St. James City Council voted 7-0 on Dec. 8 to pass Ordinance No. 25-1311 related to a $5,000 purchase for a .19 acre fraction of land owned by J&L Properties. 

City Administrator Leeann DeMouche wrote background information on the ordinance. 

“The city identified a small portion of the building owned by the city and leased to Phelps County Animal Rescue was encroaching on land owned by J&L Sherfy Properties,” DeMouche began. “After discussion with owners and during a closed Nov. 10 council meeting, it was agreed that the city pay $5,000 to the owner from the city’s general fund. Councilmen determined that the general welfare of the Phelps County Animal Shelter is served by purchasing said real property from J&L Sherfy Properties, LLC.”

Mayor Rick Krawiecki signed a deed related to the ordinance.

In other business, a resolution was passed with a 7-0 vote to approve for HLT Properties, LLC., to have a city engineer review their development.

HLT Properties built an 80,000 square foot building outside of city limits. The developer brought a resolution to the council.

"The Developers Agreement that went before City Council was for the city to agree to allow the developer to have an engineering study conducted at his cost,” Public Works Director Lyle Thomas said. “The study would be to determine if he could possibly tie into the city sewer and if the city has an adequate water supply for his development.”

In other business, Krawiecki introduced a discussion regarding a $200 incentive for city employees. Each year, the mayor brings an incentive discussion to the council to reward city employees for their services.

The council approved the incentive with a 7-0 vote.