Council Minutes

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
Thursday, February 26, 1998

The city council of the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota met in special session in the council chambers in the City Hall on Thursday, February 26, 1998 at the hour of 12:00 noon with Mayor Owens presiding, pursuant to call by Mayor Owens, which was served on all members of the council on February 24, 1998: Document No. 7437- Notice.

Present at roll call were Council Members Beach, Polovitz, Lucke, Hamerlik, Bouley, Glassheim, Sande, Klave, Beyer, Babinchak, Bakken, Hafner, Hagness - 13; absent: none.

ADOPT RESOLUTION FOR DECLARATION OF INTENT
TO SUPPORT A FLOOD ABATEMENT PROJECT - LEVEE/
FLOODWALL

Mayor Owens reported that copies of the resolution were before each council member and that they are asking for motion to approve the resolution for the levee project that has been presented by the Corps of Engineers.

Council Member Glassheim introduced the Resolution for City of Grand Forks, North Dakota for Declaration of Intent to Support a Flood Abatement Project - Levee/ Floodwall and moved its adoption, subject to review and approval by the city attorney: Document No. 7438 - Resolution.

Council Member Beach seconded the motion for adoption of the resolution.

Mayor Owens asked for comments by the council and/or audience relative to this matter.

There were comments by several council members in support of the resolution.

Council Member Beach asked whether the resolution to be considered by the East Grand Forks City Council will be a reflection of this resolution; and it was stated that it would.

COUNCIL MEMBER CARPENTER REPORTED PRESENT

Council Member Hamerlik stated that he would hope that should City adopt this resolution that they really intend not to give face value to those statements (that Grand Forks recognizes the value of basin-wide water management for flood reduction and continue to support and research basin-wide flood solutions, including coordination with the International Coalition, the International Joint Commission, the Red River Basin Board, and other entities that pursue this objective) but intend to do so prudently and vigorously. Mayor Owens stated they met several days ago with Legislative Council on Water for the Red River Basin and she and Mr. Vein testified that the City would work very hard to support basin-wide water control.

Council Member Sande stated that split-flow diversion is the safest for the cities of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks, but the cost is so astronomical it makes plan infeasible, are left with something that we have to do and will vote for dikes only. She stated that the third recommendation was to go back and look at diversion, and would hope that the City would do that.
Council Member Hagness stated he wanted to assure a lot of people that this council is looking at other alternatives, whether waffle plan, etc.; that cost, whether assessments, sales taxes, or however we pay for this those decisions are yet to be made; and even though some favored diversion, it's not cost effective at this time, and to put that burden on the residents after what they have already endured, that's not permissible; that this is tolerable but yet a burden on a lot of people. He stated he wanted to assure committee for safer and improved flood control that they have done great job monitoring this, looking at other ways to protect us and to submit to committee and council so that they will look at before this is completed, that even though made decision today, work is not done, that council listening and will continue to listen.

Council Member Bakken questioned whether floodwalls will be high enough to stay in line with dike lines; Mr. Vein reported that is a design feature that is yet to be established but they will be recommending that they establish any floodwalls significantly higher than any adjacent earthen levees so that if levees raised, floodwalls don't become weak link.

Council Member Glassheim stated that in voting for this resolution, his heart is heavy for those who will loose their homes, but feeling for those who will be protected as this moves forward; that they hope to treat those who lose their homes in a caring way but whatever do is for best of entire city; and have to be very clear that they are not voting for this to get federal money, doing to get flood protection and federal money is serious help, but doing to get best flood protection for this city at cost they can afford.

Council Member Beyer stated that her ward borders river, that flood potential is there to happen again, have to go ahead with this and have to go with safest calculated risk for this community.

Upon call for the question of adoption of the resolution and upon roll call vote, the following voted "aye": Council Members Beach, Polovitz, Lucke, Hamerlik, Bouley, Glassheim, Carpenter, Sande, Klave, Beyer, Babinchak, Bakken, Hafner, Hagness - 14; voting "nay": none. Mayor Owens declared the resolution adopted.

Mayor Owens stated they will be sure to put in place unbiased body to address the grey areas they are talking about, and go back to council for approval before sending on to the Corps. She thanked everyone who has worked to this conclusion and let the public know that they will still listen and treat them with greatest respect as they move forward with their lives and with the disruption.

Lisa Hedin, Corps of Engineers, stated that they would like to be in position where they would solve most of the grey areas by April timeframe so can continue to move on with cost and draft report in July. Council Member Beyer stated that if need to have date certain and have it in
public record, Ms. Hedin can check and council can vote on date certain Monday night.

ADJOURN

It was moved by Council Member Glassheim and seconded by Council Member Beach that we do now adjourn. Carried 14 votes affirmative.


Respectfully submitted,


John M. Schmisek, City Auditor


Approved:
_________________________________
Patricia A. Owens, Mayor