04/16/2019 Commission Minutes

Valley City Commission Proceedings
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
5:00 PM, City Hall

President Carlsrud called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM.

Members present: Commissioner Magnuson, Commissioner Bishop, Commissioner Powell, Commissioner Erickson.

Others Present: City Administrator Schelkoph, City Auditor Richter, City Attorney Martineck, City Assessor Hansen, Public Works Accountant Jacobson, Building/Fire Inspector Andersen, Fire Chief Magnuson, Police Chief Hatcher, Deputy Auditor Klein, Chad Petersen from KLJ.

Arbor Day Proclamation

President Carlsrud read the Arbor Day Proclamation, proclaiming May 3, 2019 as Arbor Day.

Approval of Agenda – Addition of N9

Approval of Minutes

Commissioner Bishop moved to approve the minutes from April 2, 2019 & April 9, 2019 Board of Equalization meetings, seconded by Commissioner Powell. Motion carried.

Approval of Consent Agenda

  1. Approve Raffle Permit for Barnes County Wildlife Federation, Disabled American Veterans
  2. Approve Block off the Street for Valley City Fire Department on Central Avenue from 4th Street to 5th Street N on May 1, 2019
  3. Approve Block off Street for Valley City High School Prom on May 4, 2019 on 4th Street NW from Central Avenue to 2nd Avenue
  4. Approve Electrician and/or Plumber License for Hope Electric; Wrigley Mechanical, Inc.

Commissioner Bishop moved to approve consent agenda, seconded by Commissioner Erickson. The motion passed unanimously.

Public Comments

There were no public comments.

Resolution

R1) Consider Resolution No. 2195, a Resolution Accepting Bid and Awarding Contract for Paving Improvement District No. 119

R2) Consider Resolution No. 2196, a Resolution Accepting Bid and Awarding Contract for Paving Improvement District No. 119B

R3) Consider Resolution No. 2197, a Resolution Accepting Bid and Awarding Contract for Sanitary Sewer No. 64

R4) Consider Resolution No. 2198, a Resolution Accepting Bid and Awarding Contract for Storm Sewer Improvement District No. 52

R5) Consider Resolution No. 2199, a Resolution Accepting Bid and Awarding Contract for Water Main Improvement District No. 100

Chad Petersen from KLJ reported two bids for Paving Improvement Districts No. 119 & 119B, Sanitary Sewer Improvement District No. 64, Storm Sewer Improvement District No. 52, Water Main Improvement District No. 100 were received on April 3, 2019 as one contract. The engineer’s estimate was $2,891,161.70. The low bid was $3,346,199.25 which is 15.74% over Engineer’s estimate. The impact to the R&R fund is in excess of $360,000 as additional costs would be bore by the City due to existing caps to property owners. Due to impact to future projects, Petersen recommends postponing and re-biding the project in fall 2019. City Administrator Schelkoph concurred with Petersen.

Commissioner Magnuson moved to reject items R1 – R5, as the bids were over estimate, seconded by Commissioner Erickson.

Commissioner Powell inquired about factors to the overage. Petersen reported the concrete and storm sewer portions of the project were over estimate. Petersen also stated bids may be high due to the timing of the bid, completion/start dates.

The motion passed unanimously.

New Business

Consider transferring Access easement from the NDDOT (Love’s development) to create a right of way easement for the city that will support the extension of a south side frontage road along the interstate

City Administrator Schelkoph asked the Commission for approval to create a city street within the newly annexed portion of the City. NDDOT has retained access and ownership of the west side of Love’s property to ensure access for Swanberg Construction. To resolve the issue, Schelkoph asked NDDOT to allow the City to take over the easement which allows access to both Swanberg Construction & Love’s development. Schelkoph asked the Commission for permission to begin negotiations with NDDOT. Schelkoph stated his vision is to provide a frontage road along the south side of interstate while maintaining public access for Swanberg Construction and future development. Love’s will construct the road to the current guidelines and specifications of the City.

Commissioner Powell moved to approve the transfer of the access easement from NDDOT, seconded by Commissioner Bishop. The motion passed unanimously.

Approve bid for Electrical Department bucket truck from Terex in the amount of $221,650.00

City Administrator Schelkoph stated the City received two bids for a bucket truck to replace the old aerial truck. Schelkoph recommends accepting the low bid. Commissioner Bishop inquired if the current truck will be traded in. Schelkoph expects to sell the truck through bid process.

Commissioner Bishop moved to approve bid for purchase of bucket truck from Terex in the amount of $221,650; seconded by Commissioner Erickson. The motion passed unanimously.

Approve Permanent Flood Protection Phase IV buyout purchase at 310 2nd Ave SW for $185,000

City Administrator Schelkoph stated the buyouts properties are on the list approved by State Water Commission. Schelkoph stated there is $380,000 available to purchase buyout properties in the future. Schelkoph stated the properties presented today are for the Permanent Flood Protection Phase IV construction project with the exception of 537 4th Street SW which is in the City’s best interest as it is difficult to protect. The $11 million in construction funds is still being considered in 2019 ND Legislative Session.

Commissioner Erickson moved to approve the Permanent Flood Protection Phase IV buyout at 310 2nd Avenue SW, seconded by Commissioner Bishop. The motion passed unanimously.

Approve Permanent Flood Protection Phase IV buyout purchase at 206 4th St SW for $68,000

Commissioner Erickson moved to approve the Permanent Flood Protection at 206 4th Street SW, seconded by Commissioner Powell. The motion passed unanimously.

Approve Permanent Flood Protection Phase IV buyout purchase at 537 4th St SW for $114,000

Commissioner Bishop moved to approve the Permanent Flood Protection at 537 4th Street SW, seconded by Commissioner Erickson. The motion passed unanimously.

Approve Application for Property Tax Exemption for Improvement to Residential Building at 958 2nd St NW

City Assessor Hansen stated demolition has already begun. The applicant pulled the building permit last week. The guidelines state that “construction must not have begun prior to approval.” Commissioner Powell moved to approve the application for Property Tax Exemption for Improvement at 958 2nd Street NW, seconded by Commissioner Erickson.

Commissioner Bishop inquired if demolition is part of permit. Building Inspector Andersen stated the City does not issue a demolition permit as part of a remodel. City Administrator Schelkoph recommends approval.

The motion passed unanimously.

Consider request from South Central Adult Services for $20,000 to support transit program

President Carlsrud stated Pat Hansen, Director of South Central Adult Services inquired if funding approved for 2019. City Auditor Richter stated 2018 request was funded $5,000 from small projects and $15,000 from the electrical fund. President Carlsrud recommended that Hansen be in attendance for discussion. City Administrator Schelkoph recommends that with 60,000 rides a 25 cent rate increase would bring in $30,000. Commissioner Bishop asked to discuss with Hansen in attendance. Consensus was reached to discuss at the May finance and commission meetings.

Approve Special Alcohol Beverage Event Permit for American Legion at VCSU Student Union on April 23, 2019 for Development Corporation & Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet

Commissioner Magnuson moved to approve the Special Alcohol Beverage Event Permit for American Legion, seconded by Commissioner Erickson. The motion passed unanimously.

Approve Special Alcohol Beverage Event Permit for City Lights at VCSU Student Union on May 9, 2019 for VCSU Employee Recognition Dinner

Commissioner Erickson moved to approve Special Alcohol Beverage Event Permit for City Lights, seconded by Commissioner Bishop. The motion passed unanimously.

City Administrator’s Report

City Administrator Schelkoph reported the Spring 2019 flood threat has bene greatly reduced. The river is less than 12’ and the inputs to lake are going down. A reduction in outflows from dam is expected as early as tomorrow.

City Updates & Commission Reports

Public Works Accountant Jacobson reported on the Tyler Connect conference in Texas; Jacobson is prepared for the migration and changes with Incode 10.
Building Inspector Andersen announced that Cleanup Week is coming; please clean your yards.
Fire Chief Magnuson invited parents and Commissioners to attend Operation Prom Night on May 1. Water is still high – don’t use river yet.
Chad Petersen from KLJ stated Storm Sewer Improvement District No. 50 bids were received last week. Bids are $171,000 over the Engineer’s Estimate and will be discussed at the May 7 meeting. Streetscape Phase I construction is expected to begin in next few weeks. A public meeting for business owners will be held Thursday, April 25 at 6 PM. Permanent Flood Protection Phase II construction: most of floodwalls are done with few 15’ pours and columns remaining. Starting floodwalls by old powerhouse with goal to be done in early June. KLJ expects to do concrete work on Main Street in May-June.
Commissioner Erickson asked the public to please use recycling center, it is open.
Commissioner Powell encouraged the public to read the Times Record news article.
President Carlsrud thanked Times Record and Newsdakota. Work begins on alleys again. Congratulations to VCHS Speech Team for 3rd consecutive win.

Adjourn

Meeting was adjourned at 5:49 P.M.

Dave Carlsrud, President of the
City of Valley City Commission

Attested to by:
Avis Richter, City Auditor
City of Valley City

Posted in City Commission Minutes.