wbPM2CSi Weather…

TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE LOWER 60S. SOUTHEAST WINDS
AROUND 5 MPH.
.WEDNESDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. A 40 PERCENT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AFTERNOON. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 80S. SOUTHEAST
WINDS 5 TO 15 MPH.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT…SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS LIKELY. LOWS IN THE
MID 60S. SOUTHEAST WINDS AROUND 10 MPH SHIFTING TO THE SOUTH
AFTER MIDNIGHT. CHANCE OF PRECIPITATION 70 PERCENT.
.THURSDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MORNING. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 80S. NORTHWEST
WINDS AROUND 10 MPH.
.THURSDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. LOWS IN THE LOWER 60S.
.FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 50 PERCENT CHANCE
OF RAIN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. HIGHS IN THE MID 70S. LOWS IN
THE UPPER 50S.
.SATURDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY. A 30 PERCENT CHANCE
OF RAIN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 70S. LOWS
IN THE LOWER 50S.
.SUNDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 60S.
.SUNDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY WITH A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. LOWS AROUND 50.
.MONDAY…PARTLY SUNNY WITH A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS
AND THUNDERSTORMS. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 60S.

SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL BECOME WIDESPREAD WEDNESDAY NIGHT ENDING THURSDAY WITH ANOTHER ROUND OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY

 

Jamestown (CSi) There was a special meeting of the City Council on Tuesday, at City Hall. Council Member Buchanan was not present.

The City Council considered placing an ordinance to amend & re-enact a Section of the City Code, to allow fireworks sale and detonation from July 1 thru July 5, from Noon to 11:00 PM, with the exception of July 4, from Noon to 1:00 AM. on the Novmeber election ballot.

At the August 4, 2014, City Council meeting the Council voted unanimously to place on the 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 Council Member Buchanan’s motion of dates and times.

City Attorney Dalsted drafted language of ballot.

From the audience, Gail Martin spoke and said the fireworks amendment is not needed, being “a minor thing,” and the Council needs to step up and make a decision.

Owner of Fantastic Fireworks, Corey Bayer spoke and presented the CsiNewsNow.com poll which indicated that 45% of the respondents wanted the present fireworks Ordinance to stay as is, which he still supports. He indicated other noises in the community such as barking dogs.

Danielle Schmidt said the poll indicated 56% of those taking part in the CSi survey indicated wanting a change of some sort of the Ordinance.

Lucas Keller a fireworks seller, said the issue is about keeping freedoms.

Ms. Schmidt responded by saying residents have a right to not have the fireworks noise.

An audience member believes the issue should come to a vote.

Mayor Andersen again stated, that she is not in favor on changing the present Ordinance.

Council Member Kourajian favored the Council making a decision.

Mayor Andersen said on the ballot, a YES vote would be in favor of the limitations outlined, a NO vote would mean the voter does not favor limiting the use and detonation of fireworks.

The ballot language: An Ordinance to amend & re-enact a Section of the City Code, to allow fireworks sale and detonation from July 1 thru July 5, from Noon to 11:00 PM, with the exception of July 4, from Noon to 1:00 AM.

At Tuesday’s meeting, the motion to put the issue to a vote was passed on a 3-1 vote with Mayor Andersen, Council Member Gumke, and Council member Brubakken in favor of the ballot measure. Council Member Kourajian voting opposed.

Also at the Special City Council meeting

Under Resolutions

Council Members considered the August 4, 2014 City Council tabled item relative to the request of Buffalo Holdings, LLC, for a five year property tax exemption for a Marriot Hotel project to be located on a portion of Block 6, Buffalo Mall Subdivision, 2400 10th Avenue SW.

Council Member Brubakken presented a study of 16 previous applicants and the Council’s vote.

Mayor Andersen said she favors approving the exemption, meeting requires under the City Ordinance, and tax revenues from guests staying at the hotel.

Council Member Brubakken said the paving at the Menards site would benefit the hotel.

Tena Lawrence, representing the University of Jamestown spoke in favor of the hotel, concerning recruitment of students, with additional hotel space for visiting students.

Clarice Liechty a partner in the development of the hotel project, spoke and pointed out other tax exemptions granted by the City Council in the past, and indicated a need for more hotel rooms in Jamestown, and pointed out additional jobs created by the hotel.

A motion was made to approve the tax exemption on a sliding scale, which died for a lack of a second.

A motion was made for a five year 100 percent tax exemption.

The Council voted unanimously to approve.

The City Council approved awarding the bid for replacement of permanent seating in the upper concourse of the Jamestown Civic Center to George Abell Construction in the amount of $439,205.

The City Council approved and authorized the issuance of improvement warrants and exchanging them for $4,520,000.00 Refunding Improvement Bonds of 2014, Series W, and awarding the sale of $4,520,000.00 Refunding Improvement Bonds, Series W.

Council Members approved and authorized the issuance of improvement warrants and exchanging them for $870,000.00 Tax Refunding Improvement Bonds of 2014, Series X, and awarding the sale of $870,000.00 Tax Refunding Improvement Bonds, Series X.

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

 

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

On the Finance & Legal Committee:

Recommends approving the request from JSDC for $33,810 from the Economic Development Fund to pay South Central Dakota Regional Council dues for 2015 with the City Share to be $21,300 and paid from the City Sales Tax Fund.

Recommends approving the request from the JSDC for $75,000 from the Economic Development Fund for the continuation of matching grant funding for tourism, with the City Share to be $60,000 and paid from the City Sales Tax Fund.

Recommends approving the request from JSDC for $43,000 from the Economic Development Fund to provide a Flex PACE Interest Buy-down for the Jamestown Regional Airport Authority hangars project, with the City Share to be $34,400 and paid from the City Sales Tax Fund.

Recommends approving sending the request to the City Council without recommendation from JSDC… for up to $642,900 from the Economic Development Fund to provide for the community share to participate in Flex PACE Affordable Housing multi-family housing projects with the City Share to be up to $642,900 and paid from the City Sales Tax Fund, with a defintion of “affortable housing.”

(The Stutsman County Commission table the request).

The committee recommends approving the request from JSDC for $20,000 from the Economic Development Fund for roof repair on the Economic Development Center building, with the City Share to be $18,000 and paid from the City Sales Tax Fund.

The committee recommends tabling the request from JSDC for up to $99,999.00 from the Economic Development Fund to provide for Phase 1 of a study on the Jamestown Aquifer, with the City Share to be $90,000 and paid from the City Sales Tax Fund.

The committee recommends the purchase of a Human Resources module license from Tyler Technologies, in the amount of approximately $5,750, and annual maintenance of $1,750.

Recommends tabling the request from Albert L. Boeckel for a quit claim deed on a portion of vacated alley of Tahran’s 2nd Addition, to next month’s committee meeting.

The committee recommends moving to the September City Council meeting, 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). Consideration of the offer(s) to purchase Lot 5, Block 1, Homestead III.

Recommends the city provide the Stutsman County Water Resource Board for funding to provide a Storm Water Drainage Study for the area south of I-94 and west of Highway 281 South, which area is partially inside the city and includes part of Woodbury Township.

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

 

Valley City (CSi) The Valley City Commission met in Regular Session Tuesday evening at City Hall. All members were present.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDED:

 A Parade application for the Valley City High School Homecoming Parade on Oct. 10.

Approval of a Game of Chance Raffle Permit for El Zagal Sheyenne Valley Flag Corps AND bc Senior Citizens Council, Inc.

 

PUBLIC FORUM No one spoke.

ORDINANCES

Approved the second and final reading of an Ordinance designating the Legacy West Townhome zoned as PUD as recommended by the Planning & Zoning Committee.

Approved the first reading of an Ordinance rezoning of property from I-1 Light Industrial to B-2 Highway Business District (Fairhill Properties).

RESOLUTIONS

An Open Public Hearing was held for comments on the Integrated Resource Plan by Western Area Power Administration (WAPA).

Following the Hearing, the City Commission approved a Resolution approving the Integrated Resource Plan Summary Report from WAPA IRP Cooperative Filing for the City of Valley City, North Dakota.

City Commissioners then approved a Resolution calling for a special Election on November 4, 2014, to vote on Ordinance 977, an ordinance granting a property tax exemption to new or expanding retail sector businesses.

The City Commission then considered a Resolution calling for a Special Election on November 4, 2014 for an Advisory Vote on Ordinance No. 978, an Ordinance which would Amend, Update and Re-enact the Existing 1/2% City Sales Tax, to fund a Health and Wellness Center.

Larry Robinson representing VCSU again spoke in support of the project.

The City Commission voted unanimously to approve the Resolution.

The City Commission also voted unanimously to place another vote on the ballot in fund permanent flood control.

NEW BUSINESS

A Public Hearing was held regarding Special Assessments confirmed by the Special Assessment Commission for Paving Improvement District No. 102. Following the Hearing City Commissioners approved Special Assessments as Recommended by the Special Assessment Commission for Paving Improvement District No. 102.

 

Another Open Public Hearing was held Regarding Special Assessments confirmed by the Special Assessment Commission for Paving Improvement District No. 103.

Following that hearing Commissioners approved Special Assessments as Recommended by the Special Assessment Commission for Paving Improvement District No. 103.

 

An Open Public Hearing was held Regarding Special Assessments confirmed by the Special Assessment Commission for Road Dust Control Improvement District No. 1

Following the hearing Special Assessments as Recommended by the Special Assessment Commission for Road Dust Control Improvement District No. 1 was approved.

Commissioners approved the roof repair bid for the Police Department building in the amount of $24,460 to Enterprise Sales Company.

 

The City Commission approved acknowledgement of the “Agreement Regarding Loan Repayment Obligations of John Deere Seeding Group Under Infrastructure Funding Agreements” between the VCBC Development Corporation and John Deere Seeding Group.

 

Commissioners reviewed a request from the VCBC Development Corporation to direct the City Attorney to provide a legal opinion related to the disposition of some or all of the land owned by the city.

City Attorney Russell Myhre suggested working with the VCBC attorney to frame the issue.

VCBC Development Corporation Director Jennifer Feist said she was under the impression the two have been meeting. She indicated that if the City Attorney’s opinion was not what the Development Corporation was looking for it would go to a higher attorney until it receives the answer they area looking for.

Mayor Werhoven suggested delaying action on the issue until the September City Commission meeting.

Commissioner Nielson said any legal opinion should come from the City Commission.

City Commissioners voted to direct the City Attorney to work with the Development Corportation attorney at the expense of the VCBC Development Corporation.

 

The City Commission, discussed allowing diagonal parking on boulevard for the new building of Faith Lutheran Church.

The City Beautification Committee recommends tabling the action, as did the planning and zoning committee, until a citywide plan is adopted regarding boulevards and other development in the city.

City Commissioner Nielson says the requests are decided on a case by case basis.

City Commissioner Luke added that certain things make Valley City special, specifically with its trees, including on boulevards.

The City Commission approved the request on the conditions of the church being responsible for snow removal, provide a shared use path, the church replace trees removed from the boulevard replaced on church property, and address curb and gutter concerns, and drainage issues. Commissioner Luke voted in opposition.

CITY ADMINISTRATORS REPORT…Nothing to report

CITY UPDATE & COMMISSION REPORTS

City Auditor Richter said the budget meetings start this Thursday.

The meeting was shown live on CSi 68 followed by replays.

 

Valley City (CSi) Building and internet security measure are now in place at Valley City Public Schools.

Teachers, and staff members will be using a fav key to enter school buildings.

The system was installed this summer, and Technology Director Brian Kriewald says the system will step up school district security.

Vsitors will ask permission to enter most public school district buildings by pushing a button using a small high definition screen.

Funding to install the door security system was made possible through federal and state monies designated to enhance school security systems across the nation.

Also, Valley City Public School District’s internet services have been expanded to help teachers and students, plus the addition of internet security measures.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – A 41-year-old Bismarck man is facing charges after allegedly fleeing police with two young children in his vehicle.
 
     John Flaska is charged with felony child neglect and misdemeanor reckless endangerment. He could face up to six years in prison if convicted. Court documents do not list an attorney for him.
 
     Police say Flaska was spotted shortly after midnight Sunday driving at a high rate of speed, with his headlights off. They say he abandoned the vehicle after officers gave chase and fled with the 5- and 14-year-old children on foot. They were found hiding behind a garden shed.
 
     The children are in the custody of social services.

 

 FARGO, N.D. (AP) – A North Dakota man has admitted to assaulting his sister over a toilet seat.
 
24-year-old Thaddeus Morgan has changed his plea to guilty to charges of simple assault and interference with telephone during emergency call.
 
     Records show the fight started when Morgan forgot to put the seat down, which made his sister mad. Morgan then pushed and hit her, and tried to stop her from calling 911.
 
     Leah Viste is an assistant state’s attorney in Cass County. Viste tells the station that the case was “simply a sibling fight that got out of control.”
 
     Court records show Morgan has been sentenced to one year of supervised released and ordered to take anger management classes.

 

 DEVILS LAKE, N.D. (AP) – A Veterans Affairs clinic has opened in Devils Lake, meaning area military veterans will no longer have to travel to VA headquarters in Fargo for treatment.
 
     The federal government last September awarded Mercy Hospital the contract to house the clinic.
 
     U.S. Sens. John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp took part in the opening celebration on Monday. They say the clinic will provide primary care, along with mental health and specialty services via telemedicine.
 
     Hoeven says bringing a VA clinic to Devils Lake has taken about a decade. The VA system in North Dakota also has clinics in Bismarck, Dickinson, Grafton, Jamestown, Minot and Williston.

 

 MINOT, N.D. (AP) – The nation’s acting drug czar is in North Dakota promoting an update to the White House’s northern border strategy.
 
     Michael Botticelli says it focuses on fighting crime in the oil patch of North Dakota and Montana.
 
     Botticelli is acting director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. He said during a stop in Minot Tuesday that “significant additions” to the northern border plan include targeting synthetic drugs and working to fight drug trafficking in the Bakken oil fields. He said there will be more information-sharing with Canada and enhanced cooperation with tribal governments.
 
     U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp says it’s a struggle in Congress to bring attention to the northern border. But the North Dakota Democrat says there are some unique challenges that need addressing in northern states.

 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – Sanford Health says it wants to open more than 300 clinics in Ghana in the next five years.
 
     The Dakotas-based health network has opened five clinics in the African nation since 2012 and broke ground last week for a sixth. The clinics have treated more than 180,000 patients.
 
     Sanford says in a statement that it hopes to serve 4.5 million patients annually by 2020 through a partnership with Ghana’s Ministry of Health.
 
     Sanford bills itself as the nation’s largest not-for-profit rural health care system, with facilities in 126 communities in nine states. It also is developing clinics in Israel, Mexico and China.

 

In world and national news…

CAIRO (AP) – Israel has recalled its negotiators from Cairo, as its monthlong war with Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip flares again. Hours before a truce was set to expire today, militants began firing rockets into southern Israel. Israel has retaliated with airstrikes. An Israeli government spokesman says: “When Hamas breaks the cease-fire, they also break the premise for the Cairo talks.”
 
     DONETSK, Ukraine (AP) – Ukrainian troops have been pressing attacks in the two largest cities held by pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine, while the government in Kiev also pursues diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is preparing to host German Chancellor Angela Merkel (AHN’-geh-lah MEHR’-kuhl) this weekend before heading to a meeting next week with Russian President Vladimir Putin. A spokesman says Poroshenko’s administration sees the meetings as crucial to finding a way to “move from war to peace.”
 
     FERGUSON, Mo. (AP) – Ten days after the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown, who is black, by a white police officer, law enforcement officials are still struggling to calm unrest in Ferguson, Missouri. What started out as peaceful protests Monday  night again deteriorated into violence. Capt. Ron Johnson of the Missouri Highway Patrol says at least two people were shot, four officers injured and 31 people arrested. He’s urging those who want to protest peacefully to do so during the daytime.
 
     OAKHURST, Calif. (AP) – Firefighters in California are trying to keep two out-of-control wildfires away from homes. A blaze that broke out Monday in Kern County has charred nearly 5 square miles, and officials have recommended residents of about 200 homes evacuate. To the north, a wildfire in the foothills near Yosemite National Park has destroyed eight structures and is threatening 500 homes around Oakhurst.
 
     WASHINGTON (AP) – The Obama administration says it plans to change the way travelers can ask to be removed from its no-fly list of suspected terrorists. The move comes after a federal judge in Portland, Oregon, ruled that there was no meaningful way to challenge the air travel ban. The judge said that was unconstitutional. As of late last summer there were about 48,000 people on the list.