Council Minutes

Minutes of Grand Forks City Council/Committee of the
Whole - Monday, February 12, 2007 - 7:00 p.m.___________

The city council of the city of Grand Forks sitting as the Committee of the Whole met in the council chambers in City Hall on Monday, February 12, 2007 at the hour of 7:00 p.m. with Mayor Brown presiding. Present at roll call were Council Members Brooks, McNamara, Glassheim (teleconference), Gershman, Christensen- 5; absent: Council Members Bakken, Kreun - 2.

Mayor Brown commented on various events during the past week and upcoming events:
He reminded council members to turn off microphones when not speaking as that will improve the quality of audio to the people at home.
He thanked legislators for the open forum on Saturday and thanked them for their time to discuss how we can help them further the agenda to improve the life and quality of people in Grand Forks and the State of North Dakota.
It was a pleasure meeting with UND Student Senate last night and thanked the council members who attended that to continue the dialogue because UND students are an important part of our present and of our future as a community.
He stated that we learned that this month's sales tax receipts are the highest ever; congratu-lations to the community and to all the leaders who keep pushing us in the right direction.
He stated that last year as a city we implemented a rigorous safety program and was carried out by all departments and employees and the result is not only a safer working environment but a savings from over $700,000 to $265,000, which is $400,000 savings in our insurance bill. Congratulations to the employees and thanks to them for their significant savings.
He stated it was with deep regret and sorrow that we heard about the loss of two fire fighters in Winnipeg last week and wanted to thank our people for going up and showing support for their families and friends.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE DISCUSSION ITEMS

2.1 Canad Inns marketing plan. (Attachments under separate cover) marketing plan, that in 2003 the City entered into an agreement with Canad Inns to put together a marketing plan for the City, the Alerus and the hotel project: Teras Sokolyk, Vice President for Strategic Communications and Planning, and Lorne Perrin, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Canad Inns.

Mr. Sokolyk stated they were struck with responsibility of developing plan to bring forward, as part of that they have met with the CVB and the Alerus Commission Executive, and put together a package that they feel will be beneficial for the City, the Alerus and for Canad Inns.

Mr. Perrin presented a brief presentation and a schedule for moving forward; that they developed a base program for their marketing plan targeting the Canadian region, which is Manitoba, and objective was a marketing program to bring them across the border and spend tourism dollars in Grand Forks and North Dakota, and Canad Inns destination center and our water park is a part of that; that they wanted to stimulate the revenues.

He stated in the executive summary that their plan is in different components and that it was important to conduct some market research of that region and contracted a firm to do a survey within the region which was done mid-January and went out to 804 people and surveyed public on what their perceptions were of Grand Forks, traveling to Grand Forks, barriers, etc. so they could build input from those people into what they see as a plan in creating a proper advertising program; that they are also working with the CVB and the Alerus Commission to make sure they have the strategic marketing and innovative messaging to stimulate travel to Grand Forks and from this they feel the advertising components of the program should primarily be spent on the electronic side, which is a mix of television and radio, on-line, print, advertising, direct mail and support materials. The thrust of the program is go back and test that with market research afterwards to see what progress they made.

He reviewed market demographics - that Manitoba has 1.1 million people, two-thirds of the population reside in and around the Winnipeg area, which is directly north of here and the primary market area, this region has 706,000 people in population base and that the prime driving time between 2.5 to 3 hours which is the population they would be targeting. He stated research was conducted in the rural part of Manitoba as well and with the population strengths and disposable income of people in Thompson and northern Manitoba, people that are seeking to have short get-always and this would be prime opportunity to bring them back to Grand Forks. He stated the demographics of attracting those people with families, people in that age bracket to come back and visit Grand Forks is ideal.

He stated they conducted the survey in mid-January and that people know this area for shopping but have reiterated that they would like to hear what is new in the area for shopping, new areas, new stores, new features in Grand Forks. The water park is a prime component for a destination area, but the city has a lot of strengths with a lot of the facilities that have been built in and around the city since the flood and those need to be communicated into the marketplace.

He stated they have met with the Visitors Bureau and have tailored their plan to work in conjunction with their plan to take advantage of strengths and buying in the marketplace, and the goals of their media plan is to create awareness for vacation opportunities in Grand Forks - the shorter vacation periods that people are taking these days and most of the research shows that there are a lot of two income families where short vacations have become the norm and 2 and 3 day getaways are to an easy distance and easy location, and is an opportunity for us to capture. He stated they want to generate new traffic traveling from Manitoba to Grand Forks, many of the people doing the research remember being here 5 and 10 years and thinks excellent opportunity to stimulate those people that haven't been here for a period of time to come back.

He stated their plan is to use electronic medium in the media for advertising, about 82% of the funds should be expended on electronic with television and radio, and rest of it spread over print, direct mail and research. The budget is set out over 5 year term and reiterate that in the plan and want to extend the reach of that as much as possible and have through CVB obtained what the State tourism is going to be doing for some of their media activities in Manitoba and feel that tagging on, beside or around their initiatives will help with the exposure, etc. Television using prime television networks that are in the area, about 3 major networks, 2 or 3 radio stations, the print they see supporting the travel section in the Winnipeg Free Press, direct mail and Canad Inns has a number of data bases with their own customers and those data bases are comprised of some of their loyalty points members. He stated there are some other opportunities with the on-line advertising with different websites available.

He stated the rest of the plan is outlined and gives background with the map and overview of the province and reiterates what their market research is backing up and see this as an opportunity to get back into the electronic medium.

There were questions and answers following the presentation. Mr. Sokolyk stated they are looking at special events they can do to profile Grand Forks - and think the World Curling Event next year will be same event as World Jr's. and they think that is an exciting opportunity to take an event that is here and use these resources to bring it to the top of the line. He stated they will be doing some events prior to the hotel opening. Council Member Gershman asked if the council members could be notified of the location of the March 5, 2007 draft outline presentation. They noted that they will make Mr. Duquette's office aware of that.

Council Member McNamara asked if they discussed the subject of the potential impact of increased documentation requirements at the border. Mr. Sokolyk stated the actual wait at the border is more negative than the need for a passport but the two of them are both issues and intent is to meet with Canadian Customs officials to see what the problem is, that they are trying to do their job as best they can, but probably a budget thing and maybe political answer to it. He stated in talking to Canadians and problem is people getting back into Canada, the Thursday before and the Friday after Thanksgiving are pretty sensitive to people still in January.

Council Member Gershman stated the biggest issue and message when he has talked to some people re. tourism and Tourism Department is that they have to realize that Americans hear that and Americans are in those lines too so counterproductive for the Canadian Government to be making those lines because Americans say they would rather drive to Minneapolis for the same amount of time and that is the message to those people. Mr. Sokolyk stated Leo made a presentation to a national finance committee that was touring Manitoba on behalf of the Manitoba Hotel Assn. and one of the three points he talked about was to resolve the problem at the border, that it was an irritant to everybody at the border and brought it initiatively to the highest level they could and will chip away at it.

Council Member Glassheim asked when the water park would be open; and it was noted that sometime in April. 2.2 Noisy party ordinance. all offenses or only the first one and if the amount will be considered later. Council Member McNamara stated currently the only recommendation is to drop the minimum mandatory requirement and no guidance on subsequent offenses, the judge is free to award what he chooses based on record and the subsequent offense itself, and in consultation with Mr. Duquette and Mr. Haga they would like to take an additional look at alcohol related offenses and get input from the city prosecutor as well as University, The Answer, people that track the statistics to see how we are doing and if there is any adjustment needed and that will come at a future point in time.

Council Member Gershman stated he would recommend if they are going to have discussion on another ordinance, that Mr. Swanson be at the table at the beginning so can move the process along.

2.3 Application for abatement for 2006 taxes by Neal and Joan Camburn, 3019 Clover Drive._________________________________________________________________ 2.4 Applications for exemption of remodeling improvements to commercial and residential buildings at 1110 South 18th Street; and 730 Oak Street. _______ 2.5 Approval of pledged collateral report.
There were no comments.

2.6 Proposed ordinance re. Section 21-0205 relating to Class 9, Bowling Center Alcoholic Beverage license._________________________________________ cities. Jim Flynn, Red Ray Lanes, stated we are the only city in ND with a bowling center with a lounge attached where open bowlers are not permitted to consume on the lanes while bowling. During sanctioned league and tournament bowling an ordinance was put through in 1982 that permitted them to serve and allow consumption during organized tournament and league activity, but retained the prohibition against the recreational bowler. 2.7 Budget amendment to use GF Loan & Stabilization Funds for Police Impound Lot Upgrade.______________________________________________________________ 2.8 Consideration of bids for Project No. 6075.1, Labor, Equipment & Misc. Items for 2007 Flood Fight & Flood Debris Cleanup. and what heard from Mr. Grasser at last meeting was a 90% chance we won't, but good planning. 2.9 Consideration of bids for Project No. 6112, Police Station second floor offices and court room remodel.___________________________________________________
There were no comments.

2.10 Bids for Project No. 5877, 24th Avenue South and Columbia Road Valve Replacement Project.____________________________________________ 2.11 Public Works/Health/Engineering/Inspections Departments fleet vehicle bids. 2.12 Petition for approval to vacate parts of Park Avenue and N. 1st Street lying north and east of Lots 9 through 15, Block 16, Riverside Park Addn.(loc. at Park Avenue between N. 3rd St. and Lewis Blvd.)________________________________________ 2.13 Request on behalf of Grand Forks Park District and the City of Grand Forks for final approval of the plat of Central Park Resubdiv. (loc. at S. 3rd St. and Elm Avenue).______________________________________________________________ 2.14 Petition to vacate a trail easement lying east of Lincoln Park Golf Course between Lincoln Dr. and Elks Dr.________________________________________________ 2.15 Request from Tim Crary on behalf of CCS Properties, LLP for final approval (fast track) of replat of Lot 1, Block 2, Homestead Grove First Addn. (loc. in 4500 blk. of S. Washington St.)________________________________________________________ 2.16 Request from Tim Christian on behalf of Country Development, LLP for preliminary approval of plat of Countryview Fourth Resubdiv. (loc. on Christian Drive.)________________________________________________________________ 2.17 Request from CPS, Ltd. on behalf of Southern Estates, LLP for preliminary approval of the plat of Southern Estates Sixth Addn. (loc. on S. Columbia Rd. and 47th Ave.S.). ___________________________________________________________
There were no comments.

2.18 Matter of ordinance amending Ord. No. 4134, establishing a moratorium on the approval of subdivisions, plats or applications for rezoning in the City's extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction - to change the date of March 20, 2006 to April 17, 2006 for any fully completed application for a new subdivision, plat, replat, or change in zoning filed with the city.________________________________________
There were no comments.

2.19 Request from Tarek Howard on behalf of William Olson for preliminary approval of the plat of Trent Olson Second Subdiv., being a part of the NE Quarter of Section 21, T151N, R51W of the 5th P.M., Grand Forks County.________________________
Howard Swanson, city attorney, stated this item would be contingent upon final approval given to Item 2.18. 3.1 Portfolio Management/Summary as of January 31, 2007.
MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS

There were no comments.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Council Member Gershman and seconded by Council Member Brooks that we adjourn. Carried 5 votes affirmative.

Respectfully submitted,



John M. Schmisek
City Auditor