City Commission Finance Meeting
Valley City, North Dakota
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
2:30 PM
Called to Order
President Carlsrud called the meeting to order at 2:30 PM.
Roll Call
Members present: President Carlsrud, Commissioner Bishop via Zoom, Commissioner Magnuson, Commissioner Erickson, Commissioner Gulmon.
Other present: City Administrator Crawford, City Attorney Martineck, Finance Director Klein, Police Lieutenant Rustebakke, Administrative Assistant Hintz
Agenda Items
Review monthly bills/reports. Finance Director Klein reviewed the monthly bills and reports.
Review Change Order #1 for Paving Improvement District No. 126. Engineer Peterson reviewed the change order for Paving Improvement District No 126. Each item was discussed.
Discussion on the Annexation of the Oxbow Addition/Woodland Park area into the replat of the Woodland Park. This is the entrance and was not part of the original annexation. The Park Board has been reached out to regarding adding the golf course to the annexation. This does not affect the replat but makes sense to take care of when we are working on the replat. The consensus is to move forward.
Discuss creation of golf course alcoholic beverage license. Discussion took place on creating a new golf course alcoholic beverage license lead by Attorney Martineck. The consensus was to move forward with the license process.
Alternative subdividing and platting procedures. Valley City already has one of the quickest subdivisions and platting processes in the state. Questions came up whether we should have some exemptions to the platting process on the joining of 2 lots, lot split or a lot line adjustment. In those cases, as long as it was per code, it would not need to go to the Boards for approval, the planning administer would approve it would go forward without formal action of either Commission. This will be sent to Planning & Zoning for their view.
Discuss application process for zoning nonconformities. After some discussion,this item will be sent to Planning & Zoning for their view.
Discuss Paving Improvement District 130 Protests. A Protest with signatures was received with over 52% of the area protesting. James Jensen, Todd Ingstad and Cory Ravnaas shared their reasoning for the protest. The Commission’s consensus was to accept the protests, start the paving project over with a new paving district and move the official bid date to October.
Department Reports
Sanitation Department
Sanitation Supervisor Swart reported on the Electronic Disposal Week and how well it went. She hopes to have another week later this year. Reminder to have your garbage out by 7AM.
Electric Department
Electrical Superintendent Senf reported that his crew has taken down most of the holiday lighting. He has a couple guys monitoring load management 24/7. Review of last year’s outages showed that the power was on 99.999% of the time. Discussion was had on power to the new light posts. No special circuits will be added.
Fire Department
Fire Chief Magnuson shared a review of 2024’s calls. On dangerous buildings, the building on currently in Viking Trailer Court is in the process and being removed and there is one on Viking Drive that the owner has secured a crew for a spring demolition & removal. Assistant Fire Chief Coit gave a report on the 2024 Fire Extinguisher Service Report and we are up in receivables. He discussed that the more he does with servicing he has less time for inspections. As this is covered in our code, it was discussed and will be brought up at the next Finance Meeting. Coit also gave the 2024 Building Report. Residential builds were up, additions were down. Renovations were also up for the year. Commercial builds were down as well as additions but the renovations were up. New & Institutional builds and additions were both up. Total permits in general were all up.
Police Department
Police Lieutenant Rustebakke went over the Calls for Service Report for the Police Department. There was a compliance check held and 10 of the 14 establishments passed. The annual Fraternal Order of Police Kids & Cops Event was held and the majority of the Department helped. They are currently working an Active Shooter Training with CHI Mercy Hospital. There are several people going through back ground checks for hiring as well as they did hire 1 person who will be starting in February.
Street Department
Operations Supervisor Klemisch (via Zoom) shared that he signed with Pittsburgh Tank & Tower to have the John Deere tower painted this summer. VCSU will be paying a share to put their logo on the tower. He also signed an agreement with Midco Marine & Diving to dive the towers this summer. The Water Crew has been working on the Lead Line Inventory. The Street Crew is working on Christmas Tree pickup and painted the inside of the Pole Shed for housing of the sewer truck when the new shop is built. The Osh Kosh snow blower has been returned.
Administration
City Administrator Crawford discussed the Bills and Legislative Hearings that they will be attending that effect our City and Residents.
Agenda Items Continued
Discussion related to a Single-Family Housing Pilot Program. Jennifer Feist, with the Development Corp. explained the new program. The goals of the program are to increase housing inventory, increase our tax base, increase home ownership and increase population in Valley City and Barnes County. The proposed investments from the City were discussed. Invest $10,000 per new home that meets the program guidelines sourced from City funds, waiver of water and sanitary sewer tap fees including temporary meter charges, approve $118,750 sourced from the City Sales Tax dedicated to economic development, and fund up to six (6) homes initially.
Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 4:50PM.