City reviews Run O Green street closures

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Council’s committees met in joint session Wednesday afternoon at City Hall.  All members were present.

FINANCE & LEGAL COMMITTEE BUSINESS:

The committee recommends the subordination of the JSDC position on the Agreement for New Jobs Training with Pharmakon Solutions dba Eldermark Software Solutions in order to allow the firm to receive a SBA bank line of credit loan from Venture Capital, in the amount of $350,000.00.

The request from JSDC for reimbursement of 2015 Real Estate Taxes for Spiritwood Township properties; and special assessments on the Center of Economic Development building and the remaining I-94 lot, in the amount of $9,777.12, with the City Share to be $8,657.21, was tabled until next month, at the request of JSDC/CEO Connie Ova.

Considered approving the requests for street closings and/or permits to allow alcoholic beverages in fenced areas for the St. Patrick’s Day Runnin’ O’ The Green, on March 19, 2016, for: All Vets Club; Buffalo Lanes, Inc.; Corner Bar; Cork and Barrel, Inc.(Elk’s location); Middles LLC d/b/a Fred’s Den; Frontier Fort & Grill; Knights of Columbus; Johnny B’s, Office Bar & Lounge; Sabirs II, LLC; Shady’s; and Wonder Bar Sports Bar.
City Administrator Jeff Fuchs said, Jonny B’s requested the alley behind the establishment be blocked off, along with a portion of the parking lot behind the mall. He said that previously parking lots were not allowed to be blocked off.

The committee recommends approving the closures, and working with Jonny B’s, on closures so there are removable barriers and that tents being erected be discussed first with the police chief and fire chief.

The committee discussed the possibility of closing a portion of 1st Avenue about two blocks for the Runnin’ of the Green. Police Chief Edinger indicted concerns about blocking off a large portion of the street and sections of some alleys. Jamestown Ambulance Service requested access for first responders.
Gail Martin from U.S. Bank said she has been requested to have a tent put up in the bank’s parking lot. Chief Edinger asks that he and Fire Chief Reuther be consulted before any tents are erected.
The Run’s organizer, Larry Knoblich said he has mixed feelings on street closures. He said not everyone in the Run drinks or gets drunk. He expects a large number of participates, around 3,000, with no conflicts from other cities.  The First Avenue area closure would have created a common outdoor area that could have been accessed by several bars on First Avenue.

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The committee recommends the transfer of City lots four and one to Woodsonia Development per developer’s agreement and the opening of Menards.  Lot two has previously been conveyed.

Departmental and financial reports were presented.

BUILDING, PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE:
The committee discussed the First Reading of an Ordinance to enact a Section of the City Code pertaining to traffic impact studies; and to amend a Sectio pertaining to preliminary plat items; and to amend a Section pertaining to amendment process.
The planning commission has recommend approval.
The committee recommends bringing forward to the city council.

CIVIC CENTER AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE

No items at this time.

POLICE AND FIRE COMMITTEE
The committee considered the First Reading of an ordinance to amend and re-enact a Section of the City Code pertaining to the definition of Group day care home or preschool facility. The committee recommends changes, raising the maximum number to 17 in day care.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

Brent Erickson, with HDR Inc.was to be present to give an updated report on Sanitation and Solid Waste Study, howeve,r he was not present, being ill.
Joan Morris of the Chamber’s City Beautification Committee addressed the committee with updates.
She said a technical memo from HDR has been updated with numbers different from the initial numbers in the study, presented at the committee meeting in November of 2015.
She said Erickson has since indicted that some of the numbers were in error and some information was omitted.
The information was obtained with a recent meeting with Erickson.
The committee recommends requesting documents from HDR, be presented at a rescheduled meeting.

The committee recommends approving the request from Scherbenske, Inc., to reduce the retainage for the Cell 3B West construction from 10% to 2%.

The committee recommends authorizing the purchase of a new 2016 Chevrolet K-1500 Double Cab 4X4 from Don Wilhelm,Inc. for the Sewer Department the low bid of $28,899.

Recommends approving the request from Casey Stoudt for the City to vacate a portion of an easement which runs across land he has purchased, across from Menards, as the City has abandoned the water main, with an engineer’s review.

Discussion was held relative to filling the City Engineer’s position and possible job description changes.
City Administrator Fuchs said it might be time to change the job description to strictly an Engineer’s position, and a resource to public works.
He said the future a public works director may be necessary.
Mayor Andersen said at some point in the future there may be management changes within city departments.
Fuchs will submit proposals for future considerations.

The committee recommends entering into an engineering agreement with Interstate Engineering, Inc., for construction of Sewer & Water District 16-31 & 16-61 ( 3rd St NW west of Second Avenue Northwest).

The committee recommends entering into an engineering agreement with Interstate Engineering, Inc., for SW Water Main Replacement District 16-62. (Approximately 10 Blocks to be determined).

The committee recommends considered entering into an engineering agreement with Interstate Engineering, Inc., for construction of a new Raker Building for the Sewer Utility.
Mayor Andersen said a qualification process should take place before an agreement, to draft proposals, including experience.

The committee recommends the following Resolutions pertaining to 2016 Sidewalk, Curb & Gutter District #16-11:
To set up and establish the district.
To direct the City Engineer to prepare plans and specifications for the construction of the district.
To accept and approve the plans and specifications, as prepared by the City Engineer, for the construction of the District.
To direct the City Administrator to advertise for bids for the construction of the district.

City Administrator Fuchs said the North Dakota League of Cities, and the NDDOT will perform a study on streets, including a cost share to perform a study. The committee recommends the city participate in the study.

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