President Carlsrud called the meeting to order at 7:00 AM.

Members present: Commissioner Magnuson, Commissioner Bishop, Commissioner Erickson, Commissioner Gulmon

Others Present: City Administrator Crawford, Finance Director Richter, Deputy Auditor Klein, City Attorney Martineck, Fire Chief Magnuson, Police Chief Hatcher

New Business

N2.  Review the City Engineer Position.

City Attorney Martineck stated it was brought up at the last meeting that there may be some alternatives than hiring our current candidate. 

City Administrator Crawford presented some thoughts on an RFQ to hire a firm to do those particular responsibilities other than hiring on staff.

City Administrator Crawford stated the candidate, Caleb, may not be the best for the City due to his concern on the building inspector side of things.

Commissioner Bishop stated he spoke with both Caleb and Dave Anderson recently.  Caleb stated he was still interested in the position and the building inspector part of the description was not a deal breaker.  Dave Anderson was able to learn this position without any prior schooling for it.  Caleb was concerned with the plumbing and electrical which Commissioner Bishop stated isn’t included in this position anyway.  He has an engineering degree and Commissioner Bishop feels he can do this job.

Commissioner Magnuson stated he sees this position as more of an engineer, project planner or someone that goes out and finds projects that need to be done and then we hire an engineering firm to do the rest.

City Attorney Martineck stated if he feels he can do it and the Commission feels comfortable let’s go ahead but let’s not set him up for failure.

President Carlsrud asked if this was a Commission hire.

City Attorney Martineck stated it is a City Administrator hire unless we were going to go a different direction we would want the Commission to vote on it.  Also, right now KLJ is our City Engineer.  They do preliminary design work and present that to the Commission.  The Commission votes on that then it goes out for bids.  Caleb would not be able to do that.  From the very beginning of that project you would be looking at hiring out.

City Commissioner Magnuson said Caleb could look at existing infrastructure and provide input and then oversee the project but anything else would have to be hired out.

Commissioner Erickson expressed his concerns of Caleb using this as a stepping stone.  Also asked what Caleb was asking for pay.

City Attorney Martineck stated he calculated $72,000-$79,000 based on his experience but Caleb did mention he would be asking for more since he had to wear so many hats, probably high seventies low eighties.  RFQ we don’t know cost until it is bid.

President Carlsrud agreed it was a lot of hats but questions requesting more money because that’s what is in the job description.  President Carlsrud would like to see the pay in the range you have calculated instead of higher.

Decision was made to negotiate with Caleb.

N1.  Consider changes to the Preliminary Budget

Finance Director Richter stated with the 2020 Cares Act for the Corona virus we have submitted 5 months of the law enforcements salaries and benefits to the state and based off what was sent in we have received money from the state to help offset the loss of revenue and increased costs we are having.  We have received the first 5 months, $435,056, from the state and will be receiving another portion estimated at $165,000.  This can be used for a wide range of items.

City Attorney Martineck mentioned they have a meeting on document management with Tyler, we don’t have a quote yet but that may want to be included in the budget.  Also the budget for the chamber and court, could that be covid related and receive reimbursement?

Finance Richter stated she will have to check into it as this money received may be in lieu of the other reimbursements that were submitted due to Covid.

City Commissioner Bishop stated he would like to see if something can be done with the windows at the PD.

Finance Director Richter stated that $15,000 was already added into the budget for that but can increase if needed.

President Carlsrud asked Police Chief Hatcher to get quotes so we know what to budget.

Consensus was made to move forward entering this into the budget.

Meeting adjourned at 7:57 AM

The City Commission Meeting began on Tuesday, September 1, 2020 at 5:00 PM CT, at City Commission Chambers, 254 2^nd Avenue NE, Valley City, ND. Members of the public were not permitted in the Commission Chambers due to COVID-19 and as allowed in ND Executive Order 2020-16.

President Carlsrud called the meeting to order at 5:03 PM.

Members present: President Carlsrud, Commissioner Magnuson, Commissioner Bishop, Commissioner Gulmon, and Commissioner Erickson.

Others present: City Administrator Crawford, City Attorney Martineck, Finance Director Richter, PW Accountant/Manager Jacobson, City Assessor Hansen, Fire Chief Magnuson, Police Chief Hatcher, Chad Petersen from KLJ

Approval of Agenda

No Changes

Approval of Minutes

Commissioner Magnuson moved to approve the August 18, 2020 Commission Meeting minutes, seconded by Commissioner Gulmon.  Motion carried.

Approval of Consent Agenda

A.  Approve Monthly Reports from the Fire Chief, Building Inspector, Auditor, Municipal Judge and

Public Works Accountant.

B.  Approve Monthly Bills for the City and Public Works in the Amount of

C.  Approve Raffle Permit for Barnes County Ducks Unlimited on 9/24/2020.

D.  Approve Raffle Permit for Barnes County Senior Citizens Council.

Commissioner Bishop moved to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Commissioner Erickson.  Motion carried.

Public Comments

There were no public comments.

Ordinance

Resolutions

New Business

N1.  Consider advertising for bids the sale of vacant lot at 14^th St SW, Parcel 63-0880017.

Discussion took place in Finance meeting prior.

Commissioner Gulmon made a motion to retain property, seconded by Commissioner Bishop.  Motion carried.

N2.  Consider member participation agreement – North Dakota Public Health Insurance Trust.

City Attorney Martineck stated we have been working with the Hayes Company for our health insurance.  They have proposed if we join the trust and sign a two year agreement with them we would be able to maintain our current health plan at no additional increase to our premiums for 2021.  Starting in 2022 we have an average annual increase of 3-6% which less than what we have had the last couple of years.  This year was over 25% and proposed to be 12-15% next year.  Based on that we are recommending that we enter into this agreement.  We are required to put up 8.5% of our annual premiums up front.

Commissioner Bishop made a motion that we participate with North Dakota Public Health Insurance Trust, seconded by Commissioner Magnuson.  Motion Carried.

N3.  Consider Site Authorizations for VCSU Foundation at W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse, VC Town & Country Club, Shelly Ellig Field @ Lokken Stadium and the Valley City Eagles Club.

Commissioner Magnuson moved to approve, seconded by Commissioner Erickson.  Motion carried.

N4.  Approve Recommendations from Renaissance Zone Authority Board for 5 year income tax exemption and 5 year property tax exemption up to $250,000 for Smith Lumber project VC-126 at 1525 East Main St.

Commissioner Bishop moved to approve the Renaissance Zone project for Smith Lumber, seconded by Commissioner Gulmon.  Motion carried.

City Administrator’s Report

City Administrator Crawford stated to make people aware that we will be enforcing the Ordinances as written.

City Updates & Commission Reports

Finance Auditor Richter reiterated that we will be having a Special Commission meeting Thursday, September 3^rd at 7:00 AM to discuss the City Engineer position and our budget.

Fire Chief Magnuson stated there is one month of the census remaining.  If you know someone that hasn’t completed it please encourage them to do so.

Police Chief Hatcher stated school is in session so please slow down and watch the cross walks.

Chad Petersen from KLJ provided project updates.  5^th Ave is open through 6^th St.  They are working on the landscaping and trees for Phase I.  Phase II they started spreading the gravel this week and will work on the underground next Tuesday.

City Commissioner Gulmon thanked City Attorney Martineck and City Administrator Crawford on their work with the health insurance.  We had an excellent audit so thanks to Avis and staff.

President Carlsrud stated we have been making some less than stellar decisions regarding staying safe with COVID.  From here on forward we can do better.  Wash your hands, social distance and wear masks where you can’t social distance.  We are looking for support from our downtown businesses to encourage people to mask up.

Thanks to all of our employees.  There is a lot of stuff going in the last couple weeks.  We’ve had to adjusting on the fly and thank you all for that and picking up the extra slack.

Meeting was adjourned at 5:27 PM.

The City Commission Meeting began on Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at 5:00 PM CT, at City Commission Chambers, 254 2^nd Avenue NE, Valley City, ND. Members of the public were not permitted in the Commission Chambers due to COVID-19 and as allowed in ND Executive Order 2020-16.

President Carlsrud called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM.

Members present: President Carlsrud, Commissioner Magnuson, Commissioner Bishop, Commissioner Gulmon, and Commissioner Erickson.

Others present: City Administrator Crawford, City Attorney Martineck, City Auditor Richter, Deputy Auditor Klein, PW Accountant/Manager Jacobson, City Assessor Hansen, Fire Chief Magnuson, Police Chief Hatcher, Chad Petersen from KLJ

Oath of Office for Officer Zachary Gruba

President Carlsrud administered the Oath of Office for Officer Gruba.

Approval of Agenda

No Changes

Approval of Minutes

Commissioner Bishop moved to approve the July 28, 29 and 30^th Budget Meetings and the August 4th, 2020 Commission Meeting minutes, seconded by Commissioner Erickson. Motion carried.

Approval of Consent Agenda

1.  Approve Plumber and Mechanical Contractor License for BDT Mechanical, LLC.

Commissioner Gulmon moved to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Commissioner Magnuson.  Motion Carried.

Public Comments

There were no public comments.

Ordinance

Approve second and final reading of Ordinance 1063, an Ordinance to amend Title 9 (Fire Protection) fire extinguisher inspections.

City Attorney Martineck reported the only change since the last reading is the addition of the administrative fee that can be assessed by the Fire Chief for violations of that particular section. 

Commissioner Magnuson moved to approve Ordinance 1063, seconded by Commissioner Erickson.  Motion passed.

Approve first reading of Ordinance No.  1064, an ordinance to adopt and enact Seciton1-01-16 of the Valley City Municipal Code related to cooperative purchasing.

City Attorney Martineck reported the fire department is looking at expanding the current fire hall and this ordinance is allowing to look at other competitive contract without the statutory bidding process.

Mayor Carlsrud asked why this process is necessary.

City Attorney Martineck responded that under state law we are required to competitively bid out any project that is over $200,000.  We can adopt an ordinance to allow us to bid differently and we have been told by another contractor that they would be able to do the project for a lot cheaper saving the taxpayers money if we used GSA contracting.

Commissioner Erickson moved to approve Ordinance 1064, seconded by Commissioner Bishop.  Motion passed.

Resolutions

Approve Resolution No. 2259, a resolution amending Master Fee Schedule – temporary use permit and fire extinguisher inspections.

City Attorney Martineck stated these fees were discussed at the last meeting.  The only thing that was added was the administrative penalty of $25 for the first violation and $50 for the second.

Mayor Carlsrud requested an example of a violation.

Fire Chief Magnuson responded if someone didn’t have their fire extinguishers up to code or inspected.

Commissioner Gulmon requested an example of where the temporary use permit would be utilized.

City Attorney Martineck stated an example would be food truck that wants to set up in a parking lot or on the side of the road will have to get a permit.  A vendor that had a rug sales business out of the back of their truck would have to come in and get a permit.     They can do it for 10 days for $50 or for the whole year for $500.

Commissioner Gulmon moved to approve Resolution 2259, seconded by Commissioner Erickson.  Motion Carried.

New Business

Approve construction engineering agreement with KLJ for Permanent Flood Protection Erosion Mitigation Phase 1.

This is an amendment to the original agreement.  The original agreement was for the $45,500, the amended amount is for $55,925 totaling $101,425.00.

Commissioner Magnuson moved to approve, seconded by Commissioner Bishop.
Roll call: Bishop – aye; Magnuson – aye; Erickson – nay; Gulmon – aye; Carlsrud – aye.

Motion carried.

Approve Special Alcohol Beverage Permit for the Labor Club Back to School Outdoor Parking Lot Dance held in the Labor Club Parking Lot on August 29^th from 9om-1am.

Commissioner Erickson moved to approve, seconded by Commissioner Magnuson.  Motion carried contingent that the Labor Club provides a plan on social distancing.

City Administrator’s Report

Marshall had brought up that the flags that were going on the new poles were getting caught up in some of the banners.  He received some quotes for fixing that problem.  City Administrator Crawford stated she applied for gaming funds through the Eagles and was awarded the full amount of $3,030.  Thank you to the Eagles!

City Updates & Commission Reports

Finance Auditor Richter reported that our 2019 audit reports are finalized and will be sent out to the commissioners and department heads soon.

Luke Everson with Eide Bailly will be presenting by Zoom at the September 1^st Finance meeting.

The certification for the Cares Act funding has been sent in for the 5 months of the Police Departments’ salary and benefits which totals $435,000.  Not sure how much of that we will be reimbursed.

Fire Chief Magnuson reported the census is still happening and workers are going door to door.

Chad Peterson from KLJ reported updates on 5^th Ave NW are starting to pave from main to just south of 7^th St.  Next week they should be moving onto Phase II.

Commissioner Gulmon stated he and Avis met last week reviewed some items in the budget and talked about the monthly financial income expense report to date and a little about the allocation of the Cares funds.

Commissioner Bishop welcomed Officer Gruba and thanked Police Chief Hatcher for all his hard work.

Mayor Carlsrud stated he and Suzy walked up 5^th Ave and we noticed what a good job KPH did cleaning up when they left for the weekend.  Also, thanks to Reiner for doing such a nice job on our flood wall.  Down at the Master Lift and the other pump station by where the old Bettins and it looks so nice.  Valley City can be proud of the work those people have did for us.

Welcome to Zach Gruba.

Thank you to the Eagles for the contribution.

Thank you to all of our city employees.  With all that is going on it makes more work to all of you and we appreciate you.  Thank you to the Commission for serving.

Meeting was Adjourned at 5:30 PM.