Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council met in Special Session Wednesday afternoon at City Hall, called by Mayor, Dwaine Heinrich.  All members were present.  Council Member Schloegel was not present.

The agenda item was , to consider approving the  North Dakota State and Political Subdivisions Opioid Settlement Memorandum of Understanding  (MOU) and the Settlement Agreement and authorize the Mayor to sign them.  The deadline to submit the documentation in January 2, 2022.

At the December 16, 2021 City Council, Finance & Legal Committee meeting, members considered the North Dakota State and Political Subdivisions Opioid Settlement Memorandum of Understanding with a settlement reached with a nationwide agreement with Johnson & Johnson.  Assistant City Attorney  Abby Gerioux said the total of the settlement nationwide is $3-Billion.  Each state established an entity  to receive the funds to establish a program to remediate the opiod crisis concerns, and distribute the funds.

The committee recommended approval of entering into the MOU with the ND State and Political Subdivisions, and have the mayor sign the agreement.

The vote was 4-1 with Council Member Buchanan voting opposed.  He is unclear what the burden would be on the city, and not rush to have the mayor sign the MOU.

Mayor Heinrich then called for a Special City Council meeting before he would sign the agreement, because the vote was not unanimous.

At  Thursday’s, Special Council meeting, Mayor Heinrich said he visited with the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office, he said the city is no longer asked to sign the Memorandum of Understanding.  The agreement document is with drug manufacturer Jansen (J&J).  Mayor Heinrich said if the settlement agreement is signed by the city, the settlement dollar amount for the city is unknown at this time, and would be distributed over an 18 month period.

Council Member Buchanan said he also visited with the North Dakota Attorney General’s Office, and from that information clarified, has decided to vote in favor of the mayor signing the agreement.

The City Council the voted 3-1 to approve the mayor signing the agreement, with Council Member Schloegel not present.

Mayor Heinrich said he will sign the agreement.