Committee Minutes

MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Monday, March 25, 1996 - 3:45 p.m.

Members present: Hoeppner, Johnson, Sande.

1. Application by Hub Bar for special license to sell alcoholic beverages at designated premises (DJ's, 121 North 5th Street) on March 30, 1996.
Rae Ann Moe, Hub Bar, stated that the event is Central Boosters fundraiser, and hours would be from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Moved by Johnson and Sande to approve the application. Motion carried. (committee only)

2. Request by Sertoma Club to hold July 4 celebration (incl.
duck race and fireworks display).
Paul Waind, 3382 Primrose Ct., co-chair of the Sertoma fund-raising committee this year, stated they are requesting use of City property on the riverbanks and the Point Bridge for fireworks show; that the Sertoma Club has sponsored fireworks displays for the past 26 years, and this will be 4th annual event where incorporated into 4th of July festival, with full day's event (bands and other activities during the day). He reported they have raised $121,000 which has been given to local charities in the past 4 years, and have several local businesses who sponsor the activities and help with prizes, etc. He stated they are aware of Mr. Buegel's protest. Mr. Waind stated that they don't see that they have any problem; that this year, as in previous years, will have Grand Forks police department, along with National Guard, Air Force personnel, as well as United Hospital emergency vehicles, Fire Department participation, and GF County Sheriff's department are there in support. He stated that they have security group that has riverbank lined and they have system for any possible problems there. He stated that if there is an issue as far as any private property, that they would be looking for assistance from the City with some snowfence to keep crowd away from any private property.
Mr. Swanson stated in response to committee's question, that he has not reviewed their insurance coverage; that City's minimum requirement is $250,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence; and that the fireworks company usually has additional coverage. A rep. of the Sertoma Club listed their insurance coverage limits of $2 million aggregate with Sertoma International; $1 million personal property, $1 million personal injury, $1 million each occurrence and $50,000 fire damage, and fireworks company had additional insurance.

John Buegel, 509 South 3rd Street, stated that he objected to the issuance of a permit to the Sertoma Club for a duck race and fireworks event; that Sertoma Club failed to provide him with name or information on the insurance. which they claim they have. He stated that in the past the security measures they have taken have failed to provide any kind of meaningful protection to his property, to his life or to his tenants. He stated they have promised in the past to install fencing or a perimeter rope

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March 25, 1996 - Page 2

around the property and have security guards. and those guards haven't been there or done the job. He stated that over the years in re. to the fireworks and duck race, he has seen people urinating on his building, he has had to remove beer cans, fireworks debris and other litter from his property despite their promises to clean up. He stated his new sod has been trampled by people who wouldn't use sidewalk, that his life has been threatened by dangerous individuals who were attracted by these events. He stated he no longer feels safe in his own home, and that he has lost peaceful and quiet enjoyment of his property. He stated he applauds charitable work Sertoma Club has done, but that it can't continue to be done at his expense. He stated he has spent thousands of dollars to protect against these events (installed a chain-link fence along portion of the perimeter of his property, put up no trespassing signs, installed security lighting).

He stated that the Sertoma Club cannot be allowed to continue these events without taking positive, corrective measures to insure the protection of his property and the life of his tenants and himself. He stated that it is the obligation of the City, if they grant a permit to the Sertoma Club to hold a duck race and fireworks display, to insure that police and fire department protection is on the premises, the issuance of a permit carries with it the liability of having done so. He stated that having been made aware of the problems and hazards associated with these events, asked if the City was willing to assume the liability for any problems which occur, if not the permit must be denied.

Moved by Johnson and Sande to grant the permit contingent upon the following conditions: 1) Sertoma Club to provide proof of insurance to the City, 2) installation of a temporary snowfence around the perimeter of Mr. Buegel's property, with map showing location of the fencing of the area; 3) Sertoma Club to provide to the City the number of people to be assigned to patrolling perimeter of Mr. Buegel's property; and 4) a written statement relative to cleanup of the property on July 5.

Mr. Buegel stated that prior to the first event, he made his objections known to the city council, and basically stated the same objections, concerns about high-explosive fireworks, and the crowd problem; and that things he feared have happened.

Mr. Johnson stated that next year they would look at whether conditions met, etc.

Motion carried.

3. Matter of gang suppression unit funding.
Mayor Polovitz reported they have had task force working on issues re. gang suppression; one of the things requested by the

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March 25, 1996 - Page 3

task force is funding in the amount of $20,600 for two quarters for overtime, training, etc. (2 officers 2 nights/week), and that funds would come from police department carry-over funds for 1995, and need to amend the budget. He recommended approval. Chief Paschke reported that this is pilot program, that he has 13 to 15 officers interested in the program, and eventually they hope to broaden program to entire department.

Moved by Sande and Johnson to approve the budget amendment. Motion carried.

4. Matter of payment of overtime for police officers serving on task force for implementation of police consultant's study.
Sande asked that this item be pulled and held. The Committee held the matter for 2 weeks.

5. Budget amendment.
a) Police Department - $7,000
Chief Paschke stated that the amendment reflects increase in the budget due to unanticipated revenue from the Narcotics Task Force Grant. Moved by Sande and Johnson to approve the budget amendment. Motion carried.

6. Consideration of bids:
a) chemicals for mosquito control program.
b) equipment for mosquito control program.
Don Shields reported they received only one bid for chemicals, that they are looking for other chemical sources, and asked that this matter be held. Held for 2 weeks.

7. Request by fire department for expenditure of balance of
monies budgeted for fire truck.
Chief Aulich reported that the individual to present this matter was snowbound in Minneapolis, and asked that this matter be held. Held for 2 weeks.

8. Matter of adoption of 1994 Uniform Fire Code and supplement.
Richard Westacott, Fire Prevention Office, stated they would like to adopt the 1994 Code and supplement, and that Mr. Swanson, city attorney, in the process of drafting ordinance. Moved by Sande and Johnson to adopt the 1994 Uniform Fire Code and supplement, and to introduce the ordinance for first reading. Motion carried.

9. Applications for gaming permits:
a) Grand Forks Bambino Baseball League
b) Northern Star Cycling Club
Both applications had been reviewed and approved by the city attorney. Moved by Johnson and Sande that these applications be
approved. Motion carried. (committee only)


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March 25, 1996 - Page 4

10. Temporary and overtime report as of 02/29/96.
The committee reviewed the report. Moved by Johnson and Sande that the report be approved. Motion carried. (comm. only)

11. Budget amendment:
a) Health Department - $2,078.00
Don Shields reported this is unanticipated revenue from Families First grant, and monies will be used to purchase desks and chairs. Moved by Sande and Johnson that the amendment be approved. Motion carried.

Motion to adjourn moved by Johnson and Sande; meeting adjourned at 4:25 p.m.

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 03/25/96.