Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
New Rockford commission approves CD investments, permits and declares two properties substandard
Summary
The New Rockford City Commission approved a $200,000 placement from Municipal Infrastructure Funds into a 9‑month CD, cleared a slate of permits and building approvals, set water-plant maintenance for Well No. 1, and declared two properties substandard while scheduling a special meeting on employee health insurance.
President Stuart Richter called the New Rockford City Commission to order at 8:59 a.m. on April 7, 2025, and the commission moved quickly through routine business, approving the agenda, March minutes, financials and March bills by unanimous votes.
City Auditor Andrew Presnell reported the city had received additional Municipal Infrastructure Fund dollars and recommended placing $200,000 into a nine‑month certificate of deposit at Community Credit Union at 3.90%. President Richter moved to place the funds as recommended; the commission approved the motion. Presnell also said Tier II and backflow‑prevention reports were submitted and noted that Double M Sanitation had contacted the city about garbage‑service options.
Public Works Superintendent Hirchert told the commission that Well No. 1 at the Water Treatment Plant will be taken out of service for servicing at the end of April and is expected to be offline about two to three weeks. Hirchert presented lists of nonworking or damaged curb stops, a completed junk‑yard list, and scheduled dates for free dumps and curbside cleanup; Commissioner Fleming moved to accept the public‑works report and the commission approved it.
Under new business the commission approved a housing incentive for Ashley Weixel, granted gaming permits for New Rockford Dollars for Scholars, New Rockford Park District, Dakota State Eagles, NRABC and Eddy County 4‑H, and approved building permits for Brick & Beam, Joe Volk, Mike and Carol Risovi, and Joshua Bruggman. The commission also approved a special‑event permit and a street closure for Buck‑its Bar and granted a variance allowing Nathan Presnell to harbor more than two dogs and two cats.
City Auditor Presnell told commissioners a bond company had contacted the city offering potential savings on the Swimming Pool Bond; commissioners asked him to contact the current bond company to see whether it could match any proposed savings. Separately, the commission approved renewing two certificates of deposit and consolidating them at Bank Forward into a one‑year CD at 3.85%.
An inquiry about living in an RV on 5th Avenue S prompted City Attorney Peterson to advise the commission that living in an RV as a residence is prohibited under city ordinance; the request was not approved. The commission reviewed substandard‑structure candidates, authorized bidding for 806 1st Ave N, and declared 815 4th Ave N and 608 Central Ave substandard, directing preemptive bids for remediation or action. Commissioners discussed employee health‑insurance coverage and scheduled a special meeting for 9 a.m. on April 14, 2025 to gather more information.
Commissioners also discussed zoning steps to convert property to an RV park; City Attorney Peterson said the relevant ordinances must be followed and advised filing a petition to start the rezoning process. With no further business, President Richter adjourned the meeting at 10:44 a.m.; the next regular meeting is scheduled for May 5, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. at City Hall.
