City adds more counsel for dispute

Talk about it

The Jamestown City Council added another attorney to its roster dealing with its ongoing territorial dispute with Stutsman Rural Water District. The action came after a 45-minute closed door executive session Tuesday during a special City Council meeting.

Levi Andrist of the Vogel Law Firm of Bismarck was retained as an independent contractor providing special counsel in the case.

The city of Jamestown and Stutsman Rural Water have been embroiled in an ongoing dispute over which organization will provide water service to the area west of Jamestown Regional Medical Center, including the new Titan Machinery facility under construction there. The two organizations last met face-to-face on Dec. 14, 2012.

In other action, the Jamestown Finance and Legal Committee postponed action on a draft agreement between the city and Buffalo City Tourism Foundation. BCTF board members were holding their own annual meeting at the same time as the committee meeting and were unable to attend.

“It is best to forward it to next month’s committee meeting where both sides will have had a chance to review,” said Ramone Gumke, chairman of the Finance and Legal Committee.

The committee was also informed of City Forester Vern Quam’s resignation, which was submitted on Jan. 21 and became effective immediately.

Jeff Fuchs, city administrator, said Quam had made the decision for personal reasons. Quam could not be reached for comment.

No action was taken toward replacing Quam.

The Jamestown Building, Planning and Zoning Committee approved two new plats. The Wanzek Addition plat and the Berndt Addition plat will become official after action by the full City Council on Feb. 4.

Sun reporter Keith Norman can be reached at 701-952-8452

or by email at knorman@jamestownsun.com

Tags: local news, news, water