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CSi Weather…
.TONIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 50s. North winds 5 to10 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph in the evening.
.WEDNESDAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 80s. East winds around
5 mph shifting to the south in the afternoon.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Increasing clouds. Chance of rain showers and
slight chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the upper 50s. Southwest
winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 30 percent.
.THURSDAY…Mostly sunny. A 20 percent chance of rain showers and
thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 80s. North
winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the east in the afternoon.
.THURSDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows around 60.
.FRIDAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 80s.
.FRIDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 60s.
.SATURDAY…Partly sunny. A 50 percent chance of showers and
thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs around 80.
.SATURDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Rain showers likely and slight
chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then chance of rain
showers and slight chance of thunderstorms after midnight. Lows
in the mid 50s. Chance of precipitation 60 percent.
.SUNDAY…Partly sunny. A 40 percent chance of rain showers in
the morning. Highs around 70.
.SUNDAY NIGHT…A 20 percent chance of rain showers
and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the upper 40s.
.MONDAY…Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 70s.
Isolated non-severe thunderstorms are possible thru early
Tuesday afternoon.
Next significant chance for thunderstorms will come Saturday
afternoon into Saturday night, then from Wednesday through Saturday.
Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Council met in its first meeting to draft the 2020 City Budget on Tuesday morning at City Hall. Council Member Buchanan was not present.
Major items now in the General Fund budget includes, the Jamestown Police Department, Jamestown City Fire Department, the City Street Department, along with budgeting for Jamestown City Hall Offices, plus hearing other budget requests. Jamestown Administrator, Sarah Hellekson said, the Street Department will be removed from the General Fund and become part of the Stormwater Utility Budget.
She pointed out that the preliminary budget must be set by August 10 this year, and she noted changes in the North Dakota Century Code to clarify the budgeting process.
Other budget meetings will be held later this month and July and August, with the preliminary budget reading at the September 24 Finance and Legal Committee meeting and the Publication by October 7 this year.
On Tuesday, Jamestown Mayor Dwaine Heinrich asked that the 2019 fund balances be reviewed.
Highlights from Tuesday’s Meeting:
The general fund is projected to end 2019 with a balance of $1.7 million.
Ms. Hellekson noted that from January to May this year the city has spent $276,00 in overtime wages. She says that stems in part by fewer fulltime employees and extensive Street Department hours with snow removal.
From January through April in 2019, $181,859 was spent on snow removal with a significant amount of expenditures on equipment rentals and part time employees hours.
Other city department employees assist in snow removal when needed.
More snow removal expenditures will be coming from about October, through December of 2019.
The Homestead Credit and Veterans Credit, tax reimbursements will come in near the end of the year.
Other line items were reviewed concerning budgeting anticipated for 2019 and where the budget balance now stands, some revenues are lower than anticipated, but may change by the end of 2019. Those include license fees for liquor permits, and dog and cat licenses.
Civic Center Concessions income so far this year is at around $40,000 with the anticipated revenues by the end of 2019 at $70,000.
The General Fund budget for 2020 is yet to be determined, including eliminating the Street Department which will be in the 2020 Storm Water Utility budget, with the 2019 budget expenditures now indicated in that budget.
Health Insurance through Blue Cross/Blue Shield is budgeted for an increase of 8-percent.
Mayor Heinrich said where the General Fund Budget balance was anticipated to be at this time in 2019, is on target with where it stands currently.
The City Fire Department will need to be budgeted for essential items and replacements.
The Police Department was budgeted for $3,000 for radio replacement or updates, and has expended $6,800 so far this year, as Chief Edinger said the radios replaced, were 45 years old.
It was pointed out that the Civic Center heating expenses increased over 2018, with a hole in a section of the roof, plus colder temperatures last winter. The cost of repairs for the Civic Center comes from the city Public Building Fund.
The Water Utility in 2018 spent $5,891,000 and the projected ending balance in 2019 is $8,000,000 the starting point for the 2020 budget.
With the Sewer Utility for 2019, city employee wages paid increased along the insurance costs.
The current fund balance is at $4.9, million dollars with the 2020 funding set at $3.8 million.
With the Solid Waste Department Budget, in 2019 garbage collections revenues were up, in 2019, with no increase in rates planned for 2020.
Overtime wages have increased in 2019, along with the cost of garbage container replacements, each garbage container costs from $300 to $500.
The City Council will continue to look at budget numbers which in some cases shows deficient spending in 2019, in order to balance the budget for 2020, including required dollars in the Reserve Fund.
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. All members were present.
Proclamation Declaring Block Parties, by Mayor Carlsrud.
Approval of Consent Agenda
Approved Monthly Reports from the Fire Chief, Building Inspector, Auditor, Municipal Judge and Public Works Accountant.
Approved Monthly Bills for the City and Public Works in the Amount of $2,419,875.37
Approved a Raffle Permit for ND Red Knights Chapter 1
Approved an Electrician License for JDP Electric, Inc.; Scott Roemmich Electric, LLC
Approved a Rally in the Valley Parade on June 15, 2019 on Central Avenue from 12th Avenue NW to Main Street
Approved an Application to Block off Street for Valley City Chamber of Commerce for Crazy Dayz on July 24, 2019 on Central Avenue from 2nd Street N to 4th Street N and 3rd Street N from alley by Nearly Nu to alley by Times Record
Approved an Application to Block off Street for Valley City Chamber of Commerce for Rally in the Valley on June 15, 2019 on Central Avenue from 5th Street N to Main Street.
Approved an Application to Block off Street for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church for Rally in the Valley Kids Carnival on June 15, 2019 on 3rd Street NW from 2nd Avenue NW to Alley
Block off street for Captain’s Pub for a street dance.
Public Hearing
Regarding Special Assessments confirmed by the Special Assessment Commission for Sanitary Sewer Improvement District No. 62.
Approve Special Assessments as recommended by the Special Assessment Commission for Sanitary Sewer Improvement District No. 62
A Public Hearing regarding Special Assessments confirmed by the Special Assessment Commission for Paving Improvement District No. 117. City Auditor Richter said a change was implemented based on property owners concerns, and approved by the Special Assessment Commission.
Following the Public Hearing the City Commission Approved Special Assessments as recommended by the Special Assessment Commission for Paving Improvement District No. 117.
A Public Hearing regarding Special Assessments confirmed by the Special Assessment Commission for Paving Improvement District No. 114 City Auditor Richter said no property owners attended an informational meeting.
Following the Public Hearing, Commissioners Approved Special Assessments as recommended by the Special Assessment Commission for Paving Improvement District No. 114.
A Public Hearing was held regarding Special Assessments confirmed by the Special Assessment Commission for Storm Sewer Improvement District No. 51.
Approve Special Assessments as recommended by the Special Assessment Commission for Storm Sewer Improvement District No. 51
Letters will be sent to affected property owners, including notifications of public hearings.
Resolution
City Commissioners approved a Resolution accepting Bid and Awarding Contract for Permanent Flood Protection Phase 2A and Permanent Flood Protection Phase 3 to Reiner Contracting, Inc. in the amount of $3,885,067.09. KLJ said three bids were received with Reiner submitting the low bid. A preconstruction meeting will be held.
New Business
The City Commission approved the Construction Engineering Agreement for Permanent Flood Protection Phase 2A with KLJ in an amount not to exceed $315,000 KLJ said this is an amendment to the original agreement, approved by the State Water Commission.
Considered approving Construction Engineering Agreement for Project No. SU-SS-2-990(053)057 (Storm Sewer Improvement District No. 50) with KLJ in an amount not to exceed $175,500 KLJ said July 8 is the proposed start date.
City Commissioners discussed the Harm Reduction Services & Syringe Services Program through the City County Health District. The program is to provide clean syringes to drug users, to prevent the spread of diseases, and individuals will receive health related services and referred for further treatment.
The Draft and further discussion will be held on June 27, at 6:30-p.m., at the Hi-Liner Activity Center.
Valley City Police Chief, Phil Hatcher said, that he and Barnes County Sheriff, Randy McClaflin and the Barnes County Commission are in support of the program.
City Commissioners on Tuesday also voted to support the program.
Considered was city funding for South Central Adult Services. Director Pat Hansen, again asked for city financial support to keep the taxi service operating. Federal funds pay for half of the taxi service costs, requiring a local match. Some local private support was noted.
After discussion the City Commission voted to fund the taxi service at $10,000 for the remainder of this year. Funds will come from the Police Department budget, which will give up a project for dollars into the taxi funding.
Approved was an Electrical Department contribution of material and labor to the Hi-Liner Athletic Complex Phase II. City Administrator Schelkoph recommends approval in the amount of $14,000 toward material and labor, to Valley City Public Schools.
Approved was an application for Property Tax Exemption for Improvements to Residential Building at 421 3rd Avenue NW City Assessor Hansen explained improvements planned for the building.
Commissioners approved the Annual Gaming Site Authorization for ND Wildlife Federation at Eagles on April 4, 2020 City Auditor Richter said this and the upcoming agenda items are renewals, including….
The Annual Gaming Site Authorization for Thundering Saints, Inc. at Boomer’s Corner Keg
The Annual Gaming Site Authorization for Valley City Hockey & Figure Skating Club at Valley City Town & Country Club.
An Annual Gaming Site Authorization for Valley Twisters Gymnastics Club at Bridges Bar & Grill
A Special Alcohol Event Permit for VFW Post 2764 on June 15, 2019 at Rally in the Valley Street
Approved separately
A Special Alcohol Event Permit for Boomer’s Corner Keg on June 16, 2019 at Dakota Riders MC Hillclimb
Also approved were a Special Alcohol Event Permit for VFW Post 2764 on June 15, 2019 at Rally in the Valley Street Dance, and a Special Alcohol Event Permit for Captain’s Pub for Rally in the Valley.
City Administrator’s Report
No report was given by David Schelkoph
City Updates & Commission Reports
KLJ reported the construction with the Phase One, Permanent Flood Control Project on Central Avenue should be completed this week, and open for traffic on Monday, and in time for Rally in the Valley Activities.
Commissioners and Mayor Carlsrud thanked the public and construction crews for their patience and work, as the projects on Central Avenue and Main street were in progress.
The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 68 followed by replays.
Update…
Jamestown (CSi) The grand opening of the JRMC, Cancer Center is on Thursday, June 13. The event is from 12 noon, to 1-p.m.
The event is free and open to the public.
The event includes:
Light appetizers
Speeches from dignitaries
Hope rock painting
Tours of the cancer center
To learn more about the JRMC Cancer Center, call (701) 952-1050 or visit www.jrmcnd.com/cancer.
Miles matter when a person is sick.
The burden of travel can add expense, stress and anxiety to the life of a person who should focus on healing. That is why Jamestown Regional Medical Center will open its JRMC Cancer Center on June 17.
JRMC President and CEO, Mike Delfs says,“This is a historic day for Jamestown and the surrounding communities. The employees, board and community have dreamed of this day since we opened our new location in 2011.”
The community fully funded the JRMC Cancer Center’s $1.5 million capital costs.
Miles matter because miles are expensive. Miles make a sick person feel sicker. Miles mean lost work, missed soccer games and empty seats at church.
In Stutsman County, cancer is the leading cause of death for individuals ages 45-84, according to the North Dakota Department of Health. More than 350 people in JRMC’s nine-county region are diagnosed with cancer each year. Those same people travel more than 200 miles round trip for chemotherapy infusions and other cancer treatments. This may be a monthly, weekly or even daily trip.
JRMC expects more than 100 individuals to receive cancer care in its cancer center each month. The JRMC Cancer Center includes six sun-lit infusion rooms, two exam rooms, a nutrition area and nurses station. Patients’ individual treatment areas include state-of-the-art, sit-to-stand infusion chairs and companion chairs for visitors, smart TVs, WiFi and refreshments for patients and their companions.
JRMC Chief Nursing Officer, Trisha Jungles says, people in rural communities deserve access to state-of-the-art care close to home, adding “Warmth, healing and comfort. When you walk into the JRMC Cancer Center, you know you are being cared for like family.”
Again, to celebrate the opening of the JRMC Cancer Center, a ribbon cutting is set for noon, Thursday, June 13 at JRMC. This event is free and open to the public. It includes a light lunch, hope rock painting and self-guided cancer center tours. Reservations not required.
To learn more about the JRMC Cancer Center, call (701) 952-1050 or visit www.jrmcnd.com/cancer.
About Jamestown Regional Medical Center
Jamestown Regional Medical Center is located at 2422 20th St. SW, Jamestown, N.D. and serves approximately 55,000 people in nine counties. In 2019, it was named a “Top 100 Critical Access Hospital” for the sixth consecutive year. Modern Healthcare named JRMC a “Best Places to Work in Healthcare” each year since 2017. For more information, visit www.jrmcnd.com or call (701) 952-1050.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A natural gas infrastructure company is trying to reduce flaring in the Bakken region by developing new markets for natural gas products within North Dakota.
Mike Hopkins, CEO of Bakken Midstream Partners, told the Bismarck Tribune that the company is developing projects to change how the natural gas industry operates.
North Dakota’s existing infrastructure is designed to export natural gas and natural gas liquids. Hopkins hopes to create new infrastructure to allow natural gas to be used in the state, leading to a reduction in flaring and the creation of jobs and a new tax base.
In March, North Dakota produced 2.8 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas. About 20% was flared because of inadequate pipelines, processing plant capacity and other infrastructure issues.
“If you look at the flaring statistics, they’ve been pretty consistently discouraging,” Hopkins said.
Hopkins declined to provide further details on the company’s projects since they’re under development, but he gave examples including processing plants, natural gas-fired power generation, enhanced oil recovery projects and fertilizer plants.
He said construction on Bakken Midstream’s first project could begin as early as 2021.
“We definitely have the financial capacity to bring outside investment needed for this,” Hopkins said. “These are not small investments. Most of the things we’re looking at start in the hundreds of millions and quickly can get into the billions.”
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A Houston company has reached a plea deal in the October 2014 death of an Alabama man who died in an explosion while working in the North Dakota oil patch.
A federal criminal complaint accuses C&J Well Services, formerly known as Nabors Completion and Production Services, of violating safety regulations and causing the death of 29-year-old Marine veteran Dustin Payne, of Hazel Green, Alabama.
Authorities say Payne was welding inside a water hauling tank that had not been properly cleaned and vented. The welding equipment ignited a hydrocarbon vapor mixture that caused a massive explosion.
The plea agreement calls for C&J Well Services to pay $1.6 million to Payne’s estate as well as a $500,000 fine.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration in 2015 fined the company more than $97,000.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A natural gas infrastructure company is trying to reduce flaring in the Bakken region by developing new markets for natural gas products within North Dakota.
Bakken Midstream Partners CEO Mike Hopkins tells the Bismarck Tribune that the company is developing projects to change how the natural gas industry operates.
North Dakota’s existing infrastructure is designed to export natural gas and natural gas liquids. Hopkins hopes to create new infrastructure to allow natural gas to be used in the state.
He says doing so would reduce flaring and create jobs and a new tax base.
North Dakota produced 2.8 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas in March. About 20% was flared because of inadequate pipelines, processing plant capacity and other infrastructure issues.
Hopkins declined to provide details on projects that are under development.
In world and national news…
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he expects to begin hitting Mexico with tariffs next week in a dispute over illegal immigration.
Trump says “millions” of migrants entering the U.S. through Mexico is “unacceptable” and that Mexico must stop it. He says he thinks Mexico will take steps to halt the migrant flow but, “if they won’t, we’re going to put tariffs on.”
The president last week threatened to impose a monthly 5% tariff on Mexican imports starting Monday, rising to a total of 25% by October.
Mexican officials are in Washington to meet with their Trump administration counterparts and predicted Tuesday that an agreement could be reached during talks scheduled for Wednesday to avoid the tariffs.
Trump commented at a news conference in London with outgoing British Prime Minister Theresa May.
HOUSTON (AP) — The cardinal leading the U.S. Catholic Church’s response to sex abuse is being accused of mishandling a case in which his deputy allegedly manipulated a woman into a sexual relationship, even as he counseled her husband on their marriage and solicited their donations.
The allegations against Cardinal Daniel DiNardo come just a week before he presides over a meeting of U.S. bishops to adopt new accountability measures.
Laura Pontikes said DiNardo thanked her for coming forward in April 2016 and called her a “victim.”
But DiNardo allowed Monsignor Frank Rossi to return to ministry in a different diocese. The archdiocese said the relationship was consensual and Rossi had completed a “renewal” program.
On Tuesday, Rossi’s new bishop put him on temporary leave after Associated Press inquired about a police investigation.
LONDON (AP) — Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage has held a meeting with President Donald Trump at the U.S. ambassador’s residence in London.
Farage was photographed being driven into Winfield House on Tuesday afternoon.
He later tweeted: “Good meeting with President Trump – he really believes in Brexit and is loving his trip to London.”
Farage has campaigned for years to take Britain out of the European Union and is one of Trump’s most prominent British supporters. The president has called Farage a friend.
Farage’s newly founded Brexit Party was the big winner in last month’s European Parliament elections in Britain, scooping up support from voters angry that the U.K. has not left the EU.
He has criticized Prime Minister Theresa May’s divorce deal with the bloc and said Britain should leave the EU without an agreement.
Trump praised May’s handling of Brexit on Tuesday, saying she had gotten a good deal.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) — Virginia’s Republican House speaker is calling the Democratic governor’s call for a special session on gun control “hasty and suspect” in the wake of Friday’s mass shooting in Virginia Beach, and he says it’s “more likely to inflame political tensions” than produce real changes that keep people safe.
Gov. Ralph Northam is proposing a series of violence prevention measures. In response, Speaker Kirk Cox says the GOP will seek tougher punishments for people who commit acts of violence.
Cox’s statement says “Republicans will put forward a package of legislation to stiffen penalties for those who use firearms to commit crimes.” He says addressing gun violence “starts with holding criminals responsible for their actions, not infringing on the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens.”
PHOENIX (AP) — The biggest victims of President Donald Trump’s tariffs won’t necessarily be Mexicans or Chinese.
Experts say the people likely to pay the steepest price are poor Americans. They already live close to the financial edge and could have to pay more for everyday purchases.
Jay Shambaugh is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. He says for many low-income households, tariffs are a tax on their consumption. That means they might have to cut back on spending.
Executives at Walmart and dollar-store chains, which import much of their merchandise and serve many low-income customers, have warned that tariffs could lead to higher prices.
The president last week announced plans to impose a 5% tax on Mexican imports. That threat follows a decision in May to hike tariffs on Chinese imports.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is again directing former employees not to cooperate with a congressional investigation, this time instructing former aides Hope Hicks and Annie Donaldson not to provide documents to the House Judiciary Committee.
House Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler issued subpoenas for Hicks and Donaldson last month. Both women are mentioned frequently in special counsel Robert Mueller’s report.
Nadler said in a statement Tuesday the White House had instructed the former aides not to turn over materials, but that Hicks had agreed to turn over documents related to her time on President Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, which are not covered by executive privilege.
The White House has also directed former White House counsel Donald McGahn to refuse to provide documents or testify before the committee.
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