Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) — The Jamestown City Council’s Finance & Legal, Building, Planning and Zoning, & Civic Center and Promotion Committee met Tuesday afternoon (Jan 22, 2013) at City Hall.  City Administrator Jeff Fuchs informed the committee that City Forester Vern Quam has tendered his resignation, effective Jan 21, 2013.  Quam was Forester for Jamestown since  2001.   (*More at end of story)

With Finance and Legal Committee business:

The committee recommends establishing the sales price for 2013 on City owned property acquired by tax deed.

The committee then reviewed the draft agreement with Buffalo City Tourism Foundation.

No member of the BCTF was present as they were having their annual meeting.

The city committee then reviewed the proposed contract to be presented to BCTF.

The committee took no action at Tuesday’s meeting, postponed until next month’s committee meeting, as the 2012 contract is still active under a continuing resolution.

 

Monthly departmental reports were presented.

Next month the committee will discuss a request from South Central Dakota Regional Council for reconsideration of the JSDC recommendation to fully fund the Regional Council for Fiscal Year 2013, and sign a joint powers agreement.

Building, Planning and Zoning Committee business:

Draft Minutes of the January 14, 2013, Planning Commission meeting, were presented.

Mayor Andersen said, based on the Planning Commission meeting that the city will be looking at a zone change, request from Eventide at Hi-Acres, in Northeast Jamestown, at future meetings.

The committee then considered the plat of Wanzek Addition. Mayor Andersen moved to recommend to approve, which was approved by the committee.

The committee reviewed the plat of the Berndt Addition.

Council Member Buchanan said the City Planning Commission has indicated that issue of concern have come under compliance.

The committee recommends approval.

Civic Center and Promotion Committee:

No items at this time.

Chairman Kouajian pointed out that the Frontier Village is advertising for a new manager, in light of the previous manager, Tina Busche tendering her resignation and has been appointed to the FVB.

He indicated that the National Buffalo Museum has about 3o applicants for a director, to succeed Felica Sargeant who resigned to accept the position of Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce Executive.

He added that Searle Swedlund has been appointed as the Buffalo City Tourism Director.

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

CSi Photo from October 2012 Arbor Day tree planting in Klaus Park, Jamestown, ND

* From City of Jamestown website:

Vernon Quam has been the Jamestown City Forester since 2001.  Mr. Quam has professional affiliations as member of the International Society of Arboriculture, The Society of Municipal Arborists, The Minnesota Society of Arboriculture, The North Dakota Urban & Community Forestry Association and North Dakota State Horticultural Society.  The Forestry Department activities include three stages of the forest’s life.
The young tree at planting, tree maintenance while growing and tree removal of dead and dying trees.  The Forestry Department has the proud distinction of 30 years designated as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation.  There are four standards for a city to gain such a distinction:
  • The City must have a Tree Board that represents the community and its forestry needs as an advisory to the City Forester.
  • The City must have an Ordinance which addresses the planting and care of trees.
  • The City’s Forestry Program must have an Annual Budget of at Least $2 per capita.
  • The City must hold an Annual Arbor Day Observation and Proclamation.

 In addition to meeting the Tree City USA requirements, the City of Jamestown has received a Tree Growth Award every year for the last 11 years and recognizes environmental improvement and a higher level of tree care in the community as evidenced by additions or significant improvements to the tree program during each year of recognition.  Jamestown was designated as a Sterling Tree City USA in 2009 for ten completion of 10 years of achieving the Tree Growth Award.