CSi Weather…

.TONIGHT…Increasing clouds. Not as cold. Lows in the lower 30s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

In the Valley City area,  mostly clear in the evening, then mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of light rain after midnight.

.WEDNESDAY.. A 30 percent chance of light rain in the morning in the Valley City area.  Becoming partly sunny. Highs in the lower 40s. West winds

10 to 15 mph shifting to the northwest around 20 mph with gusts

to around 35 mph in the afternoon.

.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 20s. Northwest

winds 15 to 20 mph.

.THURSDAY…Partly sunny in the morning then clearing. Highs in

the mid 30s. Northwest winds 5 to 15 mph.

.THURSDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. Lows in the lower 20s. West

winds around 5 mph shifting to the south after midnight.

.FRIDAY…Mostly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of snow in the

afternoon. Highs in the mid 30s.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Snow likely in the evening. Lows

in the lower 20s. Chance of snow 60 percent.

.SATURDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the lower 30s.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Lows 15 to 20.

.SUNDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 20s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows 10 to 15.

.MONDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 20s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow.

Lows around 15.

.CHRISTMAS DAY…Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of snow.

Highs in the mid 20s.

 

Most of the precipitation Tuesday evening should be in the form of light rain.

However, the James River Valley may see a period of light freezing

rain towards  Wednesday morning.

The next chance of snow arrives Friday night through Saturday night.

 

After well above average temperatures through the work week (highs in the 30s and 40s, closer to average over the weekend and into early next week, with most areas likely remaining at or a bit above normal.

Highs Saturday should be mainly in the 30s with highs Sunday through Christmas Day mainly in the 20s to lower 30s…and lows from the single digits above zero to the teens. (Average highs this time of year are in the 20s…with average lows from zero to 5 above.)

 

Jamestown (CSi)  the Jamestown City Council Committees met in join session met in Regular Session Tuesday evening at City Hall. All members were present.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE:

The committee considered modifying the garbage and recycling collection routes in specific areas from alley to curbside collection as recommended by Jamestown Sanitation staff and by Recycle North Dakota.

The maps outlining the recommendations were shown.

Those residents affected by moving from alley collections to curbside will be notified by mail including the effective date

Ralph Friebel explained Recycle North Dakota plans, for four day collections from the current five day collections, on a Monday through Thursday basis.  He said new collection schedules would need to be distributed under the four day collection plan.

Jamestown Sanitation Foreman Roger Mayhew said, a four day collection would be beneficial to the equipment, and being more efficient and cost effective.

The committee recommends approval of the plan, including the four day collection.

INFORMATIONAL: Project updates were given by Interstate Engineering.

The committee recommends approving  the prioritized list of projects in Jamestown for the NDDOT State Transportation Improvement Plan.   The earliest money will be available is 2023.

Included is a Highway 20 minor rehab through the city and continuing to Jamestown Regional Airport, with a mill and overlay project.

Another  city priority is below Mill Hill from the Don Wilhelm area to the James River bridge to reconstruct to concrete.

Another area is 4th Avenue in the area of the viaduct, concerning reconstruction, and repaving and addressing drainage issues.  Another area is a 7th Avenue railroad overpass, crossing.  Communications are planned to be held with BNSF.

Other projects include 17th Street and 17th Avenue Southwest improvements, and a 12th Avenue East grade separation, overpass, along with pavement improvements along 2nd Avenue, West

The committee considered entering into an agreement with New Phase Energy which advises a feasibility study to determine whether the city can recover the methane gas from wastewater treatment plants as an energy revenue source and sustain a cost-effective project and an economical program. The cost of the 60-day feasibility study is $65,000, $15,000 of which must be paid prior to commencing the marketing study, and costs paid upon completing the study. The remainder ($50,000) is due if the city constructs the project.

The committee put the agreement on the City Council agenda without recommendation, on a 4-1 vote.

The committee recommends Change Order No. 3, from Burski Excavating, Inc., for construction on Cell 4 Liner and Cell 2/3 Partial Final Cover, for additional sand, drone control pads, corrections and balancing project, for a net increase in the contract price of $8,140.04.

The committee recommends tabling until the December City Council meeting without recommendation, an agreement with CPS to provide the 2018 Annual Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Groundwater Monitoring Report and additional consultation regarding the City’s Groundwater Monitoring Plan.

The committee recommends entering into a three-year agreement with Airborne Custom Spraying for aerial spraying of pesticides for mosquito control of approximately 11,640 acres of the City and at the direction of city staff.

The committee recommended approval of the Transportation Alternative grant application for the Safe Routes to School project for 2020. This project includes safer crossings and traffic control at all elementary schools and the middle schools.

The local share of $305,000 will be Special Assessed to the Jamestown Public School District, and approved Tuesday by the school board.

 

FINANCE & LEGAL COMMITTEE:

The committee recommends a change to the City’s email from daktel.com at $10 per year to @jamestownnd.gov at $400 per year to be paid from the General Fund, and authorized the signing of the government domain name registration.

City Administrator Sarah Hellekson said the city will join Stutsman County in moving away from a personal E-Mail format.

 

Also recommended was  the City of Jamestown sending a Letter of Participation in the Stutsman County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan and City participation and collaboration in planning.

 

BUILDING, PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE:

The committee recommends approving  the final plat of Haut Funeral Home Addition, Lot 1, Block 1, a re-plat of Lots 10-14, Block 6, College Heights Addition, City of Jamestown, Stutsman County, North Dakota. The property is located at 1101 5th Ave NE.  The Planning Commission has approved the plat.

 

The committee recommends accepting the proposal from SRF Consulting for Planning and Zoning Technical Services for 2019 in an amount not to exceed $60,000.  Itemized billing will be included on projects.

The city is looking at video conferencing to save mileage costs.  The city has budgeted for the amount.

Council Member Steele said the city currently does not have a city planner.

 

INFORMATIONAL: Appointment applications received for two open positions on the Board of Adjustments for three year terms to expire January 2022.

The appointments to come to the December City Council meeting, Darrell Losing, and Harold Bensch.

 

CIVIC CENTER AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE:

No agenda items at this time.

 

POLICE & FIRE COMMITTEE:

No agenda items at this time.

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

Valley City  (CSi)  The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session Tuesday evening at City Hall.  All members were present.

It was announced that this meeting is the final meeting to be attended by City Attorney Lili Schoenack, and the retired Fire Chief Gary Retterath’s retirement open house will be on Friday January 4, from 2-p.m., to 5-p.m., at the city fire hall.

New VCSU President Alan LaFave introduced himself, and talked about his educational background. Tuesday was his second official day in the position.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:

Initial electrician license for Differding Electric, LLC.

Renewal of liquor licenses for the following businesses:

  1. American Legion Club
  2. Boomer’s Corner Keg
  3. Hi-Line Hospitality dba City Lights
  4. Main Street Off-Sale dba Tavern Ninety Four
  5. My Bar Valley City, LLC
  6. The Labor Club
  7. VFW Post

 

Approved were  renewal applications for permit to sell L.P. gas for the following businesses:

  1. CHS Inc. dba Dakota Plains Ag
  2. PetroServ USA

 

Approved renewal applications for mobile home parks for the following businesses:

  1. Olsberg Properties, LLLP dba Plecity Mobile Home Park
  2. Richard Plecity Trailer Court
  3. Rockwater, LLC dba Sunrise Trailer Park
  4. Viking Drive Estates

 

Approve renewal applications for pawn shop for:

a. Northwestern Industries

Approve renewal application for taxi license for the following business:

a. South Central Adult Services

 

Approve renewal applications for tree trimming and removal service for the following businesses: a. Belling Tree Service

  1. Ground to Sky, LLC
  2. Johnny B’s Trees & Service
  3. Pine Country Nursery
  4. Ross’ Tree Service

PUBLIC HEARING

Public Hearing for Transfer of Class B and Class C Alcoholic Beverage Licenses to Brockopp Brewing, LLC and Issuance of new Class G license

Following the Public Hearing:

City Commissioners,  approved  the  Transfer of Class B and Class C Alcoholic Beverage Licenses to Brockopp Brewing, LLC and Issuance of new Class G License.

NEW BUSINESS

City Commissioners, approved the Valley City-Barnes County Development Corporation request for $12,000 for Small Projects funding.  Development Director, Jennifer Feist said,  funds come from the city sales tax, and economic development funds.

The City Commission approved the Valley City-Barnes County Development Corporation request for $250,000 for a Two Year Workforce Development Program, funded through City Sales Tax Dedicated to Economic Development.

Jennifer Feist said, five different types of training have been identified, including a welding training program, along with other skill developments, along with matching up employer and employees.

From the audience, Lloyd Nelson asked the City Commission to deny the request.

Approved was an Engineering Agreement for Final Design and Bid Package for 5th Avenue NW Reconstruction in an amount not to exceed $118,500.  KLJ said public hearings will be held in the future, along with notification of affected stakeholders.  Mayor Carlsrud said the City Commission will make the final decision after public meetings are held.

Approved was a Gaming Site Authorization for ND Chapters of Delta Waterfowl, Inc on February 23, 2019 at Valley City Eagles Club.

Approved was the Appointment of Mary Lee Nielsen (CVB representative) to Visitors Committee.  City Administrator Schelkoph  said she was recommended to replace George Dutton on the Visitors Committee.

Approved the 2019 Valley City Public Works Operating & Capital budgets. City Administrator Schelkoph said insulation was added to the budget for a four stall garage in the amount of $15,000.

The cost went from $130,000 to $145,000.

 

Considered a Bid for Parking and Animal Control Vehicle for Police Department.  Police Chief Hatcher recommended the bid from Stoudt-Ross Ford in the amount of $22,600, for a 2019 Ford Transit van.

Approved was an Amendment to Employee Policy & Procedure Manual.

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

David Schelkopf thanked Lili Schoenack for her year and half tenure as City Attorney, as she steps down.

He also recognized Gary Retterath for his 43 years of service, including as Fire Chief on the Valley City Fire Department, as he retires, effective December 31 this year.

CITY UPDATES & COMMISSION REPORTS

Lili Schoenack said that she felt welcome by the city, and she noted that she will be moving from Valley City.

City Auditor Avis Richter reminded about Gary Retterath’s Retirement Open House on January 4, 2019.

Gary Retterath emphasize again, fire safety, adding that electrical service in older homes may be over worked with newer appliances, including vehicle plug ins.

He briefly recalled his time on the city fire department.

KLJ reported that flood walls continue to be poured, adding the former Power Plant building has been taken down, with remaining demolition materials being removed.

Each City Commissioner added their thanks and dedication to Schoenack and Retterath for their service to the city.

Mayor Carlsrud said Schoenack held the only position in North Dakota that combined the posts of City Attorney, and Human Resource Officer.

The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 68 followed by replays.

 

Jamestown (CSi)  The James River Valley Public Library System, board of directors has approved the of a $6,345 kiosk to the permanent Louis L’Amour display, planned for a February 2019 opening at the Alfred Dickey Public Library, downtown.

JRVLS Director, Joe Rector said, the kiosk has a programmable computer, and the screen can be upgraded when needed.

The display and kiosk will be in the newspaper, periodical and DVD room and focuses on the life of Louis L’Amour from 1908-1923.

The library board also approved spending  $1,793 for a custom wood and glass locking cabinet that will display items related to Edna LaMoore Waldo, who was Louis  L’Amour’s elder sister. (She kept the original family spelling of the name.)

LaMoore Waldo who passed away in 1999, was born in Jamestown and graduated from Jamestown College.  She was a journalist, author and teacher who is largely remembered for her writings about the Dakota Territory prior to statehood.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (Dec. 18, 2018) – Gov. Doug Burgum, in partnership with the North Dakota Department of Commerce, announced Tuesday the funding for 15 projects totaling $2,331,000 aimed at Main Street development, public facilities and services. The program is funded by federal Community Development Block Grant dollars focusing on long-term community development within cities’ Main Street areas.

“These funds will help communities with strategic projects that will strengthen our state’s economy and help create healthy, vibrant communities that can attract and retain a 21st century workforce,” Burgum said. “This is a key step in our development of building livable communities, addressing unmet community development needs and enhancing local economic development efforts.”

Funds were made available in three categories:

Main Street Fund

Main Street funds are used to rehabilitate building exteriors or streetscape improvements. Funded projects:

  • Turtle Lake $100,000
    • Main Street Market – New windows and facade improvements
    • J Arthur’s Flowers and Gifts – New windows and facade improvements
    • Turtle Lake Tax Service – New windows and facade improvements
  • Jamestown $100,000
    • Orriginals, Inc. – New windows, facade improvements and brickwork
    • River Rock Investments –  New windows, siding replacement, painting and sidewalk replacement
    • The Lodge Jamestown – New windows and handicap accessibility
    • Babb’s Coffee House – New windows, exterior facade improvements and handicap accessibility
  • Minto $67,500
    • Harvey Avenue Saloon – New windows, doors, siding and signage
    • Beaver’s Café – New windows, doors, siding and signage
    • Minto Auto – New windows, doors, siding and signage
  • Lisbon $100,000
    • Hammelton Building – New windows, doors, brickwork, parking and handicap accessibility

Public Facility Fund

Public facility funds are used for the acquisition, construction, reconstruction or installation of public works, facilities or other improvements. Funded projects:

  • Sheridan County 

$35,760 – Chairlift replacement in county courthouse

  • Nelson County

$294,000 – Nelson County Health System handicap accessibility improvements

  • Minto 

$198,000 – Wastewater lagoon improvements

  • Crystal 

$300,000 – Crystal Firehall building expansion

  • New Salem

$300,000 – Infrastructure improvements

  • Glen Ullin 

$300,000 – Water main reconstruction

  • Steele County 

$67,845 – Handicap accessibility in county courthouse

  • Towner County

$20,842 – Elevator lift installation in Memorial Building

  • Maddock

$41,727 – Backup generator and water system improvements

 

Public Services Fund

Public services funds, in the form of operational costs, will be made available to existing and new agencies that support programs related to addiction and recovery. Funded projects:

  • Heartview                  

$287,825 – Operational costs used to furnish a new 24-bed residential treatment program and 15 recovery apartments.

  • A.D.A.P.T. Inc.            

$125,000 – Operational costs used to alleviate expenses to expand case management services statewide.

Burgum has led the state’s efforts to provide community leaders a direct access point to resources needed to create vibrant communities poised to attract and retain a 21st century workforce. Working toward those goals, some of the state’s notable Main Street achievements include:

  • The Main Street Initiative currently has 61 communities engaged in the initiative and has conducted meetings with 45 communities over the past 15 months. During that time, communities hosting a Main Street meeting report a greater level of engagement from community members of all ages and have seen increased momentum in community improvement efforts.
  • The first-ever Main Street ND Summit, hosted by the North Dakota Department of Commerce at the Bismarck Event Center, welcomed more than 650 community members, students and state team members. The event focused on developing the three pillars of the Main Street Initiative: a skilled workforce; smart, efficient infrastructure; and healthy, vibrant communities to help North Dakota compete in a 21st century economy in which rapid technological advancement is changing every job, industry and organization.
  • The 2018 Main Street Awards honored communities for excellence in elevating the three pillars of the Main Street Initiative. Award details can be found at www.mainstreetnd.com/awards
  • North Dakota’s Main Street Community Dashboard was created to support busy community leaders – some working on a voluntary basis – hoping to grow healthy, vibrant communities. The dashboard was recognized with a national Government Experience Award from the Center for Digital Government.
  • The North Dakota Main Street Initiative Student Advisory Committee includes 11 students from across the state. This committee is part of the Healthy, Vibrant Communities pillar of the Main Street Initiative and focuses on allowing youth to share ideas to help build the community they want to call home in North Dakota.
  • For additional information on the Governor’s Fund for Community Development, visit: https://www.communityservices.nd.gov/communitydevelopment/.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Reported income by all North Dakotans dropped nearly 13 percent in 2017 due to a prolonged slump in agriculture and energy prices, according to figures the state’s tax commissioner released to The Associated Press.

Tax Commissioner Ryan Rauschenberger said the total adjusted gross income for the state slid from $31.2 billion in 2016 to $27.8 billion last year.

The figures show 457,639 people filed state income tax returns last year, down nearly 4,100 from 2016 and about 28,000 fewer than in 2014. That was largely due to oil-related workers leaving the state, which trails only Texas as the nation’s top oil producer.

The oil industry has helped grow wages throughout the state and created hundreds of high-paying jobs in the past decade. It also has an effect on other industries, including wholesale trade and manufacturing.

Rebounding oil prices in the past few months have driven production to a record 1.3 million barrels daily, besting previous records set in 2014.

“We suffered a period of outmigration in the past couple of years but it seems to have leveled off as the state’s economy has picked back up,” said Kevin Iverson, manager of the census office at the state Commerce Department.

Iverson and Rauschenberger said the state’s economy increasingly is hamstrung by the lack of workers. There are more than 13,000 advertised jobs in the state but officials believe the number of more jobs than takers is at least double that.

“We have a shortage of thousands of workers,” Rauschenberger said. “We are also at the whim of a strong national economy, and we’re not in a position to fill all those jobs.”

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A small study suggests that transgender residents face high levels of discrimination while looking for housing in North Dakota.

The nonprofit High Plains Fair Housing Council conducted the study in anticipation that legislators would consider banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Similar proposals have failed in several previous legislative sessions.

The organization’s executive director, Michelle Rydz, tells The Bismarck Tribune that lawmakers have said there “wasn’t any evidence, they didn’t see that this was a problem.”

The nonprofit conducted 15 tests to see if transgender residents were treated differently in Fargo, Grand Forks, Valley City and Jamestown.

The organization says 80 percent of transgender participants were shown fewer or inferior units than the control group. Seventy percent said they experienced subtle forms of discrimination.

 

In world and national news…

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he’s confident that there will not be a partial government shutdown, but discussions are continuing.

President Donald Trump and Democratic lawmakers are in a standoff over funding the government, and the main sticking point is Trump’s demand for $5 billion in taxpayer dollars for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. McConnell proposed $1.6 billion for border security plus another $1 billion in flexible funding. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer rejected the proposal, saying Democrats would not accept a billion-dollar “slush fund.”

McConnell says he’s “in consultation” with the White House about the path forward. He added that the administration is “extremely flexible on this issue.”

Asked if he’s confident that the government will not shut down, McConnell said, “Yeah, I am.”

 

 

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Attorney General’s Office says it blocked President Donald Trump’s foundation from voluntarily going out of business because the charity wanted to do so without oversight.

A spokeswoman for Attorney General Barbara Underwood says the Trump Foundation only sought to dissolve after it found itself under investigation two years ago.

The sides agreed Tuesday to a court-supervised plan for the foundation to fold and distribute its remaining $1.7 million in assets to other charities.

Underwood alleged in a lawsuit last spring that Trump operated the foundation as an extension of his businesses and political campaign.

Trump Foundation lawyer Alan Futerfas says the foundation had been seeking to dissolve since Trump’s presidential election victory in 2016.

The attorney general’s office says doing so without supervision would have been unacceptable.

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says it is not backing down from its criticism of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s interview of Mike Flynn, the former Trump national security adviser who pleaded guilty to lying to the law enforcement agency.

Press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders is repeating her allegation that the FBI “ambushed” Flynn in an interview in which he denied contacts with Russian officials. Flynn later acknowledged having lied to investigators during the interview.

She says of the FBI criticism: “We don’t have any reason to want to walk that back.”

Sanders had no comment on a federal judge delaying Flynn’s sentencing in the matter Tuesday, other than saying, “We wish General Flynn well.”

 

 

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA’s first flight to the moon is marking its 50th anniversary.

On Dec. 21st, 1968, three men flew to the moon for the first time in human history.

Apollo 8 commander Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders orbited the moon on Christmas Eve, reading from the Book of Genesis. To this day, the mission is considered NASA’s boldest and perhaps most dangerous undertaking ever. NASA whipped it together in four months, in order to beat the Soviets to the moon.

A photo taken by Anders of the Earth rising above the lunar landscape remains the most iconic space snapshot.

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is moving to officially ban bump stocks, which allow semi-automatic weapons to fire rapidly like automatic firearms.

A senior Justice Department official says bump stocks will be banned under the federal law that prohibits machine guns. It will take effect in late March. After that, it will be illegal to possess bump stocks.

The official wasn’t authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

The devices became a focal point in the national gun control debate after they were used in October 2017 in the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. Gunman Stephen Paddock rained a hail of bullets from his 32nd-floor Las Vegas hotel room, killing 58 people at a concert.