Committee Minutes

MINUTES/URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Wednesday, July 16, 1997 - 4:00 p.m.

Members present: Beach, Polovitz.

1. Matter of child care facilities.
Chairman Beach reported that he had talked with Pat Burger, United Way and that the Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring a child care symposium on July 23, 1997, and if interested in attending to contact Chamber or United Way. Info. only.

2. Matter of restructuring standing committees.
Chairman Beach stated that the committee system has functioned well over the years, that lot of serious discussion and negotiation often occur at the committee level and it is only for the more controversial items or those that impact a certain neighborhood that have lot of discussion on the council floor; and content to let routine items be decided at committee level; that only flaw now is that there are 3 3-person committees and 1 4-person committee and that on the 3-member committees if one member gone, don't have much of a discussion. He stated if solution under present council system, would be to fold two committees into one. He stated that if there were no other comments, didn't think they wanted to take any action today but see what other committees bring back and then proceed.

Council Member Hagness stated that next summer in June there might be opportunity where some members leaving and if wanted to consider 10-member modern form council at that time, might be an opportune time for discussion. He stated he has leaned toward modern form of government for number of years; that he thinks there will be several, including himself, leaving next June, and that would be time to consider that form of government. He noted that they would still have to call for election and have public vote. He stated he didn't have strong opinion on this because doesn't believe he will be part of it after next June and didn't want to unduly influence committee.

3. Matter of consideration of restructuring city government.
Beach stated that there were two related items on the agenda, that he visited with Mr. Swanson and asked that he give information on new legislation that will mandate action on our part by next August.

Mr. Swanson reported that the 1993 Legislature passed a bill which requires introspective review by local government and distributed copies of memorandum which included portions of statutes, and out-lines purpose and scope of study. He stated that in the brief discussion on council floor, it appeared that the council wanted to examine issues relating to the size of the council, knowing that this statute on the books and knowing that we have not complied with the review process (although have done some of the areas), it makes some sense to suggest that the committee consider expanding the scope of its review to include all of the areas required by

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statute, or hold election to determine whether the public would require that study to be made or waive that study. He stated that the memo is a breakdown of statutory requirements and identifies specific areas of review: land use plan (already approved 2015 land use plan), consolidation of services or functions through joint powers agreements (identify those we have or anticipate). He stated that he would anticipate that a committee would be appointed by the council later this fall if move forward to do review, com- pile graphic report, hold public hearing on issues deemed to be appropriate, and prepare final report and that would be advance of August 1, 1998 deadline; if don't do study, would appear on ballot of next election following August 1. He stated that concurrent with this would be a review of standing committees and of council (consolidation of various boards, commissions, whether need board of health, etc.). He stated that the statute calls for study, is opportunity for public to determine type of government, consolida-tion of public entities, etc. He stated that the committee ap-pointed by governing body, is not required to have any particular number or makeup, could have citizen membership, and could have public hearings on study side and on final document. He stated that no report has to be filed with the State.

Beach suggested that there are four or five major groupings that would seem to be structure of the governing body including: 1) composition and size of council, and if do anything should be timely so that people have time to make decisions before municipal election next June; (and election to decide issue if changed form of governing body); 2) study of committee structure in all standing committees and special committees, not only size but composition of the committees; 3: relations with other government entities, where have joint powers agreements with other entities, including City-County cooperation/consolidation; and 4) matter of chief executive of the city whether retain this form government or go to some other form. He stated that there seems to be a certain amount of desire in the community to air the issue. He stated that those are issues that could be discussed and that because city government very busy with flood-related issues, to defer this to this fall or winter.

Moved by Polovitz that we establish the advisory committee as specified by the NDCC at some point after November 1, and suggest that we consider all items covered by this particular statute. Motion carried.

4. Matter of infrastructure and single-family homes.
Held until next meeting.

5. Matter of acquisition of property at 521 North 4th Street.
Curt Siewert reported that Terry Anderson owns property at 521 N. 4th Street, that he contacted Mr. O'Leary with proposal for the Grand Forks Housing Authority to purchase that property, that Sue Redmann has been working with Mr. Anderson and negotiated price of MINUTES/URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
July 16, 1997 - Page 3

$25,000, with funding out of existing pre-flood Acquisition/ Demolition Program if funds available, property would be demolished.

It was noted that the property was flood-damaged; committee expressed some concerns that there could be potential for problem if purchase this one property when others in area also flood-damaged. Committee asked Mr. Siewert to convey that concern to Mr. O'Leary and committee will meet on Monday at 6:45 p.m.

Moved by Polovitz and Beach to adjourn; meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m.

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 7/17/97.