Council Minutes
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
June 24, 2008
The city council of the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota met in its organizational session in the council chambers in City Hall on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at the hour of 5:30 o'clock p.m.
ADMINISTER OATHS OF OFFICE TO MAYOR AND
TO COUNCIL MEMBERS
Municipal Judge Henry Eslinger administered oaths of office to the mayor and newly elected members of the council for terms of four years expiring in June, 2012: Michael R. Brown as mayor; Terry Bjerke, first ward; Douglas A. Christensen, fifth ward; Curtiss Kreun, seventh ward. Eliot Glassheim, third ward, was not present.
Present at roll call were Council Members Bjerke, McNamara, Gershman, Christensen, Kreun - 5; absent: Council Members Glassheim, Bakken - 2.
Mayor Brown announced that the city council would now proceed to organize.
ELECT PRESIDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Council Member Christensen nominated Council Member Gershman for president of the city council; seconded by Council Member McNamara. There being no further nominations, and upon call for the question and upon voice vote, the motion carried 5 votes affirmative.
ELECT VICE PRESIDENT OF CITY COUNCIL
Council Member Kreun nominated Council Member Glassheim for vice president of the city council, seconded by Council Member Gershman. There being no further nominations, and upon call for the question and upon voice vote, the motion carried 5 votes affirmative.
APPROVE APPOINTMENT OF CITY ATTORNEY
Mayor Brown announced the appointment of Howard D. Swanson as city attorney for a two-year term expiring in June, 2010. It was moved by Council Member Kreun and seconded by Council Member Christensen to confirm the mayor's appointment of Mr. Swanson as city attorney. Carried 5 votes affirmative.
ELECT CHAIRS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
Council Member Gershman suggested that they elect committee chairs, and moved that the current chairs of the standby committees continue as chairs, Council Member Christensen as chairman of the finance/development standby committee and Council Member Kreun as chairman of the service/safety standby committee. The motion was seconded by Council Member McNamara. Carried 5 votes affirmative.
Council Member Christensen moved that Council Member McNamara be appointed as member of the finance/development committee, Council Member Gershman seconded the motion. Carried 5 votes affirmative.
Council Member Christensen moved the appointment of Council Member Bjerke to the service/safety committee; seconded by Council Member Gershman. Carried 5 votes affirmative.
The mayor to re-appoint the other members of the committees; and Mayor Brown stated they would continue on
COMMENTS
Mr. Swanson thanked the council for re-appointment and confirmation as city attorney. He also stated that another item which was not on the agenda but will need to do in the future is to convene as the Growth Fund or JDA and to elect new officers for the JDA. The make up of the JDA is the council but there are individual officers that are elected for the JDA.
Council Member Gershman thanked fellow council members for the privilege of serving again as president of the council, that they have had a great four years and also for the next four years in the future.
Mayor Brown thanked the council and the department heads for what they have accomplished and what look forward to in the future.
ADJOURN
It was moved by Council Member Christensen and seconded by Council Member Kreun that we adjourn. Carried 5 votes affirmative.
Respectfully submitted,
Saroj Jerath
Deputy City Auditor
Approved:
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Michael R. Brown, Mayor