Committee Minutes

MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Monday, January 25, 1999 - 4:30 p.m.

Members present: Bakken, Bouley, Martinson.

2. Matter of proposed purchase of 2 four-door intermediate
sedans (special purpose vehicles) for police department.
Lt. Mike Kirby reported that at the last meeting they had proposed to purchase unmarked vehicles off the State bid, and there was some concern at that time as to whether or not local bidders had the opportunity to bid, that bid information from the State indicated that both Hansen Ford and Rydell Chevrolet did participate in the State bid process, and given the oppor-tunity to review the bids, still feel very strongly that they would like to purchase the two Plymouth Breezes from Corwin, low bidder, and they were awarded State bid for these types of vehicles, 2 vehicles for $12,121.00/each for a total of $24,242. Martinson asked why they preferred the Plymouth vs. …and stated he was firm believer in buying at home, and asked why they prefer that particular vehicle. Lt. Kirby stated that it works within our budget, were looking at State bid also for marked vehicles, but that didn’t come up much different than when worked with Rydell and Hansen Ford on the city bid for marked vehicles. He stated that in evaluating what was available and weighing various bids and working within budget, this works best for them. He stated they have had opportunity to evaluate these vehicles, as University has quite a few of them and sent some officers over to look at them and they are satisfied that it will fit our needs. He stated these vehicles will primarily be used in detective division and not used for uni-formed officers. Bakken stated that Mr. Swanson, city attorney, had some concerns about way they phrase buying local, but can make sure get bids locally but can’t show preference. Bouley stated that their intention last week was strictly that they wanted to make sure that local businesses had opportunity to bid.

Moved by Martinson and Bouley to approve purchase of 2 Plymouth Breezes from Corwin Churchill (under State bid) for Grand Forks Police Department in the amount of $12,121.00 each or $24,242. Motion carried.

3. Matter of purpose of 4x4 special service pickup truck for
police department.
Lt. Kirby reported they called for bids for this vehicle and in evaluating those bids and the funding they have available, asked to pull this item and not purchase vehicle at this time. The matter was pulled.

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4. Matter of smoking policy in City buildings.
Don Shields, Health Department, Debbie Swanson, Nursing Supervisor Public Health and Mary Froehlich, person in their department who worked hand in hand with Coalition here in town and across the State. He stated that Mr. Bakken had asked at the Board of Health a series of questions concerning smoking policy in the city, what policy was and when implemented, was is being done across the state and if we are in compliance with issues associated with smoking, health effects, and will be going through those questions. Bakken asked that they address guidelines on clean air.

Mrs. Swanson stated they have a packet for the committee, but knows they haven’t had opportunity to review it and would encourage them to do that as time allows and before making a recommendation. She stated they provided the background information and materials supporting why the City would want to adopt a completely, totally smoke-free clean indoor air environ-ment for all of the City-owned buildings, and speaking specifically of City-owned buildings and functions. She re-viewed information in the handout: background information on second-hand smoke from the Journal of American Medical Association, the existing smoke-free workplace guideline that exists in our Civil Service Code (that all are smoke free except as designated and approved by the mayor), and copy of the smoking policy established by Mayor Polovitz - that all buildings are smoke-free with the exception of the civic auditorium. She stated that for their information there was a summary from the Tobacco Free Coalition of what other com-munities in the State of North Dakota are doing with respect to clean indoor air. She stated there were additional pages relating to whole background and why important to protect the public and employees from health effects of second hand smoke, listing of smoke-free ordinances and knows we are not at this point of providing a smoke-free ordinance for other privately-owned other public spaces within our community but it shows what some communities have done in terms of background, how they withstood legal challenges. She stated they do have copies of the ND Clean Indoor Air Act, which was enacted in 1987, but not been successfully updated in ND Legislature, and our City policy actually complies with everything in the ND Clean Indoor Air Act and we are more restrictive in our City-owned buildings than is

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required by law. She stated that cities, counties, etc. have
been far more successful than at state-wide level. She stated they are in support of actions to further restrict smoking in City-owned buildings but realize that some discussion may need to occur.

Mrs. Swanson stated they have information on economic impact in those communities where those types of ordinances have impacted other settings, such as businesses - restaurants, bars but realizes that’s another step but if interested in economic impact studies that’s available. It was noted that building they were referring to was civic auditorium rentals, and it was noted that rentals at the civic auditoriums and some city functions might currently not be smoke-free. Bakken stated that if there is a bar and whoever is renting it requests smoking that is allowed. He stated that if the City is going to lead, should lead by example and not sure they should allow smoking at any time in that particular building, that building completely redone and nice time not to have smoking in it any more. He stated he heard from Mr. Owens that would cut down their revenues severely because nobody will want to rent it if can’t smoke; but thinks it pretty hard to prove one way or the other, but in restaurant how many people do you lose because you have smoking. He asked committee if they would like to review this and bring back in two weeks and make a recommendation. Bouley stated she has some concern about public wanting to rent it for a function and curtailing the number of people to rent that building, and could be economic issue. Bakken stated that there are some places that already do this and probably in the minority of cities that don’t restrict it, and they’re not having a problem with it. It was noted that the Fargodome is totally smoke free building. Bakken stated that is economic issue and also have to look at health issues. Bouley stated she would like to see some information whether there is an impact, and whether auditorium can take a hit on those rentals, and would like to hear what Mr. Owens would say. There were ques-tions if there was a room in the civic auditorium that they could use.

Mrs. Swanson stated there are some places that do designate a smoking area within the building overall, but in progressive cities where that does occur, they require that it be separately ventilated and that is the only way to protect the health of

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other people in the building. She stated that they need not to
forget the employees who work in that building, that is their workplace and if there are functions that work at where smoking is permitted, they are exposed to second-hand smoke, and vast majority of city employees are protected in their workplace by having clean indoor air and need to give careful consideration if we exempt one group of employees from that protection, not equally protected from the health hazards of second-hand smoke. She stated she would like the committee to consider those points when making a decision about this particular facility.

Committee stated they would like to read some of the materials and bring it back to the next public safety meeting, and also to get some research as to economic impact. Held for 2 weeks.

5. Matter of approval to construct mosquito control building
addition.
Mr. Shields reported that last year the Variance Committee provided a variance for construction of this addition onto the quonset at Urban Development, and main reason that this building is needed is for health and safety reasons. Todd Hanson stated their break room is next to area of chemicals, and have no running water in storage area where they operate their facility out of, and are looking at two plans: one is to share an area with Urban Development and occupy small section of their west quonset and will renovate a bathroom in that area sharing the expense with Urban Development on that and will operate out of there which will free up some space in the quonset they operated out of and give them ability for shower should there be an accident or something that they need to get to get washed off. He stated that’s Plan A, and going that route will save a considerable amount of money. He stated that Plan B is going with an addition and received a bid that est. $34,000. He stated that if they opt for Plan A could get in there for about $5,000 if Urban Development is willing to let them do , and with savings on that could purchase some equipment. Mr. Shields stated they weren’t asking for approval of any bids but to inform committee of concept, that he is concerned about spillage of chemicals and not having water readily available and are trying to find most economically feasible way of doing it; Mr. O’Leary is very receptive to sharing space, remodeling that for this coming season and having shower and eye wash facility, and allowing people to eat lunch away from chemicals, that it’s a

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very high odor area with chemicals. He also stated that if that
doesn’t come to fruition, civic auditorium stated with the con-struction have some people willing to put this together, have prelim. estimates by contractors so that they could still address the health and safety issue for this season and would like committee’s go ahead to do Plan A, and if that doesn’t work to do Plan B, and would come back to committee. It was noted that funds would come from cash carryover from the last 3 or 4 years, and built up approx. $40-50,000 to be able to make this happen, and not asking for additional mosquito control fees at this time. Mr. Hanson reported he talked to Joel Manski, and John wants to make this work for them.

Moved by Martinson that we authorize public health department to pursue Plan A, and incorporate Plan B if Plan A does not work; seconded by Bouley. Motion carried.

Chairman Bakken stated that if goes to Plan B would like to know before hand.

1. Application for Class IV (Food & Beverage Establishment) by
TRJ Foods, Inc. dba Fire Island Grill & Bar, 3615 Gateway
Dr. (Terry/Ruth Jenson - formerly Highway Host).
Mr. Jenson was not present at the meeting. It was reported that the application for license had been sent to the police department for review; additional papers (incorporation papers, lease, etc.) will be brought in for review by the city attorney. Held in committee.

6. Matter of budget amendments:
Lt. Kirby reviewed the budget amendments.
a) Police Department - $516,388 - reflects money that came in from the COPS More grant, technology grant, but some funding that will be used to hire 3 one-year contract individuals (community service officers) and will be taking calls that don’t require sworn officer to be present; and remainder of money for mobile data computers and associated equipment
b) Police Department - $-28,500 - this represents Narcotics Task Force grant and anticipated grant to be same as was last year, but came in $28,500 lower.
c) Police Department - $400 - represents donation from Sheels to the Great Program (gang resistant education training program) and goes into junior highs.

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d) Police Department - $151,246 - grant from the Dept. of Justice for equipment (grant and required cash match which they took out of cash carryover) and will last through Sept. 2000
e) Police Department - $ 8,800 - Cops in Shops grant and is remainder of original $10,000 grant that they received in December, 1998 and $8,800 represents amount to carry over through September, 1999.
f) Police Department - $ 16,375 - remainder of grant they received in July, 1998 for Domestic Violence Investigators, and will carry through June, 1999.
g) Police Department - $ 8,000 - represents money transferred from Regional Narcotics Task Force and covers overtime expenses.
h) Police Department - $ 10,696 - grant from Byrnes Memorial Law Enf. Grant administered by State BCI and runs from January 1999 through December 1999, and seed money for the canine program (to train one handler and his dog).
i) Police Department - $ 24,660 - Byrnes Memorial Grant paying for a narcotics investigator that will work out of the police dept. and assist task force from January through December, 1999.

Moved by Bouley and Martinson to approve the amendments. Motion carried.

j) Health Department - $ 1,858 - unanticipated revenue from Children’s Services Coordination Committee with portion for hepatitis B shots and use remaining dollars for furniture and fixtures in anticipation of move to the new Co. office building.
k) Health Department - $ 34,277 - this is part of Health Tracks Program and have seen increase in number of people screening as part of the program and to expand hours and bring on some adm. assistance to help the program.

Moved by Bouley and Martinson to approve the budget amendments. Motion carried.

Martinson excused.

7. Application for limited license to sell alcoholic beverages
at designated premises - The Edge to sell for event at
Empire Theatre on February 4 from 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.


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Eric Borchman, general mgr. of The Edge, stated they have been asked to provide beer and wine in lobby area of Theatre,
would partition off lobby area for sale to persons over 21, and would use wristbands; and they will have security at the event. There was some discussion re. time and Mr. Borchman stated they wouldn’t be serving until 1:00 a.m., would cut off sooner. Moved by Bouley to change the time to allow sale from 7:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. and to approve contingent upon review by the city attorney. Motion carried.

8. Application for gaming permit:
a) South Middle School FCCLA/FHA. - raffle 2/14/99.
Moved by Bouley and Bakken to approve the permit contingent upon review and approval by the city attorney. Motion carried. (comm. only)

9. Information - re. radio system.
Deputy Chief O’Neill stated that the fire department has been trying out some 800 megahertz trunking radios with Stone’s for the past two months, had them installed in rigs, plus given portables the first part of December. He stated they were going to put on trial to see how 800 worked for them rather than the VHF, which has a lot of problems over the years communicating from deep inside buildings to their trucks, and has been a safety issue with them. He stated they’ve also been limited to one channel with the VHF, Stone’s offered them an opportunity to put in radios in all their trucks at no cost to the department, if decide to reject this offer he will take everything out of the trucks and won’t owe anything; however, they have strongly considered going to the 800 system, est. cost $26-30,000 to do it. He stated that about $16,000 will be cost of placing new equipment into the trucks and removing the old VHF, and $10,000 will be there for maintenance for the coming year and rental on tower. He stated they would get either new or reconditioned equipment, state of the art and better equipment than they have now.

He stated they’ve been working with John Thompson, eng. dept., on this for the past couple months and keeping him informed as he was part of a study group that was going to look at 800 for the whole city. He stated they would like to jump into 800, and see this as a unique opportunity for them to get into a new radio system for under $30,000; and would be nice to see the whole city go into something together but haven’t seen any
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progress in that happening. He stated they have some pressure on them now because have to make decision or have the equipment removed by Stone’s. He stated they’ve been leaning to doing it and talked to Chairman Bakken before the meeting and he has some city-wide concerns. He stated they have been able to formulate a patch on old VHF frequency which would allow them communica-tion with all other agencies; they would have to come to the old radio frequency and that would patch into the 800 system. He stated they would also plan to keep a couple VHF radios in the command vehicle, etc. so could raise the police department and ask them to meet on that channel; that it’s not a perfect patch. He stated that the 800 system will give them several channels (tactical channels and penetrate buildings for them). He stated that it does improve their communications on the fire ground, not answer for police department as they need repeaters, etc. He stated that if they wait for the whole city and that there are other departments with 800 (bus department, wastewater and possibly sanitation).

Bakken stated he was more concerned after they switch to their new systems that you can talk with them, and not so concerned that can talk between each other now if you switch to new system but more concerned when everybody eventually gets to their new system that won’t have five systems that can’t talk to each other.

Dep. Chief O’Neill stated that what they plan on is that they would be paying rental on the backbone of Stone’s backbone, they would own the equipment; that Motorola equipment doesn’t work with GE 800’s, not compatible, and believes if the police department went Motorola or anyone else in the city, would be able to speak with them, trunk it together, but if the City sets up their own backbone, will be able to slide out of Stone’s, and break contract at the end of the year. He stated that if they have to go to bid as a City and it goes to someone like GE or another agency, no worse than are now with the equipment to be traded in on new GE equipment, still own the Motorola 800 system, and still trade in VHF as trade in the 800 and paying Stone’s for what they’ve done for us (no cost if pull out now but there will be a $16,000 cost for the work that they’ve done on trucks, etc.)



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Bakken asked if they could hold for another 2 weeks and would like to know upfront if compatible. Lt. Kirby stated that he
can’t speak on this, that Lt. Ron Farder has primarily been handling this. Bakken stated they have approached Motorola but don’t know if have a response yet. Dep. Chief O’Neill stated they could hold for two weeks as this was for information and discussion purposes and they have been preparing a contract and will have Mr. Swanson look at it, and in two weeks could bring that to committee and research some of the issues that were brought up to day and will have John Thompson here next week. Bakken stated it would be nice to have players here (police, fire, emg. management). Committee asked that they have separate meeting from public safety to discuss, and Dep. Chief O’Neill will put something together. Bakken stated there is equipment sitting in one of the City buildings from the flood that hasn’t been taken back yet, and that it is Motorola and is 800. Dep. Chief O’Neill stated he would inform members as soon as can of the meeting.

10. Information - Bakken stated he would like to send informa-tion to Events Center Core Committee (Aurora) as recommendation to keep Aurora a smoke free building, Bouley agreed and matter will be sent to the Events Center Core Committee.

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

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 1/26/99