Committee Minutes

MINUTES
Growth Fund Committee Meeting
Office of Urban Development Conference Room
1405 First Avenue North
Grand Forks, ND 58203

April 15, 2008

1. Roll Call

Eliot Glassheim called the meeting to order at 4:01 pm. Other members present: Doug Christensen, Bill Hutchison, Terry Smith and Dwight Thompson. Also present: Greg Hoover, Hal Gershman, Meredith Richards, Connie Mangan, Joe O’Neil, Lonnie Laffen, Curt Kreun, Neil Carlson, Ryan Schuster, Jim Van Epps, Tom Haggy, Tom Bartoe, Klaus Thiessen, Howard Swanson, Rob McCready, Randy Schold, Kevin Ritterman, Brad Gengler, Stacy Evens, Jesse Banks, Mark Decker, and Mark Peterson.

2. Approval of Minutes – February 19, 2008:

Motion by Thompson, second by Smith to approve minutes from previous meeting of February 19, 2008. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.

3. Monthly Report: Presented

4. Executive Session:

Motion by Smith, seconded by Thompson to go into executive session at 4:02 pm. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED. The session began at 4:03 pm with Chairman Doug Christensen arriving at 4:07pm and Hal Gershman at 4:10 pm.

Motion by Smith, seconded by Thompson to close the executive session at 4:19 pm. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.

Motion by Christensen, seconded by Thompson to pursue legal action against the contractor and engineer on the 2006 expansion project at the JDA-owned building at 1400 48th S. Street regarding cracking of the concrete floor. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.

5. Other Business

Civic Auditorium Redevelopment Options: Mark Decker, representing HB Light & Sound, started with an overview of the company. HB Light & Sound is interested in purchasing the Civic Auditorium and the parking lot across the street outright. Complete renovation, both inside and out, will be a top priority. Any additional space could be used for offices. If they are able to acquire the Civic, they plan to move their corporate offices to Grand Forks which will create additional jobs.

Rob McCready and Randy Schold of Metroplains, LLC, Kevin Ritterman of Dakota Commercial, and Lonnie Laffen of JLG Architects proposed that both sites, Civic Auditorium and the parking lot, be used for residential and commercial development. The residential strategy would provide housing for different age groups and income levels, with the commercial areas being used for either office or retail space. If there is sufficient green space, another pocket park is a possibility.

Motion by Smith, seconded by Thompson to reconvene in two weeks for further consideration. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.


Repairs to 1550 S. 48th Street: Greg Hoover stated that Joe O’Neil, Construction Compliance Officer for Urban Development, assessed the situation with the windows. The windows have leaked for considerable time and need to be replaced. The cost is estimated at $75,000 - $80,000 and Hoover has requested permission to advertise the project for completion this year.

Motion by Hutchison, seconded by Smith to authorize public bid for repairs to the windows. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.

Potential Land Sale: Hoover stated that Paul Sproule is interested in purchasing JDA-owned land located off Hwy 81N, possibly for storage or other agricultural uses. Sproule offered $75,000 for the property, which is 11.24 acres. This matter will come back to the Committee when additional required information has been obtained.

JDA 2007 Annual Report: Motion by Thompson, seconded by Hutchison to accept annual report. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.

6. Project Update: Not presented.

7. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at approximately 5:12 pm.



________________________ ________________________
Melanie R. Richardson Doug Christensen
Office of Urban Development Chairman