Committee Minutes

MINUTES/PUBLIC SERVICE COMMITTEE
Thursday, June 26, 1997 - 12:00 Noon

Members present: Klave, Hafner.

1. Matter of request from Wireless North for recommendation/
approval for the installation of antennas on water towers.
Charles Grotte, asst. dir. of public works, reported that he had discussed this with Ray LeClerc, Planning, and that this is something they may want to consider.

Richard Buckley presented information for Wireless North, a company formed by 22 rural telephone companies, incl. Halstad Telephone and Red River Rural Telephone Assn. He stated this is a digital wireless telephone service (community cordless) and that they are requesting approval to use several of the city's water towers as antenna locations - on 32nd Ave.S. and the Smiley water tower, that they would attach handrails which would stay with the tower, would position 6 antennas and 1 12" microwave dish which would clamp to the handrail on tower. He stated equipment would be on ground in 8'x10' brick or block structure and they could fence for additional security. He stated they are looking to lease (copies presented for review). He also stated that they haven't discussed cost - possibly $6-700/mo. and would pay utilities (electricity); if terminate lease would restore to original condition. He noted handrails would be painted white so blend in with watertower.

Mr. Grotte stated that perhaps they could start with Planning Comm., that they haven't done this in the past. Klave suggested that the City uses lot of cell phones, and perhaps if this were approved, could have trade-off. There were some comments re. welding on tower and repair of interior/exterior paint which is special paint, etc.

Moved by Hafner and Klave to present to staff for consideration and to come back with recommendation. Motion carried. (comm. only)

2. Matter of TIM-SEN Corporation re. contracting/rebuilding in
the city.
Tim Senicek and Gary Thompson, representatives of the TIM-SEN Corp., Winnipeg, Manitoba, presented proposal to become hub of program to reconstruct the downtown business area, that they have necessary engineers, mechanical companies, electrical, etc. at their disposal to do this work. They stated they do lot of fast-pace type projects in disaster areas. He reviewed background of their company and process to do work.

The committee reported that the City owns several building in City Center Mall but most of the property is private property, that this area is in the floodplain and there's question of rebuilding in this area because of the 50% damage rule and question of dike. The committee also noted that even on the City-owned building they have to go through a bidding process. It was also noted that M.A. Mortenson Co. is tasked with managing the process of City building

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June 26, 1997 - Page 2

renovation (assessment of damages, bidding, etc.) and are working for County, School Dist. and Park Dist. as well. The committee suggested they talk with the Mayor's Task Force subcommittee on re-imagining downtown, that there is a charrette this weekend, where lot of property owners are going to be, and suggested they contact Mike Maidenberg who is a member of that committee. The committee also suggested that they contact Dan Mehls, M.A.Mortenson Co.

Moved by Hafner and Klave to receive and file. Motion carried. (Comm. only)

3. Matter of easement agreement with U.S. West for telephone
communications cable and plant cabinets.
Mr. Grasser recommended approval contingent upon review by the engineering department. Moved by Hafner and Klave to approve contingent upon review by the engineering department. Motion carried.

4. Request to change pump station rehab project.
Gary Goetz, supt. wastewater department, presented request to
stop this year's scheduled rehab. project on station #5, located at Lewis Blvd. and 8th Avenue North which is in the floodplain, and would like to spend those monies on rehab. of pump station #21 located at 24th Ave.S. and S. 20th Street, which was scheduled for next year. Moved by Hafner and Klave to approve request. Motion carried.

5. Matter of plans and specifications:
a) Proj. 4619, Dist. 383, sanitary sewer on N. 55th St.
Mark Walker, project engineer, reported that the property owners requested sanitary sewer, and costs will be special assessed. Moved by Hafner and Klave that we pass a resolution approving the plans and specifications for this construction and further that the city auditor be directed to advertise for bids on the project. Motion carried.

b) Proj. 4667, storm sewer and paving in Columbia Park 21st
Addn.
Mark Lambrecht, CPS, reported this area is south of 32nd Avenue South and sewer and paving will be privately installed, that this is platted street and property owner will bring in request to have that street vacated. Klave questioned the vacating of a major thoroughfare, that there would be nothing between 20th and Columbia Road and also traffic congestion, and Mr. Grasser stated that they could address that when vacation request comes in, and paving could be approved contingent upon engineer's review. It was noted that Planning and Zoning would also address the vacation request.
It was noted that the three-way agreement was approved at the last council meeting. Watermain will also be privately installed.

Moved by Hafner and Klave to approve plans and specifications

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June 26, 1997 - Page 3

contingent upon engineer's final review. Motion carried.

6. Matter of sidewalk list.
Mr. Grasser reported that the sidewalk list is quite short, that they are not doing any repair work, that work is limited to new construction outside of flood damaged areas. He also noted that the property owners have option to install sidewalk them-selves. Moved by Hafner and Klave to approve the sidewalk construction list. Motion carried.

Moved by Hafner and Klave to adjourn. Motion carried.

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 6/26/97