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.
Approval of Agenda – Addition of Consent B(d) & D
Approval of Consent Agenda
- Approve 6 month (January 1 – June 30, 2020) Liquor license for the following establishments:
- My Bar
- Woodland Steakhouse
- Approve 2020 Tree Trimming & Removal Service License for the following establishments:
- PLCL/Johnny B’s Trees & Service
- Ross’ Tree Service
- Z’s Trees
- Pine Country Nursery, LLC
- Approve 2020 Mobile Home Park License for the following establishments:
- Olsberg Properties, LLLP
- Richard Plecity Trailer Court
- Rockwater, LLC
- Viking Drive Estates
- Approve Raffle Permit for Express Wrestling of VC
Commissioner Bishop moved to approve, seconded by Commissioner Powell. The motion passed unanimously.
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
New Business
Approve appointment of Bill Corwin to the Renaissance Zone Authority Board for remainder of three year term expiring June 30, 2022
City Auditor Richter reported Tony Kobbervig resigned from the Renaissance Zone Authority Board. Bill Corwin will fill the remainder of the term. Commissioner Powell moved to approve the appointment of Bill Corwin, seconded by Commissioner Magnuson. The motion passed unanimously.
Approve Renaissance Zone Authority Board recommendation for 5 year income tax exemption and 5 year property tax exemption for rehabilitation of 239 2nd Ave NW by L & B Properties and designate it as VC-121
Caron Berg and Tessa Lagein appeared. Berg stated the project will renovate the former Valley Drug building. Commissioner Bishop moved to approve the Renaissance Zone Authority Board recommendation for 5 year income tax exemption and 5 year property tax exemption for the full assessed value, seconded by Commissioner Powell. The motion passed unanimously.
Approve Application for Property Tax Exemption for Improvements to Residential Building at 617 10th Avenue SW
City Assessor Hansen recommended approval of application. Commissioner Bishop move to approve the application, seconded by Commissioner Magnuson. The motion passed unanimously.
Approve $50,000 per year for 3 year period of October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2022 with funds from City sales tax dedicated to economic development for Recruiting & Retention (R&R) Coordinator Position
Jennifer Feist on behalf of the Development Corporation (VDG) requested approval of the funding for the R&R Coordinator. Previously, the VDG has been funding the position internally. Now, the VDG requesting city funding for position. This position has helped fill the gap when Job Service left Valley City. To answer Commissioner Bishop’s question, Feist stated she expects this will be a reoccurring request.
Commissioner Erickson moved to approve, seconded by Commissioner Bishop. The motion passed unanimously.
Approve designation of Main Street Program to include East Half Block 10, West Half Block 11, North Half of Block 18 and Northeast Quarter of Block 19, North Half of Block 24 of Original Townsite
Jennifer Feist on behalf of the Development Corporation, stated the State of ND Division of Community Services Main Street Program and the South Central Dakota Regional Council are using existing HUD funds to rehabilitate buildings. The State of ND has prioritized the downtown district. The first step is for the City Commission to approve the map. Pre-applications from businesses will be due at the end of January; to be scored and ranked in February; full application from businesses in April.
City Administrator Schelkoph stated that an inventory will be completed by himself and Building Inspector Andersen to review the exterior of the building to determine if 25% of the buildings in the zone have 25% of the exterior to be repaired.
Feist stated there is a maximum of $40,000 award with at least $4,000 in match by the property owner. Feist stated the funding will be based on the score and ranking by the SCDRC. Businesses are competing within the 9 county region for funding. This is a 10 year program where funding depends on what’s available year to year.
Commissioner Powell moved to approve the designation of the Main Street Program, seconded by Commissioner Magnuson. The motion passed unanimously.
Approve designation of voting places for each precinct for 2020 electionCity Auditor Richter reported the City Election will be administered by the County which means it will be vote by mail with one polling place on election day at the County Court House. Commissioner Bishop moved to approve, seconded by Commissioner Erickson. The motion passed unanimously.
Approve Gaming Site Authorization for ND Chapters of Delta Waterfowl Inc on February 22, 2020 at the Valley City Eagles Club 2192Commissioner Magnuson moved to approve the gaming site authorization, seconded by Commissioner Erickson. The motion passed unanimously.
Approve Gaming Site Authorization for Valley City Baseball Association from January 1 – June, 30, 2020 at The Clubhouse Lounge
City Auditor Richter reported this is a new site authorization for Valley City Baseball Association. Commissioner Powell moved to approve, seconded by Commissioner Erickson. The motion passed unanimously.
Consider accepting closeout for Project No. SU-2-990(054)058 – Concrete Pavement Repairs, Curb & Gutter & Incidentals (Paving Improvement District No. 116)
Chad
Petersen from KLJ stated this is for the work completed in 2018 for the
concrete pavement repairs for 5th Avenue NE, 8th Avenue
SW and Wintershow Road. KLJ, City Administrator Schelkoph and NDDOT completed
the final inspection in November 2018. Additional repairs were needed and
completed in summer 2019.
Commissioner Erickson moved to approve, seconded by Commissioner Bishop. The
motion passed unanimously.
Approve contract of employment between City of Valley City and Chief of Police
City Administrator Schelkoph stated the contract will be four years with minimal changes – items specific to first term of employment were removed. Commissioner Bishop supported the contract. Commissioner Erickson asked why the position is not elected. City Auditor Richter stated that due to the Home Rule Charter, the position is appointed. Commissioner Bishop moved to approve, seconded by Commissioner Powell. The motion passed unanimously.
Approve Proposed Public Works Operating Budget, Capital Budget, and Streetscape II requests for 2020
Public Works Accountant Jacobson stated the department heads have reviewed the budgets. Jacobson stated that most departments have a one to two percent increase with an exception of the Street Department. The Street Department will increase 19.2% primarily due to snow removal. Jacobson stated changes include $120,000 transfer to the City; reduction of cost as City hauls garbage to Fargo; addition of recycling subsidy – this is offset by fees paid by customers; increase for the snow removal. The 2020 budget is $11.8 million versus the $11.6 million budget for 2019.
Jacobson stated the capital budget is $1.22 million. This is
following the depreciation in 2020 ($1.24 million). Jacobson outlined the major
projects: west end lift station; truck #76; new roll-offs (the garbage
containers) to haul to Fargo.
Jacobson stated the 2020 budget includes a cash expenditure of $250,000 for
Streetscape II project.
Commissioner Erickson moved to approve the Public Works Operating Budget, Capital Budget, and Streetscape II requests for 2020; seconded by Commissioner Powell. The motion passed unanimously.
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Bishop moved to approve the minutes from December 3, 2019 meeting, seconded by Commissioner Magnuson. Motion carried.
City Administrator’s Report
City Administrator Schelkoph attended the State Water Commission meeting at which the City was approved to use up to $3.67 million to cover the city’s cost share of the Permanent Flood Protection planned for 2019 – 2021.
Schelkoph reminded the public that the cars need to be moved after a snow event to allow City crews to clear the streets. Over winter, if crews can’t clean the street, it gets narrower causing a safety hazard.
Schelkoph reminded the public that snow emergency routes are separate – they must remain clear of cars during snow events. Cars will be towed.
City Updates & Commission Reports
Fire Chief Magnuson asked the public to clear fire hydrants. Magnuson stated the river is not safe, please keep kids off the river. The new ladder truck is expected on Friday. City Administrator Schelkoph thanked Fire Chief Magnuson for his work to purchase this truck used which saved the City $1 million versus a new ladder truck.
Police Chief Hatcher informed the public that Santa Cops & Kids occurs this Saturday. Hatcher asked the public to report concerns about cars on a street, please call the department.
Chad Petersen from
KLJ stated that the last pour at Bettins pump station occurred. The
temporary sheeting for the Master Lift has been driven towards the west.
Commissioner Bishop thanked the
departments for their work.
President Carlsrud thanked L&B Properties for their investment.
Adjourn
Meeting was adjourned at 5:50 P.M.