Finance & Legal Committee
Building, Planning & Zoning Committee
Civic Center & Promotion Committee
Public Works Committee
September 21, 2026, 4:00 PM
Present: Hemmer, Davis, Kamlitz, Schloegel, Steele, Ryan, Hellekson, Blackmore, Dillman, Edinger, Fosse, Laber, Michel, Reuther, Rowell, Stroh, and Veil.
FINANCE & LEGAL COMMITTEE
Chair Steele convened the meeting at 4:00 p.m.
No one appeared for hearing from the audience.
No action was taken on the request made by Tim and Nancy Dabill to purchase 705 12th St SW, Block 2, Lot 3 of Beverly Hills 6th Addition as the lot is currently listed as not for sale by the city. City staff was directed to look into the lot and surrounding lots.
Hemmer moved to recommend the City Council approve a resolution for final approval of Renaissance Zone incentives (Project J51) by granting a five (5) year 100% property tax exemption and to recommend the State of ND grant a five (5) year 100% state income tax exemption, the property is located at 115 First Ave S, 58401, and which received preliminary City Council approval on February 2, 2026. Seconded by Schloegel. Unanimous aye vote. Carried.
Davis moved to recommend the City Council approve the JSDC request to de-obligate Flex PACE funding for the year of 2025 to the city and county in the amounts stated below: City – $71,566.95, County -$17,891.74.
Seconded by Kamlitz. Unanimous aye vote. Carried.
Kamlitz moved to forward, without recommendation, to the October 2026 City Council meeting, the request for license agreement with LTS Telecommunications Services (USA) Inc to allow fiber optic within City Right of Way. Seconded by Davis. Public Works Director Michel and City Attorney Ryan provided information. Unanimous aye vote. Carried.
Hemmer moved to recommend the City Council approve the request from Jordan Koushkouski d.b.a Park Bar and Lounge for a tobacco license at 115 First Ave S, Jamestown for the period ending March 31, 2027, contingent upon receipt of all required documents. Seconded by Davis. City Administrator Hellekson provided information. Unanimous aye vote. Carried.
Schloegel moved to recommend the City Council approve the updated job description for Civic Center/Convention Director. Seconded by Kamlitz. Deputy Auditor/HRO Veil and City Administrator Hellekson provided information. Unanimous aye vote. Carried.
Hemmer moved to recommend the City Council direct staff to prepare a list of all City properties for sale and include recommended listing prices and return to Finance & Legal Committee. Seconded by Kamlitz. City Administrator Hellekson, City Attorney Ryan, Building Inspector Blackmore and Deputy Auditor/HRO Veil provided information. Unanimous aye vote. Carried.
Hemmer moved to recommend the City Council direct the City Administrator to notify the County that the City of Jamestown be exempt from the County Library Levy as the City maintains its own library levy.
Seconded by Schloegel. City Administrator Hellekson provided information. Unanimous aye vote. Carried.
Davis moved to recommend the City Council direct the City Administrator to certify the tax levies to the County for the fiscal period January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027. Seconded by Kamlitz. City Administrator Hellekson provided information. Unanimous aye vote. Carried.
Kamlitz moved to recommend the City Council approve the 2027 preliminary budget. Seconded by Davis. City Administrator Hellekson provided information. Unanimous aye vote. Carried.
INFORMATIONAL: The James River Valley Library System Joint Library Board letter dated September 9, 2026, responding to County Commissioner Taylor’s letter requesting the Library reduce its 2027 budget.
INFORMATIONAL: The 2027 Budget hearing is scheduled for October 5, 2026, at 5:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers.
Chair Steele adjourned the meeting at 4:43 p.m.
BUILDING, PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE
Chair Kamlitz convened and adjourned the meeting at 4:43 p.m. as there were no items for discussion.
CIVIC CENTER AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE
Chair Schloegel convened the meeting at 4:43 p.m.
Deputy Auditor/HRO Veil led a discussion surrounding the potential to utilize an agency for the recruitment and selection of the next Civic Center Convention Director.
Chair Schloegel adjourned the meeting at 4:49 p.m.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
Chair Hemmer convened the meeting at 4:49 p.m. Davis moved to recommend the City Council approve a resolution to create District #27-61 for the 2027 Water Main Project. The project will replace deteriorated water mains and associated infrastructure 1) between the 1300 and 1700 block of 4th Ave NE; 2) the 400 block of 14th St NE; 3) between the 1100 block and 1200 block of 6th Ave NE; 4) the 700 block of 4th Ave SW; and 5) between the 100 block and 500 block of 8th St SW. Seconded by Steele. Unanimous aye vote. Carried.
Kamlitz moved to recommend the City Council approve the quote for the budgeted Water Treatment Plant door replacement from Hillerud Construction in the total amount of $45,117. Seconded by Steele. Unanimous aye vote. Carried.
Steele moved to recommend the City Council approve Change Order #1-Final Balancing to Crow River Construction, for the 2025 Water Main Project #25-61, Section 2, for a net decrease of $122,503.48 and a revised total contract cost of $1,075,467.84. Seconded by Davis. Unanimous aye vote. Carried.
Chair Hemmer adjourned the meeting at 4:51 p.m.
Sarah Hellekson, City Administrator

CITY OF JAMESTOWN
CITY COUNCIL BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING
SEPTEMBER 21, 2026
The budget meeting was called to order by Mayor Hemmer at 4:52 P.M.
Members Present: Mayor Hemmer, Council Members Davis, Kamlitz, Schloegel, Steele, City Attorney Ryan, and City Administrator Hellekson.
Staff Present: Bacon, Blackmore, Dillman, Edinger, Fosse, Hilgemann, Laber, Michel, Reuther, Rowell, Stroh and Veil.
Mayor Hemmer provided information regarding the library levy and franchise agreements, which affects the 2027 total levy.
Mayor Hemmer presented transfers from utility funds to the General Fund, with the purpose of lowering property taxes by 30%. Discussion also took place regarding transfers from utility funds to the General Fund, utility rates, projects, future health insurance costs, project assessment, overall increasing expenses and city services. City Administrator Hellekson and Civic Center Director Fosse provided information.
Steele moved to introduce the first reading of an ordinance pertaining to the appropriation of the General and Special Funds for the fiscal year January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027.
Davis moved to introduce the first reading of an ordinance pertaining to the appropriation of the Revenue and Special Funds for the fiscal year January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027.
The next City Council Budget Committee meeting will be held Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 4:00 P.M. in City Hall.
The public hearing for the 2027 budget will be on October 5, 2026, at 5:00 P.M.
Mayor Hemmer adjourned the meeting at 6:26 P.M.
Sarah Hellekson, City Administrator