Committee Minutes

MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Monday, January 11, 1999 - 4:30 p.m.

Members present: Bouley, Martinson.

1. Matter of funding for road guards on N. Washington St. at
5th Avenue N. for Winship School.
Timothy Johnson, 2453 27th Ave. S., (phone - 773-3441, ext. 469) president of Winship PTO, stated they presented their request at the committee’s last meeting to see if there was any assistance from the City. John Thompson, traffic engineer, reported he called Urban Development Office and they stated it wasn’t really appropriate funding out of CDBG funds, but had been done in the past, and also that he talked to Kim Greendahl, Traffic Safety Coordinator, and she stated she might have some avenues of funding but hasn’t reported back to him; only other way would be to fund out of city budget and might set precedence. Mr. Johnson reported this was in the city budget and agreed when the school on the east side of Washington was closed (Washington School) and that part of those students would go to Winship and City agreed to fund that, and 2 or 3 years ago took out of city budget and put into urban development funding and they stated they couldn’t fund it any longer. He stated this was an agreement City had made. Mr. Thompson stated he didn’t know about that agreement and why City would fund that, that School Dist. would be interested in closing school and more inclined to make those agreements. Mr. Johnson stated they are getting $2,000/annually from the Grand Forks Public School District (need $4,000) and that City had agreed to pay half of the cost; he stated he didn’t have copy of original agreement which happened sometime ago.

Mr. Thompson stated they would do more research and will place on agenda when have additional information.

2. Consideration of bids for purchase of four defibrillators
for fire department.
Dep. Fire Chief O’Neill submitted copy of one bid received from Physio-Control Corporation in the amount of $10,700.00 plus $1,216 for battery packs and carrying cases, and had asked for approval of the bids, authority to purchase and request to transfer $11,916.00 from cash carryover to capital general equipment in the department. He stated bids came in as expected and were pleased with the bids and can get pretty much overnight. Moved by Martinson and Bouley that we authorize the fire department to accept the bid of Physio-Control Corporation for defibrillators and associated equipment in the amount of
Page 2
January 11, 1999

$11,916.00, and approve transfer of $11,916.00 from cash carryover. Motion carried.

3. Consideration of bids for unmarked vehicles for police dept.
Lt. Kirby reported they have 16 unmarked vehicles and are assigned to chief, captains, two to lieutenants (criminal investigations bureau commander and NRO program), 2 vehicles shared by four lieutenants and other vehicles assigned to detectives, and would be looking to purchase 2 vehicles but not do any trade-in but add to the fleet to accommodate their needs. He stated they did some checking on the State bid to see what vehicle is being used by the State that fit their needs (Plymouth Breeze) with Corwin Chrysler, Fargo, being low bidder and since haven’t had any history with this particular vehicle, went to the UND where they have several, and they are having good luck with the vehicles and seems to be vehicle that will fulfill the police department’s needs. He stated delivery price to Grand Forks is $12,121.00 so if purchase two, $24,242.00. He stated they did some quick checking locally to see how that price compares with comparable vehicles and that still remains a low price, although didn’t do an actual bid.

Committee stated they have concern with not doing local bids and asked why they didn’t. Lt. Kirby stated he wished to have info. re. which dealerships throughout the state bid, and feels con-fident that local bidders would have had that opportunity; that State bid was done state-wide and specs. meet what they would like to do and seems to be appropriate bid from that perspec-tive. Martinson stated he would like to see doing business at home, asked if obligated to accept the low bid, and Bouley asked if there would be a problem with sending out locally for bids. Lt. Kirby stated he didn’t know of any problems caused by requesting local bids, and could put a bid out if they wished for a similar vehicle to local dealerships and have them provide a bid and compare those bids to the State bid. Lt. Kirby stated only advantage in accepting State bid would be because running short into the year.

Moved by Martinson and Bouley to instruct police department to secure local bids with same specifications. Motion carried. (comm. only)

4. Matter of proposed purchase of four-door intermediate sedans
(special purpose vehicles) for police department.
Page 3
Januray 11, 1999

Lt. Kirby reported they put bid out on the 16th of December for up to five vehicles meeting specific specs. and also asked for prices for lease purchase so could compare the two. He stated bids opened on January 5 and received bids from Hansen Ford for Crown Victoria and Rydell Chevrolet for a Lumina, both are police package vehicles and that was nature of the specifi-cation. He stated that when they evaluated the response and when looked at price of lease/purchase as opposed to cash pur-chase, came to the conclusion that cash purchase would be the best option: if were to purchase 3 Crown Victorias it would cost $61,804 and if to lease those same vehicles for 3 years, would cost $65,000; and at the same time their proposal is also to purchase 2 Chevy Luminas, purchase price on two vehicles, $37,700 and lease price on those same two vehicles for 3-year period would come to about $42,500. He stated their proposal would be to cash purchase 3 Crown Victorias, 2 Chevy Luminas for a total cost of $99,584.05, and leave about $24,242 to spend on the unmarked vehicles, and would leaveabout $8400 to work with on a 4x4 pickup, but won’t open bids until tomorrow, probably not enough to purchase but also asked for lease/purchase option and hoping to lease truck for a year. He stated this seems to fit their needs with number of officers they have, and want to up their fleet to about 20 and this would permit them to do that.

Moved by Martinson and Bouley to authorize the purchase of 3 Crown Victorias from Hansen Ford Sales, inc. and 2 Chevrolet Luminas from Rydell Chevrolet at a total cost of $99,584.05. Motion carried.

Mike Kirby stated that he has been assigned to assist the Chief as committee’s staff person in the future, so if have concerns or needs to contact him.

5. Applications for gaming permits:
a) DAV-Andy Nomland #2 - raffle 6/09/99
b) Red River Chapter, Pheasants Forever - raffle 2/25/99
c) Assn. of Undergraduate Geologists - raffle 2/28/99
d) Red River High School Music Dept. - raffle 4/16/99
e) J. Nelson Kelly PTO - bingo 1/28/99
It was noted that all applications had been reviewed and approved by the city attorney. Moved by Martinson and Bouley to grant the above applications. Motion carried. (comm. only)

Page 4
January 11, 1999

6. Request from Columbia Liquors to change location of
alcoholic beverage license from 2519 32nd Ave.'s. to 1950
32nd Ave. S. (Osco Drug building - move 3/15/99.
Rick Bohlman stated they would be moving their business to the Dakota TV building (adj. to Osco Drug). Moved by Martinson and Bouley that request be granted providing that they comply with all department inspections. Motion carried.

7. Applications for gaming permits:
f) ND Museum of Art - raffle 2/06/99
g) Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation - site authorization
3/20/99
h) Grand Forks Curling Club - calendar raffle
i) Grand Forks Public Schools German Club - raffle (pulled)
j) Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce - raffle (1/19,2/17,
3/17, 4/14 and 5/12/99)
It was noted that item f) had been approved by the city attorney but other items had not been approved as yet. Moved by Martinson and Bouley to approve application from ND Museum of Art and applications by Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Grand Forks Curling Club and Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce be granted subject to review and approval by the city attorney. Motion carried. (comm. only)

Moved by Martinson and Bouley to adjourn; meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m.

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 1/13/99.