City Commission approves alternate pollinator location

Valley City (CSi) The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session Tuesday evening at City Hall. All members were present. Commissioner Nielson was present via telephone conference.

Presentation of Service Plaque was presented to Retired Assistant Fire Chief Daryl Stensland, presented by Valley City Fire Chief Gary Retterrath.

Stensland, the Assistant Chief was a member of the fire department from 1980- 2015.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:

A Plumbing License renewal for On Demand Plumbing and Ace Plumbing.

A Game of Chance Raffle Permit for St. Catherine Knights of Columbus and Ladies Golf Association.

PUBLIC FORUM: No one spoke.

ORDINANCES

Approved the second and final reading of an Ordinance rezoning 3.44 Acres to the City of Valley City, The area will contain a multiplex apartment building.

Approved the first reading of an Ordinance recodifying the Zoning Ordinance. Attorney Myhre said the draft was in conjunction with Karen Day of KLJ, modernizing and updating Valley City’s Ordinances.

NEW BUSINESS

The City Commission approved assigning $60,000 unexpended items in the 2014 Budget to be used in 2015. Auditor Richter said, the dollars include $10,000 for National Guard building improvements, along with the completion in 2015, pluse $6,000 earmarked for completion of sidewalks, and $50,000 for the Land Use Transportation and strategic updates.

City Commissioners considered a request from Bridge City Cruisers to put a 20’ x 26’ concrete slab in Rosebud Parking Lot for their annual burn out competition during Rally in the Valley. To be determined is the exact location within the parking lot, and liability issues.

The City Commission voted to approve the request.

The use of the lime pit as a garden/orchard was discussed.

Some Valley City school district officials support the idea of a planting a pollinator park in Valley City saying it would help educated student about the importance of the ecosystem for our environment.

The Valley City school board this month, voted against the idea of building a pollinator park at the former city lime pit site.

School officials are concerned that building the park near school district property would place students allergic to bee stings in harm’s way

At Tuesday’s meeting, Commissioner Luke said there has been interest in the community.

An alternative site has been determined …two blocks north of 9th Street, and north of the existing lime pit, the south half of the west block, and south half of the detention pond area.

VCSU will perform the upkeep and maintenance.

The NDSU Extension Service Barnes County Agent, noted the difference between bees, and Yellow Jackets, and that the pollinator is not as much of a concern with bees, as is the aggressiveness of Yellow Jackets in the fall, as they are attracted to sugar.

The City Commission voted unanimously to approve the new alternate location.

The City Commission considered a Cost Share Agreement between the ND State Water Commission and the City of Valley City for Permanent Flood Protection Project. Under consideration were the issues of underground, utilities and water lines, under dikes, in conjunction with the project. Mayor Werkhoven suggested those and others issues be resolved with discussions between the city, State Water Commission, and FEMA officials.

The Mayor moved to postpone until the next meeting, which was approved by the City Commission, with Commission Nielson voting in opposition to the postponement.

The Commissioners approved a Gaming Site Authorization Renewal for VC Hockey Club at the Town & Country Club.

Approved a Retail Image Enhancement Grant for B.I.G. Inc. – Skylanes – in an amount not to exceed $7,500.

Approved a Retail Image Enhancement Grant for Valley 313 Party Supply in an amount not to exceed $7,500.

Approved a change order to Phase I PFP project. City Administrator Schelkoph said the change order stems from securing insurance, the cost of which will be charged against the project.

Approved lowering the interest rate from 4.5% to 3.5% on the following special assessment projects: Storm Sewer #48, Paving #102, Paving #103, Road Dust Control #1, Paving #100, Storm Sewer #47, Sanitary Sewer #60 and Water Main #95.

CITY ADMINISTRATORS REPORT

Schelkoph said the Mill Dam collection site is open for grass and leaves, with City Wide Clean up in Valley City May 11-15, 2015.

He added city sidewalks will be inspected in the Northwest quarter of Valley for future improvement projects.

CITY UPDATE & COMMISSION REPORTS

City Assessor Sandy Hansen said yearly inspections will start in the Northwest quarter of Valley City. Letter will be going out to affected property owners.

City Fire Chief Retterath reminded fire pit owners about guidelines of using fire pits in city limits.

City Police Chief Fred Thompson said scammers are calling residents with the caller a fictitious “Officer Rodreqez,” who does not exist, threatening arrest if the person does not comply with demands. Chief Thompson said, to hang up and call the police department, about the call.

The meeting was shown live on CSi 68 followed by replays.