Council Minutes
Minutes of Grand Forks City Council/Committee of the Whole
Monday, November 9, 2009 - 5:30 p.m._________________ __
The City Council met as the Committee of the Whole on Monday, November 9, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers in City Hall with Mayor Brown presiding. Present at roll call were Council Members Bjerke, McNamara, Christensen (teleconference), Kreun - 4; absent: Council Members Glassheim, Gershman, Bakken - 3.
Mayor Brown commented on various items during the past week and upcoming events:
This week were saddened with news of passing of Major Mike Fonder of the Grand Forks Sheriff's Office, and our thoughts are with his family and friends.
Fall leaf pickup continues and will conclude at the end of the week, there have been two passes through the city but are extending pickup for one more week, please get your leaves to the berm.
There will be another seasonal flu clinic this Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Grand Forks County Office Bldg, this is seasonal flu shot and not H1N1, no appointments necessary but please bring your insurance information.
City Hall will be closed on Wednesday, November 11, for Veterans Day. City area transit, senior rider and dial-a-ride will run on normal schedule; but please check city calendar for recycling and refuse scheduling. Please take time to recognize the reason for the holiday, there are several area ceremonies to take part in, and remember all our veterans.
2.1
Application for exemption of remodeling improvements to residential and
commercial buildings at various locations.
There were no comments.
2.2 Applications for abatement of 2007 and/or 2008 property taxes:
a) Lawrence and Ethel Boehmer, 2218 7th Ave.N.
b) Michael Brotherton, 822 13th Ave.S.
c) Donald and Sylvia Bodahl, 815 Duke Drive, #207__________
There were no comments.
2.3
Request by AES2 for tax increment financing property tax exemption - proposed
o
ffice building at 4050 Garden View Drive._
Mel Carsen, city assessor, stated the length of the term of the exemption could be a maximum 100% for 5 years - eligible costs numbers are soft at this point (numbers furnished by the developer) and would have to look at numbers before make final decision. The project could be eligible for 100% exemption of the increment, the increment is the amount over and above the base amount and the base amount is the last assessment on record, this is an Ag assessment so very small, and any property tax over and above that could qualify for the TIF exemption. Based on estimates furnished by the developer looking at tax of approx. $120,000/year to grant the full 5-year exemption. He noted the exemption could be stepped down - and if see fit to grant them something, could do a percentage of that or a flat amount, percentage would work better. He stated that the memo from the city attorney lays out the process and other items that need to be considered before an exemption could be granted.
Mr. Carsen stated that the increment provides the exemption on the building and the additional value on the land over and above base; that he has not reviewed this with the city attorney and could see the land as fully taxed and the building only qualifies for x percentage exemption. Once the City provides the number to the County based on what the exemption is granted, we administer that and give the County the number that is to be used for the tax exemption.
Council Member McNamara raised concern as to precedent relating to requests in the future. Mr. Swanson stated it is on a project by project basis, not like a renaissance zone district where you establish a broader parameter and any project that comes in or may be eligible, once you designate a project area, that is the area for which the increment will be calculated on. He stated in looking at the list of projects that Mr. Carsen provided for you, believes all of those were considered on a case by case or individual project by project basis and none of them were tied to any particular designation of an area.
Mr. Carsen reviewed listing of projects - 9 listed and is total of projects we have had to date where have granted exemptions, including term of the exemptions, most granted at 100% - but. any formula could be used. All of the projects had at the time seemed to be unique circumstances and there was a good reason for granting an exemption or bond.
2.4
Ordinance amending sale of stolen, lost, abandon or unclaimed property.
There were no comments.
2.5
Application for taxi license.
There were no comments.
2.6
Federal Transportation Funding request.
There were no comments.
2.7
Award bid for Hazardous Materials Vehicle Regional Response.
There were no comments.
2.8
Matter of review of vacancies on Alerus Commission.
Council Member Christensen asked that this matter be postponed until task force formed.
2.9
Request from Lexington Townhomes, Inc. for final approval of Replat of Lot 1, Blk.
1, Perkins
9th Resubdiv. (loc. at 2825 36th Ave.S.)
There were no comments.
6. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
1) Council Member Bjerke asked for status on task force - it was noted this will be finalized when Council Member Gershman comes back. Mr. Bjerke stated he will get list of questions to Mr. Warcup by the end of the week to place in packets.
2) Council Member McNamara wished Happy Veterans Day to all the veterans - special Happy Birthday to all marines as tomorrow is Marine Corps birthday.
3) Council Member Kreun reported they received Public Safety Center survey from the Police and Fire Departments indicating some of the activities that were taking place at the new training center - there were a number of donations of in-kind and actual services that were provided to our training center from different law enforcement agencies of about $68,000, give police and fire staff credit for bringing in these programs and saving City quite a bit of money and retention of new employees.
ADJOURN
It was moved by Council Member Kreun and seconded by Council Member Bjerke that we adjourn. Carried 4 votes affirmative.
Respectfully submitted,
Candi Stjern, Deputy City Auditor