Tourism reviews grant guidelines & policies

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown Tourism Grant/Executive Advisory Board met Friday at the CSi Technology Center, at Historic Franklin School.

No grant requests were on the agenda, so the board discussed and reviewed other business, and Executive Director, Searle Swedlund’s job performance review and salary increase.

During  his reports, Swedlund said the Calendar Committee met this week and the planning process is in the “technical component.” It a good cross-section of stake-holder were in attendance.

He also pointed out that representatives of the 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse Committee will be requesting some funding from the state legislature.

He presented a 2015 Grant Allocation workshop sheet  that indicated anticipated requests and projected dollar amounts.

Also reviewed was the grant fund request guidelines, along with eligible grant funding recipients. Possible additional categories were discussed.

The board directed Swedlund to meeting with Civic Center Manager Pam Fosse to develop a one page grant request sheet to be included to entice organizations to hold events in Jamestown.

It was discussed if tourism can influence expanding camping opportunities in Jamestown.

Remaining 2014 Grant and Operating dollars were allocated into the 2015 budget.

Remaining Operating Funds were approved to go into the 2015 General Operating Fund, in the amount of $4,135.

Grant dollars of $5,919 was applied to the city held Capital Improvement Fund.

Swedlund commented that the Frontier Village Association Board has authorization and identification issues that need addressing.

It was pointed out that the FVA has hired a CPA for accounting purposes.

In closed Executive Session the board discussed Swedlund’s annual job performance review. Returning to Regular Session the board voted unanimously to give Swedlund a salary increase of $7, 000 annually. Board President, Mitzi Hager said Swedlund has done a “fantastic job,” in his postion, and had brought tourism, “into the 21^st Century,” with is “hands-on,” approach.

Civic Center Manager Pam Fosse told the board that the North Dakota Dance and Drill team competition next weekend, is expected to have 39 teams competing.