– Committee Reviews Ord. Revisions

Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) — The Jamestown City Council’s Public Works, Police and Fire Committee met Thursday (Jul 25, 2013) at City Hall. Council Member Buchanan was not present.

With Police Committee business:

Informational:

The committee considered the Second Reading of Ordinances to amend a section of the City Code pertaining to several items, to come in line with state law. Those included:

General penalties to increase the maximum fine for a class B misdemeanor to an amount not to exceed one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00).

Mandatory evacuations gives authority to the mayor to order a mandatory evacuation of the city after a proclamation of a civil emergency or local disaster is made.

The possession, use, carrying, transfer, transportation, storage, or display of firearms during declared emergencies.

The operation of authorized emergency motor vehicles to allow fire trucks and ambulances to display flashing blue lights in cases of a reported emergency involving a possible personal injury, death, or property damage in addition to red and/or white lights.

Driving while license is suspended or revoked to allow a charge under this section to be dismissed on the motion of the defendant if his license is reinstated within sixty days of the offense and he provides satisfactory evidence to the court proving the reinstatement.

Driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor, drugs or other substances to include additional restrictions on who may not drive or be in actual physical control of any vehicle and to increase the minimum mandatory sentence for a first and second offense under this section and include additional penalties.

Driving without liability insurance to allow an individual charged with the offense to provide proof of insurance through written or electronic means. Removes the twenty (20) day time limitation to provide proof of insurance to the officer and now requires that proof be made to the court. Amends the offense from a class B misdemeanor to an infraction and requires that upon a second conviction any impounded motor vehicle plates be delivered to the court, who will then deliver them to the arresting police officer.

Immediate notice of accidents to reduce the fine for a violation under this section from one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) to fifty dollars ($50.00) and exempts a driver involved in an accident with an undomesticated animal from the mandatory reporting provision when the only property damage is to the driver’s vehicle.

Permits for vehicles of excessive size and weight to allow permits issued for vehicles of excessive size and weight travelling on non-permitted city streets to display the permit in printed or electronic format.

Carrying loaded firearms in vehicle and allowing individuals with a valid concealed weapons permit to carry a loaded firearm in a vehicle.

The offense of theft to increase the threshold for class B misdemeanor thefts to five hundred dollars ($500.00).

Possession of firearms at public gatherings and now allowing individuals possessing a class 1 concealed weapons license to carry their firearm in a church or place of worship with the approval of the primary religious leader and allowing an instructor, a test administrator, an official, or a participant in educational, training, cultural or competitive events to possess a firearm at a public gathering.

Also…

A re-write is being drafted, according to Assistant City Attorney, Mary Jensen…of the Ordinance for classification and disposition of traffic offenses to increase the fine for overtaking or passing a school bus from fifty dollars ($50.00) to one hundred dollars ($100.00) and adds a one hundred dollar ($100.00) fine for permitting operation of a motor vehicle that overtakes or passes a school bus. She said there are multiple changes which need to be addressed relative to this section

A Special City Council meeting will be held on Friday, at 9-a.m., to accelerate approval in order for the Second Readings to be published in the official newspaper in order to become active within seven days of publishing.

Mayor Katie Andersen said the Second Reading of the Ordinances was planned for the August 5th City Council meeting. However, the changes would not take effect until seven days after the ordinances were published after the meeting or about August 14th, and by holding the special meeting this morning, the Ordinances will take effect on about August 6th.

On another Ordinance for a Second Reading, is the time and place of sale of fireworks, to allow additional dates for fireworks to be sold and used on December 26th through January 1st . Police Chief Edinger said this year, during the time frame of June 27 – July 5^th, complaints stemmed from the hours and dates fireworks were set off, not in compliance with the present city Ordiance . Mayor Andersen feels the people opposed to setting off fireworks in Jamestown are a minority, as opposed who want fireworks being set off in Jamestown.

Public Works Committee business:

Discussion related to an invoice from Precision Concrete Cutting and proposal to review City owned sidewalks and walkways.

The item stems from compliance issues under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) mandate.

The committee took no formal action, but is in favor of the business making the adjustments on a case by case basis. The cost is to be determined.

The committee recommends a negotiated a settlement with Schumacher Construction, Inc. in the amount of a $5,000 deduct for the Solid Waste cold storage building.

The committee recommends purchasing new trusses rather than retrofitting the present structure.

Discussion then related to main fire station re-roofing project and upcoming change order.

Drainage issues concern the present system not functional, and dumping drainage water on outside surfaces.

The committee’s consensus is to use an in-ground drainage system, and a change order on the project.

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