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

FINANCE & LEGAL COMMITTEE BUSINESS:

An item tabled at the September 25, 2018, Finance & Legal Committee meeting was reconsidered, the (UPG-2-052(043)264)  Cost Participation and Maintenance Agreement for the $3,100,000 City of Jamestown Urban Grant Program Project, for which the City must match ten percent of the project costs estimated at $310,000, to be funded through the City’s Special Assessment Deficiency Fund. The funding would be used to implement the downtown road diet transportation plan.  Audience members gave statements on their thoughts.  Business owner, Jon Beyer, of Jonny B’s Brickhouse, on First Avenue, spoke in favor of the plan.  His business collected signatures on the plan, with four pages indicating support.  He said the plan is favorable for the revitalization of downtown.

Lynn Lambrecht, President of the Jamestown Downtown Association said the organization supports the plan.

Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce,  Executive, Emily Bivens said the Chamber supports the plan, and indicated the Chamber survey showed 80 percent of the respondents favor the road diet plan.

Council Member Steele said he had concerns about some issues in the plan. He noted semi traffic using First Avenue and suggested directing the semi downtown traffic using a possible by-pass using the I-94 Bloom Exit.  He noted delivery trucks stopping to drop off items, and possible concerns under the new plan.

Mayor Heinrich said, the plan with the “bump outs,” will create some snow removal problems.  He said the city could handle the problems but questions if First Avenue residents, and businesses could wait a day or two after a snow fall to have the snow removed.   He also said there is currently no mechanism in place to collect funds and its too late to special assess the costs to the city.  He said the NDDOT has indicated that under the plan, the city is not able to recommend where new traffic lights would be placed.  He added if a test was conducted and the city doesn’t approve the plan, a quarter of a million dollars would have to be returned to the state.  His objective is for residents to be aware of the plans.

Council Member Brubakken said there are a limited number of days in the year, that snow removal takes place.

He said paying the ten percent cost of $3.1million dollars is cost effective and approves the plan.

Council Member Phillips is also in favor of the plan, and said the plan will improve downtown, and the opportunity to give back to the residents.

The committee voted unanimously to approve the acceptance, which will go to the full city council for a vote.

The committee recommended passing  a resolution of support of ND Cares and application to ND Cares to improve understanding of the needs and services for military service members, veterans, their families and survivors close to home, which involves designating a local steering committee and passing this resolution.  A presentation was made by ND Cares including its mission and priority, a coalition of entities looking a laws and processes inhibiting military service members and veterans from accessing basic needs.  45 North Dakota communities are ND Cares cities.

The committee recommended acceptance of a Section 125 employee benefit plan with the City’s current AFLAC provider at no cost to the City with tax savings for participating full-time employees enrolled in the benefit plan, and authorize the city administrator to enter into a three-year contract for no-cost administration of the benefit plan.  A “cafeteria” pre-tax plan and flexible spending plan is part of the package for employees.

City Administrator Hellekson said this is another opportunity to attract employees to the City of Jamestown.

The committee accepted the 2017 City Audit Report as prepared by Schauer & Associates, PC, as presented by Linda Mohn.

The committee  recommended  approval of the request from the County to allow the Stutsman County Commission to lower the purchase price of tax foreclosed properties to an estimated market value as determined by the County Tax Director, of which the City will still receive the proportionate share of the sales price, including specials.

The committee recommends  approval and authorization of the agreement beginning January 1, 2019, with the State of North Dakota for the land located in the S1/2, SW1/4 of Section 1-139-64, Stutsman County, ND upon which sits the city’s water storage and reservoir, in the buffalo pasture land, for an annual lease payment funded by the utility.  The lease is for at least a five year term.

The committee recommends approval of utility rate adjustments for 2019. Administrator Hellekson said the residential water rate increases by five percent, as will the waste water charge. 

Other items were previously set in the 2019 city budget. The committee recommends approval of licenses and permit fee adjustments for 2019.

With implementing the optional walk up garbage pick up, the cost is $20 per month, collected at curb side. The service is geared for residents not able to move their garbage containers to the street or alley

BUILDING, PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE BUSINESS:

The committee recommended  approval  of the final plat of Stoudt Addition, Lot 1, Block 1, a replat of a portion of Blocks 2 and 3 of Mall Woods Addition, within the NE ¼ of Section 2, T139N, R64W, being within the City of Jamestown, Stutsman County, North Dakota. The property is located at 900 23rd St SW.

The committee recommends approval of the Declaration of Slum and Blighted Area and authorize the application for state funding to improve slum or blighted areas of the City’s main street, which includes the area between 2nd Avenue SE and 2nd Avenue SW from 9th Street SE to 1st Street E, which application and program requires no matching City funds.  Hellickson said the declaration is in conjunction with applying for a grant.

INFORMATIONAL: The public hearing and second reading of 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) is scheduled at the November 5, 2018, city council meeting.

INFORMATIONAL: The City Inspections Department will schedule an informational meeting in late 2018 for area contractors, builders, and others in the construction business regarding building permits, planning and zoning, plats and replats and changes that have occurred in the process in 2018 that may affect construction schedules.

CIVIC CENTER AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE:

No business this month.

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