City of Grand Forks - Print Friendly Form

Committee Minutes

MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Tuesday, August 12, 1997 - 7:00 p.m.

Members present: Sande, Beyer.

1. Request from Jon Bonzer, Bonzer's, to change location of alcoholic beverage license to 420 DeMers Avenue.
Jon Bonzer, 322 Belmont Road, appeared before committee. Moved by Beyer and Sande to approve change of location of license for Bonzer's. Motion carried.

2. Request from University Program Council for variance to noise
ordinance for New Student Block Party on Friday, August 22.
Cynthia Thompson, advisor to the University Program Council and advisor to committee sponsoring the event, that they will have live band and will be held on 2nd Avenue between McCannel Hall and Memorial Union, some blockage by buildings so sound shouldn't be problem (big screen wild video dance party), non-alcoholic event and open to all students at UND, and will have 8 security officers. Lt. Babinchak stated their concern is noise as they get neighbor-hood complaints if continue after 11:00 p.m. Ms. Thompson stated they could look at changing time if a problem. Committee suggested a cut-off time of 12:00 midnight. Moved by Beyer and Sande to approve request and allow variance to 12:00 midnight. Motion carried.

3. Request for block party:
a) 1st Ave.N., 2100-2200 blks., tentative date August 18.
Kim Greendahl, 2201 1st Avenue N., presented request to block streets from traffic (21st and 23rd Sts.), hours would be from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. on the 16th. Lt. Babinchak stated police department wouldn't have a problem with this. Moved by Beyer and Sande that the request be approved. Motion carried. (comm. only)

4. Matter of difficulty in making left turns at 32nd Ave.s. and
S. 38th Street.
John Thompson, traffic engineer, reported he had received several calls in last two weeks and would like to do study and combine with study of intersection of 20th St. and DeMers Ave. and would look at adding left turn loop detectors and left turn arrow. Moved by Beyer and Sande to conduct traffic studies at intersec-tions of 32nd Ave.S. and S. 38th Street, and also DeMers Avenue and S. 20th Street, with recommendation from traffic engineer in two weeks. Motion carried. (comm. only)

5. Matter of school crossing changes for 1997-98 school year.
6. Matter of stop signs on Walnut and Chestnut Streets at 8th
and 13th Avenues South.
Mr. Thompson reported that main school crossing changes are at Belmont temporary and Lincoln temporary, that Belmont temp. going to Wilkerson Field and that he met with Prin. Geo. Whalen and his only concern was in front of the school (7th Avenue and S. 10th Street) and move lights from Lincoln to that location and is working with Ron's Electric. and that Lincoln temp. there's four-

MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
August 12, 1997 - Page 2

way stop at Cherry and 13th for students coming up on 13th, concerns are at Walnut and Chestnut on 13th and 8th Aves.S. and are proposing to change to stop traffic on the one-ways and goes along with getting students from the east to the west.

Moved by Beyer and Sande to approve changes as recommended by the traffic engineer:

1) to install signs to warn motorists of school crossings and school areas as needed;
2) to remove stop signs on 13th Avenue South at Chestnut Street and Walnut Street and to install stop signs on Walnut and Chestnut Street at 13th Avenue South; and
3) to remove stop signs on 8th Avenue South at Chestnut Street and Walnut Street and to install stop signs on Walnut Street at 8th Avenue South.

Motion carried.

7. Application for gaming permits:
a) UND Ice Skating Club - raffle 8/27/97
Moved by Beyer and Sande to waive the two year existence requirement, declare the organization as a public spirited organization eligible to conduct games of chance, and to approve the application for permit. Motion carried. (comm. only)

8. Requests for block parties:
a) S. 11th Street (between 7th and 8th Aves.S.) 8/16/97
Chairman Sande reported she had spoken with Shannon Vodden re. this request for August 16, from 4:30 to 11:00 or 12:00 p.m.
Moved by Beyer and Sande to approve request and to turn "boom box" down at 11:00 p.m. Motion carried. (comm. only)

b) Chestnut Street (1000-1200 blks.) 8/29/97
Karna Peterson, 1125 Chestnut Street, presented request to block street at 12th Avenue South, that they will be having band until 10:00 p.m. Moved by Beyer and Sande to approve request. Motion carried. (comm. only)

9. Request for special alcoholic beverage permit from Westward
Ho for event to be held August 21, 1997.
The committee reviewed request from Westward Ho to host event (V.I.P. social for the committee and sponsors of the Grand Pasta Party on the Prairie) on August 21 at the ND Museum of Art. Robert Coons, catering manager at Westward Ho, reviewed application. Moved by Beyer and Sande to approve application. Motion carried. (comm. only)

10. Request for refund of beer/wine license fee from French Con-
nection, Inc., 420 DeMers Avenue.
Moved by Beyer and Sande to approve refund of the license fee. MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
August 12, 1997 - Page 3

Motion carried. (comm. only) (Note: City attorney has recommended policy of refund of fees if alcoholic beverage establishment closed because of flood-related damage on a permanent basis. This business held a Class 3 license and fee pro-rated by 50% or $550.00)

11. Request from Central High School to block streets for band
practice weeks of Sept. 8-12 and 15-19.
Mr. Thompson recommended approval of the request, and in addition, last year they requested making approval contingent upon their doing this every year without having to submit request every year. Committee stated they wouldn't have problem with that if approved by police and street departments. Lt. Babinchak ques-tioned how difficult was it to submit request and everyone aware of at the same time, wasn't in favor of this. Moved by Beyer and Sande to approve request contingent upon approval by police and street departments. Motion carried.

12. Consideration of quotes for radar systems, police dept.
Lt. Babinchak reported that the price is extremely good, have used Kustom Signals equipment for years, price same as if purchased 50 machines (some will replace equipment lost in the flood). Moved by Beyer and Sande to accept quote from Kustom Signals, Inc. in the amount of $7,516 for 6 radar units. Motion carried. (comm. only)

13. Matter of use of traffic signal preemption system.
Mr. Thompson raised question of ambulance use of opticom, that he has been getting calls re. this, they are using only in front of their building.

Moved by Beyer and Sande to allow ambulance to use opticom system (unless already being done), and direct city attorney to draft ordinance upon city attorney's approval. Motion carried.

Capt. Jerry Anderson, fire department, stated that the fire department encouraged use of this system, buses using system and ambulances should be using it.

(Note: Ordinance No. 3642, re. traffic signal preemption system, adopted April 7, 1997.)

Meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 8/13/97.