VCcommValley City (CSi) The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session Tuesday evening at City Hall.  All members were present.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDED:

A Game of Chance Raffle Permit for Valley City Fire Department and Student Nurse Organization.

PUBLIC FORUM:

Lloyd Nelson asked if there will be pay raises for city employees.  City Administrator David Schelkoph said the upcoming raise for employees is a 1.39% increase. Mayor Werkhoven says the city is coming in line with salaries of other city’s employees raises. Nelson pointed out that retirees are not receiving a cost of living increase.  Nelson suggested no pay increases and reduce property taxes by 10 percent.

Bob Drake appeared and asked why he received a letter from the City Administrator informing him that he was taken off the agenda. He said he did not indicate talking about the possiblity of making changes in the city police department.

City Attorney Russell Myhre said that after research he came to the legal conclusion that publicizing the agenda item was not appropriate in advance of the meeting.

Drake said the Commission was just trying to keep him quiet. Myhre suggested Drake retain an attorney. Drake said he plans to bring an attorney to future Commission meetings to speak on his behalf.

Myhre says there is an orderly procedure to bring the issue to the City Commission.

Drake restated that he has the constitutional right to appear.

See prior story on line at CSiNewsNow.com and reported on Tuesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2.

ORDINANCES

The City Commission approved the second and final reading of an Ordinance rezoning from R-1 Single Family District to B-1 Central Business District at Lots 1-2 of Block 34 located in B. W. Benson’s Addition to the City of Valley City, Barnes County, North Dakota. The Commissioners allowed Commissioner Magnuson to vote, having cited a conflict of interest.

Approved the second and final reading of an Ordinance amending the Zoning Use Matrix regarding “Sales or leasing of consumer vehicles including passenger vehicles, motorcycles, light and medium trucks and recreational vehicles” to include B-1 Central Business District. Attorney Myhre the item is a housekeeping measure, due to an oversight. The Commissioners allowed Commissioner Magnuson to vote, having stated a conflict of interest. Commissioner Luke voted opposed.

NEW BUSINESS :

Approved the Eide Bailly contract for the 2016 year. Finance Director Richter said the city is audited on an annual basis.

City Commissioners then approved a Sales Tax Joint Powers Agreement between City of Valley City and Valley City Park District, in conjunction with the Wellness Center funding, and a student fee approved by Valley City State University.

Following a review and discussion, the City Commissioners approved the revised 2015-2017 Engineering Contract with KLJ. From the audience, Bob Drake said the city should put up for bid the hiring of an engineering firm. He said when KLJ and Border States paving work on the same project it amounts to a doubling of costs. The approval passed on a 3-2 voted with commissioners Luke and Werkhoven voting in opposition.

 

The Commissioner approved a $5,000 bid to purchase of city property located at 626 4th Street SW, (Parcel number 63-0342673.) City Administrator Schelkoph there is still specials on the property, and back taxes owed.

 

CITY ADMINISTRATORS REPORT INCLUDED:

A change in the agreement with the power supplier, MRES, based on changes in conjunction with other power suppliers.

He noted a rate study is being made public this week, which includes a electric power rate increase.

　

CITY UPDATE & COMMISSION REPORTS

KLJ reported that this season’s work on the permanent flood control project is coming to a conclusion. Following the recent public meeting, upcoming options will be reviewed on the project.

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