Jamestown (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council Finance & Legal Committee Building, Planning & Zoning Committee

Civic Center & Promotion Committee Police & Fire Committee  and Public Works Committees met in joint session Thursday at City Hall.  All Council Members were present, Council Member Buchanan attended by phone.

FINANCE & LEGAL COMMITTEE:

INFORMATIONAL: The public hearing and second readings of Ordinance No. 1537 and 1538, introduced by Mayor Heinrich, pertaining to the 2021 Budget, are scheduled at the October 5, 2020, 5:00 PM, City Council meeting. At Thursday’s meeting an amendment was introduced concerning adding employee compensation to the budget total.

Council Member Steele said the city has received additional dollars stemming from pandemic relief.

The committee recommends approving the amendment to allow for an increase in employee salaries across the board in the 2021 budget, amounting to an additional, $132,000.

INFORMATIONAL: The City Council Public Hearing for the 19-41 Paving Improvement District 19-41 special assessment project, is scheduled at the October 22, 2020, 3:00 PM, special city council meeting.

Considered was the request from IDK to amend City Code Sections 5.1 and 5.11.1, to add the definition of mason jar; to allow removal of beer, wine, and liquor from an on-sale license holder; to allow any on-sale license holder to fill, seal, and sell a mason jar with beer, wine, or liquor for consumption off-site without an additional license.

At a previous meeting, Mike Harris from IDK said 40 -50 mason jar sales are now being sold per day, and has supplemented sales income. He indicated properly factory  type seals are in place. Council Member Buchanan said he does not approve the request, with it “nibbling away,” at the city’s liquor ordinance. He questioned the sanitation enforcement of discarded mason jars, such as broken glass.  Mayor Heinrich said, if approved the action would allow a bar to open a bottle of beer, and pour it into a mason jar, to be consumed off premises, and if passed the action would allow mixed drinks to-go. 

He added that the city is not likely to rescind the moratorium on liquor sales.

Mike Harris from IDK said he has on and off sale licenses, selling beer by the six pack only.

Mayor Heinrich said a motion needs to be positive, to be voted on.

A motion to approve the request died for lack of a second.

BUILDING, PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE

Considered was the variance application from Common Wealth Development Cooperation to the requirements set forth in Article I Section 9.9 of Fire Limits, the former Eagles Club location.

Commonwealth Companies anticipates taking title to the Eagles property in October this year, and closing financing in April 2021, followed by construction, with completion now anticipated for the spring of 2022.

Eagle Flats will have 33 apartment units at the site of the vacant Eagles building on First Avenue South, in Downtown Jamestown.

Eagle Flats will provide ground level parking, and have 33 accessible apartment units over the three floors, with a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom units in the secured building.

City Building Inspector, Tom Blackmore recommended allowing for a variance, in the type of fire rated wood to be used, in researching the product.  Fire Chief Jim Reuther has no objections.

The committee recommends approval.

INFORMATIONAL: The proposed Ordinance No. 1540, introduced by Council Member Kamlitz, to amend and re-enact Section 4 – Establishment of Districts, and to enact Section 5.4.4, Uses Permitted- Planned Unit Development, all of Appendix C of the City Code will be discussed further at the October 12, 2020, 8:00 AM, Planning Commission meeting.

CIVIC CENTER AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE

Considered was  the proposed revised Civic Center rental rates.

Civic Center Manager, Pam Fosse said an increase in rental rates is to cover labor and other costs, currently operating at a loss.  She said the last rental rate increase was a few years ago. She said long term rental agreements would not be affected.   Mayor Heinrich said the proposed increase is steep, proposed at $1,500, saying  rental rate increases should be  implemented in steps.

The committee recommends approving the rate increase.

 

INFORMATIONAL:  A Frontier Village update was given by Jamestown Tourism Director, Searle Swedlund. He said last November the city had taken over the Village, right now managed by Jamestown Tourism.

Searle’s presentation included that the Village car traffic has gone down each of the past several years, with the evolution of Frontier Village needing to be addressed, pertaining to economics.  He said a more sustainable model needs to be in place.  He pointed out that the buildings are being  patched and repaired, with most of the 46 buildings needing major reconstruction, including roofs.

Phase One is this year looking at where the Frontier Village is now, including identifying artifacts.

Phase Two is taking the coming winter assessing this year’s information. He said the existing buildings need to be reassessed regarding their cost to maintain, versus their significance to the Village.

Phase Three is addressing a strategic development plan, and the future governing structure.

He said two buildings are identified for demolition due to being in bad shape, including the fire department building, allowing something new to be constructed in their place.  He added the General Store’s condition is beyond  cosmetic changes.  He asked the city to address the commitments outlined.

Mayor Heinrich said this past summer has seen a significant improvement to the buildings and grounds and pointed out Jamestown Parks and Recreation in assisting in work.

POLICE & FIRE COMMITTEE

INFORMATIONAL: Fire department new ladder truck vehicle update was presented by Chief Reuther, who said, the arrival date is still up in the air.   He added the fire department continues with inspections and training.

INFORMATIONAL: Police department general update, was given by Chief Scott Edinger with training, COVID-19 protocols and precautions observed, and implemented.  He said a vacant position is about to be filled, and a promotion in the detective squad is upcoming, pending the addition of a police officer.  He said another police academy session is being discussed for next spring.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

The committee recommends  approval of  a Change Order to Scherbenske Inc., for the 2020 Water Main Improvement District 20-61 (Approximately 11 Blocks).

The committee recommends a Change Order (Final Balancing Change Order) to Scherbenske Inc., for 2019 Water Main Improvement Project 19-61.

The committee recommends moving forward  with an engineering agreement for the rehabilitation and relocation of the University of Jamestown’s stormwater system by Taylor stadium.   Travis Dillman said the contract under consideration includes the scope of the project to be discussed in upcoming meetings with UJ President, Dr. Polly Peterson.

Discussed was the true cost of city water and recommended improvements. Darrell Hournbuckle of Interstate Engineering said water meters are over 50 years old and do not accurately reflect water usage.  He explained the fee structure, saying the cost of production is being met with the current fee structure. Water Department Superintendent, Joe Rowell said about 50 to 100 meters are replaced annually, that are no longer functioning.  The committee recommends further action and moving forward on the issue.

INFORMATIONAL: The Water Department meter readers begin inside visual reads again October 15, 2020. Contact the Water Superintendent with concerns and questions.

INFORMATIONAL: City Engineer project updates.   Travis Dillman says the NDDOT is taking bids on replacing the concrete barrier on the bridge next to the river, with the replacement project to be completed in October this year.

He added that removing and then installing pavement markings on First Avenue for the Road Diet project will be getting started next week, including for pedestrians.

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