City Hall 4Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News Oct 25, 2013) — The Jamestown City Council’s Fire Committee, and Public Works Committee met Thursday evening (Oct 24, 2013) at City Hall.  All members were present.

With Fire Committee business:

Discussion related to the roofing project at the main Fire hall. Re-roofing work will take place, and next spring work will occur on eliminating the chimney.  Additional downspouts will be installed for drainage.The committee recommends moving forward with installing the downspouts.

 

The committee recommends approval of revisions to Chapter 15, of the City Code, pertaining to the Fire Protection Code.

Public Works Committee

The committee discussed allowing permanent curbside trash pick-up at seven  locations.  City Engineer Reed Schwartzkopf said the proposal is based on slopes and encumbrances in the alleys, creating dangers to workers. Mayor Andersen suggested fixing those problems instead of moving the pick up location. The committee tabled the issue until the next Public Works Committee meeting. In the meantime those residences that could be affected by a change will be notified of the meeting date.

The committee recommends approving the Jamestown Force Main and Gravity Sewer Change Order No. 4, with the Jamestown sanitary sewer project. Darrell Hournbuckle of Interstate Engineering said the change order is due to unexpected discoveries of piping and other items. He said the project is 65 percent completed, and is expected to be finished this fall. He said most of the paving should be completed this fall.

The committee recommends approval of the Jamestown Wastewater & Lift Station Replacement & Force Main Improvements Project Phase I – Lift Station Replacement change order no. 1.

The committee recommends approving paving of District No. 13-42, in effect “all aspects of the project except the final lift of hot bituminous pavement shall be completed by November 1st, 2013. The final lift of hot bituminous pavement shall be completed by June 1st, 2014.”

The committee discussed participating in the NDDOT Strategic Highway Safety Plan, up to a cost of $5,000. The information would be added to the city’s Land Use and Transportation Plan.

A presentation was noted of the NDDOT’s recent Traffic Operations Study near Hwy 52 Bypass.   The information and recommendations of the NDDOT will be given to the City Council for review.

An update and sketches were presented, relating to the Vacation request for Joo’s Addition.  Schwartzkopf suggested a traffic study be conducted along with development issues, and considered by the city, before the vacation request is granted.

Discussion then concerned the alley way behind 100 block of 1st Street East, behind U.S. Bank. Schwartzkopf said the north 75 feet of an alley vacated still is a city right of way, and parking issues have ensued, with the three adjacent property owners. He said the alley is primarily a utility conveyance.He said the area at question could contain three parking stalls. He suggested just posting the area as “no parking.” Mayor Andersen has concerns about eliminating any downtown parking spaces. The committee recommends 4-1 to signing no parking, and proper enforcement.

 

A presentation was made of a  gray water study from Apex Engineering related to capacity of Waste Treatment facilities for potential future water demands of the city. The facility is used by the Cavendish facility, and in the future by Great River Energy, in addition to municipal waste. The biggest improvement needs were indicated, along with treatment issues that have been positive at the facility over its past 25 years. Recommendations were made, for needed improvements over the next several years.

 

The committee discussed curbside recycling, including where the city presently stands on the issue, and past actions taken regarding recycling, including the present recycler, and studies that were made on curbside. The issue is on the city’s Strategic Plan, along with automated trash collection, in conjunction with curbside recycling, and cost efficiencies.

The current strategic plan for Jamestown approved on Aug. 1, 2011, listed “explore the implementation of curbside recycling” as a 2013 goal.

The Jamestown Recycling Task Force surveyed 1,184 people in Jamestown about recycling. That survey said about 75 percent of residents would be willing to pay fees ranging from $4 to $10 per month for curbside recycling.

Presently about 1,500 tons of garbage goes through the baler and into the landfills in Jamestown each month.

Mayor Andersen said studies need to be made on options available, including the city’s role in recycling.

Mayor Andersen said how to move the issue forward, without burdening the city’s staff, is necessary, and whether a consultant is necessary, added to the work the city’s staff has already performed on the issue. Privatization of a recycling program is an option. The Mayor said the city needs to look at the effectiveness of costs relative to service, either under the city or a private firm.

Joan Morris gave a presentation on costs of operating the city landfill, and increases over the past few years.

She noted garbage being brought to the Jamestown landfill, by communities outside of Jamestown.

The committee will review additional information on recycling to be obtained by the City Engineer, to discuss at the upcoming City Council meeting.

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