Valley City, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) — The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session Tuesday evening (Jan22, 2013), at City Hall. President Werkhoven was not present and the meeting was conducted by Vice President Pedersen.  Commissioner Luke was not present.

Approval of Consent Agenda items included:

A new plumbing and heating license for Sheyenne Mechanical LLC.

A new electric license for Grace Electric.

 

Public Hearings:

A Public Hearing was held to Consider Annexation of the I-94 Regional Development Corridor Plan submitted by Valley City Barnes County Development, and recommended by the Planning & Zoning Board. Development Direct Jennifer Feist said three parcels are being annexed, in conjunction with the Joh Deere Seeding expansion.

Following the Public Hearing the City Commission, approved the First Reading of as Ordinance annexing a tract of land located at I-94 and Exit 294, to the City of Valley City for Valley City Development Corporation.

(legal description of Auditor’s Lots 1 & 5, east of the replat of the Greenline Addition).

 

A Public Hearing was held to Determine Sufficiency of Protest for Paving Improvement District No. 101.   The area includes a seal coat in the Southwest quadrant, and a mill and overlay on Viking Drive.

The mill and overlay received one protest, 2.47%, well below the protest sufficiency. The individual owns property on Viking Drive.

City Commissioners then approved a Resolution to Determine Sufficiency of Protest for Paving Improvement District No. 101.

 

Ordinances:

Approved the First reading of an Ordinance rezoning a tract of land located at 8

th Avenue SE and Winter Show Road, from O-Other to B-2 Highway Business Zoning Use.

(legal description of Auditor’s Lot 1 of NW ¼ Section 28 township 140 N, range 58 W…west of Sabir’s)

 

Approved the First Reading of an Ordinance rezoning a tract of land located at I-94 and Exit 294, to the City of Valley City, from A-Agriculture to I-1 Light Industrial.

(legal description of Auditor’s Lots 1 % 5, east of the replat of the Greenline Addition)

Approved the First Reading of an Ordinance rezoning a tract of land located within the one mile extraterritorial jurisdiction, from A-Agricultural to R-2 Residential.

(Legal description of Auditor’s Lot 3 of SE ¼ Section 18, township 140 N, Range 58 W, for the I-94 Corridor Development).

 

Resolutions

The City Commission, approved a Resolution to approve final plans and specifications and estimate for probable cost and directing advertisement of construction bids for Paving Improvement District No. 101.

 

Approved a Resolution approving the Engineers report and directing preparation of detailed plans, specifications and estimates of probable cost for Paving Improvement District No. 102.

Approved a Resolution approving the Engineers report and directing preparation of detailed plans, specifications and estimates of probable cost for Paving Improvement District No. 103.

Public Meetings will be held on the projects, followed by letters sent to property owners, and a protest period.

 

The City Commission approved a Resolution adopting the Water Service Agreement with Chad Wendel for property south of I-94.

City Administrator Schelhoph gave a history of the topic.

He indicated that the city has negotiated with Barnes Rural Water District to allow the city to serve the Wendel property, within the Rural Water District.

City water will be sold to Barnes Rural Water District, which in turn will sell the water to Wendel.

City Attorney Russell Myhre said the agreement maintains the status-quo. He added as the city grows, other like issues may arise.

 

New Business

The City Commission discussed authorizing the issuance of a Sales Tax Revenue Bond with a 15 year term backed by city sales tax ,dedicated to economic development.

City voters approved extending the City Sales Tax, and Economic Development Director Jennifer Feist says the action will allow longer term financing for the I-94 Corridor project.

 

The City Commission discussed if the city should proceed with the Army Corps of Engineers hydrolic and hydrology study, or if the city should conduct its own study.

City Administrator Schelkopf suggested not moving into the Corps’ second phase of the feasibility study. Commissioner Pedersen said it would be more cost effective to terminate the study, and work with local engineers, and the State Water Commission, and look at state funding from the State Legislature.

The City Commission voted 3-0 with two commissioners not present at the meeting to not move forward with the Corps’ second phase.

 

Commissioners considered a new job position/description for Police Records, Manager.

City Administrator Schelkoph said, the present position is Administrative Assistant.

He added the new position would handle those responsibilities plus other duties.

Those applying for the position will be advised if the new job description.

The City Commission voted unanimously to approve the new position.

 

City Administrator Report

David Schelkoph said calls of abandoned vehicles and junk in yards are being addressed, by the city, under the City Ordinance.

Those abusing the Ordinance will be apprised of the Ordinance, and to come under compliance within a time period.

He said a traffic study at the intersection of Winter Show Road and 12th Street Southeast indicates that by changing the stops signs around it would improve the traffic flow by 37%

He suggested a public meeting be set up to which the Commissioners concurred.

On another topic Schelkoph indicated the NDDOT is looking at options concerning its funding distribution shortfall to cities. He said the results of the NDDOT’s decision will affect funds received by Valley City. No city projects have thus far been affected.

 

He said the sale of the city auditorium is still be investigated in light of a proposed purchase falling through. Commissioner Pedersen questioned if the public school district might be interested in the purchase, and Schelkoph wondered if VCSU might be interested in the building.

Usage as an apartment building has also been suggested.

The building presently sits in the floodway in the city.

Commissioner Pedersen suggested the city keep the building for another, year, and “shrink” the floodway.

 

Schelkopf said the city is reducing its electrical output, in the wake of the current cold weather snap.

He added that lead mitigation in the city’s shooting range was tested by the health department officials, and is ongoing.

 

 

City Updates & Commission Comments:

Commissioner Nielson said the Safe Routes to School program is being addressed, with planned safety improvements for students/pedestrians.

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