad Petersen Phase 3 of flood protection, the flood walls have been poured and they’re working on the caps now. Projecting Phase 3 to be completed the middle of August.
5th Ave NW, rain has slowed things a little bit but they have been able to continue on the underground work. By the end of the week they should have all the utility work for Phase 1 completed. Completion date for Phase 1 is August 15th, if we get some decent weather things should come together pretty quickly.
Streetscape Phase 2 project, all changes were approved by DOT. Project is currently scheduled for Oct 16th. Final plans for bid openings are due to the DOT by August 7th.
Commissioner Erickson reminded that the grass site west of the Transfer Station is open 24/7. There will also be a curbside tree pick up the last Thursday and Friday in July and the last Thursday and Friday in September. If you need to schedule a pick up call Public Works.
Commissioner Magnuson encouraged everyone to get out and the community events. Crazy Daze Wednesday and the upcoming Summer Nights events. We have also noticed some vandalism on utility boxes. If you see this please call dispatch. Thanked Dave for all he has done.
President Carlsrud gave a shout out to all our city employees being busy with budgets and those in Public Works being busy with all the buyouts we’ve had and mowing. It’s been a real challenge so please be patient, we are trying to catch up. There has been a lot of additional work with the construction, our employees are scrambling and we appreciate all they are doing. Thanked Dave.