Valley City Commission Proceedings
April 3, 2018
5:00 PM Meeting, City Hall

President Carlsrud presided and continued with roll call at 5:00 PM.

Members present: Commissioner Pedersen, Commissioner Magnuson, Commissioner Bish­op, Commissioner Powell.

Others Present: City Administrator Schelkoph, City Auditor Richter, City Attorney Mertins, Assessor Hansen, Public Works Accountant/Manager Jacobson, Building/Fire Inspector Andersen, Police Chief Hatcher, Chad Petersen from KLJ.

Pledge of Allegiance

Recognition of Mayor for a Day

President Carlsrud recognized Tessa Anderson and Nora Wolhart as Mayor for a Day essay winners.

City Government Week Proclamation
Tessa Anderson and Nora Wolhart read the City Government Week Proclamation.

Approval of Agenda – Remove Consent C, N9 & N11

Approval of Minutes

Commissioner Magnuson moved to approve the minutes from March 20 and March 29, 2018 meetings, seconded by Commissioner Powell. The motion passed unanimously.

Approval of Consent Agenda

1. Approve Monthly Reports from the Fire Chief, Building Inspector, Auditor, Municipal Judge and Public Works Accountant.
2. Approve Monthly Bills for the City and Public Works in the Amount of $2,646,288.49
3. Approve Block off the Street Request for Valley City High School on April 28, 2018 on 4^th Street NW from Central Avenue to 2^nd Avenue NW
4. Approve Request to Block off the Street for Valley City Public Schools on May 9, 2018 on 2^nd Ave NW from 4^th Street NW to 5^th Street NW
5. Approve Raffle Permit for Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce

Commissioner Bishop moved to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Commissioner Magnuson. The motion passed unanimously.

Public Comments

There were no public comments.

New Business

Consider financial support for the South Central Seniors Transportation

Commissioner Pedersen moved to approve $20,000 for South Central Seniors Transportation, seconded by Commissioner Powell. The motion passed unanimously.

Pat Hansen from South Central Seniors Transportation thanked the Commission for their support. The goal is to leverage all of the available federal money, $80,000, which requires a local match. The local match is funded through donations and city and county support in the service area.

Consider Request for $7,500 from the Reserved Streetscape Project Funds for Chamber of Commerce for one-time construction marketing

Bobby Koepplin, on behalf of the Visitors Committee, reported that the Commission in 2016 approved reserving 25% of the Image Enhancement Grant funds for streetscape projects. The Visitors Committee provided a do pass recommendation for this project with requirements for matching funds and funding after construction begins.

Commissioner Magnuson moved to approve the request for $7,500 from the Reserved Streetscape Project Funds for the Chamber of Commerce with the conditions set forth by the Visitors Committee, seconded by Commissioner Powell. The motion passed unanimously.

Consider Food & Beverage Grant Request for Chamber of Commerce in the amount of $32,000

Bobby Koepplin, on behalf of the Visitors Committee, reported that this $47,000 project will provide improvements to signage and carpet at the Rosebud Visitors Center. The Visitors Committee provided a do pass recommendation for a $32,000 grant from Food & Beverage.

Commissioner Pedersen moved to approve the Food & Beverage Grant request for the Chamber of Commerce, seconded by Commissioner Magnuson. Koepplin stated that this request will use all available funds in 2018. The motion passed unanimously.

Consider Image Enhancement Grant from Mobility Plus Rehabilitation, Ltd. in the amount of $1,000

Bobby Koepplin, on behalf of the Visitors Committee, reported a do pass recommendation in the amount of $1,000 for Mobility Plus Rehabilitation, Ltd.

Commissioner Powell moved to approve the Image Enhancement Grant for Mobility Plus Rehabilitation, seconded by Commissioner Pedersen. The motion passed unanimously.

Approve awarding bid for planting of trees for the ND Forest Service grant to Pine Country Nursery in the amount of $14,617.00

Bobby Koepplin, on behalf of the Beautification Committee, requested approval of the bid to plant trees on the boulevards near City County Health District, the Courthouse, and a City parking lot.

Commissioner Pedersen moved to approve awarding bid for planting trees, seconded by Commissioner Magnuson. The motion passed unanimously.

Receive the Valley City Fire Department Annual Report
Fire Chief Retterath presented the Valley City Fire Department Annual Report and stated that calls were down in 2017.

Approve part-time staff for VCFD to create pre-plan building fire protection program

Fire Chief Retterath request approval for the Valley City Fire Department to hire a part-time staff to pre-plan details that are useful for responding to calls.

Commissioner Bishop moved to approve part-time staff for Valley City Fire Department, seconded by Commissioner Powell. The motion passed unanimously.

Approve Gaming Site Authorization for Edgar A. Fisher Post 60 of the American Legion

Commissioner Pedersen moved to approve the gaming site authorization for American Legion, seconded by Commissioner Magnuson. The motion passed unanimously.

REMOVED – Approve NDDOT Cost Participation, Construction & Maintenance Agreement for UGP-SU-2-990(057), Central Avenue from Main to 12th St N

Approve NDDOT Cost Participation, Construction & Maintenance Agreement for UGP-SU-2-990(055)059, 3^rd Avenue SE from 4^th St SE to Main St

Chad Petersen from KLJ stated that the project will be funded from the NDDOT Urban Road Grant program which requires a cost participation, construction and maintenance agreement to be filed. Construction cost and construction engineering is at 80% federal share, 20% local match. The $1.15 million project has $452,000 local cost share which is scheduled to be bid through the NDDOT on May 11.

Commissioner Powell moved to approve the NDDOT Cost Participation, Construction & Maintenance Agreement for UGP-SU-2-990(055)059, seconded by Commissioner Pedersen. The motion passed unanimously.

REMOVED – Approve 2017 Year end transfers and assigned funds as prepared by City’s Finance Director

Appoint contact for the ND Water Coalition

City Administrator Schelkoph stated the City of Valley City has a membership in the ND Water Coalition. The City Administrator serves as a contact as well as one commissioner. Schelkoph recommended President Carlsrud serve as the commission representative.

Commissioner Magnuson moved to approve President Carlsrud as a representative to the ND Water Coalition, seconded by Commissioner Bishop. The motion passed unanimously.

City Administrator’s Report

City Administrator Schelkoph reminded the public to report slippery streets to 845-0380, Public Works or 845-8181 for Barnes County Dispatch.

Schelkoph reported that the FEMA lot issue has been resolved through the passage of the omnibus on March 9, 2018. The alternative would have required the City to construct a new floodwall at an estimated cost of $3 million to avoid the FEMA lot. Schelkoph thanked Senator Heitkamp and FEMA for their work to provide a legal resolution to this issue.

Schelkoph reminded the public that Main Street will be closed for an extended period of time.

City Updates & Commission Reports

City Auditor Richter thanked Emma Tufte for her work on the Mayor for a Day event and Tessa Anderson and Nora Wolhart for their essays.

City Assessor Hansen stated that the Board of Equalization meets on Tuesday, April 10 at 4:00 pm in the Commission Chambers.

Fire Chief Retterath report that 340 invitations have been sent for the ND Firefighters Association convention in May.

Commissioner Powell stated that the Valley City – Barnes County Committee of Addiction will hold a town hall discussion on Thursday, April 5 at the HAC.

Commissioner Bishop thanked the VCFD & VCPD for their efforts.

Commissioner Magnuson congratulated the Mayor for a Day winners for their essay submissions.

President Carlsrud thanked employees and volunteers for their work. Carlsrud thanked the parents for their support of the Mayors for a Day.

Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 5:49 pm.

Dave Carlsrud, President of the
City of Valley City Commission

Attested to by:
Avis Richter, City Auditor
City of Valley City

Valley City Special Commission Proceedings
March 29, 2018
7:00 AM Meeting, City Hall

President Carlsrud presided and continued with roll call at 7:00 AM

Members present: Commissioner Pedersen, Commissioner Bishop, Commissioner Magnuson

Members absent: Commissioner Powell

Others Present: City Administrator Schelkoph, City Attorney Mertins, City Auditor Richter, Police Chief Hatcher, Chad Petersen from KLJ.

Pledge of Allegiance

New Business

Consider NDDOT UGP-SU-2-990(057)PCN 22043 Bid Items for the  Streetscape Project

City Administrator Schelkoph stated that the City will received the NDDOT documents on March 23, 2018 for the Third Avenue, Concrete Pavement Repair (CPR) and Streetscape projects. Petersen clarified that the Third Avenue project was originally under the Urban Road Program and now NDDOT has applied grant money to the project. The Three projects will now bring $2.3 million in federal funds to Valley City instead of just $500,000 from Urban Road Program.

City Administrator Schelkoph reported that the final estimate is $1.9 million, which is higher than the $1.55 million preliminary estimate. Schelkoph direct KLJ to add an alternate to the bid documents that will allow the Commission some latitude in finalizing the project cost based on bids in hand, this alternate is for 4^th Street to 5^th Street. Petersen indicated that this section includes approximately $250,000 construction cost for bump outs and decorative lighting.

Commissioner Magnuson stated that the original plan was for a $300,000 local share. Magnuson asked if the widening of the sidewalks and bump outs could be removed while retaining the decorative lighting. Magnuson asked the Commission to stay within a $300,000 local share.

Commissioner Pedersen recommended if bids are not favorable, use Commissioner Magnuson’s reduction in scope recommendation.

Petersen clarified that the project scope will need to be reduce to less than $1 million to be at a $300,000 local share level. Petersen stated the new traffic signals require a larger footprint to meet ADA requirements through bump outs.

Commissioner Bishop stated that the project is over budget with a lack of transparency.

Commissioner Magnuson asked to scale the project back to fit the budget that was promised.

Commissioner Pedersen questioned the impact to the grant funding if the scope is changed. Pedersen stated that $700,000 in grant money is now available with the project as it is.

City Auditor Richter received an estimate from NDDOT in February. At that point, Richter added 20% for project costs with $282,000 from the Infrastructure Renew & Replacement Fund and $260,000 from the Electrical Fund. Richter stated that there are funds to cover the local cost share of the new project cost.

Commissioner Magnuson again asked to stay at the $300,000 local cost share.

Jeff Edwards, Chair of the Streetscape Committee, recommended the Commission create two alternates – the first along the High School, as described by Mr. Schelkoph on 4^th Street to 5^th Street; the second from Main to Second Street. Edwards clarified that the bump outs are not just decorative, they allow space for the traffic lights to meet ADA requirements.

Petersen clarified for the Commission that not all areas require bump outs to meet ADA compliance as some areas have greater right of ways.

Bobby Koepplin stated that since a design contract was signed, he’d recommend continuing forward with the project and review again when the bids are received.

Mary Lee Nielsen asked the Commission to consider the national efforts to make downtowns walkable and to proceed and see how bids are received.

President Carlsrud expected the community would spend $300,000 to $400,000 for this project. Carlsrud stated that the national trend for economic development is to improve the downtown district and with the funding available, the City needs to support this project.

Adjourn

President Carlsrud declared the meeting adjourned at 7:52 am.

Dave Carlsrud, President of the
City of Valley City Commission

Attested to by:
Avis Richter, City Auditor
City of Valley City

Valley City Commission Proceedings
March 20, 2018
5:00 PM Meeting, City Hall

President Carlsrud presided and continued with roll call at 5:00 PM.

Members present: Commissioner Pedersen, Commissioner Magnuson, Commissioner Bish­op, Commissioner Powell.

Others Present: City Administrator Schelkoph, City Auditor Richter, City Attorney Mertins, Assessor Hansen, Public Works Accountant/Manager Jacobson, Building/Fire Inspector Andersen, Police Chief Hatcher, Chad Petersen from KLJ.

Pledge of Allegiance

President Carlsrud presented Commissioner Magnuson with his Leader achievement from the ND League of Cities.

Approval of Agenda – Additions to Consent Agenda, as indicated

Approval of Minutes

Commissioner Powell moved to approve the minutes from March 8 and March 10, 2018 meetings, seconded by Commissioner Magnuson. The motion passed unanimously.

Approval of Consent Agenda

1. Approve Raffle Permits for Catherine’s Parish KC’s, Valley City Trap Club
2. Approve Electrician, Plumber and/or Mechanical Contractor licenses for
   1. Ace Plumbing
   2. All American Plumbing & Heating
   3. Bakkegard & Schell, Inc.
   4. Engles Electric
   5. Enterprise Electric, Inc.
   6. Grotberg Electric, Inc.
   7. Grotberg Electric, Inc. dba Triton Mechancial
   8. Hi-Line Electric, Inc.
   9. Home Heating, Plumbing & A/C, Inc.
   10. John’s Refrigeration & Electric, Inc.
   11. Keith’s Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating, Inc.
   12. Kohn Electric, LLC
   13. Manning Mechanical, Inc.
   14. Moorhead Electric, Inc.
   15. Overn Electric, LLC
   16. Peterson Mechanical, Inc.
   17. Red River Electric, Inc.
   18. Ryan Mechanical, Inc.
   19. Scott’s Electric, Inc.
   20. Sheyenne Mechanical
   21. Sheyenne River Repair
   22. Wrigley Mechanical, Inc.
   23. And all license applications received before April 1, 2018, and approved by the Auditor’s Office.
3. Approve House Mover licenses for
   1. Carrington House Moving, Inc.
   2. Liechty Homes Inc.
   3. Schmit Incorporated
   4. And all license applications received before April 1, 2018, approved by the Auditor’s Office.

Commissioner Pedersen moved to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Commissioner Bishop. The motion passed unanimously.

Public Comments

There were no public comments.

Resolution

Approve Resolution No. 2138, a Resolution to Designate Authorized Representative for the City of Valley City as a Member of Missouri Basin Municipal Power Agency d/b/a Missouri River Energy Services

City Administrator Schelkoph recommended that Marshall Senf serve as a delegate to attend and vote at the MRES annual meeting, with Schelkoph serving as an alternate delegate.

Commissioner Bishop moved to approve Resolution No. 2138, seconded by Commissioner Magnuson. The motion passed unanimously.

Approve Resolution No. 2139, a Resolution Accepting Final Plans, Specifications and Estimate of Probable Cost for Project No. UGP-SU-2-990(057) [Central Ave – Concrete Pavement Repair, Sidewalk, Curb & Gutter, Storm Sewer Modifications, Decorative Lighting and Traffic Signals], and authorizing Engineer to Advertise for bid
Chad Petersen from KLJ stated that the proposed project is scheduled to be bid through NDDOT on May 11, 2018. The estimated construction cost is $1.9 million that includes $1.5 million for Streetscape portion of the project.

Commissioner Bishop inquired if the pending litigation impacts the Commission’s actions. City Attorney Mertins indicated that the oral arguments are scheduled for April 11.

Commissioner Powell moved to approve Resolution No. 2139, seconded by Commissioner Pedersen.

Chad Petersen stated that construction would start Monday, June 18 after Rally in the Valley with major completion by mid-October.

Commissioner Magnuson inquired there are ways to help inform business owners of the construction impacts. City Administrator Schelkoph stated that he is exploring a construction camera.

The motion passed unanimously.

New Business

Consider approving 2019-2021 Project Information and Planning Forms (Permanent Flood Protection, Water Main and Mill Dam Rehabilitation) for submittal to the State Water Commission

Chad Petersen reviewed the 2019-2021 Project Information & Planning Forms to include Permanent Flood Protection, Water Main and Mill Dam Rehabilitation. The City is submitting cost share requests for 2019-2021 for a $14 million of Permanent Flood Protection project, $1.5 million for water main project in NE & NW. $1.27 million for Mill Dam Rehabilitation project. Petersen stated this is a pre-planning process the State Water Commission uses prior to prioritizing and asking the legislature for funding.

Commissioner Pedersen moved to approve the 2019-2021 Project Information & Planning Forms, seconded by Commissioner Magnuson. The motion passed unanimously.

Consider using the Infrastructure Renew and Replacement Fund 290 for a portion of the Final Payment to NDDOT for 9^th Ave NW Reconstruction Project

City Administrator Schelkoph stated that the City needs to fund $28,000 to finalize the settlement costs. Schelkoph recommended that the balance of the expenses for 9^th Ave NW be paid from the Infrastructure Renew & Replacement Fund.

Petersen stated that approximately $50,000 of liquidated damages was returned to the local share – reflected in Special Assessments and impact to Renew & Replacement Fund.

Commissioner Pedersen moved to approve the final payment for 9^th Ave NW to NDDOT, seconded by Commissioner Magnuson. The motion passed unanimously.

Consider VCBC Development Corporation Request to Retain 0% Loan Funds

Jennifer Feist from the VCBC Development Corporation requested that returned FLEX Pace funds be kept by the VCBC Development Corporation to assist businesses. Feist clarified that the $69,841 is already been paid out of the city sales tax fund. City Auditor Richter requested that the payment information be made available to the City.

Commissioner Powell moved to approve VCBC Development Corporation request to retain 0% loan funds, seconded by Commissioner Bishop. The motion passed unanimously.

Approve 2018 City Forester Contract

City Administrator Schelkoph requested the approval of the 2018 City Forester Contract with a 2.3% increase in salary from the 2017 contact. Mr. Willis Wagar will work May 15, 2018 – September 15, 2018.

Commissioner Magnuson moved to approve the 2018 City Forester Contract, seconded by Commissioner Pedersen. The motion passed unanimously.

President Carlsrud thanked Willis Wagar for agreeing to serve.

Approve Application for Property Tax Exemption for Improvements to Commercial Building at 1109 Main Street W

City Assessor Hansen provided a do pass recommendation as Grotberg Electric meets the criteria for the Property Tax Exemption.

Commissioner Bishop moved to approve the application for property tax exemption at 1109 Main Street W, seconded by Commissioner Powell. The motion passed unanimously.

Approve Special Alcohol Beverage Event Permit for Valley City Eagles 2192 at North Dakota Winter Show Event Center March 26 – 28, 2018

Commissioner Bishop moved to approve the Special Alcohol Beverage Event Permit, seconded by Commissioner Magnuson. The motion passed unanimously.

President Carlsrud stated Senator Heitkamp is working on legislation regarding the FEMA lot.

City Administrator’s Report

City Administrator Schelkoph stated that the ultra-filtration (UF) replacement costs are 90% State Water Commission, 10% local cost share. Filters have been ordered. Schelkoph & President Carlsrud attended the APPA meeting in Washington, D.C. and met with Senator and Representatives to discuss ownership of WAPA and pole attachment authorizations. Schelkoph stated that Main Street will be closed for 10 months; the elevators at Mill Dam should be demolished by end of the week with a local cost share of $41,000. Please keep emergency routes and sidewalks clear during snowfall.

City Updates & Commission Reports

City Auditor Richter stated that the transition is well underway for the employee retirement plan to move to a local agent, Tom Glandt with Vanguard.

Fire Chief Retterath encouraged citizens to test sump pumps and ensure they are properly wired. The ND State Fire Convention will be held in Valley City, community members are invited to attend the motivational speaker’s presentation on Friday, June 1 and a parade.

Commissioner Magnuson encouraged KLJ to hold a pre-construction meeting with better details for business owners.

President Carlsrud stated that the Valley City Public Schools and Barnes County Commission will meet at a joint session on March 27 to discuss topics including the SRO, mental health concerns, etc. Carlsrud stated the first committee meeting to discuss the status of the Barnes County jail was held. Carlsrud reminded the public that the river is not safe.

Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 5:45 pm.

Dave Carlsrud, President of the
City of Valley City Commission

Attested to by:
Avis Richter, City Auditor
City of Valley City