Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council met in Regular Session Monday evening at City Hall.  All members were present.

HEARING FROM THE AUDIENCE: (Individuals may address the City Council about any item not contained on the agenda. A maximum of 15 minutes is allotted for the hearing. If the full 15 minutes are not needed, the City Council will continue with the agenda. The City Council will take no official action on items discussed at the hearing, with the exception of referral to staff or Committee.)

Tom Tracy questioned an Ordinance pertaining to regulating sexually oriented isssues.

He said it is a comprehensive Ordinances. He said even though, he said it does not cover non-alcoholic premises, with performers scantily clothed which he said occurred, this past weekend. He suggested amending the city Ordinance to address more restrictions.

Pastor Tom Eckstein said he would like to see more stringent ordinances in place as well.

Another individual addressed the proposal of no curbside citywide clean up this year, and asked for a continuance of the action, so unwanted items can be shared.   Mayor Heinrich said the rules have not been strictly followed in the past, and may be reviewed for the future.

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS  DISCUSSED SEPARATELY:

To provide more time to discuss controversial or disputed issues, the Council will consider the items on the consent agenda together at the beginning of the public meeting. These items are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion. If a member of the City Council or public requests to be heard on one of these items, the Council will remove the item from the consent agenda and consider that item individually.

Among Resolutions approved on the Consent Agenda:

  • Leases with Frontier Village tenants.
  • The Frontier Village stagecoach agreement
  • Approved changing the 2020 Citywide Residential Curbside Clean Up to a Residential Drop Off at the Baler Facility.

Council Member Buchanan asked to remove for discussion Item E, to approved, in principle, the action plan to replace the State of North Dakota ladder truck at the Jamestown Fire Department. He asked for benchmarks being addressed on the fundraiser.

Mayor Heinrich reviewed the situation surrounding the need for a new truck, and that the State will no longer finance the truck, and how to raise funds for a new truck.  He pointed out the need for contributions, in conjunction with business and industry donations, and city and state contributions.

Following the discussion, the Council vote unanimously to approve.

REGULAR AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS:

The City Council approved and authorized the issuance of improvement warrants and exchange Refunding Improvement Bonds of 2020, Series AC, and award the sale of Refunding Improvement Bonds to First Bank Securities at an average annual net interest rate of 1.32 %, with a seven year maturity.

A PUBLIC HEARING was held: Concerning Seal Coat, Patching, Construction and Reconstruction District #20-41 protests and the sufficiency thereof. No One Spoke.

It was then determined that the protests have been found to be insufficient to bar proceeding with Seal Coat, Patching, Construction and Reconstruction District #20-41.

Council Members authorized the City Engineer to develop detailed plans, specifications and estimates for Seal Coat, Patching, Construction and Reconstruction District #20-41.

A  PUBLIC HEARING was held: Concerning the failure to comply with the notice of dangerous building condition at 202 Business Loop West.   City Building Inspector Tom Blackmore explained that last winter heavy snow collapsed the canopy, at which time Blackmore deemed the structure unsafe.  In January this the roof collapsed on the same building from the weight of more snow.  That portion of the building was determined as not inhabitable. This year, the owner was advised to provide the city with a plan of corrections, which Blackmore said he did not do. He advised the owner of Monday’s City Council Hearing to address the issue.

Base on the rooflines, Blackmore said there may be more than one building involved. The two adjacent structures are of similar construction. Blackmore said a structural analysis needs to be performed, concerning the Salvation Thrift Store, structure, and whether it should remain standing.

He said a report indicated that to repair the building it would cost more than demolition, and determined there are two separate structures, and the building east of the Salvation is not safe to inhabit. The west building analysis has not been conducted.

The building owner Russ Melland, spoke and said the building was constructed in 1957.

He said an engineer reported that the destroyed east section is cost prohibitive to repair. He added that the Melland family has determined it is not prudent to repair the structure, and that the west side, the Salvation Army building may not be safe for continued occupancy, pending additional evaluation, and bringing it up to the current building code. Contractor Jim Schmacher said that upon his inspection roof, the east building is not constructed to withstand a heavy snow load, and the same for the west building.

Salvation Army Major Judy Lowder said the Salvation Army thrift store is seeking another location, which has not yet been found.

The City Council then approved to take such action as deemed necessary on the property at 202 Business Loop West and declared the east portion of the building to be unsafe.

The City Council then approved an order to demolish the building, by May 1st, 2020.

The City Council considered a draft Resolution for an emergency protection policy for the City of Jamestown.

Mayor Heinrich said any policy needs to be addressed during a non-flood event time period, to stay consistent with flood mitigation actions taken last fall, specifically on private property.

Stutsman County Emergency Manager Jerry Bergquist said, FEMA requires a city protection policy to be in place for federal assistance. The Corps of Engineers will not reimburse costs for mitigation on private property.

City Engineer, Travis Dillman suggested a committee review the policy and direction, and make a recommendation to the City Council.

The City Council on Monday, concluded to table the item and bring the information to the Public Works Committee meeting this month, or possible call for a Special City Council meeting.

Approved was  awarding the bid for the Jamestown Civic Center Roofing Removal and Replacement, ‘Area C’, Project to A & R Roofing in the amount of $118,267.

Other bids received were rejected on procedure.

Approved was the request from ND Buffalo Foundation for a site authorization to conduct gaming at the Jamestown Civic Center on June 17, 2020.

 

ORDINANCES:

A FIRST READINGS Were approved: Concerning the following ordinances:

 

  • 1)An ordinance to amend and re-enact Section 21-02-10 of the City Code pertaining to Classification and Disposition of Traffic Offenses; Fees; Duties of halting officer.
  • 2) An ordinance to amend and re-enact Section 21-04-06 of the City Code pertaining to Persons Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor or Any Other Drugs or Substances Not to Operate Vehicle; Penalt
  • 3) An ordinance to amend and re-enact Section 21-08-01 of the City Code pertaining to Immediate Notice of Accident; Penalty.
  • 4) An ordinance to repeal Section 21-10-01 of the City Code pertaining to Leaving Motor Vehicles Unattended.
  • 5) An ordinance to amend and re-enact Section 22-15.1 of the City Code pertaining to Firearms Loaded in Vehicle.
  • 6) An ordinance to enact Section 22-53 of the City Code pertaining to Service Animal – Misrepresentation; Penalty.
  • A SECOND READING of an Ordinance was  approved, to amend and re-enact Sections of the City Code pertaining to the Building Code and Plumbing Code
  • APPOINTMENTS:
  • Appointed was Kilzer to serve as a member of the Board of Adjustment for a three year term to January 2023.
  • Appointed Emmy Rhorda to serve as a city member of the James River Valley Library System Board for a three year term to March 2023.
  • Appointed LeRoy Gross to serve as the City employee representative and Dan Buchanan as the City Council representative on the Pension Committee for one year terms to March 2021.

MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER’S REPORT:

Dan Buchanan said he was saddened at the passing of Leonard Palmer a former Jamestown Police Officer.

Mayor Heinrich said the NAIA National Women’s Wrestling is returning to Jamestown this month.

Pam Phillips reminded, the 2020 Census will be taken soon, and encourages participation.

OTHER BUSINESS:

Approval of the requests for street closings and/or permits to allow alcoholic beverages in fenced areas for the St. Patrick’s Day Run, on March 21, 2020, for the following:

All Vets Club;

Buffalo Lanes, Inc.;

Corner Bar;

Cork and Barrel, Inc.(Elk’s location);

Middles LLC d/b/a Fred’s Den;

Frontier Fort Bar & Grill;

Jonny B’s Brickhouse;

Knights of Columbus;

Office Bar & Lounge;

Shady’s; and

Wonder Bar Sports Bar.

Approved the request to recognize the Stutsman County Wildlife Federation as an other public spirited organization and authorize the issuance of a raffle permit.

The City Council voted to recognize the District 5NE Lions as an other public spirited organization and authorize the issuance of a raffle permit.

Approved was the request from Jamestown Country Club dba Elks Lodge for an On-Sale alcoholic beverage license at 324 2nd Ave SW, Jamestown, ND, for the period April 1, 2020, through June 30, 2020.

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