City Commission Finance Meeting
Valley City, North Dakota
Tuesday July 21, 2026
Called to Order
President Bishop called the meeting to order at 2:30 PM.
Roll Call
Members present: President Bishop, Commissioner Gulmon, Commissioner Magnuson, Commissioner Kline, Commissioner Erickson, City Administrator Crawford, City Attorney Martineck, Finance Director Klein
Agenda items
Presentation on Hostage Negotiation Team by Lt. Sid Mann.
Police Chief Horner introduced Sid Mann of the Jamestown Police Department and presented a request for approximately $3,000 in funding to support the Hostage Negotiation Team under the James River TAC Team. The Jamestown Police Department has historically covered the team’s training and certification costs but is requesting that participating agencies share the expense.
Discuss increasing limit on number of points of sale for golf course alcohol license.
City Attorney Martineck reviewed the current alcohol license and proposed amendment. Brian Gullickson, owner of North 9 Bar and Grill, was in attendance for questions. It was noted that the current ordinance limits the golf course to one mobile point of sale, which has proven restrictive during large events. Brian Gullickson explained that allowing multiple mobile service locations, such as a beverage cart and a temporary beverage station, would improve service during busy tournaments. The Commission reviewed the request and discussed the possibility of amending the ordinance to better accommodate the golf course’s operational needs.
Review Monthly Expenditures Reports.
Quarterly Engineer Report.
Discuss Native Land Designation for the following City Owned Parcels.
- 63-2390235 – Lake Shore Acres
- 63-0830017 – Countryside 2nd Edition
- 63-4530274 – Secarse ADD out lot A&B
- 63-6130200 – Zetterberg Plat
- 63-0880017 – Crestwood ADD
- 63-0880216 – Crestwood ADD
- 63-0430003 – Bjornson Heights
- 63-4000476 – Riverside Park ADD
- 63-4000458 – Riverside Park ADD
- 63-6040369 – Zetterberg Sub
- 63-1160013 – Riverside Park Lot B
- 63-5010024 – Spring Hills ADD
- 63-6040369 – 11th Ave SE
- 63-4000836 – 259 10th Ave SE
- 63-1150120 – 12th Ave SE – EAST Riverside Park
- 63-3021087 – Metes & Bounds in VC
- 63-6040378 – 282 11th Ave SE
- 63-6040393 – 261 11th Ave SE
- 63-6040405 – 252 11th Ave SE
- 63-2660168 – Maiers ADD
- 63-2350300 – 1201 Four Bottle Dr
- 63-2350500 – 1415 Four Bottle Dr
Operations Superintendent Klemisch presented a proposal to designate certain city-owned properties as natural areas rather than regularly maintained lots. Many of the sites are steep, wooded, or difficult to access, making routine mowing impractical and unnecessary. The designation would reduce maintenance costs and time, provide wildlife habitat, and preserve natural vegetation while allowing limited maintenance, such as controlling noxious weeds and clearing around utilities when needed.
Discuss Purchasing Policy.
City Administrator Crawford presented a proposed update to the City’s purchasing policy to reflect increased costs. The proposal would raise the threshold requiring formal bidding from $30,000 to $50,000.
Discuss grant management and administration services provided by Nexus Planning and Consulting LLC.
City Administrator Crawford discussed the City’s required five-year Hazard Mitigation Plan, which must be maintained to remain eligible for hazard mitigation grants. She explained that the planning process involves City officials and emergency personnel and noted that Nexus can assist with identifying and applying for eligible grants on a contingency basis, receiving payment only if grant funding is awarded. City Administrator Crawford noted that using Nexus would reduce the administrative burden and improve the likelihood of successful applications and requested the Commission’s consideration of entering into an agreement for these grant-writing services.
Discuss Digital Accessibility.
Executive Assistant Bodine provided an update on upcoming changes to the City’s digital content requirements due to federal accessibility regulations. The City must ensure websites, social media, forms, minutes, and other digital materials are accessible to individuals with disabilities by April 2028. The transition will require staff training, updated document formatting, and coordination with departments and vendors to incorporate accessibility standards into regular workflows. No additional funding is being requested at this time.
Discuss designation of 5th St SE.
Operations Superintendent Klemisch discussed a roadway off Valley Avenue that has never been formally designated or maintained as a City street. He noted the area would require cleanup, gravel work, and potential risks if the City moves forward with naming and maintaining it as 5th Street Southeast.
Discuss street reconstruction at Legacy Townhomes Planned Unit Development.
The Commission discussed street reconstruction at Legacy Townhomes. Property owners met with their homeowner’s association and the homeowners are interested in having the City complete the project and assess the costs back to property owners. City Attorney Martineck noted there are still legal issues regarding property ownership and common area rights that need to be resolved before moving forward.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS.
Sanitation Department: Supervisor Swart reported routine operations, including hauling trees from the grass sites. Garbage collection has been running smoothly with minimal issues
Water Department: Water Superintendent Hesch reported that summer operations are in full swing, with staff working extended shifts to meet demand. The plant has increased production from 1,700 to 1,800 gallons per minute to support current conditions.
Electric Department: Electrical Superintendent Senf reviewed outages for the month and updated the commissioners on progress of summer projects.
Fire Department: Fire Chief Magnuson reported on chief calls for the month and reviewed increase in nuisance letters going out. Chief Magnuson gave an update on dangerous buildings.
Police Department: Police Chief Horner reported strong community engagement, participation in local events, and attendance at the North Dakota League of Chiefs Conference. The department handled 726 calls for service and announced a Vigilant Parent Training on August 17 focused on social media safety and protecting children online.
Street Department: Operations Superintendent Klemisch provided updates on the Van Hall Lift Station rehabilitation, ash tree removal, landfill work, and upcoming citywide tree pickup. A failed West End Lift Station pump will be replaced, and new employee Sam Nielsen has joined the department.
City Administrator: City Administrator Crawford had Executive Assistant Bodine set up times with Commissioners for head shots. City Administrator Crawford and City Engineer Eslinger reported that the original bid included repairing the former water tower area; however, the surrounding parking lot is in poor condition with significant cracking. Several repair options were reviewed, including larger patch areas, city-performed milling, or replacing the west parking lot at an estimated cost of $150,000. Crawford noted that patching only the required area would likely result in a poor-quality repair. Crawford will continue evaluating cost-effective repair options and bring a recommendation back to the board.
Finance Director: Finance Director Klein reminded the board that the budget meeting is scheduled for next Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. She reported that the proposed budget has been reviewed with department heads and will meet with Dave to review additional items. Budget binders were distributed for board members to review prior to the meeting, and Klein offered to meet individually with any member who wanted to discuss the budget beforehand.
City Attorney: City Attorney Martineck informed that the legal software renewal is on the Commission agenda for approval as a multi-year contract. The software is considered essential for efficiency, and the cost includes a second user at no additional charge.
ADJOURN
Meeting Adjourned at 4:28pm