Jamestown, ND (KCSi-T.V. News) — The Jamestown City Council met in Regular Session Monday evening (Dec 3, 2012) at City Hall.

All members were present.

Items discussed separately on the Consent Agenda included:

Items K and P requested by Council Member Kourajian.

Item K a Resolution to approve Payment No. 4, to Lindberg Brothers, Inc., for construction on 2012 Sidewalk, Curb & Gutter District #12-11, in the amount of $49,700.28.

Kourajian asked if that was the final payment. City Administrator Jeff Fuchs said it was close to the final payment.

The item was then approved.

Item P, a Resolution to approve Payment No. 1 (Inv No. 12039), to Interstate Engineering, Inc., for engineering services on Water & Sewer District 12-61 & 12-31 (Titan Addition), in the amount of $5,448.00. Kourajian asked if approvals means the project will go forward.

Mayor Andersen said this item approves work already performed.

The item was then approved.

Approved on the Consent Agenda was

A Resolution was approved, the recomendation from the JSDC for Economic Development Funds, in the amount of $45,312.00, with the City Share to be $36,250.00 and paid for from the City Sales Tax Fund, for development of the following:

1) Engaging SRF Consulting Group, Inc., to prepare a Growth Development Plan for the City of Jamestown and the Extraterritorial Area at an estimated fee of $27,376.00;

2) Engaging SRF Consulting Group, Inc., to prepare Strategic Master Plans for Three Strategic Growth Areas of Jamestown at an estimated cost of $7,936.00; and

3) Engaging SRF Consulting Group, Inc., to provide technical assistance associated with planning tasks associated with Current Development Proposals in an amount to not exceed $10,000.

　

On the Regular Agenda:

Committee Reports:

A Draft Agreement with Buffalo City Tourism Foundation, as drawn up by City Attorney Ken Dalsted was presented.

Dalsted’s previous opinion was that the city not appoint Foundation Board members, as a requirement in a new contract.

He said because Buffalo City Tourism is an independent corporation, it is recommended that the entity be allowed to elect its own directors, as provided by law.

The BCTF may, under the city’s Enterprise Ordinance, make application to the city, making a request to perform services on behalf of the city.

The city is proposing a four year contract, with funding at $65,000 each of the next two years, and next year a re-negoitation for a new funding request.

Presently the Tourism Board receives $120,000 in operating funds.

Mayor Andersen favors an annual contract and raising funding through independent means, including possibly charging admission to the Frontier Village.

Clarification

Under the current agreement, the BCTF is funding with 40% of the city’s Restaurant tax, 100% of the lodging tax, plus $65,000, annually…a portion of the a half percent of the City Sales tax from the JSDC Economic Development funds, plus grant funding.

Tourism Director Nina Sneider said BCTF does not receive dollars from the Stutsman County Economic Development Fund.

The draft was reviewed, with Mayor Andersen saying the figures in the draft are what the council previously agreed to.

The draft includes funding from the motel and restaurant taxes, through the City of Jamestown.

Council Member Buchanan was not in favor of taking the language, “sales tax” out of the agreement, since dollars will come from the city sales tax.

Mayor Andersen said that area is separate from the motel and restaurant tax fund.

BCTF Director Nina Sneider said in 2014 an additional $20,000 will be needed above the proposed funding of $299,320, for 2014, to cover the cost of billboard advertising.

Mayor Andersen said she wanted a city only agreement with BCTF, and not jointly with the JSDC, because the city is doling out the motel and restaurant taxes for funding.

Mayor Andersen said she is uncomfortable with numbers past 2014, to see what funds are generated from the motel and restaurant taxes.

Fuchs says reserve funds should be stipulated in the agreement.

The Mayor again restated the possibility of additional funding come from other sources such as charging for admission to Jamestown tourist sites, to which Sneider said will take time to plan.

Council Member Brubakken said those he talked to in Jamestown were not in favor of the charges.

After the discussions and a few language changes in the draft, which includes omitting direct participation from the JSDC, the City Council voted to approve the draft with changes included at Monday’s meeting. The vote was unanimous to approve.

Then the Council addressed an item previously tabled, to fund $75,000 for 2013, from the JSDC. The motion to approve was passed unanimously.

Ordinances:

The Second Reading of an Ordinance to amend and re-enact Section 8, Appendix B, of the City Code, pertaining to required improvements.

Council Member Buchanan went on record of opposing the action, saying the Council is acting in haste. 

He said the City Council would be micro-managing development issues.

He said developers needed more input on the issue.

Mayor Andersen said the Ordinance has been testified to at four previous meetings by real estate officials, and approved by the City Planning Commission.

The vote to approve amending and re-enacting the City Code was on a vote of 3-2 with Council Members Buchanan, and Brubakken voting against approval.

Hearing from the audience: No one spoke

Appointments: None were made.

Other Business:

The City Council approved the request from North Dakota Buffalo Foundation, Inc., for a gaming site authorization at the Gladstone Inn (Banquet Rooms) on December 15, 2012.

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