Velva commissioners approve school parking south entrance, pay bills and move forward on several projects

The Velva City Commission on July 15 accepted final 2024 election results, confirmed commissioner portfolios and approved a south-only entrance and left-turn-only exit to the Velva Public School student parking lot after a safety discussion.

Commission President Mike Schreiner called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. and, after roll call, Auditor Jenny Johns administered the Oath of Office in unison for newly elected and appointed officials. Commissioners then discussed and approved portfolios for the coming year on a motion by Ben Zietz and Gene Jenson; the roll call vote was recorded as all aye.

The commission heard a request from Superintendent Monty Mayer and School Board President Lance Selzler to remove two existing west and north entrances to the student parking lot and replace them with a single entrance on the south side. Public Works Superintendent Kelly Jemtrud opposed the change, citing safety concerns including the proximity of the proposed entrance to a stop sign, complications for snow removal and conflicts with the left exit onto Central Avenue. After discussion of possible signage, Commissioners Dave Keller and Gene Jenson moved to approve the south entrance with the exit signed as "left-turn only." The motion passed on a roll call vote of all aye.

In financial business, the commission approved payment of bills totaling $56,236 and payroll of $39,932.46 on a motion by Mary Liz Davis and Gene Jenson. The vendor list included line items such as Ackerman ($11,861.51), Dak. Underground ($80,100), Ottertail ($3,356.94) and others; the commission approved the payments by roll call vote (all aye).

Commissioners approved a bid from Coyote Construction to replace the county shop roof with steel roofing and associated work for $10,240, and they approved a special event permit for the Lariat's "Throttles and Gears" event at the rodeo grounds as well as a Gaming Site Authorization submitted by Velva Fire Department Gaming for American Legion Post 39. All motions were adopted by roll call votes recorded as all aye.

Engineer Emma Lavachek presented pay application No. 3 for the master lift station replacement project and said the SRJB reimbursement payment had been submitted; the commission approved pay application No. 3 on a Zietz/Jenson motion (all aye). Lavachek also gave an update on the bridge replacement project (bidding this fall; construction planned for late winter/early spring 2025) and was asked to secure a firm completion commitment no later than Oct. 1 for North Prairie Rural Water's levee repair. She also outlined next steps for the lead/copper line detection project.

Auditor Johns reported the 2023 audit has not been submitted yet but that 2018–2022 work is nearly finalized at the state level. Johns requested a preliminary 2025 budget meeting in July or early August prior to Aug. 10; the commission agreed to meet on a Monday or Tuesday night before that date. Public Works Superintendent Kelly Jemtrud said Bechtold Paving is expected to begin roadwork later in the week and that a seasonal public works employee has been hired to assist with weed whacking and other tasks.

Commission President Schreiner noted a police report item concerning a property encroaching on a neighbor’s fence and referenced a social-media post alleging an off-duty deputy had residents coming to his home during personal time. The commission extended appliance dump cleanup week and heard a request from Commissioner Mary Liz Davis to attend the NDLC annual conference in September.

With no further business the commission adjourned at 8:03 p.m. The next meeting is set for Monday, Aug. 19 at 7 p.m.; agenda items are due by the preceding Thursday at noon.

Votes at a glance: Accept final 2024 county election results — mover: Ben Zietz; second: Gene Jenson; outcome: approved (5–0). Adopt commissioner portfolios — mover: Ben Zietz; second: Gene Jenson; outcome: approved (5–0). Approve south parking entrance for Velva Public School with left-turn-only exit — mover: Dave Keller; second: Gene Jenson; outcome: approved (5–0). Approve minutes (June 17 & June 26) — mover: Mary Liz Davis; second: Dave Keller; outcome: approved (5–0). Approve bills ($56,236) and payroll ($39,932.46) — mover: Mary Liz Davis; second: Gene Jenson; outcome: approved (5–0). Approve Coyote Construction roof bid ($10,240) — mover: Gene Jenson; second: Mary Liz Davis; outcome: approved (5–0). Approve special event permit (Throttles and Gears) — mover: Dave Keller; second: Mary Liz Davis; outcome: approved (5–0). Approve Gaming Site Authorization for American Legion Post 39 — mover: Mary Liz Davis; second: Gene Jenson; outcome: approved (5–0). Approve pay application No. 3, master lift station replacement — mover: Ben Zietz; second: Gene Jenson; outcome: approved (5–0).