Greetings,

• This weekend Easter and Passover will be celebrated.  Passover is a story of miracles and redemption of the Jewish People while Easter is a Christian festival and cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.
• As culmination of City Government Week, Treyson Brant will serve as “Mayor for a Day” and will be presiding over our City Commission Meeting Tuesday.  We are very grateful to our local Dairy Queen, Fire Department and Police Department for their event sponsorships.  Thank you.
• Spring is a soothing time in the upper Midwest with flowers peeking out, trees budding and grasses trending towards green, beautiful.
• For a small town like of Valley City, we are very fortunate to have two ambulances.  Recently there were simultaneous incidents where lives were likely saved because we had two.  A person involved with the aforementioned said, “If you have a prominent house entrance from the alley, be sure to have a house number visible from the alley”.  Thank you, Julie & First Responders.
• THE MASTERS TOURNAMENT SUNDAY was CRAZY!  I don’t think one needs to be a golf fan to appreciate the competitive highs and lows of the day ………. hope you saw it.
• The North Dakota Legislators are in a sprint to the finish of the 69th Legislative session.  With numerous bills being debated and fewer funds being projected, our legislature will need to work diligently for an on-time conclusion of the session.  Thank you for serving.
• From last week’s Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) Board Meeting, generation continues to be monumentally challenging as energy demands are growing faster than generation and transmission.
• Supposedly, Yogi Berra collided with a guy carrying a vintage Grandfather Clock, ruining said clock.  The man angrily said, “Why don’t you watch where you are going?”, with Yogi replying, “Why don’t you wear a wristwatch like everyone else?”.  Hehehe!
• Thank you to all who provide and proof material for this column.
• “If you tell the truth, you don’t need to remember anything.”       ~ Mark Twain

        Blessings, Pray, be Respectful and Grateful,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud

March 11^th, 2025 – MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF VALLEY CITY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION

Chair Mike Schell presided and called the meeting to order at 4:00 on Tuesday March 11^th, 2025.

Commissioners present: Dave Carlsrud, Bill Carlblom, Jeff Erickson

Commissioners Absent: Ian Jacobson, Joe Tykwinski, Tim Durheim

Others: City Administrator Gwen Crawford, Sectary/City Assessor Tina Current, City Planner Joel Quanbeck, Building Inspector Mike Blevins, Asst Fire Chief / Building Inspector Lance Coit, City Engineer Chad Petersen (KLJ), City Engineer Tracy Eslinger (Moore)

Commissioner Bill Carlblom moved to approve the minutes from the February 11^th, 2025 meeting seconded by Commissioner Jeff Erickson. Motion passed with unanimous approval.

Discuss Review and discussion of initial draft subarea future land use plan

Open discussion was had regarding initial draft subarea future land use plan. City Planner Joel Quanbeck reviewed several maps and study area showing existing water and sewer facilities, major property owners, topography, existing roads, and a potential future land use map. Quanbeck summarized the rationale for the draft future land use map and noted changes from what is in the comprehensive plan. This was an opportunity for planning and zoning commissioners to learn about an existing and future transportation needs in the area south of interstate 94 between the 292 and 294 interchanges planning study. In order to complete the transportation study, the City of Valley City is updating the land use plan in the study area.

 Some of the comments received including the following:

• Are there parts of the study area that have sand?
• Are there parts of the study area that would be affected with water issues and slope failure?
• Would Barnes Rural Water provide urban water services in the area?
• Most of the study area could be served by gravity flow sewage collection systems, but some lift stations would be needed.
• Stormwater runoff is an ongoing concern that needs to be addressed.
• Are there ways to ensure that stormwater doesn’t increasingly impact the Logan ponds?
• Previously proposed apartment buildings should not be located next to low density residential in the study area.
• Is there capability to manage apartment building stormwater runoff and sewage collection?
• Is the land outside the study area that is southwest of Valley City a viable alternative for city expansion and development?

 With no other items to discuss, Chair Schell called the meeting to close at 5:26pm.

NEWS & NOTES

4/7/2025

        Hello Everybody,

• We were spoiled some by a bit of “Pseudo Spring”, but the snow provided much needed moisture in our area.  With mild temperatures, it is comfortable outside and allows a snow melt that will retain moisture.  
• The 30th Annual VCSU Scholarship Auction will be held this Friday at the Valley City Eagles Club.  There will be games, a buffet dinner along with a live action and a virtual silent auction already underway.  For further information call: 701-845-7203.
• NDDOT notified us that a bid for the “Shared Use Path and ADA Ramps” came in underestimate and was accepted.  Thanks, and congratulations to our city and engineering teams for securing project funding.  The path will be along Winter Show Road from the 8th Avenue SW intersection to near 2nd Avenue SW.  Walking, jogging and biking has always been dangerous on Winter Show Road and this first phase will provide safe passage along this busy stretch of road.
• SCAM:  People are receiving phone calls with the callers claiming to be police!  Remember, Law Enforcement Agencies WILL NOT ask you to send money or personal information through a phone call!  If you have any doubt, call Valley City Police Department (VCPD) at 701-845-3110.  Please err on the side of caution.
• Jeff Boschee from Valley City and the University of Kansas was ranked by Sports Illustrated as North Dakota’s 30th Greatest Sports Figure from years 1900 to 2000.
• The old water storage standpipe near 5th Avenue and 12th Street NW is leaking.  With the standpipe leaking and the water tower along 5th decommissioned, studies for a new water tower are underway.
• It was fun watching Fargo native, Tom Hoge, achieve a top ten finish at the Valero Texas Open Golf Event over the weekend.
• Thank you to all who provide and proof material for this column.
• “The purpose of life is to discover your gift.  The work of life is to develop it. The meaning of life is to give your gift away.”       ~ David Viscott

        Blessings, Pray, be Respectful and Grateful,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud