Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883

Financing secured for street project

The City of New Rockford has secured financing for the street project. Auditor Becki Schumacher and President Stu Richter negotiated the terms with the Bank of North Dakota this past month. Interstate Engineering prepared an updated opinion of probable cost, which they presented at the city commission’s Monday, June 6 meeting. The total is $7,692,000. Wade Senger of Interstate Engineering noted that the contingency budget had been increased, but overall the project is expected to cost $1 million less than the original budget. The terms offered are 2 percent interest for a period of 15 years.

The city may collect an additional 1.5 percent in addition to the 2 percent to address lots that may be foreclosed due to non-payment of taxes. The commission authorized Schumacher and Richter to sign all necessary documents, as the loan will close July 1.

The special assessment committee is expected to wrap up its initial assessments in July, which will then be published here in the Transcript.

Public Works Superintendent Bruce Hirchert reported that he and contractor Jesse Lesmeister had been evaluating sidewalks for accessibility improvements. Concrete work is slated to begin this month, in advance of the paving company’s arrival in New Rockford after July 4.

Hirchert and Schumacher have started the process of abating nuisances in city limits, so residents with nuisance yards, tall grass and junk vehicles have received notice. Public works staff have also begun spraying for mosquitos.

The commission adopted an ordinance, “Protection of Public Water System,” which is now Article 2.1 of Chapter 18, Water and Sewer. The ordinance was enacted in response to a directive from the N.D. Department of Environmental Quality to protect the water supply from backflow contamination. Under the program, public water system owners, such as cities, must survey their system and identify all potential cross connections that occur within publicly owned buildings or property (city hall, fire station, etc.) and ensure all such hazards are protected by means of the proper backflow prevention device or assembly.

The ordinance also establishes a framework for identifying and mitigating cross connections on private property, including commercial properties and homes, that might contaminate the city’s water supply. This portion of the program is voluntary at this time, but will likely be enforced in the future.

Waste Management presented the city with a contract renewal for garbage services. The current contract remains in effect until October.

The city published a request for bids this spring, with three companies bidding. The commissioners voted to reject all bids at a subsequent meeting.

“It’s still our safest bet to stay with Waste Management,” Richter said.

Commissioner Jim Belquist asked for clarification from City Attorney Travis Peterson regarding the procurement ordinance, and requested a copy of the minutes that show the action taken on the matter. No action was taken on the renewal contract.

New LED street lights will be installed throughout downtown, as part of a partnership between Otter Tail Power Company and the City of New Rockford.

The motion to install 28 LED-10 lights at an annual cost of up to $11,258.46 in the downtown area was approved at a special meeting on May 25. The upfront cost of the infrastructure is about $200,000, which would be covered by Otter Tail Power. They would then assume ownership of the lights.

As for the timeline, Price explained that supply chain issues have impacted them as well. “Right now, everything is pushed back. A lot of the material we might not be able to get until this fall, or later,” Price said.

Under the proposal, Otter Tail would maintain the street lights for a monthly fee of $23 to $25 per light once installed. The cost includes the electricity used and all maintenance and fixture replacement necessary. Commissioners agreed that the proposed arrangement would reduce their liability, as poles have been hit and damaged by vehicles.

There are 14 LED street lights along the highway, which were installed in 2014. Price said Otter Tail would like to take ownership of those lights as well, including one north of Casey’s General Store that hasn’t been installed. Commissioners approved the proposal for the highway lights at the June 6 meeting, effectively putting all the street lights in the city’s business districts under the control of Otter Tail Power Company. The city approved the plan.

The city’s reorganizational meeting is set for Tuesday, June 28 at 7 p.m. At that time new commissioners will take their oath of office and committee assignments will be made.