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

PUBLIC HEARING:

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.)

HEARING FROM THE AUDIENCE:

Jim Boyd representing Sabir’s Buffalo Grill, asked what the status is having sidewalk dining in Jamestown. He said the north side of the building has a 12 foot wide sidewalk to accommodate outdoor food serving, without infringing on signs or poles.

Mayor Heinrich said later in the meeting the Council will address that in conjunction with continuing the moratorium on food vendors selling off sale liquor. City Administrator Sarah Hellekson said the NDDOT and the city needs to come to an agreement on sidewalk dining along First Avenue, the state’s Highway 281-52. Assistant City Attorney Abby Gerioux said the application with the state is in process. Permits will also have to be approved by the city.

Opening bids for the sale of impounded/abandoned vehicles.

NO CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS WERE CONSIDERED SEPARATELY:

REGULAR AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS:

Resolution to award the bid for Sanitary Sewer Main Lift Station Engine Generator to Advantage Electric in the amount of $287,500, was approved.  Curtis Electric requested that their bid be returned unopened.

ORDINANCES:

SECOND READING: Of an Ordinance No. 1533, to grant a continued franchise agreement with CenturyLink, was approved.

SECOND READING: Of an Ordinance was approved to amend and re-enact a Section of the City Code, during a proclaimed emergency, to allow the mayor to restrict or relax ordinances listed, or related to the regulation of alcohol, provided that the City Council acts within 30 days or the mayor’s order terminates.

SECOND READING: Of an Ordinance, was approved to amend and re-enact an Article of the City Code pertaining to the Fire Protection Code.

MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER’S REPORT:

Council Member Buchanan discussed the George Floyd death, saying “professional agitators,” were responsible for the violence in many U.S. Cities, including Fargo, last Saturday.

In light of that he thanked law enforcement and first responders for their good work and assistance during the times of violence and protecting lives and property.

Council Member Pam Phillips said, said Stutsman County residents have responded by 75 percent in sending in 2020 census forms.

She pointed out the James River Valley Library System is looking at opening in July this year, pending readying the building to safely open.

She said the Jamestown Homeless Coalition is researching opening a homeless shelter in Jamestown.

Council Member Steele said a citizen had mowed a lot with high grass, who has no connection to the property, and did it because the property looked bad.

Mayor Heinrich said he will travel to Grand Forks, Tuesday along with Jamestown Police Chief Scott Edinger, and several officers to represent the City of Jamestown, at Grand Forks Police Officer Cody Holte’s funeral.  Officer Holte gave his life when he was shot in a confrontation last week in Grand Forks.

The Mayor  added that a six year old boy Asher Wiest, has donated $650 toward the city’s purchase of Fire Department ladder truck.  Asher raised the donation by setting up a Kool Aid stand last weekend.

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