VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Valley City commission approved of two controversial projects in a split decision on Tuesday, April 17th.
The North Dakota DOT Urban Grant Program project known as (Streetscape) was approved on a 4 to one vote with Mike Bishop voting against it.
KLJ Engineer Chad Petersen said the DOT approved an amendment to reduce bump outs from 8 feet to 6 feet except at the school bus loading zone on 5th Street North.
The city commission narrowly approved of an amendment for the preliminary and design engineering services with KLJ up to $16,000 on a 3 to 2 vote. Commissioners Magnuson and Bishop voted against it. City commissioner Mike Bishop expressed his displeasure with the process.
But city commissioner Ross Powell supported both motions saying we needed to move forward with these projects.
City Commissioner Duane Magnuson was not happy about the process either and he encouraged more transparency in the future with cost estimates on city projects.
Last month the city announced that the estimated cost of the project on Central Avenue had risen from $1.55 million to $1.9 million due to construction engineering estimates.
City officials were also told that the estimated design engineering service for the 3rd Avenue Southeast reconstruction project would increase by up to $16,000.