Called to Order
President Carlsrud called the meeting to order at 2:30 PM.
Roll Call
Members present: President Carlsrud, Commissioner Bishop, Commissioner Magnuson, Commissioner Erickson, Commissioner Gulmon.
Other present: City Administrator Crawford, City Attorney Martineck, Finance Director Klein, Chief Horner, Administrative Assistant Hintz
Agenda Items
Review monthly bills/reports. Finance Director Klein reviewed the monthly bills and reports.
Yearly Assessor Review. City Assessor Current gave a thorough review of the 2024 changes in Assessments and how Valley City is following State guidelines. Much discussion was had on this topic. The Commission consensus was to continue with Current and her assessing procedures.
2024 Yearly Review – Valley City Police Department. Chief Horner gave a presentation on all the happenings with the Police Department in 2024. Number and Types of Calls, Community Service and Trainings.
Discuss the Service Agreement between the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, Behavioral Health Division and the City of Valley City. Police Chief Horner shared that the ND Department of Health and Human Services, Behavioral Health Division has asked the Valley City Police Department to share their procedures for Alcohol Compliance with other Police Departments throughout the State. Two of our Valley City Officers would train and demonstrate in several Regions in North Dakota. This will be voted on in the Commission Meeting to follow.
Consider Designating Reserve Funds for Future Building Updates/Remodeling. Finance Director Klein discussed the aging buildings and the need to be proactive in the planning for repairs and upgrades. Proposal was to assign $50,000 from City Funds and $50,000 from Public Works Funds from the 2024 year-end reserves. The consensus on the Commission was to move forward with the designation of funds for future building updates and remodeling.
Request for Quotes for Appraiser for remaining buyout properties. City Administrator Crawford explained that we will be entering Phase 4 of the Flood Protection and there will be a need for an appraiser on buyout properties in upcoming phases. The Commissioner consensus was to move forward with an appraiser as chosen per quotes as done previously.
Department Reports
February Highlights the Police Administrative Department, Dan Bernhardt, and the Water Treatment Plant Employees.
Fire Department
Fire Chief Magnuson shared a review of the January Calls. We have 4 new Graduates from Firefighter 1 and 6 taking the current class. This usually takes about 9 months and there is over 280 hours of just classroom time. On the Dangerous Buildings, there were a couple on the list. 1 letter was mailed regarding maintenance. There was another home that was turned in, but was not a dangerous building but a danger to the person living there. This was turned over to Barnes County Housing. Discussion was had on possibly changing the name of “Dangerous Building” to something else that fits the process better.
Police Department
Police Chief Horner went over the Calls for Service Report for the Police Department. Shared some of the Community Engagements for the month. Animal Control Officer is taking some training on animals and working with them. The Department also made some moveable walls and were able to set up some great training areas in the basement. There was also discussion on using the CAD Program in their vehicle to make responding to calls safer.
Sanitation Department
Operation Supervisor Klemisch reminded to have your garbage out by 7AM., handle to the house and a 3’ clearance all around your container. He also shared the process of “missed” can. Having the cameras on the truck is very beneficial, being able to show the residents what the driver saw as the truck went by.
Street Department
Operations Supervisor Klemisch shared that we had another successful round of snow removal. Maintenance is done on most pieces of equipment and they have been cleaning and clearing the building. Updating and verifying inventory. Preparing for the Lead Line inventory process. Getting letters ready to send out and set up times to verify the types of lines at the residences. Discussion on 6th Ave NW. The construction project was designed to clear the water and drainage on the public right of way. The project did accomplish that. There is still ice build up on or near that ditch. The ditch and run off are on private property and would need to be taken care of by the property owners themselves.
Agenda Items Continued
Discussion NOI – Soil Conditions SU-CPU-2-990(062) & SU-2-990(063) PCN: 23571 & 23572. Administrator Crawford discussed our proposal a couple weeks ago for Phase 1 and Phase 2 was 110K + LDs. After a few back and forth proposals, the final proposal in the end was LDs for 2023 will be paid, LDs for 2024 will be forgiven, with a final proposal of 140K. This will be voted on at the Commission Meeting to follow.
Standpipe Discussion. There is a leak in the standpipe, losing about5 gallons per minute. There currently is no fix for the pipe at this time. Possibly a shutdown in warmer temperatures to have a dive team take a look. This Standpipe is scheduled to be removed in 2026. The City has been looking into funding to help with the repairs. However, it needs to be decided if we should fix the standpipe or to put in a jockey pump until the new tower is built. They are currently looking at the costs to rent or to buy. The jockey pump should be able to maintain the water pressures for day to day use with a high-pressure pump taking care of the larger, emergent needs. The Engineers will look into pricing on whether to purchase or rent also, what will be the best fix. They will bring this to the next Commission meeting on March 4th.
Discuss Hotel Liquor License. Attorney Martineck will research and bring to the March Finance Meeting.
Settlement and release agreement for property damage – 711 5th Ave NW. Damage was done to a heated driveway during the construction project. The city will pay 25% of the replacement cost and the electrical charges for the 3 months of overages until the damage was noticed. This will be voted on at the following Commission Meeting.
Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 4:53PM.