CSi Weather…

.TONIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Patchy fog. Lows around 15. West winds
5 to 10 mph.
.WEDNESDAY…Partly sunny. Patchy fog in the morning. Highs in
the upper 20s. South winds around 5 mph.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows 15 to 20. Southeast winds
5 to 10 mph.
.THURSDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 30s. Southeast winds
5 to 15 mph.
.THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY…Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower
20s. Highs in the mid 30s.
.FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY…Mostly cloudy. Lows 15 to 20. Highs
in the lower 20s to mid 30s.
.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows zero to 5 above.

.SUNDAY AND SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Highs 15 to 20. Lows

zero to 5 above.

MONDAY…Mostly cloudy. Lows 5 to 10 above.
Highs 17 to 26.

Tuesday night

Dense fog may develop tonight across central into portions of
northwest North Dakota. Visibility below one half mile is
possible. Roads may become slick in spots.

Wednesday through Monday

Dense fog may continue across central North Dakota Wednesday
morning.

A Warming trend along with dry conditions Wednesday into Thursday

Thursday night and Friday, a cold front comes through the region along with

some chances for snow mainly across the north.

 

A reinforced shot of colder air along with some light snow. The GFS

washes this feature out but also indicates colder air with some

light snow chances.

 

Sunday into Monday should moderate our temperatures a bit followed by another cold spell during the Tuesday/Wednesday time period along with  the potential for snow.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  Jamestown Public Works informs motorists that beginning Thursday, January 25, 7TH Ave SE will be closed to through traffic between 2nd St NE and 2nd St SE for BNSF Railway maintenance.  North & south bound traffic will be detoured west to 4th Ave SE from 6 am – 4pm.

Please be aware of detour signage – motorists should use extreme caution in this area and use alternate routes if possible.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council Committees met in Joint Session at City Hall on Tuesday.

Council Members Brubakken, and Buchanan were not present.

 

FINANCE & LEGAL COMMITTEE:

The committee recommends approving the request from the JSDC for $250,000 in Flex PACE interest buy down funds for 2018 from the Economic Development Fund with the City Share to be $200,000, and paid from the City Sales Tax Fund.

The committee recommends approving the lease renewal between JSDC and UTC for the JSDC owned building located on the Jamestown Regional Airport property.

The committee recommends moving to the City Council without recommendation,   entering into an agreement renewal with the Jamestown Community Correction Program to provide community service and restitution program services for a fee of $3.00 per hour.

The committee recommends  entering into an easement agreement renewal with Casey’s General Stores, Inc., over and across Lots 6, 7, and 8, Block 3, and Auditor’s Plat 1. The final 10 year renewal.

The committee recommends the  appointment of Travis Iversen as an Assistant City Prosecutor, and Assistant City Attorney.

The committee recommends approving  recognizing the NDBPA – Charitable Bowling Council as an other public spirited organization and the Blue Jay Soccer Booster Club, Calendar Raffle, and to authorize the issuance of a raffle permits.

Informational: Departmental and financial reports.

BUILDING, PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE:

Considered amending the Land Use Plan on All except the S90’ of Lot 1 Replat & except Parcel A, Block 1, Residence Park 2nd Addition from Public/Institutional to Low Density Residential, the former Bethel Four Acres Nursing Home.  Mayor Andersen said the property is surrounded by Low Density Residential zoning.

The City Planning Commission moved to change to Low Density Residential.

The committee recommends, approving to Low Density Residential.

With that …

The committee considered introducing the First Reading of an ordinance to amend and re-enact an Ordinance of the City Code to change the zoning of All Except the S90’ of Lot 1 Replat & Except Parcel A, Block 1. Residence Park 2nd Addition from R-1 (One Family Residential District) to R-2 (One to Six Family Residential District). The property is located at 1404 1st Ave North.

The committee recommends approval.

CIVIC CENTER AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE

Greg Carlson spoke regarding the proposed renewal of the Civic Center for the Roughrider Rodeo Finals in 2018. He said he would like to see a five year renewal, to bid on with the Association, a multiple year presentation.

Council Member Phillips said the contract is geared to be annually.

Civic Center Manager Pam Fosse presented the annual contract.

Council Member Gumke said a one year contract is more manageable between the two parties, with rental changes the responsibility of the Civic Center.

No action was taken by the committee, with the Rodeo and Civic Center signing the one year agreement.

FIRE & POLICE COMMITTEE

No agenda items at this time.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

Considered the request from Otter Tail Power for reimbursement for relocating electrical lines off City right-of-way.  The committee recommends moving to the City Council meeting without recommendation, with Otter Tail appearing at the Council meeting.

The committee recommends approving Change Order No. 2 from Swanberg Construction, Inc., on the Raker Building, in the amount of $1,754.00.

The committee recommends the replacement of a new 3.5 Ton truck for the Street Department, a budgeted item.

approval of the STIP list and to identify priorities to be forwarded to the NDDOT.

Mayor Andersen suggested a separate meeting to discuss the priorities, with the full council on hand, as the item was tabled until then.

The committee recommended authorizing the City Engineer to develop detailed plans, specifications and estimates for Seal Coat, Patching, Construction and Reconstruction District #18-41.

The committee recommended the following for 2018 Sidewalk, Curb & Gutter District #18-11:

  1. To set up and establish the district;
  2. To direct the City Engineer to prepare plans & specifications for the construction of the district;
  3. To accept and approve the plans and specifications, as prepared by the City Engineer, for the construction of the district; and

     4.  To direct the City Administrator to advertise for bids for the construction of the district.

The committee recommends  the replacement of a new 3.5 Ton truck for the Street Department, a budgeted item.

The committee recommends  approval of utility rate adjustments for 2018. City Administrator Jeff Fuchs said all rates are at a five percent increase, which will include commercial garbage fees, and tipping fees and such items as tires and mercury vapor lights..  Any fee not adjusted over the past five months will not change.

 

Mayor Andersen said Ralph Friebel said the recycling carts will be distributed by February 12th, and that residential recycling to start March 1.

The committee recommends upholding the February 1, date to start default action, as a back up in case matters move to find another recycler, with a 60 day leeway.

It was pointed out that the recycling center is back open to the regular hours for drop off of items.

 

 

Informational: One (1) application has been received for the Jamestown Fire Code – Board of Appeals.

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

 

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  A Public Input Meeting to be held on February 1 to gauge interest and discuss potential improvements to downtown Main Street (1st Avenue) in Jamestown

The Public Input Meeting will be held at 5:30 pm at the City Hall downstairs Conference Room at 102 3rd Avenue SE Jamestown, ND. The meeting will include a formal presentation at 5:30 with time for questions and comments afterwards.

The purpose of the Public Input Meeting is to discuss:
• Current street issues in downtown Jamestown
• Pedestrian Access
• Aesthetics
• Changing Main Street from 4 lanes to 3 lanes utilizing a dedicated center turn lane
• Governor’s “Main Street Initiative”
• Signals and Signal timing

The meeting will provide opportunity for public comment. Representatives from the City of Jamestown will be on hand to discuss ideas and concerns.
If unable to attend the Public Input Meeting, written statements or comments must be mailed by February 15, 2018 to: Travis Dillman, City Engineer, 102 3rd Avenue NE, Jamestown, ND 58401 or travis.dillman@interstateeng.com

The City of Jamestown will consider every request for reasonable accommodation to provide:
• An accessible meeting facility or other accommodation for people with disabilities,
• Language interpretation for people with limited English proficiency (LEP), and
• Translations of written material necessary
To request accommodations, contact Jeff Fuchs, Administrator, City of Jamestown at (701) 252-5900 or jfuchs@daktel.com.

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  Jamestown Public Schools reminds parents that Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on Monday, February 5th and on Tuesday, February 6, 2018.  Elementary conferences are from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM both days.

Elementary School conferences will be by appointment. Parents will be notified of their appointment by the staff of those schools.

Middle School Parent Teacher Conferences are from 3:30 to 6:30 PM both days and the Middle School conferences will be by appointment.  Parents will be notified of their appointment by the Middle School staff.

High School and the Career and Technology Center’s Parent Teacher conferences are from 3:30 to 6:30 PM both days.

School will not be in session on Friday, February 16th and Monday, February 19th.School will resume on Tuesday, February 20, 2018.

 

OLFAX, N.D. (AP) — Richland County sheriff’s investigators are looking into allegations of “harassment, bullying or hazing” involving students at the junior and senior high school in Colfax.?

Richland School District #44 Superintendent Tim Godfrey tells KFGO News he was notified about the allegations late last week. He says the school district did a preliminary investigation, then turned the matter over to the sheriff’s department to determine if any crime was committed.?

Godfrey says the district is cooperating with investigators, but says he can’t comment further on details of the allegations, including the number of students that may have been involved and whether there have been any suspensions.

 

BISMARCK  (AP) –  North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum says the state’s economy is rebounding but more cuts likely will be needed to state government in the future.

Burgum gave his second State of the State speech Tuesday at Minot State University.

It’s the first such address by a governor in non-legislative session year since former Gov. John Hoeven did so in 2002.

The first-term Republican governor took office amid a sharp downturn in tax revenues due to prolonged slumps in oil and agriculture prices. The state’s budget was balanced last year through raids on state savings, layoffs and other measures of austerity.

Burgum says the economy has improved but he cautioned that more cost-cutting measures likely will be needed when the Legislature reconvenes next year.

Burgum says budget challenges still exist a year after he took office despite an uptick in the state’s economy.

The first-term Republican governor was short on policy specifics during his nearly 90-minute speech and instead focused much of his address on his first year in office.

Burgum says interest from North Dakota’s oil tax savings account may have to be tapped in the future to balance the state’s budget. But he says the earnings should be only used on initiatives that have long-term benefits to the state.

He gave no specifics but challenged North Dakotans to come up with innovative ideas to achieve that.

Seen full story from Governor Burgum’s Office.

 

In world and national news…

BENTON, Ky. (AP) — Gov. Matt Bevin says the fatal shooting at southwest Kentucky high school leaves a wound that will take a long time to heal. Two students were killed Tuesday morning at Marshall County High School when a 15-year-old classmate opened fire. Bevin says 19 other people were injured, 14 of them suffering gunshot wounds.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he is not concerned about what Attorney General Jeff Sessions said during an interview for the special counsel’s Russia investigation. Trump spoke in the Oval Office Tuesday. Asked if he had any concerns about what was said, he said “no, I’m not at all concerned.” Trump also said he had not discussed the matter with Sessions.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The diplomacy scene that President Donald Trump will encounter at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week isn’t exactly a natural fit for the “America First” standard-bearer. The glitzy annual gathering at a Swiss Alpine resort has, for nearly 50 years, drawn politicians, CEOs and celebrities to ponder public policy and global cooperation. Trump will be the star attraction this year. The Diet Coke-loving, steak-with-ketchup-eating nationalist has railed against international trade practices.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer has taken back his offer of billions of dollars for President Donald Trump’s long-promised U.S.-Mexico border wall. Schumer spokesman Matt House says Schumer’s office notified the White House that Friday’s offer to combine wall funding with legal protections for 700,000 younger immigrants living in the U.S. illegally. Schumer’s move comes as lawmakers re-launched the difficult search for an immigration deal.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — It’s the year of the woman for this year’s Oscar nominees. Greta Gerwig became just the fifth woman nominated for best director and “Mudbound” director of photography Rachel Morrison made history as the first woman nominated for best cinematography in nominations announced Tuesday for the 90th annual Academy Awards. And four of the nine best picture nominees feature a female protagonist. The nominations come in the wake of the sexual harassment scandals throughout Hollywood.