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 in joint session Thursday afternoon at City Hall.
Joe Rector pointed out that the Stutsman County Library is looking at finding more space, under a plan similar to the fundraising efforts for the Alfred Dickey Library.
Rector said in 2019 after renovations at Alfred Dickey, they saw an increase of 1,000 more people.
Rector said fundraisers will be started, along with planning to move from the current Stutsman County Library location.
Rector says a new location, would then become their primary branch.
Expansion options for both libraries may include further expanding Alfred Dickey Library or finding property at another location, with more space, and parking, and providing more visibility, along with easy access to patrons.
Another option is constructing a new building.
Another issue is affordability. Depending on the price of a property or building cost, the timeline is expected to be two to three years.
Grant funding will also be sought, including the USDA low interest grant program.
Rector said, he appeared at the meeting to inform the city of the library’s plans.
Mayor Heinrich commended Rector on his leadership, and the recent remodeling of the Alfred Dickey Public Library.
Rector updated the committee on the Stutsman County Bookmobile, noting the bookmobile has logged many more hours in service over the recent past years, and is serving more than just the immediate Jamestown area.
The committee recommends a non-binding approval of support be moved to next months committee agenda for further information.
Considered was a request for 2018 Abatement application for 1317 5th St NE, 58401. The committee recommends approval be sent to the City Council.
Considered was a request for 2019 Abatement application for 1008 7th Ave SE, 58401, due to the property have been gutted by a fire, and the evaluation be placed of $16,100, which was recommended by the committee.
Recommended for approval was permit refunds in the amount of $905.00 for the 2020 St Patrick’s Day Run.
Considered was approving the agreement for paying agent services for municipal bonds with Starion and authorizing the City Administrator and Mayor to enter into the agreement on behalf of the City.
Assistant City Attorney Abby Gerioux said some terms of the proposal is “one sided,” that the city has concerns about. She suggested the city work with it’s bond counsel, John Shockley. The item will be moved to next month’s meeting for further review.
BUILDING, PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE
Considered was the request for a Future Land Use Plan Amendment to the East 7.7 ft Lot3 and all of lots 1 &2, plus adjacent vacated alley of Block 12, Lowry’s Subdivision, within the SE ¼ of Section 2, T139N, R64W, Stutsman County, North Dakota, from Urban Residential to Commercial. The property is located at 2806 8th Ave SW. Council Member Kamlitz explained the request.
Zoning Administrator Tom Blackmore said the parcel is near Walmart and Hampton Inn and Suites, and no protests were received by nearby property owners. The committee recommends approval.
The committee recommends introducing the first reading of an ordinance to amend and re-enact Ordinance No. 329 by amending the District Map to change the zoning of the East 7.7’ of Lot 3, and all of Lots 1 and 2 and one half of the vacated alley, Block 12, Lowry’s Subdivision, within the SE ¼ of Section 2, T139N, R64W, Stutsman County, North Dakota, from Ag, Urban Residential to C2, Commercial. The property is located at 2806 8th Ave SW.
The committee recommends, setting a public hearing to be held at the November 12, 2020, Special City Council meeting, and to consider the second reading for 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, as amended October 9, 2020, by the Planning Commission.
CIVIC CENTER AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE
The committee recommends the City Council approve the amended Jamestown Tourism Bylaws as required in the current and amended versions of the organization’s bylaws, as explained at the meeting by Jamestown Tourism Director, Searle Swedlund, and presented to the committee.
POLICE & FIRE COMMITTEE
INFORMATIONAL:
Police Chief Scott Edinger gave a department general update, training, COVID-19 protocols and precautions observed, and implemented.
With the Road Diet pavement striping he said for the most part, traffic speeds have been reduced. He also pointed out a conflict with the turning lane at 7th Street South, concerning merging. He also pointed out problems with some sight lines, and making right turns onto First Avenue with long semi rigs
INFORMATIONAL: Fire department vehicle update was presented by city Fire Chief Jim Reuther, who said updated information indicates the vehicle is about a month away from delivery to the Fire Department. On another item he said rescue tools, that were purchase 23 years ago were in need of repair, and teardown, showed, more replacement items were discovered.
Three quotes were received, for the purchase of the needed items.
The mayor asked that the item be placed on the City Council’s November meeting, which was approved for recommendations.
Chief Reuther said the City and Rural Fire Departments will be sharing personnel during the time of certain incidences.
INFORMATIONAL: Fire Department updates, were given concerning inspections, training, COVID-19 protocols and precautions observed, and implemented.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
Considered was approving a flat fee, small debris container program for the purpose of serving customers wishing to dispose of fewer than 30 cubic yards (less than a large roll-off container) of debris. The committee recommends approval.
Considered was the cost to grind the high volume of wood waste including equipment cost, maintenance, and availability of vendors to provide the service on a schedule, as requested by City Council on July 23, 2020. The committee considered equipment to possibly purchase, for grinding. Council Member Steele suggested reviewing ideas, to obtain a grinder for future consideration, and the item was moved to the November Committee meeting.
Considered was a citywide water meter replacement program. Travis Dillman gave a presentation. He said some water meters currently are forty years old and older, and slow down when registering water usage, and not measuring accurately. He said some of the meters are so old that replacement parts are no longer available. He also indicated the cost of reading each meter manually. He pointed out systems that remotely reads meters. The costs of a new metering system, and how to pay for it, including possibly implementing user fees. The cost of replacing the system is estimated at $2.5 million.
Mayor Heinrich said the updated plan will be a hard sell, including a reduction in staff.
After looking at the current water meter reading system the committee, recommends looking at a plan and funding for an updated system.
INFORMATIONAL: City Engineer project updates. Travis Dillman said the city will contact the NDDOT of new issues concerning marking the pavement on First Avenue. He said new concrete has been poured and is curing at the bridge over the James River that was taken out from a crash there a few weeks ago.
The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 67, followed by replays,
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