JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The City of Jamestown will be considering adoption of a new policy for temporary levees.

The discussion Thursday night was prompted following an emergency management meeting earlier this year involving numerous agencies. City Administrator Sarah Hellekson says County Emergency Management suggested cities and the county adopt a public policy.

Hellekson says the policy gets “touchy” when residents start asking for their decks, trees, or homes protected under the policy. She says it’s better to have the policy now so if funds are spent protecting private property, they can be reimbursed by the state and FEMA in the event of a flood.

Hellekson stated she needed the committee to decide whether or not to include private property and zones outside of the city to include in the policy.

Councilmember Dave Steele stated he was concerned with including property outside the city limits.

Darrell Hournbuckle with Interstate Engineering stated there has been request to have assistance from the city, but he doesn’t recall having done anything outside city limits.

Mayor Heinrich added that the policy should include some provision or wording that it would include public property.

The committee recommended the City Administrator, City Attorney’s Office, City Engineer, and others to draft the policy by the March city meeting.