Category Archives: Announcements

11.6.2020 Special Commission Meeting

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The City Commission Meeting will begin on Friday, November 6th, 2020 at 12:00 PM CT, via Zoom. Members of the public are not permitted in the Commission Chambers due to COVID-19 and as allowed in ND Executive Order 2020-16.

Members of the public may view the meeting online https://zoom.us/j/98487551097 or listen by calling (1 346 248 7799) Webinar ID: 984 8755 1097

Call To Order
Roll Call

New Business

1.  Discuss COVID (President Carlsrud)

          Roll Call:     Bishop            Gulmon           Erickson         Magnuson        Carlsrud


Adjourn

Minutes Available text with City of Valley City Logo above

10/20/2020 Commission Meeting Minutes

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The City Commission Meeting began on Tuesday, October 20th, 2020 at 5:00 PM CT, at City Commission Chambers, 254 2nd Avenue NE, Valley City, ND. Members of the public were not permitted in the Commission Chambers due to COVID-19 and as allowed in ND Executive Order 2020-16.

President Carlsrud called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM.

Members present: President Carlsrud, Commissioner Magnuson, Commissioner Bishop, Commissioner Gulmon, and Commissioner Erickson.

Others present: City Administrator Crawford, City Attorney Martineck, Deputy Auditor Klein, Fire Chief Magnuson, Police Chief Hatcher, Chad Petersen from KLJ.

Approval of Agenda

No Changes

Approval of Minutes

Commissioner Magnuson moved to approve the October 6 and October 12, 2020 Meeting minutes seconded by Commissioner Gulmon.  Motion carried.

Approval of Consent Agenda

  1. Approve 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.
  • Approve Raffle Permit for North Dakota Hereford Assn. for the date of 12/5/2020 held at the North Dakota Winter Show.

Commissioner Erickson moved to approve the Consent Agenda, seconded by Commissioner Magnuson.  Motion carried.

Public Comments

There were no public comments.

New Business

  1. Form Selection Committee for City Engineering/Planning Services (RFQ).  (City Administrator Crawford)

City Administrator Crawford stated we have three companies that turned in for an RFQ.  Before we can set time lines we need to form a committee.  City Administrator Crawford stated she and Operations Superintendent Klemisch would be on the committee, City Attorney Carlsrud recused himself, President Carlsrud, Commissioner Erickson, Commissioner Gulmon, Commissioner Magnuson and Commissioner Bishop all stated they would like to be on the committee.  Discussion also took place inviting Dan Bernhardt and/or Lance Coit to fill spots.

Commissioner Gulmon made a motion to form the committee as mentioned inviting Dan and if Dan declines invite Lance, seconded by Commissioner Erickson.  Motion carried.

  • Consider Final Review and Acceptance for Paving Improvement District No. 121. (KLJ)

Chad Petersen from KLJ stated the seal coat was completed in June satisfactorily and we are working on the final review and acceptance.

Commissioner Magnuson moved to approve, seconded by Commissioner Gulmon.  Motion carried.

City Administrator’s Report

City Administrator Crawford stated she received an email from Love’s and there is an issue with the weather and the asphalt plant shutting down.  We are evaluating our options. 

5th Ave NW has issues between driveways and sidewalks but we want to get the first layer down.  There is a meeting tomorrow for our game plan.

Today was the first meeting on the I-94 landslide.  In 2021 they will lay out the plans and in 2022 would be the project. 

We realized the emergency flood protocols that are currently in place are great but we also realized we don’t have protocols in place for anything else really so we are working on that.

City Administrator Crawford also stated she did a ride along with Brandi from the PD and the crew from the North sanitation route.  It was beneficial to see firsthand the process and the issues these employees are facing.  With the upcoming snow there are vehicles that need to be moved.  The sanitation crew wanted to commend Bob for the work he did on getting several of the branches cleaned up.  An issue they also have is yards that have the wooden garbage holders.  Sometimes in order to get the can out you have to lift them really high and they can be heavy.

President Carlsrud thanked Gwen and added that on his walks he sees lots of cardboard and encouraged everyone to recycle.  If it is recycled it pays for itself but if it goes to the garbage we pay to have it removed.

City Updates & Commission Reports

City Attorney Martineck reported we had 2 applications for the City Planner/Building Inspector position.  We will be reviewing those in conjunction with the RFQ process.

Chad Petersen from KLJ updated on Streetscape Phase II that bids were open by the DOT last week and will have more information at the November Finance/Commission meeting.  Strata was the low bid at $2,197,000, the Engineering estimate was around $2,180,000.  More will be presented at the next meeting so a decision can be made.

Chad Petersen from KLJ provided an update on the 5th Ave project.  Two blocks of curb and gutter are complete with three more to go.  The sidewalk work is happening and if not already complete the electrical is almost completed up to 12th St.  Completion date is set for October 16th but will likely extend beyond that but shouldn’t be by much.

Commissioner Gulmon stated in regards to the COVID situation it would be best if all citizens do our part.  Wear masks and encourage businesses to ask customers to wear masks.  We need to step up and do a better job.

Commissioner Bishop continued off of Commissioner Gulmon’s statement stating he knows firsthand as he is in quarantine now due to being in close contact. 

Mayor Carlsrud reported he was on a call with the Governor and City Mayors and they were calling it a COVID storm due to the escalation.  We are at about 41/10,000 active cases.  We’ve been doing a good job, we were down to about 25 a week ago.  We need to rededicate ourselves to doing the right thing.  Kudos to the Public Schools and University along with their employees represent around 2,750 people.  Infections in that group are in the range of 20.  The school systems are doing a great job and part of that is because they are wearing masks everywhere.

It’s simple, social distance, wash your hands, practice good hygiene and wear a mask when you can’t social distance.  Business owners and operators, Fargo is afraid this could move them to red down the road and we don’t want to go there.  I invite you to put signs on your door and when you can’t social distance put your mask on.  I don’t know how many can afford to be shut down again but I don’t want to see it.  Please help and respect the signs on the doors.

Meeting was adjourned at 5:24 PM

11/2/2020 Mayor’s Message

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Hello Everybody,

  • Even with “COVID Fatigue”, we are grateful, seeing acts of kindness such as, people leaving Halloween Treats for a family in quarantine, drivers yielding to pedestrians and some friendly “waves”.   Battle “COVID Fatigue” and be friendly as “Courtesy is Contagious”.
  • Thank you to the people on our Beautification Committee.  These folks do volunteer work all over town, securing grant monies, planting trees, planting flowers, and providing upkeep for their many projects through countless volunteer hours.  One of their projects is the beautiful Hi-Line Prairie Gardens & Orchard located at 5th Avenue and 9th Street NE.
  • Walking:  When you are out walking, be sure to wear high visibility colors and always face traffic when walking on the streets.  There are many distracted drivers and more hours of darkness so it is important you see them and they see you.  Please be safe.
  • COVID numbers are exploding around the USA and North Dakota.  I saw one statistic saying if North Dakota were a country, it would have the most positives per capita in the world.  Wow.
  • Last week a “Mask Plan” was implemented to help slow the spread and protect all of us.  Some people are not accepting the experts’ knowledge telling us “masks help”.  Maybe we could liken the COVID battle like we battle floods.  Our whole community “comes together” for the good of all.  Like the floods, to slow COVID, we need to “come together” again.  Masking-up helps protect your family, friends and fellow workers.  Please help.
  • Businesses need to help too as nonessential businesses in certain areas are being shut down.  We want you open, have employees and customers wear masks in your stores.  You are in control of your destiny.

“We are in this together.”         (Anonymous)                                                   

Blessings, Pray and Be Safe,

Dave

11/3/2020 Commission Agenda

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The City Commission Meeting will begin on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020 at 5:00 PM CT, at City Commission Chambers, 254 2nd Avenue NE, Valley City, ND. Members of the public are not permitted in the Commission Chambers due to COVID-19 and as allowed in ND Executive Order 2020-16.
Members of the public may view the meeting online https://zoom.us/j/93667792633 or listen by calling (1 346 248 7799) Webinar ID: 936 6779 2633

CALL TO ORDER

ROLL CALL

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (PLEASE STAND)

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes from October 20, 2020 meeting

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approve Monthly Reports from the Fire Chief, Building Inspector, Auditor, Municipal Judge and Public Works Accountant.
B. Approve Monthly Bills for the City and Public Works in the Amount of $
Roll Call: Bishop Magnuson Gulmon Erickson Carlsrud

Public Comments
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.

ORDINANCE

  1. Approve first reading of Ordinance No. 1066, an Ordinance Approving Franchise Agreement with Qwest/CenturyLink. (City Attorney Martineck)
    Roll Call: Erickson Magnuson Bishop Gulmon Carlsrud

RESOLUTION

  1. Approve Resolution No. 2264, a resolution accepting bid and awarding contract to Strata Corporation for Project No. UGP-SU-2-999(051), PCN 22280-Streetscape Phase II. (KLJ)
    Roll Call: Gulmon Erickson Magnuson Bishop Carlsrud

NEW BUSINESS

  1. Approve annual Maintenance Certification for urban federal aid projects. (KLJ)
    Roll Call: Bishop Gulmon Erickson Magnuson Carlsrud

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
CITY UPDATES &COMMISSION REPORTS
ADJOURN

11/3/2020 Finance Agenda

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 The City Commission Meeting will begin on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020 at 3:00 PM CT, at City Commission Chambers, 254 2nd Avenue NE, Valley City, ND. Members of the public are not permitted in the Commission Chambers due to COVID-19 and as allowed in ND Executive Order 2020-16.

Members of the public may view the meeting online

https://zoom.us/j/99846994464 or listen by calling (1 346 248 7799) Webinar ID: 998 4699 4464.

Call to Order

Roll Call

Agenda items

  1.  Department reports.
    • Out of State Travel Requests.
  2. Review monthly bills/reports (10 minutes) – (President Carlsrud)

3.   Discuss Tree Ordinance Change.  (City Administrator Crawford)

4.   Discuss 2021 Employee Benefits.  (City Attorney Martineck)

5.   Discussion around Recycling Cardboard. (President Carlsrud)

6.   Consider Placing Vacant City Lots for Bids.  (City Assessor Hansen)

7.   Review bids for Streetscape Phase II – NDDOT Project No. UPG-SU-2-999(05) (KLJ)

8.  Discuss Urban Roads Program Solicitation (KLJ)

9.  Discuss NDDOT Urban Grant Program (UGP) Solicitation (KLJ)

10. Discuss NDDOT Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) Solicitation (KLJ)

11. Discuss NDDOT Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Solicitation (KLJ)

12.  Discuss Elks Building. (City Attorney Martineck)

13.  Form a committee for PFP storage. (Commissioner Magnuson)

14.  Discuss Future Outlook of the City.  (Commissioner Magnuson)

15.  Discuss Coronavirus.  (Mayor Carlsrud)

Adjourn

10/26/2020 Mayor’s Message

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Hi Folks,

As you likely know, we enacted “The City Mask Plan” at 5:00 PM last Friday.  You can view the plan at; https://www.valleycity.us/covid-19/ . Considerations for the plan are tied to the Smart Restart Guidelines issued by the Department of Health.

MASKING-UP is important as the main modes of transmission are by coughing, sneezing, talking and breathing.  All of which transmit droplets of different sizes.  Masks will help protect you and people around you too.

So, why would you and I want to MASK-UP?  With numbers of positives on the increase, we will be moving towards a higher risk level if we can’t lower our numbers.  We need to help our businesses by masking up; business employees need to encourage customers to mask-up as well.  If we move up too much in risk level, there is a threat the state could close businesses again so let’s all MASK-UP to save our businesses.  Also, with holidays just around the corner, there will be gatherings with friends and families.  As parents and grandparents, we all want to protect our children and grandchildren from COVID and they will protect us as well.

Let’s MASK-UP to save businesses and protect fellow employees, friends and family!!

“We are in this together.”         (Anonymous)                                                   

Blessings, Pray and Be Safe,

Dave

Paving Improvement District No. 118

5th Avenue Construction Update

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Phase II of the 5th Ave NW reconstruction has been suspended for winter. The roadway opened to residents October 21st  so they could all get in their garages prior to the weather. Permanent signage will be placed the week of Oct. 26 and the roadway will open to the public at that time. A temporary material consisting of a blend of aggregate and crushed asphalt has been placed and compacted on sidewalks that have not yet been completed so once things freeze solid homeowners will be able to maintain and clear snow. With 5th Ave NW not being a designated truck route, per Section 14-12-29 of the VCMC, the maximum axle load would should be 12,000 lbs. As long as we abide by that we should not have any other concerns of any travel restrictions on that road. The final construction work will be completed late spring/early summer in 2021. If anyone has questions or concerns please contact KLJ at 701-845-4980.

City of Valley City logo with word "announcement"

For Immediate Release

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On Oct. 21, 2020, Valley City Mayor Dave Carlsrud signed Emergency Order 2020-05 implementing a Mask Plan for the City of Valley City in accordance with the ND Smart Restart guidelines.

The City Mask Plan strongly encourages people in Valley City to wear a face covering over their mouth and nose in buildings where they may encounter people outside of their household and they are unable to keep 6 feet of distance from them. They are also strongly encouraged to wear a mask in all outdoors settings where they cannot maintain 6 feet of distance from people outside of their household.

The City Mask Plan also strongly encourages businesses to follow the ND Smart Restart guidelines, which limits customers in their establishments to 50% capacity with a maximum of 100 people.

Customers entering restaurants, bars, breweries, and similar businesses are encouraged to wear a face covering from the time they enter the building to the time they sit. They should continue to wear their mask if they are not in the process of eating or drinking. Individuals using or operating public transportation should wear a face covering from pickup to arrival at the destination.

The City will actively support property owners who wish to require masks in their buildings.

The City Mask Plan places responsibility on each individual to wear masks to ensure they are not spreading coronavirus and protecting their family, friends, colleagues and fellow community members.

The City Mask Plan takes effect at 5:00 pm on Friday October 23, and will remain in effect until Governor Doug Burgum adjusts Barnes County’s risk level, or Mayor Carlsrud or a majority of the Board of Commissioners decides to change or end the Plan.

The Plan also includes a list of exemptions to the requirement which includes young children, individuals with a medical condition or disability that prevents face coverings, and certain employment, athletic and other activities.

Barnes County is currently in the yellow-moderate risk level under the ND Smart Restart guidelines.  This level represents heightened exposure risk.  The state advises that social distancing and precautions are needed and that increased cleaning on high-touch surfaces and shared spaces should be routine. 

Mayor Carlsrud said that the City desires to be proactive in the fight against COVID-19 to reverse the trend toward significant community spread and high risk of exposure which could eventually lead to a state mandated closure of businesses.

Minutes Available text with City of Valley City Logo above

10/12/2020 Special Commission Meeting Minutes

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President Carlsrud called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM.

Members present: Commissioner Magnuson, Commissioner Bishop, Commissioner Erickson, Commissioner Gulmon.

Others present: City Attorney Martineck, Deputy Auditor Klein, Fire Chief Magnuson, Police Chief Hatcher, PW Accountant/Manager Jacobson. 

Chad Petersen from KLJ and Jennifer Feist VCBCDC Director via Zoom.

Public Hearing

  1. Open Public Hearing regarding the application for Rocking DD Properties for rehab of 358    North Central Avenue relating to the Main Street Program.  (Finance Director Richter)

President Carlsrud declared the Public Hearing open.

Commissioner Bishop motioned to close the hearing, seconded by Commissioner Magnuson.  Motion carried.

New Business

1.  Discuss Wick/Secarse Storm Drainage.  (City Administrator Crawford)

 Discussion took place and KLJ will draw up an estimate.

2.  Status update on Waterfront Meadows Infrastructure Installation.  (KLJ)

Chad Petersen from KLJ provided an update.

3.  Discuss Barnes Rural Water District Agreement Renewal.  (City Administrator Crawford)

Commissioner Bishop motioned to go with the water consumption charge that is presented, seconded by Commissioner Gulmon. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 5:44 PM