Committee Minutes

MINUTES/URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Wednesday, January 29, 1997 - 4:00 p.m.

Members present: Beach, Polovitz.

1. Matter of allocation of funding and approval of 1997 Beauti- fication Program budget.
Chairman Beach stated that they have available as a line item in the City budget $67,250, and have received applications totaling $142,738. He stated that the committee has satisfied the public hearing requirements and now matter of discussion by the committee and committee would accept comments from staff members and audience in general, make decision and that recom- mendation to go to the city council on February 3.

The committee commenced to review project applications and proposed funding.

Mr. Polovitz expressed some concern with the Empire Theatre application for installation of pavers in alleyway, that his idea of beautification fund is getting very public areas beautified, and the amount requested on a first year project, with another request next year; that City has contributed significantly to the Empire Theatre project. He asked if CDBG funds could be used to fund that project. Mr. O'Leary stated that CDBG funds possible source of funding for this project but major problem, limited under CDBG as to number of dollars can put into slum and blight issues, and are at the cap, this isn't low and mod benefit project, and CDBG getting more selective in what can do. Mr. O'Leary agreed this not a visible project, but First Bank tore down drive-in bank facility on 5th Street, and that area developed into parking lot and will serve Empire theatre and businesses along 4th and DeMers. This project will get lot more visibility than it has now, because of traffic coming in and out of that area. He also stated they have talked to developers who are interested in the First Bank building, and as that building re-occupied lot more traffic. He stated that in other cities have used spaces like this as pedestrian walkways without interfering with traffic; Empire Theatre envisions using during intermissions, and brick work easiest to do with CDBG, and use funds for other parts of the project; CDBG obligated for this year. It was noted that pavers would go back to the end of the Lander building across the alley, and they are looking to close this alley to vehicular traffic. Mr. Polovitz stated he wouldn't want to put money into other things until pavers done. Mr. Siewert stated that price of pavers doesn't vary (multi-colored) so much but cost is in installation; project would be bid.

Mr. O'Leary reported that one of the English classes at Central has been studying history of Grand Forks and it came to their attention that in the latter part of the last century an individual by the name of Charles Thurber was lynched off the RR bridge now used for pedestrian/bikeway. He stated that February is black history month and the class thought it would be good

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January 29, 1997 - Page 2

time to recognize Mr. Thurber's presence in Grand Forks, not make a judgment on his innocence or guilt, but make judgment that the citizens of Grand Forks at that time chose to lynch this man, and certainly violated all his due process rights. He distributed packet of information and essays that the class had written, and it was suggested that perhaps a way to recognize Mr. Thurber and the tragedy of the event would be to put plaque somewhere near the walkway on the Grand Forks side of the bridge. He stated they have put together number of these in various areas of city; that they could put together plaque describing history and what occurred and acknowledging Mr. Thurber for less than $1,000. He stated that some of the students may be present at the council meeting next Monday.

Mr. Beach stated that since the deadline for filing had passed, and have in the past upheld deadline, he and Mr. O'Leary discussed how they might append this to an existing application and suggested since have an application for historic pavers, this is close and could be added to that, it's preserving history.

Gary Christianson, River Forks Commission, stated he was also called by the English teacher, and project okay if done right; that Mr. Maidenberg of Grand Forks Herald is encouraging them to submit an application for grant to the Knight Foundation to do a series of markers along the riverwalk and if received grant, this could become part of that but may not happen this year. He stated that if they do find way to fund this, would hope that design would be coordinated with and integrated with larger pattern. Plaques would denote historical facts. Committee suggested adding another $500 to that project.

Mr. Polovitz expressed some concern re. funding applications for public art proposed by ND Museum of Art, could see commission formed to commission art, or as line item in the City's budget, and would encourage looking into some type of commission to come up with ideas on how to commission different forms of art. He stated he is not sure this belongs in the beautification program. Mr. Beach stated he has envisioned this as outdoor program; and that for two years have allocated as line item in the City budget $100,000 for the Empire Theatre to make renovation happen; and if want to make commitment to public art, should be line item in the budget and not have to compete with other applications. He stated the other project that is similar is application for City Hall art and should treat in a similar manner. He stated that he sees something in City Hall as more of a promotional thing, but if they do anything in City Hall should be in main entry.

It was moved by Polovitz and Beach to allocate funds as follows:
#1 City Planning Office - Box Elder Tree Removal $ 2,500
#2 UND Plant Services - Tree Planting-DeMers Ave./I-29),
with project confined to area along I-29 8,742*

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January 29, 1997 - Page 3

#3 North Valley Arts Council - Beautification of alley-
way between Empire Arts Center and Lander Bldg. 15,000
#4 GF Central Business Dist.Assn. - Celebrate the
Season -0-
#5 GF Development Corporation - Industrial Park trees 3,500
#6 GF Senior Citizens Center - landscaping 1,000
#7 GF Central Business Dist. Assn. - Avenue banners 3,000
#8 GF Central Business Dist. Assn. - Bridge Lot parking
monument -0-
#9 GF Street Department - 7th Ave.S. screening 3,615
#10 GF Park District - Adopt-an-Area Program 7,500
#11 GF Park District - S. 34th St. Tree Planting -0-
#12 GF Park District - Gateway Dr. West Tree Planting 8,760
#13 GF Park District - West 32nd Ave.S. Tree Planting 3,000
#14 GF Central Business Dist. Assn. - City Hall art 2,500

#15 GF Historic Preservation Comm. - Historic
pavers/downtown sidewalks 3,833*
(that $500 be allocated towards the Charles Thurber
plaque, that there be appropriate coordination
with the students of Central High School, and with
the Historic Preservation Commission and the River
Forks Commission to review the wording of the plaque.)
#16 ND Museum of Art (public art) -0-
#17 Grand Forks Homes, Inc. - Elderly Park 1,500
#18 GF Beautification Committee - Spring Clean-up Day 800
#19 Office of Urban Development - Sorlie Bridge flags 2,000
$67,250

Chairman Beach asked for comments on the motion, and whether they should attach caveats to the allocations. There were some conditions suggested and attached to the funding as noted with *.
There was some discussion re. Ap. #14 and Polovitz suggested leaving open, not clear enough to earmark at this time.

Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m.

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 01/29/97