Evan Vitale Consulting: Council questions consulting bill

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Council questions consulting bill – Jamestown Sun

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The City Council unanimously approved paying the bill but talked about ways to reduce costs Tuesday.

SRF Consulting provides research and planning work used by the Jamestown Planning Commission when considering plats or additions to the city of Jamestown and zoning changes.

“I’m wondering if this is getting spendy,” said Councilman Dan Buchanan, who made the request to move the payment from the consent agenda for individual action.

Jeff Fuchs, city administrator, said the city has an annual contract with SRF Consulting at $57,000, but the company bills each month based on the amount of services it provides. The most recent bill, for services provided in July, amounted to $12,615.

Jamestown Mayor Katie Andersen said only about $10,000 remains on the contract for the year with four months remaining. She said the only options once the final $10,000 is spent is an additional appropriation or a reduction in service.

Andersen said SRF Consulting had also spent a “lot of extra hours” researching city ordinances. Fuchs said some of the research was done at the request of the Jamestown Planning Commission. Some work has involved changes to ordinances dealing with the number of parking spaces required at nursing and assisted care homes.

In other business, the City Council approved a joint powers agreement with the Jamestown Parks and Recreation District concerning tax collections and dispersions for the Two Rivers Activity Center. The agreement limits the spending of tax collections to the construction of phase one of the project.

The City Council also approved a Class D alcoholic beverage license for Jonny B’s, which will be located at 215 1st Ave. S. Jonny B’s is a new restaurant planning to open on 1st Avenue although no date has been set.

The City Council also appointed Brian Paulson to a four-year term on the Jamestown Planning Commission.

Sun reporter Keith Norman can be reached at 701-952-8452 or by email at knorman@jamestownsun.com

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