The Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting will begin on Tuesday December 9th, 2025 at 4:00 PM CT, at City Commission Chambers, 220 3rd ST NE, Valley City, ND.
Members of the public may choose to view the meeting live online by clicking on this link https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81241976703 or listen by calling (1-346-248-7799)
Webinar ID: 812 4197 6703 DATE: December 9th, 2025 Time: 4:00 P.M.

1. Call meeting to order
2. Roll call.
3. Approve minutes from October 14th, 2025 meeting.
4. Building /Fire Inspector Report
5. Public Hearing – Conditional Use Permit for family daycare -648 3rd ST SW
   Recommendation to City Commission
   Declare Public Hearing Open
   Motion to Close Hearing
   Approve Conditional Use Permit for family daycare located at 648 3rd ST SW
   Roll Call: Erickson Carlblom Carlsrud Durheim Tykwinski Jacobson Schell
6. Public Hearing -Variance to increase number of children at daycare – 648 3rd ST SW
   Recommendation to City Commission
   Declare Public Hearing Open
   Motion to Close Hearing
   Approve variance to increase the number of children at daycare located at 648 3rd ST SW
   Roll Call: Tykwinski Carlblom Erickson Carlsrud Durheim Jacobson Schell
7. Public Hearing – Variance application to allow home occupation in garage located at 648 3rd ST SW
   Recommendation to City Commission
   Declare Public Hearing Open
   Motion to Close Hearing
   Approve variance application to allow home occupation in garage located at 648 3rd ST SW
   Roll Call: Durheim Carlblom Carlsrud Erickson Tykwinski Jacobson Schell
8. Public Hearing – Conditional Use Permit for home occupation of gunsmithing located at 648 3rd ST SW
   Recommendation to City Commission
   Declare Public Hearing Open
   Motion to Close Hearing
   Approve Conditional Use Permit for home occupant of gunsmithing – 648 3rd ST SW
   Roll Call: Carlblom Erickson Durheim Tykwinski Carlsrud Jacobson Schell
9. Adjourn

• Remember the Barnes County Salvation Army Service Unit is in the midst of its annual “Red Kettle Campaign. Please give what you can and “ring the bell”, it is heartwarming. For information, call Lenora at 701-840-1357 or Naomi at 701-541-1418. Thank you.
• Our change of seasons this year has been another unique experience, a longer fall, comfortable temperatures followed by snow, ice and cold! Over the weekend while Sue and I were walking, we were grateful to see the natural beauty of the very white blanket of snow. Hopefully it is about the right depth to ski, snowmobile and insulate water pipes.
• That there were more occurrences, please STOP for school buses when stop arms are displayed. Thank you.   
• December 7th was the 84th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The 1941 attack was a surprise military strike by the Empire of Japan on the United States Pacific Fleet at its Pearl Harbor Naval Base at Oahu, Hawaii. Two thousand Americans were killed and another thousand injured. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt announced a declaration of war December 8th entering the United States in World War II. Thank you to ALL veterans and remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
• Might you have some family and friends come to mind and wonder how they are doing? Tomorrow is not promised, how about calling someone and saying “hello.” it could make the day for you both.
• Parents and high school seniors who are customers of Valley City Public Works are encouraged to visit the Missouri River Energy Services website to apply for a $1,000 general college scholarship. The scholarship is for careers in energy, is renewable up to four years and applications are due in March.
• As winter was mentioned prior, driving slower is appropriate most of the time. Last week I was cruising along enjoying great road conditions, out of nowhere I was on “black ice” and breaking traction. Review winter driving tips and be safe.
• Thank you to all who provide and proof material for this column.
• “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.

Blessings, Prayer, Respect and Gratitude,

Dave Carlsrud

Greetings Everyone, 

• There have been a number of instances this fall where vehicles have ignored school bus stop arm signs.  Stopping is the law, it is NOT a suggestion!  Worse than breaking the law, there is a chance you could kill a child, not something with which any of us would want to live.  PLEASE respect the stop arm law.
• Winter weather seems to have arrived in Valley City as well as much of North and South Dakota.  Though I am hardly ever ready for the first snow, the very white blanket of insulating snow we have is quite pretty.
• I am grateful for the “Merry & Bright Carolers” who caroled along the Parade of Lights route and presented a few numbers at the Lighting Ceremony in Veterans Park.  Thank you for sharing your talents with us.
• Winter snow and ice events create especially hazardous driving conditions, even in town.  Our street crews do a great job cleaning snow and treating ice, remember the down town area and emergency routes are done FIRST.  Residential areas are later, we in those areas need to live with rough and icy roads until crews can reach us.  Generally winter driving needs to be a bit slower to be safe.
• Valley City’s Chamber of Commerce Parade of Lights was held Saturday.  A wonderful crowd on a beautiful light snowy, cool night about which Kaleen said “It was like a Hallmark Movie” was there for the parade, visiting friends and of course, parade candy.  Thank you to all who constructed and shared parade units.
• Kudos to our Electric Department for great design and installation of the beautiful lighting in Veterans Park and City Hall Park.  Congratulations Hatley Thoreson, winner of the Christmas in the Valley Button artwork.  He had the honor of throwing the “master switch” to illuminate Veterans Park.  Thank you Hatley
• I hope your Thanksgiving was as Blessed as ours.  Sue made a great meal for a group of family and friends which we followed with dessert, visiting and some football.  We are grateful for family and friends.
• Thank you to all who provide and proof material for this column.
• “There are friends, there is family, and then there are friends that become family.”     ~ Unknown

        Blessings, Prayer, Respect and Gratitude,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud

Hi Folks, 

• Congratulations to the Valley City High School Volleyball Team on its runner-up finish in the North Dakota High School Activities State Tournament.  Achievements like these “Take a Village”, players, coaches, administration and fans have all contributed in some way to the season’s success.
• Thanksgiving originated with a harvest feast in 1621 with the Wampanoag people and English settlers in Plymouth, Massachusetts.  Thanksgiving today is one of sharing gratitude, feasting, and spending time with family.  “I come from a family where gravy is considered a beverage.” ~ Erma Bombeck.  Blessings to all.
• Saturday will be “Christmas in the Valley” with activities downtown beginning at noon.  The day will be capped at 6:00 by the Holiday Light Parade followed by the Tree Lighting Ceremony in Valley City’s Veterans Park. 
• The Valley City Barnes County Development Corporation (VCBCDC) enjoyed very good attendance for its annual meeting at Sabir’s.  A nice lunch, introductions of board members, a panel discussion were all parts of the informative program.  The VCBCDC is continually identifying opportunities to aid businesses, ease costs for home building etc. in Valley City and throughout Barnes County.  Thank you all for serving.
• The Barnes County Salvation Army “Red Kettle Campaign” is underway.  Funds from the campaign aid people in “bridging the gap” from hard times to being self-sufficient.  To participate by “ringing the bell”, please call Lenora at 701-840-1357 or Naomi at 701-541-1418.  Thank you.
• DO NOT throw pumpkins or other gourds in the garbage as they are very heavy increase costs, please put them in the 24-7 Grass Site. 
• For holidays occurring during the week, the garbage pickup schedule may be altered and will usually be the day before or after said holiday.  Be sure to have your container out by 7:00 AM with garbage bagged.  For schedule changes please visit the city’s Facebook page, Instagram page, Newsdakota, Times-Record or call 701-840-0380.
• Thank you to all who provide and proof material for this column.
• “Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer.”     ~ Maya Angelou

        Blessings, Prayer, Respect and Gratitude,

Dave Carlsrud

On Thursday, November 20, 2025 starting at 6pm, the Valley City Fire Department will be conducting training exercises at 1010 2^nd St SE and 567 Viking Drive. There will be a presence of fire trucks and law enforcement officers. Once the training is complete, these properties will be allowed to burn down. Throughout the night police and fire officials will continue to check for hot spots. Please contact Scott Magnuson with any questions at 701-845-3351.

City Hall and Public Works offices will be CLOSED on Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28 for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

The Transfer Station will be CLOSED on Thursday, November 27. Thursday’s garbage will be picked up on Friday, November 28. Please have garbage out by 7 a.m. to ensure pick up.

Hello Everybody, 

• Here we are, a little more than a week before Thanksgiving and our weather forecast is in the 40’s.  Enjoy, as not every fall season is this pleasant.
• More and more beautiful Thanksgiving Decorations are showing up around town.  One family has warm decorations on the front of their house, a delightful mural covering the whole side of the garage and all is crowned with an American Flag.  Thank you to all who have made time to beautify our city.
• Valley City State University (VCSU) and North Dakota State University will be searching for new presidents.  VCSU’s Dr. Al LaFave is moving to Northern State University and NDSU’s Dr. David Cook is moving to Iowa State University.  “Every end is the result of a new beginning” ~ Unknown
• Last week at our Valley City School Board meeting, it was voted to extend the School Resource Officer (SRO) partnership with the city of Valley City.  SRO Sean Hagen protects, builds relationships and provides good guidance for our students.  Thank you everyone.
• I attended a meeting where a topic was “Giving Back”.  Churches, schools, charities, hospitals, committees for each of the aforementioned and more provide opportunities for all of us to give back.  Monetary, clerical, committees, cleaning, yard work are some ways we can help the entities that helped us over time.  Please give serious thought to giving back, thank you.
• We are moving into a new winter sports season with players, coaches and fans full of anticipation going forward.  At the high school level, play, coaching and officiating aren’t perfect.  Too many times, fans unduly criticize players, coaches and officials.  Playing sports is not a right, it is a privilege.  Coaches invest hundreds of hours in preparation and practice time so students can have teams on which to play.  Game officials aren’t perfect, even college and professional game officials miss calls, but they too invest much time working to be the best they can be.      “Without coaches and officials, it is just intramural.”  Respect given from all involved is needed to provide a positive experience for our youth.
• Thank you to all who provide and proof material for this column.
• “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.“     ~ John Fitzgerald Kennedy

        Blessings, Prayer, Respect and Gratitude,

Dave Carlsrud