Jamestown (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council’s Police & Fire, and  Public Works committees met Thursday evening at City Hall.

POLICE & FIRE COMMITTEE BUSINESS:

Informational: Jamestown Police Department will begin the Jamestown Citizen’s Police Academy in the fall.

Assistant Police Chief Justin Blinsky the Academy is geared as a recruitment tool, and police public education.

He said this is not a sanctioned program, and will run 10 weeks, once a week, for three hours each evening.

Applications will be available at the August 7th National Night Out and the program will start in October this year.

The committee considered approving 6th Street SE as a one-way from west to east between 2nd Ave SE and 3rd Ave SE, and approving diagonal parking on both sides of 6th Street SE on that same block, and approving bump-outs on the east side of that block on the north and south corners to establish the one-way. (Directly south of the LEC).

Blinsky said the plan would increase parking spaces by 10 spaces, for the LEC and the courthouse, and an improved traffic flow with one-way traffic.

The committee recommends, approval of the one-way traffic flow.

 

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE BUSINESS

The committee recommends approved a bid award for One (1) New Tandem Axle Truck (Cab & Chassis)

The committee recommends approving the estimate for the liner on the New Tandem Axle Truck to Dan Poland

Recommended was approval of Change Order No. 3, Final Balancing, to Border States Paving, Inc., for construction on 20th St SW roadway from Menards to Jamestown Regional Medical Center, District #16-43, for a net decrease in the contract price of $182,787.62.

Recommended was approval of plans and specifications and authorize the advertisement for bids for the Inert Landfill dirt work.

Informational: A Request from Sprint to place three (3) additional antennas on the City water tower at the University of Jamestown, will be reviewed.

Considered was request from Cory Kunerth, XLT Taxi, LLC, to install signage for a dedication of approximately 50’ of parking in front of 218 1st Ave S. He is requesting no parking other than bus parking between 11:00 PM to 4:00 AM.   He says plans are for a bus depot at that location. The committee recommends approval.  12:20 a.m. and 3:20 a.m. are the bus stop times.  His office at the location will be staffed during those hours to accommodate travelers including ticket purchases.  The committee recommends approval.

Informational:  A Recycling Program and Facility Update from Ralph Friebel, Recycle North Dakota.  He said the sorting facility at the former Coca-Cola building will be started in 3-4 weeks. Participation is estimated at 70 percent, with the tonnage picking up each month. The material is being stock piled at the present recycling center. Walk-ins will continue to be accepted at the location.

Discussed was approval of curbside collection of solid waste in residential areas except in locations where approved by the City Administrator or designee for safety reasons. City sanitation foreman, Roger Mayhew discussed alley access issues for the larger automated garbage trucks, including accidents involving alley buildings.

City Fire Chief Jim Reuther says alley snow removal will need to continue for access for fire and other emergency services.

The committee recommends moving the issue to the August 6th City Council meeting without recommendation.

 

Considered was approval of request to place a memorial monument to family members,  on the city right-of-way in the center of the cul-de-sac at the end of 17th Street SE, not to be maintained nor insured by the City of Jamestown, nor to become the responsibility nor placed in the inventory of the City of Jamestown.  Harold Sad with the street department said there is no problem concerning snow removal.

The committee recommends approval.

Considered was accepting the Urban Grant Program Award for FY 2020 as described in the July 10, 2018 letter from the ND DOT, approving the 10% project matching funds up to $275,978, and remaining project completion costs to be paid from bonds and appropriate funds, and directing staff to proceed on the project planning.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation named Jamestown as one of six cities receiving money under the Urban Grant Program, awarded $2.4 million for downtown projects including the lane diet to reduce the number of traffic lanes on 1st Avenue from four to three including a center turning lane. Other Jamestown projects could include traffic signals, changes in the sidewalks, bike racks, benches and landscaping.

Jamestown Downtown Association board member and business owner, Jim Boyd recommends the plan be put into place, siting improved safety.

Connie Ova, as a private citizen said, Jamestown received the highest grant award from the NDDOT, adding if turned down the grant will go to another city.

Jamestown Arts Center Director, Larry Kopp spoke in favor of the plan, concerning improved  pedestrian safety issues, and bring more people downtown.

Mayor Heinrich said he does not support the plan, unless a “test” is made with stripe painting.

He also sited moving sewers if the plan is implemented.

He said he favors moving the acceptance of the grant forward.

The committee unanimously recommends accepting the Urban Grant Program Award.

The committee recommends approving the request from the homeowner at 1538 5th Avenue, Northeast, for permission to plant grass, after removal of the sidewalk in the front of the home.

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