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.

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.