Valley City  (CSi)  The Valley City Commission met in Special Session Thursday morning at City Hall.  All members were present.

The City Commission Reviewed the open City Engineer Position.  City Attorney Martineck said the commission has the option of reviewing the requests for applicants, hiring an individual from applications, or looking to hiring an outside engineering firm. City Administrator Gwen Crawford said, the candidate interviewed had questions about the job description, concerning the Building Inspector part of the job.

The applicant’s interview was reviewed.

Commissioner Bishop said hiring a full time city engineer in house, would save the city money.  Mayor Carlsrud said he has favored a city engineers position in the past.  He said the primary applicant under consideration would serve the position well.  Commissioner Magnuson said he was impressed with the candidate.  Martineck said the cost of an engineer was compared to hiring an engineering firm.  Commissioner Gulmon feels the applicant will be able to learn certain aspects of the position.

Mayor Carlsrud said an outside consulting firm will have to be retained to assist with certain projects.

Bishop said he supports hiring the applicant.

The hiring of the position is the responsibility of the City Administrator. She pointed out the pros and cons of hiring an individual, versus an engineering firm, including cost savings.

Martineck said he favors hiring the applicant.

More negotiations with the candidate are forthcoming.

The commissioners consensus is to continue with negotiations with the applicant.

 

Commissioners considered changes to the 2020 calendar year, Preliminary Budget, before finalizing it.

City Auditor Avis Richter said the city has received a total of $600,000 from the Cares act, to use to offset budget items such as infrastructure project costs  or to offset property taxes.

She asked the commissioners to review the new information, and decide on where the additional dollars should go in the budget, concerning additional revenue, and to supplement the 2021 budget including health insurance increases.

She pointed out the dollars can also be used to transfer into the reserve fund.

The commissioners consensus is to have Avis move ahead with the discussed changes.

The meeting is showing on CSi Cable 68.