00:00:03,000	S1:
City. Current. Produced by Dakota media. Access. In depth discussion with Bismarck and Mandan city officials. Watch on government access channel 602 HD or tune in to radio access 102.5 FM. Always local, always current.

00:00:26,467	S2:
Coming up on this edition of City Current, we'll hear an update on the state of the cities, tell you where and when that'll take place, and a report from the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC on some upcoming activities and strategic plan looking forward. And a stormwater rewrite for the city of Mandan. Good morning. I'm Tom Gerhardt from Dakota media access, joined by Mandan city administrator Jim Neubauer. Jim, thanks for trekking across the river this morning.

00:00:54,100	S3:
Thanks, Tom. A little windy, a little. I think the snow has stopped for now. I'm sure we've got more coming on the way. But again. Winter. Winter's finally arrived.

00:01:03,167	S2:
Now we're supposed to get that brutal cold? I think supposedly so. A lot to look forward to.

00:01:07,901	S3:
Winter safety kits in your cars and all that good stuff. But your boots and your gloves and your hats. And please be safe.

00:01:13,868	S2:
It's been a pretty nice January so far, so I guess it had to happen at some time. Well, let's, uh, look over last night's Mandan City Commission meeting and just start with some announcements, some interesting topics there. We talked about this last time a little bit, Jim, but the Golden Shovel and Winter Decorating awards. Just an update on that.

00:01:33,767	S3:
Yeah. Crazy. I know that we, uh, the Golden Shovel Award is I think there are nominations out there right now, and you can still have time till February 1st. This was I think this has probably been 3 or 4 years. We've had this in place. And really the idea of this is to bring attention to folks, um, you know, folks that are really doing a nice job of clearing their sidewalks, shoveling their snow. Um, we've been fairly fortunate so far this year where snow has been knock on wood. Minimal. Um, obviously the dusting that we've had the last couple of days and I think we're expecting some more. But again, uh, making sure and bring attention to clean your sidewalks and so that they are safely traversable by the public. And we think it's just a good thing to do. And those again, those nominations can be submitted until February 1st.

00:02:20,901	S2:
And the website for those listening. City of mandan.com/winter

00:02:26,501	S2:
Awards. City of Mandan award nominee.

00:02:30,000	S3:
Yeah. And you can also see on the on the website if you go there we all I think we have 4 or 5 bins businesses that have already been nominated. And so you can look in if the business you thought was doing an awesome job and they're already nominated. Good for them. If there's someone that else you want to add to that list, you would encourage you to do so.

00:02:48,801	S2:
And last night you clarified this isn't a true gold shovel.

00:02:52,467	S3:
This is not. I actually witnessed.

00:02:55,367	S2:
The painting.

00:02:55,901	S3:
The golden ring of this shovel in our back garage with a can of spray paint, and it was a fine creative work that was done by our former planner, Andrew Cromie, and I think Gary Schmitt was involved in that too. So, um, but it is it does look like real gold. It does not weigh like real gold, unfortunately, at $4,000 an ounce of whatever.

00:03:16,868	S2:
Whatever it is today.

00:03:17,968	S3:
I wouldn't be sitting here if that's what it was. We'd be having that baby under lock and key. But again, again, bringing attention to folks to make sure they're cleaning your sidewalks and make them traversable by the public faith. So again, to bring attention to that activity and encourage folks to do.

00:03:33,267	S2:
All the state of the cities where we can hear interactively from both Mayor Schmitz and Mayor Freilich, takes place February 3rd at the Bismarck Event Center. And a couple of topics. I know it's an interactive discussion now instead of both mayors just speaking to the crowd.

00:03:49,567	S3:
Yeah, I think last, um, the the chamber also does a good job of of surveying folks after an event. And, you know, what did you like? What can we improve on and things like that. And the result of a fireside chat format with the two mayors of Bismarck Mandan will be presented. We will there'll be a list of prepared questions for them to respond to. And also, I think audiences certainly feel to feel free to ask questions, too. There's also a national economist. I think Michael Shuman will be the main speaker at that event. Talk about our economy and things like that. But again, Chancellor Bismarck, command and say, hey, what will happen in 2025 and what do we have going on in 2026? So we're looking forward to February 3rd. That starts at eight in the morning, goes till 930. And you can purchase a ticket through the Bismarck landscape PC.

00:04:42,701	S2:
All right. Sounds great. A couple of project updates from Mandan. We just wanted to talk about really quickly the Mandan Proper Project. I know that there was an open house that apparently wasn't super well attended. But they're going to it's going to be another one down the road.

00:05:00,100	S3:
Yep. We in part of our public communication plan, the Mandan proper is really the core of our community. If you're if you're listening from Collins Avenue to Sixth Avenue, Collins Avenue on East sixth Avenue West, entirely from about Main Street, all the way up to Division one of our last major infrastructure projects that we need to attack. Not that we don't have one every year that we need to do, but the everyone knows streets, her gutter, water lines, sewer lines, streetlights, things like that are in need of mainly replacement. And so we had a public meeting input meeting last Thursday. Um lightly attended. Um, we're doing another one, I believe, 2420 4th of February.

00:05:42,868	S2:
I think that's what it says on the graphic there is that that's phase one on February 24th. Yeah.

00:05:48,767	S3:
So we'll do, um, another one for, for that as we move into finalizing plans. And we do these to try and before we get to 30% design on a project and we bring it to the commission, let's hear from the neighborhood. They know what issues are experienced in that neighborhood. Um, much better than we do. But we want to hear what do you think the fixes are? And we'll go through. Here's what we we think the project would entail. You tell us, um, where there might be gaps we might be missing, or suggestions on how to do things better.

00:06:16,901	S2:
And always great to give the community a voice.

00:06:19,901	S3:
Yeah. And I think it has really worked out well, um, the last few times. I think there is a public meeting tonight on, I think we call it 215 be or an area.

00:06:30,701	S2:
Yeah, I have that, uh, project two, a little graphic for that, but, uh, to be near Roosevelt. Is that right? Yeah.

00:06:38,901	S3:
And, uh, again, from 6 to 8:00. We had attempted a project in this a couple of years ago, and, uh, residents in the area protested it out. But we've had a significant number of water breaks in this area, and that's why we had proposed it a few years ago. But we're back to the drawing board. And again, we'll go through the process again because it's it's very expensive when we are not fixing, um, either the road or the water line and things like that, and it just needs to be done.

00:07:05,267	S2:
And just in case folks are watching the graphic says tomorrow, but this is from last night's City Commission meeting. So we're recording this on January 21st. So the meeting is actually.

00:07:16,200	S3:
It is this.

00:07:16,868	S2:
Evening, this evening, the 21st for 6 to 8 at Roosevelt Elementary, just to make sure we clear that up and not send people out tomorrow night when it's going to be I think really tomorrow.

00:07:26,601	S3:
Night's going to be a little chillier and I think tonight will be um, so there we go.

00:07:30,767	S2:
We mentioned the Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC. We saw a photo of Brendan Nagel interviewing both mayors last year, and Brenda attended the meeting last night and gave an update on what's happening with the chamber EDC activities and touched on a strategic plan that they're working or have worked on. Yeah.

00:07:48,767	S3:
So this is, uh, my Brenda and her crew come in, I think, twice a year and give updates to the commission, talk about activities that they've been working on. And last night Brenda did that. We're very appreciative of the chamber coming forward and in making that presentation to our commission. So a couple of things that they're working on obviously right now. Um, elections are coming up. So they are working on, you know, how do we help cultivate, um, emerging leaders, um, to run for those public offices and how how can the chamber be involved in helping them? A lot of times folks will be interested in running for office, but they're they're not sure where to start. And the chamber is here to help you go through that process. And another thing that we're working on, and Brenda brought this up last night, is both Bismarck and Mandan have a really need for another part, uh, in each community, Rick is, you know, we've been working on that for 20 plus years. I can say that as, um, I remember the days that we won't do that. Um, but again, it's trying to find industrial park space. Um, his market is now filled up in the Northern Plains Commerce Center. Our northwest industrial park is is pretty darn full. I don't know if there's any spots available yet. Uh, there might be a few here and there, but again, where is that? Next to 300 400 acres of property that is ready for industries move into. You know, we filled up that one over the last 25, 30 years. And where is the next step going to be? And we're always looking out and saying, okay, where is it? I think Bismarck has some property that they own on the eastern side of the prairie and on the western side, the city does not have that luxury of owning property. But we're you know, it's not that the city would go out and buy this property. Maybe there's a group of investors that would look at purchasing that property and making that available. And from a city standpoint, how do we provide the necessary infrastructure, water to our streets in order to get.

00:09:46,467	S2:
And I mean, a new industrial park? I imagine the economic impacts for Bismarck. Mandan. Yep. When you get to that point would be significant.

00:09:55,100	S3:
Yep. Because in order to attract business to your community, you have to have a place for them. And again, um, that's part of what this will do. And, you know, first is identifying what property makes sense. Again, I can say we've been doing this for the past 25 years and, um, haven't located that perfect piece or sometimes there. Here's an awesome piece of property. Um, but the buyer has been unwilling to sell, or they're unwilling to make it available for development. Um, but again, I think sometimes turnover happens and it's some people will recognize, hey, I have a property along I-94 corridor that is just perfect for industrial development. I have changed hands a few times in the last 20 years, and maybe they're ready to make a move now. So again, it's the chamber will lead this effort in both communities will be participating and setting up different subcommittees to try and attack this issue.

00:10:51,467	S2:
Pretty late agenda last night, but quite a presentation. Interaction with Houston Engineering on a project that I think goes back to 2019 with, uh, stormwater design and manual and ordinance changes, updates, uh, recap what we talked about last night, what we.

00:11:08,767	S3:
Heard a lot of things happen in stormwater. Some people are, hey, I live on the top of the hill. I don't have a stormwater problem. You probably don't. But water from your driveway and your rooftop is going somewhere. And usually that's downhill and it's going to affect someone else. And so you do pay it, play part of that. And we've been working with Houston I think. So 2019, um, we've gone through several iterations and updates on this plan. And last night is kind of let's bring all that to a head. Let's put a nail in this one and let's get it wrapped up. But again, uh, along with the commission adopting the plan comes the ordinances that need to be adopted, written and approved by the Commission. So again, a lot of things with storm water that a lot of people don't think about, but are very important in a community and effect. It's not it's not the person at the bottom of the hill. It's the person at the top of the hill and everybody in between. Be sure that things are done effectively and efficiently.

00:12:08,567	S2:
How we notice it here. We're just south of Main Street in Bismarck, and this summer we had a couple of, uh, storms that just the water on Main Street was seeping into some businesses here. So you really get an idea of how much just how much water does come downhill if you can actually, of course, you see it in Bismarck and the underpasses fill up and things.

00:12:32,167	S3:
Bismarck underpasses fill up. Mandan. Um, a lot of times. First street, first street, fill up. It used to be that sixth Avenue running into Main Street. I remember the days in the 70s when, during a significant rainstorm, you could put a canoe and go down, but now there's a roughly. I think it's a 72 inch or 60 inch stormwater pipe under Sixth Avenue. And you don't notice that today. But then again, that water needs to go somewhere. And making sure that it's going to the right places and at the right time. So you're not overwhelming your systems. We look at that as far as even Memorial Highway on the reconstruction, folks will notice that the driving surface right now is two feet lower than the original. And part of that, a big part of that is stormwater. And a big part of that road construction is moving. The quicker you can get that water off of your parking lot and off your driveways and off your streets, the longer of a life that those assets will have. So it's not for nothing. It's significant. Bismarck. Mandan. We're not getting rain every single day. We have seen when we have downpour, what can happen to that? Infrastructure gets overwhelmed.

00:13:41,901	S2:
And I remember one of the city commission meetings hearing that the primary Culprit for eating up roadways and things like that isn't traffic, it's weather.

00:13:54,100	S3:
Yes it is. Um, in North Dakota, obviously, we have the wonderful change of seasons, the freeze thaw cycle and things like that in your roadways. Um, while, you know, technology has gotten better, um, that freeze thaw cycle, you know, you can pour a new concrete slab today, and within a month it will have a crack in it, because concrete will do one thing for sure, and it will crack and cracking in the right place. You're okay. Um, but again, the freeze thaw cycle in North Dakota, sunshine and everything like that really do a number on your roadways.

00:14:27,567	S2:
Oh geez, we've seen it this month with what, close to 50 degrees a few days and yeah, probably 20 below in a couple of days from now.

00:14:35,667	S3:
A lot of that is the again, we talk about freeze thaw, but we're in 54 degree weather one week and we're in uh, 14 below the next week. And so you've got water that is now rapidly.

00:14:47,000	S2:
Expanding contracting.

00:14:48,467	S3:
That asphalt. And it's busting out every pothole that you fixed. And you come back now and within our, you know, all that material is gone. And so that is the nature of the beast that we live in. And but it it's significant.

00:15:03,167	S2:
Uh, we mentioned this last time probably worth mentioning again because the deadline is April 1st, but the 2026 primary residence credit, people can fill that out and make sure that they have a reduction in their primary property tax.

00:15:16,400	S3:
Yeah, fill that out. And I think at 2 or 3 top five questions. Um, very simple. And make sure I think Kima with the number one, if it was 76% of the eligible applicants, or if it was 93%, I'm not sure, but a great number of people filled that out. It's primary residence, not, uh, commercial or multifamily or things like that at primary residence only right now. And I know this is a topic that's being taken up by the legislature as we speak is a tweak, a tweak to how that gets computed. But again, it doesn't affect anything that residents have to do now. It's a matter of make sure you go online, you fill that out, it verifies that this is your primary residence, or you take advantage of that so that you are in for that $1,600 property tax credit.

00:16:03,667	S2:
Well, let's dream ahead to that April 1st time period and talk about Memorial Highway, because before we know it, things will be back in action and construction will continue.

00:16:15,000	S3:
Yeah. So obviously Memorial Highway didn't we didn't get everything done that we had hoped to get done in the later month of 2025. We had hoped to have five lanes of concrete from, in essence, midway lanes going to the east. That construction in meetings with Dot. They're already planning in the contractors on board and contractor would like to start, you know, March 31st, April 1st weather dependent and get the underground completed on the north side of Memorial Highway. And they do have a, um. July 3rd is the optimistic date. From the contractor, um, to be done. And I think July 9th is everything should be done on the east half of Memorial Highway. You'll also see, um, there's a lot of equipment on the west half right now that are taking some vegetation, some trees down, making way for storm sewer. Again, like we talked about earlier. Um, and they can do some of that work right now. Um, and get prepped up. Um, so that, uh, work on the West side, a lot of that will be what we call off the main line. Um, so there's a lot of stormwater work that needs to happen, um, to make this project go on the west hand side. And that I think after July 9th, they will start the work on the main line work kind of from Main Street going east. So again, that'll be another project. And we want to make, you know, we want to make sure from a traveling public standpoint, we don't have the east end of Main Street blocked up, and we don't have the west end of Main Street blocked up under construction at the same time. So there's a lot of coordination that goes on that. I'm working on some public input meetings at this point in time, so stay tuned and look forward to hearing what, uh, as project schedules get nailed down a little firmer on what to expect here in the next few months.

00:18:06,767	S2:
Yeah, we'll keep you posted through our coverage of Mandan City Commission meetings and recapping on City Current. Well, thanks for joining us, Jim. Just another reminder that you can find us on, uh, Dakota Access. We're also download our apps. We have a DMA app where you can find government access and community access channels, and our radio access app to listen to a number of local musicians and also folks creating local podcasts. So we'd appreciate it if you download those apps. And even as it says, if you can read the screen, you can even find us on smart TVs through various ways. So again, thanks for joining me, Jim. That concludes another edition of City Current. See you next time.

00:18:48,767	S1:
For more information on what was discussed in this episode of City Current, visit City of Mandan or call (700) 166-7321 five. If you have any suggestions, comments or issues you would like addressed in Future City Current episodes. Contact us at info at free TV. This program airs on Government Access channel two and 602 in HD or on Radio Access 102.5 FM. It's also available as a podcast on radio access and as a video viewing link at free TV. Thanks for tuning in to this edition of City Current.