Special Council Meeting Aug 19, Fireworks

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Council met in Regular Session Monday evening at City Hall.  All members were present.

Consent Agenda Items discussed separately:

Items K and L were removed by Council Member Buchanan to allow time for individual recognition.

Item K   To adopt a Resolution of recognition and condolences for the passing of Deputy Fire Chief Gerald (‘Jerry”) Kainz.

Item L.  To adopt a Resolution of recognition and condolences for the passing of Water Treatment Plant Operator Randy Sarbaum.

On the Regular Agenda:

 

A Public Hearing was held concerning the application of Buffalo Holdings, LLC, for a five year 100 percent, property tax relief, for a hotel project to be located at 2400 10th Avenue Southwest, behind the Buffalo Mall.

 

Plans have been moving ahead on a new 108 Fairfield Inn, by Marriot, hotel in Southwest Jamestown, and now construction may begin shortly on the new hotel.

 

The hotel is a joint venture of Paces Lodging Corporation of Fargo, and Clarice Liechty of Jamestown.

 

Paces Lodging’s Developer, Darren Trudeau says the location of the hotel is planned directly west of the Buffalo Mall, adjacent to the road leading to the planned Menard’s.

 

Trudeau said the application for property tax relief is based on the costs of building, and explained the amenities of a Marriott Hotel, including Fairfield Inns, planned for Jamestown, which he said is somewhat different than the clientele presently being served by Jamestown hotels, and offers reward points. He added that the Marriot will have a water slide not presently available in the area.

 

Clarice Liechty a 50 percent owner, said additional lodging will allow additional sports tournaments, and conventions, and enhance Jamestown as a destination. She said a hotel is a “risk,” but it is an investment in Jamestown.

 

She said the new hotel will be a competing business in Jamestown.

 

The total taxable valuation eligible for tax relief is $486,000, which amounts to $178,000 per year.

 

No one from the audience spoke, and no one from Jamestown Public Schools appeared, however letters of opposition have been received by the Quality Inn, and Gladstone Inn and Suites in Jamestown.

 

Following the hearing the City Council table to a future time the request pending negotiations between the city and the hotel, concerning the percentage of the property tax relief.

 

The City Council approved a Change Order to Swanberg Construction, Inc., for the Pump Stations Improvement Project, for an increase in the contract price of $8,825.60. Mayor Andersen voted opposed.

 

Approved was a Resolution to approve Payment No. 1, to Swanberg Construction, Inc., for construction on Pump Station Improvements, in the amount of $449,100.00.

The City Council then tabled again a previously tabled item from the Council meeting of July 24^th, concerning any decisions pending providing additional clay materials, beyond those which may be exchanged for topsoil, with information from the City Attorney relative to sale of city commodities and determination of market rates for clay. Information was not available from the City Engineer, or City Attorney, as the City Engineer was not recently available. Mayor Andersen says a direct exchange of certain clay amounts is one aspect. Additional clay needed by Menards may be purchased from the city.

Committee Reports:

The City Council voted to approve an irregularity of a bid and opened bids for the replacement of permanent seating in the upper concourse of the Civic Center.  The Council then tabled the awarding of bids, pending consulting with the architect concerning the specifications.

 

Ordinances:

A Second Reading of an Ordinance to enact a section of the City Code, pertaining to temporary special alcohol permits was approved.

A public Hearing was held to amend an Ordinance amending the District Map to change the zoning of Lot 2, Block 1, Hammer Addition; Lots 5-11, Block 1, Homestead III Addition; Lots 1 & 2, Block 2, Homestead III and Lots 7, 8, 9, Block 6, Homestead Addition, from R-1 (One Family Residential District) to P-O-C (Public, Open Development and Conservation District).

A Second Reading of the Ordinance was approved, in compliance with the State Historical Socitety in regard to historical artifacts.

Hearing from the audience: No one spoke

Appointments:

Approved the appointment of Donald Frye, and Michael Rhinehart and to serve as members of the Planning Commission for five (5) year terms, to expire August 2019.  One opening remains.

Mayor and Council Member Reports:

Council Member Kourajian noted that Jamestown’s celebration of the North Dakota 125^th Anniversary is this weekend.

 

Other Business:

Approved the request from ND 125th Celebration for a street dance permit to be held at the Frontier Village, on August 9, 2014, from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

The City Council then approved the request from Paul & Janel Monson for a permit to pasture three (3) horses at 1900 3^rd Avenue SE, Lots 1 – 6, Block 11, and All Block 20, plus vacated alleys & 20th St adjacent to Blocks 11 and 20, Atkinson & Pannell Addition. ..with a condition of termination.

Approved Payment No. 1 & Final to Nill Construction, Inc., for construction on Jamestown Civic Center Exterior Concrete Steps-Platform, in the amount of $40,210.00.

The City Council appoved allowing the placement of a life size firefighter statue at the Main Fire Station, 209 2nd Avenue NW. The statue costs will come from the Memorial Fund, dedicated to past, present and future fire fighters.

The Council approved adding to the agenda, the city fireworks Ordinance for discussion purposes moved by Council Member Buchanan.  Mayor Andersen was concerned that the topic without previously notice to the public, would not allow public discussion on the issue.

Buchanan moved the Ordinance be amended concerning the use and detonation only of legal fireworks.

His proposal is to allow from July 1-5 each year.

July 1-4 from 12 noon to 11-p.m., and until 1-a.m., on July 5th then from noon to 11-p.m., on the 5th.

Council Members Gumke and Brubakken suggested placing the issue of fireworks on the November 2014, election ballot.

The City Council denied the amendment to the City Ordinance with Council Members Andersen, Gumke and Brubaken voting in opposition on a 3-2 vote .

The Council then voted unanimously  to place on an August 19, 2014 Special City Council meeting agenda, further discussion of placing  the language on the November 2014 election ballot including sales and use of fireworks, based on Buchanan’s motion of dates and times.

If the Council votes to place a question on the November election ballot, it must be filed no later than September 5, 2014.

If the amendment is approved by voters it would be in effect for two years, no not able to be changed until that time by the City Council.

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