cityhall-488Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Council’s Finance and Legal, Building Planning and Zoning, and Civic Center and Promotion Committees met Wednesday afternoon at City Hall. 

Council Member Gumke was not present.

FINANCE & LEGAL COMMITTEE:

The committee heard a presentation by Shawn Gaddie, AE2S regarding the Storm Water Utility Feasibility Study. He said Tuesday’s meeting included the thought process, and next month following feedback, another presentation will be held.

Included in Tuesday’s meeting was rate structures, and user fee methods.   Labor costs and time studies of the workforce were noted.  Included was a look at street sweeping and storm sewer cleaning and costs of equipment rates, along with capital projects, new equipment and repair work

Depreciation of vehicles in the departments was noted.   The total annual costs to operate the utility was put at $430,000, including labor, vehicle fleets and miscellaneous.   Trunk line improvements were pointed out in various areas of the city, and drainage deficiencies.  State Water Commission funding may be possible for projects.

Mayor Andersen said the public needs to be aware of possible user fees adjustments that may be necessary, especially as the city and demands grow.

Mayor Andersen said the public needs to be aware of possible user fees adjustments that may be necessary, especially as the city and demands grow.   She wants a percentage of existing trunk line improvements considered.

Council Member Buchanan said a revenue source needs to be considered and to stick with it.

 

In other business the committee recommends for approval the request from JSDC to provide $75,000.00 in matching funds from the Economic Development Fund for the New Energy Spirit Biomass Refinery, LLC, contingent upon approval of the APUC request, with the City Share to be $67,500.00. JSDC CEO Connie Ova said the request is to update and fund in part a feasibility study.

The committee recommends for approval the request from JSDC for $25,000.00 from the Economic Development Fund for continuing matching funds for the North Dakota Trade Office for the 2016-2018 biennium, with the City Share to be $20,000.00.

The committee recommends approval of the request from JSDC for $34,824.00 from the Economic Development Fund to pay South Central Dakota Regional Council dues for 2016 with the City Share to be $21,939.00.

The committee moved to the May City Council without recommendation the request of Jon Goplen to purchase Lot 6, Block 1, I-94 Business Park Addition, for $70,000.00.

 

The committee received an update on the Joint Powers Agreement with the Jamestown Park District relative to the 1% City Sales Tax for the construction of the TRAC Facility.

City Attorney Leo Ryan said the Park Board will meet this week, and should have information to present back to the city. The committee moved the item to the City Council without recommendation.

 

Informational:

The Second Reading of Ordinances granting a franchise to Cable Services, Inc., CenturyLink, and Daktel Communications, LLC, is scheduled for the May 2, 2016, City Council Meeting.

Council member Buchanan moved to send the franchise requests back to committee for further study, to harmonize all three, pointing out the differences in the CenturyLink Ordinance. 

CSi President Roy Sheppard presented draft language to be considered, included the length of the franchise term and the issue of recording meetings.  City Attorney Ryan added that the franchise grants may come at different times.

The committee moved the readings to next month’s committee meeting, with the franchises remaining in full force..

 

Departmental and financial reports were presented.

 

BUILDING, PLANNING & ZONING COMMITTEE

Informational: Minutes of the April 11, 2016, Planning Commission Meeting, were presented.

 

CIVIC CENTER AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE

No items at this time.

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