Jamestown   (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council’s Finance & Legal, Building Planning & Zoning, and Civic Center and Promotion Committees met at City Hall.

Council Member Gumke was not present.

FINANCE & LEGAL COMMITTEE

The committee considered the request from the JSDC to approve 80% City and 20% County funding for the Jamestown Small Business Development Center 80% full-time equivalent position for a period of one year, in the annual amount of $10,118 in Economic Development funds, with the City Share to be $8,094, and paid from the City Sales Tax Fund.

JSDC CEO Connie Ova said the action is contingent on receiving funds of $15,000 from the Regional Council.

The committee recommends approval.

The committee recommends approving  the request from the JSDC to release the balance of the 2018 SCDRC dues in the amount of $16,141, with the City Share to be $10,169, and paid from the City Sales Tax Fund.

Also recommended for approval  was the request from JSDC for Economic Development Funds for the second year of the 2-year Train ND project, in the amount of $45,000, with the City share to be $36,000 and paid from the City Sales Tax Fund.

Considered the offer received from Anthony G. Hale to purchase Lot 25, Block 6, Residence Park Addition, in the amount of $3,000.00.

Mayor Andersen said the lot is unbuildable, and the owner said he only plans to fence off the lot.

The committee recommends approval with the stipulation the lot is not built upon.

Frontier Village President, Nellie Degen spoke concerning gating the public access road to the Frontier Village.

She was asked by Mayor Andersen to address topics not previously addressed by her at previous meetings.

Frontier Village Treasurer Tina Busche said she found the gate partially opened on a weekend, where young people were located inside.

She said the gate later after closing the gate, it was not closed and locked.

She questioned why Village officials are not allowed to close and lock the gates.

 

City Attorney Leo Ryan said the city has options of having the police chief declare it a “play street,” or the city may do so.

He said if the gate was to be opened or closed, it would need to be done by a city employee.

Jamestown Tourism Director Searle Swedlund said, the opportunity to regularly visit Frontier Village is important to tourism.

Ms. Degen presented the committee with information from Newman Signs, concerning an electrically operated gate.

She said in 2006 the city paid for the access road to be maintained.

Mayor Andersen said funding issues brought up by Ms. Degen was not pertinent to Tuesday’s meeting.

The Mayor recommended a group be formed including the city, tourism, and Frontier Village discuss those issues, and report back to the Legal Committee.

The Legal Committee on Tuesday, decided that the committee consisting of the Police Department, National Buffalo Museum, Tourism, and the Frontier Village, and City Council representative discuss the issues.

At a previous meeting the city reconsidering the public access  (road) to Frontier Village and keep the gates to the village closed, during the off season.

Ms. Degen said in cooperation with the National Buffalo Museum the gates are closed overnight during the tourist season, and left open other times of the year.  The Century Code indicates that any gates be closed overnight.

She said she contacted the State Historical Society which said the property needs to be protected.

She said Jamestown Police patrols the Village when the gates are open, adding the police department has key access to the gates when closed.

She added recorded security camera footage is sent to authorities, when necessary.

Informational: Application for appointments to the Shade Tree Committee have been received as follows: Bob Martin and Colleen Grenz for two open positions, three-year terms to expire April, 2021.

Informational: The second reading of Ordinance No. 1505, introduced by Council Member Buchanan, to amend and re-enact Chapter 2, Article 9 of the City Code, pertaining to the Forestry Department, is scheduled for the May 7, 2018, City Council meeting.

Informational: Departmental and financial reports.

 

BUILDING, PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE

Discussion was held on the Final 2018 Prioritization Action Items from Planning Commission by Chairman Dave Hillerud, who said some of priority items were moved around, including downtown parking restrictions, as it pertains to the “road diet,” plan, which was moved up on the priority list.

He said other items proposed in the Land Use and Transportation Plan need to be addressed by city ordinance, so they “mesh,” including the traffic lanes, and off-street parking.

He suggested engaging SRF Consultants.

 

Informational: The second reading of an Ordinance to amend and re-enact a of the City Code pertaining to minor subdivisions, is scheduled for the May 7, 2018, City Council meeting.

Informational: The second reading of an Ordinance, to amend and re-enact Sections of the City Code pertaining to special use permits for C-2, M-2, and A-1 Districts to allow special use zoning for compassion centers, is scheduled for the May 7, 2018, City Council meeting.

CIVIC CENTER AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE

No agenda items at this time.

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