City of New Rockford issues emergency declaration

At its regular meeting on Nov. 4, the New Rockford City Commission issued a flood emergency declaration.

After the early October blizzard, city crews spent days clearing two feet of snow from the city streets. They opted to push and pile the snow rather than haul it out.

As the snow melted, water from fall flooding impacted the city's systems. Public Works Superintendent Bruce Hirchert noted that there is still plenty of water infiltrating the sewer system. Even though the lift stations are handling the load, he may request an emergency discharge of the lagoons if necessary. He had just completed a discharge shortly before the early October snowstorm.

Many residents are running sump pumps continuously, and some have had flooded basements. Culverts along U.S. Hwy. 281 north of New Rockford are full, and the city may consider clearing vegetation out of the ditches to alleviate some of the stress.

A buildings and bridges inspector for BNSF Railway met with city officials and offered to open blocked or clogged culverts under the main line on 5th Street and 8th Street to help address water issues.

Hirchert said he does not plan to haul any snow to the river this winter due to the high water table and potential for spring flooding. He will direct staff to pile the snow near the railroads if needed instead.

Travis Dillman and Jeff Douty of Interstate Engineering gave a comprehensive update on the water infrastructure project. Dillman said permanent compaction of Second and Third Avenue was not done this fall, as previously reported. Rather, a temporary surface was put in place to get through the winter. Compaction will take place in the spring prior to pouring asphalt. Dillman said that this is an opportunity to test the surface to observe how it will hold up through the seasons, ensuring a better product next spring. product next spring.

With just 14% of the project complete, crews wrapped up their work for the season on Wednesday. Dillman presented BEK Consulting's bill for the previous month, a total of $297,000. The total paid to BEK since they began the project is $733,000.

Hirchert requested a year-end meeting with BEK to discuss issues that arose this fall. Dillman noted that the finished product in the ground meets quality standards, but perhaps the "means and methods" used to complete the work needed some adjustments. A year-end meeting will be scheduled.

Commissioner Kelly McKnight asked where they stand compared to the schedule for this fall, and Dillman said he would also like to see an updated schedule for next season to identify the contractor's plan to complete the rest of the project next season.  

Discussion continued about what to do with the lead lines serving vacant lots. Jeff Douty, Interstate Engineering's project representative, estimated that there could be as many as 40 such lines throughout the project. At issue is whether to invest in retaining water service to these locations. Dillman said that in the event that structures are built on the lots in the near future, doing the work now would be preferable to tearing up the streets later to install the proper service. A decision was tabled until spring. Douty offered to do more research and determine what the financial impact to the project would be to retain service in all such locations.

The plans and specifications for the water tower are complete and were approved by the city commission. Bids will be solicited this month and opened at the Dec. 2 commission meeting.  Dillman also asked that city officials consider what exterior material they'd like to use on the water plant addition. Three options were presented- pre-cast concrete panels, which could be painted the same color as the existing exterior; architectural rock, which would cost about $13,000 more than the base cost; or brick veneer, which would most closely match the existing exterior but cost about $32,000 more than the estimated base price. The plans and specifications will call for the pre-cast as the default and then ask companies to bid the rock and brick veneer as alternates so they city has the numbers in order to make a decision on how they want to move forward.

Interstate Engineering received three bids for testing needed to complete the plans and specifications for the water plant. The lowest bid came in from Materials Testing of Minot, a total cost of $6,900. The bid, which was accepted and awarded by the commission, involves soil testing to identify a percolation rate. This information will help the Department for Environmental Quality determine how much seepage to allow at the lagoons, if any, and ultimately how much additional land the city will need to purchase to expand its lagoon system.

Crews working on the U.S. Hwy. 281 project are winding down also. Hirchert said he expected that all the one-way signs and barriers would be removed by the end of the week. The new lights along the highway should be installed starting Wednesday, Nov. 13. The contractor has committed to blading and putting new gravel on the south detour route, 5th Avenue Southeast. Hirchert added that he plans to review the 2020 spring schedule for the frontage road work with the contractor in order to determine when BEK can install the water lines underneath.

Commissioner Ryan Hager approached Leading Edge Equipment about the payloader and Hirchert's concerns about extending the warranty. Hager said that the machine needs to have a complete service and that city staff should have more training on its use. After discussion, the commission decided to keep the payloader and extend the warranty for three years at a cost of $7,560. The alternative was to trade up for a newer model.

Discussion continued on building permits and Commissioner Kelly McKnight's concern that the city commission must be more diligent in upholding the ordinances and building codes. City Attorney Travis Peterson referenced Article I Chapter 6, which outlines the comprehensive responsibilities of a building official, a position the city has not filled by appointment or hire for some time. President Calvin Packard requested that the commission appoint a working committee to review the ordinance and make recommended changes, perhaps to include the removal of Chapter 6.

"Truly the best answer would be to get a building official," replied Peterson, adding that he did not recommend removing that portion of the ordinance. However, Peterson acknowledged that hiring a qualified building official was perhaps not feasible for the city. Right now Auditor George Ritzke, Hirchert, and the commissioners all perform some of the duties outlined for the building official.

McKnight reiterated that her primary concern was that the city officials should do their due diligence and look a little bit closer look at building permits before approving them. The matter will be addressed again in the spring.

The next city commission meeting is set for Monday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.