Author Archive: Kari Bodine

Dave Carlsrud

9.29.2025 Mayor’s Message

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Greetings, 

  • Our Street and Electrical Departments have done great jobs cleaning up fallen trees, cutting trees and limbs that endanger power lines from the June storm and our Transfer Station has burned over 4 million pounds of trees. To all our city employees who helped clean up from said storm, we are grateful for your tremendous efforts.
  • For those of you who are considering flu shots and COVID-19 vaccinations this year, please check with your doctor or our City County Health for further information.
  • Saturday, VCSU celebrated a special homecoming with a parade, a large tailgating turnout and football game. It was great seeing all the people around town, Lokken Stadium full and many people standing around beautiful Dacotah Bank Field enjoying the game.
  • The McCarthy Hall Renovation at VCSU enhanced the already beautiful “face” of the university.  Please see the following links for the ribbon cutting and tour:  https://www.vcsu.edu/vcsu-celebrates-reopening-of-mccarthy-hall/
    https://www.vcsu.edu/mccarthy-hall-the-past-and-future-of-teacher-education/
  • Our Public Works Department was honored by Missouri River Energy Services with the WattSTAR Award for “The Utility That Never Stops,” recognizing our folks for their immeasurable work during and following the 2025 June storm. Congratulations and thank you everyone.
  • The 2025 Ryder Cup was won by the Europeans and was a competition that will be remembered for years. Friday and Saturday, the Europeans’ play was outstanding and on Sunday the Americans were fantastic as well. Going into the nine singles pairings Sunday there appeared to be NO chance, but the Americans rallied making it a dynamite finish! The Ryder Cup is such an emotional event and with approximately 250,000 fans, sportsmanship was a bit sketchy at times and sadly, a number of players were interrupted while “at address”. *Congratulations to Tommy Fleetwood as the 2025 Nicholas-Jacklin Award recognizing sportsmanship, integrity and teamwork.
  • Thank you to all who provide and proof material for this column.
  • “In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don’t.” ~ Blaise Pascal

Blessings, Pray, be Respectful and Grateful,
Dave Carlsrud

Dave Carlsrud

9.22.2025 Mayor’s Message

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Hello Folks, 

  • Well, rain had missed us for quite awhile and it seemed the mosquitoes even diminished. However, our rain gauge showed 3.12 inches Saturday afternoon and the grass is growing to “beat the band”.
  • Sunday the Valley City Fire Department (VCFD) held its “Family Funday” with trap shooting, golf (rained out), bouncy toys and capped with a family picnic at the Eagles. There was a nice turnout and it is always fun seeing the young families relaxing and having fun. Thank you to our VCFD and all who facilitated a great day for all.  
  • Last Friday the VCPS Homecoming Parade was held in the rain. Playing in the rain use to be “fun” and so, all who were in or came out to watch the parade, YAY!
  • VCSU Homecoming has a plethora of activities upcoming this week; some of which are The Bill Osmond Fun Run, volleyball, McCarthy Hall ribbon cutting, Hall of Fame celebrations, parade and football. Have a great time everyone!
  • We had a number of Valley City representatives who attended the North Dakota League of Cities (NDLC) Annual Meeting. There was an abundance of educational opportunities pertaining to the needs of cities, large and small. Some presentations involved cybersecurity, small government review processes, grants and funding opportunities, data center updates, AI applications, oil development and more. Thanks to our city team for attending and to the NDLC for facilitating a great conference.
  • Do you have a friend you haven’t visited for a while? Call, e-mail or text, it could “make the day” for both of you.
  • Being a public power community and a Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) member, we are served by a Regional Transmission Organization (RTO). Our RTO is the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) which provides reliability in the electric power grid by calling for varying types of generation to meet demand and buying the least expensive first. That said, Valley City has been blessed with reliable, adequate and affordable electric power.
  • Thank you to all who provide and proof material for this column.
  • “One man practicing good sportsmanship is far better than a hundred teaching it.”     ~ Knute Rockne

Blessings, Pray, be Respectful and Grateful,

Dave Carlsrud

Construction map for Sept. 10, 2025.

Construction Notice – Wednesday, September 10

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Construction Notice – Wednesday, September 10

To ensure safety and minimize traffic disruption, Valley City Public Works will be making road repairs at the intersection of Main St E & 2nd Ave NE on Wednesday, September 10, starting at 6:00 AM.

Work is expected to take 1–2 hours. The road will remain open to traffic during this time, but drivers are encouraged to use alternative routes if possible.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation!

Construction map for Sept. 10, 2025.

Construction Notice from Barnes County

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Construction Notice from Barnes County – A portion of Barnes County 17 South will be closed for a culvert replacement beginning on Tuesday, September 9th at 7:30 a.m. with a tentative reopening of 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 10th.

No detour will be provided. Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes.

A road closure map for Sept. 9-10, 2025.

Public Works Service Center Complex Update August 2025

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Lots 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, East Riverside Park Addition – 1416 Main Street East

August 2025 Service Center Complex Update

Delivery of building

  • On March 4, the Board of City Commissioners approved the purchase of a pre-engineered metal building, which when finished will house 40,438 square feet of equipment storage, shop space, and office facilities for the various public works departments.
  • Foundation work began over the summer.
  • Building components began arriving in August.
  • Construction is expected to begin this fall.

Soil remediation

  • Heavy rains on August 5 required additional mitigation for the land treatment site on Lot 3, Industrial Park Addition (south of former Four Bottle Drive).
    • Existing berms on Lot 3 were built to a height of four feet around the perimeter. This added two feet of buffer in addition to the two feet required by the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ).
    • Additional bio rolls were placed outside of berms for added protection.
    • Weekly Storm Water Pollution Protection Plan inspections by McGough Construction continue, as well as additional inspections any time a rain event exceeds a quarter-inch.
  • NDDEQ sent permit approval for farming soil on additional land further west in Industrial Park Addition (Lot 5).
    • Berms on Lot 5 were built to five feet around the perimeter which included three feet of buffer in addition to the two feet required by the NDDEQ.
  • NDDEQ site visit.
    • City Staff took a member of the Solid Waste Program with the Division of Waste Management to all current sites so they could take pictures and document that NDDEQ requirements were being met. Sites included both the land treatment sites in Industrial Park Addition and new Service Center Complex site at 1416 East Main Street. Earlier that day they had also been to the temporary holding site at the landfill.
    • NDDEQ recommended that some of the stormwater be hauled off from the land farming detention ponds to make room for possible future rain.
    • The City contacted the Division of Waste Management and Hazardous Waste Program to update the existing lagoon permit to include industrial waste.
    • Approval was given to haul the held stormwater from the sites to the lagoon.
  • Permit requirements for berm setbacks limited land available to farm soil. This required the City to seek additional acreage to farm contaminated soil. Additional sites were identified.
    • South Half of the SW Quarter of Section 27, TWP 140N, Range 58W (Barnes County, immediately south of City limits).
      • Approved by Board of City Commissioners on August 19, pending final discussions with owner.
      • NDDEQ staff conducted a visit at the new proposed site. While they were here, they also inspected the temporary holding site at the landfill, the Service Center Complex site, and the permitted soil treatment sites.
      • During final discussions with the owner title issues arose which will take time to resolve. As a result, two more sites were selected (see below), while the original site is still available for a backup, if needed.
    • NE Quarter of Section 10, TWP 141N, Range 59W (a portion of 98.9 acres, Barnes County, private land 15 minutes north of City limits).
      • NDDEQ Solid Waste Program with the Division of Waste Management completed site visit.
      • Approved by Board of City Commissioners on September 2, 2025.
      • Permit application submitted to NDDEQ.
    • Auditor’s Lot 2 of the NE Quarter of Section 31, TWP 140N, Range 58W (31.45 acres, Barnes County, city-owned property near treatment lagoons).
      • NDDEQ Solid Waste Program with the Division of Waste Management completed site visit.
      • Approved by Board of City Commissioners on September 2, 2025.
      • Permit application submitted to NDDEQ.

Soil sampling

  • Soil sample test pits were taken within the proposed paved areas of the project site in mid-August. A total of 10 samples were obtained. Results from this testing were received by the City on September 3 with all samples exceeding the 100 mg/kg of total petroleum hydrocarbons threshold. This material had been previously accounted for in the land treatment quantities. Testing was done to determine if it could be excluded from the treatment.
  • Soil samples were also obtained from the bottom of the sand/salt tent excavation at a depth of 5 to 6 feet. Two base samples were obtained and submitted for lab analysis. Results were favorable with lab analysis results all below the total petroleum hydrocarbons threshold of 100 mg/kg and no other parameters were detected above the laboratory reporting limit.

The Public Works Service Center Complex project continues to move forward and remains within the approved budget.

8.25.2025 Construction Notice – Seal Coat

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**UPDATE – SEAL COAT**

The start of the seal coat work has been delayed. Work is still anticipated to start in parts of the northeast and northwest the evening of Tuesday, August 26th, 2025. Work in the other areas will continue throughout the remainder of the week. Please pay attention to no parking and/or parking lot closures. Please contact KLJ at (701)845-4980 with any questions.

Construction Notice – Paving Improvement Districts 129 & 132 (Seal Coat)

Seal coat work on Paving Improvement District 129 & 132 is scheduled to begin the week of August 25th-29th. Work is tentatively scheduled to begin on Tuesday, August 26th, 2025 and finish on Friday, August 29th, 2025, weather pending. No parking signs will be installed a minimum of 48 hours prior to the start to accommodate this work. The parking restriction only applies to daylight hours on the days the seal coat work is scheduled (6 am – 10 pm). Residents will have access to their homes and driveways. Intermittent interruptions are to be expected while driving on these streets but should be short.

The following City parking lots will be closed during the seal coat work (see map). These lots will be closed the morning of the seal coat work and reopened by the end of the day. Parking lot restrictions will only be in effect for one day. It is currently anticipated that this work will be completed on Tuesday, August 26th but is subject to change.

• Our Saviors Lutheran Church (Behind Central Ave Pharmacy/Valley Officeworks)

• Parking Lot in Southeast Corner of 2nd Ave NW/3rd St NW (Old Bloom N Craft lot)

• North of Post Office

• City Hall Parking Lot

• Veterans Memorial Park Lot

• Lot west of Senior Center

If you have any questions regarding the project, please contact KLJ at (701)845-4980.

Dave Carlsrud

8.25.2025 Mayor’s Message

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Hello Everybody, 

  • Please be alert for school buses and youngsters around them.  When the “STOP Arm” is extended, you must stop! It is for safety and it is the law!  
  • Child Passenger Safety Week is Sunday, September 21, to Saturday, September 27.  Does your child or grandchild have an important need to be addressed in the event of an emergency? First responders need said information to provide correct and timely treatment. Barnes County residents, please contact Fire Chief, Scott Magnuson at: smagnuson@valleycity.us or 701-845-3351.
  • “Hydro is Here”! Sunday was National Hydropower Day and for over 140 years, hydropower has fueled the nation with clean, renewable energy. Valley City benefits as about 70% of its power is hydropower.
  • August 23rd is the Dakota Riders Hill Climb in scenic Valley City with riding beginning at 10:00 AM. It is entertainment for young and old so bring your lawn chair and enjoy a great event. See: https://www.newsdakota.com/2025/08/19/dakota-riders-hill-climb-august-23/
  • Cleaning house, moving or the like; you can rent dumpsters locally. Just call 701-845-0380.
  • Thirty-four-year-old Tommy Fleetwood won the PGA Tour Championship Tournament which is huge, but it was also his FIRST PGA Golf Tournament Sunday win! There were great expressions of love and sportsmanship by his competitors and fans, the way it should be.
  • The Central Avenue and 2nd Street traffic signal is somewhat skewed due to the wind. It will be straightened though it will be inconvenient for a bit. Please be patient, thank you.  
  • Transferring our garbage to landfills that will accept it is becoming more and more expensive. You can help reduce that cost by recycling as recycling costs less than if we send to landfills. Please try recycling for a month.
  • “Veteran” Major League Baseball (MLB) Fans may remember when numerous players played a whole career with one team. In 1970 Curt Flood successfully sued MLB (Flood V Kuhn) resulting in “Free Agency”. Beginning in 1976 said judgment allowed players to negotiate contracts with other teams when their current contracts expired. It was a huge change in MLB.
  • Thank you to all who provide and proof material for this column.
  • “Strength lies in differences, not in similarities.”                   ~ Stephan Covey

Blessings, Pray, be Respectful and Grateful,

Dave Carlsrud

Construction Notice – Shared Use Path

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The City of Valley City is excited to share that construction is underway on a new 10-foot-wide concrete sidewalk/shared-use path along Wintershow Road. A shared-use path is a paved trail designed for both pedestrians and bicyclists, making it safer and easier for everyone to get around. This segment will run from 8th Avenue SW to approximately 2nd Avenue SW near AgCountry Farm Credit Services.
Work began a few weeks ago with traffic control setup and utility locates. This week, crews have started grading and preparing the area for the aggregate base, with concrete placement tentatively scheduled to begin the week of August 18. The project is on track for completion by September 13, 2025.
Currently, there are no sidewalks or other pedestrian facilities along this section of Wintershow Road. This area is home to destinations that attract both foot and bicycle traffic, including the Winter Show building, Medicine Wheel Park, apartment complexes, hotels, restaurants, businesses, and a church. Once complete, the path will connect southeast Valley City neighborhoods—including three large apartment complexes—to the existing sidewalk system along 8th Avenue SW. This will provide direct, safe access to gas stations, athletic fields, Washington Elementary School, and the Gaukler Family Wellness Center.
This project is part of a larger vision to create a connected trail network in Valley City that promotes safe routes and encourages healthy, active lifestyles. It is the first of two planned projects along Wintershow Road, with the second phase—extending the shared-use path from 8th Avenue SW to 5th Avenue SE—scheduled for 2026. Funding for these projects comes from the NDDOT’s Transportation Alternatives Program, with local matching funds provided by the City’s Tourism and R&R Funds.

Public Works Service Center Complex Update July 2025

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Lots 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, East Riverside Park Addition – 1416 Main Street East

July 2025 Service Center Complex Update

Status Update

The City of Valley City is on track with its Public Service Center Complex project as it continues to meet environmental requirements and financial expectations. The City has been collaborating with the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) and KLJ Engineering to ensure that any contaminants found are properly mitigated.

Initial fieldwork began in mid-2024 and at the time, the NDDEQ indicated no additional work was required. During the February 2025 testing process, a contamination release was detected, and soil was transferred to the landfill and stockpiled per NDDEQ recommendation.

In June 2025, additional stockpile and excavation samples indicated that they contained elevated levels of contaminants. Several options and costs for contaminated soil management were considered. The closest authorized available disposal site identified was the WM-Dakota Landfill in Gwinner, ND at a cost of approximately $2 million while treating soil locally was estimated just under $300,000. The City of Valley City chose to pursue local land treatment of the material to preserve soil resources, reduce landfill volume, and reduce overall costs of the soil management.

By following NDDEQ guidelines on land in Barnes County, approved remediation methods will protect neighboring soil and water. The City has taken diligent steps including continual testing, assessing, and mitigation of contaminants. The City of Valley City has taken a proactive approach throughout the environmental review and soil management process. By working closely with the NDDEQ, incorporating contingency planning, and selecting a cost-effective land treatment solution, the project remains environmentally compliant and financially responsible as it moves forward, assuring the Public Service Center Complex remains in line with the approved budget.

A DETAILED TIMELINE OF THE INTIAL TESTING AND FINDINGS IS PROVIDED BELOW.

Monthly updates will be provided in future posts.

August 2024

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Completed

  • The Phase I report identified a 2003 Phase II ESA with multiple soil samples submitted for laboratory analysis and results all below regulatory criteria. At the time, the NDDEQ, formerly ND Department of Health, issued a letter stating no additional work was required. Further investigation through an updated Phase II ESA was recommended, since the 2003 Phase II ESA may not represent the current site contamination conditions.
    • Nothing was found to stop the project from moving forward. This remains the case as of today.

December 2024

  • Initial field work conducted with VCPW excavating test holes

February 2025

Phase II Environmental Site Assessment

  • Soil and environmental borings were conducted and laboratory analysis was completed.
  • Received analytical report on Feb. 20, 2025 with notification of documented soil impacts throughout the site (ie: levels above 100 mg/kg).
    • KLJ completed required spill notification to NDDEQ on Feb. 21, 2025.

April 2025

Phase II Environmental Site Final Assessment Completed and Submitted to NDDEQ

  • During project planning and construction, samples were collected from the soil generated from the proposed building footprint. Calculated total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) analytical results of these samples exceeded the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) Cleanup Action Level of 100 mg/kg. These calculated TPH analytical concentrations were comprised primarily of TPH oil range organics (ORO) and diesel range organics (DRO) with little to no gasoline range organics (GRO). Additionally, no benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, or total xylenes were detected in any of the representative stockpile samples analyzed.
    • City contacted NDDEQ about removal of tanks on site.
    • NDDEQ approved removal of tanks without further documentation. Additional samples were taken and submitted from tank and oil water separator sites.
  • Soil from previously identified contamination release was transferred to the landfill and stockpiled per NDDEQ recommendation.

June 2025

  • Continued communication with NDDEQ
  • NDDEQ provided sampling direction and then field samples were collected from stockpiles, bases and sidewalls and submitted to the testing lab.

July 2025

  • Soil tests determined that the current stockpiles were above the allowed 100 mg/kg. A virtual meeting took place with the NDDEQ to discuss management options. The NDDEQ agreed that this material is a good candidate for land treatment of petroleum contaminated soil based analytical concentrations of TPH ORO, TPH DRO, and TPH GRO.
  • Samples taken from the bottom of the open excavation indicated contamination levels below the NDDEQ guideline of 100 mg/kg. Sidewall tests outside the building excavation were greater than the 100 mg/kg, however no further mitigation is needed as establishing a baseline level fulfills the necessary requirement.
    • NDDEQ Division of Waste Management allows treated material to be reused.
      Untreated materials would need to be brought to an authorized landfill for disposal.
    • Costs were assessed to haul the contaminated soils to the WM-Dakota Landfill in Gwinner, ND or haul the contaminated soils to approved local lots and treat in place. Hauling soils to Gwinner would cost approximately $2 million while hauling soil locally was estimated just under $300,000.
      • After considering all feasible options for contaminated soil management, the City of Valley City chose to pursue land treatment of the material to preserve soil resources, reduce landfill volume, and reduce overall costs of the soil management.
  • NDDEQ did an in-person site visit to assess proposed locations.
  • General Land Treatment Permit was approved for city-owned land on Lot 3, Industrial Park Addition (south of former Four Bottle Drive) with a maximum treatment depth of six inches.
    • Contaminated soil is spread out in a thin layer on a designated area of land. It’s then “farmed” like a field—meaning it’s tilled, aerated, and sometimes mixed with nutrients or microbes. This process helps natural bacteria and environmental conditions break down the harmful chemicals in the soil over time. The goal is to reduce the contamination to safe levels set by the NDDEQ. The City will follow treatment processes until the soil meets NDDEQ standards. NDDEQ estimated this process to be complete in 1-2 years if no additional tilling or aeration is done. This process could be expedited if additional action is taken.
    • Permit requires berm to be built 100 feet off adjacent properties. Guidance was given from NDDEQ for berm requirements, and they stated that it needed to be sufficient to prevent run on/off. KLJ was consulted and based on existing topography, berm height placements were established. Site clearing was completed and the berm was constructed per NDDEQ requirements. In addition to the permit required berm, 8-inch biorolls were added around the site as an additional precaution, not as a requirement.
    • Valley City Public Works will be screening debris from the soils after it is hauled and before it is spread to the approved six-inch land treatment depth.

The Public Works Service Center Complex project continues to move forward and remains within the approved budget.

Sanitary Sewer Public Meeting

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Notice of Public Meeting:

Tonight, July 24th, 2025, at 5:15PM at City of Valley City, City Hall
220 3rd Street NE, Valley City, North Dakota.

To discuss the proposed Sanitary Sewer Improvement District 72 Project in Valley City, North Dakota. The proposed project would consist of Sanitary Sewer Main Relining and Sanitary Manhole Rehabilitation.