February Mandan e-Messenger

Feb. 1, 2022

Mandan e-Messenger

2021 Economic Indicators Show Overall Strength

City of Mandan management monitors several local economic indicators. The majority of statistics for the 2021 calendar year are now available.

Local usage taxes

1.75% sales tax. Collections reached a record of nearly $5.3 million, up 5% from 2020. The City uses revenue from a 1% sales tax, amounting to about $3.0 million to reduce property taxes plus assist with infrastructure costs, economic development and municipal debt reduction. Revenue from a 0.75% tax, generating nearly $2.3 million, is applied to pay off a bond issued for a voter-approved sports complex.

1% restaurant and lodging tax. Collections were also at a record of a little over $570,000, up 9% from 2020. Revenue is used for purchasing, equipping, improving, construction, maintenance, repair, and acquisition of buildings or property consistent with visitor attraction and promotion.

2% hotel occupancy tax. Collections were up almost 23% at $61,600, but still 14% below a 2012 peak of $71,500. Two motor inns have since been demolished, but another hotel opened during this time period. Revenue from the hotel occupancy tax is used to promote, encourage and attract visitors to the city. The majority is allocated to the Bismarck-Mandan Convention and Visitors Bureau.

27th St N & Eighth Ave NW reconstruction being planned

A project to reconstruct 27^th Street between Highway 1806 N and Eight Ave NW as well as Eight Ave NW between Old Red Trail and 27^th Street NW is in its preliminary design phase. The project is anticipated to include some storm sewer and watermain replacement. Sanitary sewer will be evaluated during project planning to identify any concerns. Other elements include replacement of a multi-use trail, street lighting, striping and signage as part of the project scope.

Preliminary project design began in 2021 and will continue this year. Neighborhood outreach, a proposed special assessment district, and notification of the protest period are anticipated to occur in the spring. Pending results, the final design phase would be in mid-2022 for a fall bid opening and 2023 construction.

The project is set to receive about $1 million in federal funds through the N.D. Department of Transportation Urban Roads program. Possible funding sources may include special assessments, the sales tax fund, city-wide property taxes and the utility fund.

Stay tuned to cityofmandan.com/roadprojects for updates.

Business & community development report available

With many fantastic projects and activities recently completed and underway, “momentum” is a word many strategic planning steering committee members used in 2021 to describe Mandan’s propulsion toward continual community improvement.

City leaders appreciate the collaboration with volunteers and other agencies, organizations and businesses that support our community, region and state.

Download the report at cityofmandan.com/businessdevelopment. Property owners will receive the report with their monthly water bill in February in lieu of the printed Mandan Messenger newsletter. Copies will also be available at City Hall.

Winter is the time to trim boulevard trees

According to the North Dakota State University Extension Service, winter months are the preferred time to prune, or trim a tree. Trimming in the winter reduces the amount of stress on the trees. When trees are dormant during the cold weather months, it removes the threat of pests and diseases being present, making them less susceptible to infection on fresh wounds and cuts.

Trimming overhanging branches is important to allow Mandan Public Works staff to perform proper street maintenance, such as snow plowing or sweeping all the way to the curb line, without causing damage to City owned equipment like street sweepers, snow plows, etc. These overhanging branches may also damage firetrucks, garbage trucks, school buses and parcel delivery vehicles.

Residents are encouraged to trim boulevard trees to code. Mandan Municipal Code Sec. 115-4-7 requires trees or shrubs that overhang sidewalks, streets or other public places in a way that interferes with traffic or travel to be trimmed by the owner of the abutting property or the property on which the tree or shrub grows. This includes trees and shrubs in boulevards and city right-of-way and any that hang within 14 feet of a street or 10 feet of a sidewalk measured vertically.

Branches 4 inches in diameter or smaller may be disposed of for free at the City Landfill. Please contact the Grounds Maintenance department with questions.

Additional information

Community arts conversation scheduled for Feb. 3

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, Feb. 3 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.

Openings remain on two City boards

Letters of interest are still being sought for appointments to be considered to the Architectural Review Commission and Code Enforcement Appeals Board.

Members of the business community and residents are encouraged to submit a letter summarizing their desired appointment, background and reasons for interest via email to Communications & Community Services Coordinator Kari Schmidt, 205 2^nd Ave NW, Mandan, ND 58554. Letters will be welcomed until the positions are filled.

Additional information is available at cityofmandan.com/news.

Recycling reroute reminders

This week, Jan. 31-Feb. 4, is a B week for recycling collection. If you live in a B week area, please place your recycling tote curbside on the day of your collection.

Reroute Reminders:

Recycling is still collected every other week on the same day as household garbage, but the week of pickup changed for some residents.
Recycling trucks now collect on both sides of the street in each area on the designated collection day.
Using the existing garbage collection map, Waste Management split each existing daily area into zones A and B, which determines the every other week rotation.
Residents received calendars in the mail and flyers with their water bill in December providing information about the collection zones and schedule.
An interactive map that allows residents to search for their zone by address and additional info is posted at cityofmandan.com/recycle.
Waste Management implemented these new routes at the beginning of January to reduce truck traffic on residential streets, enhance safety and improve service.

Please contact Waste Management at 1-888-960-0008 with questions about missed collection, broken totes, etc. For assistance determining if you live in an A or B week area please visit cityofmandan.com/recycle or call Public Works at 701-667-3240.

City staff and officials thank residents for their patience during this transition.

April 11 filing deadline for local elections

Candidates for local office should be circulating petitions for election. The deadline for filing petitions for the 2022 local election is April 11 at 4 p.m. Candidates are encouraged to bring petitions in to the city administrator's office before the filing deadline so staff has the opportunity to verify signatures. For a signature to be considered valid, the petition must have the printed name of the voter, signature, and full address including the zip code. Signatures must come from an individual age 18 or older living in the city of Mandan.

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.

Candidates for County positions must submit petitions to the auditor’s office in the Morton County Courthouse.

The 2022 local election day and Morton County primary is June 14. Top candidates from Morton County will advance to the Nov. 8 election. For more information, visit cityofmandan.com/elections.