Dec. 2, 2024

Mandan City Commissioners recently approved acceptance of a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant for phase I of the Lower Heart Flood Risk Reduction project. This phase of the award provides funding for the completion of final engineering and designs plans, final benefit cost analysis, and any environmental compliance/permitting required for the final project.

Phase II will be the construction phase of the project, and additional federal funding will be approved for that phase at a later date. Groundwork cannot begin until Phase I has been completed and Phase II is officially approved by FEMA.

Background. A 2012 study performed by FEMA shows the Heart River levee system is insufficient for continued accreditation in the event of an ice jam during a 100-year run-off event. A follow-up study conducted in 2018 by the Lower Heart Water Resource District (LHWRD) and approved by FEMA significantly reduced the required remedial work, but did not eliminate all of the necessary improvements. The levee system runs from the second railroad bridge west of Mandan through the city to where the Heart River connects with the Missouri River.

Fire Department gets new exhaust systems

Mandan Fire Department recently installed new exhaust systems in Fire Station 1 and 2. The department received an $80,000 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters grant to cover the purchase and installation of the Source Capture Exhaust Systems.  

“The new system makes for a much safer environment for the firefighters as it reduces the carcinogenic diesel exhaust emissions inside the bay when the fire apparatus is running inside the station,” says Fire Chief Mitch Bitz.

The exhaust systems automatically start when the truck starts and disconnects when the apparatus exits the station. It also makes for a much cleaner apparatus bay!

In August, the City Commission approved a 2024 budget amendment to cover the $8,000 local match.   

Shoveling sidewalks outside merchant doorways and looking festive for the holidays is good for business. In Mandan, it could also mean winning awards again this winter.

City leaders are offering opportunities for businesses to win two types of awards, one for being best at clearing snow and another for businesses and commercial property owners who decorate their buildings. Winners will be able to display the traveling awards and receive a special business feature on Made in Mandan social media.

The goal of these contests is to improve Mandan’s sparkle, accessibility and pedestrian-friendliness during the cold season.

Winter Decorating Award. Businesses and commercial property owners are encouraged to decorate their building exteriors and interior spaces visible from the outside (storefronts, windows, parking lots, etc.) and keep them decorated through the month of January. Decorating can be lit or unlit, festive, fun or elegant. Nominations will be accepted through Dec. 31, with public voting to occur in January.

Golden Shovel Award. The business voted to be keeping adjacent sidewalks clear of snow and ice will win Mandan’s golden shovel traveling award. Nominees will be welcomed through Feb. 1, 2025, with public voting to occur the following month. Local ordinance requires property owners to clean sidewalks of snow and ice within 24 hours of accumulation. Failure to do so can result in the City hiring a contractor for the job and billing the cost to the property owner. The minimum fee is $50 per occurrence plus the cost of services.

Nominations for Mandan’s winter awards are welcomed through an online form available at cityofmandan.com/winterawards. Stay tuned for an announcement of finalists later this winter and for public voting. Winners will be recognized at meetings of the Mandan City Commission in 2025.

Residents should receive a public works brochure and a household garbage and recycling collection schedule and map in the mail later this month. These two items were created with the announcement that the community calendar will not continue. Community events will still be shared in the monthly print newsletter, e-newsletter and online at visitmandan.com.

The Public Works brochure will have information on Spring Clean-Up Week, Community Clean-Up Month, Free Fall Landfill Week, Public Works Open House, recycling, garbage collection, and all divisions of Public Works.  

Residents can sign up to receive news and announcements via text message from the City of Mandan!

Messages may include information on garbage and recycling collection schedule changes, volunteer opportunities, office closures, etc.

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