City Looking Into Complaint, Agressive Dogs

Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) — The Jamestown City Council’s Police, and Public Works Committees met in joint session Thursday (Aug 22, 2013) at City Hall. Council Member Gumke was not present.

Police Committee business:

 Discussion related to residents of Evergreen Heights area and a dog problem.

A resident told the committee that he was attacked by larger Boxer dogs, as well as other people in the area purportedly attacked and cornered by the animals. City garbage collectors have also apparently been chased by the dogs.

Police Chief Scott Edinger said a complaint was filed with the City Prosecutor, for review, and the City Animal Warden has been in contact with the dog owners.

He said the dogs loose on private property is in violation of a city Ordinance. A separate section from animals running at large.

He added that police have been in contact with the dog owners.

Mayor Andersen said anyone with a problem with the dogs should contact any incident to the Law Enforcement Center, to have the incident on record. The Chief added a witness to any incident is also helpful.

The committee took no formal action.

The committee considered modifications and upgrade costs from Jamestown Communications to improve the performance of the Police and Fire Department Radio Repeater installations. Five items were listed as problem areas.

Fire Chief Jim Reuther said the repeater went out, last November, and needed repairs. Reprogramming and narrow banding of the fire department’s radios are also requested.

The replacement costs to rectify the problems will be budgeted for according to City Administrator Jeff Fuchs, and was recommended by the committee.

The First Reading of Ordinances recommended were

a) To amend Chapter 22 of the Code of the City of Jamestown, North Dakota, byrepealing and re-enacting Section 22-2 which sets forth regulations concerning begging and panhandling.

b) To amend Chapter 21 of the Code of the City of Jamestown, North Dakota, by amending and re-enacting Section 21-02-10 which sets forth fines for committing certain traffic offenses in the City of Jamestown.

c) To amend Chapter 2 of the Code of the City of Jamestown, North Dakota, by amending and re-enacting Section 22-44.2 which sets forth information and penalties regarding the offense of theft in the City of Jamestown.

The First Reading of an Ordinance relative to Bee keeping in the City was reviewed, and recommended for the City Council meeting for further discussion. Assistant City Attorney Mary Jensen said the Ordinance will be grand fathered to those already having hives, to come under compliance, within a period of time.

The proposed Ordinance would require a permit for bee keeping, and a renewal provision along with a permit fee.

The hives would need approval of 80% of neighbors, and the flying of the bees would need to be under control, pertaining to other properties.

Mayor Andersen requested Ms. Jensen put together options for the First Reading.

Public Works Committee business

The committee considered the possible annexation of I-94 Frontage Road Right Of Way from 17th St. SW at 17th Ave SW, to Hwy 52 Truck Bypass, into City of Jamestown. Issues concern development in the area. The road is maintained for snow clearing by the city, for Jamestown Regional Medical Center access. City Engineer, Reed Schwartzkopf agreed with the committee to address the issue under the Land Use and Transportation Study. He said the roadway will be plowed by the city next winter, by the city. The annexation will be under further discussion.

The committee discussed the 12th Ave SE & 3rd St intersection & a possible access easement on BNSF Railway property to west, near the former Porter Brothers location to facilitate a roadway change. The action would alleviate traffic flow problems that have occurred when changes were made stemming from the Quiet Zone taking affect.The committee recommends initiating discussions with BNSF, and the State Health Department, because of the materials formerly contained in the area.

Discussion concerned the Traffic Signal System Study performed by Midwest Traffic Consulting, LLC. The study indicates replacing a number of traffic lights with stop signs. The city will make it’s own recommendations on the results of the study, and some cases possibly keep the traffic lights in place, and in other instances possibly removing some.City Engineer Reed Schwartzkopf recommends the Council look at the options and make a recommendation.The committee will move the issue to the next Public Works Committee meeting for further discussion.

The committee discussed a presentation of original 2011 documentation and 2013 item and cost updates on UPRR/CTC for suggested changes to Traffic Signal Installation at 1st Avenue and 1st Street in relation to Traffic Signal System Study. The update would include a new controller circuitry in coordination with the railroad signalization and the city’s signalization, at the railroad crossing. Further discussion will be at the September Public Works Committee meeting.

The committee discussed entering into agreements with AE2S for projects including, the Backwash Pond Lift Station & Forcemain, Water Treatment Plant Filter Rehabilitation, Comprehensive Utility Plan – Phase I, and Storm Water Planning Study.

The committee recommends approval of an agreement with the backwash Pond lift station and forcemain.

The committee also recommends moving other agreements with AE2S to the next city budget meeting, on August 26, 2013.

Moved to the City Council meeting without recommendation was ….entering into Agreement with Moore Engineering on Sanitary Sewer Force main & Manhole Rehabilitation, and entering into Agreement with Moore Engineering on the University of Jamestown Hill Booster Pump Station Removal & associated Water Main Replacement/Modification.

Discussion concerned paving repairs relating to Sanitary Sewer District # 13-?? and #13-?? based on preliminary field notes relating to District # 13-32 from Interstate Engineering, Inc.

The committee recommends rehabilitating damages through a change order with Interstate Engineering.

Council Member Buchanan asked that discussion concern Renaissance Recycling.He said he understood that recyclers are required to promote its services.He wondered about the hours of operations, and if they are adequate. Renaissance Recycling owner, Ralph Friebel, explained the current hours and days of operation, open Tuesday and Thursday and Saturday morning until noon, saying that most customers sort the items, adding that curbside pickup eliminates the sorting issue.He said adding two more hours to Saturday is no problem.Promotion-wise Friebel said he has contacted local businesses, and the monthly tonnage recycled has grown to 200 tons, compared to about 100 per month a few years ago. He noted that doing more promotion of the facility is possible.  Buchanan suggested the hours of operations be expanded.

Discussion related to seeding at Bailer Facility, and Waste Water Treatment Facility. The committee recommends renting seeding equipment items and have the street crew perform the work.

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