VCcommValley City (CSi) The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session Monday at City Hall.

All members were present.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:

Approved Monthly Reports from the Fire Chief, Building Inspector, Auditor, Municipal Judge and Public Works Accountant.

Approved Monthly Bills for the City and Public Works in the Amount of $1,282,029.70

Approved Game of Chance Raffle Permit for Skills USA at Sheyenne Valley Area CTC, Darin Malec Memorial and VC Chamber of Commerce.

PUBLIC FORUM No spoke….

ORDINANCES

Approved the second and final reading of an Ordinance creating a restrictive covenant for structures to be removed in accordance with the State Water Commission. Attorney Myhre, said following the flood buyouts, the properties are not able to be built on again, with the permanent flood protection.

Approved the first reading of an Ordinance rezoning 28 – 3 Part of SE ¼ NE ¼ Metes and Bounds, consisting of 3.44 Acres to the City of Valley City, Barnes County, North Dakota. Development Corporation. The area will be re-zoned from industrial, to contain a 40 unit apartment complex, south of Winter Show Drive.

Approved the second and final reading of an Ordinance recodifying the Garbage and Rubbish Ordinance. Attorney Myhre said the recodification contains the present policy and alllows more flexibility to establish rates, through resolution, rather than ordinance.

RESOLUTIONS

Approved a Resolution calling for approval of final replat for Block 5 Granger Hill Addition.  Commissioner Pedersen abstained from voting.

Approved a Resolution Authorizing the Issuance of Improvement Warrants and Exchanging them for $4,545,000 Refunding Improvement Bonds of 2015, for the street, sewer and water district. Nine bids were received, and awarded to Piper, Jaffrey.  Moodys gave Valley City an A-1 bond rating.

Approved a Resolution awarding construction contract for Water Main Improvement Districts No. 96B and 97 to Quam Construction in the amount of $725,283.

NEW BUSINESS

 

Approved the bid from Keith’s Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating in the amount of $7,033 for the National Guard Building digital controls. Three bids were received. The National Guard agreed to pay half the costs.

An Open Public Hearing was held regarding Special Assessments confirmed by the Special Assessment Commission for Paving Improvement District No. 105, Storm Sewer Improvement District No. 49 and Consolidated Sewer and Water Improvement No. 58. The properties will pay through property taxes, within the guidelines of Tax Increment Financing.

Following the hearing the City Commission approved the Special Assessments.

Approved a Retail Image Enhancement Grant for the VCBC Public Library in the amount of $7,500. The exterior of the library will receive a new color within repainting. The overall cost is estimated at $20,000.

Approved the new Assistant Fire Chief – Ron Burchill. Fire Chief Retterath said Burchill has been with the department for 30 years, and is involved with training new recruits.

Considered a request from Bridge City Cruisers to put a 20’ x 26’ concrete slab in Rosebud Parking Lot, for a burnout event, during Rally in the Valley. Commissioner Magnuson said the slab may break up the present asphalt surface.

The east side existing parking lot area was suggested where concrete exists. The City Commission will act on the issue at the next Commission meeting, pending a meeting with interested parties including the City Engineer’s Office.

Approved a Special Alcohol Event Permit for the Nubar during Rally in the Valley.

Approved a 2015 Capital Budget for Public Works. City Administrator Schelkoph said the budget is in the amount for $926,501,with $452,000 in carry over funds.

Commissioner Madeline Luke led a discussion with considering the use of the lime pit as a garden/orchard.

Under the proposal, about 3.5 acres of land where the former lime pit is located along 5th Avenue Northeast, near schools and the hospital, would be filled and made into a wild rose garden and orchard. The orchard would provide fruit and nuts.

The preliminary plan calls for providing a green space which will educate, engage and give pleasure to the whole community while providing habitat for butterflies, bees, birds and other wildlife. She indicated the area could be a tourist attraction as well. She pointed out that grant dollars will be sought for the project, including hiring an architect from Fargo who will produce a comprehensive garden plan at an estimated cost of $5,000. $2,500 would be submitted in grant request to the North Dakota, Forest Service with a $2,500 local donated match.

She moved that the city approve using the lime pit for those purposes.

She later withdrew the motion.

Dick Gulmon pointed out that another vision includes locating the site near Hi-line Park, for use of a girl’s fast-pitch softball field and youth baseball. One diamond will be taken out for the permanent flood protection.

The Valley City Public School Board may take up the issue of possible bee stings concerning a pollinator.

The City Commission Tuesday, took no action. Commissioner Luke added that if others have options they should come forward with presentations.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR SCHELKOPH REPORT

Leaves and grass clippings may not be brought to the Mill Dam site, but no large branchesw

Valley City, Citywide Clean Up is set for May 11-15, 2015.

 

CITY UPDATES & COMMISSION REPORTS

City Assessor Sandy Hansen the City Board of Equalization meets April 14th.

Anyone with questions on their assessments may contact her at city hall, and attend the meeting.

Mayor Werkhoven reported that the repairs on the hole at Tolna Dam should be completed within about four weeks. When repairs are completed the water release from Stump Lake should be at the regular rate.

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