Committee Minutes

MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Monday, June 13, 1994 - 3:45 p.m.

Members present: Hoeppner, Geller.

1. Request by Park District for exemption of transient merchants
licenses during Summerthing events in the park.
Dick Leker stated they have held these events for past years and have received exemption for artists that sell their wares, etc. Moved by Geller and Hoeppner to approve request. Motion carried.

2. Request by Sertoma Club for exclusive vendor zone in conjunc-
tion with Great Red River Duck Race on July 4, 1994.
Kyle Whitcomb stated they are concerned that private enterprise doesn't come in, have farmed out concessions to charities; and vendor area they are concerned with is on riverbank, all public areas. Becky Dohrmann, attorney's office, reported that Mr. Swanson had reviewed and there was no problem as long as committee and council approved. Moved by Geller and Hoeppner to approve request. Motion carried.

3. Application by Whiskey Point Saloon for special alcoholic
beverage permit (outdoor beer garden in parking lot) on
July 4.
Mrs. Dohrmann reported that Mr. Swanson had reviewed and approved application. Moved by Geller and Hoeppner to approve the request. Motion carried.

4. Matter of spraying of weeds (chemical drift).
Wally Helland, Health Department, reported that the mayor's office had received complaints re. residents spraying when windy, chemicals not being applied according to label; concern re. neighbor's vegetation and children. He stated they are bringing to committee's attention, doesn't know whether warrants any action by us or not. The committee asked how many applicators in the city, and to send letter cautioning them to apply according to label directions/instructions, EPA guidelines. Mr. Helland also noted commercial applicators have to be certified by Dept. of Agriculture. Moved by Geller and Hoeppner that the health department send letters to the major commercial applicators letting them know we are getting complaints and to pass information on to their employees. Motion carried.

5. Matter of ground spraying for mosquitos as cooperative
venture by Park District and City.
Dick Leker and Steve Mullally were present. Mr. Mullally stated that the Park District owns one sprayer, which they are going to have to replace for use in the parks, etc. He stated there was some discussion re. City using equipment, that he had talked to Mr. Geller as to whether there were any City funds available to participate in purchase of this equipment which would be used for spraying in parks, events along riverbank, etc. as they don't have money in budget this year, cost est. from

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$4,000 to $9,000, and could get unit for about $5,000, and would have to have certified applicator do the spraying. Mr. Helland stated Park District is looking for some participation in purchasing, they would operate and purchase chemicals, that health department wouldn't want to get into ground spraying but would cooperate with them to purchase, etc. He reported that in checking with auditor, will use $27,355 on larviciding program, had to purchase additional $4500 in chemicals, $2800 on brochures, leaving $55,000+ in fund; that if they do 3 aerial sprayings at cost of $47,250, would leave $8,095 in the fund. He also noted that if they identify mosquitos which carry encephalitis virus, they would advocate doing sprayings. Mr. Leker stated that if City funds $5,000 for equipment, Park Dist. not committed to spray for the City, spraying golf courses, parks, etc. would be serving the public. Moved by Geller and Hoeppner to support Park Board in the acquisition of this sprayer equipment in an amount up to $5,000 and ask Park Board and Board of Health to coordinate on the operational aspects. Motion carried.

6. Matter of cleaning drainage ditches for mosquito control.
Mr. Helland reported this happens to be on Park Board property from 17th to 24th, water stands with heavily matted reeds so can't effectively apply larviciding materials to kill mosquitos, and have talked to Ken Vein, re drainage of this area. Ken Vein stated this is area that needs drainage improvement, grade so flat between 17th and 24th, water not going to drain, and they are looking at various options: keep 3 ft. of water as natural waterway, haven't had time to do cross sections and get estimates, and would be looking at assessment district. Mr. Leker reported that on east branch to 17th Ave., group of property owners paid for cleaning and dredging, deep enough so cattails won't grow; he stated they can't burn off and can't mow. Mr. Vein stated they don't have any costs, and don't know drainage area. Mr. Leker stated Park District not creating problem, but they would be assessed also. Moved by Geller and Hoeppner to receive and file. Motion carried.

7. Matter of pedestrian traffic concerns on 6th Ave.N. between
N. 47th and 48th Streets.
Council Member Beach and Debra Parrish, resident of apartment building south of 6th Ave., were present. It was noted that there is playground immediately north of 6th Avenue and area has heavy concentration of children. Mrs. Parrish stated there are 105 children in the 5 buildings, also new subdivision, trailer court, etc., and that speed limit 25 mph but traffic going 40 mph. John Thompson, traffic engineer, reported that the request for signing at this location is warranted and that crossing should be located mid-block because it is most direct route between playground and apartment complex, and sight distance is unobstructed. He recommended installation of playground warning

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signs on 6th Avenue North between North 47th and 48th Streets. Mrs. P also asked for more police patrolling. Moved by Geller and Hoeppner to direct installation of playground warning signs on 6th Avenue North between 47th and 48th Street, and painting of crosswalk. Motion carried.

Mrs. Parrish also reported that there had been attempted child abduction in this area, that she moved back from Kansas City year ago where they have Street Smart Kids Program to teach how to id. abductors, vehicle license plates, and how to protect themselves, thinks children need to be taught, and need to implement program here. She stated she would be willing to volunteer her time, but would need to do more background checking on how program run. Committee stated this is something they will take under consideration. Moved by Geller and Hoeppner to receive and file. Motion carried. (comm.only)

8. Request for removal of parking near driveways on S. 34th St.
1700-2400 blocks.
John Thompson reported he had requested this matter to be placed on agenda, and presented recommendation to install "no parking here to driveway" signs at various locations along South 34th Street between 2700 and 2400 blocks as needed, i.e., 2250, 2229 and 2249 South 34th Street, 60 ft. on either side of driveway. Mr. Geller stated that parking tight in that area now as they have taken lot of parking off that street already. Mr. Thompson stated that some locations already signed, this would just expand one more stall, and only one new location, that he was in contact with apartment owners and managers and they don't see problem. Moved by Hoeppner and Geller to approve the traffic engineer's recommendation. Motion carried.


9. Request to call for bids for clothing for fire personnel.
Asst. Chief Phelps presented listing of clothing, and reported this is budgeted items, between $5-6,000 year. Moved by Hoeppner and Geller to authorize call for bids. Motion carried. (comm. only)

10. Applications for gaming permits:
a) St. Mary's Men's Club - raffle for year ending 6/30/95
b) Tufte Manor Manorettes - raffle on October 8, 1994
c) The ARC, Upper Valley - site authorization at 1708 Mill Road (Bun Lounge) for year ending 6/30/95.
It was reported that the city attorney had reviewed and approved all applications. Moved by Geller and Hoeppner to approve the applications. Motion carried. (comm. only)

11. Matter of setting guidelines for fireworks displays.
Kris Door, 2430 Glen Circle, stated that Special Olympics received permit to shoot off fireworks in Stadium for one hour -

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from 10:00 to 11:00 p.m.; that only permit required is from fire department; and is concerned about nuisance of noise. She stated she called mayor's office, fire department, K-Lite was sponsor; that she complained to them, they kept to 18 minutes. She stated her dogs go crazy, keeps them awake, and suggested that City have some kind of guidelines so not disturbing the peace. The committee stated this doesn't happen more than 3 - 4 times year, but it's important to know ahead of time. Mrs. Door asked for guidelines as to time, suggest timeline be written into permit.

Moved by Hoeppner and Geller to receive and file. Motion carried.

12. Requests to hold block parties.
a) Dan Olson presented request to hold block party on Thursday evening, June 16, and to barricade 27th Avenue.S. from Chestnut Street to Clover Drive from 6:00 to 9:00 or 10:00 p.m. The committee instructed Mr. Olson to contact street department for barricades, and Chief Paschke cautioned re. removal of barricades etc. for emergency vehicles if need to come into area. Moved by Geller and Hoeppner to approve request from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. contingent upon getting barricades, signing of hold harmless agreement. Motion carried. (comm. only)

b) Lynne Roche, 1528 Robertson Court. A request had been received from Mrs. Roche to block off Robertson Court for the evening of June 29 between the hours of 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. for a neighborhood picnic. Moved by Hoeppner and Geller to approve contingent upon obtaining barricades, and signing of hold harmless agreement. Motion carried. (committee only)

Meeting adjourned.

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 6/13/94.