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Horace council adopts public‑comment policy, approves architect RFQ and advances routine municipal items
Summary
Council adopted a public‑comment policy to comply with SB 2180, approved an RFQ and selection committee for a proposed City Hall architecture contract, advanced the preliminary budget timeline, and approved Sunset Valley paving arrangements and other routine items.
Beyond land‑use debates and public comment, Horace’s July 21 council meeting advanced a cluster of administrative and procedural items.
Public‑comment policy: Staff presented a draft public‑comment policy required by North Dakota’s recent Senate Bill 2180. The policy standardizes in‑person comment cards, a three‑minute speaker limit, limits on yielding time and how written comments are handled. The council adopted a version that prioritizes city residents and landowners for the public‑comment period and directed staff to produce comment cards and public guidance for meetings.
City Hall architect RFQ: Council approved staff’s plan to issue a Request for Qualifications for an architect to design a prospective City Hall and to participate on the Construction Manager At‑Risk (CMAR) selection committee. The RFQ timeline calls for posting July 22, proposals due Aug. 22, and interviews in early September.
Budget and Sunset Valley paving: Staff briefed council on 2026 preliminary budget deadlines (August levy and a hearing between Sept. 7 and Oct. 7) and asked for council priorities; council also granted a developer request to permit construction to the curb edge now and defer the final overlay until later, provided the developer secures financial assurances in the maintenance agreement.
Why it matters: These items shape how the city engages the public, procures design services for a major facility, and manages capital projects and developer expectations. They also set timing for budget decisions that affect levy and service planning.
What’s next: Staff will post the architect RFQ, return with draft overlay language for height exceptions and report back on budget priorities, signage plans, and the maintenance agreement language for Sunset Valley.
