citycouncil2016Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council met in Regular Session Monday night at 5-O’ Clock at City Hall, followed by the final 2017 Budget Meeting at City Hall.

All members were present.

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY…

Council Member Brubakken asked that Item O be discussed, a Resolution to approve Payment No. 3 (Inv 28273), to Interstate Engineering, Inc., for engineering

services on 5th Street NE (12th Ave to 27th Ave NE), Sanitary Sewer, Storm Sewer and Water

Improvements District #16-42, in the amount of $33,184.80.

He asked clarification on if it is for basic engineering only.  Travis Dillman confirmed that it was.

The item and other Consent Agenda items were approved.

 

REGULAR AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS:

Awarded the bid to Ryan Development Inc., for the 5th Street NE (12th Ave to 27th Ave NE), Sanitary Sewer, Storm Sewer and Water Improvements District #16-42, in the amount of $466,524.25.

 

Approved the renewal of the Jamestown Tourism Agreement and the Jamestown

Tourism Public Site Lease. (Council Member Pam Phillips a member of the tourism board was allowed to vote by the council.)

City Attorney Leo Ryan noted minor changes in the agreement, specifically 100% of the Lodging Tax, and 40% of the Restaurant tax, under the return of percentages.

 

ORDINANCES:

A FIRST READING: of an  Ordinance to repeal Section 5-2.2 pertaining to dispensing of alcoholic beverages prohibited on certain days.

A FIRST READING: of an Ordinance to amend and re-enact Section 3, Sections 5.2 to 5.6, and Section 7 of Appendix C pertaining to definitions, allowed uses and parking requirements for senior and assisted living uses.

A FIRST READING: of an Ordinance to amend and re-enact Ordinance 329 of the City Code by amending the District Map to change the zoning of the West 1,690’ of the South 400’, less the West 620’ of the SW ¼ of Section 14, Township 140, Range 64 West, located within the One Mile Extraterritorial Area of the City of Jamestown, Stutsman County, North Dakota, from C-2 (General Commercial District) and R-1 (One-Family Residential District) to C-1 (Local Commercial District).

 

A SECOND READING of an  Ordinance, to amend and re-enact a Section) of the City Code pertaining to allowable fees for violation of a minor in the purchase or possession of tobacco products, in line with the North Dakota Century Code.  The reading was approved.

 

A SECOND READING of an Ordinance to re-enact a Section of the City Code pertaining to use of fire department equipment outside of the city by changing the wording to authorize the Fire Chief to allow the use upon providing notification to the Mayor and City Administrator (As amended.)

The second reading was approved.

HEARING FROM THE AUDIENCE:  Jennelle Kertzman addressed the council concerning a new fire hydrant installed on her property at 305 19th Avenue, Northeast.

She said the city installed the fire hydrant before she had the opportunity to address the issue to the council.  She said the new hydrant will over-hang the driveway, being a different style, and impedes using the driveway.  The new hydrant is located in the same position.

Water Department Superintendent, Steve Suko said the head of hydrant can be adjusted.

City Fire Chief Jim Reuther asked that the adjustment of the head of the hydrant, not be made, as it would hamper hooking hoses to it.

Suko said moving the hydrant south will place it off the lot line, adding that the driveway will be repaired.

The City Council took no action on the issue.

Brian Hanson, owner of Budget Auto Sales talked about the parking ban along that block of 10th Street Southeast.  He said he rents a lot to hold cars to take them off the street.

He said the parking ban, restriction forces his customers and employees to park a block away.

He pointed out other locations where site restrictions apply and parking is allowed.

Mayor Andesen said she voted in opposition to the restriction at a recent meeting.

MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER’S REPORT:

Council Member Phillips pointed out a recent Jamestown meeting concerning housing, addressed  a complaint procedure form, considering the livable condition of the property.

Council Member Brubakken said an Ordinance will be discussed at this month’s committee meeting.

The meeting recessed until 6-p.m.

A 6:00 P.M. The City Council meeting was reconvened and a PUBLIC HEARING was held  concerning the proposed budget for City General and Special Funds for the fiscal period January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2017.

At the public hearing,  Diane Satrom asked about the increase in the budget from 2015 to 2016.  City Administrator said the Mill levy decreased eight mills a net 7% increase.  This year and a 2.7% increase was noted as the Mill Levy was increased.  Mayor Andersen pointed out the city property tax increase is 3.54%, about a $10.50 increase on a $100,000 home.

Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce Executive asked what the “self clearing,” fund is.

Jeff Fuchs said the fund is used for unanticipated expeditures.

She pointed out that there are a number of non-profit organizations that are not taxed.

She noted the city will likely be joined by Stutsman County and Jamestown Public Schools in tax increases.

Following the Public Hearing, a SECOND READING of an Ordinance pertaining to the appropriation of the General and Special Funds for the fiscal year January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2017, was approved.

Before the vote, City Council Member Pam Phillips said the 2.5% increase in city employee salaries should perhaps be a 3% increase, as the county has done.  Fuchs said the county has more flexibility in budgeting.

The General Fund amounts to $7,644,330.00, total Special Funds $1,040,385.00.

Total levies and appropriations, $11,123,031.00.

 

A SECOND READING of an Ordinance was approved, pertaining to the appropriation of the Revenue and Special Funds for the fiscal year January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2017.

The City Council directed the City Administrator to notify the County that the City of Jamestown should be exempt from the County Library Levy as the City maintains its own library levy.

Directed the City Administrator to certify the tax levies to the County for the fiscal period January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2017.

The meetings were shown live on CSi Cable 67 followed by replays.

 

With the 2017 City Budget, on Monday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Jamestown Mayor Katie Andersen said, the city budget was trimmed in large part due to the state’s budgets cuts stemming from the downturn in tax receipts because of the depressed agriculture prices and the reduction in energy tax collections.

She said the city will receive less in State Aid Distribution tax collections and road improvement taxes.

She said the city has reduced expenses, however the budget requires an increase in city property taxes of 3.54%.  The Mill Levy was reduced to 100 Mills as the city property valuations had gone up in 2016.

The mayor pointed out that the city has some necessary equipment purchases in the budget including the purchase to replace police radios, which will continue in the 2018 budgeting.

The 2014 Equipment Replace Budget is $525,000.

There will be no additional staff positions added in 2017, while employee salaries will be increased by 2.5%

She pointed out that the city will cover increases in the city employees increase in health insurance premiums.