Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council met in Regular Session Monday evening at City Hall.  Council Member Phillips was present via telephone conference call.

HEARING FROM THE AUDIENCE:

(Individuals may address the City Council about any item not contained on the agenda. A maximum of 15 minutes is allotted for the hearing. If the full 15 minutes are not needed, the City Council will continue with the agenda. The City Council will take no official action on items discussed at the hearing, with the exception of referral to staff or Committee.

Steve Reidburn spoke about a permit denial he applied for concerning a house, to place a roof over a deck, indicating a $5,000 fee, saying a replot was required, and a variance was denied.

NO ITEMS WERE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA TO CONSIDER SEPARATELY and were passed.

REGULAR AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS:

Approved was the issuance of bonds by Cass County, North Dakota on behalf of Essentia Health and its affiliates under the Municipal Industrial Development Act and authorize the Mayor and City Administrator to sign the agreement on behalf of the City of Jamestown.

The action will provide Cass County with the ability to re-issue bonds at a lower interest rate, with a joint powers agreement the affiliates, Jamestown being a part of the original joint powers agreement and the issuance of bonds. Wahepton and Valley City have previously approved. Essentia assumes all financial responsibility for the bonds.

The City council authorized the City Administrator to sign and submit a SRF Clean Water application to the ND State Health Department and ND Public Finance Authority for the 2019 Watermain Improvements Project 19-61.

The City council authorized the City Administrator to sign and submit a SRF Clean Water application to the ND State Health Department and ND Public Finance Authority for the 2019 Watermain Improvements Project 19-61. Interstate Engineer’s Darrell Hournbuckle said the project is close to $2-million, in conjunction with excessive ground water.

Considered was the proposal from New Phase Energy for continuation of the study for utilization of biogas. Hournbuckle explained said the amount of gas coming into the system from the Waste Water Treatment Plant that has been metered was not in the amount that was expected. At this time other purchasers are now being looked at including Great River Energy, and applying for loans. New Phase Energy is requesting to use $15,000 from a pool of money provided from the City of Jamestown amounting to $50,000. The City Council approved a proposal, to submit a grant application for dollars.

The City Council then…

Authorized New Phase Energy to prepare applications for grants for the utilization of biogas to assist in funding the project, and authorize the City Administrator to sign the grant applications.

Authorized New Phase Energy to prepare and the City Administrator to sign and submit a SRF application to the ND State Health Department and ND Public Finance Authority for the biogas project.

After consideration the City Council approved a Resolution to authorize, direct and establish storage fees for abandoned and impounded vehicles, at $45 per day.

The City Council, approved a Resolution to approve the City Prosecutor’s request to enter into an Agency Access Agreement with the State of North Dakota for electronic online access to the ND Criminal Justice Information Sharing (ND CJIS) Portal.

ORDINANCES:

The Council approved the introducing the First Reading of an ordinance to amend and re-enact Sections of the City Code pertaining to the Building Code and Plumbing Code.

MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER’S REPORT:

Council Member Phillips said ideas are proceeding on the plans to update Frontier Village, and requested public comment and ideas.

She pointed out for citizens to fill out and hand in 2020 Census forms.

City Council Member, David Steele, said he attended the Chamber’s  Annual Banquet, and congratulated the award winners.

Council Member Buchanan said the recent Battle of the Badges Blood drive competition on was won by law enforcement.

Mayor Heinrich said, he’s heard positive comments on the city’s snow removal under difficult conditions.

He pointed out agencies that have been in Jamestown at public meetings to update and explain the flood watch.  He said at the meeting last Wednesday evening, no questions were asked by the public.

OTHER BUSINESS:

The City Council  approved the request from Knights of Columbus for gaming site authorizations for the Jamestown Civic Center on February 22, 2020, and for the Gladstone Inn & Suites on April 18, 2020.

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