City approves new utility charge policy

After hearing two months of appeals from property owner Larry Danduran, the New Rockford City Commission has answered back. Commissioners approved a new utility charge policy at their Aug. 7 regular meeting.

President Stu Richter said that the goal was to clarify the city’s approach to charging for municipal services while trying to protect full-time residents that are paying the full service charges.

• Empty lots with a curb stop will receive a monthly bill for sewer and/or water debt service, plus mosquito control and streetlight charges/fees.

• Lots with a curb stop and a service line to a structure will receive a monthly bill at the minimum rate for water, sewer, sewer and/or water debt service charge, as well as garbage, mosquito control and streetlight charges/fees.

• Lots with a curb stop and a service line to a structure, upon request of the owner and after removal of the water meter by City of New Rockford Public Works, will receive a monthly bill for sewer and/or water debt service and garbage, mosquito control and streetlight charges.fees. The fee to replace the removed water meter is $50.

• Lots with farm hydrants will be billed monthly the same as an empty lot with a curb stop, plus water and sewer usage fees in an amount determined appropriate on a case-by-case basis, after review by the city commission.

The new policy was drafted by city auditor Becki Schumacher after the committee “met several times and had several discussions,” the proposal stated. The committee consisted of Richter, Schumacher, Public Works Superintendent Bruce Hirchert and city attorney Travis Peterson.

The policy was effective immediately, per the motion carried by commissioners.

Street project closed

out under budget

New Rockford’s street project may not have been done on time, but it was under budget – to the tune of a half million dollars.

Wade Senger of Interstate Engineering reported that the contractor had completed the project in late June.

He presented the final balancing change order and close-out paperwork to commissioners, noting that the change order reflected a deduction of $532,117.63 from the original bid of $5,933,000.

The final progressive estimate from Bituminous Paving was $279,589.34. That total reflected a deduction of $30,000 in liquidated damages for the number of work days the contractor was on site beyond the contracted completion date of November 30, 2022.

The actual completion date, according to the close-out documents approved by officials, was June 21. The one-year warranty period ends June 21, 2024.

Per the terms of the final change order, the city agreed to complete a list of minor projects and allow the contractor to move onto its next job.

Just after commissioners approved the final paperwork for the street project, they heard from resident Dean Vorland. He lives on one of the city’s gravel streets, and expressed concerns about their condition.

“There aren’t that many, but they aren’t good,” Vorland said of the gravel streets. “There’s gotta be a solution for this.”

The contractor used asphalt millings, and they are loose on the gravel streets.

“Something wasn’t quite done right,” Vorland added, explaining that the gravel is already washboarding. In contrast, the gravel alleys are in much better shape. They were compacted with an asphalt roller, which resulted in a much firmer surface, Vorland said.

As Senger and Travis Dillman were in attendance, they offered to drive the gravel streets and identify a solution, noting that they have an opportunity to make adjustments during this one-year warranty period.

Improvements slated

to fire hall

Chief Brian Hopfauf presented a renovation plan to the commission. The fire department will put up new steel and install a new overhead door on the south side of the fire hall.

Hopfauf reported that members had approved the project at their June meeting. Firemen will provide volunteer labor to complete the project.

The material cost is estimated at $20,000, which Hopfauf proposed to pay out of the city’s fire department fund. According to auditor Becki Schumacher, there is $89,000 available in the fund.

New steel will be installed across the entire south side of the building. From the west edge of city hall to the east end of the fire hall, it will be white with red trim. The new siding on the city shop will be gray. The door was expected on site this past week.

Letters have been sent to the owners of property considered “substandard.” The public hearing is set for Aug. 28 at 8 a.m. in City Hall.