Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council’s committees met in joint session Tuesday evening at City Hall.

All members were present.

The committee recommends the City Council authorize providing the City Attorney $47,600.00 per year to hire and maintain a full time staff position’s salary and benefits to provide advocacy for victims of crime under Marsy’s Law.  The North Dakota Constitution was amended, stemming from approval of voters statewide, in November.

City Council Member Buchanan recommends holding off on funding until the law becomes more clear, and guidance from the Legal of Cities, and suggested tabling the authorization.  Mayor Andersen said the city is mandated under the law, to provide the funding.  Council Member Phillips said the funding needs to be in place, up-front.

Council Member Buchanan voted in opposition to the authorization.

The committee tabled entering into Amendment number 4 with SRF Consulting Group, Inc. for Planning and Zoning Technical Services in the amount of $60,000, until more information is available, including input from the City Planning Commission.

The committee recommends  the City Council approve the request of Lois Humann for Renaissance Zone incentives by granting a five

(5) year 100% property tax exemption and to recommend the State of N.D. grant a five (5) year 100% state income tax

exemption on Lot 9, Block 1, Lindberg Addition (215 Lindwood  Drive SW.)

The committee recommends  authorizing the de-obligation of the following Economic Development Funds:

City of Jamestown      Stutsman County        Total

NDSCS Mfg. Training Center                        $20,000                       $5,000             $25,000

JSDC Partners in Marketing Match                $22,500                       $2,500             $25,000

……………………………………………………………..$42,500                       $7,500             $50,000

The committee    recommends the City Council approve the request of Violet Porterfield for Renaissance Zone incentives by granting a five (5) year 100% property tax exemption and to recommend the State of N.D. grant a five (5) year 100% state income tax exemption on Lot 12, Block 1, Lindberg Addition (209 Lindwood  Drive SW.)

 

The committee   recommends the City Council approve the request of Ella Rettig for Renaissance Zone incentives by granting a five (5) year 100% property tax exemption and to recommend the State of N.D. grant a five (5) year 100% state income tax exemption on Lot 14, Block 1, Lindberg Addition (205 Lindwood  Drive SW.)

Informational: Departmental and financial reports were presented.

 

BUILDING, PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE

Informational: The Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1489, introduced by Council Member Brubakken, to amend and re-enact Sections 9-12, 9-13, and 23-38 of the City Code pertaining to the Building Code and Plumbing Code, is scheduled for the January 3, 2017, City Council Meeting.

 

CIVIC CENTER AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE

No items at this time.

 

FIRE & POLICE COMMITTEE

The committee recommends introducing the First Reading of an ordinance to amend and re-enact Article III, Chapter 15 of the City code pertaining to the Fire Protection Code.

Council Member Buchanan praised the work of former Police Chief Dave Donegan who recently passed away.  He thanked the Fraternal Order of Police, for the Shop with a Cop program.

 

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

Discussion was held on the upcoming (2017) Watermain Replacement Project.  Mayor Andersen pointed out that work will start in the spring, in areas of immediate concern, with multiple pipe breaks.  The committee recommends proceeding.

The committee recommends submittal of Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP). The list includes in 2017, work on Highway 20.  The Land use and Transportation Plan projects are not listed, but may be included in the future. Added are the LUTP 17th Street Southwest bridge addition, and grade separation at the railroad crossing in Northeast Jamestown.

The committee recommends approval of balancing Change Order to Border States Paving, Inc., on Seal Coat, Patching, Construction and Reconstruction District No. 16-41.

The committee recommends  adopting Resolutions pertaining to Seal Coat, Patching, Construction and Reconstruction District No. 17-41.

  1. Resolution creating the district.
  2. Resolution directing the preparation of an Engineer’s Report on the district.

The committee considered a timeline for submitting an order for two new dual armed automated sanitation trucks and timing for the switch to automated garbage collection.  City Administrator Jeff Fuchs looked at the City of Minot’s recent purchase, for information on the type of truck Jamestown would need. The committee recommends piggy-backing with the Minot bid, for two new dual-armed automated sanitation trucks.

Considered a possible project to clear the James River of fallen trees in Nickeus Park.

City Street Forman Harold Sad recommended the process of clearing the river, utilizing the frozen river.

The committee recommends a one week trial of the procedure, when the river is completely frozen.

City Administrator Jeff Fuchs says the city funds tree removal from the river on public property, adding tree removal in the river from private property are the responsibility of the private property owner.

The committee recommends starting the process when the river ice allows.

 

Council Member Phillips addressed concerns of downtown property owners and snow removal, pushing the snow onto adjacent businesses.

The committee recommends those with concerns to contact the Jamestown Police Chief.

City Administrator Jeff Fuchs pointed out that Renaissance Recycling has asked for clarifications in the residential recycling program, contract,which will be forwarded to the City Attorney. The topic will be brought before the January committee meeting for updates.

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