City to seek public input on water and sewer improvement plans

The City of New Rockford’s proposed $10 million major water and sewer infrastructure project just got a proverbial shot in the arm.

After engineers from Interstate Engineering worked with the city over the winter to prepare a preliminary application for funds from USDA Rural Development, they got a favorable response last week. “Based on the information I have received, the City of New Rockford would be eligible for a 45 percent grant,“ wrote Ranetta Starr of USDA Rural Development in a letter to city officials.

If awarded the funds, the city plans to replace more than 80 blocks of cast iron water mains with PVC, make repairs to the interior and exterior of the water tower, upgrade the water treatment plant to nanofiltration or reverse osmosis and make some storm sewer improvements. The city has already committed $1 million available in its coffers for the project.

However, knowing that the city qualifies to receive such a large percentage in grant money is just the first step. At the city commission’s monthly meeting on May 7, city engineer Travis Dillman of Interstate Engineering explained the next phases of the process. He said that he will work with city officials this summer to complete additional paperwork they must submit in order to be considered for a formal grant award in August during the final national pooling process.

Part of the documentation required is input from the public received via public forum(s). The commission set a public meeting for Thursday, June 7 at 7 p.m. in City Hall. Prior to the meeting the Transcript will provide more information on the improvements proposed and the financing plan for the remainder of the money needed.

In other business at the meeting, the city approved building permits from several residents and businesses, including the New Rockford-Sheyenne School for its $3.2 million improvement project, Reed Weisenburger for a new 40-by-50 foot office and studio, and the American Legion Post 30 for repairs to its building. Then, Renaissance Zone incentives were approved for Lesmeister Enterprises, who plans to construct a new office building downtown where the Transcript was formerly located. The office space is slated to be the new home for the Farm Service Agency (FSA). What will happen to the current FSA office building on U.S. Hwy. 281 is unknown, as it is not owned by the agency. 

Commissioners held the first reading for a new city ordinance that authorizes the city auditor to approve any gaming permit application that meets the following criteria:

 • Offers less than $6,000 in prizes

 •Satisfies all requirements set forth by the N.D. Attorney General’s office

 • Application fee paid in full

 Applications that are requested for more than $6,000 must be approved by the city commission before they are issued. The first reading was approved; a second reading will be held at the June meeting for final approval before the ordinance will go into effect.

The next regular city commission meeting is set for Monday, June 4 at 7 p.m.