City gets survey results, disability issues

Jamestown (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council met in Regular Session, Monday evening at City Hall. All members were present.

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS APPROVED INCLUDED….

A Resolution to approve the request from JSDC for possible Economic Development Funds for ND Soy Processors, in the amount of $282,137, with the City’s 90-percent share to be $253,923 and paid for from the City Sales Tax Fund.

Council Member Buchanan asked that Item “I” be discussed, a Resolution to approve the plat of Jamestown Southwest Addition.  He asked where the area was located, and Mayor Andersen said it’s the area between Menards and JRMC.

The Council then approved the Resolution.

 

REGULAR AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS:

University of Jamestown students  presented a survey report conducted on behalf of the Mayor’s Committee on Disabilities.

Two presentations were made on behalf of persons with disabilities, and another on behalf of employers.

The purpose of surveys is positive and negative reactions to persons with disabilities.

40 surveys were returned by employers.

With those with disabilities…24 surveys were returned.

In Applying for employment 11 said yes, 11 said no.

Challenges in applying for jobs included, filling out applications, the application process, having a job coach.

Those individuals noted the need for more handicapped accessibility, siting the U.S. Post Office, and the Alfed Dickey Public Library. Needs include more curb cuts, better parking accomodations, and more automatic opening doors.

Employers requested more education on hiring those with disabiliites, education on tax credits for those hiring those with disabilities, and financial support to address accessibility issues.

The study indicated the need for a review of the issue every few years.

 

The City Council approved a Resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of $4,800,000 Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bond, Series 2017.

The City Council approved  awarding the bid for construction of 20th St SW roadway – JRMC to Menards as follows:

General Construction (Sections 1, 2 & 3) to Border States Paving, Inc., in the amount of $1,956,851.30.

Electrical Construction (Section 4) to Strata Corporation, in the amount of $157,373.00.

On Monday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Mayor Andersen said the work is to start this spring, and weather permitting be finished by this fall.

Also   approved was  awarding the bid for construction of 5th St NE (12th to 27th Avenue) Paving Improvements District 16-42, to Border States Paving, Inc., in the amount of $1,795,498.37.

Mayor Andersen said work is slated to start this spring, and weather permitting be completed by the opening of the Jamestown Two Rivers Activity Center, (TRAC) in August this year.

 

Approved awarding the bid for the Cell 4A Liner and Phase 2/3 Partial Final Cover Project at the

Jamestown MSW Landfill, the bid for the 2017 Seal Coat, Patching, Construction & Reconstruction

District awarding the bid for a New Single Axle Truck (Cab & Chassis) for the Street

Department, awarding the bid for the 2017 Sidewalk, Curb & Gutter District.

 

The bid for a New Extra Heavy Duty, Hopper-Type, Self-Unloading Spreader Box for the Street Department was flawed, according to City Attorney Leo Ryan.  After conducting research the City has not adopted policy concerning a notary not being used.  He said the bid bond is okay, and with information provided the bidder provided the bid will be acceptable.

The City Council then, voted to approve opening the bid.

The Council then approved the low bid, contingent upon review of the specifications.

The City Council then moved to committee the bid for a Two (2) Stage Snow Blower for the Street Department, to check the specifications.

The Council considered approving the request from Ascendum Machinery to withdraw their bid on the new loader awarded to them by the City Council due to their misinterpretation of the bid specifications, to take no action against their bid bond and; to award the bid for purchase to the next lowest bid meeting the specifications, RDO Equipment Co., in the amount of $183,250, with $75,000 guaranteed buyback, with guaranteed maximum repairs 7500 hours or 6 years, and less the $70,000 on the trade-in unit, and rescinded the April 3, 2017, City Council Resolution.

The bidder Ascendum Machinery questioned the specifications called for in the bid request.

The City Council voted to reject the Ascendum Machinery bid, and  cancel all bids and rebid the new loader award.

 

ORDINANCES:

A FIRST READING was held Concerning an ordinance to amend and re-enact an Ordinance to change the zoning of a portion north of a line extended from the intersection of the south boundary line of 9th Street with the east boundary line westward to the middle of the James River at right angles with the east boundary line of said lot, consisting of 8.4 acres, from P-O-C (Park/Open Space/Recreation District) to R-1A (Single Family or Duplex Residential District). The property is located at 901 4th Ave NW, the former Beulah Bible Camp.

The protests amounted to 25-percent which means the City Council needs to approve by a two-thirds vote of majority, present.

 

A PUBLIC HEARING was held,  concerning an ordinance to amend and re-enact an Ordinance of the City Code to change the zoning of a portion of the NW¼ and NE¼ of Section 3, T139N, R64W from C-2 (General Commercial District) and A-1 (Agricultural District) to C-2 (General Commercial District).

Following the Public Hearing a  SECOND READING: of an Ordinance  to amend  was approved.

 

HEARING FROM THE AUDIENCE:

The Council heard from  Greg Spenningsby, concerning more transparency in issuing zoning variances in the city and allow forming a building committee, to discuss issues city-wide, in notifications.

He said the discussion stems from a building being constructed in the Island Park development concerning building a garage on a lot.

The topic will be moved to committee to address it further.

 

APPOINTMENTS:

Mayor Andersen said due to a vacancy on the Jamestown Regional Airport Authority board, an appointment will be foreth-coming to fill the position.

 

MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER’S REPORT:

Council Member Phillips outline various meetings she attended.

 

OTHER BUSINESS:

Approved  the request from the Corner Bar for a permit to conduct a street dance on 2nd Street

Southwest, on Saturday, June 10, 2017; and a special permit for the outdoor sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages on 2nd Street SW on Friday, June 16, 2017.

The City Council  rescinded the Resolution of April 3, 2017, to sell Lot 4, Block 1, I-94 Business Park Addition, to Allen Enterprises, and to approve the sale of Lot 4, Block 1, I-94 Business Park Addition, to JK Holding, LLC, in the amount of $68,389.00, contingent upon a tenant signing a business lease.

An update was given by the developer, that the project is going forward but has been slowed by international laws and policies.

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