Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council’s, Finance & Legal, Building, Planning & Zoning, Civic Center & Promotion Committees met Tuesday Evening at City Hall. All members were present.

 

CIVIC CENTER AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE

The committee recommends approving the request from Jamestown Tourism to authorize up to $15,000 to match a Cultural Heritage Grant for the purpose of hiring staff to inventory, identify and document artifacts at the Frontier Village, with $2,413 paid from the Jamestown Tourism (BCTF) New Projects Fund and any remainder paid from the Jamestown Tourism (BCTF) Capital Improvement Fund.

The request was approved by the Tourism, Grant/Executive Board, at the November 2019 meeting.

Jamestown Tourism Director, Searle Swedlund said the match is on a one to one basis, and will serve to help determine items that have been donated or loaned to the Frontier Village

 

FINANCE & LEGAL COMMITTEE:

The committee considered accepting the proposal from SRF Consulting for Planning and Zoning Technical Services for 2020 in an amount not to exceed $60,000. Mayor Heinrich said developers are unnecessarily paying an excessive amount, in regard to platting fees, and delays, stemming from an Ordinance change and that improvement costs can  be reduced.

The committee recommends accepting the proposal, with Mayor Heinrich voting opposed.

Recommended for approval was an Application for Abatement for 235 20th Avenue, Northeast.  For tax year 2019. (74-2180360) The value is recommended for adjustment from $460,000, to $396,000.

The committee recommends approving the 18-42 Frontier Village Road project special assessments for the city-owned parcels in the amount of $119,213 to be paid from the Special Assessment Deficiency Fund.  Council Member Buchanan commented that the National Buffalo Museum as a lessee should pay their fair share of the specials.

Council Member Buchanan vote no on the approval.

The committee discussed the employee annual leave policy.  Deputy Auditor Jay Sveum outlined the changes, he said would benefit new and veteran employees, and would be in line with Stutsman County policy.  The committee voted to recommend approval,  in the change of policy.

The committee recommends amending the job description for Utility Operations Director, including overseeing the sanitation and solid waste disposal operations.

INFORMATIONAL: Appointment applications to be considered at the January 6, 2020, City Council meeting:

Board of Adjustment for a three year term to January 2023

Civil Service Commission for a five year term to January 2025

INFORMATIONAL: Appointment applications to be considered at the January 6, 2020, City Council meeting:

Board of Adjustment for a three year term to January 2023

Civil Service Commission for a five year term to January 2025

Considered was allowing a City Council Member to attend and participate in Committee Meetings and Council Meetings remotely by clear, uninterrupted, two-way telephone or electronic means if the Council Member is unable to physically attend and upon approval by the Members present.

The Committee recommends allowing.

BUILDING, PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE

No agenda items at this time.

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