cityhall448Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Council’s Finance & Legal, Building Planning & Zoning, and Civic Center and Promotion Committees met Tuesday evening at City Hall.  Council Member Gumke was not present.

With Finance & Legal Committee business:

The committee recommends approving the request from JSDC to provide Jamestown Row Homes (MetroPlains Development) with a $43,000 Flex PACE interest buy-down from the Economic Development Fund with the City Share to be $34,400 and paid from the City Sales Tax Fund. Council Member Buchanan said the sales tax funds should not be used to employ part-time workers, as the intent was to develop full-time jobs. Council Member Buchanan voted opposed.

The committee recommends approving the request from the JSDC for $25,000 matching funds from the Economic Development Fund for a ND Department of Commerce Partners in Marketing grant with $15,000 used for Workforce Recruiting and $10,000 used for a marketing campaign for the JSDC South Park in Spiritwood Township, with the City Share to be $22,500 and paid from the City Sales Tax Fund.

The committee recommends approval of the 2014-2016 JSDC Strategic Plan.

Following discussion the committee moved to the city’s budget meeting the 2015 JSDC Budget.

The committee recommends approval of the request from the Jamestown Hockey Booster Club, Inc. for a gaming site authorization for an event to be held at the Gladstone Inn on February 4th, 2015.

The committee recommends approving the request from the Buffalo City Rotisserie Grill to conduct a street dance on 1st Street East from 1st Ave South east to entrance of parking, on September 20, 2014.  Council Member Buchanan, whose office fronts on the street, indicated that he is working with the city to have a hole on the street repaired, at his cost, stemming from a water main break that occurred there last winter.

The committee recommends approving various amended clerical job descriptions and the associated salary range, with consolidations of Secretary I, Secretary II, Secretary III and Administrative Assistant. City Administrator Jeff Fuchs said the consolidations will save the city money.

The committee recommends approval of  the Blue Cross Blue Shield Group Alternative Health Rates for Employees for the 2014-2015 Plan Year.City Administrator Jeff Fuchs said the plan takes effect September 1, 2014. He said under the self-funded plan, the city pays the first $20,000 per member per year. He added that BC/BS recommends an 11-percent increase. The fund currently has a reserve of $300,000. Under the plan suggested by Fuchs, about $30,000 would be used from the reserves. Mayor Andersen said during budgeting the council should look at picking up more of the city employees share of the premiums for retainment and recruitment.

The committee reviewed the draft ordinance for temporary special alcohol beverage permits and recommends the 2nd reading of the ordinance at the Aug 4, 2014, City Council meeting.

The committee considered whether a definition of Affordable Housing for the City of Jamestown/Stutsman County is appropriate at the present time, relative to the Bank of North Dakota criteria to participate in the Flex PACE Affordable Housing program. Mayor Andersen suggested using a census median income level and a percentage of it as a part of determining rents for low income housing.Council Member Brubakken suggested more housing information come from Stutsman County Housing before making a decision. The committee recommends tabling the issue to the next committee meeting with Mayor Andersen voting in opposition.

Discussion then centered on Fireworks within the City of Jamestown and allowable times for discharge.Council Member Brubakken suggested the allowable dates July 1-4 into the 5th at 1-a.m. The 1st-4th from noon to 11-p.m. unless on a Friday or Saturday.From the audience Danielle Schmidt recommends allowable dates of July 3-5 from 9-a.m. to 11-p.m. the and 9-a.m. on the 4th until 1-a.m. on the 5th.She said she has spoken to fireworks dealers who for the most part said the reduction of days from the current 9-days to a lesser amount is acceptable.She again added the issue of people and animals being disturbed by the loud fireworks adding that veterans with PTSD also struggle with flashbacks with the loud fireworks. She provided information on the dangers of fireworks.Another audience member asked the fireworks Ordinance be amended to fewer days (3) and end the hours at 11-p.m., for use of fireworks for the previously stated reasons, plus property owners needing to cleanup spent fireworks.Cory Bayer, owner of Fantastic Fireworks added that his business is successful, noting a wide-range of fireworks users. He added that the community has a diversity of interests, and noted that cities banning the use of fireworks has residents going out to the rural areas to use the fireworks. He said the committee should consider the number of people who DID NOT show up at Tuesday’s meeting that are in favor of the present fireworks Ordinance.  He said anytime restrictions are imposed, less of an item or service is used.  Another fireworks stand owner, Lucas Keller said many veterans he has talked to enjoy the fireworks, noting the freedoms of America. He said he has empathy for those having sleep disturbed, but doesn’t want freedoms taken away. Another audience member had concerns about the loud noises injuring hearing.  Another audience member feared a fire as her house has a wood-shingle flat roof, noting that her pets need to be medicated to calm down during the use of fireworks.  From the audience, Gail Martin said if the Council fails to compromise, then, another petition may be forthcoming to ban fireworks.

From the committee, Council Member Kourajian said he favors reduction to five days. Mayor Andersen noted she has small children and needs to be up early for work at her business. She said less than 3 percent of days of the year are devoted to fireworks, adding that from the  40 E-Mails she’s received to reduce the days of use, those opposed only amount to 1.3 perent of voters in the last city election. She said nine days allows for more usage, in the event of inclement weather. She said she is not in favor of changing the Ordinance. Council Member Buchanan, pointed out other cities in North Dakota have less days to use fireworks and the current nine days, is a dis-service in attracting new residents to Jamestown. 

Council Member Brubakken suggested limiting hours and days of usage.

He also suggested a list of options be brought to the council or put on a ballot for voters.

A motion was made by Council Member Kourajian change the city Ordinance to use fireworks July 1-5- until 11-p.m., and 1-a.m. on the 5th and later until 11-p.m. on the 5th. failed on a 2-2 vote, with Mayor Katie Andersen and Councilman Dan Buchanan opposed.

The committee reviewed then tabled covenants prohibiting any ground disturbance activities on Lot 2, Block 1, of Hammer Addition, Lots 5 through 11, Block 1, Homestead III Addition, Lots 1 and 2, Block 2, Homestead III Addition, and Lots 7-9, Block 6, Homestead Addition, except under the authority of the ND State Historical Society. (Undeveloped property south of 7th Street SW between 12th Avenue SW and 10th Avenue SW).Developer Darin Trudeau said the planned hotel for Jamestown is a “Fairfield Inn, By Marriott.”

 

Building, Planning & Zoning Committee business:

The committee recommends approving the plat of Jamestown Court Rowhomes Addition, a replat of Jamestown Original Addition, Lot 9, Block 41, and Lots 3-5 and Lots 7,8, and the South 50’ of Lot 9, Block 42, with a quiet title be satified.

The committee recommends approving the plat of Witzig’s 5th Subdivision.

It was noted that a Public Hearing and Second Reading of an Ordinance to amend and re-enact Ordinance No. 329 of the City Code by changing the zoning of Lot 2, Block 1, of Hammer Addition, Lots 5 through 11, Block 1, Homestead III Addition, Lots 1 and 2, Block 2, Homestead III Addition, and Lots 7-9, Block 6, Homestead Addition from R-1 (One Family Residential to P-O-C (Public, Open Development and Conservation District) is scheduled for the August 4, 2014, City Council meeting.

It was pointed out that applicants for Planning Commission appointments will come to the August 4, 2014 City Council meetings.

 

Civic Center & Promotion Committee:

It was noted that a bid opening is scheduled for July 31, 2014, for the replacement of permanent seating in the upper concourse of the Civic Center.

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