Jamestown Council Approves Plans, Authorizes Advertisement for 96‑inch Stormwater Project

The Jamestown City Council unanimously approved plans and authorized the advertisement for bids for the 96-inch Stormwater Replacement Project, Phase II - Segment II, contingent on approval from USDA Rural Development, the council’s Feb. 19 special meeting minutes show. Council Member Steele moved the resolution and Council Member Phillips seconded; the roll call was 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent.

City Engineer Travis Dillman told the council the project continues replacement of the 96-inch storm sewer on the east side of U.S. Highway 281 up toward the Interstate 94 corridor, with a new 96-inch pipe to be installed starting near 25th Street Southwest and running north toward U.S. Highway 281 and I-94. The Phase II action follows a 2024 replacement of a 96-inch segment from 25th Street Southwest to U.S. Highway 281 and a 2023 repair of a failed 96-inch pipe south of 25th Street Southwest near Applebee’s that produced a sinkhole estimated at 12 to 14 feet deep.

Dillman gave a funding outline for the total stormwater effort, saying the project is estimated at $4.1 million, with Jamestown’s share roughly $420,000, approximately $2.3 million expected from USDA Rural Development grants and about $1.4 million from the North Dakota Department of Water Resources. City officials noted the exact USDA award amount has not been finalized. The council’s motion authorized advertising for bids immediately but made final plan approval and execution contingent on USDA-RD award.

Separately, the council approved plans and authorized advertisement for bids for the ¼ MG Water Tower Restoration Project at Mill Hill, with exterior and interior recoating and other improvements planned. Council Member Kamlitz moved that resolution and Council Member Schloegel seconded; the roll call was 5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent. The water tower work is contingent on approval from the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality and city officials said the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund or the Clean Water State Revolving Fund are anticipated funding sources.

The council also approved an EJCDC engineering agreement contingent upon USDA‑RD approval and authorized the mayor and City Administrator to sign the agreement once federal approval is secured; that resolution was moved by Council Member Steele and seconded by Council Member Phillips, passing 5-0. The special meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m., the Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and the meeting adjourned at 4:06 p.m. Attendees listed in the minutes included Mayor Dwaine Heinrich, Council Members Kamlitz, Phillips, Schloegel and Steele, Assistant City Attorney Geroux and City Administrator Sarah Hellekson; the minutes were attested by Hellekson and approved by Mayor Heinrich.

Mayor Dwaine Heinrich summed up the stormwater priority, saying, "This is something that has been a concern to the city for many, many years," and, "Hopefully, this year it will be replaced, and that should be a fix that will last well into the next century, if not longer." Council minutes also note the resolution directed preparation of a preliminary engineering report as the city moves toward bid opening and federal review.

If you have questions or want to weigh in on the 96-inch stormwater Phase II or the Mill Hill water tower restoration, contact City Administrator Sarah Hellekson at Jamestown City Hall or share this story with neighbors to prompt broader community feedback.