City addresses run-down commercial building

The New Rockford City Commission held a brief regular meeting on Monday, Jan. 6, at which they discussed a dilapidated building in New Rockford owned by CenDak Cooperative.

The structure is located at 117 9th Street South, and is CenDak’s old fertilizer plant no longer in use. Adjacent to the building is one of the company’s chemical sheds.

At Monday’s meeting Commissioner Jacob Dauenhauer expressed concern about the condition of the fertilizer plant.

“There’s three or four holes in the roof, the doors are open, it’s in very poor condition and there’s animals in there,” he said.

However, the commission elected not to begin the process of officially declaring it a blighted structure, opting instead to send an “informal” letter to the company.

Commissioners seemed to agree that those who would be able to address the building simply aren’t aware of its condition.

“I think it just needs to be brought to the right people’s attention,” said Dauenhauer.

In other business at Monday’s meeting, commissioners were given new information regarding a potential water rate increase.

The packet includes comparisons of different rate increases the commission could consider, and the impact those changes would have on the city’s water budget over time. However, not much discussion on the topic was had at the meeting itself.

Commissioners agreed that they’ll review the information ahead of their next regular meeting, at which it will reappear on the agenda for further discussion.

The city’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 3 at 9 a.m. in City Hall.