VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Valley City Commission approved of a storm sewer improvement project that will install a 36 inch pipe under Winter Show Road to alleviate flash flooding that occurs in that area near 4th Avenue Southwest during torrential rain storms.

City Administrator David Schelkoph said the current 18 inch pipe is unable to handle heavy rainfall. He said the city has been working on this project since 2014.

Commissioner Ross Powell strongly advocated moving forward with the project.

But Commissioner Mike Bishop believes special assessments with this project are too costly.

The resolution passed on a four to one vote with Bishop voting against the resolution during a special city commission meeting on May 14th.

Schelkoph and City Finance Director Avis Richter said the estimated cost of the project is $1.9 million. The federal and state share is $645,000 making the local share $1.2 million. But the city commission approved of using $871,000 out of the R&R fund to lower the special assessment from .92 cents per square foot to .32 cents per square foot with this project.

Properties that built detention ponds like Stoudt Ross Ford, Grand Stay Hotel and the USDA facilities will receive another reduction from their special assessments with this project.

KLJ engineer Chad Petersen said the contractor will start the work this summer and it should be completed by October of 2019.