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

Approval of Consent Agenda

Approved was Application to Block off Street Request from JE Dunn Construction for the dates of 11/2/2020-11/6/2020 on Viking Dr. SW, from 4th Ave SW to VCSU Student Center Drive Way for the Center for the Arts Underground utilities.

Approved a Raffle Permit for North Dakota Hereford Assn. for the date of 12/5/2020 held at the North Dakota Winter Show.

Public Comments

During the COVID-19 emergency, members of the public may request to make a public comment regarding city business by contacting City Hall (701) 845-1700 by 12 NOON on the day of the meeting to make arrangements.

Attorney General’s “A Citizen’s Guide to North Dakota Open Records & Open Meetings Laws” *A member of the public does not have the right to speak to the governing body at an open meeting.  The public is only entitled to see and hear what happens at a meeting, and to record or broadcast those observations.

No personal attacks to persons present or not

No inflammatory language used during time that you have the platform

5 minute maximum or as directed by the chair

Thank you for participating in City Government.

New Business

The City Commission formed a Selection Committee for City Engineering/Planning Services (Request For Quotes).  City Administrator Crawford said the committee will form and set a criteria for the selection.

All commissioners will be on the selection committee, along with City administrator Crawford,  and other city employees have been asked to join.  City Attorney Martineck said the committee should meet as soon as possible.

The City Commission approved forming the committee and those appointed.

City Commissioners approved the Final Review and Acceptance for Paving Improvement District No. 121.

City Administrator’s Report

Gwen Crawford said some construction work options, are being addressed to get finished before winter.

She said she’s met with city department heads, including animal control, and addressing issues with garbage collection, concerning access to alleys.

City Updates & Commission Reports

City Attorney Martineck said two applications have been received for the positions of City Building Inspector, and City Planner.

Commission Gulmon encourage citizens to wear face masks.

Commissioner Mike Bishop said he is ,quarantined having been in close contact with a COVID-19 positive case.  He said he has taken a COVID-19 test, and awaiting the results.  have been in close contact with a COVID-19 positive case.  He said he has taken a COVID-19 test, and awaiting the results.

Mayor Carlsrud said he joined a phone conference call with Governor Burgum and mayors from other North Dakota Cities on Tuesday, discussing the COVID-19 pandemic and the dramatic increase in positive cases, statewide, sharing local information.

Carlsrud then spoke to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the increase in positive cases, in Barnes County and surrounding counties.  As of Tuesday he said in Barnes County there were 41 positive cases per 100,000 population.  He said Valley City Public School, and Valley City State University comprise a total population of 2750.  He added that VCPS and VCSU students and staff were taking precautions on limiting the spread of the virus, with masking, social distancing, and following other CDC guidelines.

He also urges Valley City business to have employees mask-up, when social distancing is not possible, and to install signage, asking customers to wear masks, and social distance, when in the store.  He requests that customers respect and honor such signage.

He reminded citizens of the effect of closing businesses last spring, due to a high positive rate, and to halt the spread of the virus and the detrimental effect that had on the local economy, not wanting a repeat of that now.

He reminded citizens to wear face masks, and social distance, along with frequent hand washing with soap and water, and sanitizing work places, schools, and homes.

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