Subscribe by RSS
CSi Weather…
.TONIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers and slight chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then showers likely and chance of thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the mid 60s. East winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation 60 percent.
.WEDNESDAY…Decreasing clouds. A 40 percent chance of showers
and thunderstorms in the Jamestown area, 70 percent in the Valley City area. Highs in the lower 80s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph shifting to the southwest in the afternoon.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of showers
and thunderstorms in the evening in the Jamestown area, 30 percent in the Valley City area. Lows in the mid 60s. West winds 5 to 10 mph.
.THURSDAY…Mostly sunny. A 20 percent chance of showers and
thunderstorms in the afternoon in the Jamestown area, 30 percent in the Valley City area. Highs in the mid 80s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph.
.THURSDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Chance of showers and slight
chance of thunderstorms in the evening. Lows in the mid 60s.
Chance of precipitation 30 percent.
.FRIDAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 80s.
.FRIDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 60s.
.SATURDAY…Partly sunny. A 20 percent chance of showers and
thunderstorms in the morning. Highs in the upper 70s.
.SATURDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of showers
and thunderstorms in the evening. Lows around 60.
.SUNDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 70s.
.SUNDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 50s.
.MONDAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 80s.
There is a chance for thunderstorms across western and central
North Dakota through Tuesday night. Some of these storms may be strong to severe, with strong winds and large hail up to quarter size and damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph, the main threats.
There are chances for thunderstorms Wednesday and Thursday. A few
storms could be severe during this period. However, uncertainty
in details remains.
Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Council met in Special Session Tuesday morning at city, discuss the Storm Water Utility, to establish the Stormwater Utility Fund and approve the Stormwater Utility Fee. All members were present.
At the July 2 City Council meeting the City Council passed the Second Reading of an Ordinance pertaining to Stormwater.
The Special Meeting was set to further discuss the issue, pending additional information concerning 35 properties in dollars.
Previous amounts indicated that Residential Properties – Pay a Flat fee of $3.00 per month; and All Other Properties Except Residential – As set forth in Table 1 of the Resolution. (The billing starts in the September billing cycling period.)
Mayor Heinrich has previously said that impacts of fees on larger businesses, churches, schools and agricultural land are not known at this time.
At Tuesday’s meeting, members from the audience were invited to speak.
Clarice Liechty talked about Jamestown Regional Airport and the Jamestown Public School District had concerns about their annual fees. She suggests a flat fee for all properties.
She added that two of her properties have detention or retention ponds, asking for a possible reduction in storm water fees.
Jim Schumacher said he has business property in Jamestown and farm land near town.
He said storm water on his farmland goes into a ditch, and not into the storm water sewer.
Thelma Trecker added that she owns land near Fort Seward and questioned how the fee structure was arrived at, specifically concerning her land.
Daniel Bieber from Santa Spring, California who owns Jamestown property, with no business on it.
His fee is $111. He said his property of 42 acres, does not have storm water runoff, and he does not use any city services.
Neil Guthmiller, who owns MGM Trailer Court said he uses no water or sewer service, adding that the city floods the trailer court with an easement through it.
A representative from AE2S made a presentation concerning the rate structure options, and the previous feasibility study.
He outlined recouping costs from user fees, and factors of how large each property is and how it is developed.
He said the residential flat fee of $3 per month was determined by dividing all residential properties about 4,700 into the annual costs of $500,000.
He said individual property fee adjustments are possible, including ag-land and vacant properties and airport land, along with adjustments on a case by case basis.
He outlined the impacts of reductions or exemptions on money coming into the fund, and recouping the lost income. He discussed the impacts of reductions or exemptions on money coming into the fund, and recouping the lost income.
Mayor Heinrich said a fair and equitable solution is needed and favors a 50 percent reduction in the current rate structure for government and educational parcels, and possible adjustments in ag-land and vacant property parcels fees. Also not to charge a storm water utility fees for businesses such as Cavendish Farms that do not have storm sewer access.
Council Member Phillips said a large fee structure for businesses is impacting their ability to produce, adding the $3 fee per month for residences is fair.
Council Member Brubakken suggested a $200 fee cap, on all parcels in the city, he said will raise the need $500,000 annually.
Mayor Heinrich said Tuesday’s meeting was the first time the Council has seen meaningful numbers of the fees and rates, and implementation. He said a $200 cap would not raise enough money.
Phillips said it’s more important to reach a fair decision, rather than making a decision at Tuesday’s meeting.
Mayor Heinrich suggested a 50-percent reduction in government and educational fees, and a $3 fee per agriculture parcel, and a $200 maximum per parcel. It was pointed out that a 50-percent reduction in government and educational fees is not needed if a $200 cap was implemented.
Council Member Buchanan said to let the process take its course, and let the experts crunch the numbers. Heinrich said AE2S needs guidance in what the city wants.
City Attorney Leo Ryan said the Resolution needs to contain a formula, which can be adopted independently within the Ordinance.
The billing data base will need to be adjusted, under recommendations.
The matter will go forward to the August City Council Public Works Committee concerning adjustments, and recommendations.
Tuesday’s meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 67.
Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Council met Tuesday afternoon at City Hall to continue with the drafting of the 2020 calendar year, city budget. All members were present.
The fourth budget draft was reviewed and discussed.
Highlights of the meeting included:
City Administrator Sarah Hellekson addressed items in the budget that had reduced expenditures, since the second draft of the budget.
Mayor Dwaine Heinrich had previously said, he will not support deficit spending, and at this point the 2020 General Fund Budget is short of being balanced by between $600,00 and $700,000.
He said line items will need to be reviewed for funding, as the budget process continues.
At Tuesday’s meeting, it was reported that the 2020 draft General Fund Budget is at this time at $4,196,005. It does not include five mills for the public building fund.
Mayor Heinrich said the General Fund Balance is reduced between $400,00 and $500,000 compared to a year ago.
The Civic Center budget currently shows a deficit of $413,000.
The sanitary sewer project’s outstanding balance is currently at $663,000 which needs to be addressed in the 2020 budget. The initial cost was funded through a bond sale.
He said $2-million dollars needs to be in the 2020 to meet the balance and have a proper amount in the reserve fund.
He said rather than raise property taxes, he proposes to take the Civic Center out of the General Fund budget, increase the sales tax by a half percent, and half of that, or a quarter percent be used to fund the city’s share of specials assessments. He added that a half percent would generate $600,000 to the city annually. The current seven percent city sales tax generates $1.2 million.
City Attorney Leo Ryan says an increase in the sales tax does not have to go to a public vote.
It takes three months from city approval for the sales tax increase to be implemented.
The mayor added that the Storm Water Utility also has to be funded.
In the draft budgets a number of item expenditures, have been reduced.
Proposed is eliminating the Community Christmas Tree expenditure, and instead decorate an existing tree in the city. The savings would be around $4,500, the cost of removing it from a donated property, and then disposing it.
Council Member Buchanan pointed out that the city’s mission is not to support non-profits.
The Council vote 4-1 to fund the Arts Center at $3,000. Council Member Buchanan vote in opposition.
A $5,000 expenditure for the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce was not approved, on a unanimous vote.
$800,000 is in the 2020 draft for expenditures in the City Sales Tax Fund, 2 percent on tax on sales, one percent to the city park district, point five percent to economic development and point five percent to city’s share of Special Assessments.
$359,500 in expenditures for Jamestown Tourism.
Expenditures were explained for new projects in the utility fund.
Mayor Heinrich said he is committed to passing a balanced budget, and if not passed, the 2019 budget numbers would be used.
He added that department heads may be asked to find more cuts in their budgets.
The next preliminary budget discussion is planned for the Finance and Legal Committee meeting on July 23, with the estimated new revenue projection numbers, with a follow up meeting on Jul 29, at 10-a.m.
The First Reading of the budget to be introduced at the August 5th City Council meeting.
At that time the budget can be reduced but not increased.
The final budget is needed ready for passage by October.
The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 67.
Jamestown (CSi) 7- 16-19 Jamestown Police Dept is warning residents regarding a convicted sex offender who has changed his Jamestown address.
Charles Matthew Carrington now resides at 1530 6th Avenue, Southwest,, Buffalo Motel, No. 24, amestown, ND . He presently has no vehicle.
He is a 51 year old American Indian male, five feet seven inches tall, weighing 167 pounds with brown eyes and black hair.
Carrington has been assigned a High Risk Assessment by the Risk Level committee of the North Dakota Attorney General’ Office.
Offense: Sexual Abuse of a Minor, sexually assaulting a 12 year old girl on approximately 25 occasions over a two year period.
Conviction Date: May 2006 in U.S Federal Court.
Disposition: 65 months, three years supervised release.
Carrington is not wanted by police and has served the sentence imposed by the court.
This notification is meant for public safety and not to increase fear in the community, nor should this information be used to threaten, assault, or intimidate the offender.
Any attempts to harass, intimidate or threaten these offenders, their families, landlords, or employers will be turned over for prosecution.
Printed handouts of the demographics of Charles Matthew Carrington are available at the Jamestown Police Department.
More information on registered sex offenders is available at the North Dakota Attorney General’s web site: www.sexoffender.nd.gov
Jamestown (CSi) Jamestown Police warns residents of a convicted sex offender who has changed his Jamestown address.
Alton Grant Mitzel, Aliases…Alton Red Fox, Tony Red Fox….now lives at 2623 Highway 281 South, Super 8 Motel, No. 215, Jamestown, ND.
He presently has no vehicle
He is a 40 year old American Indian male,5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing 170 pounds with brown eyes and black hair.
Mitzel has has been assigned a high risk assessment by the North Dakota risk level committee of the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office.
Offense: Gross Sexual Imposition involving a 13 year old girl forcibly using a a knife.
He was terminated from treatment for non-participation and refusing to accept responsibility.
Conviction Date: June 2002 in Morton County, North Dakota, District Court.
Disposition: 5 years, first serve 3 years, 2 years suspended for 4 years, 13 days credit, 4 years supervised probation.
Mitzel is currently on Federal Probation.
Mitzel is not wanted by police at this time and has served the sentence imposed by the court.
This notification is meant for public safety and not to increase fear in the community, nor should this information be used to threaten, assault, or intimidate the offender.
Any attempts to harass, intimidate or threaten these offenders, their families, landlords, or employers will be turned over for prosecution.
Printed handouts of the demographics of Mitzel are available at the Jamestown Police Department.
More information on registered sex offenders is available at the North Dakota Attorney General’s web site: www.sexoffender.nd.gov
Bismarck (CSi) The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission reports that during the first half of calendar year 2019, North Dakota’s commercial service airports provided a total of 580,343 passenger boardings. This is a growth of 53,240 passengers or a 10% increase from this same time period in 2018.
The increased number of passengers throughout the state has allowed communities to attract, retain, and grow additional air service opportunities. 9 non-stop destinations (of which two are seasonal) are currently available to connect North Dakota to the rest of the world.
North Dakota Aeronautics Commission, Executive Director, Kyle Wanner says,“The overall statewide year to date growth of 10% in passenger numbers is significant and it points to a growing economy and business climate throughout the state. This increased utilization of aviation transportation within North Dakota shows that our airports continue to play an important role in providing efficient transportation options for our residents and visitors.”
In June this year boardings at Jamestown Regional Airport were 957 compared to 1073 in June of 2018, down nearly 11 percent.
This year to date there were 5,134 Jamestown boardings compared to 6,056 through June of 2018, down 15 percent.
Valley City (CSi) The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session on Tuesday at City Hall. All members were present.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
Approved was a Raffle Permit for Dakota Riders Motorcycle Club. Commissioner Erickson noted a conflict of interest, and was noted, and he did not vote.
PUBLIC COMMENTS …No one spoke….
PUBLIC HEARING
Public Hearing was held for Integrated Resource Plan for Valley City Public Works. City Administrator Schelkoph said the city gets two sources of power from MRES and WAPA and the document defines the language.
Following the Public Hearing, City Commissioners passed a Resolution Approving the Integrated Resource Plan for Valley City Public Works as required by Western Area Power Administration (WAPA)
ORDINANCE
Approved was The First Reading of an Ordinance to Amend and Reenact portions of Title 4 (Alcoholic Beverages) of the Valley City Municipal Code. City Attorney Martineck said three changes are proposed, a brewery production language approval, along with a requirement change for the time of license renewal, relative to the ratio of food to alcohol sales, and a late fee for any late license renewal.
The City Commission approved with a narrative to state the sales of food to alcohol ratio. Spot checks of violations will still be included.
Approved was the First Reading of an Ordinance to Amend and Reenact portions of Title 14 (Motor Vehicles & Traffic) and Title 17 (Offenses), Valley City Municipal Code. City Attorney Martineck said changes stem from legislative changes to update the City Code, including fees.
NEW BUSINESS
National Leadership Academy for the Public’s Health Presentation by, City County Health District.
The leadership coach from Oakland California spoke with an explanation of the program with a slide presentation, and the Valley City participation.
The City Commission approved adding 720 East Main Street to the Permanent Flood Protection Phase IV Buyout Program. City Administrator Schelkoph said the home owner approached the city to sell the property, at the assessed value plus 10-percent, at $48,180. The city will ask the state water commission to add the property to the Phase IV Buyout list.
The City Commission reviewed the Recycling Contract with Valley Recycling, considering options for financing, including surcharges to the utility bills for residential customers and commercial property fees.
Barnes County has approved increasing its contributions of $20,000 annually.
The City Commission on a 3-2 vote approved the scenario of a $1 surcharge per month, for residential customers and an increase in commercial rates, effective July 16.
RESOLUTION
Approved on a 3-2 vote was a Resolution Establishing Recycling Utility Fees starting September 1.
Passed was a Resolution approving Replat of Lots 15 & 16, Block 15, Granger’s Addition.
Passed was a Resolution approving Plat of Annie’s Addition.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
No information was passed along
CITY UPDATES & COMMISSION REPORTS
Fire Chief Scott Magnuson said seven new members have been recruited, including the first female fire fighter.
Mayor Carlsrud asks residents to clean their yards, and not to litter on city streets.
The meeting was shown live on CSi cable 68 followed by replays.
MINOT, N.D. (AP) — A Minot man says he’s not guilty of making a bomb and detonating it just east of the city.
Patrick Wagner is charged with two felonies in connection with the detonation last April.
KXMB-TV reports investigators say Wagner was seen on surveillance video purchasing items found in the explosive device. Court documents say a sheriff’s deputy was in the area and investigating a small fire in the ditch when the bomb went off. No one was injured.
The charges carry a maximum term of 15 years upon conviction.
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) — Grand Forks police say a man missing since July 6 has been found dead.
Police solicited the public’s help in locating 55-year-old Fernando Balboa when he went missing because he needed to take medication every four hours. Authorities said Tuesday a body was discovered in rural Polk County, Minnesota Monday evening and was later identified as Balboa.
Police say there were no obvious signs of trauma to Balboa. The cause of his death is under investigation.
In world and national news…
NEW YORK (AP) — A lawyer says New York Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo (pan-tuh-LAY’-oh) is “gratified” that the Justice Department carefully reviewed his case rather than what he calls the “lies and inaccuracies” surrounding it.
The government announced Tuesday that it had decided not to bring civil rights charges against Pantaleo in connection with Eric Garner’s 2014 death.
Attorney Stuart London says Pantaleo used techniques approved by the New York Police Department while arresting Garner, who died after uttering “I can’t breathe.” London added that a loss of life is “always a tragedy.”
Meanwhile, a chant of “No justice, no peace!” erupted as Garner’s family and their supporters gathered outside City Hall.
Cousin Michael Garner stressed that the family has the “utmost respect” for law enforcement when it is “applied fairly.” However, he said officers who were “there and did nothing” should be fired.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An Emirati official says a small oil tanker that’s based in the United Arab Emirates offered no distress call before switching off its tracker over two days ago in the Strait of Hormuz.
The comment Tuesday comes a U.S. defense official told The Associated Press that America “has suspicions” that Iran seized the vessel. Tehran hasn’t commented on the apparent disappearance of the MT Riah.
The Emirati official said the tanker “did not emit a distress call.”
The official added: “We are monitoring the situation with our international partners.”
The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing security matter.
By Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
WASHINGTON (AP) — A Senate Republican who is likely to face a competitive reelection race next year says he disagrees with President Donald Trump’s racist tweets that suggested four House women of color “go back” to where they came from.
Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner was asked Denver-area KOA NewsRadio early Tuesday about Trump’s tweets and replied: “I disagree with the president. I wouldn’t have sent these tweets.”
Gardner has a complicated history with Trump but has endorsed the president’s reelection bid. Hillary Clinton won Colorado by 5 percentage points in the 2016 presidential election.
Trump’s tweets and remarks have put Republicans on the defensive as they defend their Senate majority. All four of the Democratic women are American citizens elected to Congress last year.
(AP) Dozens of immigrants are lining up at a Mexico border crossing, waiting to learn how the Trump administration’s plans to end most asylum protections will affect them.
The plans announced Monday reverse decades of U.S. policy. It is the administration’s most forceful attempt yet to slash the number of people seeking asylum in America. The new rule would cover countless would-be refugees, many of them fleeing violence and poverty in Central America.
Derek Mbi of Cameroon was among several dozen migrants who gathered in Tijuana. He waited to hear how many people, if any, the U.S. would allow in for processing. Thousands of people are ahead of him on the waiting list.
Mbi learned about the new policy but mistakenly believed that it applied only to Central and South Americans.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The Orlando Sentinel commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch by republishing its front page from 1969 and writing minute-by-minute accounts of launch day.
The headline on July 16, 1969, was simple: Moon, Here We Come.
The newspaper detailed how the day started for astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins as they prepared for launch.
The caption for a rendering of the astronauts read: Pioneers for Man’s Greatest Quest.
On its website, the Sentinel offered readers a look at the morning’s activities, complete with photos of the astronauts, Mission Control and the crowds that gathered along Florida’s Space Coast to watch history.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s nominee to run the Pentagon has told his Senate confirmation hearing that the United States should pursue diplomatic solutions to its differences with Iran and avoid war.
Mark Esper, who was nominated by Trump on Monday, told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, “We do not want war with Iran.” He argued for pursuing what he called “the diplomatic channel.”
Esper said the administration plans to brief the Armed Services Committee soon on a plan for working with other countries to more closely monitor commercial shipping in and around the Persian Gul f. He said this plan, which he called “Operation Sentinel,” is intended to deter Iran from impeding navigation in the Gulf.
Esper currently is serving as the Army’s top civilian official.
Comments are closed
Sorry, but you cannot leave a comment for this post.