Committee Minutes

MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Monday, January 8, 1996 - 3:45 p.m.

Members present: Hoeppner, Johnson, Sande.

1. Request to change parking restrictions on N. 3rd Street and 1st Avenue N. around Dacotah Bldg., 100-106 N. 3rd Street.
Randy Holmes, Dacotah Bldg., stated that they have reserved parking for residents and tenants in lot behind building, and requested that parking restrictions be changed on N. 3rd Street in front of Dacotah Bldg. from two-hour to one-hour parking, and to change the three parking spaces on 1st Ave.N. side of building to 10-minute parking to make more accessible for customers. A memo from John Thompson, traffic engineer, recommending approval of the request to post one-hour parking around Dacotah Bldg. on N. 3rd Street, and approval of extending 10-minute parking zone to sidewalk ramp/crosswalk in northeast quadrant along 1st Avenue North, was read. It was moved by Johnson and Sande to approve recommendation from the traffic engineer. Motion carried.

2. Application for Class 3, On and/or Off Sale Beer and Wine
license at 420 DeMers Avenue by Edward J. Meyer, Jr./Jane
G. Meyer dba French Connection.
Howard Swanson, city attorney, reported that application is in order, and has been reviewed and approved by the police department. Moved by Sande and Johnson to approve the application, subject to approval and final inspection by the police, fire, health and inspection departments. Motion carried.

3. Information re. road test for Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep vehicles
in and around Grand Forks.
A memo from John Thompson, traffic engineer, reporting that a vehicle testing contractor from Flint, MI has chosen Grand Forks as a road test location for approx. 50 Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep vehicles; that they plan to hire several drivers for each vehicle and drive them 16 hours per day in and around Grand Forks until the vehicles have 25,000 miles on them; that they will base their operations out of the South Forks Plaza parking area and have rented an office in the Mall, with the duration of the road test being 8-10 weeks. Johnson suggested possibly giving items with City logo, (sweatshirt, etc.) Moved by Johnson and Sande to send a welcome and thanks for doing business in Grand Forks area, and refer to mayor's office the sending of personal Grand Forks item(s) to that office. Motion carried. (Comm. only)

4. Matter of snowmobiles operating in city off marked trails.
It was reported that several complaints had been received re. snowmobiles operating in areas of Belmont Patio Homes (on 47th Ave.S.) and in area of Olson Drive, and whether areas could be signed - no snowmobiles. It was noted they were using ditch along 47th, which was landscaped last year, and now being torn up again, and this is not part of snowmobile trail. There was some discussion re. id. numbers (decal) on snowmobiles, whether large enough for id. and it was noted that number is placed on hood

MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
January 8, 1996 - Page 2

portion of machine. It was noted that some snowmobiles operating without number (which is issued by State) It was also noted that members of one of the snowmobile clubs stated they intend to go to Legislature for larger numbers, which would make id easier. Chief Paschke stated no way to id. other than recognizing sled (through number, etc.) because of clothing drivers wear (snowmobile suits, helmets, etc.)

Mr. Swanson stated that number of snowmobiles seems to have increased this year, that they are all over town, that areas of Johnson's Addn., Birkholz' areas and newly constructed bikepath from DeMers to 32nd Ave.S. along English Coulee are having significant problems; those that are illegally operating on the bikepath stand to be cited for two violations - illegal operation of snowmobile within the city limits, which is a min. $50/fine, and also subject to operating of a motor vehicle on a bikepath. The difficulty appears to be lack of information/knowledge on part of snowmobile operators who believe they can operate snowmobiles within city limits provided they are on Park Board property, bikepaths or on a designated trail. He reported his office has received some complaints and they have been obtaining info. re. name of perpetrator or address and sending warning letters. He stated there has been some increased prosecution and activity by the police department which will probably continue.

There was discussion re. instituting requiring local registration (numbers); and Mr. Swanson stated that may not be practical because many operators not from Grand Forks area. He also stated they are noticing number of new snowmobiles that are not licensed at all, and may be appropriate for City to adopt ordinance that would place additional fine for unlicensed snowmobiles to operate within the city limits; that City would have jurisdiction over enforcement of unlicensed vehicle within our jurisdiction. (When purchase snowmobile, retailer not obligated to license that snowmobile as opposed to automobile retailer).

The committee suggested sending communication to Park Board to publicize that park trails not open to snowmobilers. Mr. Swanson reported that council had adopted recommendation that portions of bike trails be signed "no snowmobiles".

Moved by Sande and Johnson that we institute a fine for operating an unregistered snowmobile, and introduce ordinance for first reading. Motion carried.

Mr. Swanson stated if they have other ideas, let his office know; committee instructed police to be on alert to this problem; and suggested installation of additional signs. Mr. Swanson stated there was concern with snowmobiles on bikepaths and concern re. crossing streets in unmarked areas. The committee directed that the traffic engineer research areas where signs needed and bring

MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
January 8, 1996 - Page 3

back to committee.

5. Matter of filling captain position in police department
(vacancy created through retirement).
Chief Paschke reported this was referred by council; that Captain Brown retired as of January 9, 1996; and that the Mayor wanted to wait with filling of the position until after con- sultant's study in event there is suggestion for organizational change, and submitted copies of department's organizational structure to committee members. Sande reported that preliminary report probably be in end of this week. Moved by Sande and Johnson to receive and file. Motion carried.

6. Request from Health department for permission to request
bids for chemicals, equipment/lease for 1996 mosquito control program.
Don Shields presented request to call for bids for chemicals and also leases on the vehicles, will get bids back by March 15 and bring to committee for their review; that basically looking at same chemicals with some modifications for improvements, that there are very few vendors who will bid on these chemicals because of requirements to be licensed in the State of North Dakota. Moved by Sande and Johnson to authorize health department to request bids for mosquito control. Motion carried. (committee only)

7. Matter of future of car pound.
Chief Paschke reported that since last meeting they have been in touch with Mr. Kuhlman, and he will allow City to remain there without improvements for one year, any longer improvement would have to be made to shelter or close fencing off. He stated they would like to have subcommittee (O'Leary, Paschke, Grotte) to meet with Mr. Kuhlman to get more specifics - length of time, etc.; that rental was $400/mo and has increased to $1,000/mo (lease ran out in October); and that they didn't budget for increase. Committee suggested that should be looking for new site, that Acme wanted lot for expansion of business, and this would only be temporary location. The committee also suggested that the subcommittee meet prior to meeting with Mr. Kuhlman so know what City wants to do. Chairman Hoeppner volunteered to meet with subcommittee. The committee suggested they make serious effort to find new location.

Chief Paschke stated they would like to remain at location until police auction in May or June so wouldn't have to tow vehicles, etc. He also reported that they have place to secure vehicles used as evidence, etc.

Moved by Johnson and Sande to receive and file. Motion carried.

8. Applications for gaming permits:

MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
January 8, 1996 - Page 4

a) Lake Agassiz PTO - raffle 02/05/96
b) Pi Theta Epsilon Occupational Therapy Honor Society - raffle 02/09/96
c) INMED (Indians into Medicine) Student Organization -
raffle 01/20/96.
It was reported that all applications had been reviewed and approved by the city attorney. Moved by Sande and Johnson to approve the applications. Motion carried. (comm. only)

Meeting adjourned at 4:25 p.m. by motion by Sande and Johnson.

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 01/08/96.