Residents to get mail after over 100 vehicles in city limits deemed a "nuisance"

Residents who own vehicles that have expired registration and/or are inoperable will begin receiving notices, as per city ordinance. On Monday, May 6, prior to the city commission’s regular meeting, Public Works Superintendent Bruce Hirchert and Commissioner Kelly McKnight documented over 100 nuisance motor vehicles, from snowmobiles and ATVS to pickups and SUVs, all within city limits. Per city ordinance 10-03-01, all vehicles must have current registration and be in operating condition. Any vehicles deemed to be in violation of the ordinance are noted as a nuisance, and the occupant, principal or owner shall be notified in writing of the need to abate the nuisance.

Commissioners reviewed the list at the meeting and directed Auditor George Ritzke to proceed with the nuisance abatement process by sending out certified letters to the vehicle owners. Upon receipt of the notice, the owner has five days to request a hearing or abate the nuisance. Failure to act will result in removal of the nuisance by an officer of the city. Any costs incurred in the removal shall be assessed to the property owner. Vehicles will be held in the city impound lot until all associated costs have been paid by the owner. Residents should contact Ritzke at city hall to request a hearing or ask any questions.

New Rockford resident Scott Severs approached city commissioners about water issues along Third Avenue North, a stretch he called “Frozen Third,” as approximately 12 houses along the street had frozen pipes this winter. Severs owns rental houses on the 500 block, and one of his tenants, who is handicapped, was without city water service for 28 days while contractors worked to thaw his line. Water was pumped into the home via a garden hose connected to a neighbor’s house, which is also a house owned by Severs. Further, the resident who went without city service received a bill for the minimum water charge, and the neighbor whose service was used received a bill that was higher than normal. After discussion the commission agreed to look at the usage history of the residents and adjust their bills accordingly for the outage period.

Later in the public works report, Hirchert noted that Third Avenue North was one of the “high priority” areas identified for the water infrastructure project. The nearly 100-year-old water mains are slated for replacement this summer, during year one of the two-year project, which should rectify the frequent freeze up issues. Bids on the water main replacement are due May 20 at 3:30 p.m., at which time a public bid opening will take place. A special meeting to award bids is set for Thursday, May 23 at 8 a.m. to allow USDA-RD time to review the bids received. Work is slated to begin in June, should a favorable bid come in and construction agreement signed.

Erling Rolfson and Larry Danduran represented the Airport Authority. They reiterated the proposal they had brought to the county in March, which involves runway repair, taxiway apron replacement, a small terminal and hangar storage for four airplanes. The total cost is estimated at $2 million. The State Aeronautics Commission has committed $1.5 million in special infrastructure costs to the project provided the local authorities can cover the remaining $500,000. The insurance settlement totaled $300,000, leaving the authority $200,000 short. The county commission declined to levy 4 mills as requested by Rolfson, and the 4 mills currently received from the city equate to only $9,000 per year, not nearly enough to fund the $200,000 commitment. In contrast, the same 4 mills would generate approximately $56,000 per year if levied by the county, taking only four years to meet the local commitment.

Commissioner Stu Richter stated that the most logical option was for the city and county to cooperate as they do with the library and seek approval to levy dollars for the project via public vote. “We need the county. Period.” Richter declared.

McKnight said that airport usage statistics would be helpful for the city in making the case to the county commission and residents in general.

Danduran replied that currently there is no detailed registration process or log for pilots to report their take offs and landings. He added, however, that the airport has seen “a tremendous amount of activity” the last couple of years. He said ultimately officials need to decide what services they want to retain in the county, noting that other important services have already gone away. “How much more are we going to give up?” Danduran asked.

Before the terminal and hangar were destroyed in the July 8, 2018 storm, there were six planes in the hangar whose owners paid a combined $7,000 per year in lease payments. In addition, the authority receives approximately $8,500 per year in cash rent from the land that surrounds the airport.

The question is, “Do we want to keep this infrastructure in our county or not?” Danduran asked.

Richter offered to contact the county commission on behalf of the city and hold more discussion on how the two entities can partner.

Commissioners approved zoning change requests from both Justin Ystaas and Ryan Hager. Both own lots zoned “residential” upon which their businesses are located. After holding public hearings on both requests, the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended that the city commission approve both requests. As a result, Ystaas’ lots on the northwest end of town were rezoned from residential to commercial, and Hager’s lots adjacent to BNSF railroad property west of the Lutheran Home were adjusted from residential to industrial. During the public hearing, only one comment was received. Korey Anderson inquired about the low points on Hager’s lot and whether he would be able to build structures on them.

The commission approved three building permits, two housing incentive applications and one residential Renaissance Zone project. They also gave the nod to special liquor permits for Hanson’s Bar to serve four weddings in the Potter Pavilion at the Eddy County Fairgrounds and approved annual gaming site authorizations for the Eagles Club and Lions Club.

Discussion was held on the Fire Danger Hazard sign. It was removed when the new electronic message board and lighted City Hall sign were installed. Packard suggested that the electronic sign be updated daily to reflect the current fire danger. Others inquired about reinstalling the sign, as it is in storage. No action was taken.

The next regular meeting is set for Monday, June 3 at 7 p.m.