Committee Minutes

MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Tuesday, February 24, 1998 - 7:00 p.m.

Members present: Sande, Glassheim.

3. Request from Women's Pregnancy Center to hold walk-a-thon
on May 16, 1998.
Capt. MacCarthy reported he had talked to Miss Copp of the Women's Pregnancy Center, that they will be using sidewalks for their walk and stopping at streets before crossing. He told her that no permit required from committee and he would so relay information to them and matter would be handled between her agency and police department. Moved by Glassheim and Sande to receive and file. Motion carried. (comm. only)

1. Request for 4-way stop at 24th Ave.s. and S. 29th Street.
John Thompson, traffic engineer, reported that in review of traffic counts, accidents, etc. resulted in finding that there's enough accidents in past three years to warrant four-way stop, but his recommendation is to close Mall access through Best property and solve problem that way. He reported there's route that people take through Best parking lot and used for access to Mall through years and lines up directly with S. 29th Street and 24th Avenue South. He stated there's fair amount of traffic coming through, but if close and make T-intersection (leave open for loading/ unloading) and if Best properties would agree to install barrier. He reported that he should know within next two to four weeks whether property owners will agree. Mr. Thompson reported that
there's 2000 vehicles daily on S. 29th Street and about 7-8000 on 24th Avenue South in 1995 which has probably increased. Sande reported that there is two-way stop with stop at S. 29th Street and a stop at a driveway, which is entrance to Best property. It was noted that owners of Best properties are in Atlanta, GA and they use driveway for access to property as loading/unloading.

Moved by Glassheim and Sande to hold for 4 weeks or until Mr. Thompson gets word back from property owner. Motion carried. (comm. only)

Mrs. Lamotte had map showing location, that banks emptying into area and would agree with cutting off to Best property.

2. Matter of request for lowering speed limit (or school
crossing lights) on North 5th Street starting north of St.
Michael's to University Avenue.
Mr. Thompson presented recommendation to create 25 mph zone from 7th to University and see what kind of compliance get after area posted, with consistent enforcement during school year. He also noted that speed limit is 25 mph from DeMers to University and would just be extending that.

Ms. Kim Stevenson, 1493 South 51st Street, stated she thinks speed limit should be 20 mph (that UND has 20 mph and they are adults). Sande reported that they have trouble enforcing 20 mph.

MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
February 24, 1998 - Page 2

Capt. MacCarthy stated it wouldn't be problem to enforce traffic on this area, but would like to see sign for southbound traffic that states speed zone ahead or else make 25 mph all the way to Gateway.
Mr. Thompson agreed they could install sign.

Ms. Stevenson stated that the children don't cross at the walk sign; Mr. Thompson stated his three children attend school there, that he has talked to the principal and that there have been some changes made just recently, have school competing with arterial street and both have to co-exist. Sande reported they had problem at Belmont School and they made specific point of teaching every student to cross at the light and how to cross, and consequently didn't have children running into middle of block; and St. Michael's needs to pay attention to.

Moved by Glassheim and Sande that we reduce speed limit to 25 mph and request greater enforcement from 7th to University, and install signs announcing speed zone ahead. Motion carried.

4. Applications for gaming permits:
a) UND Psychology Club - raffle 04/22/98
The application had been reviewed and approved by the city attorney. Moved by Glassheim and Sande to approve the application for license. Motion carried. (comm. only)

5. Application for liquor license by China Garden Restaurant, Inc.
2550 32nd Avenue South.
An application for Class 4 (Food and Beverage Establishment) had been received and had been reviewed and approved by the police department. Moved by Glassheim and Sande to approve the applica-tion contingent upon review by appropriate departments. Motion carried.

6. Budget amendments:
a) Police Department - $1,518.00
(cash sale of damaged weapons)
b) Police Department - $891.93
(Evangelical Pastor's Fellowship donation to Chaplaincy Fund)
c) Police Department - $16,000
(grant funds for law enforcement programs)
Capt. MacCarthy reviewed budget amendments: that a) weapons sold and money will be put back into their budget; b) donated monies put into Chaplaincy Fund; and c) received block grant funds, part of the grant monies went into overtime and expended during flood, they requested overtime be reimbursed by FEMA and auditor's office has approved, will get that money from disaster relief, and asking for permission to get money back into budget. Moved by
Glassheim and Sande to approve the budget amendments. Motion carried.


MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
February 24, 1998 - Page 3

d) Mosquito Control - $32,468
(cash carryover to fund building safety items and pest control chemicals.)
Mr. Shields reported that $11,000 of this is cash carryover from 1997, and balance from previous years, and asking to put into chemical budget and use funds to take care of safety items at their storage building (located at Urban Development) to install water into building. Moved by Glassheim and Sande to approve. Motion carried.

Glassheim asked whether in Flood Response if department is ready for requirement of buildings if not through historical processes. if needed. Mr. Shields reported they are ready at moment's notice, and were participants in 130 buildings that were condemned for health and safety reasons last fall. He reported that he has been asked if they thought that abandoned buildings by themselves or houses ready for demolition are considered health threats, and they are prepared to have Eco-lab help them with monitoring those, that there doesn't appear to be great amount of food in them, and because of the air as you take care of house of that nature, the air will disperse those elements and don't see as major threat unless kids break into those homes; but that they will monitor and take care of as needed.

8. Matter of closure of Chestnut St. between 4th and 5th Aves.S.
Mr. Thompson reported that the committee approved request from Mortenson's for closure of one lane of this street several meetings ago, and because of cuts across that street, it's impassable, and road has been closed since last Friday; street will be closed for about 3 months. (local traffic okay) Committee stated biggest problem with detour is that can't detour over to Belmont, either to Walnut or farther west so maybe at intersection of 8th and Chestnut to install sign noting detour ahead. Mr. Thompson stated he will do that. Information.

Moved by Glassheim and Sande to adjourn; meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 02/25/98