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

ON THE  CONSENT AGENDA:

Approved a Raffle Permit for Sheyenne Valley Friends of Animals

Approved a Raffle Permit for Puklich Auto Dealership.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:  No One Spoke…

 

 

PUBLIC HEARING

Final Public Hearing for Community Development Block Grant for After School Latch Key Program dba TL Childcare.  No One Spoke.

Following the Public Hearing, City Commissioners, Approve the Second and Final Reading of an Ordinance to Adopt the Valley City Municipal Code and Repeal all Ordinances Previously Adopted with Certain Exceptions.  City Attorney Martineck  said the Ordinance repeals Ordinances prior to May 2014.

He said  the Flood Plain Ordinance, was updated.

NEW BUSINESS

The 2019 Tree Report was given from City Forester Willis Wagar. He said this year, 96 Elm trees was found with Dutch Elm Disease, and 47 were removed, with 22 stumps left to take out.  27 diseased Elms are left to remove.  23 non Elm trees were removed.  He spoke with some property owners about removing trees deemed a hazard.  Wagar now steps down as City Forester.

The City Commission approved the appointment of 2020 City Forester and 2020 Contract in the amount of $7,400.  City Administrator Schelkoph said Bob Anderson was appointed City Forester, as recommended by Willis Wagar.  Anderson said he has a degree in Biological Science.

 

City Commissioners, approved a Property Tax Exemption for Improvements to 1337 6th Ave NE.  City Assessor Hansen  said the structure was built in 1966, and is having three additions being made to it.

 

Considered was paying for elevator repairs at Elks Building.  City Administrator Schelkoph pumps failed in the building during a rain, and the basement flooded.  After another major rain event, the gate pump valve failed and more water damage was reported.

He recommends the city pay the Elks $91,000 and work with the insurance carrier and KLJ on disbursements.  The City Commission approved Commissioner Bishop to recuse himself from the vote.

Commissioners then approved the repairs.

 

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

David Schelkoph reported on Tuesday’s morning’s Special Commission meeting when a Flood Emergency was declared.  He said the declaration was sent to the state for assistance. He said if anyone has a report on water concerns, or trees down, to call the City at 845-0380.  He added that the city continues to monitor and gather information from the Corps of Engineers on reservoir and river levels.

The meeting was reported at CSiNewsNow.com and shown live, followed by replays on the CSi Replay Channel 10.

 

CITY UPDATES & COMMISSION REPORTS

Building Inspector, Dave Anderson urges parents to tell their children to stay away from the river, adding some river banks are starting to give way into the river.

 

Fire Chief Scott Magnuson said about 300 people attended the fire department’s open house during Fire Prevention Week, last week.  He said firefighter visited school, talking about fire prevention and bring along fire trucks to view.  He added the Blood Drive, “Battle of the Badges,” continues on Wednesday Oct 16, from 11:30-a.m., to 6-p.m., with blood donors “voting,” in the competition between the fire department and police department to see which department has the most blood donated on their behalf. The Blood Drive is sponsored by Vitalent.

 

KLJ reported that the StreetScape lighting and traffic lights have been installed, with currently the traffic lights flashing four-way red, to be treated as a stop sign in all directions.  The lights should become operational in about a week.

Mayor Carlsrud said the city will continue to monitor the river during this time of high water, with individuals going out in shifts.

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