Jamestown  (CSi) Jamestown Tourism held its City Promotion, Capital Construction Fund Grant Request meeting, Thursday, via Teleconference in respect to social distancing to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus

Those present on the phone included:  Tourism Director, Searle Swedlund, Board Members Tena Lawrence, Paulette Ritter, Taylor Barnes, and President Matthew Woods.

Also present by phone, Ex-Officio Member Pam Phillips, representing the Jamestown City Council, and Wayne Byers from CSiNewsNow.com joining on the phone from the CSi Technology Center, at Historic Franklin School.

At the beginning of the meeting  the Goals and Objectives of Capital Construction Fund were presented.  Searle said at the outset there was $40,000 to be distributed this round from the City Promotion, Capital Construction Fund, and $150,000 available from the Tourism Grant fund.

The meeting went on to Approval of

The Agenda, Minutes from October 2019 meeting, and Conflict of Interest Disclosure.

No Conflicts.

 

Presentations for funds were made by:

The Jamestown Arts Center – Paint and Flooring – Mindi Schmitz

The Jamestown Downtown Association – History Markers – Lynn Lambrecht

The Jamestown Downtown Association – Art Mural – Lynn Lambrecht

Dakota Motocross – projects – Jett Mutschler

National Buffalo Museum – Kids Interactive Exhibit – Rachel Johnson

James River Rodeo – Bleachers – Casey Aldinger

Jamestown Parks & Rec Foundation – River Trail – Doug Hogan

 

With the Jamestown Arts Center Paint and Flooring project, Arts Center Director, Mindi Schmitz requested $7,000 is requested for painting and repairing the gallery walls that is planned, along with replacing the floor in the Hansen Studio. She said $1,000 is going toward the project from operating expenses.  The total costs from the Requests For Proposals was $21,458.

The board voted to grant $6,000, distributed from the Tourism Grant Fund.

 

The Jamestown Downtown Association requested $ 13,500 for  History Markers.  Association President Lynn Lambrecht said the project entails granite inlays for the road project in Downtown Jamestown using historic figures or quotes.  There will be 22 places where granite pieces are designed in the sidewalks.  The Walk is in conjunction with Jamestown Tourism, and Jamestown Historian, Keith Norman.  The material for the historic tiles are currently fundable through the Road Diet project grant, however, the engraving is not.  Lynn said the JDA has  50/50 matching grant dollars for improving downtown business building signage, and for second floor windows for downtown buildings.  Searle pointed out that a grant from North Dakota Tourism was denied.

The board voted to fund $12,000.

The Downtown Association is also requesting $3,000 for matching funds from the North Dakota Council on the Arts for $1,500 for mural/artwork for the alley exterior wall, at the Full Monte Salon, in the 200 block of  First Avenue North.  The JDA and the Jamestown Arts Center are working together commissioning the mural.  An application would be submitted to the city to make sure the mural is acceptable to the public.

The board voted to fund $3,000 from the Tourism Grant Funds.

With the Dakota Motocross projects, President, Jett Mutschler requested between $2,000 and $25,000 to upgrade buildings bleachers, the PA system, entry gates and develop a mini track for youth.

He said the track also receives donations of grants, and from advertising.

He said the track anticipates $20,000 in profits in 2020.

The board voted to fund $5,000 for the track improvements, and share the bleacher request that was granted for the James River Rodeo.  (See below).

National Buffalo Museum requested $15,000 for a Kids Interactive Bison PuzzleExhibit.   Rachel Johnson said, Tourism previously granted $10,000 for the exhibit, however, they were unable to purchase the exhibit during the year in which the award was allotted for use.

The project is underway, and expected to be installed no later than February of 2021.

The board voted to fund $15,000 that included new funding, and the previously allocated $10,000 that is now allocated.

 

The James River Rodeo requested $5,000 for additional bleachers. Casey Aldinger said bleachers are currently being hauled to grounds at 27th Street, Northwest, from Jamestown Parks & Recreation.  Additional funding is anticipated from concessions, and a contribution of $5,000 from Cavendish Farms.

The rodeo’s economic impact is estimated at  $65,575 total, for the two day event.

The board voted to, fund $5,000 to share in the bleachers with Dakota Motocross.

Jamestown Parks & Rec Foundation requested $15,000 to create a River Trail, planned to flow from Nickeus Park to McElroy Park and include a kayak docking station and access point, ending at Klaus Park with another new kayak docking station, and access point.   The River Trial will include docks, and boat launches, and wayfinding signage.

Additional funding stems from ongoing outside grants, and $1,700 in secured private donations,

Speaking on behalf of Parks and Recreation Director, Doug Hogan Searle Swedlund said the project is anticipated to start at the  spring thaw and when flooding subsides, and completed when the final docks are installed, and signage erected.  Jamestown Parks & Rec will manage the property.  The total cost is estimated at $21,200, with the bid recommended to be received from Roughrider Industries.

The Board voted to Grant, $15,000 from the City Promotion, Capital Construction Fund.