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

Mayor Heinrich issued a Proclamation concerning July 26, 2020 the recognition of the 30 year anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities  Act.

Then Beth Dewald from Freedom Resource Center for Independent Living in Jamestown presented awards. She is Chairperson of the Mayor’s Committee for People With Disabiliites. Dr. Dawn from Dr. Dawn’s Pet Stop was recognized for hiring disabled individuals.  Kelly Monson was awarded for his work with the animals.

PUBLIC HEARING:

HEARING FROM THE AUDIENCE:   No One spoke.  (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.)

NO CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS WERE DISCUSSED SEPARATELY

REGULAR AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS:

Tabled was  approving  and authorizing the issuance of improvement warrants and exchange them for Refunding Improvement Bonds of 2020 (Project 19-41), pending information from the bond counsel.

PUBLIC HEARING was held: To receive public input relative to a five year extension of the Renaissance Zone District incentives.

City Assessor Jamison Veil explained the purpose and function of the Renaissance Zone, saying that a public hearing is required before the city files for the extension.  He said the Zone is a function of economic development.  The Renaissance Zone 22 contiguous designated city blocks.

He said the property is revitalized by the owners

When a project qualifies the property receives a five year income tax exemption.

42 projects have been considered over the past few years.  Since 2000, 25 properties, were a part of the Renaissance Zone revitalization.  Currently three projects in Jamestown are in the construction phase, of 12 recent projects receiving benefits.

Following the Public Hearing, the City Council approved and authorized requesting approval of a five (5) year extension to the Jamestown Renaissance Zone District incentives from the ND Department of Commerce.

RESOLUTIONS:

ORDINANCES:

A FIRST READING: To consider introducing an ordinance to amend and re-enact Ordinance No. 329 of the City Code by amending the District Map to change the zoning of LANDS IN JAMESTOWN, S31, T140, R63, NE 1/4 NE 1/4 SE 1/4 31-140-63 KNOWN AS PARCEL B 10 ACRES, City of Jamestown, Stutsman County, North Dakota, rezoned from M2 (General Industrial and Manufacturing District) & R1 (One-Family Residential District) to strictly M2. The property is located at 2400 10th St SE. The First Reading will go to the next City Council meeting for further consideration.

MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER’S REPORT:

Council Member Steele said he participated in a transportation meeting with state officials.  Those items discussed included action plans for a railroad derailment, or a  catastrophic failure of a dam, leading to extension flooding.

Mayor Heinrich said with COVID-19 that Jamestown has a relatively high number of positive cases, but are not substantially growing due to the reopening of businesses and restaurants.  He believes the spread of the virus stems from community contact among people.

He reminded residents to have trees properly trimmed, and to keep yards cleaned up.

OTHER BUSINESS came before the City Council.

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