Council Minutes
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
January 7, 2008
The city council of the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota met in the council chambers in City Hall on Monday, January 7, 2008 at the hour of 5:30 o’clock p.m. with Mayor Brown presiding. Present at roll call were Council Members Brooks, McNamara, Glassheim, Gershman, Christensen - 5; absent: Council Members Kreun, 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.
The second grade class from Riverside Christian School led the council in the pledge of allegiance to the flag, Crystal Johnson, teacher.
Mayor Brown commented on various items during the past week and upcoming events:
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and hoping that this is Grand Forks' best year yet.
That they have received the tallies from the City-wide Jeans Day, there was just under $4500 raised by the community for Ali's Boundless Playground, a playground for children of all abilities, including nearly $1300 raised by City employees. .
Christmas tree pickup is underway and please get your trees out to the berms, and remove plastic and tree stands.
There is a smoking cessation class that starts tomorrow at the Public Health Department, open to the public and begins at 5:30 on the third floor of the County Office Building.
Thank you to our good friend, outgoing football coach, Dale Lennon, and a warm welcome to incoming head coach Chris Mussman.
ADOPT RESOLUTION VACATING ACCESS EASEMENT
PLATTED AS LOT 3, BLOCK 1, COTTAGE HOMES
RESUBDIVISION
The city auditor reported that pursuant to instructions by the city council after having received a petition to vacate a 400foot wide ingress/egress access easement being the easterly 40 feet of lands platted as Lot 3, Block 1, Cottage Homes Resubdivision to the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota, according to the plat on file with the Grand Forks County Recorder, Document Number 649417, the required legal notice had been published calling for a public hearing to be held this evening, and further that no protests or grievances had been filed with his office.
Mayor Brown opened the public hearing, there were no comments, and the public hearing was closed.
It was moved by Council Member Brooks that we find and determine an insufficiency of protest to the proposed vacation, and that the following resolution of vacation be introduced: Document No. 9132 - Resolution. The motion was seconded by Council Member Gershman.
Upon call for the question of adoption of the resolution and upon voice vote, the motion carried 5 votes affirmative.
ADOPT RESOLUTION VACATING STREET AND ALLEY
R/W IN BLOCKS 3 AND 4, RIVERSIDE PARK ADDNITION
The city auditor reported that pursuant to instructions by the city council after having received a petition to vacate that part of Lewis Boulevard lying adjacent to Lots 9 through 16, Block 3, Riverside Addition and to vacate the alleyway lying adjacent to Lots 1 through 12, Block 4, Riverside Park Addition, the required legal notice had been published calling for a public hearing to be held this evening, and further that no protests or grievances had been filed with his office.
Mayor Brown opened the public hearing, there were no comments ands the public hearing was closed.
It was moved by Council Member Gershman that we find and determine an insufficiency of protest to the proposed vacation, and that the following resolution of vacation be introduced: Document No. 9133 - Resolution. The motion was seconded by Council Member Brooks.
Upon call for the question of adoption of the resolution and upon voice vote, the motion carried 5 votes affirmative.
APPROVE PROJECT CONCEPT REPORTS FOR 2007/
2008 SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL GRANTS
The staff report from the engineering department relating to Project Concept Reports for Safe Routes to School Grants for Project Nos. 6177 and 6178, with recommendation to approve Project Concept Reports for 2007/2008 Safe Routes to School Grants totaling $127,188, and authorize staff to proceed with implementation.
It was moved by Council Member Gershman and seconded by Council Member Brooks that this recommendation be approved. Carried 5 votes affirmative.
CITIZEN REQUEST
C.T. Marhula, 617 Plain Hills Drive, stated that there will be an election this spring and questioned whether the mayor should be fulltime or part-time, that in the past had Mayor Owens and Mayor Polovitz who were fulltime and both retired, that there are many who cannot run because of the financial commitment, and urged council to make the decision whether it is going to be fulltime or part-time and would encourage making it optional - raise the mayor's salary from $24,000 to $70,000 or $80,000 and that the mayor can make the decision, whether hire staff and be part-time or if fulltime and do some of the staff work themselves and be accountable which he would encourage, that is their decision. Currently, we have employees that have considerable political implications that are out of the mayor's office, but would encourage council to make that decision and allow for a fulltime mayor and get information out there so they can all enjoy this great democracy we have in this city.
APPROVE BILL LISTING AND ESTIMATE SUMMARY
Vendor Payment Listing No. 08-01, dated January 4, 2008, totaling $1,436,035.40 and Estimate Summary dated December 31, 2007 in the amount of $1,575,788.63, were presented and read.
It was moved by Council Member Brooks and seconded by Council Member McNamara that these bills and estimates be allowed and that the city auditor be authorized to issue warrants in payment of the same. Upon roll call the following voted "aye": Council Members Brooks, McNamara, Glassheim, Gershman, Christensen - 5; voting "nay": none. Mayor Brown declared the motion carried and the bills ordered paid.
COMMENTS BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL
1) Council Member Glassheim asked if we have any process to help people with property tax relief from the State. The city auditor stated that we don't have anything formally set up as it is a County situation but would assume that the city assessor's office would be available to help with process and how to apply
He stated that it appears that we have to have a 5-member advisory committee this year to consider the structure of the city government; that if going to do anything and put it on the ballot, need to start thinking about it and that perhaps the city attorney could let us know if and what we have to do. The city auditor stated that Mr. Swanson will review this but approx. a year ago the council took action to establish themselves as a review committee which can be done, and that was part of the process that you just went through when reviewing the times and structure of the council.
2) Council Member Christensen suggested that we put something on our website re. property tax relief, set up a link to the County, and use our Information Office to proceed with that.
He asked for a report as to the status of the Riverside pool within the next 30 days and that should be referred to the finance committee.
He stated as far as the issues that Mr. Marhula brought up, thinks that is more of an issue for those who choose to run for the office as to the time they will put in and what their work schedule will be; but should have some conversation and address the budget if there is a will to do that.
ADJOURN
It was moved by Council Member Christensen and seconded by Council Member Brooks that we adjourn. Carried 5 votes affirmative.
Respectfully submitted,
John M. Schmisek
City Auditor
Approved:
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Michael R. Brown, Mayor