City Commission Meeting
Valley City, North Dakota
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
President Bishop called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm.
Members Present: President Bishop, Commissioner Gulmon, Commissioner Kline, Commissioner Magnuson, Commissioner Erickson, City Administrator Crawford, City Attorney Martineck, Finance Director Klein
Pledge of Allegiance
Approval of Agenda
Add to New Business, Consider Approval of Image Enhancement Grant for JS Cleaners in the Amount Of $670.00.
Add to New Business, Consider Approval of Image Enhancement Grant for VC Youth Hockey in the Amount of $1368.40.
Add to New Business, Consider Approval of Image Enhancement Grant for City of Valley City Forestry in the Amount of $20,000.
Motion to approve by Commissioner Gulmon, seconded by Commissioner Magnuson.
Roll Call: Kline-Yes; Magnuson-Yes; Erickson-Yes; Gulmon-Yes; Bishop-Yes Motion Passed
Approval of Consent Agenda
- Approve Minutes from The July 29, 2026 Special Commission Meeting and August 04, 2026 Commission Meeting.
- Approve Monthly Reports from The Fire Chief, Electrical Superintendent, Building Inspector Finance Director and Municipal Judge.
- Approve Firework Display
- Valley City Public Schools
- Approve Local Permits
- Hi-Liners Booster Club
- SHINE Dance Team – 1 Raffle And 1 Raffle Board
- VCSU Foundation/Boosters Board
- Approve Contractors License
- HD Tinting
- Border States Paving Inc
- Rock Solid Masonry Inc
Motion to approve by Commissioner Magnuson, seconded by Commissioner Gulmon.
Roll Call: Erickson-Yes; Kline-Yes; Magnuson-Yes; Gulmon-Yes; Bishop-Yes Motion Passed
Public Hearing
Public Hearing on Dangerous Building Located At 454 Viking Dr, Valley City.
Declare Public Hearing Open
The commission discussed the potentially dangerous building at 454 Viking Drive. Scott Cole and Shaun Cole, owners of the property, were present and provided a plan to secure and finish the building. The building remains unfinished and still poses some hazards, though some repairs have been made and work is actively progressing. The commission discussed allowing the owners to continue the work, with a deadline of October 31, 2026, to ensure the building is secured and brought up to code.
Commissioner Magnuson declared a conflict of interest, recused himself from the matter, and abstained from voting.
Motion to close public hearing by Commissioner Erickson, seconded by Commissioner Gulmon.
Roll Call: Magnuson-Abstain; Gulmon-Yes; Kline-Yes; Erickson-Yes; Bishop-Yes Motion Passed
Approve Findings and Order on Dangerous Building At 454 Viking Dr.
Commissioner Gulmon made a motion to declare the garage at 454 Viking Drive a dangerous building, with a deadline of October 31, 2026, for the building to be wrapped and have siding installed. Commissioner Kline seconded the motion.
Roll Call: Gulmon-Yes; Erickson-Yes; Kline-Yes; Magnuson-Abstain; Bishop-Yes Motion Passed
Ordinance
Second and Final Reading of Ordinance 1191, An Ordinance to Amend and Reenact Subsection 1 Of Section 4-01-03 Of the Valley City Municipal Code Related to Golf Course Alcoholic Beverage License.
No changes from previous reading.
Motion to approve by Commissioner Magnuson, seconded by Commissioner Erickson.
Roll Call: Kline-Yes; Magnuson-Yes; Erickson-Yes; Gulmon-Yes; Bishop-Yes Motion Passed
New Business
Approve Monthly Bills for The City and Public Works in The Amount Of $3,598,955.
Motion to approve by Commissioner Gulmon, seconded by Commissioner Kline.
Roll Call: Erickson-Yes; Kline-Yes; Magnuson-Yes; Gulmon-Yes; Bishop-Yes Motion Passed
Consider Approval for Request of The Home Buyer Assistance Program.
The Development Corporation requests up to $240,000 for the third year (starting January 2027) of the Single-Family Home Buyer Assistance Program, with $60,000 from the City Electric Fund and the remaining $180,000 from sales tax funds.
Motion to approve by Commissioner Gulmon, seconded by Commissioner Magnuson.
Roll Call: Magnuson-Yes; Gulmon-Yes; Kline-No; Erickson-No; Bishop-Yes Motion Passed
Consider Approval of Image Enhancement Grant for Js Cleaners in The Amount Of $670.00.
Mary Lee Nielson, chair of the Visitors Committee, reviewed the grant, and the Visitors Committee supports and approves moving forward with it.
Motion to approve by Commissioner Magnuson, seconded by Commissioner Erickson.
Roll Call: Erickson-Yes; Kline-Yes; Magnuson-Yes; Gulmon-Yes; Bishop-Yes Motion Passed
Consider Approval of Image Enhancement Grant for VC Youth Hockey in The Amount Of $1368.40.
Mary Lee Nielson, chair of the Visitors Committee, reviewed the grant, and the Visitors Committee supports and approves moving forward with it.
Motion to approve by Commissioner Gulmon, seconded by Commissioner Magnuson.
Roll Call: Kline-Yes; Magnuson-Yes; Erickson-Yes; Gulmon-Yes; Bishop-Yes Motion Passed
Consider Approval of Image Enhancement Grant for City of Valley City Forestry for Year 2027 In the Amount Of $20,000.
Mary Lee Nielson, chair of the Visitors Committee, reviewed the grant, and the Visitors Committee supports and approves moving forward with it.
Motion to approve by Commissioner Gulmon, seconded by Commissioner Magnuson.
Roll Call: Erickson-Yes; Kline-Yes; Magnuson-Yes; Gulmon-Yes; Bishop-Yes Motion Passed
City Administrator’s Report
City Administrator Crawford provided an update on the Public Works Service Center project, noting it remains on schedule and within budget. The final plans for the perimeter fence, including barbed wire similar to the substation, have been approved and remain within budget.
City Updates & Commission Reports
Police Chief Horner gave a reminder to everyone that school is starting, meaning school buses will be back on the roads. Drivers are urged to follow bus safety laws; red flashing lights require all traffic to stop until the stop arm retracts. Everyone should also watch for children walking to and from school, use extra caution at crosswalks, and allow pedestrians to fully cross before proceeding. Additionally, Chief Horner clarified that the parking lot south of the HAC is reserved for business parking only; students who park there may receive a $20 citation.
City Engineer Petersen reported that construction for Paving Improvement 133 has been delayed. The seal coat portion of the project will not occur in 2026 and has been moved to 2027. The mill and overlay work is still planned to take place in 2026 but has been postponed until after Labor Day. Additional updates will be shared on social media once a definitive start date is confirmed.
City Engineer Eslinger reported on the progress of the new water tower, noting a concrete foundation cap will be placed over the piling for the steel part of the tower and work is expected to start in the next few weeks. The overall project remains on schedule.
Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 5:36pm