VCcommPixsValley City (CSi) At Tuesday’ Valley City Commission meeting, Robert Drake asked “Why the citizens of Valley City where told that they couldn’t buy flood homes from the city of Valley City, then move them to lots within the city limits.”

Drake says there is no law enforcing that action, saying other city’s allowed and encouraged such moves.

He pointed out that 20 flood homes were demolished that could have been saved, and thus saving the city demolitions costs.

He also said if citizens were aware of his assertions there would have been more interest in purchasing the homes.

He said the saved homes would go toward reducing the Valley City housing shortage, and kept the houses on the property tax rolls.

Drake went on to say that the City Commission is responsible for investigating the “failure” of the City Administrator, and City Building Inspector, for there interpretation of the laws.

No comments were made at the meeting by city officials and no action was taken by the commission at Tuesday’s meeting.

Since the meeting, Schelkoph and Andersen have said that they did nothing wrong and they have not mislead the city commission concerning the flood buyout process, giving the City Commission the best facts available during the buyout process.

Drake says he and others are asking for legal advice concerning if they should pursue a class action lawsuit against the city or pursue an individual lawsuit against Schelkoph and Andersen.

Drake believes they should be reprimanded or fired.

Tuesday’s  meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 68, followed by replays.