City Council dismisses complaint against chief

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Council met in Regular Session Monday evening at City Hall.  All members were present.

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS DISCUSSED SEPARATELY:

Item “C” was removed by Mayor Andersen, A Resolution to approve the revised Job Description for the City Engineer position, as amended March 24, 2016.

Mayor Andersen said in response to Becky Thatcher-Keller, that the revised job description will be added to the city’s wed site.

Item “G” was discussed separately. The City Council addressed Attorney Joseph Larson’s complaint against Jamestown Police Chief Scott Edinger. The complaint was brought by Larson, himself.   The complaint alleged that Edinger attempted to cover up an incident involving a deputy with the Stutsman County Sheriff’s Department.

The complaint was reviewed by Deputy Auditor, Jay Sveum, through Human Resources, and Council Member Brubakken who has the Legal Committee portfolio.

The Police and Fire Committee asked Sveum and Brubakken to bring back a recommendation following an investigation to the full city council or to the next committee meeting.

Under regular circumstances the police chief would be in charge of the matter.

At Monday’s City Council meeting,

the completed report was submitted to the council. Council Member Buchanan asked who was inquired. Brubakken said only Chief Edinger was questioned.

He asked Chief Edinger about the protocol of incident reports. He asked why the original report was not complete. Edinger said the report was updated, as the would-be victim did not wish to file any one of several charges.

Edinger said in this case the property owner preferred no action.

He added in this case he did an internal investigation for an update in the call for service.

He said the shifts that evening were not regular, because of that days Runnin O the Green, and so the reports were a variation of normal procedures.

Brubakken said the case was a lack of oversight….and a coverup was not intended.

Mayor Andersen moved to accept the findings of the committee and dismiss the complaint, which was passed unaimously.

REGULAR AGENDA

RESOLUTIONS:

A PUBLIC HEARING was held concerning Seal Coat, Patching, Construction and Reconstruction District #16-41 protests and the sufficiency thereof.

Following the Public Hearing it was determined that the protests have been found to be insufficient to bar proceeding.

The City Council tabled entering into the Joint Powers Agreement with the Jamestown Park District relative to the 1% City Sales Tax for the construction of the TRAC Facility. Mayor Andersen said additional information is needed before an agreement can be reached. She said the matter will be brought up at the April committee meeting.

ORDINANCES:

A FIRST READING, Concerning ordinances granting continued franchise agreements to the following utilities whose franchises have expired: Cable Services, Inc., CenturyLink; and Dakota Central Telecommunications.

Following discussions with the utilities, a Second Reading will come before the city council. City Adiministrator Jeff Fuchs recommends a five year agreement in each case.

A SECOND READING: pertaining to traffic impact studies; and to amend a Section of the City Code, pertaining to preliminary plat items and to amend a Section pertaining to the amendment process. Mayor Andersen re-stated that she does not support the Ordinance, placing an undue burden on developers, and the city being “not friendly,” to developers regarding a traffic impact study.

Council Member Buchanan disagreed, but still, offered an amendment regarding a traffic impact study, under certain circumstances. The City Engineer would have discretion concerning approvals.

He moved to pass the Ordinance as he amended.

The motion failed for lack of a second.

A motion was made to pass the original amendment, which

failed on a 4-1 vote with Council Member Buchanan voting in favor.

A SECOND READING: 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 Second Reading passed unanimously.

HEARING FROM THE AUDIENCE:

Chamber Executive Becky Thatcher-Keller asked about if the blighted properties under question had been addressed. The city will update when the 30 days have been reached to allow property owners to make adjustments.

APPOINTMENTS:

The City council approved the appointment of Jay Marie Nitschke to serve as a member of the James River Valley Library System Board with a term to expire March 2019.

Approved the appoint James Weight to serve as a member of the Fire Code Board of Appeals with a term to expire November 2018.

MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER’S REPORT:

Council Member Buchanan asked about the range of hours available for public walkers at the Civic Center. City Administrator Fuchs pointed out that when the facility is not being rented, from 8am-noon and 1-5-p.m. the public walkers are welcome.

OTHER BUSINESS:

Approved recognizing the Justin Williams Benefit as an other public spirited organization and to authorize the issuance of a Raffle Permit on April 16, 2016, at the Knights of Columbus.

Approved recognizing the Stutsman County Memorial Museum as an other public spirited organization and to authorize the issuance of a Charity Local Permit on April 16, 2016, at the Quality Inn & Suites(Banquet Rooms).

Approved recognizing the Megan Dewald Benefit as an other public spirited organization and to authorize the issuance of a Raffle Permit on April 20, 2016, at the Knights of Columbus.

Approved a Resolution to designate May 2 – 7, 2016, as City Clean-Up Week.  Mayor Andersen said the flyer is available on the dates and locations, and days and areas during the collection week, at City Hall, and the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce office.

Mayor Andersen said the City of Jamestown will send a letter of support of UnitedExpress/SkyWest as the Essential Air Service Carrier for Jamestown over the next two years, to the Department of Transportation.

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