Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown Tourism Grant/ Executive Board meeting was held Thursday at 11:30-a.m., via Zoom to observe social distancing.

Those in attendance: Board members, Paulette Ritter, Frank Balak,   Tena Lawrence, and Taylor Barnes.

Tena Lawrence chaired the meeting in the absence of President Matthew Woods.

Tourism Director, Searle Swedlund.

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING BUSINESS:

Under New Business:

Discussed was a Contract for Apogee Attractions, and a feasibility study for the planned Buffalo City Park.  The tourist attraction is based on a buffalo theme potentially expanding Frontier Village.

Brian Lunde has led the way for the development of preliminary plans for the project with private funding to be included.   Searle Swedlund said an I-94 traffic count was used to determine the cost to build and projected revenue.  He said a full analysis will be conducted as the next step in the development process.

Tourism requested funds from Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corporation (JSDC) for $25,000 to conduct a feasibility study for the possible major cultural attraction in Jamestown.  JSDC will bring the request to the city and county for approval.  Searle said the development entities will meet with state officials concerning the financial support of the state.

The Tourism Grant Board, approved Tourism acting as fiscal agent for the next step in the Apogee project.

 

With Grant Requests, Frontier Village large projects were updated, including, materials for volunteer labor.

Also discussed was painting the large building.

Frontier Village  requested  $10,700 for repairs needed related to a survey of the property deficiencies by the North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund and help from the City of Jamestown, with the work to be done this summer.  Searle Swedlund pointed out specific projects that are planned. Those include replacing a section of deck, and repairing other sections.  The cost is estimated at $5,000.  He added electrical issues will be reviewed by an electrician.  The slide in the play area was removed, and the toy horse area will need attention.  Gravel will be added in front of the Depot, replacement of railings will be done.  The plan will be presented to the NDIRF for review.  General painting will be performed with some of the work being performed by city staff as they become available.  Other funding is $12,090 from Stutsman County.

He pointed out that the General Store is in major disrepair, along with the church, and the depot.

The Grant/Executive Board agreed with Searle to table for a month.  He added that tourism needs to look at the value of buildings relative the visitors experience at the Village.

With the Grant Request Allocation the board voted to fund the full amount of the request at $10,700.

Then, the Board voted appropriating up to $5,000 to locate resources to put the plan together.

Searle noted that The Frontier Village’s 501c3 non-profit organization application is pending, with the board agreeing to a non-profit status within the reorganization of a Frontier Village Association Board of Directors.  He said The City of Jamestown is working with Tourism  for direction and support.

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING BUSINESS ALSO INCLUDED:

No Declaration of Conflict of Interest was made.

The Financial Report was given by Treasurer Taylor Barnes and was approved by the Board.

During the Tourism Report Searle Swedlund addressed the deficit, and the water trail project is be worked on with Jamestown Parks and Recreation.

Ex-Officio Reports: None was given.

OLD BUSINESS

Draft of the  New Event Grant Guidelines was discussed, in the areas of:  Annual Event Guidelines,

New event and Event Enhancement, and Tournament and Races.  The Board voted to forward the draft to the full board for approval.

Previously…

Jamestown (CSi)  The Jamestown Tourism Grant/Executive Board meeting agenda for Thursday July 16 includes funding for the planned Buffalo City Park at Frontier Village.

On the agenda is discussion for a Contract for Apogee Attractions and a feasibility study for the planned Buffalo City Park  attraction that is  based on a buffalo theme potentially expanding Frontier Village.

Also on the agenda is a grant request for repairs at Frontier Village that are needed related to a survey of the property by the North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund and help from the City of Jamestown, with the work to be done this summer.

The Board will also consider the Draft of the  New Event Grant Guidelines in the areas of:  Annual Event Guidelines, including New event and Event Enhancement, and Tournament and Races events.

The meeting will be held virtually utilizing the Zoom platform, to observe social distancing.