CSi Weather…

TONIGHT…Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the Valley City area. Lows in the mid 70s. Breezy. Southeast winds 15 to 25 mph.

.FRIDAY…Sunny. A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms

in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 90s. Southwest winds 10 to

15 mph. Heat index 95 to 100.

.FRIDAY NIGHT…Mostly cloudy. Showers and thunderstorms likely

in the evening, then chance of showers and thunderstorms after

midnight. Lows around 70. South winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of

precipitation 60 percent in the Jamestown area, 70 percent in the Valley City area.

.SATURDAY…Mostly sunny with a 40 percent chance of showers and

thunderstorms in the Jamestown area, 50 percent in the Valley City area. Highs in the upper 80s. South winds around 5 mph.

.SATURDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Showers and thunderstorms likely

in the evening, then slight chance of showers and thunderstorms

after midnight. Lows in the mid 60s. Chance of precipitation

60 percent.

.SUNDAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 80s.

.SUNDAY NIGHT…Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 50s.

.MONDAY…Sunny. Highs in the lower 80s.

.MONDAY NIGHT…Clear. Lows in the upper 50s.

.TUESDAY…Sunny. Highs in the mid 80s.

.TUESDAY NIGHT…Partly cloudy. Lows around 60.

.WEDNESDAY…Partly sunny. Highs in the lower 80s.

There is a slight chance of thunderstorms Thursday night. Severe weather
is unlikely.

There is a chance of thunderstorms late Friday afternoon through
Friday night. Some storms may be severe with heavy rain.

Chances for thunderstorms continue on Saturday. Some may be
strong to severe.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…

Spotters are encouraged to report severe weather to the National
Weather Service in Bismarck by calling 701-223-4582 or posting on
our social media pages.

..EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING…

* WHAT…Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to
105 possible.

* WHERE…Portions of northwest and west central Minnesota and
northeast and southeast North Dakota. Including Barnes County.

* WHEN…From Friday afternoon through Friday evening.

* IMPACTS…Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase
the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those
working or participating in outdoor activities.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates on this
situation. Be prepared to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-
conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives
and neighbors.

Young children and pets should never be left unattended in
vehicles under any circumstances. This is especially true during
warm or hot weather when car interiors can reach lethal
temperatures in a matter of minutes.

 

NDDoH COVID-19 Stats Thurs. July 23, 2020

COVID-19 Test Results
Results listed are from the previous day.

INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED WITH COVID-19

  • Man in his 70s from Burleigh County with underlying health conditions.

COUNTIES WITH NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED THURSDAY

  • Benson County – 6
  • Bottineau County – 1
  • Bowman County – 2
  • Burleigh County – 48
  • Cass County – 19
  • Cavalier County – 1
  • Eddy County – 2
  • Grand Forks County – 5
  • Kidder County – 1
  • McHenry County – 1
  • McKenzie County – 3
  • McLean County – 1
  • Morton County – 11
  • Mountrail County – 1
  • Ramsey County – 2
  • Richland County – 1
  • Rolette County – 1
  • Stark County – 2
  • Walsh County – 1
  • Ward County – 11
  • Williams County – 8


BY THE NUMBERS

275,255 – Total Number of Tests Completed* (+4,318 total tests from yesterday)

140,816 – Total Unique Individuals Tested* (+1,550 unique individuals from yesterday)

135,323 – Total Negative (+1,424 unique individuals from yesterday)

5,493 – Total Positive (+128 unique individuals from yesterday)

After investigation it was discovered that someone from Burleigh County and Dunn County were from out of state. 

3.0% – Daily Positivity Rate**

 

322 – Total Hospitalized (+5 individual from yesterday)

57 – Currently Hospitalized (+5 individuals from yesterday)

4,475 – Total Recovered (+68 individuals from yesterday)

97 – Total Deaths*** (+1 individual from yesterday)

 

* Note that this does not include individuals from out of state and has been updated to reflect the most recent information discovered after cases were investigated.

**Because the serial tests completed and added to the total number of tests completed can result in new individuals who test positive, the daily positivity rate will be calculated using the total positives for the day by the daily number of tests completed instead of the daily number of unique individuals tested.

*** Number of individuals who tested positive and died from any cause while infected with COVID-19.

For descriptions of these categories, visit the NDDoH dashboard.

For the most updated and timely information and updates related to COVID-19, visit the NDDoH website at www.health.nd.gov/coronavirus, follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.

 

 

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council’s Budget Committee met Thursday afternoon at City Hall, working on the 2021 budget. Council Member Buchanan joined by phone.  City Administrator, Sarah Hellekson was present.

Mayor Dwaine Heinrich said, asked Ms. Hellekcson to review changes to the preliminary  2021 budget draft.

Highlights of the meeting included:

The Preliminary General Fund Budget is at $1.3 million. She reported on the transfers from utililits, and the the City Sales Tax Fund.

General Property Taxes amount to 94.8 million at $48.700 per mill.

The fund was reduced by 3-mills and transferred to another fund.

The Coal Conversion Tax  income was reduced slightly.

The Highway Tax Distribution is projected at 897,000.

State Aid Distribution is based on Census.

City Fire Department and City Police Department are under projected expenditures.

Municipal Court remote viewing equipment was added to the budget.

Central Valley Health District request is unchanged.

The City Street Department request was slightly decreased.

 

She said at the end of the 2021 budget period the General Fund expenditures are down by $448,000, putting the General Fund  at $1.1 million. Mayor Heinrich said the budget balance needs to be $3-million.  Maintaining the Reserve Fund is critical, when looking ahead to future budgets.  He pointed out that to balance the 2021  budget, funds have had to be transferred  into the General Fund from other budgets.

 

Recent changes in the Group Health Insurance Fund, and General Equipment Replacement Fund was explained, including about $500,000 for a vactor truck, that Mayor Heinrich said he was not aware of.

 

The City Sales Tax budget is balanced, due to internet sales tax revenues.  Mayor Heinrich said the funds need to be reviewed and discussed on the intent of the usage.

 

The City Motel and Restaurant taxes were down so far this year, stemming from reduced travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions.  Projections for the 2021 budget are not known at this time, which Jamestown Tourism receives a percent for their budget.

 

The City Civic Center is expected to budget $250,000 less in 2021.

 

The Storm Water Utility Fund monthly fee will go from $3 to $4 per month, amounting to an increase in funds of $57,000 in 2021.

 

The preliminary budget to be approved will be sent to the county.  The budget can be decreased but not increased, once approved.  If the 2021 budget is not approved, the 2020 budget would remain in effect.

 

The Council Committee voted to send this budget to the August City Council meeting.

Thursday’s meeting was shown live on CSi 67.

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council’s  Finance & Legal Committee, Building, Planning & Zoning Committee  Civic Center & Promotion Committee, Police & Fire Committee and Public Works Committee met jointly on Thursday afternoon at City Hall.  All members were present.

FINANCE & LEGAL COMMITTEE

Items considered were:

The Application for Abatement for 1317 5th St NE (74-2033000).   City Assessor, Jamison Veil said, a 40 unit apartment unit.  The project was reappraised by the city and approved by the city board of equalization at $1.9-million. The abatement request is for between $1.7 million and $2 million dollars.  Drainage damage issues have been  addressed at a cost of around $700,000. The committee recommends a 2019 an abatement valuation of $2-million.

The committee recommends approving the application for Renaissance Zone Incentives for up to five (5) years, one hundred percent (100%) state income tax exemption and one hundred (100%) five (5) year property tax exemption for Amy Anderson, (208 Lindwood Drive) pending approval by the State of North Dakota Department of Community Services.

The committee recommends approving a revised the contract for carbon dioxide for the Water Departments of the City of Jamestown, to Praxair, in the amount of $190 per ton, to expire December 31, 2021, with the similar chemical contracts.

The Water Department Superintendent said the contract, in order to receive the carbon dioxide needs to be executed soon.

The City Council will review for approval.

Recommended by the committee for approval was the request from JSDC for funding for a market and financial feasibility assessment for Buffalo City Park from Economic Development Funds, in the amount of $25,000, with the City Share to be $20,000 and paid from the City Sales Tax Fund.  Tourism Director Searle Swedlund said feasibility study  “Builds a case,” for the project.   Mayor Heinrich and Council Member Buchanan concurred on the importance of the Park for Jamestown.

Approved for recommendation was the request from JSDC for 2021 South Central Dakota Regional Council Dues from Economic Development Funds, in the amount of $36,458.00, with the City Share to be $22,969.00 and paid from the City Sales Tax Fund.

The request was recommended for approval  from JSDC for the Jamestown Area Chamber Commerce  Give Get Grow Campaign for matching funds from Economic Development Funds, in the amount of $5,000.00 and paid from the City Sales Tax Fund. $4,000 from the city and $1,000.  Chamber Executive, Emily Bivens said, if approved the matching pool will be at $25,000.

Considered, then recommended for approval, subject to City Attorney review, and approval was the Easement Agreement with the State of North Dakota for a 99-year term for the purpose of constructing, maintaining, and replacing a water distribution system within the tract of land described in the agreement as located within the west half of Section 6, T139N, r63W of the Fifth Principle Meridian, being within Bloom Township, Stutsman County, North Dakota and northeast quarter of Section 1, T139N, R64W of the Fifth Principal Meridian, being within Midway Township, Stutsman County, North Dakota.

A redundant water supply is need for a State Hospital project, and the easement allows for a water line to be installed.

From Sabir’s Buffalo City Grill, Jim Boyd said the at the June Finance and Legal Committee meeting the establishment requested an off sale alcohol permit, for off sale wine and beer stemming from tasting events.  He said those participating could then purchase the items to take home.   Boyd asked if the mayor could issue an off sale license stemming from this type of sales.   Mayor Heinrich said he will research the issue with the City Attorney for any possible action.

BUILDING, PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE

Consider were:

The  committee recommends approving the Major Subdivision, Final plat of LD Concrete Addition, being within the City of Jamestown, Midway Township, Stutsman County, North Dakota, Lands in Jamestown, S31, T140, R63, NE 1/4 NE 1/4 SE 1/4 31-140-63 known as Parcel B 10 Acres. The property is located at 2400 10th St SE.

Recommended for approval was the request from ARD Properties, LLC, for a Future Land Use Plan Amendment for Auditor’s Lot 27-12, located in the Northwest Quarter Section 27, Township 140 North, Range 64 West of the fifth principal meridian, Midway Township, Stutsman County, North Dakota, from A-1 and C-2 to M-2. The property is located at 8126 34th St SE, County Road 34, at the Highway 281 By-pass.   The City Planning Commission has recommended approval.

The committee recommends 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 Auditor’s Lot 27-12, located in the Northwest Quarter Section 27, Township 140 North, Range 64 West of the fifth principal meridian, Midway Township, Stutsman County, North Dakota, from A-1 and C-2 to M-2. The property is located at 8126 34th St SE.

Considered was the request from Dean Hafner for a Future Land Use Plan Amendment for Lands in Jamestown, a portion of Lot 1, within the NE 1/4 of Section 26, Township 140 N, Range 64 W, lying and being North of a line extended from the intersection of the South boundary line of 9th St with the East boundary of said lot, consisting of 8.4 acres in Stutsman County, North Dakota, from R-1-A tp C-1. Urban Residential Low Density, to Neighborhood Conservation. The property is located at 901 4th Ave NW. Council Member Steele said the city needs to look at other than a C-1 zone, in the event the property is used for another use in the future.  The item was tabled.

INFORMATIONAL: A public hearing and second reading is scheduled at the August 3, 2020, City Council meeting, to consider Ordinance No. 1536, 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.

INFORMATIONAL: The appointment of a member to serve on the Planning Commission for a five year term to expire August 2025, is scheduled at the August 3, 2020, City Council meeting. Mayor Heinrich said he plans to recommend Paulette Ritter to be reappointed to the expired term.

CIVIC CENTER AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE

No items at this time.

POLICE & FIRE COMMITTEE

INFORMATIONAL: Fire department vehicle update. Lt. Sheldon Mohr said delivery of the new ladder truck is still on schedule for August this year.  It will either be delivered of picked up.

He added that with fire inspections, precautions are being taken at the locations due to the COVID- 19 pandemic.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

The committee recommends approving the plans and specifications for City of Jamestown James River Riverbank Restoration Project.

Six sites adjacent to city infrastructures will be addressed in the city that are failing, with riprapping.  The city’s share of the cost is $237,000.

Recommended for approval was Change Order No 1, to Scherbenske Inc. for 2020 Water Main Improvement District 20-61 (Approximately 11 Blocks). The project is to replace two blocks of pipe to a larger size and installed at a lower depth.

Considered was the Agreement with AE2S for an Instrumentation and Controls System Support Services Assignment Needs Assessment at the Water Treatment Plant and System Sites in the amount of $19,700 to be paid from the Water Utilities Fund.

INFORMATIONAL: City Engineer project updates.  Travis Dillman said sandbags that were installed during last falls flooding event have been removed.

With the city Road Diet project he said  with the bagged traffic signals on First Avenue, the project paving will be striped indicating where the lane changes will occurred, to be done in October this year, with the cost paid for by the NDDOT.

He said plans are to install flashing beacons to allow pedestrians to cross at designated areas of the street.  The beacons will flash to alert both motorists and pedestrians.  Traffic will be required to stop for the crossing pedestrians.

INFORMATIONAL: Recycling collection update. Recycle North Dakota Manage Ralph Frieble said, the May participation rate was  73.4 percent and in June was 78.9 percent.

INFORMATIONAL: The public hearing for special assessments for 2019 Sidewalk, Curb & Gutter District 19-11 is scheduled at the August 3, 2020, City Council meeting.

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

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s Republican governor has denounced an anti-LGBTQ resolution that was passed by hundreds of delegates at his party’s recent state convention, calling it insulting and divisive. Gov. Doug Burgum issued a statement Thursday blasting the resolution, which includes the assertion that many “LGBT practices are unhealthy and dangerous.” The state GOP’s executive director, Corby Kemmer, issued a statement Wednesday apologizing for the language in that resolution and promising it would be changed at a future meeting. The party opted to hold its convention in-person last Friday and Saturday, and the state Health Department sent a letter to convention-goers on Wednesday saying that one of the attendees had tested positive for the coronavirus.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Police in Fargo are looking for a suspect in a stabbing. Authorities say the male suspect buzzed a woman’s apartment Wednesday and told her that her car’s alarm was going off. The woman and her friend went to investigate the alarm. Police say that when they returned, they found the man in the apartment. The woman ’s friend confronted the suspect and was stabbed. Police say the injuries are not life-threatening. The suspect fled from the apartment and has not been located.

In world and national news…

CHICAGO (AP) — A collection of Chicago activist groups want a judge to block federal agents sent to the city to combat violent crime by President Donald Trump from interfering in or policing protests. In a lawsuit filed Thursday, the groups say the surge will inhibit residents’ ability to hold demonstrations. The suit names Attorney General William Barr along with the heads of other federal agencies whose agents are part of the surge plan announced at the White House on Wednesday. The announcement did little to calm some Chicago residents’ fear that the agents’ presence will lead to the kind of violent clashes seen between demonstrators and federal agents in Portland.

 

ATLANTA (AP) — The nation paid its final respects Thursday to the Rev. C.T. Vivian, a pioneer of the Civil Rights Movement who helped end segregation across the South and left an enduring imprint on U.S. history. Vivian, a close ally of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., was mourned by civil rights icons along with Oprah Winfrey, Hank Aaron and others during a Thursday funeral at Providence Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta. Vivian died Friday at age 95. Vivian began organizing sit-ins against segregation in Peoria, Illinois, in the 1940s. He later joined forces with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to end segregation.

 

ROANOKE, Va. (AP) — Officials in a Virginia city say a monument to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee that was set to be removed from a downtown area has been toppled. Roanoke officials said in a statement Thursday that a police officer driving near City Hall late Wednesday noticed the monument lying on its side. Police said it appeared the marker was intentionally damaged but didn’t announce any arrests. The Roanoke Times reports the City Council this month voted in favor of a resolution that would’ve removed the monument, but the process would’ve taken at least two months. The city’s mayor said officials still planned to hold a public hearing on the removal.

 

DETROIT (AP) — A chain of eight Michigan newspapers says it will stop publishing mug shots of people charged with crimes except in extraordinary cases as it seeks to stop perpetuating negative perceptions of people, especially minorities. John Hiner is vice president of content at MLive Media Group. Hiner says the photos imply guilt long before trial and are indefinitely attached to news stories on the internet, no matter the outcome of a criminal case. Mug shots are jail photos of people charged with crimes. Hiner says the “reflexive use of mug shots” does more to foster negative perceptions rather than inform readers. MLive publishes The Grand Rapids Press as well as other Michigan newspapers. It also runs MLive.com.

 

NEW YORK (AP) — A judge has ordered the release from prison of President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer, saying he believes the government retaliated against him for writing a book about Trump. U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein ordered Michael Cohen released from prison by 2 p.m. on Friday. Cohen sued the government earlier this week, saying he was ordered back to prison on July 9 because he was writing a book to be released before the November presidential election. Hellerstein said he believes Cohen’s First Amendment rights were violated by the decision.

 

NEW YORK (AP) — The judge presiding over the criminal sex-abuse case against financier Jeffrey Epstein’s ex-girlfriend has rejected a request for her to ban public comments by the government or her accusers. U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan said Thursday that she expects anyone involved in the case against Ghislaine Maxwell will comply with rules designed to ensure a fair trial. A lawyer for Maxwell this week said comments made publicly by a prosecutor, an FBI official and lawyers for accusers were prejudicial toward the British socialite. Maxwell is in a Brooklyn federal jail, awaiting a July 2021 trial in Manhattan federal court. She has pleaded not guilty to charges that she recruited three teenage girls, including a 14-year-old, for Epstein to sexually abuse in the 1990s.

 

BRUNSWICK, Ga. (AP) — A man who has spent two decades in custody was granted bond Thursday after his conviction in the killings of a couple at a south Georgia church was overturned. Dennis Perry, 58, has been serving two life sentences for the 1985 killings of Harold and Thelma Swain, who were killed inside Rising Daughters Baptist Church in Waverly, Georgia, in Camden County. Brunswick Superior Court Judge Stephen Scarlett last week tossed Perry’s convictions and ordered a new trial after DNA recovered from the crime scene matched an alternate suspect during reinvestigation of the case.