Schumacher appointed New Rockford city auditor

Becki Schumacher has been appointed New Rockford city auditor. Commissioners officially voted to accept her appointment at their Aug. 2 regular meeting. She succeeds George Ritzke, who has served in the position since 1994.

Schumacher's family moved to New Rockford in Feb. 2020, when her husband Lucas took over for Donn Frahm as the local agent for Farmers Union Insurance. She is just about finished with her bachelor's degree in accounting at Bemidji State University and is ready to take on the challenge of managing the city's finances.

Commissioners narrowed the field of candidates to three finalists before ultimately choosing Schumacher. "We felt with her accounting degree only a couple classes away, her excellent people skills, and prior excellent community involvement, she was best for helping to keep our community moving forward!" President Stu Richter said.

At Schumacher's first meeting, Wade Senger of Interstate Engineering reported that BEK, the general contractor for the water main replacement, would be on site later in the week to close out the project. The city is holding $25,000 of retainage until a list of items are addressed.

Among the items is restoring water to a seasonal home on the 400 block of 2nd Ave South. Crews found three service lines in front of two homes. The homeowner was not home at the time, and workers chose the wrong service line to reconnect, leaving this house without water. BEK will dig up the main and directional drill towards the lot and connect to the service line. They agreed to complete the work for the same price as they would have charged at the time, but requested that the city pay a $1,500 mobilization fee. The work requires them to bring equipment that would not be needed to complete the other close-out items.

Several street repairs were also discussed. The streets are in rough shape overall, but there are concerns with certain areas. Senger noted that the paving done was simply a "patch job" to restore a drivable surface after completing the water main improvements.

"It will never be perfect like a brand new street," Senger said.

He asked whether city officials preferred to have BEK hire a subcontractor to come and fix those spots now, or would they consider rolling those repairs into a major street project.

Based on Senger's initial negotiations with BEK, the city would reduce its final payout on the project by $21,000, the cost of the street repairs yet to be completed, if they chose to wait.

If a major street improvement project moves forward in one to two years, Senger said he is comfortable asking the city to reduce the payout and wait.

However, if there is no chance that project will move forward for another six to seven years, Senger recommends that they fix the areas.

Hirchert pointed out that a steep valley gutter at the corner of 2nd Ave S and 5th Street also needed work, but was not on the list. The gutter needs to be ground out five feet on each side, with 30-35 sq. yards of material needed.

"We gotta get this done," President Stu Richter declared. "However, do we risk not getting it done by not requiring the contractor to make the repairs now?" he wondered.

"I have heard nothing but positive comments about doing the street project," Commissioner Kelly McKnight said.

The other commissioners agreed that the street project was a priority. They passed a motion to accept both options as presented, and authorized President Stu Richter to negotiate the final arrangement to include the valley gutter repair.

Work is slowly progressing at the water treatment plant. The pond is complete and crews are now working on the fence that will surround it. They requested $261,187.58 for work completed in July, which includes an incremental payment required by the reverse osmosis equipment supplier.

They are working on electrical items and continuing with plumbing this month. Some of the parts and pieces for the new equipment will be coming. The project is 49.69% complete, per Sentry's report.

As previously reported, there are concerns with the pond construction. The topsoil was thicker than the initial soil samples indicated, so about 500 cu. yards need to be removed at a cost of $51,000. Senger said they are working to identify savings in other areas to help offset the cost.

The city received a deficiency letter from the landfill commissioner, after he made an unannounced visit to the landfill. Correction procedures are underway, Public Works Superintendent Bruce Hirchert reported.

The city approved housing incentives for two parties purchasing existing homes in town.

Jordan Dauenhauer requested to purchase a lot next to the lift station to park a camper and grow a garden. He will pay $5 per frontal foot plus filing fees, as the lot does have sewer and water service. Residents can park campers on their private property, but they cannot live in them, Ritzke noted, responding to a question from Commissioner Hager about the ordinance regarding campers.

The City of New Rockford accepted $210,000 in stimulus funds for political subdivisions from the American Rescue Plan Act. Although the guidelines are still being written, Auditor George Ritzke said the funds must be used for five main items: public health, economic impacts, premium pay to staff/essential workers, offset revenue loss, or make investments in water, sewer and broadband. The funds must be allocated by Dec. 2024 and spent by Dec. 2026, so there is a fair amount of time to determine the best uses of the funds.

Commissioners approved the preliminary 2022 budget. Items of note include $10,000 in matching funds needed for a grant the tree board obtained to remove aging boulevard trees and replant new ones in their place.

Richter requested that the city consider investing up to $50,000 for economic development initiatives to encourage property owners to clean up and repair their properties.

Hirchert plans to rent a crusher to process a pile of concrete at the landfill, at a cost of $50,000 that could be recuperated, at least in part, by selling the crushed material. He also requested funds to replace the outdated fuse boxes that power the street lights, based on an estimate from local firm Divide Electrical and Automation.

The new auditor will have $13,000 at her disposal, per the budget, to replace the computer and purchase necessary software to increase efficiencies in the office.

The city's budget hearing is set for Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m., during the next regular commission meeting.