Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News Jan 24, 2013) — The Jamestown City Council Thursday afternoon (Jan 24, 2013) met in Special Session, and then went into Executive Session, to discuss negotiations with Stutsman Rural Water District.

Mayor Andersen said the Jamestown City Council is scheduled to meet Friday afternoon, (Jan 25, 2013) with the Stutsman Rural Water District at the SRWD Offices, to discuss water service territories.

The City Council consulted with legal counsel concerning territorial service claims by Stutsman Rural Water District.

At issue is whether the City of Jamestown, or Stutsman Rural Water District is to serve the area west of Jamestown, in this case, specifically the Titan Machinery building, under construction, across from Jamestown Regional Medical Center.

A city Ordinance outlines that any facility within city limits has to be serviced by the city, with this area previously annexed into Jamestown city limits.

Stutsman Rural Water District contends that a federal code protects rural water companies from cities going into their territory.

The City Of Jamestown and the Rural Water District are negotiating a royalty figure the city would pay and keep the rural water district from filing an injunction.

The City of Jamestown has retained outside legal counsel, and a consulting firm.

Those present at Thursday’s meeting were: Mayor Andersen, Council Members Kourajian, Gumke, and Brubakken. Council Member Buchanan was absent, being out of town. Others at the Executive Session were: City Administrator Jeff Fuchs, City Engineer Reed Schwartzkopf, City Fire Chief Jim Reuther, City Attorneys Ken Dalsted, and Mary Jensen, and on the phone with a conference call was Tammy Norgaard of Vogel Law Firm.

Following the Executive Session, Thursday, the City Council reconvened the Special Session, and Mayor Andersen said the Jamestown City Council is scheduled to meet Friday afternoon, (Jan 25, 2013) with the Stutsman Rural Water District at the SRWD Offices, to discuss water service territories.

The meeting was adjourned with no further business.

The open portion of the meeting was shown live on CSi 67.

Earlier Thursday in Bismarck, Mayor Andersen testified against a house bill 1269 in the state legislature, that would provide $9.97 million in funding for Stutsman Rural Water District’s expansion.

The bill was heard by the House Appropriations Committee at the North Dakota Capitol.

The Mayor testified that she opposes the bill because it may affect the territorial dispute between the city of Jamestown and Stutsman Rural Water.