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

North Dakota Winter Show Manager Tesa Klein was introduced. She talked about her background and noted the Winter Show is about three weeks away, adding new events are planned this year, and looks forward to continuing to work with city officials. A Military and First Responders Night is planned.

Senator Larry Robinson introduced, William Panos the new NDDOT Director, who said he’s learning about North Dakota, and called it a “Face to Face,” state in terms of communication. He will be visiting local governments, and school districts.  He gave an overview of services, and improvements in the system, including shorter waiting times to obtain a “real license.”  He added that the NDDOT is providing $550,000 for transit programs.   He said North Dakota is working on a ten year infrastructure plan.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA

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 $1,977,985.85.

Approved a Raffle Permit for Ducks Unlimited Barnes County Chapter, Valley City High School Music Boosters.

Approved a Raffle Permit for the Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce.

RESOLUTION

Commissioners  approved, a Resolution to Designate Authorized Representative for the City of Valley City, Mayor Carlsrud, as a Member of Missouri Basin Municipal Power Agency dba Missouri River Energy Services.

Approved was a Resolution Declaring Necessity for Paving Improvements in Paving Improvement District No. 120 (NDDOT Project# UGP-2-999(051), PCN 22280), a mill and overlay project on Central Avenue South.  A 30 day protest period will follow, and include Special Assessment information in letters, plus public meetings.

The City Commission approved a Resolution Declaring Necessity for Paving Improvements in Paving Improvement District No. 121 (2020 Seal Coat, on recently paved areas).  Protest will be reviewed and public hearings will be held.

Approved a Resolution Authorizing the Public Works cash transfer to remove the Negative balances of $428,283 in the street department, and $629,777 in the water department.  Public Works Accountant Gary Jacobson the Street Department’s negative balance stems from the high cost of snow removal.

In the water department the deficit will be covered by the sewer department.  He said recent rate increases should now balance that  budget.

NEW BUSINESS

Approved a capital lease of Elgin Pelican Street Sweeper for five years with annual payment of $43,068.00 from Sanitation Products.  Public Works Accountant Jacobson the present sweeper is near the end of it’s useful life.

Approved was an underground primary wire bid from Resco in the amount of $23,606.  Public Works Accountant Jacobson said the wire will be used for this year’s projects, and is budgeted for.

The City Commission approved Renaissance Zone Authority Board recommendation for 5 year income tax exemption for tenant, Bridge City Dentistry at 239 2nd Avenue NW and designate it as VC-122.

Approved was an Agreement for Long-Term Temporary Highway Closure with NDDOT. City Auditor Richter said the annual agreement covers the city notifying the NDDOT for such street closures as for street dances within 48 hours.

Commissioners approved the Urban Roads Project Submittal List for Fiscal Year 2021-2024 KLJ said the list is submitted on an annual basis

Approved was a change in the 2020 board calendar meeting dates.

CITY UPDATES &COMMISSION REPORTS

City Attorney Martineck said the position of City Administrator has been posted with the application deadline March 6, to be followed by interviews.

The commissioners concurred to add one hour to the monthly finance meeting starting at 2:30-p.m., for additional commission and public input beginning in March.

City Fire Chief Scott Magnuson reminded residents to keep children and pets off the river, and said VCSU students have volunteered to shovel around fire hydrants.

Mayor Carlsrud and Commissioner Bishop recognized the good work of the city street department in the  additional snow removal process.

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