Committee Minutes

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

Members present: Sande, Ellingson, Glassheim.

1. Matter of 1996-97 snowmobile route map (portion of route
along 32nd Avenue South - with power to act.
Chairman Sande read the recommendation from the traffic engineer as follows: "recommend routing the snowmobile traffic from South 42nd Street along 30th Avenue South and across 32nd Avenue at South 38th Street". Mr. Thompson noted that South 38th Street at 32nd Ave.S. is signalized intersection. Steve Magnu- son, Red River Snowmobile Club, reported that they use route back of Amundson's (at request of Amundson's) and cross road east of Amundson's, and suggested that because of new Nodak building that route stay on north side until reach South 38th Street; Mr. Thompson agreed with that. He stated they haven't signed new route and once approved and groomed, snowmobilers will see route.
Moved by Ellingson and Glassheim to approve the revised snow- mobile route map, with route to go behind Amundson's Funeral Home, and cross road east of Amundson's, that route continue on north side of 32nd Avenue South to South 38th Street. Motion carried. (comm. only)

2. Request for four-way stop at South 20th Street and 20th
Avenue South because of high volume of traffic (Red River
High School, Kraft Field, etc.)
Art Bakken, 2963 Prairie Rose Court, and council member for the Sixth Ward, reported that he drove by this area today as school was getting out, traffic backed up from stop sign to the School, residents can't exit driveways. Mr. Thompson recommended that he do evaluation of traffic volume, accident report and site date and bring back to committee in 2 weeks with recommendation. He noted that there is 3 times as much traffic on 20th Street as on 20th Avenue, no sight distance problems, and noted that there may be recommendation for removal of parking or 4-way stop after looking at traffic study.

Moved by Glassheim and Ellingson to hold for 2 weeks. Motion carried. (comm. only)

3. Request from Concrete, Inc. for "truck entering" warning
signs on DeMers Avenue approaching their entrance.
Mr. Thompson recommended approval of signs with the legend "trucks entering, next 1/2 mile" posted east of the east ramp to I-29 and west of the west entrance to Concrete, Inc. Moved by Ellingson and Glassheim to approve recommendation of the traffic engineer. Motion carried.

4. Requests from Steering Committee for first Night Greater
Grand Forks:
a) request that all traffic signals in downtown area not
be put on flashing mode until 2:00 a.m.

MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
November 25, 1996 - Page 2

Sheila Bruhn, rep. First Night Greater Grand Forks, presented request, that this was done last year and would like this done again this year because of safety concerns (8000+ people downtown last year). John Thompson, traffic eng., recommended approval, and that signals will operate red/yellow/green until 2:00 a.m. from one week before to one week after New Year's Day. Capt. MacCarthey stated that the police department would support this recommendation. Moved by Glassheim and Ellingson to approve request for period one week before to one week after New Year's Day. Motion carried.

b) request to locate portable toilet facilities on sidewalk
on southeast corner of City Center Mall.
Ms. Bruhn reported that toilet facilities located on sidewalk near parking lot adj. to City Center (3 at that location and 1 near Urban Stampede) for that evening only. Moved by Glassheim and Ellingson to approve the request. Motion carried.

5. Budget amendments.
a) Police Department - $2500.00
Capt. MacCarthey reviewed budget amendment to transfer funds from Cash Carryover to Clothing (additional funds needed for uniforms for new officers and also had to have people in uniform before sending to State Academy). It was noted that they recycle uniforms, what they can (uniforms turned in by officers leaving department), old shirts (blue) went to water utility, etc.
Moved by Glassheim and Ellingson that this budget amendment be approved. Motion carried.

b) Health Department (Wellness Program) - $2,800.00
c) Health Department (Tobacco Control) - $2,500.00
Don Shields reported these amendments reflect additional funding from b) United Hospital for Smokefree Dining Project and additional funding by c) ND Department of Health. Moved by Ellingson and Glassheim to approve the budget amendments. Motion carried.

6. Temporary and overtime report for October, 1996.
Committee reviewed statement. Moved by Glassheim and Ellingson to approve the report. Motion carried. (comm. only)

7. Applications for gaming permits:
a) Physical Therapy Club, UND - raffle 12/09/96
b) DAV, Andy Nomland #2 - raffle 05/14/97
c) College of Nursing, UND - raffle 12/01/96
It was noted that all applications had been reviewed and approved by the city attorney. Moved by Ellingson and Glassheim that the applications be approved. Motion carried (comm. only)

8. Mr. Thompson reported he had received call from snowmobile enthusiast whether zone on either side of route where could drive MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
November 25, 1996 - Page 3

from their home, no provision for people who start in the city, but for people who come by Grand Forks who can use some of the services. He stated there might be some future requests.

Ellingson commented on matter of snowmobilers in town who want to access the route; Glassheim stated they would then have to use every street to get to route. Mr. Thompson stated that in East Grand Forks allowed to use any street to access route with exception of major highway. Capt. MacCarthey stated that according to State law cannot put on street unless street dedicated snowmobile route. Committee discussed having ability to have place by Lincoln Park where trailer in and access to the river; another consideration would be to request to utilize Ulland Park for trailering in, Ulland Park outside city limits and would fall under State law.

Chairman Sande reported she has had several calls on snowmobiles,
behind the Lincoln Dike because children use dike for sledding, and call from police officer re. someone on snowmobile going 40 mph going down sidewalk on 4000 block on Belmont, that there seems to be some call for police on snowmobiles and has broached this to the city attorney. She stated she would like to see State law changed so that snowmobile dealers are required to take registration information for snowmobiles, and would like State to require large numbers and letters on snowmobiles for id purposes from a distance. Mr. Glassheim stated he tried to do something on large letters but no more room on snowmobiles for larger numbers.

9. Mr. Thompson expressed some concern about inability to obtain accident information from State Highway Department because of changes in sovereign immunity law, that State requires con- fidentiality and if we had the information would not be allowed to give it out. He stated that the police department provides information to State but can't get it back in detailed format. Capt. MacCarthey stated he was unaware of this, but have tended to rely on the fact that it goes to State and into State computers, but our records would be available under the open records law to anyone.

Meeting adjourned at 4:25 p.m.

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 11/26/96.