Committee Minutes

MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Monday, August 10, 1998 - 4:30 p.m.

Members present: Bakken, Bouley, Martinson

1. Request for block party:
a) on Franklin Avenue between 4th and 5th Sts. on Saturday,
August 15 (4:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight).
Moved by Bouley and Martinson to approve. There was some discussion and concern re. hours of the block party - 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight, and suggested the time be limited to 10:00 p.m. Capt. MacCarthy stated they had no problem, except time might be little late, most are over between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m. It was also noted that block parties are normally well contained. Moved by Bakken and Bouley to amend motion to restrict time to 10;30 p.m. Vote on the amendment carried; and vote on motion, as amended, carried. (comm. only)

2. Request for change in variance to noise ordinance for Pasta
Party on August 22.
Ann Sande, 1110 Belmont Road, reported that she had been here several weeks ago requesting variance to the noise ordinance until 12:30 a.m. but have had problem scheduling laser light show because of the daylight hours and would like to extend variance to 1:00 a.m. She stated that the laser show has music with it and will be the last item on the program; that the band will finish at approx. 12:30 a.m.

There was some discussion re. noise/complaints, Mrs. Sande stated she had received complaint from resident on N. 6th St., problem was that not all loud speakers were pointed at East Grand Forks, and have had more problems since fire because not as many buildings to block sound, but doesn't think laser light show speakers will be as loud as band. Committee asked for documenta-tion in future of any negatives or positives re. this.

Moved by Bouley and Martinson to approve request. Motion carried.

3. Request to hold annual Potato Bowl USA Parade on Sept. 12.
Reps. of the Jaycees presented request and reviewed map showing parade route; that they will stage in East Grand Forks, proceed down DeMers Avenue to N. 3rd Street, turn on 3rd to University Avenue, and west on University to UND football area. Bouley asked if there was a problem closing Washington Street; Capt. MacCarthy stated there is but historically have done it.

Moved by Bouley and Martinson to approve request. Motion carried.

4. Request from The Edge, 10 N. 3rd Street, to sponsor street
dance in downtown on September 11 and 12.
Lloyd Sampson stated this is third dance they've done this year, that first one in parking lot next to The Edge and had some noise complaints from Dacotah and Ryan, second one on DeMers where he wants to do this one, and to best of his knowledge no complaints. He stated band is extremely popular and has

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requested second night but not sure will do; that Potato Bowl has accepted as part of their events. Capt. MacCarthy stated they've asked them to hire security which they intend to do and would need to know in advance on second date because of security. Mr. Sampson also stated that they may be holding street dance in East Grand Forks Saturday night and then he would not. Moved by Martinson and Bouley to approve request with variance to noise ordinance at 12:30 a.m. Motion carried. (Comm. asked that they watch sound).

5. Matter of possibility of having several sites where daily
sanitation pickup available so residents can place garbage/
trash when gone for time so that rodents don't get into it.
Dick Newman, solid waste mgr., stated that his department not in favor of doing this because could be abused more than used for purpose intended, people going out of town might use it, but for most part get people trying to circumvent the once a week collec-tion dumping extra refuse at these sites, contractors trying to dump building materials, people taking couches, chairs, tv's and have a transfer station in the middle of town for refuse, but would like to recommend to try to handle this in another manner if it is a problem, to his knowledge they haven't had any calls from people going out of town and had problem getting rid of their garbage. He stated about half the town is alley collec-tions and would only affect people that have berm collection; as far as rodent problem would have to defer to health department. He stated they got call from gentlemen out in new subdivision complaining about mice but due more to location than problem with garage. He stated if they get calls they usually handle any extra collections that are necessary and if people going out of town, checked with office staff, and don't recall anybody requesting an extra pickup or special pickup. He stated he would relate dump sites with some of the compost sites that are in unpopulated areas, and if drive by them, find anything from couches, chairs, tree branches, construction materials, etc., try to keep cleaned up as best can but if open dump site for them, going to be worse problem. Bakken stated perhaps if left on berm dogs get into, perhaps send this to public service, and if considered doing one like that, would be to locate by public works building where somewhat monitored.

Wally Helland, health department, stated he supports Mr. Newman's position, and could create problem.

Moved by Martinson and Bouley to table this matter. Carried.

6. Matter of parking in front of Herald on 2nd Ave.N. - 15- minute time zone and disabled parking stall.
Held in committee until next meeting.

7. Matter of bikepath crossing at 17th Ave.s. at Coulee west of Columbia Road.
John Thompson, traffic engineer, reported there was an accident that occurred on June 24 (boy on a bike - riding or

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pushing - was hit by a car, that car westbound and pedestrian headed southbound at 17th Ave. Coulee crossing) and enclosed map of the area. He reported that design location constructed about 3 years ago, there are stop signs on the bikepath and on 17th Ave.S. there's a bikepath crossing sign and an advance warning ahead of that. He also noted that traffic on 17th Ave.S is about 9,000 and no recent pedestrian/bike counts, no sight obstructions noted in the crash report or apparent in the field at this time, and intersection control is appropriate for conditions, crossing consistent with other mid-block bikepath crossings. He stated there are some alternatives - grade separation; but sites and funding available for crossings isn't adequate to grade separate. He reported on bicycle accidents in Grand Forks/East Grand Forks from 1990 to 1995, 110 accidents (Grand Forks 100 and EGF 10), accidents mainly occur on Washington, University, Columbia Road, N. 5th Street, South 5th Street, etc.) or major arterial streets. He stated they are sensitive to the occurrence and need to solve problems in Bikeway Committee and bike planning and they are working to resolve some of these through design and location but accidents continue to occur.

Prisilla Campbell stated that her son was injured in the accident at this location, and would like to see traffic slow down, some-thing to protect children little bit more, this is near Century School, that there are many people using the bikepath, good path for bikes and people walking, etc. but drivers not stopping for pedestrians to cross the street. Bakken stated they sympathize but not sure there is lot more to do other than better enforce-ment of traffic, and they are doing that on a city-wide basis but will concentrate on school areas because of children. Martinson stated that he concurs, and speeding totally out of hand, need to crack down on speeding.

Moved by Bouley and Martinson to put necessary signage there.
It was noted that there is signage at this location, and comes back to enforcement.

Moved by Martinson and Bouley to direct police department to conduct heavier surveillance on 17th Avenue South west of Columbia Road and other schools as necessary. Motion carried.

8. Matter of installation of "no parking" in front of 415 N.
51st Street (group home).
Mr.Thompson reported that the group home manager had requested removal of parking in front of building, that they have residents that dart out into traffic and with added traffic from construction in the new houses has become a problem and requested removal of parking in front of their residence - about 150 ft. (He noted they have long driveway for parking and use vans for transportation) Moved by Bouley and Martinson to authorize installation of signs. Motion carried.

9. Matter of stop sign at exit of Congressional 2.
Mr. Thompson stated they normally do as traffic maintenance

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and will take care of the matter.

10. Budget amendment.
a) PSAP - $35,254.00
Mr. Eggimann reported this is something Authority Board had agreed upon for completion of some of the 911 signs in rural area. Moved by Bouley and Martinson to approve budget amendment. Motion carried.

11. Applications for block parties:
a) on Cottonwood Street - block street from 17th-15th Aves.S. or block Robertson Court on Aug. 20, 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Moved by Bouley and Martinson to approve request. Motion carried. (comm. only)

b) Columbia Court, block west entrance at 8th Ave.N. 8/12/98 There was no time stated on the request. Moved by Bouley and Martinson to approve request, with time not exceeding 10:30 p.m. Motion carried. (comm.only) (Hamerlik stated he would call Mrs. Kvasager; she reported party would be from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m.)
12. Application for special alcoholic beverage permit:
a) Ponderosa for Pasta Party on August 22 (on banks of River)
Committee reviewed application, moved by Bouley and Martinson to approve, subject to review of the city attorney. Motion carried. (comm. only)

13. Matter of 911 restructuring. - Info.
Pete Eggimann, PSAP, reviewed information sent to committee, that this is an informational item, and wanted committee/ council to be aware and to have an opportunity to ask any questions or address them. He stated they have been operating for almost a year without any intermediate supervisor position and that was okay as stop-gap but not a long range plan. The 911 Authority Board asked the police chief, fire chief, emergency manager, human resources director and himself to get together and that's what action team group did was to come up with some plans for long range changes within the department, that department suffered in the management and supervision area, and think they have arrived at a plan that will deal with that and allow the staff some opportunities they didn't have before and from his perspective the biggest asset is that it allows people to work in teams and groups and to feel a part of the solution and not as spectator or waiting for someone else to solve problems, gets everyone involved and were able to do within the existing resources at least for the one year trial. He stated if it's working well will be back here in a year and be looking to work with budget framework committee and work into long range budget. He stated that the problem that's been there and this will deal with it. Information. Committee asked that he keep them informed. Mr. Eggimann asked if he should bring to full council; will be placed on council agenda.

14. Matter of Mosquito Committee.

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The matter of an appointment for a member of this committee to sit on the Mosquito Control Committee was presented. Moved by Martinson and Bakken that Council Member Bouley be committee's representative on the Mosquito Control Committee. Motion carried.

5. Mr. Hamerlik stated that he referred item 5 to the committee, that he had talked to Mr. Grotte and Don Shield re. this item, that it came to him from southend resident because of the rodents, that with more homes being built in cul-de-sacs with no alleys, and many homes in older sections of town where people keep their garbage in their garage and need to carry it out, it would be wise to consider having 2, 3 or 4 dump stations spread throughout the city so if people are gone for a period of time. Covers alone take care of the rodents, but since went to once a week pickup if could have couple three stops where truck would go by daily that it would be wise to try it, would have to adver-tise, and not in a place where don't cause another problem. He stated he understood committee had tabled this, and didn't under-stand what next step is. Bakken stated they did discuss and only comment was that try one at public works building because of concern about abuse, and tabled, that actually this belongs in public service. Mr. Hamerlik requested that since this was probably wrong committee to bring this matter to, would request to be put on public service agenda.

12. Other business:
a) Bakken brought up the matter of right turn-only sign at Best Building, very few people paying attention to that, and asked Police Department to monitor.
b) Bakken brought up matter of gang activities, that there are kids out there carrying fire power, and would like to impress that would like to quell this as soon and as much as possible, quell before major problem.

Moved by Bouley and Martinson to adjourn; meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 8/11/98