Committee Minutes

MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Monday, October 12, 1998 - 4:30 p.m.

Members present: Bakken, Bouley, Martinson.

1. Matter of long term construction closure on DeMers at 4th Street.
Roger Hildremyr, project safety coordinator for Mortenson's, stated what they are proposing to do is make some traffic modifica-tion in downtown area relative to construction of the corporate center, that also impacting this is the work going on at the First National Bank building, although that is not any of their operation but plays into the picture. He stated they have been seeing over the past couple weeks esp. is some real potential for hazards in the area where work is going on, have large volume of traffic coming through DeMers and lot of times when vehicles come off ramp on DeMers still doing 30-35 mph when come through this area if don't have t stop for lights (have beet trucks, regular traffic, etc.) and lot of pedestrians walking through area, walking around overhead protective structures, walking around barricades and out where traffic is, have lot of sightseers on sidewalk and into the intersection, etc. He stated they have construction activity on three of the four corners of the intersection and is quite con-gested; and going to have lot of activities over there for the next several months, lots of equipment, etc., and always potential for somebody to get struck by something. He stated there are workers on both of the corporate center buildings where have to cross street through traffic and no longer signal light there as it's been turned off. He stated that in the future have to look forward to icy conditions which will contribute to the problem, and given fact want to protect our workers, pedestrians and motorists, etc. they proposed plan (map) to block off sections of DeMers and 4th Street, that on 4th Street south of DeMers one-way traffic and parking on one side of the street for both 4th Street and DeMers so as not to eliminate access to the businesses along that route. He stated that in the block of DeMers where work is actually going on, proposed leaving that open up to the alley so people like the theatre and United Way would still have access both for traffic and parking, and would have some details to work out as far as signage.
Committee asked what long term was; Mr. Hildremyr stated 5 or 6 months, or until not doing a lot of exterior work on the buildings or on side that borders DeMers, or perhaps eliminate earlier than they plan. He stated no business would be impacted by this.

John Thompson, traffic engineer, stated that he met with Mortenson's last week but no chance to confer with Ken Vein or Al Grasser concerning this, but noticed there have been more com-plaints re. parking problems, having to walk around work zones or try to get through it, and sees as one alternative or one way to solve the problem. He stated he mentioned to Mortenson's that maybe would want to keep at least two lanes open on DeMers and
traffic signal could be turned on fairly soon, was taken down to
install watermain on 4th Street and can be put back into service if MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
October 12, 1998 - Page 2

necessary, and that he anticipates this will remain a T intersec-tion if doesn't close altogether because of the two projects on the north side of DeMers, and that area was closed by public safety committee several months ago. He stated that pedestrian traffic down the alley has been one of the complaints, lack of parking for apartment owners, access to the cafe on DeMers Avenue, but hasn't had chance to look at in depth and to discuss with all parties involved (Urban Development and engineering staff) and he recom-mended holding this for 2 weeks, give committee information that they are looking at that and bring in recommendation in 2 weeks. He reported that they have closed DeMers the first three days of this week to put up steel structure (walkway) between the two buildings.

Committee asked if barricading would be problem for police and fire department protection in these areas. Chief Packet stated the police department reviewed this briefly and no concerns from police at this point in time. Dep.Chief O'Neill, stated fire response would be minimally delayed but no real problem with it.

Julie Conneran, Red River Cafe, stated they have been closing DeMers and has been very hard on her business, and asked why she or other businesses not notified of this, that she is speaking on behalf of herself and Doug Norby, that they are very frustrated and don't know what will happen to them if allow road to be closed for 5 or 6 months, that she understands concerns on public safety because so much large equipment down there and many pedestrians, but when DeMers closed for the watermain for two weeks, sales were so low contemplated locking the front door and doesn't know what will happen if they close for 5 to 6 months. She stated that even now it is so hard for people to get to the restaurant and hard to get to other places (Norby's Office Supply, Quilted Rabbit, Urban Stampede) and if DeMers gets closed down, doesn't know what will happen, wouldn't be able to stay in business, and customers won't go through another construction zone for 5 to 6 months, and asked for better alternative than for long term closure of 5 to 6 months and that there must be better option for closing main street.

John Thompson, traffic engineer, stated they give 48 hours advance notice when close any roads in town and news released media wide, cannot verify if printed but info given to news media.

Bakken asked that interested parties get together, that he has some concern re. police and fire protection, that they probably will have closures but work so open and close, etc. and to work out some scheduling so not shut for 5-6 months as that is extremely long time for major artery. Bouley asked that they discuss matter of snow removal. Held for 2 weeks.

2. Matter of parking on both sides of the street in residential areas - 2000 block of 8th Avenue North.

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Chief Packet reported they have not had an opportunity to do an on-site visit and would defer to Mr. Thompson as to how compatible this is with other signage in similar areas. Bakken stated he didn't see much difference in lot of north end streets in the city, same width and amount of parking on both sides, and didn't see that this was extraordinarily narrow compared to others. Mr. Thompson reported that if this individual wants to remove parking on one side or other, ask him to get petitions from neighborhood between the two streets and then consider the request.

Gerry Hamerlik, rep. Ward 2, stated Mr. Altman called him and he referred him to the committee; that this particular area is by Redeemer Lutheran Church, 20th Street and off 8th Avenue and has problem backing out of his driveway with cars parked on both sides esp. during church activities, difficult to get through and even more so in the wintertime. Mr. Thompson stated if problem with only one driveway and not taking parking off whole street, something they could fix but if whole street need to talk to residents. Mr. Hamerlik stated it's only half a block and only one house across street facing 20th. Committee asked Mr. Thompson to talk with Mr. Altman. Held.

3. Matter of pedestrian crossing on University Avenue (school
slow sign) and Stanford Road with possibility of extending
crossing area to the west by State Street.
Mr. Hamerlik, Chief Czapiewski, UND Police, and Sharon Gates, principal of Lake Agassiz School were present.

Chairman Bakken reported that the recommendation from Mr. Thompson was to approve relocation as stipulated with funding to be provided by Highway Users. Mr. Thompson reported that the only change was to extend it and the request from UND, UND Housing, UND Police and Lake Agassiz was to relocate crossing from Stanford one block down to State Street, and he is recommending relocating it and not extending it as it gets to be too long. Mr. Hamerlik stated he
wasn't sure that was the solution but had three things in mind that probably not best to do it: 1) cost, if don't extend it, each time the traffic count changes will move back and forth, have slow zones for longer than just one intersection; second thing is that anytime going to move it if count changes, have down time. MPO is calling for that to be a crossing down Stanford across the tracks, and if that happens, will make more traffic down Stanford Road and across the tracks, and UND has objected to that but it is still in the plan. He stated he did talk in terms of extending it a block for pedestrians but that may not be possible. Mr. Thompson stated he would still recommend relocating the crossing, downtime will be minimal; he stated that there probably would be a signal warranted at the time if they did put an underpass in through University and RR tracks, and reason count has shifted over to State Street is because they've located a school crossing at State Street and 6th Avenue North.

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Duane Czapiewski, UND police department, stated one of their concerns is that they want crossing west of State Street because of the children using State Street and crossing 6th Avenue North to enter south door of Lake Agassiz School and asked whether it would be possible to include both intersections. Mr. Thompson stated his only concern would be driver compliance to have them hold speed for the extra distance because the ordinance as it states is between the two pole locations so will have to hold 15 mph between two poles and if that's enforceable, the whole intent behind these is to slow down for the crosswalk and release them to drive the speed limit. Chief Czapiewski stated they would like the extension of the one so incorporate both intersections, although grade school kids generally use State Street and lot of college students use Stanford Road, and would like to maintain that if possible. It was noted that this would be Univ. Police Department's responsibility to enforce. Sharon Gates stated she concurs with Chief Czapiewski.

Moved by Bouley and Martinson to extend existing crossing from Stanford to State Street and move the west signal standard to State Street with funding out of Highway Users. Motion carried.

4. Matter of lighting on bikepath along English Coulee from 6th
Avenue North to Gateway Drive - safety issue.
Bob Brooks, rep. Ward 1, stated this matter went through public service committee, and the matter he brought up was one of safety. He stated he walks this path at least once a day, beautiful bikepath from Gateway to 6th Avenue, but nothing beautiful about it at night and that was his concern; except for end by Gateway and end by 6th Avenue that is an enclosed walkway, has shrubs and trees on both sides, can put as many lights on as way, and no one in any buildings or other area where people would drive or walk and see that walkway, and if put light on it and giving false sense of
security. He stated he's also walked it in the mornings it's an area where kids or adults have been there, areas where had fire night before, empty beer cans and containers, etc. but at night no reason to be on it and all lights going to do is give false sense of security. He stated he called Christy Hall-Juran with the CVIC and she was glad to see they were putting lights on it, but could see his views also. He stated it is big difference and will cause some trouble and wants committee to consider that.

Mr. Hamerlik reported that this is in his ward, and he walks the bikepath and agrees with everything Bob has said, that this area is not heavily used at certain times, that in his immediate family four women that walk it, and none will that walkway alone during the daytime and others same way (a year and half ago there was an assault in the morning at 10-11:00 o'clock) and they never walk there in the evening after dark and if lights are supposed to improve that, won't do that, and they aren't only ones concerned about false security of this.


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Moved by Martinson to recommend denying request to light the bikepath along the English Coulee from 6th Avenue North to Gateway Drive; Bouley seconded the motion.

Chief Packett stated they would have to defer to the concerns of the elected officials and folks familiar with that area, but certainly flies in the face of traditional advice that he would give, that normally lighting is good, and if people came in and were concerned re. security of an area, first thing recommend is to light it, but can understand concerns that elected officials have that it may create an attractive nuisance, that people are going to use it regardless, whether lit or not, and hard decision for the committee to make as to whether it should be lighted or not, but if strong sentiment that it would create a problem, certainly defer and go with that, however, would traditionally recommend lighting.

Chief Czapiewski stated he would concur, that these incidents do happen, last week had exposure incidents along that bikepath, and they are responsible for policing that; there are concerns about what lighting will do, amount of traffic it will bring, most of the people who use that are students, and has some concern about more traffic during the night.

Mr. Thompson stated that there seems to be two issues: lighting would help the safety issue, the use of the track might be improved, but security would have to agree with that. Mr. Hamerlik stated there are bushes on each side of that path, and people don't even want to walk there during the daytime. Mr. Brooks stated they could put lights every 5 ft., about 3 or 4 ft. on each side of that bikepath are shrubs and trees, and someone could be in shrubs without even seeing them.

Upon call for the question, the motion carried.

5. Matter of grant agreement with ND State Dept. of Health:
a) Immunization/Epidemiologist grant amendment - $12,386.00
Don Shields, Health Department, reported this grant agreement is an amendment and extends the present grant through the end of December and puts additional dollars in there for immunization for kids and also for epidemiological support contract and asked for review and approval.

Moved by Bouley and Martinson to approve the extension of the contract with amendment. Motion carried.

6. Applications for gaming permits:
a) Ben Franklin School PTO - bingo 11/19/98
It was noted that the city attorney had reviewed and approve the application. Moved by Bouley and Martinson to approve the application for permit. Motion carried. (comm.only)


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7. Request from Grand Forks Park District to hold its 15th Annual Black Cat event on Saturday, October 31, 1998.
Peg O'Leary, reported they are changing their route to run it from current location of the community center, and anticipate that travel on those roads will be very light on Saturday morning, that they run this event every year on last Saturday before Halloween, will have lot of guards and route well marked. Moved by Martinson and Bouley to approve request pending city attorney's approval. Motion carried. (comm. only)

8. Application from GF Goodribs for special alcoholic beverage permit. Julie Fry, manager at GF Goodribs, presented application for temporary permit to serve alcoholic beverages off premises for event at ND Museum of Art with Chamber of Commerce hosting an art exhibit on October 20 from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. (private event). Chief Packett stated they would approve. Moved by Bouley and Martinson to approve application contingent upon review and approval by the city attorney. Motion carried. (comm. only)

9. Applications for gaming permits:
a) St. Michael's Home & School Assn. - 11/20/98 (bingo/raffle)
b) Wilder School PTO - bingo 11/17/98
c) American Federation on Grain Millers, Local 135 (calendar
raffle February 1-28, 1999)
It was reported that all the applications had been reviewed and approved by the city attorney. Moved by Bouley and Martinson to approve the applications. Motion carried. (committee only)

10. Meeting re. bids on breathing apparatus for fire dept.
Deputy Chief O'Neill stated that they would be receiving bids for this equipment tomorrow and asked if committee would have special meeting on Monday to consider the bids so they could go on council agenda for award - 60 days for delivery. Committee set a meeting for Monday, October 19, 1998 at 7:15 p.m.

Moved by Martinson and Bouley to adjourn; meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m.

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 10/13/98