Jamestown (CSi)  Jamestown Tourism’s Grant Board Meeting met Thursday at the CSi Technology Center at Historic Franklin School.

Those in attendance included:  President Matt Woods, Board Members Paulette Ritter, Frank Balak, and Tena Lawrence, along with Tourism Director Searle Swedlund.

Also in attendance was Ex Offico Member  Pam Phillips, representing the Jamestown City Council

A Grant Request allocation was made by Jamestown Drag Racing Association for drag races to be held July 13, 14, 2019 at Jamestown Regional Airport, in the amount of $6,000  for advertising.

Other funds include local business sponsors in the amount of $12,950, Racer Entry Fees, $12, 155, Gate Admissions $9,625, T-Shirt Sales, $3,178.

The economic impact of the event is put at $187,500.

The Grant Request Allocation from Jamestown Drag Racing Association for adverting was  in the full amount of $6,000.

 

Another grant request by Jamestown Drag Racing was for $6,300 for 15 foot sections of aluminum bleachers.  Discussion centered on if this equipment purchase would help Jamestown Drag Racing Association in putting on the event in future years, and would this request be a better fit for requests from the City Promotion Capital Construction fund?

The board’s decision was to fund $3,900 to expend on three sections of bleachers, which are portable and to be used in the future either at the airport site, or eventually at a location earmarked for the drag strip.

Another request from the Fort Seward Reconstruction Committee was for the September 7, 2019 Gatling Gun Demonstration. By Chuck Keller  in the amount of $1,100.

The board granted $1,100, siting excellent turnout for the 2018 event. With 25 percent of those in attendance from out of town.

During the Grant Board Meeting:

Declaration of Conflict of Interest… none was made.

 

The Financial Report  was given by  Searle Swedlund in the absence of Taylor Barnes

The Tourism Report was given by  Searle Swedlund, who noted a change in the March meeting dater to be determined, as he will be in Watford City in connection with his membership in the Rural Leadership program.  He added that Tourism now has a “Collections Manager.”

Ex-Officio Report:

Pam Phillips gave and update on the four day per week garbage collection program, now in effect. She pointed out that the City’s website will have a collection map, posted.

She added that those late in paying utility bills will be assessed a late fee.

Utility bills will be assessed a Storm Water Utilities fee, with public meetings set in May and June this year for explanations.

She added that progress is being made in the City’s plan to have Waste Water Treatment Plant gas emissions piped to a location, and sold.

 

Under OLD BUSINESS

Discussion was held on the City Promotion Capital Construction grant process for March, with a review of specific items addressed by board members to arrive at a decision in making grants.

 

In NEW BUSINESS

An overview was presented of Anticipated Grant Allocation Requests for 2019.  The board gave input on items, or projects they feel need prioritization, but not limited to the list presented.

 

Approved was a motion to change signatures on Unison, Gate City, and Wells Fargo bank accounts