Committee recommends denial bus shelter funds

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Council’s committees met Tuesday afternoon at City Hall. Council Member Buchanan was not present.

With Finance & Legal Committee business:

Considered the request from JSDC for up to $350,000 from the Economic Development Fund to fund a Regional Storm Water Master Plan, with the City Share to be 100% and paid from the City Sales Tax Fund with the understanding the Stutsman County Water Resource Board will work towards fund reimbursement. The Stutsman County Commission denied the request.

The committee moved to table the request pending a review by the City Attorney and parties involved.

The committee considered the request from the JSDC to act as a facilitator for CHS Fertilizer, for a new jobs training program, a 20 year agreement at $4,700,00 annually at $23,500, annually from the City Sales Tax Fund.

The committee recommends approving the request.

The panel recommends a formula and data to be used in establishing a definition of “Affordable Housing” for Jamestown for new construction of multi dwelling apartments, per unit, under the Flex Pace Loan program.

The committee also approved extending the 1 percent city sales tax for 15 years until 2033. The extension passed on a 4-0 vote. Half of the tax is used for city infrastructure and the other half for economic development.

Approved requesting a letter from Jamestown Public School District to discontinue the 1% City Sales Tax for the repayment of School District bonded indebtedness effective December 31, 2014, as it appears the district will have sufficient revenues to retire the bonds. The state tax department requires a three month quarterly notification. The excess dollars collected past December 31. 2014,to March 31, 2015 would revert to the city.

City Administrator  Jeff Fuchs said the tax collections could amount to between $300,000 and $500,000 for the three months. The committee did not discuss any possible uses for the unanticipated collections.

Voters will decide Novwmber 4th this year on implementing a quarter-percent sales tax for a new addition and renovation of Alfred Dickey Library. If passed, the new tax would go into effect April 1.

A first reading of an Ordinance to change the existing Ordinance was set.

The committee recommends approving to sell the Tax Increment Financing bonds for Menards.

The committee considered the request for funding for the construction of a Bus Shelter.

Council Member Kourajian who is heading up a committee for the Bus Shelter, was asking a one time investment for an amount of $16,000 to start construction to the west of the Post House, at the parking lot.

Kourajian said a non-profit corporation would be set up.

Mayor Andersen said the shelter would be a convenience and not an incentive for Jefferson Bus Lines, and would not support the funding request.

The committee recommends denying the request on a 3-1 vote with Kourajian voting in opposition. Kourajian said he was disappointed in the committee’s vote.

The committee recommends approving the tax exemptions previously granted for Prairie Hills and the Heritage Center relative to their assisted living services.

The committee recommends the sale of Lot 5, Block 1, Homestead III Addition, to the two adjacent property owners on a pro rata basis for $10,000, subject to an approved re-plat and the existing covenants.

The committee recommends approving the request from Albert L. Boeckel for a quit claim deed on a portion of vacated alley of Tahran’s 2nd Addition, for a $1 fee plus additonal attorneys expenses.

The committee recommends approving amending the Resolution approved June 2, 2014, which authorized $150,000 in Economic Development Funds for an addition to the SEPA Rail Spur with the City Share to be 80% and should have been 90%.

Departmental and financial reports were presented.

Building, Planning & Zoning Committee:

The First Reading of an ordinance was recommended to amend and re-enact Ordinance No. 329, to change the zoning of Lots 1-7, Block 1, Scherbenske Third Estates Subdivision, from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) and A-1 (Agricultural District) to R-1(Single Family Residential District), and Lot 8, Block 1, Scherbenske Third Estates Subdivision, from R-1 (Single Family Residential District) and A-1 (Agricultural District) to A-1 (Agricultural District).

To consider introducing the First Reading of an ordinance to amend and re-enact Section 3 and enact Sections 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3, Appendix B, of the City Code pertaining to Simple Lot Splits, Boundary Line Adjustments and Lot Mergers.

The committee took no action.

The committee moved to the City Council meeting, pending further review by the City Fire Chief, and City Attorney, the application from Arctic Electric for a Special Use Permit to allow temporary sleeping rooms for employees on Lots 9-14, Block 7, Mill Hill 2nd (Former Titan Building) which is currently zoned M-1 (Manufacturing District).

Civic Center & Promotion Committee:

The committee recommends sponsorship fees for the replacement basketball floor and portable backboards at the Civic Center.

Police & Fire Committee

No items at this time.

Public Works Committee

The committee considered a resolution for the City of Jamestown to take over responsibility and “ownership” of all public ROW bridges inside of City Limits from Stutsman County. Jamestown City Engineer Reed Schwartzkoph said the change from Stutsman County, amounts to a clerical change, which City Attorney Dalsted disagreed with. Schwartzkoph said residents in the area of the 5^{th Street Northwest bridge, on the federal highway system have concerns about the condition of the structure, which the city has responsibility for concerning maintenance.}

The committee took no action pending review.

The committee considered enhancing County/Township “road swap” maintenance agreement with Stutsman County for a portion of Country Club Road (aka 29th Street SE, WAPA Road) between State Hospital Road and County Road #39. Stutsman County is looking to take ownership of the townships half.

The committee will send the item to next month’s committee meeting.

The committee discussed a letter received from Sid & Megan Mann relating to engineering costs of replacing sidewalk at 422 4th Ave SE.

The committee made no official recommendation.

The committee recommends approving a contract detail estimate relating to the Business Loop East Transportation Enhancement (Landscaping) Project with 43 trees, at a cost of about $20,000.

The committee recommends the ESG Change Order No. 9 relating to mechanical work done at the Civic Center.

The committee recommends entering into an engineering services agreement with Interstate Engineering, Inc., for construction engineering on Phase II, McElroy Addition Project.

The committee recommends the award of the hydrologic Request for Proposal for the Municipal Waste Landfill scheduled for submittal on 9/19/14, the landfill expansion project, to Midwest Testing.

Discussion then related to hydraulically opening window in the storefront at 113 1st Avenue, South. The former Attitudes For You, Building.

The committee moved to recommend approval.

The committee recommends approving repairs to Baler Building as recommended by AE2S and Wells Concrete and accept proposal from Wells Concrete to proceed with repairs and instruct AE2S to field verify and certify the repair work.

The cost is estimated at $5,700.

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