VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – A month ago, the Valley City Commission approved of hiring the engineering firms of KLJ and Moore for engineering and planning services under a three-year agreement.

On Tuesday, City Commissioner Mike Bishop made a motion to exclude the two city engineering firms hired by the city from bidding on city projects unless they resign.

City Commissioner Jeff Erickson second the motion. He has the same concern about these firms bidding on future city projects. Bishop urged the city commission to try something different.

City Commissioner Dick Gulmon disagreed with that argument.

Mayor Dave Carlsrud said the current agreement with KLJ and Moore Engineering does provide checks and balances for the city.

The motion failed on a 3 to 2 vote, with commissioners Carlsrud, Gulmon and Magnuson voting against the motion. Commissioners Bishop and Erickson voted for the motion on Tuesday, January 5th.

The presentation and exchange of comments from the city commission about this motion are available right here.