Committee Minutes

MINUTES/PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE
Monday, February 14, 1994 - 7:00 p.m.

Members present: Hagness, Beach, Beyer, Glassheim.

1. Application for permit to move building from rural Crystal
to 3500 block of 26th Ave.S. for single-family residence.
Al Grasser submitted pictures of the building and stated that the inspection department is recommending approval of the application with some miscellaneous repairs and a new foundation. Moved by Beach and Glassheim to approve the application, subject to the public hearing. Motion carried.

2. Consideration of bids for Project 3832, improvements at pre-
aeration wastewater cells.
Hugh Veit, KBM, and Gary Goetz appeared re. this item. Mr. Veit reviewed bids received and their recommendation to award combined contracts 1 and 2 (General and Mechanical) to Moorhead Construction Co., Inc. in the amount of $999,477.00 and contract 3 for electrical to Samson Electric, Ltd. of Park River, in the amount of $61,989.00, with total initial construction contract in the amount of $1,061,466.00. Mr. Veit noted that Moorhead Construction Co. has done similar project in Mandan. Gary Goetz recommended award of the project. Moved by Beyer and Beach that we award Moorhead Construction Co. the contract for general and mechanical construction based on their combined bid in the amount of $999,477.00 and the electrical contract to Samson Electric, Ltd. in the amount of $61,989.00. Motion carried.

3. Matter of penalty for parking violation - vehicles parked on
street on snow removal day.
Gary Fish presented sample copies of tickets for street maintenance and snow removal; and sample wording of signs to be installed on major thoroughfares which includes phone number. Samples of notice of street maintenance schedule printed on back of water bills was also presented. He reported on what other cities doing: Fargo has some signing with $8.00 ticket year around, with tickets issued by police department; Minot doesn't have anything; Bismarck trying to copy ours.

Mr. Swanson advised that there are three sections which deal with snow removal, possibly look at this summer; wouldn't affect normal street maintenance; if increase fine would have to re-write ordinance. There was some discussion re snow emergencies.

Mark Lambrecht suggested various methods of notification: refuse calendar, back of utility billing quarterly, use of answer machine during season, signing. Mr. Fish noted that it would take approx. 30 signs for major thoroughfares. He also stated that they issue approx. 9000 tickets annually. It was noted that if fines changed, could use surplus tickets between April and November.


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February 14, 1994 - Page 2

Moved by Glassheim to proceed with $10.00 fine, printing of tickets, installing of appropriate signing on main thoroughfares, and notifying persons through handing out of courtesy tickets and printing notice on water bills; seconded by Beyer.

After further discussion it was moved by Beach and Beyer to amend motion to increase fine to $15.00.

Mr. Swanson also advised committee that if ticket not paid within specific time, fine doubled. Mr. Glassheim stated fine too punitive for problem.

Upon call for question, amendment carried; Glassheim voted no.

Upon call for question on motion, as amended, motion carried; with Glassheim voting against the motion.

4. Request for authorization to advertise for bids for items
for water maintenance department.
Dwight Wurzbacher, supt., reviewed bid specs. with the committee:
a) water meters - used for new construction and replacement at est. cost of $30,000.
b) brass goods - for new construction, shut-offs, etc. at est. cost of $10-11,000, and
c) repair sleeves - for repair and upkeep on maintenance of system at est. cost of $15,000+.
He noted that present system (remote readers) has been in for approx. 5 years; hoping for 20 years out of this system; and then go to a different system.

Moved by Beach and Beyer to approve specifications and authorize call for bids with a due date of March 10, 1994. Motion carried. (committee only)

5. Request for authorization to advertise for bids for vehicles
for public works departments.
Mark Lambrecht reviewed specs. for 1/2T pickup for street dept.; mid-size sedan for engineering; heavy-duty cargo van for water distribution; 1/2T pickup for wastewater; 1/2T pickup for sanitation (landfill); and 1/2 and 3/4T pickups for sanitation (collection) dept.; and recommended purchase of new vehicles, that bids very competitive; leasing not an advantage. It was noted that all vehicles are budgeted. Mr. Grasser stated that they are almost buying wholesale, bids so competitive. He stated these are replacement vehicles with exception of wastewater dept. who wants to keep current vehicle to use for summer maintenance worker. Moved by Glassheim and Beach to approve specifications, and authorize call for bids. Motion carried. (committee only)

6. Request to call for bids on motor grader for street dept.

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Gary Fish, supt. of streets, requested authorization to call for bids for snowplow; $100,000 budgeted in Highway Users and $25,000 in Street budget. Moved by Beach and Beyer to authorize call for bids. Motion carried. (committee only)

7. Matter of revisions to sanitation rates due to Landfill
Release Compensation Fund.
Mark Lambrecht reported he and Mr. Newman met with MIS and auditing and they recommended increasing basic rate rather than adding surcharge; and reviewed increased fees with the committee which are equivalent of $1.00/ton. Mr. Newman stated ordinance would have to be re-written for increase in fee and would like to clean up ordinance to include changes for landfill and container fees. Moved by Beach and Beyer to accept recommendation of sanitation department as follows: 1) the residential and commercial minimum charge be increased by $0.25, from $6.80 to $7.05 per month; 2) the collection rate for mobile containers be increased by $0.30, from $6.50 to $6.80 per cubic yard per collection; 3) the landfill rate for residents of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks be increased by $1.00 per ton, from $13.00 to $14.00; 4) the landfill rate for wastes originating outside of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks be increased by $1.00 per ton, from $18.75 to $19.75; and further that rantal rate for mobile containers shall be as follows: The rental rate for mobile containers shall be $9.00 for a one-cubic yard mobile container per month, $14.00 for a two-cubic yard mobile container per month, $19.00 for a four-cubic yard container per month, $26.00 for a six-cubic yard container, and $33.00 for an eight cubic yard container; and rental charges for roll-off container units and collection rates shall be as follows: container rental shall be $4.00 per cubic yard of capacity per month; the collection rate for an enclosed roll-off container shall be $6.80 per cubic yard of capacity per collection; and the collection rate for an open roll-off container shall be $6.80 per cubic yard of capacity per collection. Motion carried.

8. Request for authorization to advertise for bids for gas
chromatograph or gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer for
laboratory at water plant.
Hazel Fetters-Sletten, supt. of water treatment, reviewed specs. for this equipment; and asked for authorization to collect bids, evaluate and to come back to committee with recommendation; there is $50,000 budgeted. There was some discussion whether they want to be regional lab, attain certification and provide regional services; they are now doing testing for Grafton, Langdon, Walhalla, Traill Co., Mayville, etc. Moved by Glassheim and Beach that we authorize advertising for bids. Motion carried. (committee only)

9. Status report on solid waste disposal study (info. only).
Mark Lambrecht stated that a two-page memo from Burns &

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February 14, 1994 - Page 4

McDonnell had been included in their packets; and stated that he, Ken Vein and Dick Newman had met with reps. of EERC, WFW and Burns & McDonnell.

Mr. Lambrecht reported that alternatives to landfill too far off for what we are doing, we are going to need landfill; if waste energy develops in the future, would still have landfill as component; that the study focus is on landfill, recycling, etc. He stated that they would continue working with EERC utilizing their services in siting landfill, hydrogeological expertise, etc.

Mr. Newman stated that all agreed that burning not feasible in time-frame we have; not timely to incorporate into report as an option. Mr. Lambrecht stated they would develop capacity of land fill 2-3-4 years at a time, but would acquire land area for many years, then develop. Info. only.

10. Matter of cost participation and maintenance agreement for
Project 4002, Gateway Drive Phase III.
Al Grasser reviewed project which is for rehabilitation of Gateway Drive from 55th Street to East I-29 ramp intersection and the I-29 interchange, with City's share approx. $600,000. He stated City's share would be paid through bond issue with payments out of sales tax monies. He also reported that the project includes relocating utilities on 47th and Sta-Mart is in agreement. Moved by Glassheim and Beyer that we authorize proper City officials to enter into the agreement with the North Dakota Department of Transportation, with City's share $594,146. Motion carried.

11. Matter of cost participation and maintenance agreement for
Project 4126, 32nd Ave.S. reconstruction.
Al Grasser reported that est. cost of City's share of project is $643,000. He reported that developer has argument - Highway Department is paying for all relocation on east side of 42nd and not charging City anything and questioned why that does not apply here; developer would like some time to negotiate with Highway Department, the State is planning to bid the end of March and need agreement back on 25th. He stated he would like to recommend entering into agreement contingent upon State paying for relocation of 42nd Street and the taper, $107,000 for 42nd and $44,000 for the taper. He stated he would notify the State on Tuesday, if they refuse to go along with that, we may call meeting prior to council next Tuesday. Moved by Beyer and Glassheim that we authorize proper City officials to enter into the agreement with the North Dakota Department of Transportation, contingent upon the State paying for relocation of 42nd Street and the taper. Motion carried.

12. Matter of bid opening date for 6th Ave.N. project.

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Al Grasser reported that the State has informed them that the State doesn't have enough money to do project this year, and have moved bid opening date to November, with construction next year. He also reported that the State informed them that City has option of proceeding with project as scheduled if they wish to fund the project and be reimbursed at a later date (advance construction). (Info. only)

Mr. Grasser reported that Tom Hanson, WFW, has scheduled public information meeting on this project for February 17 at Lake Agassiz School and has sent notice to residents.

13. Matter of storm sewer on Gateway Drive.
Mr. Grasser reported that the City has insisted on larger mains than what State has designed and City has paid for over-sizing; that they have now convinced State our design correct, and they have agreed and this sewer State participatory and won't special assess. (Info. only.)

14. Matter of creating special assessment districts:
a) Project 4146, Dist. 10, ped. bridge over English Coulee.
Mr. Grasser reviewed proposed assessment district map for pedestrian walk way across Coulee between 15th Ave.S. and 17th Ave.S., that easements put in to provide access; proposing to include Johnson's First, Second and 3rd Addns. in the assessment district and let Commission determine benefits to those properties. He stated that second matter is funding, bridge would be double stressed concrete, with guard rails; and questioned 80% City share and 20% share for property owners, City's share out of Hwy. Users Fund, and asked for direction from the committee. The committee suggested that sidewalks are responsibility of the property owners; however, Mr. Hagness noted that precedent set on S. 34th Street, in which City paid share of cost. After some discussion the committee directed staff to proceed on an 80-20% basis. Info. only.

b) Project 4010, Dist. 220, watermain on S. Washington Street
from 28th Avenue South to 32nd Avenue South.
Mr. Grasser reviewed district and costs for proposed project on west side of South Washington Street from 28th to 32nd, est. cost $93,238.00; and that figures reflect 12" main which would tie into 16" line across 32nd Ave.S., and include eng., adm.costs. He stated they are providing basic water service but not basic fire protection, and this is why they need to put in loop. He noted that it is not practical to special assess Cemetery, and are trying to reduce cost to Cemetery; City would pay difference in cost for 8" to 12" line, and would pick up tapping fee. Mr. Hagness stated he had discussed with the Kusters and they don't see where they would benefit (they don't have running water, and won't be sprinkling, etc.); and that Normans don't feel they need water connection now either. It was MINUTES/PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE
February 14, 1994 - Page 6

noted that City has budgeted for tapping charges and there was some discussion re. use of those funds. The committee suggested that staff look at additional tapping charges on those properties. It was also suggested that perhaps the infrastructure portion of sales taxes could be used as this is for benefit of city. (Info. only)

15. Matter of plans and specifications:
a) Project 4164, watermain replacement in 11th Ave.N. area.
Al Grasser reported this is annual watermain replacement, part of project on 11th Avenue North, part on Oak Street; est. cost of project $200,000, budgeted $450,000. Moved by Beyer and Glassheim to approve plans and specifications and authorize call for bids with a due date of March 14, 1994. Motion carried.

b) Project 4094, street lights in Burdick's Resubdivision.
Al Grasser reviewed plans and specs. with committee; that Community Development has monies for project. Moved by Beach and Glassheim to approve plans and specifications and authorize call for bids with a due date of March 21, 1994. Motion carried.

16. Matter of bikepath extension on DeMers Avenue (42nd Street
to North 55th Street.
Mr. Grasser reviewed matter of bikepath extension, est. cost $100,000 local monies, and would add to DeMers Avenue construction bonds; however, bikepath not going any place at this time. He noted that the Bikeway Comm. recommended that we include in DeMers Avenue project; that if we don't do now, don't know when because of R/W problems. The committee stated they didn't see any need for that path. Moved by Beyer and Beach to receive and file. Motion carried.

17. Informational items.
It was reported that the 1993 engineering report is now ready.

Mr. Grasser reported they have received quotes for hauling clay and sand for flood, and will bring quotes in at next meeting.

Meeting adjourned.

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 2/15/94.