The City Commission Meeting began on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020 at 5:00 PM CT via Zoom
President Carlsrud called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM.
Members present: President Carlsrud, Commissioner Magnuson, Commissioner Bishop, Commissioner Erickson, and Commissioner Gulmon.
Others present: City Administrator Crawford, City Attorney Martineck, Finance Director Richter, Deputy Auditor Klein, PW Accountant/Manager Jacobson, Fire Chief Magnuson, Police Chief Hatcher, Chad Petersen from KLJ.
Approval of Agenda
Added NB2 – To Discuss the Second Half Beer/Liquor License installment.
Form Committee for PFP Storage.
Discuss Future Outlook of the City.
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Bishop moved to approve the 10/20/2020 minutes seconded by Commissioner Magnuson. Motion carried.
Approval of Consent Agenda
- Approve Monthly Reports from the Fire Chief, Building Inspector, Auditor, Municipal Judge and Public Works Accountant.
- Approve Monthly Bills for the City and Public Works in the Amount of $1,566,701.65.
Commissioner Bishop moved to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Commissioner Erickson. Motion carried.
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
Ordinance
1. Approve First reading of Ordinance No. 1066, an Ordinance Approving Franchise Agreement with Qwest/Century Link. (City Attorney Martineck)
City Attorney Martineck stated Qwest/Century Link currently provides services to Valley City. Typically a renewal is done every 10 years. We’ve been trying to renegotiate an agreement since March 2019. We are at a point now we are ready to move forward. The Ordinance provided by them is a good start byut is recommending we make changes before approving.
Commissioner Gulmon motioned to approve, seconded by Commissioner Bishop. Motion carried.
Resolution
1. Approve Resolution No. 2264, a resolution accepting bid and awarding contract to Strata Corporation for Project No. UGP-SU-2-999(051), PCN 22280-Streetscape Phase II.
Chad Petersen from KLJ stated the DOT received three bids for the project ranging from $2.2-2.5 million, the Engineers estimate was $2.18 million. Total project cost is $2,868,000 with the local share approximately $725,000.
Commissioner Gulmon motioned to accept the bid from Strata in the amount of $2,197,370 and with the motion would like to identify the additional local share that was not previously identified totaling $254,000 coming from the Cares Act and R&R Funding, seconded by Commissioner Magnuson. Motion carried.
New Business
- Approve Annual Maintenance Certification for urban federal aid projects.
Chad Petersen from KLJ stated with all of the projects that are on the NDDOT we entered into a Cost Participation and Maintenance Agreement. Every year the DOT has the City certify that we are maintaining as outlined.
Commissioner Bishop motioned to approve, seconded by Commissioner Gulmon. Motion carried.
2. Approve second half liquor and beer license installment.
Deputy Auditor stated in the previous minutes it was stated to reevaluate the second installment when it came time due to waiving the first installment because of the shutdown.
Commissioner Bishop feels they should pay the installment, they have been able to operate.
Consensus was to bill the second installment as usual.
3. Form a committee for PFP storage.
Commissioner Magnuson stated he has formed the committee which consists of himself, Commissioner Gulmon, Deputy Auditor Klein, Superintendent Klemisch, City Administrator Crawford and requested Chad from KLJ sit in on a few of the first meetings.
4. Discuss Future Outlook of City.
Commissioner Magnuson stated this is pretty broad but I wanted to discuss. The citizens put us in charge of not only helping maintain property tax but reduce it, finding better ways of doing things in the community, increase and promote business which drives sales tax dollars which pay for a lot of things. It was more of a topic to see what everyone’s vision is for Valley City. We had a study put together a while ago and the community decided what they would like to see and how they would like to see the City grow. I think it’s up to us to help grow that vision of the citizens of Valley City. I would like everyone to think of how we can promote the business down town and have more come to town and maybe some incentives to bring people and businesses in.
City Administrator’s Report
City Administrator Crawford stated there are several contracts being reviewed. Valley Implements, Barnes Rural Water, Qwest/Century Link. Lots of different clean-up for example the trees. People have been cleaning up their areas. Brandi and Lance with the help of Phil and his crew are doing a really good job of getting things cleaned up the way we have to in order to keep it legally responsible.
Thank you to Sandy for all the work on those lots.
2 hour parking signs for downtown will go in spring because of the delay.
City Updates & Commission Reports
Public Works Accountant/Manager Jacobson reported that they have been working on the Public Works budget. All the numbers are together from the department heads. We will be starting meetings through next week to discuss the numbers. Starting on the 16th we will start meeting with the portfolio holders to go over the different budgets.
Fire Chief Magnuson expressed his thanks to the members on his department for the help with the Halloween events taking place and keeping social distancing order. We are having some issues with the warmer weather people think they can burn leaves. There is an ordinance that you cannot burn leaves.
Commissioner Gulmon is asking the community to do what they can to help prevent the spread of the virus. Also, I was sent the hours that were spent by the members of the Beautification Committee. I think it was over 400 hours in the community and I would like to thank each one of them.
Commissioner Magnuson said it is beautiful out, get out and walk. The new light on 5th Ave and in the Park are beautiful.
Mayor Carlsrud added to do what you can to help slow the spread. Mask up when you can’t social distance. Thank you to our department heads and to all our employees for all your efforts.
Meeting was adjourned at 5:35 PM