Valley City  (CSi)  The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session Tuesday evening at City Hall.

All members were present.

 

Missouri River Energy Services Update.  CEO Tom Heller, talked about the partnership between MRES and the City, along with the power supply, and the four state area, served established in 1965 supplying  power wholesale,a $300-million company.   Loans are secured by support from power purchasers such as Valley City.  Hyrdo power is supplied by WAPA.  He said a five percent reduction in rates  from MRES will be coming in 2022. $660,00 was refunded to Valley   the last year, in the form of an energy rebate.  He said Valley City has 93-percent carbon-free power supply.  In the future MRES is looking at a solar power supply that would be installed in Valley City.

 

 

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA

An Application for a Raffle Permit for Barnes County Senior Citizens Council, Inc. from August 17th, 2021 to June 30, 2022.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS ….No One Spoke….

 

 

ORDINANCE

Approved was the First Reading of an Ordinance Approving Text Amendments to Titles 11 and 16 of the Valley City Municipal Code.  City Attorney Martineck said, the Ordinance approved by the Planning & Zoning Commission, involves changes to zoning and subdivisions with guidelines. Among the issues are the Ordinance requires ADA compliant sidewalks in all residential areas.  It also outlines the number of off-street parking spaces, based on a formula, and includes multi family units.

 

 

RESOLUTION

Approved a Resolution Authorizing the City Administrator to Sell City Property if it’s below $2500. City Attorney Martineck said  the Resolution allows the City Administrator to do so administratively.

 

 

Approved a Resolution Approving the Replat of Original Townsite Block 17 Lot 15 (Fire Department Expansion).  

 

The City Commission approved a Resolution Approving the Replat of Grangers Subdivision Lots 9 & 10.

City Attorney Martineck said, stormwater runoff will be addressed, and incorporate sidewalks.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Approved was a request for the City of Valley City, to provide a Letter Supporting Changes that Support Development and Object Recent Changes Implemented by MDU. Valley City Barnes County Economic Development Director, Jennifer Feist said, the, changes require a Class One contractor license for work performed.  She said the issue needs to be elevated to community awareness, and statewide, concerning safety issues, and federal guidelines interpreted by MDU.  Support from the city and Barnes County, along with economic development is being requested.

 

The City Commission discussed Delinquent Electric Bills staying with Properties.

Commissioner Bishop, said the current Ordinance  procedure in place needs to be negotiated with landlords to possibly modify the policy, at a public meeting. Several North Dakota cities have the policy in place including Jamestown.  The City Commission voted to  set up a meeting with landlords regarding delinquent electric bills to protect the entities involved.

 

Approved was the Appointment of Tyler Marthaler as the Community at Large Representative for the Visitor’s Committee.  Deputy Auditor Klein said, the Visitors Committee approved the recommendation.

 

Approved was a Visitors Committee Recommendation for Image Enhancement Grant for Dakota Dogs in the amount up to $1,000 towards additional signage and $3,587 towards exterior and lobby improvements for a total grant of up to $4,587.00.

 

The City Commission Approved  Construction Engineering for West End Lift Station. Commissioner Erickson voted in opposition.

 

Approved was Design Engineering for 6th Street NW Reconstruction Project (NDDOT Project No. SU-2-990(060), PCN 23154). Commissioner Erickson voted in opposition.

 

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

Gwen Crawford said a downtown speaker issue has been addressed.

CITY UPDATES & COMMISSION REPORTS

Police Chief Hatcher outlined the agreement with local vehicle dealers concerning preventing the theft of catalytic converters from vehicles, by inscribing the vehicle’s VIN number on the part.  The service is free of charge.

With school starting ,crosswalks and pavement markings have been installed  around schools,  with some changes to traffic flows that motorists need to be aware of.

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