Mayor Ken LaMont returned to preside over the Mandan City Commission on Tuesday, having been sidelined since the end of February by a mild heart attack and subsequent quadruple bypass operation.

LaMont took the lead on two important new ordinances dealing with redevelopment of downtown Mandan. It was the second reading of the Environmental Institutional Control Zoning District and reforming of the architectural review commission.

"Basically, what we're dealing with is a continuation of redevelopment of downtown Mandan. Just another step bringing us close to that reality," LaMont said.

The second ordinance renamed the architectural advisory committee to the architectural review commission, increased its members from six to nine, provides for appointment of members by the city commission and establishes an appeals process.

City attorney Sharon Gallagher said the architectural review commission will review all plans for new construction and renovation of existing commercial and industrial properties. All such projects must go through the commission before permits are issued.

Both ordinances were adopted by unanimous votes.

In other activity the Mandan City Commission:

3 Approved a request from the Musicians Association and Mandan Progress Organization to shut off Main Street for Buggies & Blues activities on June 10-11.

3 Held a first reading of an ordinance creating a new chapter relating to "Door to Door Sales and Solicitations."

City administrator Jim Neubauer said a private entity requested the city adopt an ordinance similar to Bismarck's door-to-door sales. The new law consists of eight sections including: declaration of purpose and intent, requiring sales be regulated, requiring application and permit, providing for issuance and terms of permits, providing for revocation of permits, defining sales or solicitations for which a permit is not required, establishing hours of sales and solicitations, and defining locations of sales and solicitations.

Neubauer said one of the major changes will be what the city charges. Currently a peddlers permit is $30 a day. The new law calls for a yearly fee of $200, plus each individual selling door to door is charged $25. The chapter on Peddlers does remain in place and deals with temporary sales.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@;bismarcktribune.com.)

"The environmental Institutional Control Zoning District creates a district within the central business area making it feasible to buy and sell property; renovate existing and construct new buildings. This will reignite interest in downtown with land being available."

"We have some wonderful historic buildings downtown and renovations and new buildings should tie into these old historical buildings. The review commission will make them fit," LaMont said.