Committee discusses bus depot funding

Jamestown (CSi)  The Jamestown City Council met Tuesday afternoon at City Hall.

Council Member Gumke was not present.

The City Council approved and authorized the submission of an application to the North Dakota Health Department and Public Finance Authority for a CWSRF　Loan to finance the Sanitary Landfill – Cell 3BW Development, in the amount of 450,000.00. City Administrator Jeff Fuchs said the bond is 2% plus a one half of one percent administrative fee.

Following the Special Meeting the City Council committee meetings were held.

FINANCE & LEGAL COMMITTEE:

The committee recommends authorizing the JSDC to enter into a short term lease agreement, with an option to renew, to provide office space at the Center for Economic Development, for the CHS contractor Becktel. The Stutsman County Commission approved the agreement on Tuesday morning.

The committee recommends authorizing the JSDC to enter into a short term lease agreement, with an option to renew, to provide an 80 acre parcel in Spiritwood Township for use in providing a crew camp.

The committee recommends authorizing the JSDC to request a change in zoning on the JSDC Spiritwood Township property for the E½ of Section 28-140-62 from Agricultural to Industrial.  The zone change request was approved by the Stutsman County Commission, Tuesday morning.

The committee recommends approving the 2016 JSDC Budget Request.

The (JSDC) Board of Directors had approved a revised 2016 budget that includes a 3.8 percent overall increase in expenditures. The budget includes a 3 percent raise for JSDC employees. The increase boosts the 2016 budget to $452,000 from the 2015 budget of $436,000. The JSDC Board had approved a 5 percent increase in wages and an overall 5 percent increase in spending. The original budget did not meet guidelines set by the Stutsman County Commission limiting increases to 3 percent.

BUS STOP: The committee considered the request from the Jamestown Bus Stop, Inc., for $5,000 to provide water, sewer and restroom fixtures in the proposed bus depot in the 100 Block on 2nd Avenue Southeast adjacent to the First Congregational Church.

Supporter and organizer, City Council Member Charlie Kourajian said, if approved the corporation would start fundraising and applying for grants, ask churches for support, and to apply for United Way funds.

Kourajian said a verbal agreement is in hand with the church, adding that a formal agreement is expected to be for three years. Mayor Andersen said that she would vote in favor when a formal agreement is in hand.

The committee recommends sending to the City Council without recommendation pending a formal contract being in place.

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Other business:  The committee recommends approval of the request from John and Susan Greenwood for Renaissance Zone incentives by providing 5 years of property tax exemption and to request the ND State Tax Department to grant 5 years of State income Tax exemption for the purchase of a residence on Lot 8, Block 1, Lindberg Addition.

The committee discussed the offer of Brian H. & Erin S. Paulson to purchase Lot 10, Block 2, Homestead Addition for $500.00. The Paulson’s currently own Lot 11. City Assessor Darrell Wollan said the amount would not cover administrative costs. The committee recommends selling for $500, and the Paulson’s pay the Special Assessments and property taxes due.

The committee recommends approval of a five (5) year extension to the Jamestown Renaissance Zone District incentives from the ND Department of Commerce.  City Administrator Fuchs said the 15 year agreement expires on August 7^th this year, and a five year extension is possible.

Informational:

A Public Hearing is scheduled for the August 3, 2015, City Council meeting relative to a five (5) year extension of the Renaissance Zone District incentives.

Informational:

A Public Hearing is scheduled for the August 3, 2015, City Council meeting relative to a request from the James River Valley Library System for a “Certification of Significant Community Support” concerning a USDA-Rural Development Grant to replace the Book Mobile.

Informational:

An application for appointment to the Planning Commission has been received from Paulette Ritter.

Informational:

The Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1461, introduced by Council Member Gumke, to create and enact Article V of Chapter 25.5 of the City Code pertaining to City Sales and Use Tax for Two Rivers Activity Center (TRAC) Bond Issue, is scheduled for the August 3, 2015, City Council meeting.

Informational:

Departmental and financial reports.

BUILDING, PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE

Informational:

A Public Hearing and approval-disapproval of an update of plan requirements according to Section 5.4.3 of Appendix C for Lot 1, Block 1, Eventide Addition, is scheduled for the August 3, 2015, City Council Meeting.

Informational:

The Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1462, introduced by Council Member Brubakken, to amend and re-enact Section 6 of Appendix B of the City Code pertaining to Fees for Platting Procedures, is scheduled for the August 3, 2015, City Council meeting.

Informational:

A Public Hearing and Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1463, introduced by Council Member Gumke, an ordinance to amend and re-enact Ordinance No. 329 of the City Code by amending the District Map to change the zoning of the Lots 1-5, Block 1, and Lots 1-4, Block 2, Dakota Acres First Subdivision, from A-1 and R-1 to R-1 and for the proposed Lots 1-3, Block 3, Dakota Acres First Subdivision, from P-O-C and R-1 to R-1, is scheduled for the August 3, 2015, City Council meeting.

CIVIC CENTER AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE

No agenda items at this time.

The Special Council Meeting and committee meetings were shown live on CSi 67 followed by replays.