Committee Minutes

MINUTES/PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE
Monday, July 10, 1995 - 7:00 p.m.

Members present: Hagness, Beyer, Hamerlik, Klave.

1. Application for moving permit by Don Wurzbacher to move building from 1213 Belmont Road to 2203 Chestnut St. (utility
shed/garage).
Bruce Melin, building inspector, reported this building moved without permit; has been at this location for approx. one month, and it appears that nothing has been done to the building during that time; that he has had comments from several neighbors who were informed that this building would be moved to the lake; and committee may want to hold until Mr. Wurzbacher is present. He also noted that there is a poured concrete slab at this location.
Klave present.

Karen Jacobson, 2114 Belmont Road, stated she has concern re. this building, not as nice as looks in picture; and also this gentlemen has business in his home, has cables and equipment around house, etc. and asked whether this building was to be used for his business. Mr. Melin advised that business in accessory building not allowed in residential area, no retail sales, no increase in traffic. Mrs. Jacobson also stated that he has told neighbors he will be moving building to the lake.

Moved by Beyer and Hagness to hold for 3 weeks, so Mr. Wurzbacher can appear and provide committee with information as to what his intentions are. Motion carried. (committee only).

2. Matter of substandard building at 615 South 5th Street.
Bonnie Coss, owner of the property, was present; as were several neighbors: Roberta and David Thompson, 602 South 4th Street, and R.E. McKenna, 609 South 5th Street.

Bruce Melin, building inspector, reported they went to court year
ago for substandard building (roof leaks, chimney bricks falling off, front steps collapsing, building full of material scattered throughout the house); and suggested bringing to committee with alternative to bring back to court.

Mrs. Coss stated that she left to take care of relatives, her house was burglarized and everything dumped out of drawers, articles stolen, wind blew tree against chimney; that she is now taking care of handicapped person; and is saving money to fix up her house; has been holding rummage sales, etc. that she is not living in the building, was going to fix up and take care of. The committee asked her how long to bring into compliance, and she stated the rest of the year. Mr. Melin stated Mrs. Coss has relatives who are willing to assist her. He also noted that building hasn't been determined to be health hazard; and recommended to allow her specific time to bring into compliance - one month to empty interior and one month to correct exterior

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deficiencies, and if not done, his recommendation would be to start condemnation proceedings. He also noted that the Court allowed her an excessive amount of time to get work done; that judge dismissed with possibility of re-opening case.

Mrs. Thompson stated building has been vacant for years, is a fire hazard, garbage from floor to ceiling, animals in the house, transients in the house, etc.

Mr. McKenna stated he would like this matter referred back to court system and something done with the guilty verdict; and would like building to be inspected by fire inspector. Mr. Melin stated there is no electricity, no gas into the place, etc.; however, Mr. McKenna stated he would like to see building inspected by inspectors who have no relationship to Mrs. Coss.

After further discussion it was moved by Beyer and Klave to allow the property owner one month to clean interior of all combustible material, other than normal household furnishings, ie., chairs, beds, tables, appliances, etc., and to allow an additional month for the exterior to be sealed to meet City Code if conditions of the first month are met, and further to set date for public hearing on the substandard building as August 21, 1995.

The committee asked Mr. Melin to work with Mrs. Coss on this matter.

Upon call for the question the motion carried.

Moved by Hamerlik and Klave to refer matter to city attorney for advise and consultation as to process that we've undertaken. Motion carried.

Hamerlik out.

3. Consideration of construction bids:
a) Proj. 4341, Dist. 525, paving Columbia Park 15th.
Mr. Grasser submitted copies of bid tabulation for this project indicating that Nodak Contracting low bidder, and reported that developer doing underground work in lieu of upfront monies. Moved by Beyer and Klave that we accept the low bid of Nodak Contracting in the amount of $361,745.45. Motion carried.

4. Matter of plans and specifications:
a) Proj. 4364, Dist. 362, san. sewer on 6th Avenue North
Mr. Grasser reviewed plans and specs. for sanitary sewer to serve Sun Land West 1st and 2nd Subdivisions on 6th Avenue from 51st to 55th Street, and stated that the developer interested in building duplexes in this area.

Hamerlik reported back.
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Mr. Grasser stated that concept now is that driveways will come in on the property lines and split out to two buildings per lot, and have one service to each lot, water service independent. He stated that he has question re. upfront money; and that previously had indicated they couldn't get paving in this year at the request of the developer; and has come up with way of getting some of the paving in - would accelerate about 300 ft. of under-ground portions, open bids end of August so contractor can start work early September, with October 1 completion date on first pc. and let rest of it go until late in the fall so get good prices and then come in with paving and again accelerate first section (using rock and fabric because not lot of drying days) and leave balance of paving until 1996. He also stated they would have to put in change order for storm sewer. He also noted that the developer had requested using improvements on 7th Avenue as up- front money for 6th Avenue, however, the Special Assessment Com- mission didn't assign any benefits to any of the properties on 7th. Mr. Hagness stated it was their concern that this is a different assessment district after Commission ruled there would be no specials on 7th for 6th Ave. Mr. Grasser stated that costs for water, sanitary and paving est. at $530,000, not incl. storm.

Mr. Klave expressed concern whether property owners request wider approaches because of shared driveways; staff stated that was possibility.

Moved by Beyer and Klave to pass a resolution approving the plans and specifications for this construction and further that the city auditor be directed to advertise for bids on the project, contingent upon payment of upfront monies by the developer in compliance with Section 18-0908 (1)(B) of the Grand Forks City Code. Motion carried.

b) Proj. 4365, Dist. 240, watermain on 6th Avenue North
Mr. Grasser reviewed plans and specifications with the committee stating same conditions apply as for Project 4364. Moved by Beyer and Klave to pass a resolution approving the plans and specifications for this construction and further that the city auditor be directed to advertise for bids on the project, contingent upon payment of upfront monies by the developer in compliance with Section 18-0908 (1)(B) of the Grand Forks City Code. Motion carried.

7. Matter of consultant selection for preliminary engineering:
Mark Lambrecht, asst. public works director, reported these
are two federal aid projects for which they solicited proposals for a consulting engineer to do the preliminary and construction engineering on the projects, that they published notices, received proposals which were reviewed and rated per criteria by the selection committee; and after selection of the engineering
firms, will negotiate fees.
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a) Proj.4260, bridge replacement on Mill Road at English Coulee
Mr. Lambrecht reported they had received two proposals, reviewed according to criteria and recommended award to KBM, Inc. Moved by Klave and Beyer to award the preliminary and construc-tion engineering for the project to KBM, Inc., contingent upon concurrence by the State Department of Transportation. Motion carried.

b) Proj. 4349, bikeway/walkway along Red River from Plum to
Lincoln Drive.
Mr. Lambrecht reported this project located along Lincoln Park dike, that they received two proposals and rated by same methods. He noted that all firms qualified to do projects. Moved by Klave and Hamerlik to award the preliminary and construction engineering agreement to CPS, Ltd. Motion carried.

9. Matter of sewer connection fee for All Reasons Self Storage.
Paul Eggebraaten, All Reasons Self-Storage, located on S. 38th St., appeared and protested sewer connection fee, total about $14,000 (property replatted into 3 parcels, but would still pay 2/3rds of the $14,000; about 4 1/2 acres of the 8 being developed). Mr. Eggebraaten stated fee should be based on usage - he will have two sinks and stool - one person working 9 hours a day 6 days/week, and that his usage less than most homes. He stated formula should be changed to be fair.

Mr. Vein read Code requirements and stated that any new property which comes into the city and is developed, as they take out building permit are required to pay a sewer connection fee with funds to be used to upgrade and expand sewer treatment system. Mr. Vein stated that they have treated everyone uniformly to date, with the exception of the Park District. It was also noted that septic system or holding tanks as Mr. Eggebraaten suggested could not be installed in a developing area, or where sewer is available. Mr. Vein reported he had discussed with Mr. Swanson and he didn't see any way around ordinance. Mr. Vein recommended following Code requirements. Mr. Grasser also suggested that committee's decision could impact tapping fees, same issues arise with tapping fees.

Moved by Beyer and Klave to receive and file. Motion carried.

Beyer excused.

5. Matter of creating special assessment districts:
a) Proj. 4366, Dist. 539, paving 6th Ave.N. from 51st to 55th Street.
Mr. Grasser reviewed project with committee. Moved by Klave and Hamerlik to recommend that we adopt a resolution creating the assessment district, approving the engineer's report, including

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estimate of cost, an assessment district map, and further that we pass a resolution instructing the city engineer to prepare detailed plans and specifications, and that we declare intent to sell bonds to finance these improvements, and further that the developer pay 50% upfront monies on the project. Motion carried.
b) Proj. 4314, Dist. 358, storm sewer on S. 34th St. from 24th to 30th Ave.S.
Mr. Grasser reported the assessment district covers large drainage area from 32nd Avenue South to 24th Avenue South, from 30th almost to I-29; that this is trunk discharge line, that this project needs to be done before paving on South 34th Street. Moved by Klave and Hamerlik that we adopt a resolution creating the assessment district, approving the engineer's report, including estimate of cost, an assessment district map, and further that we pass a resolution instructing the city engineer to prepare detailed plans and specifications, and that we declare intent to sell bonds to finance these improvements. Motion
carried.

c) Proj. 4368, Dist. 241, watermain on S. 34th St. from 24th
to 30th Ave.S.
Held.

6. Matter of authorizing plans and specifications:
a) Proj. 4386, Dist. 366, storm drainage between Rolling Hills and Sloping Hills.
Mr. Grasser reported that they have been working on what would be drainage area for the project. He reported that originally swales done as cost-savings measure when this area developed, that swale empties onto park District property and water doesn't drain away from there, that several years ago went in and cut shallow ditch to try to take care of the problem and get water to route to the river, and ditch not working very well. He stated they re-evaluated and way to solve problem is to install pipe and discharge to the river. He stated map doesn't show actual district lines and is not proposing to create district this evening. Moved by Klave and Hamerlik to authorize engineer to proceed with the project. Motion carried.

8. Matter of amendment of special assessment district for Proj.
4236, Dist. 353, sanitary sewer on 24th Avenue South.
Mr. Grasser reported that this district created last year, and Columbia Park 15th Addn. configured differently than is today, and when established district included lots on south side
of 24th Ave.S. and also included adjacent lots north of 24th Ave.S., that subsequent to that time area has been replatted and the developer is concerned that all sanitary sewer costs will be assessed against very few residential lots making those lots very high; that they met with the city attorney who suggested this route as developer owns 100% of the property within the district

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(would need 75% concurrence from property owners), and they are asking to expand district as Special Assessment Commission cannot assess benefits outside the district. Moved by Klave and Hamerlik to amend the special assessment district to include additional areas in Columbia Park 15th Addn. as shown on map sub-
mitted by the developer. Motion carried.

Mr. Grasser also noted that the developer had also asked that the connections that they tie into on 24th Avenue South be added by change order to those projects with those costs assessed only to Columbia Park 15th, and will be bring those in later.

10. Matter of airport waterline.
Ken Vein stated that Mr. Selig, Grand Forks Airport, had requested the City to pay for improvements to the water distribution system at the airport because of the requirement of sprinkler systems on the property out there; that the Airport Authority hired Webster, Foster & Weston to do a report; that report is complete and a letter with copy of report was sent to Mr. Hagness; and they are asking for City to do something based on the report. Mr. Vein stated that Mr. Selig wants to meet with the Committee and it is his recommendation that staff meet with Mr. Selig and then bring to committee. He reported there is certain dollar amount that watermain replacement is required, a certain dollar amount that goes to expansion or enlargement of line on airport property, a cost for underground storage tank and an elevated tank. He stated that his contention is that they treat them as a separate entity, that if they need additional funding, it should come through economic development or something of that nature and not through water utility rates. Committee asked where City's responsibility starts and stops, that airport developing at good pace, but does that mean City still responsible; and suggested doing special assessments against businesses out there. Mr. Hagness stated that in discussions in the past it was contention that City not responsible.

There was some discussion re. sprinkler systems, which feed off Air Base line, and then goes to interior system, which City says is the Airport's. It was noted that line to the Base is in the hands of the Air Force.

Committee held the matter with staff to meet with Airport reps. and then bring to committee and council.

11. Budget amendment.
Mr. Vein reviewed amendment request to transfer $1300 within engineering department budget to cover cost of aerial halftone mylars of new areas of town. Moved by Hamerlik and Klave to approve the amendment. Motion carried.

12. Bids for traffic paint.

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Mr. Lambrecht reviewed the one bid received from Vogel Paint on annual traffic paint bid for 660 gallons white paint in 55-gal. drums at $8.03/gal. or $5,299.80, and 1100 gal. yellow paint in 55-gal. drums at $7.98/gal. or $8,778.00, for a total bid of $14,077.80. He noted this is budgeted, and is about $400 more than paid last year. Moved by Hamerlik and Klave to accept the bid of Vogel Paint & Wax Co., Inc., Orange City, IA Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 7/11/95.