Valley City  (CSi)  The Valley City Commission met in Special Session Tuesday evening via the Zoom platform and  observed social distancing at City Hall.  All members were present.

NEW BUSINESS

A Second interview was conducted with City Administrator candidate Gwendolyn Crawford.  She explained the duties at her current position as City Administrator at Lisbon, and said the Valley City position is similar in terms of working with the staff, and handling working with department heads.  She said at Lisbon the city staff works together as a team.

She and Valley City Commissioners discussed the Lisbon Police and Fire Departments, and challenges involved with building a new city fire hall.

She talked about funding for various projects.

She has reviewed the Valley City budget, was interested in the ways, Valley City budgets including setting aside funding for permanent flood protection, and pointed to Valley City having its own electricity source.

She attended last year’s Valley City Crazy Daze, and praised the activity.

She thanked the Commissioners for the opportunity to meet face to face for this interview.

Following the interview, she was excused, and Commissioners further discussed her candidacy for City Administrator.

Comments included her enthusiasm, and willingness to learn, versus her lack of experience.

Finalists for the position previously interviewed were:

Gwendolyn Crawford, Barnes County, North Dakota
City of Lisbon, Lisbon, ND

City Administrator FKA Auditor/Economic Development Director

Other finalists included:

Darcy Long, Gladstone, Michigan.

Darcy was also employed at
Amery, WI

Markle, IN

Brown City, MI: Brought new tier-one auto supplier to the community adding 30 new manufacturing jobs.

Larry Thompson, New Ulm, Minnesota.

On a unanimous vote the City Commission then selected Ms Crawford as City Administrator, and to start salary negotiations.

Gwendolyn Crawford’s Background information:

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources December 2002

University of Nebraska – Lincoln

Major: Agricultural Business

EXPERIENCE

City of Lisbon, Lisbon, ND

City Administrator FKA Auditor/Economic Development Director 02/2014-Present

▪ Coordinate and oversee activities of City department supervisors, offices and programs.

▪ Advise, assist and consult with City Engineer on all engineering and planning matters, including keeping track of payments, disbursements and change orders of all city projects.

▪ Prepare and administer city budget in excess of $5 million.

▪ Responsible for biweekly and monthly payroll along with quarterly and annual reports.

▪ Facilitate, promote and ensure community economic development and opportunities.

 

American Shorthorn Association, Kansas City, MO

Director Junior Activities 07/2011-08/2016

Director of Registration 07/2007-07/2011

▪ Planned, organized, fundraised, and orchestrated Junior Nationals

▪ Directed and motivated the elected leaders of the American Junior Shorthorn Association.

▪ Organized youth agricultural leadership conferences including finding alternatives for funding.

▪ Organized and put on 3-4 major fundraisers annually that fully funded the Junior Association.

▪ Assisted in developing and analyzing the association’s budget of over $1.25 million.

 

Missouri River Title, Omaha, NE 02/2005 – 07/2007

Escrow Office Manager 09/2000 – 08/2003

▪ Managed, trained, assisted and motivated, 9-12 employees completing 400-500 real estate closings.

▪ Responsible for $8 million to $15 million in escrow funds per month.

▪ Completed all aspects of purchases and refinances, for both Residential and Commercial transactions.

▪ Created training tutorials and researched new software to help with efficiency and customer service.

 

Homeland Title, Omaha, NE

Escrow Office Manager 08/2003 – 02/2005

▪ Responsible for hiring, payroll, deposits, accounts payable and accounts receivable.

▪ Supervised daily activities of five employees.

▪ Implemented a benefits package.

▪ Trained new employees and developed training manual.

 

VOLUNTEER WORK/HONORS

▪ 2019 North Dakota League of Cities Appointed Official of the Year

▪ Rural Leadership of North Dakota Class Alumni-Vice President

▪ Trustee of the Shorthorn Foundation

▪ Girls Nation Committee member 2020, Cornhusker Girls State-Chairman 2012 and 2013, Vice Chairman 2011, Director of Counselors 2006-2010, Senior Counselor 2003-2005, Citizen 1993.

 

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

▪ Excellent management and organizational skills

▪ Solid analytical and problem-solving skills

▪ Exceptional communication skills

▪ Able to multi-task and perform under stress

▪ Goal oriented, determined and hard working

▪ High energy with positive attitude

▪ Remarkable dependability and motivation

Also at Tuesday’s Special meeting, Commissioners also approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 1054 which, if approved upon second reading, would give the City authority to construct infrastructure (water main, storm sewer, sanitary sewer, and graded and graveled roads) from existing locations within City limits to the boundaries of newly annexed territories.  The vote was 3-2 in favor.  Voting in opposition were Commissioners, Powell, and Erickson.

The City would be further authorized to expend up to $150,000 from surplus funds generated by municipal utilities for the remainder of 2020 in order to cover associated engineering and construction costs.  The ordinance would terminate at the end of 2020.  It is anticipated that in 2020, a portion of the funds would be allocated to construct infrastructure to the boundaries of property owned by Bridgetown Builders Inc., pending approval of a Developer’s Agreement with the City and the Barnes Rural Water District.  Annexation of land for a proposed residential subdivision was approved by the Commission on April 7.  The second reading of Ordinance No. 1054 is scheduled for the regular Commission Meeting on May 5, along with further discussion of the subdivision development plan.

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