Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown Tourism Grant/Executive Board meeting was held Thursday morning, at the CSi Technology Center at Historic Franklin School.

Board Members present were:  President Matt Woods, along with Board Members, Janna Bergstedt, Taylor Barnes, Mitizi Hager, and Tena Lawrence.

Plus Tourism Director, Searle Swedlund, and Ex-Officio Members, Pam Phillips representing the Jamestown City Council, and Corry Shevlin representing the JSDC.

Funding requests were made on behalf of

Downtown Arts Market, The Arts Center

Rods and Hogs, Downtown Association

Northridge Kiosk, Jamestown Parks & Rec Foundation

1883 Stutsman County Courthouse

 

Declaration of Conflict of Interest:  Matt Wood, re: Jamestown Downtown Association, and Jamestown Arts. The board allowed him in discussions but not vote on the items.

 

The Financial Report  was presented by Treasurer, Mitzi Hager.

 

Tourism Report – Searle Swedlund reported that he attended the recent State Tourism Conference.

He noted that a number of hotel managers attended and discussed affordable rates for those attending events in their cities, and to work together toward that goal.

 

Ex-Officio Reports:

Corry Shevlin said the JSDC Annual Meeting is coming soon, and said the recent announcement by Cargill is still “new” and the JSDC is addressing the announcement.

Pam Phillips said the new City Administrator Sarah Helleckson is on board, adding that the new water department superintendent has been appointed by the City Council, adding that bids have been awarded for repairs to the Frontier Village road, and retaining wall behind the amphitheater.

She added that the April 26th Public Works Committee will take up discussions with the Frontier Village Board concerning the closing of gates at the Village, with information from City Attorney Leo Ryan.

 

Discussion concerning  Variables for Grant Decisions was table to next month’s meeting.

 

The Jamestown Downtown Arts Market, and Jamestown Arts Center, represented by Larry Kopp, requested $3,000 for the Market to be held Thursday’s June through August this year, from 5-p.m., to 8-p.m., at the Hansen Arts Park, downtown.

Jamestown Downtown Association President, Lynn Lambrecht said a number of downtown Jamestown businesses plan to stay open those evenings hoping to attract business.

Tourism approved funding the full amount of $3,000, as a local and regional attraction to Downtown Jamestown.

Other major funding sources include  $10,000 from the Arts Center’s Arts Park Fund, $10,000 from Tourism, and $1,000 from the vendor fees.

 

Jamestown Downtown Association, represented by JDA President, Lynn Lambrecht, requested funds in the amount of $1,000 to advertise for the Annual Rods and Hogs event, planned for June 9th this year, along First Avenue South.  The 4th Annual event, will highlight classic cars, trucks, motorcycles, and new this year is the Dick Dauer Peoples Choice Award for the Best Rat-rod.

Other funding sources include, $1,315 from registrations, and $600 sponsors, and $150 from vendors.

The application states that the projected attendance is 1,000 with an economic impact of $53,750.

The board approved the full amount.

 

Jamestown Parks and Recreation application was presented by Searle Swedlund on behalf of  representative Ken Gardener, requesting $3,680 for kiosks at the North Ridge Trial at Pipestem Dam, including materials and labor.

The board approved funding the full amount requested, indicating that the signs change the way visitors find and see the signature trails.  In addition, the signs create an opportunity to communicate other offerings about the community and move visitors to new places.

 

A request was made by Steve Reidburn on behalf of the 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse Committee in the amount of $1,000 for advertising to market the upcoming Concerts in the Courtroom events.

He said the concerts will be performed by Terry and Linda Schwartz on June 30th, Old Friends on July 8th, and Cowboy Poet, singer D.W. Grothe from Montana.  The costs include: Paying $800 to the performers, $1,000 for advertising and $200 for postage and stamps.

The Tourism Committee approved allocating the requested $1,000 with additional funding of the $800 from the North Dakota State Historical Society,  and $200 for the 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse Committee, for a total project cost of $2,000.

 

The allocation of the grants was followed by discussion placed on the agenda, concerning the  Frontier Village caboose grant allocation.

The discussion stems from the recent Frontier Village Board meeting where, Tourism Director Searle Swedlund says, the FVA Board, tabled the project to restore the Midland Continental Caboose, based on a concern that they didn’t have the funds to complete the project, and pay for the cost of the project to be reimbursed.

He pointed out Jamestown Tourism’s interest in being sure the restoration includes the history of the caboose and the request from Tourism to provide an interpretation plan for this project.

The Tourism Board Members Thursday, discussed correspondence between the two boards to communicate concern related to tying up these funds. Swedlund pointed out that a $10,000 Tourism grant fund was dedicated to this project, and the importance that those funds can be utilized in the coming year.

The Tourism Executive Board voted unanimously Thursday to send correspondence to the Frontier Village Association asking how they plan to proceed with the project, now, along with if it plans to uphold their commitment under the terms of the tourism grant, or if they opt to relinquish the grant dollars.

The Tourism Board is asking the Frontier Village Board to respond in writing.

The Tourism Board indicated that they are willing to work with the Frontier Village Board to come to a conclusion on the issues.