Valley City  (CSi)  The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session Tuesday evening at City Hall. All members were present.

Mayor Carlsrud read a Proclamation, declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

It urges all members of the Valley City Community to work together to end domestic violence.

 

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:

Approved Monthly Reports from the Fire Chief, Building Inspector, Auditor, Municipal Judge and Public Works Accountant.

Monthly Bills for the City and Public Works in the Amount of $ 2,788,970.88

An  Application to Block off the Street for Sheyenne Valley Backing the Badge 6K on October 14, 2017

A Parade Application for Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce Parade of Lights on November 30, 2017

Raffle  permits for CHI Mercy Health Foundation, St. Catherine School, V.C. Men’s Bowling Association, Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce

PUBLIC COMMENTS   No one spoke

PUBLIC HEARING

A Public Hearing was held for an Application for Property Tax Incentives for New or Expanding Businesses (PILOT- Payment In Lieu Of Taxes) for Meridian Apartments II

Jim Knutson of Valley Realty the PILOT incentive would reduce monthly rental to tenants by $84 per month.   He said construction would start this fall, with completion in July of 2018.

Developer Paul Diegel who owns a 43 unit apartment building, said the project would be a competitor for housing in Valley City.

John Schneider an apartment building owner noted a 12 and half percent vacancy rate in his unit and opposes the application.

Dave Singleton spoke, who has the affordable housing units in Valley City.  He said the PILOT program adds units and will hurt existing apartment buildings, and opposes the application.

Commissioner Magnuson said tax incentives allows additional building and growth in the city.

City Attorney Lilie Mertins said the Commission’s decision should be based on impacts on existing industry and the best interests of the city.

Following the Public Hearing,  after discussion, commissioners voted  3-2 with commissioners voting  no including Pedersen and Bishop, to table the application until the October 17, 2017 Commission meeting.

 

ORDINANCE

The City Commission approved the Second and Final Reading of an adopting the 2018 City Budget.

The City Commission approved the Second and Final Reading of an Ordinance to repeal and re-enact Title 12, Nuisances & Property Maintenance.

Approved the Second and Final Reading of an Ordinance repealing and reserving for future use Title 10 and amending and reenacting Section 5 of Title 15, Municipal Utilities.

 

RESOLUTION

The City Commission approved a Resolution providing for the issuance and sale of City of Valley City, North Dakota Sales Tax Revenue Bond, Series 2017 for Permanent Flood Protection.  City Auditor Richter said the action will take care of Phase One buyouts with a $1.3 million loan for 30 years.

 

Approved a Resolution declaring necessity of improvements in Paving Improvement District No. 114

Approved a Resolution declaring necessity of improvements in Paving Improvement District No. 116

NEW BUSINESS

Commissioners discussed accepting a bid and awarding contract for 7th Street SE Pressure Reducing Valve.

KLJ recommends rejecting all bids that were opened, being higher than projected, a motion to do so, died for a lack of a second, so no action was taken.

Approved a Renaissance Zone Application for pro-rated transfer for Henry & Sandra Bruns for the remainder of the five year property tax exemption and five year income tax exemption period at 739 2nd Street NW #203 and designate it as VC-106.

Approved the 2018 Heath Insurance Contract between NDBCBS and the City of Valley City.   City Auditor Richter said there are few changes, and recommended continuing with the carrier and approve the contract, which was approved by the Commission.

Approved a Special Alcohol Beverage Event Permit for NuBar on October 26, 2017 for Rotary Wine & Beer Tasting.

Approved a Special Alcohol Beverage Event Permit for Dakota Silver on October 26, 2017 for Rotary Wine & Beer Tasting

 

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

David Schelkoph said the public input hearing on the land use and transportation plan was well attended, with two more public input meetings planned.

On line surveys, and hard copies of the survey are available at City Hall.

CITY UPDATES & COMMISSION REPORTS

Fire Chief Gary Retterath said next week is Fire Prevention week with the Valley City Fire Department holding an Open House on Sunday October 8, 2017, from 1-4 p.m.

A Battle of the Badges to give blood, between the City Fire Department and Police Department will be coming up in cooperation with United Blood services.

Commissioner Powell reminded motorists to be watchful for pedestrians with it getting dark earlier now.

KLJ reports the Main Street and parking lots projects are finished, with clean up continuing.

The meeting was shown live on csi cable 68, followed by replays.