Council Minutes
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
OCTOBER 23, 2006
The city council of the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota met in the council chambers in City Hall on Monday, October 23, 2006 at the hour of 7:00 o’clock p.m. with Mayor Brown presiding. Present at roll call were Council Members Brooks, McNamara, Gershman, Christensen (teleconference), Kreun - 5; absent: Council Members Glassheim, Bakken - 2.
Mayor Brown announced that anyone wishing to speak to any item may do so by being recognized prior to a vote being taken on the matter, and that the meeting is being televised.
ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 4156, RELATING TO SPECIAL
OR LIMITED LICENSES AND DOMESTIC WINERY
SPECIAL EVENT LICENSE
An ordinance entitled "An ordinance amending Section 21-0205 (Class 11) of the Grand Forks City Code relating to special or limited licenses and domestic winery special event license", which had been introduced and passed on its first reading on October 16, 2006, was presented and read for consideration on second reading and final passage.
Mayor Brown opened the public hearing.
Council Member Gershman asked for support of this ordinance so that North Dakota wineries can come to special events in the city and promote and sell their product.
There were no further comments and the public hearing was closed.
Council Member Gershman asked to be recused from voting on this matter, and it was so moved by Council Member Brooks and seconded by Council Member Kreun. Carried 4 votes affirmative.
Upon call for the question of adoption of the ordinance and upon roll call vote the following voted "aye": Council Members Brooks, McNamara, Christensen, Kreun - 4; voting "nay": none; Council Member Gershman recused. Mayor Brown declared the ordinance adopted.
ADOPT RESOLUTION RE. 2020 RENEWABLE ENERGY
BALLOT MEASURE
The proposed resolution relating to the 2020 Renewable Energy initiative to the Home Rule Charter was presented to the city council for consideration.
Brian Huschle, 515 North 3rd Street, presented concerns that as a citizen he doesn't have chance to work with Xcel Energy and his opportunity in this market place in dealing with that provider of the service is through this type of legislation, and concerned that the resolution that the council is considering passing circumvents his ability to do that freely. He stated the council is concerned about the impact of this and that over the next 23 years that the policy would affect through 2030 there is time for the citizens if evidence comes in that it is too expensive or more expensive than willing to pay to do wind energy, there would be time for the City to rescind the change and go back, and citizens make decision based on real evidence of what the actual cost of that energy would be.
The city auditor read the proposed resolution.
Council Member Gershman stated that there is no urging of the citizens of Grand Forks to vote in support or opposition of the initiated measure; the council has taken the position as a group opposing it because don't support the mandated initiative. The point about turning back the clock if people decide in the future that it looks like it is going to be too expensive to continue down the path of the mandate, that by that time the companies would have made investments because of mandates. He stated that our city has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in alternative energy projects, recently granted $500,000 to the Energy Environmental Research Center for hydrogen research and thousands of dollars to L.M. Glasfiber making wind blades, so commitment by this city is second to none in this state. He stated that the mayor and city council have studied this and looked at information given by both sides of the issue, and that the resolution was made with lot of thought and time put into it.
Council Member Kreun introduced the following resolution: Document No. 8996 - Resolution, and moved its adoption, Council Member McNamara seconded the motion. Upon call for the question and upon voice vote, the motion carried 5 votes affirmative.
ADJOURN
It was moved by Council Member Brooks and seconded by Council Member Gershman that we adjourn. Carried 5 votes affirmative.
Respectfully submitted,
John M. Schmisek
City Auditor
Approved:
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Michael R. Brown, Mayor