Committee Minutes

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

Members present: Sande, Glassheim.

2. Application for liquor license for Bucks of Grand Forks, LLC,
1950 South Columbia Road.
It was noted that the proposed location is within 300 feet of an existing licensed premise, and the license may not be issued except upon determination by the council that a variance is to be granted and written consent from the existing license holder.

Steve Adams, Greenberg Realty, rep. application, was present to answer any questions. Chairman Sande stated there were no objections from adjacent liquor establishments (and written consent has been received from the Emperor's Garden Restaurant). Mr. Swanson advised that he had reviewed application and appears to be in order subject to payment of the fees. Arthur Bakken, 1963 Prairie Rose Court, reported that he had read in the Herald that there would be beer garden and outside live music and if they intend to do that, the people in the area would be opposed to that. Mr. Adams stated he didn't believe there were any outdoor activities planned, no provisions on drawing for anything outside, he will check source of information. Moved by Glassheim and Sande that a variance be granted to the 300 ft. distance requirement of existing licensed premise; and approve the application. Motion carried.

1. Request from Townhouse for special alcoholic beverage permit
August 17 (fundraiser for Parrothead Club incl. dance in
parking lot, and variance to the noise ordinance)
Mike Frisch, Townhouse, reported that the event will take place on their property, fundraiser for Lou Gerig's disease, and asked for variance to the noise ordinance to 12:30/1:00 a.m. and the special permit (low key type music). He stated that Parrot- head Club is group of Jimmy Buffet fans.

Moved by Glassheim and Sande to approve application for special alcoholic beverage permit, and to grant variance to the noise ordinance to 12:30 a.m. Motion carried.

3. Matter of placing tables on sidewalks for service of
alcoholic beverages.
Lloyd Samson, The Edge, 10 North 3rd Street, stated that Fargo has ordinance allowing sidewalk tables for bars and eating establishments with service/sale of alcoholic beverages, seems to be under control and no problem; and they are interested in doing this and would pursue unless there was adverse opposition from committee. Committee stated they would look at information, etc. Capt. MacCarthy also stated he would like more information. Mr. Swanson stated City's concerns: 1) litter on sidewalk, 2) eliminate possibility of alcohol being provided to minors, and 3) protect pedestrian traffic, and his office would take no position if those issues addressed, could do on permit-type basis, case by MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
July 8, 1996 - Page 2

case. Held for further information.

4. Matter of communication from Chi-Chi's re. change in cor-
porate officers. Mr. Swanson advised that they should receive correspondence and make necessary amendment to the application; that even though Chi-Chi's closed, they still have valid outstanding liquor
license and need to maintain accurate information. Moved by Glassheim and Sande to receive the information. Motion carried.

5. Request for reduction in number of gaming sites allowed for each organization (from 5 to 3).
Chairman Sande reported that she had received call from one of the petitioners who asked that this be pulled from the agenda. Moved by Glassheim and Sande to table for 4 weeks (to first meeting in August). Motion carried. (comm. only)

6. Request from GF Public Schools for control of parking on
school side of 2nd Avenue between Central and City Hall.
Chairman Sande reported that the traffic engineer's recommendation is to deny request for 8 additional reserved stalls; that re-striping of the lot resulted in the addition of 4 parking spaces (13 spaces on Central side of the lot and 11 on the City Hall side of the lot) and to allow request for four additional permits for the coming school year on a trial basis (with the four red tags currently issued to Central to be turned in for 8 green permits for parking on Central side of the lot only which would be designated for green and/or red permits only). He noted that if red tags were given, they could park in lots on either side of City Hall. Mr. Thompson, traffic engineer, opposed reserved stalls, but rather let them compete for parking spaces. If allow reserved parking, Mr. Thompson asked what would happen during summer, evenings, etc. It was noted that signs could read "during school hours only".

Gordon Opstad and Ms. Nord, rep. Central High School, stated that original request was for 12 on the south side of the street in front of Central; that the Renaissance Program is going to be started this year, that this is real incentive for the kids, and would be nice way for City to support Central in its first year of Renaissance. Mr. Opstad asked if lot belongs to City, that those on the south side should belong to Central, would use for excellent cause. Member Glassheim stated that City regulates on both sides. Mr. Swanson stated that when the street was vacated (west from alley), that was stipulation of the vacation that City would control parking.

Moved by Glassheim and Sande to authorize four spaces during school hours only for the School for its Renaissance Program, and to continue same number of tags for school administration. Motion carried.

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Mr. Opstad agreed that School will pay cost of signs and installation.

7. Matter of joint emergency preparedness plan for new events
center.
Syd Maatalla, engineering director for Medical Park, and is
representing Medical Park, incl. United Hospital, stated that it was his request that a joint planning group be formed with the County, City fire and police, and health services. He stated that this was brought up at the 42nd Street traffic subcommittee because they are planning traffic flow to and from the events center before, during and after an event, and the traffic engineer has asked the City to come up with operational plans to abate some of the traffic, the issue of the streets, what streets connected, how wide, intersections, traffic lights, etc. He stated that the subcommittee, Mr. Haugen and Mr. Bushfield recommended that he bring this up at the public safety committee. He stated that since that time he has spoken to Chairman Sande and the chairman of the Core Committee and is looking for resolution if that was recommended in error, and is looking for recommendation that it be referred possibly to Core Committee. He stated they are talking about major disaster, ie., tornado, roof collapse, etc. He stated that the Hospital is required to keep voluminous mass casualty disaster plan/external disaster, which gets very involved. He stated that Medical Park has 2900 vehicles parked there, and traffic study showed that heaviest travelled street in the city is Columbia Road, which blocks their major entrances; that Medical Park has purchased 40 acres and is expanding to the west to the Aurora; that they are very concerned about traffic to and from the Aurora in an event disaster, disaster where fleeing and exiting the site, and emergency vehicles accessing site all at the same time; and also that in major storm such as tornado if roof ripped off Aurora, because of proximity of hospital, it could be in same situation. He reported that the Hospital feels this needs some thought and a joint effort probably before Commission for the Aurora is actually organized because will affect street planning, etc. He stated that he introduced issue and is asking for recommendation from the committee so that it be referred so that somebody takes initiative for bringing together.

Mr. Maatalla stated they have lot of employees that work in that area, and are coming and asking lot of questions; consultant asking City to commit to certain operational planning, and thinks that there is subcommittee meeting tomorrow and engineer making final recommendations for the street planning, and once those released, going to have lot of public questions, and Hospital asking question right now about the emergency planning.

Christi Stonecipher concurred with referral to the core committee, stated they have started to take steps in that
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direction, and already coordinating with planning department on layouts, etc.

Moved by Glassheim and Sande to refer this matter to the Core Committee. Motion carried.

8. Matter of moving 4-way stop at 34th and Baron Blvd. to 11th
and 34th.
Chairman Sande reported that the traffic engineer's recommendation is to wait until construction is complete in the area and the traffic patterns are re-established, to conduct study when school is in session (first week in September) contingent upon completion of construction, and to hold for two months.

Council Member Babinchak stated she sees reasoning to wait until school starts to determine traffic patterns, but the street is being reconstructed now and if installed four-way stops now, people would be used to them when new pavement in. Mr. Thompson stated that traffic on 11th totally shut off because 34th under construction, and concern is that Baron Blvd. is school crossing for Kuster Court and also has bike path, that there will be sidewalk on both sides and needs to look at accident report and recent traffic counts, etc. He stated concern of petitioners was that traffic was turning off 17th Ave.S. onto Baron Blvd. and short-circuiting 34th and 17th, avoiding traffic at the 4-way stop and congestion from the School; that only way to eliminate that is to remove stop sign at Baron and 34th. He stated that he needs to study further.

Mona Leake, 3231 Lord Circle, stated they have had influx of traffic coming off 17th to make accessibility of 34th quicker, all right turns and avoid 4-way stop on 34th and 17th, has created influx of traffic through neighborhood and they are looking at some way of making stop gap here and thought if that stop sign eliminated, that traffic would go to 34th and 17th and go north or down to 42nd but will have construction going on there also. Mrs. Leake stated they have concern re. safety of students to Century, have traffic guards there; and also concern with children going back and forth in the neighborhood.

After further discussion Mr. Thompson stated that based on past information (accident information and historical traffic counts), they could do in two weeks; it was moved by Glassheim and Sande to hold for 2 weeks for additional information. Motion carried. (comm. only)

9. Matter of crosswalk at 20th and 34th Street and expansion of
"no parking here to corner" signs.
Council Member Babinchak was present. Chairman Sande reported that the traffic engineer's recommendation is to remove
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July 8, 1996 - Page 5

parking as necessary to develop a clear line of sight for
vehicles and pedestrians using the intersection, up to 100 ft.
from the crosswalk. Mr. Thompson stated he would recommend approval and work out distances, currently 40-50 ft. Moved by Glassheim and Sande to approve recommendation of traffic engineer. Motion carried.

10. Matter of grant applications for health department:
a) Occupational Health Nurse agreement.

b) Maternal and Child Health (MCH) agreement.

Don Shields, director public health department, reported these two grants are both on-going grants which have been reviewed and approved by the city attorney; first grant a) in the amount of $14,635.00 for period July 1 to September 30, and is usually a 12-month grant but the Center for Disease Control has not let them know about funding after September 30, expects to hear in August and will probably be back with a supplemental budget. He stated that grant deals with things like farm safety, pesticides, noise, injury prevention and also with migrant farm workers. He stated that the second grant agreement b) is in the amount of $94,485.00, one year agreement which runs from July 1 through June 30, 1997, of which $65,000 is for nursing (disease prevention and low income), $26,000 for nutrition, injury prevention and education. He reported that any matching funds have already been accounted for within the budget framework process (staff, supplies, etc.)

Moved by Glassheim to move approval of the grant for Occupational health Nurse grant; Sande seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Moved by Glassheim and Sande to approve Maternal and Child Health grant. Motion carried.

11. Budget amendment.
Budget transfer for health dept., handled administratively.

12. Applications for gaming permits:
a) Raymond W. Quesnell VFW Aux. to Post 1874, bingo and raffle (October and November)
b) St. Michael's Men's Club - bingo/raffle for period ending
6/30/97.
c) Independent Order of Odd Fellows & Aux. - raffle 12/18/96.
All applications have been reviewed and approved by the city attorney. Moved by Glassheim and Sande to approve. Motion carried. (committee only)

13. Application by G.F. Goodribs for special alcoholic beverage
license at DJ's, 121 N 5th Street for private party July 12.

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Julie Vigness, G.F. Goodribs, 4223 12th Avenue North, stated event is for this Friday; Mr. Swanson reported he has reviewed
and approved. Moved by Glassheim and Sande to approve application for special license. Motion carried. (comm. only)

14. Request to hold block party in alley between 17th and 18th
Aves. S. from 10th to Oak Street on Sunday, July 28.
Jeff Northey, 909 17th Avenue South, presented request for block party and to block alley, that there will not be anything in the alley but to prevent traffic through alley because of kids. Capt. MacCarthy stated that police department would have no problems with this. It was noted that hours are 12:00 noon to 7:00 p.m. and hold harmless agreement already signed. Moved by Glassheim and Sande to approve. Motion carried. (committee only)

15. Extra items:

Chairman Sande announced that the next meeting of the committee would be scheduled for Monday, July 29 at 3:45 p.m.

Captain MacCarthy reported that at the end of June closed out old computer system and they had 17,653 dispatches for the first six months of this year, compared with 16,116 for the same period last year, so 1500 dispatches ahead of last year which was a record year. He stated he talked to Sgt. Seiber about ability to come up with comparable figures for the last six months of this year under the new system because new system handles things little bit differently and he thinks they probably can accomplish that but wanted committee to understand that the workload continues to build. He reported that last year was 2500 ahead of the year before, which was 2000 ahead of the year before that, etc. He also stated that is total number of dispatches, and police department cut is 65%.

Meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.


Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 7/10/96