Wayne Byers Show Weekdays on CSi 2

CSi Weather…

.TONIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows around 40. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

.WEDNESDAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 60s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Southwest

winds around 5 mph.

.THURSDAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 70s. Northwest winds 5 to

10 mph.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Clear. Lows around 50. Northeast winds 5 to

10 mph.

.FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT…Clear. Highs in the mid 70s. Lows in

the lower 50s.

.SATURDAY THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Highs in the lower 80s. Lows in the mid 50s.

.TUESDAY…Sunny. Highs in the upper 70s.

 

A slow warming trend through the week and continued dry

conditions. Some precipitation chances possible next weekend.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Fire Department was called to a grass fire about 4:35-p.m., Tuesday in the area of 414 4th Avenue, Northwest.

More information as it becomes available.

 

Jamestown (CSi)  Jamestown Mayor Katie Andersen says while automated garbage collection in Jamestown is anticipated to start in Jamestown in early October, the automated recycling collection has been further delay possibly into November this year.

On Tuesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, she said the delay in the delivery of the automated collection trucks is based on changes in government regulations concerning fuel efficiency of the truck and other issues.

No hard date has been set for the start of residential recycling collection, stemming from contract re-negotiations between the city and Renaissance Recycling of Jamestown concerning having the facilities and equipment ready.

Until the start of the automated trucks collection of garbage, residents may still set out items that will not fit in the garbage bins next to the bins.

Mayor Andersen pointed out that the delay in residential recycling, may cause residents to re-think the size of the garbage containers they ordered, needing more space for items that were planned to be recycled.

She added, in light of the delay in recycling the city will not, for now, charge for any bin size change requests.

 

Jamestown (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council met in Regular Session, Tuesday at City Hall.

Council Member Gumke was not present.

NO ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS TO  DISCUSSED SEPARATELY:

REGULAR AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS:

ORDINANCES:

A FIRST READING of an ordinance pertaining to the appropriation of the General and Special Funds for the fiscal year January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2018.

 

A FIRST READING  of an ordinance pertaining to the appropriation of the Revenue and Special Funds for the fiscal year January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2018.

After this reading, the budget can be reduced but not increased during subsequent meetings. The budget must be finalized at the October 2, 2017, City Council meeting, with another budget meeting planned before then.

The mill rate will remain the same with a 4 percent increase in all residential property values and a 5 percent increase to commercial property values

An increase in the property tax stems from of the elimination of a state program that reduced property taxes.

The proposed budget includes a 5 percent increase to utility costs for water, sewer and solid waste disposal.

The City Council is looking for about $1 million in spending cuts or revenue increases in its general fund to meet its reserve fund goal of 25 percent at the end of 2018.

The city, county and school district levy property taxes, all facing a decrease in outside revenues.

 

A SECOND READING of an  Ordinance was approved, pertaining to parking of trailers, motor homes, etc was approve, requiring those units to have reflective tape place on the leading edge on them if parked facing the opposite direction of on coming traffic.

HEARING FROM THE AUDIENCE:   No one spoke.

 

MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER’S REPORT:

Council Member Phillips will attend a Frontier Village Board member to ascertain problems and how the City Council may help.

 

OTHER BUSINESS:

The City Council approved having the  Mayor to sign a Settlement Agreement and Release of All Claims, on behalf of the City of Jamestown, in the complaint filed by Christine Stein versus the City of Jamestown and others.

Mayor Andersen says the complaint stems from the arrest and Law Enforcement Center, incarceration of Stein, who is hearing impaired.

She appeared in Municipal Court, and no charges were filed as Police Chief Edinger said the complantant withdrew the complaint.

Other entities were also named in the complaint.

Dollars in the settlement on behalf of the city and Stutsman County are from the North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund.

The settlement includes a payment of $75,000 from the city of Jamestown and Stutsman County.

Also a $15,000 payment from the state of North Dakota.

The settlement stipulates that  the Jamestown Police Department and Stutsman County Correctional Center begin  employee training concerning accommodations for individuals who are  hard of hearing of deaf.

The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 67 followed by replays.

 

 

Valley City  (CSi)  The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session Tuesday evening at City Hall.

All members were present.

The Oath of Office was given by Mayor Carlsrud to City Attorney Lillie Schoenack.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA INCLUDED:

Monthly Reports from the Fire Chief, Building Inspector, Auditor, Municipal Judge and Public Works Accountant.

Monthly Bills for the City and Public Works in the Amount of $2,394,088.85

A raffle permit for Barnes County Senior Citizens Council, Inc., Sheyenne Care Center

PUBLIC COMMENTS

The comment came during the Ordinance section of the agenda.

ORDINANCE

The City Commission approved a First Reading of an Ordinance to repeal and re-enact Sections  of  the Animals & Fowl Ordinance.  City Attoney Schoenack said the change stems from clarification of “non traditional livestock.”  in the Ordinace, plus, the number of allowable pets, a limit of six total pets (air breathing animals) of all types. Changes also are in the area number of animals under the kennel permit.

An audience member said a change in the Ordinance will improve problems with animal waste odors.

NEW BUSINESS

City Commissioners approved awarding the bid for Hi-Line Orchard project, from Pine Country Nursery, in the amount of $24,772  City Administrator Schelkoph said the pollinator garden will receive the plantings, south of Charlie Brown Field.

Approved awarding the bid for cable for the Electrical Department to BSE in the amount of $23,430.00.

City Administrator Schelkoph said, underground cable will be purchased for emergency purposes.

The City Commission received the  request for Meridian Apartments II and schedule date for public hearing for October 3, 2017. Jim Knutson with Valley Realty  said the 42 unit apartments are proposed for the area near the North Dakota Winter show, with the dollars to be used to reduce rent to the tenants.

Approved an Amendment to Permanent Flood Protection Phase II Engineering agreement to add Construction Engineering in the amount of $1,100,000.

80 percent is funded through the State Water commission.

Approved the  Permanent Flood Protection Phase IV buyout program.

KLJ & City Administrator Schelkoph said the $3 million is a cost share with the State Water Commission with Valley City’s share at $1-million.

The area includes removing the elevators at the Mill Dam site.

The city will present the request to the State Water Commission.

Approved Permanent Flood Protection Phase III construction program, near the Master Sewer Lift Station.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

David Schelkoph said on September 21, 2017 a public input meeting will be held at the Eagles Club from 5-p.m., to 8:30-p.m., on the Comprehensive and Transportation plan.

Residents can go on line to www.valleycity2045.com to fill out a survey and more information.

Valley City is Developing a Comprehensive and Transportation Plan to serve as a guide for growth and development through 2045, to provide a program for transportation and infrastructure improvements needed to accommodate future growth and to serve as a policy framework to enhance the quality of life for Valley City’s residents and business owners.

He pointed out that the downtown Mill Dam site will be closed, starting September 15, 2017, with grass clippings and those types of items to then be brought to the  Transfer Station, 24/7.

CITY UPDATES & COMMISSION REPORTS:

City Fire Chief  Gary Retterath said the fire department is recruiting more fire fighters.

Mayor Carlsrud reported the audit was submitted by Eide Baily which complemented the city on the accuracy of the audit.

The meeting was shown on CSi Cable 68 followed by replays.

 

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corporation (JSDC)  is now accepting resumes for Board of Directors positions.

Anyone interested in serving on this Board should send their resume to:

JSDC PO Box 293

Jamestown, ND 58402-0293.

Or e-mail resume to Connie Ova at connie@growingjamestown.com.

Resumes must be received by September 22, 2017.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) – Funeral services have been scheduled for a Fargo woman whose body was found in the Red River three days after police recovered a baby believed to be hers.

Boulger Funeral Home says services for 22-year-old Savanna Greywind are set for 10:30 a.m. Thursday at First Assembly Church.

Greywind was eight months pregnant when she disappeared last month. Authorities say she was killed by homicidal violence.

Prosecutors have charged the man and woman who lived in an apartment where the baby was found with conspiracy to commit murder in what they say was a scheme to take Greywind’s baby. The two suspects were Greywind’s neighbors.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A Fargo man convicted of murder and arson in the deaths of two people has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.

East Central District Judge Norman Anderson on Tuesday handed down the maximum sentence for Ashley Hunter, who was convicted by a jury for the hammer-beating death of 24-year-old Samuel Traut and the stabbing death of 45-year-old Clarence Flowers in 2015.

Cass County prosecutor Birch Burdick said the killings were shocking and unusual for the community.

Hunter’s attorney said the murders were the result of a meth-induced rage. Hunter told Anderson that there’s nothing he can do to take away the pain from loved ones of the two victims.

Anderson said the murders were unprovoked and drugs were no excuse for the crimes.

 

MINOT, N.D. (AP) — Three nurses who worked for a Minot hospice program are accused of stealing drugs prescribed for patients.

39-year-old April Beckler, 45-year-old Kim Kochel and 39-year-old Jennifer Napora are all charged with felony theft of property.

Court documents show that the incidents took place between December 2012 and October 2014 while the nurses worked for Trinity Hospital’s Home Health and Hospice program.

Beckler and Kochel face two other charges, including endangering a venerable adult. They are accused of diluting medication or giving morphine instead of a more potent version of the drug that was prescribed to manage pain.

The three women have yet to appear in court. It’s not clear if they have hired lawyers.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s Agriculture Department has begun accepting applications from drought-stricken ranchers for $1.5 million in aid to help with hay-hauling costs.

The application period runs until Nov. 3.

The state Emergency Commission late last month approved the money. It will go to qualifying ranchers in counties with severe, extreme or exceptional drought. The U.S. Drought Monitor says nearly all of western North Dakota is experiencing those conditions.

Gov. Doug Burgum about a month ago asked President Donald Trump to declare a drought disaster in the state to pave the way for more federal aid.

Burgum spokesman Mike Nowatzki says the state hasn’t yet received an answer. Trump is scheduled to speak in Mandan tomorrow about tax reform. It isn’t known if he might also address the drought.

 

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota farmers are making good progress on the small grains harvest.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says rainfall was limited and temperatures averaged slightly above normal across North Dakota last week. Farmers had 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork.

Topsoil remains dry, with more than half of topsoil moisture supplies rated short or very short.

North Dakota’s winter wheat harvest is 95 percent complete and 1 percent planted. The spring wheat harvest is 85 percent, behind last year’s pace of 90 percent but ahead of the five-year average of 74 percent.

The barley harvest is 93 percent complete, near last year’s 94 percent but ahead of the 81 percent average. Oats are 90 percent harvested, near last year’s 94 percent but ahead of the 81 percent average.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A parcel bordering Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota may be included in a federal oil and gas lease sale.

Conservationists are urging the Bureau of Land Management not to include the 120-acre parcel in the lease sale, raising concerns about oil development on the park’s boundary.

Park Superintendent Wendy Ross said that the National Park Service is concerned about oil activity diminishing visitor experience and affecting wildlife habitat.

A bureau spokesman says the agency received an “expression of interest” to lease the federal minerals. Agency officials are taking public input on whether to include it in a March sale. An environmental assessment would be available for public review beginning Sept. 30.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The federal government has approved North Dakota’s newly crafted state education standards.

U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos says the plan that North Dakota officials have been working on for more than a year meets the requirements under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act.

The law superseded the No Child Left Behind law and gives states more flexibility on student testing and academic standards.

North Dakota’s plan is the product of work by a group of more than 50 education stakeholders, including teachers, parents, school administrators, legislators and representatives of education groups.

State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler says the plan “reflects what’s best for the students in North Dakota.”

 

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says it wants Congress to come up with a plan to replace the program the Trump administration is phasing out, which shields young immigrants from deportation. The administration is giving Congress six months to come up with a legislative fix before the government stops renewing permits for people covered by the program.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Officials in the Florida Keys are gearing up to get tourists and residents out of the possible path of Hurricane Irma. Monroe County spokeswoman Cammy Clark says in a news release that a mandatory evacuation for tourists will begin at sunrise Wednesday. An evacuation plan for residents is also under way but a timetable hasn’t been determined. Clark says government offices, parks and schools will close and there will be no shelters in Monroe County.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Russia’s U.N. ambassador says that despite good intentions, sanctions against North Korea aren’t working and Moscow wants a new U.N. resolution to focus more on a political solution of the crisis over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs. Vassily Nebenzia stressed Tuesday that a military option should be “ruled out of any discussions.” U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley told a Security Council meeting on Monday that the U.S. wants a new U.N. resolution with tougher sanctions by next week.

HOUSTON (AP) — Harvey has complicated the U.S. government’s plan to build a border wall in Texas. The government had carefully designed a path of least resistance to building a border wall in Texas, picking places it already owns or controls to quickly begin construction. All it needed was Congress to approve the money. But now the Trump administration must grapple with a storm that hammered much of the Texas Gulf Coast, forcing tens of thousands of people from their homes.

UNDATED (AP) — The wrath of the water from Hurricane Harvey will have long-term impact on Texas. Some say it will take years for Houston and other flood-ravaged communities to rebound from the storm as residents assess damages and decide whether to rebuild. Thousands of homes battered by Harvey will face the wrecking ball, tens of thousands of others have been severely damaged.