Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council’s Police & Fire, and Public Works Committees met Thursday evening at City Hall. All members were present.

POLICE & FIRE COMMITTEE

INFORMATIONAL: Police department and municipal court general update, training, COVID-19 protocols and precautions observed, and implemented. Chief Edinger said next week is Severe Summer Weather Awareness Week, and the siren test will be on Wednesday April 28 about 11:15-a.m.  He also gave the police information on calls for service, 69, during the Saturday April 17 Runnin O’ The Green.  (See previous story at CSiNewsNow.com)  Mayor Heinrich thanked law enforcement for their service during the run.

INFORMATIONAL: Fire Department update, inspections, training, COVID-19 protocols and precautions observed, and implemented.   Mayor Heinrich said the Bill in the state legislature  concerning fund the Ladder Truck is still awaiting to be voted on, but it looks favorable for passage.  Electric locks and bid from House of Glass Company were recommended for approval to be paid for from the Public Building Fund.

City Attorney  Abby Geroux commented regarding an Opinion of the North Dakota Supreme Court, 2021regarding  City of Jamestown v. Casarez  

Santos Casarez, III appealed when his motion to suppress evidence was denied, and his conditional guilty plea to refusing to take a chemical breath test was accepted.

Jamestown Police Officer Renfro requested Casarez submit to a preliminary breath test and placed Casarez under arrest; leading to the charges under appeal. Casarez argued Jamestown Municipal Code section 21-04-06 was in direct conflict with N.D.C.C. section 39-08-01 after the Legislature’s 2019 amendment to the statute, and the Ordinance was void because it conflicted with a state statute. The North Dakota Supreme Court found no reversible error and affirmed the district court’s judgment.

Ms Geroux on Thursday said, she handled the case in Muncipal Court.  She said handling appeals is time consuming in the office.  She explained the basics of the case, saying the ND Supreme Court Ruled in favor of the City of Jamestown, in the appeal by Casarez on the DUI incident.

She said the case was successful on behalf of the city, because officers continue to be up to date on ND DUI laws and changes.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

Discussed a citywide cleanup versus extending hours at the City Baler Facility.

City Sanitation Foreman Sean O’Neil said he and street crews visited on the number of employees available and equipment available for curbside pick up. He also received estimates to rent additional equipment, over $2,000 to rent two loaders.  Six more employee pickers will be needed to work that week.  O’Neil wants to see elimination of bags, and cardboard items set out, to make the pick up more orderly.  Many items can be recycled or put into regular trash.

Council Member Steele said educational material on rules need to be made public to Jamestown residents. He pointed out that the cost is paid from the Solid Waste budget.  Mayor Heinrich said there has in the past been confusion on items being placed out and where, and others dropping off items in front of other people’s property.

It was suggested the citizen workers be temporarily employed that week.

The committee a motion to move the items to the  City Council meeting  without recommendation, which failed.  The committee then voted to recommend holding City Citywide Cleanup May 10-14, 2021, with Council Members Buchanan and Kamlitz voting in opposition.

The committee recommends approving specifications and authorizing advertisement for bids for the Solid Waste Department dozer to share with the Water Department and as budgeted in the Equipment Replacement Fund.

The committee recommends approving $1,427,500 to be assessed to the North Dakota State Hospital for the 20-62 Water Line District, as appropriated and directed to be paid before June 30, 2021 by the sixty-fifth legislative assembly.

The committee recommends approval of plans and specifications for Sanitary Landfill Cell 3B Final Cover Construction, CWSRF 380808-08, and to authorize the advertisement for bids.

General discussion was held on 12th Ave SE improvements from the City’s STIP List and funded through NDDOT, to be constructed in 2022. Travis Dillman says funding has been approved, and requests for proposal on project work will be going out for improvements.  Dillman said the Mill and Overlay on Highway 20 has been approved.

Considered recommending bid award for One (1) New Compact Track Loader, Street Department.

Assistant City Attorney Abby Geroux said three bids were received, and she recommends one not be opened not have the proper required documentation on the outside of the bid envelope.   The committee called for a motion to open the bid, which died for the lack of a second.  With the choices left.  The RDO Equipment bid of $49,599 was recommended for approval.

INFORMATIONAL: City Engineer project updates.  Travis Dillman said with the Road Diet construction, storm sewer inlets and be move, with the installation of the bump outs, and the traffic signals on First Avenue have been removed

 INFORMATIONAL: Garbage collection update.  Drivers have indicated garbage bins are being placed to close to the recycling bins, and structuers which need to separated by at least four feet, so divers don’t have to get out of the trucks to move them for pick up.

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