cityhallJinsideJamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) — The Jamestown City Council’s Finance & Legal, Building, Planning & Zoning, and Civic Center & Promotion Committee met Tuesday evening  (Aug 20. 2013at City Hall.

With Finance & Legal Committee business:

The committee recommends granting the request from Joseph Errett to purchase Lot 4, Tahran’s Addition, 1509 4th Ave NW (Currently held by Stutsman County) for $5,000.

The committee recommends granting the request from Julie Lende to move a single stall garage from 407 4th St SE to 201 5th Avenue NE (S 65 Ft of Lots 4-5&6, Block 28, Jamestown Original). A condition is that various improvement need to be made, with a required moving permit, and approved by the city Building Inspector.

The committee recommends granting the request from Victory Lutheran Brethren Church to move a 24’ X 48’ building from the former Temple Baptist Church, 1545 4th Avenue NW (a modular structure). (Lots 10-14, Tahran’s Addition to 510 9th Ave SW (Lots 4-12, Block 5, Replat of Blocks 3,4, & 5, Homestead Addition).  No protests were received.

Considered accepting the proposal from Springsted Incorporated to perform compensation study for City of Jamestown employment positions.  The committee recommends seeking a quote from Springsted Incorporated to perform compensation study for City of Jamestown employment positions, in line with what the firm is doing with Stutsman County’s compensation study.

Also discussed was the Second Reading of an Ordinance to create and enact a new Chapter 27 of the City Code pertaining to the regulation of sexually oriented businesses of adult cabarets and escort services re-scheduled for the September 3, 2013 City Council meeting. Assistant City Attorney Mary Jensen said additional language is being added to the draft, noting mitigation items. Distances from residential areas is still the sticking point. Mayor Andersen said hours of operation and sound mitigation may solve a distance issue. The Second Reading will come before the September 2, 2013 City Council meeting.

Clarice Liechty requested that the City reconsider the property tax exemptions for Prairie Apartments. She presented information of comparable properties to which the city has granted tax exemptions, and the amount of tax exemptions, and property taxes, on Prairie Apartments and the comparable properties. She noted the 2013 State Legislature has passed a bill to be able to revoke property tax exemptions or payment in lieu of taxes, if the owner did not comply with such items as assisted living provisions.Ms. Liechty is requesting the city revoke the property tax exemptions for Marvin Brown of Bayer-Brown properties. She said he is not providing assisted living services, and asked the city investigate her allegation.As Mayor, Ms. Liechty voted to approve that tax exemption, not realizing Brown was a competitor of her business, and that a like exemption was given to the Heritage Center.Mayor Andersen suggested that the city attorney provide a new analysis of the Brown tax exemption and payment in lieu of taxes, based on the new state law relative to revocation concerning not providing assisted living services.The committee recommends authorizing the city attorney to perform the analysis.

The Monthly departmental reports were presented.

 

Building, Planing & Zoning Committee business:

Draft Minutes of the August 12, 2013, Planning Commission meeting was presented. 

Draft Minutes of the August 12, 2013, Planning Commission meeting was presented. Committee Chairman, Council Member Buchanan pointed out questions of zoning on property being developed by Alan Lindberg on 2nd Street Southwest, at the former Job Service location. Questions concerning the former office location, and the patio type apartments to be located there, plus proposed storage units, and the type of zoning needed for each type of structure. Buchanan said, “spot zoning” may be needed on sections of the property.

The committee approved recommending the First Reading of an Ordinance to amend and re-enact Section 3 and enact Sections 6.1 and 6.2, Appendix B, of the City Code pertaining to simple lot splits and boundary line adjustments.

 

With Civic Center and Promotion Committee business:

The committee considered the Guaranteed Savings Project for the Jamestown Civic Center as presented by Energy Services Group. Mechanical plant options were noted. A representative presented a condensed version of the proposal for the Civic Center’s heating plant, cooling lighting, and weatherization.City Engineer Reed Schwartzkoph, City Administrator Jeff Fuchs, and Civic Center Manager Pam Fosse have met with Energy Services, to discuss proposals. The committee reviewed options, presented, and costs associated with project, including a maintenance package and any energy saving paybacks.Also projected was a $1.5 million financing, and tax revenues for payback.The city will also study what role the Civic Center will play in the community in future years, and make a commitment to the decision.  The committee recommends updating all controls in the building.

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