Jamestown (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council met in Regular Session Monday evening at City Hall.

All members were present.

At the  PUBLIC HEARING: Concerning the proposed budget for City General and Special Funds for the fiscal period January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2019, City Administrator Sarah Hellekson said the General Fund Budget increased by seven percent, and levies increased by 1.3 percent.

From the audience Dean Hafner said, his residence is located in the City of Jamestown, but he doesn’t receive city services, adding that the tax increase is too high for 2019.  He said he put his residence up for sale due to the total tax increases from all entities, on his tax bill of over eight percent.

James Blaha said the same concerning his tax increases.

Karen Schumacher added that the tax increase will have an affect on small businesses such as hers.

Then the SECOND READING: of the Ordinance, pertaining to the appropriation of the General and Special Funds for the fiscal year January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2019, was approved.

The SECOND READING of an Ordinance pertaining to the appropriation of the Revenue and Special Funds for the fiscal year January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2019, was approved.

 

In other discussions

HEARING FROM THE AUDIENCE:

Karen Schumacher told of a rain event when the storm sewer water flooded her business, at 802 13th Street Northeast,25 years ago.

She said in the ensuing years the city has not addressed the flooding problem

She said previous city engineers had not acted on her complaint.

She added that the business’ insurance won’t cover the damage and referred he to the city.

Mayor Heinrich said the City staff will look into the issue.

 

A Presentation was made of North Dakota Governor Burgum’s Main Street Mobilizer Award for Jamestown’s Get Fit & Explore Initiative, by Central Valley Health District.

Robin Iszler spoke and  presented the award to the city, on behalf of North Dakota Governor Burgum’s Main Street Mobilizer Award for Jamestown’s Get Fit & Explore Initiative by Central Valley Health .

The Mobilizer Award recognizes community efforts in creating convenient, inviting and multimodal transportation options for residents and visitors

One of three local efforts addressing health issues such as obesity, this Jamestown project will increase physical activity by adding educational components and fun interaction to one of the local recreational paths. By making it convenient and more entertaining to use the trail, the community hopes to increase the number of people biking, walking and using other forms of active transportation.

The Main Street Awards are a collaborative effort of the Office of the Governor, the North Dakota Department of Commerce and the North Dakota League of Cities. A selection committee made up of the collaborating agencies and partners judged the entries to make final awards.

Additional details of award categories can be found at https://www.mainstreetnd.com/awards.

BIDS: No bids were received.

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY:

Item “A” was removed by City Attorney Leo Ryan who asked for clarification.  a Resolution to approve a license fee for radio antennas on city-owned, maintained or operated water towers, in the amount of $1,500 per year beginning January 1, 2019, with an escalator of five percent beginning January 1, 2020, and reserving other considerations for individual leases.

The Ordinance was amended to the amount on a per year, per antenna,  basis, and passed.

REGULAR AGENDA:

RESOLUTION:

The City Council  approved the  tabled request from Sprint Spectrum L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, to place three (3) additional radio antennas on the City’s 12th Ave NE Water Tower near the University of Jamestown.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:  None were presented.

ORDINANCES:

The FIRST READING, of an Ordinace, 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 Jamestown Original, Block 31, E100’ of Lot 16 & 17, and E100’ of S20’ of Lot 18, from M-1 (Limited Industrial and Manufacturing District) to C-1 (Local Commercial District). The property is located at 124 3rd Avenue SE. The property is a former church to be converted into another use.

 

APPOINTMENTS:   None were made.

MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER’S REPORT:

Council Member Steele reported that Jamestown Regional Airport Manager Sam Seafeldt has resigned to accept employment elsewhere.

He added that Seafedt’s successor is being sought.

Council Member Buchanan said the Jamestown Police Department’s, Police Academy has begun.

Council Member Brubakken said the recent Open Houses were held concerning curbside/alley garbage, and  recycling collections.  He said a city committee this month will address any recommendations.

Mayor Heinrich said the city was faced with no other options than to increase property taxes to balance the budget.  He added that finances in the future is likely to have more issues.

OTHER BUSINESS:

The City Council directed the City Administrator to notify the County that the City of Jamestown should be exempt from the County Library Levy as the City maintains its own library levy

It also directed the City Administrator to certify the tax levies to the County for the fiscal period January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2019.

The City Council  approved  the request for Change Order No. 2, to Burski Excavating, on Cell 4 Liner and Cell 2/3 Partial Final Cover, for a net increase in the contract price of $6,700.00.

Darrell Hourbuckle of Interstate Engineer said the Change Order stems from a replacement of equipment, a panel, that had been damaged, that was installed in 1992.

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