Committee Minutes

MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Monday, March 27, 1995 - 3:45 p.m.

Members present: Johnson, Sande.

1. Application by Best Western Westward Ho Motel for special
alcohlic beverage license at Purpur Arena on April 29-30.
Scott Lindgren, Westward Ho, and a rep. of ABATE, presented request. Mr. Lindgren stated the event was held on East Side for 2 years, now need more room and going to Purpur Arena. It was stated there were 600 persons attending last year. Mr. Swanson, city attorney, stated that the application appears to be in order. Moved by Sande and Johnson to approve the application. Motion carried.

2. Request by St. Michael's Church to hold prayer procession
on May 1 around the block (from 6th St. to 6th Avenue, over
to 7th St., down 7th St. and back on 5th Ave. to front of
Church.
Father Wilhelm, St. Michael's Church, 520 North 6th Street, stated they have held these processions in the past but used sidewalk, would like to use street this year, procession would start at 1:00 p.m. and take about 15-20 minutes for school kids and others who wish to participate. Chief Paschke stated they have no opposition to this, but recommended keeping to one lane of traffic. Moved by Sande and Johnson to approve request, contingent upon coordinating event with the police department. Motion carried.

3. Matter of traffic problems:
a) consideration of imposing fine for blocking intersection
(vehicle entering intersection, waiting for on-coming
traffic to clear and turning on red light), and
b) vehicles not stopping for emergency vehicles.
Council Member Beyer appeared and stated concerns re. vehicles not slowing down for caution lights and going through intersections on yellow; and that in Boulder, CO they have $100 fine for going through caution light. Johnson suggested committee ask police department to monitor troublesome intersections and report back. Ms. Beyer also suggested publicizing, etc. It was noted fine for running red light is $20. Chief Paschke stated they could do selective enforcement.

Chief Paschke stated that it was difficult to enforce vehicles not stopping for emergency vehicles, because police vehicle going to emergency wouldn't be able to enforce and cannot send 2-3 vehicles on emergency calls. Ms. Beyer suggested that firemen on emergency call could take down license numbers of violators; Mr. Swanson advised that license number would not support violation. He also reported that he is in process of re-writing traffic section of the Code and is recommending increase of all fines. It was suggested that they contact emergency vehicle drivers to see if problem.


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March 27, 1995 - Page 2

There was some discussion re. fines; that Minnesota fines much higher; that when City increased fine for violation of handicapped parking, greatly reduced number of violators.

Moved by Johnson and Sande that we ask the traffic engineer to contact fire department and United Hospital, etc. re. problem of drivers not yielding/stopping for emergency vehicles on calls, and to report back to committee, with possibility of doing publicity campaign. Motion carried. (committee only)

Moved by Johnson and Sande to instruct police department to do selective enforcement of stop signs, and red lights (particularly at intersections of 24th Ave.S. and S. Washington, and 17th Ave.S. and South Columbia Road), and to report back to committee. Motion carried. (committee only)

4. Request by fire department to amend Section 12-0407 of the
City Code relating to trucks transporting flammable and
hazardous substances within the city.
Bruce Roed and Dick Westacott, fire department, presented ordinance amendment to make ordinance more enforceable and to include penalty. Mr. Roed stated that routes okay, however, don't want trucks transporting these substances through city except on established routes, and to prohibit vehicles from parking; that police department can authorize towing of vehicle in violation and looking at min. fine of $50.00 plus towing fee. He stated that most common violation is vehicles with anhydrous ammonia tanks. Mr. Swanson reported he had drafted ordinance, however, he needs to know exceptions (neighborhood gas stations, etc.)

Chief Paschke expressed some concern re. towing company, that they have contract with towing company to do their towing of vehicles, and whether they are willing to do because of risk/liability involved, etc. Dick Westacott stated that they had talked to towing company, they are licensed as hazardous materials handler, and towing semi's not a problem. There was some discussion re. booting vehicles, however, that would keep problem at that location, and locating driver also problem.

Mr. Swanson stated some exceptions to ordinance would include restricting parking on any street unless making delivery, parking within specific distance of residential districts, etc.

Moved by Johnson and Sande to introduce an ordinance amending Section 12-0407 of the Grand Forks City Code relating to parking of vehicles transporting flammable/hazardous materials on roadway, with fire department and city attorney drafting exceptions to the ordinance. Motion carried.

5. Applications for gaming permits:

MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
March 27, 1995 - Page 3

a) Grand Forks Public Schools/Head Start - raffle 5/07/95
c) St. Mary's Knights of Columbus - raffle 6/08/95
d) ND Region Antique Auto club - raffle 7/09/95
e) Northwest Technical College - raffle 4/09/95 (see memo from city attorney)
All applications listed above had been reviewed and approved by the city attorney. Moved by Sande and Johnson to approve the applications. Motion carried. (comm. only)

c) Red River Society of Radiological Technologists - raffle.
e) The Ninety-Nines, Inc., NW Sec. UND Chapter (of Inter- national Organization of Women Pilots) - raffle 10/14/95
Aps. had been reviewed by the city attorney and approved contingent upon adoption of resolution recognizing ap. as public-
spirited organization. Moved by Sande and Johnson to recognize groups as public spirited eligible organizations eligible to conduct games of chance, and that the applications be approved. Motion carried.

6. Temporary and overtime report for February, 1995.
The committee reviewed the report; moved by Sande and Johnson to accept the report. Motion carried. (committee only)

Meeting adjourned at 4:35 p.m.

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 3/27/95