The Public Works Office will be closing at 12:00 noon on Thursday, December 23rd and closed Friday December24thin observance of Christmas Holiday. Transfer Station will be closing at 11:30am on December 23rd and closed December 24th.Wednesday and Thursday’s garbage will be picked up Wednesday. Friday’s garbage will be picked up by noon on Thursday December 23rd.
Category Archives: Announcements
Snow Removal
As the snow comes and goes please remember to clear the snow from around your garbage cans and dumpsters to make it easier on our crew to pick it up.
12.12.2021 Mayor’s Message
Hi Everybody,
- We have certainly been Blessed with a beautiful winter to date. As of this writing, there is still a nice blanket of snow insulating our water lines etc. There is some ice on roads so please be careful when driving or walking. ** Stopping one’s vehicle on ice takes much longer than on a clear surface!
- Wind created snowdrifts in some backyards so please clean around your garbage cans and dumpsters so our city crews can provide better service for you.
- COVID in one form or another is still lingering. The best mitigation has been vaccination; many unvaccinated patients in hospitals wish they had been vaccinated.
- VERY SERIOUS: We have a large number of school buses transporting children to and from the various schools in our area. When a school bus has the “STOP ARM” extended, vehicles from both directions are REQUIRED to STOP. Most importantly for safety and it is THE LAW!
- The Salvation Army Kettle Campaign continues through December 24th. Please contribute what you can and “Ring the Bell” yourself. J Call 701-541-1418 or 701-840-1357 to sign up.
- Thank you to contributors again this week.
- “It is unwise to make education too cheap. If everything is provided freely, there is a tendency to put no value on anything. Education must always have a certain price on it; even as the very process of learning itself must always require individual effort and initiative.” (President Dwight D. Eisenhower) Blessings, Respect, Kindness and Prayers,
Dave
12.5.2021 Mayor’s Message
Hello Everybody,
- A “White Christmas”? We received a pretty white snow Saturday night and at this time of the year, it is likely to be here for a while.
- Last Thursday night the Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce facilitated the “Parade of Lights “. It was a beautiful December evening with a great crowd and a big number of parade units participating. Kudos to all the folks who prepared floats, cars, dogs, trucks, etc., as it seemed evident that considerable work and passion were involved. Thank you all.
- One of our local Salvation Army Bell Ringers shared a nice story of benevolence. “A college age person walked by without leaving anything in the kettle. A few minutes later he returned with a hand full of coins for the kettle. He said, “I cleaned out my car”. The person shared, due to shortage of money, he had taken the year off school to earn enough for the next semester. Really nice! ** Ringing the Bell can be very heartwarming, why not give it a try? Call 701-541-1418 to sign up.
- This is a time of the year when people of different Faiths celebrate special events within their respective religions. Let us be compassionate and respectful of all, especially of those who may worship differently than we do.
- Be “prudent” as COVID is still lingering.
- Thank you to contributors again this week.
- “Compassion is an action word with no boundaries.” (Prince) Blessings, Respect, Kindness and Prayers,
Dave
12.7.2021 Commission Agenda
The City Commission Meeting will begin on Tuesday, December 7th, 2021 at 5:00 PM CT, at the City Commission Chambers, 254 2nd Avenue NE, Valley City, ND.
The meeting is also available to view online https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85779020603 or listen by calling (1 346 248 7799) Webinar ID: 857 7902 0603.
Call To Order
Roll Call
Pledge of Allegiance (please stand)
Approval of Agenda
Approval of Minutes
Approve Minutes for the November 16th Commission Meeting.
Approval of Consent Agenda
- Approve Monthly Reports from the Fire Chief, Electrical Superintendent, Building Inspector Finance Director and Municipal Judge.
- Approve 2022 Tree Trimming and Removal License Renewals for:
- Johnny B’s Trees & Service
- Z’s Trees
- Mikes Construction and Repair
- Ross’ Tree Services
- Approve 2022 Vehicles for Hire License Renewal for South Central Adult Services.
Roll Call: Magnuson Gulmon Erickson Bishop Carlsrud
Public Comments
Attorney General’s “A Citizen’s Guide to North Dakota Open Records & Open Meetings Laws” *A member of the public does not have the right to speak to the governing body at an open meeting. The public is only entitled to see and hear what happens at a meeting, and to record or broadcast those observations.
- No personal attacks to persons present or not
- No inflammatory language used during time that you have the platform
- 5 minute maximum or as directed by the chair
- Thank you for participating in City Government.
PUBLIC HEARING
Ordinance
- Approve Second and Final Reading of Ordinance 1091, an Ordinance approving changes to the official Zoning Map of the City. (City Attorney Martineck)
Roll Call: Bishop Magnuson Gulmon Erickson Carlsrud
Resolution
- Approve Resolution 2327, a Resolution from the Valley City Board of City Commissioners Authorizing the President of the Board of Commissioners to execute the deed in favor of the State of North Dakota. (City Engineer)
Roll Call: Gulmon Magnuson Bishop Erickson Carlsrud
New Business
- Approve Monthly Bills for the City and Public Works in the Amount of $1,454,534.55. (Finance Director Richter)
Roll Call: Erickson Bishop Magnuson Gulmon Carlsrud
2. Approve VCBCDC Request for a Sales Price per Acre of $25,000 for City-owned land between Drug Plastics & Glass and the NW Industrial Park Building. (Jennifer Feist)
Roll Call: Gulmon Erickson Bishop Magnuson Carlsrud
3. Approve Town and Country Club Map Revision Contingent on Approval from the State. (Finance Director Richter)
Roll Call: Magnuson Gulmon Erickson Bishop Carlsrud
City Administrator’s Report
City Updates & Commission Reports
Adjourn
12.7.2021 Finance Agenda
The City Commission Meeting will begin on Tuesday, December 7th, 2021 at 3:30 PM CT, at the City Commission Chambers, 254 2nd Avenue NE, Valley City, ND.
Members of the public may view the meeting online https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84225021019 or listen by calling (1 346 248 7799) Webinar ID: 842 2502 1019
Call to Order
Roll Call
Agenda items
- Department reports.
- Sanitation Department
- Water Department
- Electric Department
- Fire Department
- Police Department
- Street Department
- Administration
- Review monthly bills/reports (10 minutes) – (President Carlsrud)
- Discuss Valley City Tourism-Community Promotion Agreement. (Mary Lee Nielson)
- Discuss Amendments to VCMC Ch. 20-06, City Lodging Tax. (City Attorney Martineck)
- Discuss City Sales Tax renewal. (Jennifer Feist)
- Review Public Works Proposed FY22 Budgets. (PW Manager Jacobson)
- Discuss Utility Rate Changes. (PW Manager Jacobson)
- Discuss Viking Estates Mobile Home Park License Renewal. (City Attorney Martineck)
- Discuss Events at Rec Center (City Owned Building). (City Administrator Crawford)
- Property Buyout-715 6th Ave SW. (City Administrator Crawford)
Adjourn
11.28.2021 Mayor’s Message
“Greetings Everybody,
- Last Thursday was Thanksgiving and I hope you all were as Blessed as we were. Two of our sons, a grandson and a couple friends were at our house for the afternoon. Though the temperature outside was cool, it was warm in the house and after dinner, sitting and visiting seemed to be the order of the day. Of course Sue was a grand host.
- We have had a good number of positive comments about the beautiful holiday lighting on Central, Main, Veteran’s Park and 8th Avenue South by the Wellness Center. While many of the decorations are new, many of our older ones have been “reconditioned” with LED lights by our Electrical Dept. and they look new. Thanks to all the Valley City employees from Public Works and Government for “putting it all together”. We citizens of Valley City have a great city staff working for us. Say “Thank you” to a city employee when you see her or him.
- “Courtesy is contagious,
- The “Parade of Lights” will be held Thursday evening beginning at 6 PM. The forecast is nice, so come out, enjoy the parade and fellowship. A number of stores plan to be open, stop in and say “Hi”.
- Hanukkah began November 28: https://www.dictionary.com/e/hanukkah/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=SUNDAY%20Quotes%20Audience%20Email%202019%202021-11-28&utm_term=Quote%20Emails%20%28primary%29#what-is-hanukkah
- We have more COVID cases per 10K than Cass County. Vaccinations protect you, your family, your friends and they are free!!
- Thank you to contributors again this week.
- “No matter how stressed you are, remember how Blessed you are.” (Charlie Brown) Blessings, Respect, Kindness and Prayers,
Dave
11.21.2021 Mayors Message
“Hi Folks,
- Thanksgiving is Thursday. Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate the harvest and Blessings of the past year. Please express your gratitude with family and friends.
- Thanks to all of you who cleaned your sidewalks following the snow we had. It appears some hire snow removal and that is fine though some are leaving a pile of snow on the neighbor’s sidewalk. Please be good neighbors and have your contractor sweep/push excess snow off the sidewalk. Thank you.
- Small Business Saturday is THIS Saturday. The weather forecast is promising so make plans to visit some small businesses and “hang out” with folks uptown for a while.
- Last week was American Education Week. When you see educators who are teaching our children and grandchildren, please tell them “thank you”.
- It is time for “Santa, Cops and Kids”. Please contact the VCPD for further information.
- For saving opportunities, see Bright Energy Solutions offered through our Electrical Dept. and MRES; www.brightenergysolutions.com
- The best mitigation for COVID is vaccination. For we older folks who had vaccinations early, data shows it is important we have the booster. Me being vaccinated help protect my family, friends and myself.
- Thank you to contributors again this week.
- “There is more to life than just being a passenger.” (Amelia Earhart) Blessings, Respect Others, Be Kind and Pray,
Dave
11.2.2021 Commission Minutes
President Carlsrud called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM.
Members present: President Carlsrud, Commissioner Bishop, Commissioner Erickson, and Commissioner Gulmon, Commissioner Magnuson via Zoom
Others City Administrator Crawford, City Attorney Martineck, Finance Director Richter, Administrative Assistant Johnson, Fire Chief Magnuson, Police Chief Hatcher
Pledge of Allegiance
Small Business saturday Proclamation
Recognition of Sherry Keys-2021 Outstanding Plant Operator Award
Approval of Agenda
Addition of N3-N6
Approval of Minutes
Commissioner Bishop moved to approve the minutes from the October 19th, 2021 meetings, seconded by Commissioner Magnuson. Motion passed unanimously.
Approval of Consent Agenda
Approve Monthly Reports from the Fire Chief, Electrical Superintendent, Building Inspector Finance Director and Municipal Judge.
Approve Raffle Permit for the Valley City USBC Assn.
Approve Raffle Permit for the Art Club Valley City High School.
Approve Raffle Permit for SHINE.
Approve Raffle Permit for VCSU Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society.
Commissioner Gulmon moved to approve, seconded by Commissioner Bishop. Motion passed unanimously.
Ordinance
Approve First Reading of Ordinance 1090, an Ordinance to Amend and Reenact section 15-02-03 of the Valley City Municipal Code relating to new electric service installation.
City Attorney Martineck stated this is for the owners outside of city limits to pay their fair share for installation and for above ground installations over 200 feet the owner is responsible for in city limits.
Commissioner Bishop moved to approve, seconded by Commissioner Erickson. Motion passed unanimously.
Resolution
Approve Resolution 2324, a Resolution to enroll In and Offer the NDPERS Defined Benefit Hybrid Retirement Plan to all Eligible Employees.
City Attorney Martineck stated this is the plan that will be offered to all employees. Resolution 2325 is the Safety Plan and 2326 is the Differed Compensation plan. It is our desire of the city to offer all three of these plans to eligible employees as an option and will be required to all future employees. It is no extra cost to the city and no current employee will be required to go on the plan.
Commissioner Gulmon moved to approve, seconded by Commissioner Bishop. Motion passed unanimously.
Approve Resolution 2325, a Resolution to enroll in and Offer NDPERS Public Safety Retirement Plan to all eligible City Employees Classified as Peace Officers or Firefighters.
Commissioner Bishop moved to approve, seconded by Commissioner Gulmon. Motion passed unanimously.
Approve, Resolution 2326, a Resolution to enroll in and Offer the NDPERS 457 Deferred Compensation Plan to all Eligible City Employees.
Commissioner Bishop moved to approve, seconded by Commissioner Gulmon. Motion passed unanimously.
New Business
Approve Monthly Bills for the City and Public Works in the Amount of $1,780,769.92
Finance Director Richter reported we are at $1,780,770 which includes debt service at $137,419, Forestry & F&B Grants at $33,461, PFP CLOMR, $14,670, Fire Hall Addition at $85,186, West End Lift Station at $276,799, construction projects at $418,313 and MRES at $288,800. The remaining $526,122 is for our regular operations.
Commissioner Bishop moved to approve, seconded by Commissioner Gulmon. Motion passed unanimously.
Approve for Signatures the 2021 Barnes County, ND Multi-Jurisdictional Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan once the Plan is approved by the ND Department of Emergency Services.
Commissioner Gulmon moved to approve, seconded by Commissioner Erickson. Motion passed unanimously.
Approve Employer Participation Agreements for NDPERS Defined Benefit Retirement Plan, Public Safety Retirement Plan, and Deferred Compensation Plan.
City Attorney Martineck stated for each of the resolutions passed for NDPERS there’s an associated contract. Everything has been reviewed and appears to be in order. The plan is to have these effective January 1st.
Commissioner Bishop moved to approve, seconded by Commissioner Erickson. Motion passed unanimously.
Appoint Authorized Agent for NDPERS retirement plans.
City Attorney Martineck proposed to add himself as the primary authorized agent and Brenda Klein, Avis Richter and Gwen Crawford be authorized agents as well.
Commissioner Gulmon moved to approve, seconded by Commissioner Erickson. Motion passed unanimously.
Approve City payroll contribution to NDPERS.
City Attorney Martineck stated we are required to designate how much of a contribution that the city will make towards the retirement plan. The city is currently making a 10% contribution to the current plan and we are recommending 10% also be paid towards NDPERS.
Commissioner Gulmon moved to approve, seconded by Commissioner Bishop. Motion passed unanimously.
Approve renaming Street Specialist, Sanitation Specialist, and Water/Sewer Specialist positions as Public Works Specialists, reclassifying Publics Works Specialist I as B-21, and creating A-13 Public Works Technician Position.
City Administrator Crawford stated there would no longer be a Sanitation or Street Specialist 1, they would actually be called the Public Works Specialist 1.
Commissioner Bishop moved to approve, seconded by Commissioner Erickson. Motion passed unanimously.
City Administrator’s Report
City Administrator Crawford reported that we have been working with the different departments on budgets. We will be setting up individual meetings with the different portfolio holders to go over each of the budgets. We did get the final approval on the aprons for Loves but with the cold weather that will not be completed until spring.
City Updates & Commission Reports
City Attorney Martineck stated that he has done a preliminary review of the 2021 legislative changes and made a list of all the sections in the municipal code it affects. Big thanks to Angeline, she is helping put together a preliminary draft.
Finance Director Richter reported that November 1st was the deadline to send our annual installments for special assessment to certify them and send up to the county auditor so that has been completed.
Fire Chief Magnuson stated they put new doors on the fire department that were funded by some of the funds raised with their fundraisers.
Chad Petersen from KLJ stated over the course of the last year we have been trying to rectify what model to use and so we are through phase 3 of CLOMAR. We have approximately one year to complete the CLOMAR.
Commissioner Gulmon stated cash reserves are strong. As far as electrical we are lagging a little bit due to the warmer weather. Thanks to Carl and Gwen for all the work on the NDPERS program, it’s going to be a great benefit for our employees.
Commissioner Erickson congratulated Sherry. The Transfer Station will now be closed on Saturdays through May.
President Carlsrud thanked all our employees and congratulations to Sherry. In October your electric power was on 100% of the time! An extra shout out to our department heads and thanks for all you do and thank you to our commissioners for serving.
Adjourn
Meeting was adjourned at 5:37 P.M.
11.2.2021 Finance Minutes
Called To Order
President Carlsrud called the meeting to order at 3:30 PM.
Roll Call
Members present: President Carlsrud, Commissioner Magnuson via Zoom, Commissioner Bishop, Commissioner Gulmon, and Commissioner Erickson
Department Reports
Sanitation Supervisor Swart reported Jamestown Communications finished installing the cameras on the trucks. The Transfer Station is now closed on Saturday’s though May and we have a part time employee that started.
Water Superintendent Hesch reported this as the first weekend we tried running without Sunday and it will be just fine. We just have to monitor it. Commissioner Bishop asked about the standpipe and the water tower up by the armory. The standpipe has not been fixed. After inspection it was determined some of the caulking was bad resulting in pinhole leaks. It will need to be drained and have a contractor some in to fix it. Clint has information regarding the water tower.
Electrical Superintendent Senf reported zero outages for the month of October. West end underground project is finished. Gaukler 36-plex underground is in and we are waiting for the transformer. Waterfront Meadows contractor will be digging the trench for us. In regards to the ordinance on the agenda, to make if fair if you aren’t in city limits we would like them to pay the full price vs us paying the 200 feet since they aren’t paying taxes. Inside city limits they would have to for the overhead after 200 feet.
Fire Chief Magnuson reported the covid third shot will take place at the firehall next week. We picked up some additional businesses for fire extinguishers. Should out to the members of our department and the community. We are getting new doors installed and the funds came from some of the fundraisers we have held. The building shipped today and should be here on the 5th and then Enterprise would be here next week.
Police Chief Hatcher reported that on Thursday at 1:30 up at the DOT office the highway patrol colonel will be in town to present some awards to one of the local highway patrolman as well as one of our police officers that helped out on the highway. One award is a purple heart, very prestigious and not awarded very often. It’s open to the public. We are full staffed and the last person finished their field training last night.
Operations Supervisor Klemisch reported the flushing of the hydrants will be wrapping up in the next day or so. There is a startup planned tentatively for Thursday for the west end lift station. Construction is wrapping up for the year with some seeding taking place. Snow equipment is ready. The NW water tower by DQ is in rough shape. We are trying to get money in the budget but anything we do is pretty minimal right now until we figure out the plan.
City Administrator Crawford requested to move item 5 with 3 on the agenda. Discussion has been taking place about c
City Attorney Martineck introduced Katie Henderson, our new Public Works Administrative Assistant.
Review Monthly Bills/Reports Finance Director Richterreported we are at $1,780,770 which includes debt service at $137,419, Forestry & F&B Grants at $33,461, PFP CLOMR, $14,670, Fire Hall Addition at $85,186, West End Lift Station at $276,799, construction projects at $418,313 and MRES at $288,800. The remaining $526,122 is for our regular operations.
Discuss Public Works 1.
City Administrator Crawford stated due to some of the hiring issues, the cross work that goes on in different departments and to become more of a team, we are proposing for 2022 is to merge the Street Specialist 1 and Sanitation Specialist 1 to now a Public Works Specialist 1 at the B-21 level. The Public Works Technician is at the A-13 level for those that come in and don’t have their CDL yet.
Discuss NDPERS.
City Attorney Martineck stated we have looked into NDPERS for a while and have now made some progress getting it here. There will be a couple different options, one for safety employees such as the FD and PD and another for non-safety employees. The city would still put in 10% and the employee makes up the difference. Any current employee can keep their current retirement plan if they choose or go on NDPERS, any new hires would only have NDPERS as an option.
Discuss NDDOT Urban Grant Program Application.
Chad Petersen stated this was discussed earlier in January and the city has benefitted from this program before. This opened for applications and the deadline is December 31st, 2021.
Discus NDDOT Urban Grant Program Application for Wintershow Road Shared-Use Path.
Chad Petersen stated this was discussed previously and there was support that this path was desired. The document shows 8th Ave to the Regional Technology center split into two phases.
Discussion regarding Vacate Four Bottle Road Frontage Road.
Electrical Superintendent Senf stated the electrical poles are out of the ground and there is one that is starting to tip. It would be expensive to even do just the bare minimum fix. If vacated, the current property owners would gain the additional land up to the right of way.
City Administrator Crawford added that it is currently on our Urban Roads program and we need to get John Deere added. In order to add one you need to remove one.
Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 4:53 PM.