Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council met in Regular Session Wednesday evening at City Hall.  Monday’s meeting was postponed due to the snow storm.    Council Member Gumke was not present at Wednesday’s meeting.

HEARING FROM THE AUDIENCE:

Frontier Village Board President Nellie Degen asked the City Council reconsider the public access to Frontier Village and keep the gates to the village closed, during the off season.

Jamestown City Attorney Leo Ryan has issued a memo regarding legal documents concerning the access road through Frontier Village, and it remaining un-gated at all times.

According to Jamestown Mayor Katie Andersen  legal documentation  outlines the land lease agreement the city has with Frontier Village.

A February 14, 2018  letter from the city attorneys to the National Buffalo Museum stated that the 2003 plat & lease from the city to Frontier Village, designates Louis L’Amour Lane,  and a maintenance road, as public right of way.

The Frontier Village board voted recently to ask the city to be allowed to close the gates to the village during the off season for security reasons, and insurance liability issues.

Mayor Andersen said the topic will be further addressed at the March 22nd Public Works Committee meeting.

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS DISCUSSED SEPARATELY:

Item B: A Resolution to approve the sale of Lot 5, Block 4, I-94 Business Park Addition to Buffalo City Diesel in the amount of $68,389.20, was approved, with additional language of complying with the business incentive law.

Item D. Resolution to approve entering into an agreement with Jamestown Community Correction Program was tabled.

Item F. Resolution to approve the request from Jonny B’s to be allowed to install an electrical outlet in the public parking lot in the 200 Block of 2nd Ave SE and development of an agreement to be drafted by the City Attorney’s Office.  The item was approved with the mended language.

 

Item H. Resolution to set the rate for security fees for police officers at $35.00 per hour with $32.00 per hour being paid to the officer and the remaining $3.00 to cover City payroll expenses.

The Resolution was approved.

REGULAR AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS:

A PUBLIC HEARING was held, concerning 2018 Safe Routes to School Sidewalk District #18-21.

Following the Public Hearing, the protests have been found to be  insufficient to bar proceeding with 2018 Safe Routes to School Sidewalk District

Then the  Resolution to authorize the City Engineer to develop detailed plans, specifications and estimates for 2018 Safe Routes to School Sidewalk District was approved.

 

A PUBLIC HEARING was held,  concerning the special assessments on the 2017 Sidewalk, Curb & Gutter District #17-11.   No one appeared for the hearing.

 

The City Council  approved the special assessments on 2017 Sidewalk, Curb & Gutter District #17-11, in the total amount of $19,181.86, with the City Share-Departments at $13,362.77, and benefited properties to be assessed in the amount of $5,819.59.

 

Approved entering into an engineering services agreement with Interstate Engineering, Inc., for the River Cleaning Project. Travis Dillman said the basic fee is $27,000.

The project cost is $300,000 with the city’s share at $150,000.  The balance of the funding is from the State Division of Emergency Services, and state funds.  He said more funding is needed in the future.

He said the start is planned for this summer.

 

ORDINANCES:

A PUBLIC HEARING was held,  concerning an ordinance to amend and re-enact Ordinance No. 329 of the City Code by amending the District Map 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 Families Residential District).  Located on First Avenue, North. No one spoke at the hearing.

Council member Buchanan had concerns about R-2 zoning when other zoning adjacent is R-1.

He asked the Ordinance be either denied, or tabled.

The former Bethel Four Acres Nursing home has been vacant and number of years, and is proposed to be used for workforce boarding housing for Browning Honey employees in Jamestown.  No major renovations are planned for the building.

Council Members voted 3-1  to  approve with Council Member Buchanan voting in opposition.

 

A SECOND READING  of the  Ordinance was held, and approved. Council Members voted 3-1  to  approve with Council Member Buchanan voting in opposition.

HEARING FROM THE AUDIENCE:

Frontier Village Board President Nellie Degen asked the City Council reconsider the public access to Frontier Village and keep the gates to the village closed, during the off season.

Jamestown City Attorney Leo Ryan has issued a memo regarding legal documents concerning the access road through Frontier Village, and it remaining un-gated at all times.

According to Jamestown Mayor Katie Andersen  legal documentation  outlines the land lease agreement the city has with Frontier Village.

A February 14, 2018  letter from the city attorneys to the National Buffalo Museum stated that the 2003 platt lease from the city to Frontier Village, designates Louis L’Amour Lane… and a maintenance road… as public right of way.

The Frontier Village board voted recently to ask the city to be allowed to close the gates to the village during the off season for security reasons, and insurance liability issues.

Mayor Andersen said the topic will be further addressed at the March 22nd Public Works Committee meeting.

On another topic, JRVLS Director Joe Rector has issues with former library employees becoming board members, as a conflict of interest, and perceived lack of objectivity.

APPOINTMENTS:

Board member appointments were discussed.

Appointed Darlene Jung to serve as a member of the James River Library Board for a three year term to expire March 2021.

Appointed Charlotte Freeburg, to serve as the joint City/County member of the James River Library Board for a three year term to expire March 2021.

Appointed  LeRoy Gross to serve as the City employee representative and Dan Buchanan as the City Council representative on the Pension Committee for one year terms to expire March 2019.

 

MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER’S REPORT:

Council Member Buchanan said defective or inappropriate recycling carts have been distributed in town.  Mayor Andersen said the shape in cold weather may be the reason.

Buchanan said the distribution may better be delayed.

He suggested the recycler keep the community better informed.

As reported at CSiNewsNow.com residential recycling pick up will start the week of April 2nd this year.

 

OTHER BUSINESS:

Approved plans and specifications and authorize the advertisement for bids for the retaining wall at the Frontier Village.

Approved  recognizing Ear For Mylee as an other public spirited organization and authorize the issuance of a raffle permit.

Approval of the requests for street closings and/or permits to allow alcoholic beverages in fenced areas for the St. Patrick’s Day Run, on March 17, 2018, for the following: All Vets Club; Buffalo Lanes, Inc.; Corner Bar; Cork and Barrel, Inc.(Elk’s location); Middles LLC d/b/a Fred’s Den; Frontier Fort Bar & Grill; Jonny B’s Brickhouse; Knights of Columbus; Office Bar & Lounge; Shady’s; and Wonder Bar Sports Bar.  Growler beverage may be taken off premises if properly sealed.

The Council approved the request from Cory Kunerth d/b/a XLT Taxi for a taxi license, contingent on his passing a background check. The taxi service will …not…receive a subsidy to operate.

 

They approved the First Amendment to Services Agreement for the Red River Corridor Fund.

Mayor Andersen said the fund is a consortium of entities to provide collateral for business loans.

 

Approved a Resolution authorizing City Administrator Sarah Helleckson to execute  and file an application on behalf of the city, with the State Health Department for a construction loan and furnish information and accept a loan offer and receive payment of loan funds.

 

Approved a Supplemental Resolution for Definitive Improvement Warrant Series, for a Street Improvement District.

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