January Mandan e-Messenger

Jan. 3, 2022

Mandan e-Messenger

Recycling reroute begins today

The rerouting the city’s curbside recycling service begins this week. Recycling will continue to be collected every other week, the same day as household garbage. However, recycling trucks will now collect on both sides of the street during the same week.

An updated map and 2022 collection calendar are available at cityofmandan.com/recycle. View this interactive map to determine if you reside in an A or B week area. Enter your address in the search box and click on the color outside of the locator dot for your recycling zone.

NDDOT plans Highway 1806 S project for 2022

Highway 1806 south from Main St to Eighth Ave SE will undergo concrete pavement repair, lane reallocation and traffic signal replacement in 2022. This project was initiated a few years ago when it was apparent the traffic signals at Sixth Ave and Third St SE needed replacing.

Concrete pavement repair will extend the roadway life by replacing cracked, settled or heaved concrete panels within a predominately “fair to good” segment of roadway. Other improvements include minor repairs to the Heart River Bridge, curb ramp updates, lighting updates and striping changes.

The cost participation and maintenance agreement, which is required for the City to receive federal and state funds for projects addressing needs on arterial and collector roadways, was the subject of two recent City Commission meetings. The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) plans to bid the project in January for 2022 construction.

Business Pitch Challenge entries due Jan. 27

Entries are open for Mandan’s fourth Business Pitch Challenge to be held March 23. The deadline to apply is Jan. 27.

Prizes include the chance to be eligible for up to a $10,000 forgivable loan from the Mandan Growth Fund plus other cash awards, services and merchandise useful to new businesses. Links to the competition overview, prize list and application are posted at cityofmandan.com/businesspitch.

Strategic plan picks up on positivity & momentum

The City Commission recently approved a Mandan Strong economic and community development strategic plan that picks up on momentum gained over the past decade and connects positive attitudes, energy and opportunities to assure a promising future.

Community arts conversation, Jan. 20.

Join the City of Mandan and Dakota West Arts Council (DWAC) for an opportunity to hear from the arts community. The meeting will take place on Thursday, Jan. 20 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Mandan City Hall, 205 Second Ave NW, in the Veterans Conference Room. The purpose of this meeting is to identify and explore shared needs; outline and map shared assets; listen and contribute to shape policies that will support artists and performing artists; and gauge interest for future arts policy and advocacy. Artists, performers, culture bearers, arts administrators, arts and cultural nonprofits, community members, institutions, educators, community leaders, institutions, businesses and patrons of the arts are invited to join the conversation. There will be another opportunity to participate on Tuesday, Jan. 25 from 1-3 p.m. at Northern Plains Dance, 1416 E Front Ave, Bismarck.

Candidates for local office can circulate petitions

Candidates for local office are now able to circulate and file petitions for election. The deadline for filing petitions for the 2022 local elections is April 11 at 4 p.m.

Morton County. Two, four-year terms are available for County Commission. The seats are currently held by Jackie Buckley and Andy Zachmeier. The sheriff, states attorney,

auditor, treasurer, and recorder positions are also up for election. Candidates must submit petitions to the auditor’s office in the Morton County Courthouse. The Morton County primary date is June 14. Top candidates will advance to the Nov. 8 election.

City of Mandan. Two, four-year terms are available for City Commission. The seats up for election are currently held by Amber Larson and Dennis Rohr.

Mandan Park Board. Three, four-year terms are available for the Park Board. The seats are currently held by Jason Arenz, Chad Hatzenbuhler and Miles Mehlhoff.

Mandan School Board. Three, three-year terms are available for the School Board. The seats up for election are currently held by Lori Furaus, Ross Munns and Tim Rector.

Candidates for City Commission and Park Board must file a signed statement of interest and petitions with the city administrator office, 205 Second Ave NW. School Board candidates must submit a statement of interest to the school district.

The 2022 election day is June 14 for City Commission, School Board and Park Board. For more information, visit cityofmandan.com/elections.

CANDIDATE TRAINING SESSION. The Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC and Bismarck Mandan Board of Realtors will host a candidate training session on Jan. 26. Call 701-255-0712 for more information.

Special assessment district created for 19th St Trail phase II

Phase two of the 19^th Street trail is set to be bid in February for 2022 construction. The first part of the project created a trail from Fort Lincoln Elementary school to Macedonia Ave on the south side of 19^th Street SW. Phase II will extend the trail west to Highway 6.

Total project cost is estimated at $855,247. A North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) transportation alternatives grant of up to $290,000 will help, however a special assessment district is necessary to fully fund the project.

Small utility bill increases coming in 2022

Residential customers are reminded of utility rate increases approved in the City’s 2022 budget. Increases effective Jan. 1 are as follows:

Garbage collection & hauling. $0.05 base rate increase per month, per family living unit; and
Recycling. $0.50 base rate increase per month, per family living unit.

The total monthly base rate increase for a residential customer will be $0.55.

Avoid delayed mail times, switch to eBills

Avoid delayed mail times by making the switch to eBills. Customers will receive an email notice when the utility bill is ready for viewing, typically around the 10th of each month. Make safe, secure payments online through SmartHub, an online portal and mobile app; calling 1-833-368-2463; or by visiting cityofmandan.com/payments.

City welcomes new committee members

The City Commission recently considered several appointments for terms beginning in 2022 to positions on several boards that assist with city governance and community development. Members of the business community and residents submitted letters of interest to volunteer to serve.

2022 Appointments:

Airport Authority – Justin Reisenauer;

Cemetery Advisory Board – Sharon Huettl, Susan Kuntz and Helen Bullinger;

Code Enforcement Appeals Board – Ramona Bernard and Victoria Vayda;

Community Beautification – Brian Dehnert, Terra Solberg and Ruth MacDonald;

Growth Fund – Jason Arenz, Jonathan Leonard and Lee Weisbeck;

Library Board of Trustees – Vern Mastel and Dawn Perrin Ramos;

Parking Authority – Melissa Barth;

Planning & Zoning Commission – Jamie Mclean; and

Renaissance Zone – Jillian Lagasse and Darren Schmidt.

Thank you to members who served terms that ended in 2021:

Airport Authority – R.D. Reimers

Community Beautification Committee – Maria Walen

Growth Fund – Don Boehm and Dave Lehman

Planning & Zoning – Nick Renner

Renaissance Zone – Rhonda Mahlum

Open positions remain on the Architectural Review Commission, Civil Service Commission, and Code Enforcement Appeals Board. To volunteer, visit cityofmandan.com/news.

Property tax exemptions & credit forms due Feb. 1

Nonprofit property tax exemptions, paraplegic disabled exemptions, blind exemptions and homestead property credit forms are due Feb. 1. The City’s Assessing office recently mailed forms to property owners that applied for these programs last year.

If you received the disabled veterans credit last year, nothing is required unless you moved or your disability compensation rating changed. New applications and rating changes are due Feb. 1.

Qualifications and forms are available for new applicants in the Assessing office or online at this link.

For more information, call 701-667-3232.