Valley City  (CSi)  The Valley City Commission met in Special Session Monday evening, at City Hall.  City Commissioner Gulmon was not present.

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Discussed was the Valley City Municipal Code regarding Assessment of upaid utility bills.

City Administrator Crawford said, the public was invited to hear their comment, and concerns. She outlined the present notification process, of paying utility bills, including checking withdrawals and other payment methods.

From the audience a landlord,  Dick Lorenz said, notification should be given when responsibility is a burden on the small property investor.

Dean Ross who owns property, said it’s the tenants responsibility to pay the utility bill, and not the landlord, under the recently enacted Ordinance.  He pointed out that the City Attorney should “go after,” tenant that have not paid delinquent utility bills, possibly in small claims court.

Gwen Crawford said a lot of the delinquent bills stem from the tenant not paying the final bill before they move out.  She said presently after a predetermined time frame if the delinquent bill is not paid by a current tenant the electricity is shut off.

City Commission Magnuson said the Monday meeting was called to hear  landlords thoughts, comments, and concerns, under the Ordinance.  He said, city Ordinance can be amended by the City Commission.  He said he’s open to hear comments and suggestions.

Mayor Carlsrud said the city held three public meetings for comments, with a lack of citizens attending, saying information on public notification of the hearings was available on line, in lieu of mailings.

Following discussions, Mayor Carlsrud said the present City Ordinance can be readdressed in the process of collecting delinquent utility bills.

No action was taken by the City Commission at Monday’s Meeting.

Also at the meeting, the City Commission approved a raffle permit foe the Valley City Lions Club on September 14, 2021 during the Ham & Beef Fundraiser.

The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 68.