City Hall 3Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Council met in Regular Session Monday evening at City Hall. All members were present.

No Consent Agenda items were considered separately.

On the Regular Agenda:

City Council agenda items concerning the agreement with the Jamestown Menard’s planned for Southwest Jamestown.

Ordinances:

A Public Hearing was held concerning amending an Ordinance to change the zoning of a tract of land located in the NW Quarter of Section 2,

Township 139 North, Range 64 West (Menards Site) from P-O-C (Public Open Development & Conservation District) to C-2 (General Commercial District).

Following the Public Hearing, a Second Reading of an Ordinance was approved to amend the District Map to change the zoning of a tract of land located in the NW Quarter of Section 2, Township 139 North, Range 64 West (Menards Site) from P-O-C (Public Open Development & Conservation District) to C-2 (General Commercial District).

The City’s Bond Counsel, John Schockley, outlined a number of specific items concerning the Tax Increment Financing District, and other items relating to the agreement between the city and Menard’s. He went through the agreement documents concerning such items as creating the TIF District and the Development Agreement, along with the City Sales Tax distribution fund agreement. The opening of the store would be no later than July 1, 2016. He also pointed out, following procedures outlined in the North Dakota Century Code.  Also on hand at Monday’s meeting was real estate representatives, and Menard’s real estate representatives.

A Public Hearing was held concerning a Renewal and Development Plan for the City of Jamestown and a proposed Developer’s Agreement with Menard’s, Inc.  Dwaine Heinrich asked a series of questions on the agreements. He said the city council, in regard to the Menard’s agreement, is not living up to policies and procedures under using the city sales tax dollars. Clarice Liechty spoke and asked about the road plan, involving 10th Avenue Southwest, to access Menard’s property, and water drainage issues. Mayor Andersen said Menard’s will be responsible for the paving of 10th Avenue along with improvements to 25th and 23rd Street, and paid from the sales tax agreement.

Following the Public Hearing the City Council approved a Resolution creating Tax Increment District No. 2014-1 of the City of Jamestown. Council Member Buchanan voted in opposition.

The City Council approved a Resolution approving the City of Jamestown Renewal and Development Plan of 2014. (Menard’s, Inc.) Council Member Buchanan voted in opposition.

Approved a Resolution approving a Developer Agreement between the City of Jamestown and Menard’s, Inc. Council Members Buchanan and Kourajian voted in opposition.

Approved a Resolution approving a Developer’s Incentive Agreement between the City of Jamestown and Menard’s, Inc. Council Members Buchanan and Kourajian voted in oppostion.

In making a statement on his stance on many of the issues that came before the Council on the Menard’s agreement, Council Member Buchanan said in part that he has nothing against Menard’s, however the business should locate in Jamestown with “their own money,” and not “the taxpayers money.” He added that the public has not been “fully educated,” on all the issues.

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In Other Business –  Resolutions

A Public Hearing was held, concerning the special assessments on the 2013 Sidewalk, Curb & Gutter District #13-11.

Following the hearing Council Members approved the special assessment District in the total amount of $45,237.10, with the City Share-Departments at $44,685.87, and benefited properties to be assessed in the amount of $551.23. Moved by Council.

The Council approved the plat of Country Side Estates, a Replat of City West Subdivision.

The Council approved the plat of Witzig’s Fourth Addition.

The City Council also approved the plat of Hammer Addition.

The Council Members considered adding 10th St NE between 5th Ave NE & 12th Ave NE to the Snow Emergency Route. Council Member Buchanan requested the item be discussed. He said the street is an arterial and connects to two major routes (5th and 12th Ave), which has a good amount of traffic. He said the “dead end,” avenues on 10th Street utilize 10th Street to access 5th & 12th Avenues. He sited the high school, vocational center, and churches, and a number of apartment buildings in the area. Mayor Andersen said 10th Street is parallel to 13th Street, which is a Snow Emergency Route. She added the fewer snow emergency routes, the quicker the street crews can clear other residential area.

The Council voted in opposition to the addition.

Committee reports:

Awarded the bid for the sale of impounded/abandoned vehicles to for 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan to Budget Auto in the amount of $1,271.

Awarded the bid for the sale of a 2004 Dodge Intrepid to Budget Auto in the amount of $612.

Ordinances:

The Second Reading of an Ordinance to amend a section of the City Code pertaining to uses permitted, M-1 Districts was approved.

Hearing from the audience: Ave Maria Village CEO Tim Burchill asked for clarification of a “Snow Emergency Route.” Mayor Andersen said the routes are cleared first, under snowfall guidelines. Burchill added that transportation of essential employees occurs when snow is piled up in the streets.

Appointments:

The City Council approved the appointment of Brian Kilzer to serve as a member on the Board of Adjustments for a three year term to expire January 2017.

Also approved was the appointment of Ashley Lies as an Assistant City Attorney.

Mayor and City Council Member Reports:

Council Member Kourajian said that Buffalo City Tourism will unveil its new branding and logo on May 9, 2014 at 5-p.m., for the public, at the Arts Center in Jamestown.

Other business:

Approved  the request from the Wonder Bar Sports Bar for a street dance permit to close the west end of 100 Block/2nd St SW on July 25, from 8PM to 2AM, July 26, 2014.

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