Jamestown meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

City Council approves $1.5M Buffalo Estates improvements; committee recommends liquor license, elevator repair

The Jamestown City Council approved a $1,499,962.75 construction contract for water, sewer, and street improvements in the Buffalo Estates development at a special meeting Aug. 18. The council also passed a resolution urging the James River Valley Library System to align its 2027 budget with Stutsman County, and approved a street closing for an Arts Center event.

City Council actions

Buffalo Estates infrastructure — The council approved a developer's agreement, an engineering agreement with Lowry Engineering, and awarded the $1,499,962.75 construction contract to Crow River Construction. All three resolutions passed 5-0 and were contingent on a fully executed developer's agreement.

Library budget resolution — A resolution urging the library system to concur with Stutsman County's 2027 budget passed 4-1.

Street closing for Arts Center — The council approved closing 2nd St SW from 1st Ave to the alley on Aug. 27, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM for the Anne Carlsen Community Event during the Downtown Arts Markets. The request came from the Jamestown Fine Arts Association (The Arts Center) and the Anne Carlsen Center. The council also waived the street closing fees. Both motions passed 5-0.

Finance & Legal Committee recommendations

The Finance & Legal Committee met Aug. 18 and forwarded several recommendations to the City Council. All committee votes were unanimous.

• Recommended a Class C liquor license for Park Bar and Lounge.
• Recommended a 2026 property tax abatement for 235 20th Ave NE.
• Recommended $36,458 in JSDC regional council dues, with the city share at $22,968.54.
• Recommended a $77,800 Otis Elevator repair contract.
• Directed the City Administrator to ask real estate agents about minimal-fee listing.

The committee also forwarded two items without recommendation: a parks sales tax memorandum of understanding and an Interstate Engineering water main agreement. The Building, Planning & Zoning and Civic Center committees had no substantive items.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the provided data.

Jamestown roundup: Council OKs CDBG housing pre-application; sales tax ordinance heads to vote; $821,346 Vactor truck recommended

The Jamestown City Council approved sponsorship of a federal grant pre-application for affordable housing at its July 21 meeting, while the Finance & Legal Committee advanced a sales tax ordinance recommendation and the Public Works Committee backed an $821,346 truck purchase for the Sewer Department.

City Council: CDBG pre-application approved for Riverside Cottages Phase III

The City Council voted 5-0 to approve a request from Stride Development PBC to sponsor a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) pre-application for the Riverside Cottages Project – Phase III, which involves affordable housing units. The Mayor and City Administrator are authorized to sign the application and related documents. A pre-application is a preliminary step before a full grant submission.

Also on July 21, the Council's Budget Committee received an overview of the Water, Wastewater, Sanitation, and Solid Waste Enterprise Funds. No substantive decisions were made at that session.

Finance & Legal Committee: Sales tax ordinance recommended 3-2

The Finance & Legal Committee recommended the City Council approve the first reading of a Sales and Use Tax Ordinance. That recommendation passed 3-2.

The committee also recommended, unanimously, that the Council:

• Approve a University of Jamestown courtyard dance permit for Aug. 22, 2026.
• Approve solicitation of Professional Real Estate Brokerage Services for surplus property sales.
• Set Sept. 8, 2026, as the public hearing date for the 2027 General and Special Funds budget.
• Approve a Civic Center signage and advertising policy and rate schedule.

The committee scheduled a joint meeting with the Jamestown Parks & Recreation Board for July 30, 2026.

Public Works Committee: Lead line project and Vactor truck recommended

On July 23, the Public Works Committee unanimously recommended the Council approve plans and authorize bid advertisement for a Lead Service Line (LSL) replacement project along 4th Ave E.

The committee also unanimously recommended the Council approve an $821,346 quote from Sanitation Products for a new Vactor Truck to replace Unit #45 in the Sewer Department. A Vactor truck is used for sewer and catch-basin cleaning.

Joint Council-Parks Board meeting

The City Council and Parks and Recreation Board met jointly July 30 to discuss potential future uses of the city sales tax. Minutes for that session have not yet been published, and no formal decisions were scheduled on the agenda.

Coming up

The City Council meets today, Aug. 3, 2026, with several consequential items on the agenda:

• Award of a $5,192,000 water treatment plant reuse project to Swanberg Construction, contingent on NDDEQ approval.
• Approval of a $579,000 water treatment bond for ¼-million-gallon tower improvements.
• Approval of a 17-year PILOT tax exemption for the Buffalo Manor senior housing development.
• Opening of bids for Water Treatment Plant Reuse/Recycle Project #26-64 and Water/Sewer District #26-51 Ski-Son Development.
• Approval of the $821,346 Vactor truck purchase for the Sewer Department.

The meeting includes public comment and a consent agenda for standard city operations.

Jamestown Council Approves Rezoning, Property Purchase, and New Utility Fee; Budget Committee Adjourns Without Action

The Jamestown City Council approved a rezoning, a $25,000 property purchase, and a new Light and Signal Utility Fee at its July 6 meeting, while the Budget Committee met July 14 and adjourned without taking up any substantive budget items.

Rezoning and Property Purchase

The Council voted 5-0 to rezone 2601 4th Ave SW from R1 (residential) to M1 (industrial). The same vote established a $25,000 purchase price for property at 324 5th Ave NE. No additional details on either property were included in the minutes.

New Light and Signal Utility Fee

The Council established Light and Signal Utility Fee rates and created the Light and Signal Utility 571 Fund, both on 5-0 votes. The minutes did not specify the dollar amounts of the fee rates. The Council also approved insurance coverage for sewer and water damage through the ND Insurance Reserve Fund, 5-0.

Consent Agenda and Procedural Items

The Council approved June meeting minutes unanimously and passed its consent agenda — including bank pledges and various city resolutions — on a 5-0 vote. A resolution of gratitude to Clarice Liechty passed 5-0.

Organizational Meeting and Appointments

The Council held an organizational meeting July 6 to set leadership and committee assignments. The minutes contain two summaries of this meeting with conflicting information: one names David Steele as Council President, the other names David Kloska. Both summaries list unanimous votes. The discrepancy could not be resolved from the provided records.

Appointments that appear consistently across the summaries include:

• Leo Ryan as City Attorney and City Prosecutor (unanimous), with one summary listing the term through June 2028.
• Abbagail Geroux as Assistant City Prosecutor and Assistant City Attorney through June 2028 (unanimous).
• Tonya Duffy as Special City Prosecutor through June 2028 (unanimous).
• Appointments to the County Zoning Board, Forestry Committee, Law Enforcement Governing Board, Storm Water Committee, Pension Committee, and ND Cares Steering Committee, all by unanimous vote.
• Committee chair assignments: Steele (Finance & Legal; Personnel), Kamlitz (Building, Planning and Zoning), Schloegel (Civic Center & Promotion), Davis (Police & Fire), and Hemmer (Public Works) — all unanimous.

Budget Committee Adjourns Without Action

The City Council Budget Committee met July 14. The only formal action was a motion to adjourn, which passed unanimously. No budget items were approved, denied, or tabled. The next budget meeting is scheduled for July 21, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.

Coming Up

The Finance & Legal Committee meets July 21 to discuss a city sales tax and an amendment to Ordinance 25.5. The committee will also consider setting September 8, 2026, as the public hearing date for the 2027 General and Special Funds budget. Other agenda items include a request from Jamestown Frontier Attractions to create a reserve fund for unused Public Building Site money, selection of professional real estate brokerage services for sale of city-owned surplus properties, and a Civic Center signage and advertising policy with a rate schedule.

Jamestown Council considered rezoning, $590,914 water main payment, and appointments on July 6

The Jamestown City Council met on July 6 for an organizational meeting and to consider several items, including a rezoning request, a $590,914.97 water main payment, and multiple appointments. Minutes from the meetings have not yet been published, so final decisions on these agenda items are not yet available.

Rezoning and Utility Fee Proposals

The council was scheduled to hold a public hearing and second reading on changing the zoning of a property at 2601 4th Ave SW from R1 (One-Family Residential) to M1 (Limited Industrial). The agenda also included a discussion on establishing a new Light and Signal Utility Fee and creating a corresponding 571 Fund.

Water Main Payment and Equipment Purchases

The agenda listed a payment of $590,914.97 to Crow River Construction for Water Main Improvement District 25-61. The council was also set to consider the purchase of two replacement tanker trailers for $55,000.

Proposed Sidewalk Ordinance

A proposed ordinance on the agenda would require property owners to construct sidewalks at their own expense.

Organizational Meeting and Appointments

The council held an organizational meeting to take oaths, nominate a council president and vice-president, and appoint a city attorney and city prosecutor for two-year terms. Appointments were also scheduled for the Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corporation Board, the County Zoning Board for terms through 2028 and 2030, the Forestry Committee, the ND Cares Steering Committee, the Pension Committee, and the Storm Water Committee. The mayor's committee assignments for Finance, Legal, Personnel, Building, Civic Center, Police, Fire, and Public Works were also on the agenda. The meeting was procedural, with no substantive legislation or public hearings.

Law Enforcement Center Governing Board Appointments

The council was set to vote on two appointments to the Law Enforcement Center Governing Board. One appointment fills an unexpired four-year term that ends in December 2027, and the other fills a term ending in December 2028. Both motions had been moved and seconded by council members.

Coming Up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days.

Jamestown council approves $846,828 golf course project, $499,530 street improvements

The Jamestown City Council approved an $846,828.30 miniature golf course construction project at Frontier Village and awarded a $499,530 contract for 11th Ave SW infrastructure improvements during meetings on June 23 and June 25.

Infrastructure and development

On June 23, the council voted 5-0 to approve water, sewer, and street improvement plans for the Buffalo Estates development. The same meeting saw a 5-0 vote approving the $846,828.30 miniature golf course construction at Frontier Village.

On June 25, the council awarded a $499,530 contract to Border States Paving Inc. for 11th Ave SW Water, Sewer and Street Improvement District #26-50, covering the Mary Young Addition and West Ridge Estates. The vote was 5-0, and the mayor and city administrator were authorized to sign related documents.

The council also approved a municipal advisor agreement with Colliers Securities LLC for bond refinancing (5-0).

Employee insurance

The council set 2026-2027 employee insurance rates and added First Stop Health as a provider (5-0).

Committee agendas

Several committee meetings on June 23 and June 25 produced agendas but no published minutes, meaning items were listed for discussion or recommendation rather than final action.

The Finance & Legal Committee agenda included a gaming site authorization for Jamestown Hockey Boosters at Park Bar and Lounge LLC, an Interest Buydown Agreement through the Pace Program with Bank of North Dakota for Buffalo Manor Apartments 1 LLP, and a proposed ordinance requiring property owners to construct sidewalks at their own expense. The committee also listed a purchase price establishment for 324 5th Ave NE and a rezoning request for 2601 4th Ave SW from R1 Residential to M1 Industrial.

A separate Finance & Legal Committee agenda proposed a new Light and Signal Utility Fee with rates to be set as presented, creation of a Light and Signal Utility 571 Fund for street lights and traffic signals, and approval of a 2026 North Dakota Forest Service Spring Emerald Ash Borer Mitigation Grant.

The Public Works Committee agenda included a Special Operations Team Joint Powers Agreement, the sale of three leachate hauling rolloff boxes to Barnes County Salvage & Sanitation for $1,200, replacement of two wastewater treatment facility tanker trailers, and sewer and water main break insurance with an annual premium of $10,688.

Public Works also considered a street closure of 1st Ave, 1st St, and 2nd St S for a University of Jamestown event on August 26, 2026, professional design services for the Public Works Building at 1620 8th Ave SW, and Change Order No. 1 ($0) to Scherbenske Inc. for the 96' Stormwater Replacement Project Phase II Segment II.

Coming up

The City Council meets today, July 6, for a regular meeting and an organizational meeting. The regular meeting includes a public hearing and second reading on rezoning 2601 4th Ave SW from R1 (One-Family Residential) to M1 (Limited Industrial), discussion of the proposed Light and Signal Utility Fee and 571 Fund, purchase of two replacement tanker trailers for $55,000, a proposed sidewalk construction ordinance, and payment of $590,914.97 to Crow River Construction for Water Main Improvement District 25-61.

The organizational meeting includes oaths of office, nomination of council president and vice-president, and appointments of the city attorney, city prosecutor, and members to several boards and committees.

Jamestown approves $846K mini golf course, $500K street project

The Jamestown City Council approved more than $1.3 million in construction contracts this week, including an $846,828 miniature golf course at Frontier Village and a $499,530 water, sewer and street improvement project on 11th Avenue Southwest. The council also advanced a municipal advisor agreement for bond refinancing and set 2026-2027 employee insurance rates.

Infrastructure and recreational spending

On June 23, the council voted 5-0 to hire a contractor for an $846,828.30 miniature golf course at Frontier Village, according to meeting minutes. The same night, members unanimously approved water, sewer and street improvement plans for the Buffalo Estates development, along with a municipal advisor agreement with Colliers Securities LLC for bond refinancing. No dollar amounts were listed for those actions.

The council also approved 2026-2027 insurance rates and the addition of First Stop Health to employee benefits, all on a 5-0 vote. A proposed Special Operations Team joint powers agreement was tabled to the June 25 Police & Fire Committee.

On June 25, the council awarded a $499,530 contract to Border States Paving Inc. for the 11th Avenue Southwest Water, Sewer and Street Improvement District #26-50, which includes areas in the Mary Young Addition and West Ridge Estates. That vote was also 5-0.

Shaping the July 6 agenda

Several items discussed by city committees last week are set to appear before the council on Monday. The Finance & Legal Committee on June 23 considered a new Light and Signal Utility Fee and the creation of a dedicated fund for street lights and traffic signals, along with a grant application for emerald ash borer mitigation. The committee also reviewed a proposed ordinance that would require property owners to build sidewalks at their own expense, and a rezoning request for 2601 4th Avenue Southwest from residential to limited industrial.

The Public Works Committee on June 25 took up a University of Jamestown street closure request for August 26, professional design services for a public works building, and a proposal to buy sewer and water main break insurance with an annual premium of $10,688. It also recommended selling three leachate hauling rolloff boxes to Barnes County Salvage & Sanitation for $1,200.

Coming up

The Jamestown City Council will meet July 6 for both a regular session and an organizational meeting. On the regular agenda: a public hearing and second reading on rezoning 2601 4th Avenue SW from R1 to M1; establishment of the Light and Signal Utility Fee and 571 Fund; purchase of two replacement tanker trailers for $55,000; the sidewalk construction ordinance; and a $590,914.97 payment to Crow River Construction for Water Main Improvement District 25-61. The organizational meeting will include oath-taking, selection of council president and vice-president, appointment of city attorney and prosecutor, and assignments to boards and committees.