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

All members were present.

FINANCE & LEGAL COMMITTEE

The committee  recommends approving the request from the JSDC for an additional $200,000 in FlexPACE interest buy down funds for 2019 from the Economic Development Fund for Jonny B’s Brickhouse, with the City Share to be $160,000, and paid from the City Sales Tax Fund.  Renewals will be renewed annually.

The committee  recommends approving the request from JSDC Economic Development Funds for Jamestown Tourism Grant, in the amount of $75,000, for 2020, with the City Share to be $60,000, paid from the City Sales Tax Fund.   Jamestown Tourism Director Searle Swedlund said the funds are paired with the Hospitality Funds, and earmarked for tourism grant requests.

Council Member Phillips was allowed to vote, being an Ex-Officials member of the Tourism Board.

The committee recommends approval and authorize the signing of the NDDOT Contract for Permit to install and operate a pop-up demonstration consisting of a temporary multi-use path and walk/bike event, at Jamestown Reservoir, which will be conducted September 6 and 7, 2019.  Jamestown Parks and Recreation, as the agency, and Central Valley Health District is partners in the project.  This is the First Phase of the project to gauge community interest.

The committee recommends approval and authorizing the signing of the Department of Transportation North Dakota State Aid for Public Transit Funding Agreement for Section 5311 and State Aid to Public Transit funding on behalf of Jamestown Taxi Service, and committing the local share of funds necessary as budgeted for (State FY 2020) 2019 – 2020.

Considered was the request from AE2S to amend the current agreement for the Water Treatment Plant data security and alarm program to allow required reporting and data downloads at a monthly cost of $20 to be paid from the Water Utility Fund. The request was moved to the City Council Meeting.

The committee recommends approving  the request from Jamestown Fine Arts Association to close 2nd St SW from 1st Ave South west to the alley, on Saturday, September 14, 2019, from  11-a.m., to 9-p.m., for the OKtoberfest Fundraiser to be held at Hansen Arts Park.  The closure fee is $75.

INFORMATIONAL: The second reading of an Ordinance, to amend and re-enact Section 25.5 to increase the City Sales Tax by one-half percent from two percent (2%) to two and one-half percent (2.5%) effective January 1, 2020, is scheduled at the September 3, 2019, City Council meeting.

The committee recommends approving the request from JSDC for up to $5,000 from Economic Development Funds for the Center for Economic Development – Energy Efficiency Improvements (HVAC and lighting improvements), with the City Share to be $4,000, and paid from the City Sales Tax Fund, $1,000 from Stutsman County.   The total cost is $25,000.

BUILDING, PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE

The committee considered findings of facts and determination of remedy for an unpermitted structure in the floodway and floodway encroachment for Rodney and Shari Pettys, tabled from July 23, committee meeting, until August 20, 2019.   Rodney Pettys has built a structure in the James River floodway.  The City Building Inspector sent a letter to him indicating the violation, according of a city Ordinance.  Part of the structure has been removed.  City Engineer, Tom Blackmore said any changes to allow the structure to remains needs, specifications, and  permits approved by the city’s flood plain administrator. City Fire Chief Jim Reuther said, those types of structures seriously impede  sandbagging during floods.

The committee recommends contacting the owner to remove the structure by October 31, 2019.

Considered was the approval of the Minor Subdivision, Preliminary/Final plat of CAD Addition, Lot 1, Block 1, a re-plat of Lots 15 &16, a vacated alley, and a vacated Portion of 16th St SW, Block 7, Mill Hill Second Addition within the SE ¼, Section 35, T140N, R64W, City of Jamestown, ND. The property is located at the 800 block of 16th St SW, Jamestown, ND. The City Planning Commission has given it’s approval.   The committee recommends approval, as well.

CIVIC CENTER AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE

No agenda items at this time.   City Council Member  Pam Phllips did say, Jamestown Tourism’s Board toured the Civic Center, by Manager, Pam Fosse, on Monday, as a part of their meeting.

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