Committee Minutes

MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Saturday, March 1, 1997 - 8:00 a.m.

Members present: Sande, Ellingson. (It was noted that Mr. Glassheim was unable to attend because of the weather.)

2. Matter of yield signs at S. 9th St. and 7th Ave.S.
John Thompson, traffic engineer, reported that this came up approx. 18 months ago and results of that study indicated they could install yield signs on 9th for 7th, but petitoner wanted to slow traffic on 7th so no action taken. He stated that there are 2 to 3 accidents there each year and could install on 9th, traffic on 7th much higher and would be counterproductive to install on 7th. He stated that he hadn't discussed with Wanda Adams, who requested this. Ellingson and Sande moved to hold for 2 weeks. Motion carried.

3. Matter of yield signs at 49th Ave.s. and Chestnut Street.
Mr. Thompson reported that he had been contacted by city employee who lives on Chestnut Street and residents had concerns that this is dangerous intersection. He reported that as this is a new intersection, he doesn't have any track record or traffic counts. He stated that the intersection to the south is called West Chestnut, the roadway to the east and north is called Chestnut, and roadway to the west is 49th Avenue.S. He stated this is just south of 47th Ave.S. in Mighty Acres and Anderson's Addition. Moved by Ellingson and Sande approve installation of yield signs on Chestnut Street for westbound traffic and on 49th Ave.S. for eastbound traffic. Motion carried.

4. Request to move loading/unloading zone sign at the water
treatment plant.
Held in committee.

1. Request from United Hospital Ambulance Service for use of
opticom system city-wide.
Tom Alinder, United Hospital, was present. This item was held from previous meeting to allow Mr. Swanson time to review. Howard Swanson, city attorney, reported ordinance has been re- drafted establishing framework to allow anyone to request use of the opticom system, can't give authority until ordinance in place. Moved by Ellingson to approve amendment of the ordinance to permit various entities to use opticom system city-wide and to introduce for first reading. Motion carried.

5. Matter of request for bids (replacement of health department
vehicle totaled in accident).
Debbie Swanson, rep. health department, reported that this was 1990 Chev. Lumina totaled in car accident January 30, 1997, that it has been recommended that the vehicle be replaced and they are requesting to call for bids for replacement of that vehicle. A list of bidding requirements was attached to request
as well as listing of proposed vendors. It was noted that

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March 1, 1997 - Page 2

insurance settlement is pending. Moved by Ellingson and Sande to approve request for bids. Motion carried. (committee only)

6. Matter of letter re. pigeon trapping (information only).
Wally Helland, health department, reported they had their trapper here in December and in January, and he trapped about 670 pigeons, that he informed them that there appears to be a virus which is infecting the pigeon population in the city and has totally decimated the population; and trapper anticipates we will have lower population than we have now, est. 700 now (compared to 3-4,000 last year). Mr. Helland also reported this virus common in poultry, but affects any type of bird, not harmful to humans.
Information only.

7. Matter of bids for mosquito control chemicals and equipment.
Todd Hanson reported they had advertised for bids for chemi- cals, pickup purchase and lease and ATV. He reported they received one bid on chemicals, Cornbelt Chemical Co. and that they have increased from 0 to 3% on prices and recommended acceptance of bids, except for mineral oil which they will purchase locally.

Mr. Hanson reported that no bids received for leasing of pickups; however, he talked with Rydell Chevrolet and they would provide two used pickups for $410/mo. He stated they are requesting 1990 vehicles or newer. Mr. Helland stated that Rydell's only one interested in leasing and they provide good service; no one else expressed interest. Mr. Helland also reported that as far as the request to purchase a used pickup, they are asking to negotiate with Rydell's to purchase 1994 or newer four-wheel drive pickup with budget range of $15,500, as they received no bids for this item. He reported on the request for bids on an ATV he recom- mended leasing of a Kawasaki Mule from Acme Electric at $450/mo for 3 1/2 months during the 1997 season.

Moved by Ellingson and Sande to accept bids for chemicals and equipment as recommended. Motion carried.

8. Matter of agreement with ND Department of Health:
a) Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources (CARE) Case Mgmt. grant amendment, $3,000)
Mrs. Swanson reported that this grant has been approved for additional funding so have amendment to the contract for the grant term which ends June 30, 1997. She reported they have had a number of people on this program and some individuals had increased cost of their medical care and money has been re- allocated from other parts of the state to those clients in our region. Ellingson and Sande moved approval of the amendment to the grant agreement. Motion carried.


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9. Matter of specs. for projection equipment for training and
call for bids for fire department.
Peter O'Neill, deputy fire chief, reported this was in their 1996 budget, that they have new training officer and this didn't get done in 1996; that the price of these units has decreased and that there are monies in carry-over funds. He reported they had budgeted $7,000 and price now $4-5,000; that this will help in many of their training projects. Moved by Ellingson and Sande to approve plans and specs. and call for bids. Motion carried. (comm. only)

10. Matter of disposition of surplus fire trucks.
Dep. Chief O'Neill reported that these trucks declared surplus last year and they have had requests from Thompson and Manvel fire departments for these trucks. He reported that the new truck now on line. He reported that there's not lot of value in these trucks, and thinks if they can work out deal with Thompson and Manvel and possibly selling to them for $1.00 per unit, have talked with Mr. Swanson and can be done (Mayor Owens has also given her approval). He stated trucks no value to us but can help these departments; trucks are functional and useable. He stated that the aerial truck has tendency to tip over if placed improperly (needs to be supported), they would have to train but using for water tower would be fine (for use in elevator fire for example). He stated that buyers will know of limitations, but they will have responsibility (lack of warranty, etc.) Moved by Ellingson and Sande to authorize sale of the two fire trucks for $1.00 per unit and to enter into agreements with the Thompson and Manvel fire departments. Motion carried.

11. Applications for gaming permits:
a) Red River High School Band - raffle 04/01/97
b) Grand Forks Mission - raffle 10/13/97
c) Ben Franklin School PTO - bingo and raffle 04/22/97
d) Occupational Therapy/Sr.Class (UND) - raffle 03/24/97
e) North Star Quilters Guild - raffle 12/06/97
f) Century Elementary School - (bingo - request for change in date of event)
Applications had been reviewed and approved by the city attorney. Moved by Ellingson and Sande to approve applications for permits and for change in date of event for Century School from March 7 to April 18, 1997. Motion carried. (comm. only)

12. Budget amendments:
Chief Paschke reviewed the following budget amendment requests with the committee:
a) Police Department - $4,000
To reflect revenues received from Traffic Safety Grant
b) Police Department - $250
To reflect donation from private individual for printed material for gang suppression.

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c) Police Department - $8,000
To reflect unanticipated revenue from Narcotics Task Force grant.

Moved by Ellingson and Sande to approve budget amendments. Motion carried.

13. Request from health dept. to call for bids for exam room furniture.
Debbie Swanson presented request to call for bids for exam room furniture for health department, which is undergoing remodeling and need to add furniture for these rooms; that funding will come from health department carryover from 1996 grants and revenues for existing or future programs. She reported specs and listing of vendors was attached to their request. Moved by Ellingson and Sande to approve specs. and authorize call for bids. Motion carried. (comm. only)

14. Request from police department for increase in hourly rate
for providing police services for special events.
Chief Paschke presented request for an increase in overtime rates for private contracting for police officers from $24/hr. to $33/hr., which will be break-even basis; that they use a lieutenant's salary as basis (times one and a half), and doesn't take into consideration equipment being used. He stated this reflects recent wage changes. The committee suggested setting general policy where rate would automatically take into con- sideration City's costs. Moved by Ellingson and Sande to establish policy to base contract rate on a lieutenant's pay rounded up to the nearest dollar for the overtime rate. Motion carried.

15. Application for raffle permit by Professional Assn. of Treatment Homes (PATH).
Mr. Swanson reported he had held application for raffle permit by this group, that he needs to look at more closely, and to clarify if eligible for gaming. He stated committee could approve subject to his final review, or bring back to committee. He stated that he thinks group falls within "public-spirited" category, but whether MN or ND organization; that they have not been permitted before.

Moved by Ellingson and Sande to recognize this group as a public-spirited organization eligible to conduct gaming, pending the city attorney's approval. Motion carried.

Moved by Ellingson and Sande to approve application for permit for raffle, pending city attorney's approval. Motion carried.
(committee only)

16. Matter of curfew ordinance.

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Mr. Swanson gave committee brief update on status of the proposed curfew ordinance. He reported that he had met with reps. of the police department, of the youth committee and of the youth violence task force and has provided them with a lengthy research memo that will give an in depth analysis of the con- stitutional issues involved in adopting a curfew ordinance. He reported that there have been two court challenges of new curfew ordinances which have resulted in published opinions and cited examples of decisions handed down in these two cases which dealt with the same ordinance. He stated difference in decisions handed down was that one city didn't have statistical analysis to support the conclusions (one city had very comprehensive statistical information that could show increase in juvenile crime activity over a period of years, that crime occurred within target hours the ordinance focused on, different times for different ages which was broken down, etc.) He stated that other than anecdotal information, neither the committee nor the task force, police department nor juvenile court can provide us with any type of statistical abstract, consequently, they are taking it back to their boards to determine if there is some avenue they can gain statistics from or establish period of time they will collect future statistics. He stated he has left his research work and draft ordinance with those bodies and their under- standing and position is that they will bring back to public safety committee when they are ready to move forward. He stated he encouraged them to take their time and do it right. He will provide committee with information. Information only.

17. Matter of fines/yielding to emergency vehicles.
Ellingson commented on articles in newspaper re. traffic not yielding to ambulances on a call, that the fine structure now reads $20.00; and perhaps need to address. Sande stated that last year Mr. Swanson gave overview of fines in conjunction with traffic offenses and that section established new fines, however, believes the Legislature is considering a bill to increase the max. fine allowed from $500 to $1,000, and suggested if they address to look at total package. Mr. Swanson reported that he rewrote entire chapter, reviewed all fines and adjusted a number of them. He will research and provide committee with more information. He also noted that unless offense happens in presence of police officer, difficult to enforce, no cure for that problem, but higher fine may be deterrent. No action.

The committee scheduled their next meeting for Saturday, March 8, 1997 at 8:00 a.m.

Meeting adjourned at 8:40 a.m.

Alice Fontaine,
City Clerk
Dated: 03/01/97.