Committee Minutes

MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Saturday, January 25, 1997 - 8:00 a.m.

Members present: Sande, Ellingson.

1. Matter of trucks parked on 12th Ave.N. with engines running.
This matter was held at request of Florence Twedell, who was going to be out of town. Held in committee until such time as Mrs. Twedell could be present.

2. Request from Nodak Flying Club for permission to air-drop plastic canisters to promote 2nd Annual Nodak Wings Spring Fling on May 16.
Clint Rodningen, Jr., 2102 8th Avenue North, president of the Nodak Flying Club, presented request, that they are non-profit organization to promote aviation (hold number of events), and would like permission for three planes to fly over the city and drop plastic film canisters (which would contain prizes, etc. and which would have string with parachute/streamer, etc. attached), that they have assured FAA that this is not hazard to persons or property, and would be fully insured.

The committee discussed concern, no so much with littering, but for drivers and with people (esp. children) trying to retrieve canisters, and suggested maybe pinpointing to one area; however, Mr. Rodningen stated that at 1,000 ft. would be difficult to do. The committee asked for further information (film demonstration), etc. Held in committee.

3. Matter of 1997 alcoholic beverage license renewals.
These items were brought to the committee at the recommendation of the city attorney.
a) John Barley-corne. Inc. - change in corporate name. Moved by Ellingson and Sande to approve change in corporate name from The Cattle Company, Inc. to John Barley-corne, Inc. Motion carried.

b) Mark R. Johnson dba Parrot's Cay Tavern - review of Mr. Johnson's police record (NSF check and open container). Mr. Johnson, 1814 22nd Avenue South, appeared before committee. After some discussion Chairman Sande reported she had spoken to Mr. Swanson, and his opinion was that these items were not disqualifying and saw no reason not to renew license.

Mike Flannery, police officer, stated he does liquor license background checks, and two things he would like to bring to committee's attention: 1) that in all years been doing background checks, only time came up with anything was when one of the bars had manager who was underage. He stated his personal opinion is that "good moral character" is too general a termin- ology and in future committee might look at specific violations, ie., felony convictions, specific items where yes or no items; 2) that applications for renewal of licenses sent out with a filing deadline of November 15, however no teeth in that and applica-
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tions being submitted up to the end of December, that it takes time to review the applications and aps. also have to be re- viewed by the health and fire departments. He reported that he had discussed this with Mr. Swanson, that renewal fee is $50 and his suggestion to Mr. Swanson was renewal fee of $50 if filed by November 15, and if not filed by that date, renewal fee increased to $500. He stated that lot of applications received which are incomplete and have to be returned, and would also include those applications which have to be returned for further information or completion and not refiled by November 15.

Officer Flannery stated he would not have any problem with the renewal of Mr. Johnson's license.

Moved by Ellingson and Sande to approve the license renewal for Parrot's Cay Tavern. Motion carried. (comm. only)

The committee stated they would do little more research on the question of the late fee for license filing and give council little more advance warning on this proposal. Held for 2 weeks.

4. Request from Bible Baptist Christian School for refund of
temporary restaurant fee on August 30/31, 1996.
Moved by Ellingson and Sande to approve request for refund in the amount of $55.00. Motion carried. (comm. only)

5. Response to opinion poll concerning stop sign changes on 8th Ave.S. and 13th Ave.S. at Walnut and Chestnut Streets.
John Thompson, traffic engineer, reported this item based on review of intersection traffic controls between area of 4th and 17th Avenues South from Washington to the River. He reported he conducted survey of residents in these areas, received some response from residents in vicinity of 8th Ave.S. with concerns re. parking, increase in speed they perceived would occur. He reported that he received quite a few responses from residents in area of 13th Ave.S. with lot more comments than he asked for; that there are existing problems with the school: parking, speeding, congestion along Cottonwood, l3th and Walnut, buses parking and blocking view. He stated that at this point asked for committee's direction whether to proceed, and recommended holding meeting with residents before making any changes at 13th. He stated he did get some positive response at both locations, but lot of people expressed concern about higher speeds, pedestrian crossings near that school, etc., with lot of people running stop signs which would follow reasoning for changing it; that on 8th stopping about 4500 vehicles/day and if made conversion, only stop 2000; and at 13th 7000/day and 2000 if made the change.

Chairman Sande stated she knows people concerned with speeding on Walnut Street, and if put stop sign at 8th, would reduce speed
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farther down the street, that 8th major cross route of the city, and that change at S. 12th Street wonderful, and in favor of doing 8th.

Lt. Sieber expressed concern that changing fast Walnut Street into a fast 8th Avenue, just trade off streets; and suggested four-way stop. Mr. Thompson stated that successive stops increase speeds mid-block, that increased speeds, enforcement issue. Chairman Sande stated that on Walnut Street, there is no traffic control from 4th Avenue to 15th Avenue S.

Moved by Ellingson to approve switching stop signs at 8th and Walnut and 8th and Chestnut but not to make that change until first of June, and to hold on any change in signing on 13th Avenue South intersections until a public meeting is held. Motion carried.

6. Matter of enforcement of snowmobiling on city streets.
(This item placed on the agenda by Council Member Hanson.)
Chairman Sande reported that Mr. Hanson's idea was that the ranger system at the park district worked very well, and that City should open negotiations with the Park District to see if we can coordinate on some rangers for snowmobiles, possibly two people, and look at for next year; that there are lot of ramifications - liability, insurance, purchasing machines, who's in charge, etc. She stated she didn't know how you would enforce snowmobiles on city streets, esp. in Riverside Park area and on Lincoln dike. Lt. Sieber reported he had also discussed this with Mr. Hanson; that park ranger program has been successful and if this could be tried in the same manner would be potentially worth try, and suggested doing as pilot program, see if effective, and then re-assess. He stated rangers would have power to make citizens arrest, their presence would deter some of that problem; would have to try to obtain numbers on snowmobile (numbers should be larger).

Moved by Sande that the police department approach the Park District with regard to a pilot program relative to a snowmobile ranger. Ellingson seconded motion. Motion carried.

Ellingson suggested that residents call in numbers on snowmobiles, however, Officer Flannery stated only having number wouldn't generate a citation. Committee suggested it might be deterrent, and they probably should give some publicity on this, not legal to drive on streets.

7. Matter of police department firing range retrofit (new air
filtration system).
Tim Manz, city mechanical inspector, reported that ever since police department became aware that there was gross problem with ventilation system, he has been involved in the project to make
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sure everything would meet current codes and standards; and that he met with Detroit Armor, which is the company the police department would like to hire to modify the system, that one of their subcontractors (Gleason & Elfering) is a mechanical design firm and they work together to design these ranges. He dis- tributed copies of memo to Chief Paschke stating his recommenda- tions based on discussions and estimates pertaining to the venti- lation system only, est. cost $59,200; that there other figures/ ests. pertaining to targets, etc. in which he is not involved. He stated his recommendation is to proceed with hiring Detroit Armor Corporation and its representatives to proceed with the project (local contractor could bid to do the work but equipment supplied by Detroit Armor). He stated that Gleason & Elfering will draw plans and specifications and will advertise that through the city. Moved by Ellingson to approve recommendation to proceed with hiring Detroit Armor Corp. (sole source) and its representatives to proceed with the project. Motion carried.

8. Applications for gaming permits:
a) Lake Agassiz Elementary School - request to change date of raffle from 03/06/97 to 05/01/97.
b) Bridge Builders Club - calendar raffle 04/09/97 thru 04/22/97.
c) Northern Valley Labor Council AFL-CIO - calendar raffle 07/01-30/97.
d) Native American Student Services/GF Public Schools - raffle 04/13/97.
All applications had been reviewed and approved by the city attorney. Moved by Ellingson and Sande to approve. Motion carried. (comm. only)

9. Temporary and overtime statement for December, 1996.
Moved by Ellingson and Sande to approve the statement. Motion carried. (comm. only)

10. Request for RFP for architect for new fire station.
Deputy Fire Chief O'Neill reported this is included in the CIP budget, $475,000, for new station to be built at 36th and Columbia Road, moving station 3 which is presently located at 17th Ave.S. and S. 20th Street, for better response. He stated they have had meetings within the department, have plans for what they would like to see in the building, and have received some estimates from construction companies, furniture, appliances, carpeting, flatwork, heating/ventilation/electrical/plumbing work and found ests. to be within $475,000 range, and would like permission to advertise for qualifications for an architect.

Committee asked whether they have received comments re. moving from present location, response time for that area. Dep. Chief O'Neill stated they have been discussing for several years, and brought maps showing areas covered by each station, and also

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proposed 4th station in 2001, looking at city for future growth, and that 17th and 20th not good location for fire station. It was noted that if locations become issue could do more public education.

Moved by Ellingson and Sande to authorize RFP for architect for the project. Motion carried.

11. Matter of request for authorization to call for bids for
copier for fire department.
Deputy Chief O'Neill presented specs. for copier, and stated their copier badly in need of replacement, they run approx. 60,000 copies/yr, have budgeted $10,000 in 1997, and have been using loaners (trial basis) for several months. Moved by Ellingson and Sande to approve specs. and authorize call for bids. Motion carried. (comm. only)

12. Application for special alcoholic beverage permit by Westward Ho Motel on February 14.
The committee reviewed ap. for special permit on February 14 at DJ's, 121 North 5th Street (to cater event for Masonic Temple). Moved by Ellingson and Sande to approve application, contingent upon review and approval by the city attorney. Motion carried. (comm. only)

13. Applications for gaming permits:
a) United Hospital-Close Enough to Care Comm. - raffle 03/14/97.
This ap. had been reviewed and approved by the city attorney. Moved by Ellingson and Sande to approve. Motion carried.
b) United Lutheran Church - bingo 2/16/97
Moved by Ellingson and Sande to approve application, contingent upon approval by the city attorney. Motion carried.
(comm. only)

14. Meeting dates:
Chairman Sande stated that she would not be able to attend meeting on Saturday, February 22, as she will be on vacation; and Member Ellingson will not be able to attend meeting on Saturday, February 8. There was some discussion re. conference call meetings, and committee will discuss with Mr. Glassheim and with Mr. Swanson.

Meeting adjourned at 9:10 a.m.

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 01/25/97.