Council Minutes

MINUTES/COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Monday, June 9, 2003 - 7:00 p.m.___________

The city council met as the Committee of the Whole on Monday, June 9, 2003 in the council chambers in City Hall with Mayor Brown presiding. Present at roll call were Council Members Brooks, Hamerlik, Glassheim, Gershman, Christensen, Kerian, Kreun - 7; absent: none.

Mayor Brown announced that when addressing the committee to please come forward to use the microphone, give your name and address for the record, and advised the meeting is being televised live and taped for later broadcast.

Mayor Brown commented on the following events of the past week and upcoming events:
1) Thanks to UND President Kupchella for inviting him to the welcoming of the Chinese Ambassador last weekend and thanked council members who were at the welcoming reception to represent our city. Opportunities like these would not be available to this community without the University.
2) Saturday kicked off another year of Farmers Market in Town Square. Next weekend will surpass any weekend in downtown as First Annual Grand Cities Arts Fest. Board and staff of Downtown Leadership Group working on this to develop an idea that will further energize downtown and place our community in the destination city category.
3) He stated he went into the region last week to discuss Grand Forks as a regional center, overall regional issues and proposal; that regional issues are about the same ones as face in Grand Forks, this is something they should do on a regular basis.
4) Thanked the organizers of Walk for Life this weekend, which was well attended.
5) Congratulations to newly crowned Miss North Dakota, Sara Schelkoph, a UND grad and nurse at the family birthing center at Altru.
6) He noted that Grand Cities has climbed into the top 25% of Forbes Magazine best small places to live.

1.3 Presentation by ND League of Cities. Re. community emergency response team.__________________________________________________________
Mayor Brown stated this has been delayed until June 23.

2.1 Department head contracts.
Mayor Brown stated they wished to discuss Mr. Hoover's contract. Brooks asked if all contracts with the exception of salary are the same; it was noted that is correct and all are open-ended contracts. Mr. Duquette stated originally had negotiation process for salaries but will be replaced by the pay for performance and department heads evaluated as any other employee by him and based upon where they fall in their evaluation will affect their salary increases; that will be brought forth in the budget.

2.2 Pension and Insurance Committee appointments. 2.3 Request for leave without pay by city employee.
Brooks asked how position will be filled while employee on leave. Daryl Hovland, HR, stated the position will be filled under a seasonal contract and upon this employee's return the other employee will be terminated. Hamerlik asked if the bulk of bus drivers are temporary and part-time. Mr. Hovland stated employees are under the classified system, with a few seasonal that run trippers for school. The employee still holding classified position; that the employee's request was given 30 days approval by department head, 60 days by the mayor, and in excess of that has to be approved by council, still holding classified position; request for leave will end December 7, 2003.

2.4 Revised Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation, Drug and Alcohol City Policy._____________________________________________________ of FTA's final Rule Part 655, that the City currently has a drug and alcohol policy under our City Code Section 6-0906 and the FTA has been revising the testing for drug and alcohol for the last 2 1/2 years and have established a multi-facet anti-drug and alcohol misuse testing program which includes pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident and return to duty and follow-up; currently we have that under our policy for CDL commercial drivers license holders and this will enhance the process, make it more accountable to the employer since we are receiving federal money for mass transit and to provide better education to those employees who are subject to this testing (spells out new regulation, 655). This body approved the revision to the FTA in December, 2000 and since that time have gone under different amendments, revisions and tightened up testing procedures under this new revision and brought before council tonight; that we have testing for commercial drivers license and FTA has a massed revision and have received requests from department heads, i.e., public safety, public health, PSAP questioning why they weren't in this pool prior (previously only covered drivers) and are now taking revision of 655 and HR has tried to take what the City would like to see in the policy and incorporate it so don't have to review it again - looking at enhanced five areas they have established and have added safety sensitive positions that in addition to the drivers will include that a single act could cause a major consequence or repercussion and used wage study of 1997 that identified the areas under working conditions and under environment there were 5 areas identified, that they looked at what is considered hazardous which is a C, strenuous which is a D or what is public safety, i.e., fire, police, PSAP and reviewed each position and if those positions had a C or D or an E, then became safety sensitive position.

Mr. Hovland stated now have included the validity of the test, and what does City do if someone tests positive for drugs (take them off the job). He stated they have received good support from police, fire, public health and all entities they've listed as departments and will include that any future positions that are determined by the City to be safety sensitive will go into the policy.

Christensen stated policy may be good from a peer safety standpoint but when include a category of employees those who are engaged in strenuous activities, that's a safety sensitive issue, people who do a lot of lifting and how that gives rise to a safety issue, can see that police, fire and PSPA can embrace this but to make sure that the employees affected by the rules have an opportunity to comment and how far should this go, okay as far as police, fire and PSAP because doing life and death things but should be thinking about how far we want this to go, understand anybody driving vehicles and reasons for that, but taking away some of the freedom of the employees when subject to random testing and in some situations that is important, but in other situations, don't know if it comes with working for the citizens. Mr. Hovland stated that rather than "strenuous" would be at a "significant risk", that as an employee of the City is charged by the citizens to be alcohol and drug free while doing his job and from safety standpoint have to start somewhere. . Christensen stated this is calling for 50% a year testing for drugs, 10% year for alcohol, there will be a lot of random testing of our employees on a continuous basis on alcohol, just as important that as an employer if develop policies for our employees that we promote a wellness program (as the health department does), that we ask the employees to contribute x number of hours week towards personal fitness, and if start slowly then engage in other activities which would cause our employees to be more fit or cause our health insurance rates to go down if we had policy like that and had a concerted effort to those things; only suggesting that all the employees then rather than selected employees.

Hamerlik states that inasmuch as it is the City of Grand Forks policy to have an alcohol and drug free workplace, why not all rather than some. Mr. Swanson stated what they have before them is a testing policy, not so much as a drug and alcohol policy, already have drug and alcohol policy which applies city-wide, the impact of what have before you and what he considers the significant change is the broadening of who is subject to random testing - any employee involved in an accident presently which results in any personal injury can potentially constitute reasonable cause or reasonable suspicion for testing, this policy implements random testing without a need or without a basis of reasonable suspicion or cause - concern he had in speaking with the department appears with regard to the definition of who is a safety sensitive function or what is, can't define that by simply referencing a general department - what is drafted before you - water treatment plant and would include everyone from operators to adm. staff to secretarial staff, same true with health department or others - but has suggested and they have a list where they have analyzed that and not incorporated in this policy yet and that is what the department is going to be working on - some other minor modifications in here, but question before you is how broad do you want your testing program to extend to - but as to drug free workplace, there should be no misunderstanding, you have that policy and it applies across the board and anyone violating that policy, whether subject to random testing or not, is subject to discipline under the Civil Service Code.

Gershman stated they will get the list of employees for the positions they will be looking at, but later in the evening will be talking about vulnerability assessment against terrorism for safety for their citizens, and out of that will find other sensitive areas. Mr. Hovland stated this is driven by the revision to the testing procedures currently under drug and alcohol for the FTA, and we are broadening, and one of the questions FTA will ask in tri-annual inspection of mass transit on Wednesday is, has governing body adopted the policy with these new revisions, will not have passed it, however, if the governing body is looking at it and there have been revisions up to last week from FTA and inspectors understand that because of their constant changings and revisions, municipalities aren't going to have a policy, that as long as 655 is brought before council, have met our requirements with them. The vulnerability study and some of the things they will look at Wednesday will be security and mass transit is a big target.

Brooks asked how many positions are in the pool for random testing and how many at end of revised policy - with the number of employees on staff and some questioning why isn't everyone being tested, the process isn't simply in terms of time, testing ,paperwork and if looking at doing all of our employees and an increase in the number, talking additional staff time. Glassheim questioned cost. Mr. Hovland stated there is a formula the FTA uses as to the number required to have a random test - if looking at 50% and if do 4 selects a year and have 200 in your pool of 350 employees, will bring formula for the council next week - do 25 extra random samples at $25/each - $650.00 and staff time; they have hired a Williston, ND company that specializes in drug and alcohol testing, they do selection, portion of record keeping and not really increasing any workload for local staff.

Kerian questioned effectiveness with employees and if any research on intended effect of the program. Mr. Hovland stated he thinks it is an effective program, and tool that will aid us in selecting and retaining quality employees; and will e-mail a list they have identified as safety-sensitive positions that would be subject to this policy.

Christensen stated they wouldn't need any of these rules to deal with the enforcement of our current policy - and then inquiry becomes if have a random drug testing and alcohol abuse policy, what is that designed to accomplish besides insuring and protecting the citizenry that those that are here to serve and protect will not do so in an impeded capacity - next inquiry is do these type of policies encourage behaviors or begin to condition behavior - adopting a policy to change behaviors. He asked for hard data you have for the alcohol and/or drug abuse incidents which have been observed and reported by department heads within the past 12 months so we can see if we have a problem so adopt a policy that maybe pretend to preclude behavior rather than just telling us that the FTA have these studies and how that overlays on our current employee situation and what problems we've actually had - and what department heads have done to remediate the problems which exist within their departments, because if make policy decisions should have some facts upon which we overlay the change in policy positions, esp. if add people.

Gershman asked if this has been presented to the employee reps. to give some input on this. Mr. Hovland stated this has not been given to the employee reps. but have talked with department heads, and if this body adopts this policy, the first part is prior to any implementation - every employee will receive training, every department head will receive training and every supervisor will receive reasonable suspicion training, have had training in the FTA people and commercial driver license under public works, have one hour training which is conducted annually. Gershman stated he wasn't concerned about training but concerned about the information, seems that this is a huge shift in policy and mayor and council tried to build trust with the employees through employee wage study, etc. and it might be important to have the employee reps. see this because once implement it, it's done. Mr. Hovland stated two of the biggest groups, police and fire, have been in support and have asked why not them. Gershman stated that there are others and it is responsible for the council to have the employee reps have input prior to establishing a policy that has large ramifications and highly recommend that to council members and mayor to consider.

Chief O'Neill stated their people have been aware of the possibility of a drug and alcohol testing
policy for several years and union in support of the program; and document has been shared with
his department, reviewed and received some comments and some changing they would like to
have done, and if get it through mass transit and doesn't see problem bringing the rest in later if
want time to have employee reps look at it as a group for their input. Gershman stated same
opportunity should be afforded to others.

Todd Feland stated public works was the department that became guinea pig re. random testing in
1998 and then included other safety sensitive positions; he stated they have had positive results in
the past re. this policy and have had to deal with the result, no one in public works disputed that it
was a good thing, but they look at other safety sensitive positions in other departments and say
they are no more safety sensitive than that person and would be good to look at safety sensitive in
the city and be fairer. He stated this is FTA driven and other departments could have additional
time to review.

Brooks stated that council members might want to read the section on page 32 re. reasonable
suspicion, and finds that as an area that could be some problem.

2.5 Plans and specifications for Project No. 5510, Dist. 593, paving in Columbia 2.6 Revised engineer's report and assessment district map; plans and specifications for Project No. 5514, Dist. 423, sanitary sewer in Promenade 1st Addn._____________
Brooks asked what revisions have occurred and if this is in their affordable housing plan.. Cindy Voigt, asst. city engineer, stated the assessment district will stay the same size but cutting project into two sizes, north side north of 8th Avenue N. would be reserved for next spring when owner gets developer on board and does some replatting and better sense for how that north piece is going to develop, and in the meantime develop the south piece and get utilities installed this fall and next spring paving on south. Brooks asked what the value of the houses to be built in this area. Keith Lund, Urban Development, stated houses would be in the $100,000 to $125,000 range, purchase price the question and with some CDBG subsidy the sales price will be in the $90,000 to $100,000 range.

Christensen questioned continuing as matter of public record the engineer's estimate of cost when requesting bids, if have estimate, contractors have idea of what you are looking for. Mr. Swanson stated for those projects that are special assessed, have to have engineer's estimate provided the council , under the open records law there is no way to protect that from being considered public record. Mr. Swanson stated the engineer's report can occur after the district is created but has to be provided prior to call for bids and prior to approval for plans and specs., and the plans, specs. and estimates shall be the property of the municipality and shall be filed in the office of the city auditor and shall remain on file in the office subject to an inspection by anyone interested. Glassheim stated not sure knowing the engineer's estimate does anything for you, can come in with estimate every time and either be low or high, don't know what competition is going to be bidding, gives guidelines.

Christensen stated that before they adopt and create the district, would like to have something back from the committee as to how they are going to account for the homes that are sold, cost. Gershman stated they will be setting up a meeting as soon as the city auditor gets back to start developing this with Mr. Duquette, the Mayor, Mr. Kreun and others and set that policy so that an affordable housing district is actually an affordable housing district. Kreun stated a few of those measures were discussed and implemented and Mr. Lund was going to monitor some of them, want more formal information.

2.7 Revised engineer's report and assessment district map; plans and specifications for Project No. 5515, Dist. 278, watermain in Promenade 1st Addn.________________ 2.8 Revised engineer's report and assessment district map; plans and specifications for Project No. 5516, Dist. 424, storm sewer in Promenade 1st Addn.________________ 2.9 Plans and specifications for Project No. 5530, Dist. 594, Southbrook area paving.
No comments.

2.10 Plans and specifications for Project No. 5493, Dist. 595, Deacons Gardens paving._________________________________________________________
No comments.

2.11 Consideration of bids for Project No. 5507, Dist. 419, Project No. 5508, Dist. 276, and Project No. 5509, Dist.420, sanitary sewer, watermain and storm sewer in 2.12 Consideration of bids for Project No. 5527, Dist. 421, Project No. 5528, Dist. 277, and Project No. 5529, Dist. 422, sanitary sewer, watermain and storm._________
No comments.

2.13 Consideration of bids for Project No. 5488, Dist. 418, 47th Avenue South sanitary sewer________________________________________________________________
No comments.

2.14 Consideration of bids for Project No. 5405, overlay South Washington Street from DeMers Avenue to 1st Avenue North.______________________________________ 2.15 Consideration of bids for Project No. 5486, Bus Garage Fuel Tank.
No comments. 2.16 Cost Participation and Maintenance Agreement for Project No 5217, Columbia Road and 32nd Avenue South reconstruction._____________________________
Brooks asked what is change in cost participation, if City's percentage has decreased. Ms. Voigt stated project is 80-20% split on urban project, Columbia Road; and 90-10-10% on regional portion, 32nd Avenue South, where City pays' 10% but in addition to that this is where the non-eligible portion comes in, R/W and construction engineering, which is 100% City. 2.17 Amendment No. 26 to Greater Grand Forks Engineering Group for in-kind engineering, Project Nos. 4812, 4814.2, 4815.2, 4816.3 and 5495, Phase 3, Sanitary Sewer and Water Modifications._____________________________ ____________ 2.18 Engineering services Amendment No.1, Project No. 4648, Clearwell/ Pump Station and associated pipelines (including sub-projects)________________ ____________ high. Mr. Walker stated total construction is nearly $20 million and typically see 8 to 10% for design, 8%to 10% for construction engineering, and engineering associated with this amendment includes design and construction and other administrative expenses; and seeing engineering costs from 10 to 20% would not be out of line, this is around 13.5% and includes several pieces of work that is very complicated - raw water intake and specialized work that takes quite a bit of effort for engineering. Kreun stated in the report there is a second amendment that they might incorporate into one as numbers don't quite add up and perhaps give a new staff report to include that so have security information and not to exceed price in there at one time as money is listed in the report. Mr. Walker stated they will revise the staff report and distribute it at the next meeting. Mr. Feland stated this is one of their more successful projects, under budget by approx. $300,000 and that is with adding the $1 million in security related work onto this project - they received $11 million in an EPA grant with help from Congressional delegation. 2.19 Ordinance amending manner of setting various charges for public service rates re. water, wastewater and sanitation._________________________________________
Glassheim asked what gaining by adopting under resolution. Mr. Feland stated that last year at budget time the council approved a budget which included rates for the year 2003, came back later in the year and had to change the ordinances to reflect new rates and required two readings, and some comments that when passing the budget that the rate increases be included in the budget resolution and wouldn't have to come back to change the ordinance. Mr. Swanson stated several years ago the Legislature changed the State requirement that the budgets no longer have to be adopted by ordinance but by resolution, and last year because of the time delay from when acted on the budget to when acted upon the actual amendments and rates, there was some confusion, and it was his recommendation to Mr. Feland that if did it all in context of budget work would be ready to go for the following fiscal year once gave final approval to the budget. Glassheim stated they would still have to have the same information; Mr. Swanson stated they would have same information but presented in a different fashion in your budget layout as opposed to an ordinance; resolution takes one reading but the way the budget is handled is with a preliminary budget reading and a final reading.

Glassheim stated public better served by having them separated so just focused on rates, and to have two readings so there is time enough for the public to know what we are doing and react and respond to them rather than for our convenience. Mr. Swanson stated that is at council's discretion, but when adopt budget you then predicate the following year's revenues upon your rate structure which in the case of last year didn't get implemented in time for the January 1 fiscal year date and had to adjust to coincide with billing cycle. Glassheim suggested passing it before the budget so locked in. Mr. Swanson stated this is here because of comments made last January and because of staff's perspective to be easier to keep track of and maintain in context of budgeting process.

Kreun stated nobody wants to keep information from the public but that it created more of a problem, the public understood that we put it in the budget and then later came the reading of the ordinance and felt price was raised twice, thinks it should be in the budget and make it one process. Kreun stated they will go through the utility rate process to make the adjustments each year and putting it into the budget. Kerian stated whether ordinance or resolution and getting that established before the approval of the budget makes sense and voting on as a separate item. Brooks stated should have as separate items, gets lost in the budget.

2.20 Water utility vulnerability assessment. 2.21 Wastewater Treatment Plant Update (Information only).
Mr. Feland reported that all of their flow is going through the wastewater treatment plant beginning last Monday, that they have made some modifications related to ventilation, micro-fine bubble flotation units or MBS; they are going to bring back an issue related to plant metering, get rid of meter where the old pre-treatment lagoons are and will be presenting a separate staff report re. that issue, lot of automation and programming that is associated with that automation. He stated the 48" pipeline, evaluation, repair and stabilization and is a critical piece (map showing area) and pipeline interconnects with their MBS units which are in a separate building. He stated they have called for an independent analysis of the pipeline, how it was installed, data that went along with installation and have some concerns that it was not installed according to plans and specifications, there are issues with the pipe moving, did a temporary fix and for last couple months have been acclimating the wastewater treatment process, getting system up and going so accept full flow and wanted to make sure they were not the cause of another delay in this plant because resources had been spent by the joint venture, there is a startup phase of one year that is very critical in which a lot of the parameters will be measured. He stated once they get additional information re. pipeline, causes and fixes, will come back with further report. He stated the fix to this pipe could be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars and when gather more information will let you know what the issues looked at from somebody outside the project who can determine some facts. In addition to that want to make you aware that KBM who did design, project and construction engineer, has requested an engineering amendment, that they are reviewing with Mr. Walker, and if examine their contract, there is a timeframe of July of 2002, where City and joint venture said this process would be up and going and also some issue re. modifications they felt they were due some compensation and is an outstanding issue. He stated they have to bring back the biosolids issue and have letter from EPA, $4 million project, and will be coming back in July with an action plan for approval for them to proceed and report on funding for the wastewater treatment plant which is at about $33.48 million and do have an SRF loan of about $34.16 million and have about $687,000 remaining but have detailed some issues that they have out there, that is their contingency fund.

Gershman stated concerns that this project has had many problems, wants the City to be protected so that that we're not paying for someone else's mistakes, the fact that it was 9 months late, doesn't know if that was the City's fault, but to make sure that we're not held responsible for something that was not caused by us; and would be interested to see the report.

2.22 Street Department surplus property.
Brooks stated the listing includes 2 FWD's, and if the City is phasing away from that equipment for street work and asked how they notify property for sale - that these are surplus items but for small communities around us are very valuable piece of equipment for them and could be benefit for these communities. Mr. Feland stated the FWD's have been a more controversial piece of equipment because have had two operators in those and moving away from that equipment, except in the outlying areas, those are very powerful machines and keep some on hand for those areas - in residential areas found motor graders do more effective cleaning job. He stated after equipment declared surplus, they put them out for open bid in bidding type process. Mr. Swanson stated under the City Code the city council can authorize the sale of an item under est. value of $2500 to be sold at a private sale, with respect to personal property which this would come into, you do not have a provision that would allow you to waive some type of notice provision for governmental entities, have on real property but not on personal property. Brooks stated if we send notice out to those city halls, make them aware of them, making benefits going both ways.

2.23 Petition for ordinance to annex Lot 3, Block 1, Danks Second Resubdivision (located at 1000 S. 42nd Street)____________________________________________________
Dennis Potter, city planner, stated these are the two pieces of property the City recently bought from the Danks family, deeds have been transferred.

2.24 Petition for ordinance to annex Lot 5, Block 1, Danks Second Resubdivision (located at 1270 S. 42nd Street)____________________________________________________ 2.25 Request from B & B Partnership on behalf of John and Irene Campbell for preliminary approval of ordinance to amend zoning map to exclude from A-1 (Limited Development) District and to include within I-2 (Heavy Industrial) District all of Service 5th Subdivision (loc. at 26th Avenue N. and N. 32nd St._____________
It was noted that the Commission minutes show motion was carried unanimously but there was a nay vote on the issue by Grasser. Kreun stated that this should possibly be annexed prior to the replatting that takes place and is something we should consider and normally process would be to annex that property and then go through the process of replatting. Mr. Potter stated this goes back to a prior discussion when talking about annexing property from people who are unwilling to want to be annexed (hostile annexation), and city attorney explained process where get into mediation situation, and there really is a policy question for the council in areas such as this where you have one property owner who wants to develop and if want to pursue a policy of attempting to annex it and go through the process, may end up in mediation program. Kreun stated that the area of Oscarville is the scenario we will be in if continue to do that, they do not want to be annexed but want the streets and utilities and becomes difficult to do that after they've been platted and lots designed for the use of the property without annexing it first, should be considered.

Christensen stated that fear that someone may not like the action of the council, if think it is in the best interest of the community, that it be annexed and end up in mediation, know what the tests are and probability of success if staff giving us accurate information and giving us an analysis of success before we propose an involuntary annexation - beginning to be a lot of shifts in policy with this group but maybe want to see if information staff gives on proposed annexation and probability of success is good but before lose control over this piece of property by granting the zoning so they can do what they want to do as far as commercialization of this property, look at considering. Kreun stated that the dike is being constructed and puts this property within the protection of the dike alignment and that property would only pay special assessments for the dike if annexed. Gershman asked for better map showing where the city limits are so don't create an island. Mr. Potter stated they would have better map by next week.

2.26 Request from CPS, Ltd. on behalf of City of Grand Forks and Country Development, LLP for preliminary approval of the Replat of Country View 2nd Resubdivision (loc. on Desiree Drive east of Belmont Road)._________________
2.27 Petition from David J. Parker, Trustee, for ordinance to annex all lands previously platted as Lots V, W, X, Y, Z, AA, BB, CC, DD, EE and FF, Block 1, Perkins Fifth Addition, except lands previously annexed, and Lot 5, Block 1, Perkins Sixth Resubdivision. (loc. in 3900 block of 40th Avenue S.__________________________
2.28 Budget amendment - PSAP
Christensen stated in reading 911 Authority Board minutes, that one group didn't want to contribute its money so trying to equalize this for the rest of the group. Al Morken, PSAP director, stated that last year during budget time the County Commission decided that they would like to pay only $154,000, brought this info. to the Authority Board and the Board said that everybody should be reduced an equal amount, and this is how the budget amendment came forward. Christensen asked how they propose to make up for the loss of revenue and the operation of the department if approve this - same level of service without the increase in revenue, spending down cash - how make up revenue next year. Brooks called for point of order - that this is not germane to the budget amendment itself. Mayor Brown approved discussion.

Mr. Morken stated there is no question this will bring down the money that is in cash part of PSAP budget; and plans to move back some of the items re. the digital radio system which was planned for in 2005 budget, and rather than doing in one year, moving it back over a number of years, move back projected capital expenditures. Christensen stated they would use of the money allocated when they increased everybody's fees for phones for salaries, and that he was under the general impression if we raised everybody's rates for cell phones it was to buy equipment, wasn't to fund salaries but will wait to see the budget.

Kreun asked if they can take capital expenditure money and use that for salaries and if can switch that back and forth. Mr. Morken stated that cannot take capital monies and use it to pay salaries; that he had a budget amendment earlier this year to include the new fees, $800,000 was put in capital outlay and rather than spending the entire $800,000, move it over 3 years instead of doing it in one year, and this reduction is being taken out of that line item. He stated he will have to look at going through the budget for next year before getting specifics on that and has budget meeting tomorrow. Kreun asked if he would bring that back after budget meeting.

MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS

1) Brooks stated he received letter re. Business Friendly Task Force from Mayor and Pres. Gershman and asked for listing of who is on that committee. He also asked if they were going to have a meeting scheduled on PSAP's space needs. Mr. Duquette stated he will get this arranged.

2) Glassheim asked if there was any additional news on junk car ordinance; Mr. Duquette stated they discussed that at the department head meeting and believes almost done. Glassheim stated they received some interesting e-mails about the greenway and the proposed regulations for it and wonders if there should be a place where take comments on them - public comments and questions by city council or if council involved in adopting them. Mayor Brown stated he would speak with the greenway staff and will get back to council.

3) Kerian stated about the article ranking Grand Forks in top 25% is good news but our jobs created locally group .6% and Fargo 1.6% and Bismarck, 1.5% and we have some work to do.

4) Kreun stated when there is a lot of work put into a particular area that is brought to the council, is not brought forth by one individual, but by several and ordinance that was brought up was not his idea, and was all their ideas and that is why brought forward as a group.

Christensen stated he didn't realize what Kreun was speaking to, the rate study and increase and resolution and how fix rates in this community, want people to understand that they took off the shelf many months ago and Mayor commissioned along with council's input, a rate study and hired some professionals, people from town along with Brady Martz , and developed a process to fix our rates in a better fashion and made an open process, Simplot and RDO, major users, involved in this process, the rates are going to be increased this year and next year and smoothed out, that he agrees with Glassheim, Kerian and Brooks this evening and won't hurt to have a hearing or advance notice to citizenry if intend to increase rates, but staff as part of the rate study budgeted it in the increased cost we are going to incur to complete the wastewater treatment plant, clearwell, etc. and is sure Mayor, Mr. Duquette and others as begin the budgeting process, explain to the people how these rates will be increased over the next several years and why, have to pay for capital improvements that are on-going and projected and have to pay for the people that keep the water flowing, nothing secretive about it.

5) Gershman congratulated Crimson Creek Players, they had fabulous show this weekend at the Empire Arts Center, 6th season, that they are the first arts group to participate in Operation Enduring Friendship with free tickets for military families, enlisted people and their dependents, same as University of North Dakota for the sporting events. He stated they have 3 council people who will be gone this week and cancelled the budget meeting and carry on the following week.

ADJOURN

It was moved by Gershman and Christensen to adjourn. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Saroj Jerath, Deputy City Auditor