The City Commission Meeting began on Tuesday, September 15, 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.
President Carlsrud called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM.
Members present: President Carlsrud, Commissioner Magnuson, Commissioner Bishop, Commissioner Gulmon, and Commissioner Erickson.
Others present: City Administrator Crawford, City Attorney Martineck, Finance Director Richter, Deputy Auditor Klein, City Assessor Hansen, Fire Chief Magnuson, Police Chief Hatcher, Chad Petersen from KLJ
Approval of Agenda
No Changes
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Bishop moved to approve the September 1st, 2020 Finance and Commission Meetings and minutes from September 3, 2020 Special Commission Meeting seconded by Commissioner Magnuson. Motion carried.
Approval of Consent Agenda
- Approve raffle permit for Sheyenne Valley Friends of Animals held on 12/11/2020 at Duttons Valley Gallery.
Commissioner Gulmon moved to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Commissioner Magnuson. Motion carried.
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
Public Hearing
PH 1. Public Hearing for 2021 City Budget.
President Carlsrud declared the public hearing open.
Finance Director Richter stated she had not received any correspondence regarding the public hearing. The preliminary budget was submitted to the county before August 10th as required. Some budget meetings were held the end of July and beginning of August. At those meeting $1,407,200 to be levied for the 2021 budget.
Commissioner Magnuson moved to close the hearing, seconded by Commissioner Erickson. Motion carried.
Approve first reading of Ordinance No. 1065, an ordinance adopting the 2021 City Budget.
Commissioner Gulmon moved to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 1065, seconded by Commissioner Bishop. Motion carried.
Resolutions
1. Approve Resolution No. 2260, a resolution to advertise for bids for farm lease.
Decision was made to research the land value further before placing it for bids. Resolution will be added to next agenda.
2. Approve Resolution No. 2261, a resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of $300,000 water treatment assessment warrant for the 5th Ave NW Project.
Finance Director Richter stated we applied for and received a safe drinking water loan through the Bank of North Dakota for a warrant up to $300,000 for the water main on the 5th Ave NW project.
Commissioner Magnuson moved to approve Resolution No. 2261, seconded by Commissioner Bishop. Motion carried.
3. Approve Resolution No. 2262, a resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of $675,000 wastewater treatment assessment warrant for the 5th Ave NW Project.
Finance Director Richter stated this is for wastewater on the 5th Ave NW project. A low interest loan through the Bank of North Dakota and we would only draw the amount that we need to offset the special assessment.
Commissioner Gulmon moved to approve Resolution No. 2262, seconded by Commissioner Bishop. Motion carried.
New Business
1. Consider options for Building Inspector and City Engineer.
City Administrator Crawford gave options of putting out an RFQ for an engineering firm that would also handle the building inspections. Changing the position to a Project Manager/Building Inspector but would need to be a new job description. If we went with an RFQ and kept Mike Blevins we would have to look at our fee structure.
City Attorney Martineck stated he wasn’t comfortable reposting the job description as is for the same position due to the lack of candidates and the one we had declined the offer.
Commissioner Gulmon made a motion to put out and RFQ for and Engineer as well as producing a job description for a Project Manager/Building Inspector, seconded by Commissioner Magnuson.
Commissioner Bishop stated he spoke with a couple of the engineering firms regarding the RFQ. He stated their response was that they would not be interested in having someone in their firm in that position because that would make them ineligible to bid on jobs.
Roll Call: Magnuson-aye Gulmon-aye Erickson-aye Bishop-nay Carlsrud-aye
Motion Carried.
2. Consider RFP on 6th St NW Reconstruction.
City Administrator Crawford stated she spoke with Chad at KLJ and due to the things that go in place ahead of a project starting this needs to start now even though the project isn’t until 2022.
Commissioner Bishop moved to approve the RFP on 6th ST NW reconstruction, seconded by Commissioner Magnuson. Motion carried.
City Administrator’s Report
City Administrator Crawford stated today due to multiple issues we had some water mains break. Due to the loss of pressure there is a potential of contamination therefore the State of ND requires us to be placed in a boil advisory. We are continuing to get the information out the community. A water sample will be driven to Bismarck on Wednesday and the soonest we will receive the results is by Thursday afternoon.
City Administrator Crawford thanked Public Works, for being immediately on top of it. Also the office staff for handling all the calls. The Fire Department for bringing in staff to help with the fire hydrants.
City Updates & Commission Reports
Fire Chief Magnuson Census come to an end September 30th. Please make sure you have completed your census.
Battle of the Badges blood drive is October 13th and 14th. More information to come but if you can donate blood please do so.
Chad Petersen from KLJ provided project updates. Started on Phase II 5th Ave NW, I think last Tuesday they started on the sanitary sewer. Things are progressing.
City Commissioner Gulmon thanks to everyone involved in clean up week.
City Commission Bishop gave a shout out to the Police Department and the Fire Department and encouraged the community to thank them if they see them out and about.
City Commissioner Magnuson encourages everyone to get outside, walk and enjoy thecommunity.
President Carlsrud had a COVID spike the last few weeks. Social distance, wash your hands and use a mask if you are unable to social distance.
Thank you to everyone that helped with the water situation today. This may slow clean up week so be patient.
MRES training tomorrow and the next day that a number of employees will be sitting in.
Be safe and be well.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:43 PM.