Council Minutes
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
April 5, 2004
The city council of the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota met in the council chambers in City Hall on Monday, April 5, 2004 at the hour of 7:00 o’clock p.m. with President Gershman presiding. Present at roll call were Council Members Brooks, Hamerlik, Glassheim, Christensen, Kerian, Kreun, Gershman - 7; absent: none.
President Gershman announced that anyone wishing to speak to any item may do so by being recognized prior to a vote being taken on the matter, and that the meeting is being televised.
Several members of the Sweet Adelines sang the National Anthem and led the city council in the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
President Gershman recognized and congratulated the finance department for receiving the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, that the certificate of achievement was presented by the Government Finance Officers Association, and he thanked them on behalf of the citizens of Grand Forks. Several members of the finance department were present to accept the award - Saroj Jerath, deputy city auditor recognized Candi Stjern and Emily Fossen, as well as Maureen Storstad who was unable to attend, for their dedication and hard work and invaluable contribution, and also thanked Mr. Schmisek for his guidance and support.
President Gershman commented on various events during the past week and upcoming events:
Congratulations to all organizes and participants of the 35th Annual Wacipi and Time-Out this past week and that he attended the ground breaking for the new American Indian Center on Friday, wonderful addition to the campus, and to the city and region.
He stated the First Annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held at the Alerus this Saturday from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., free event, and for people to come and enjoy.
He stated this is National Public Health Week and Mayor Brown has signed proclamation recognizing this week and all benefits of public health workers and their efforts. A short video was presented.
MONTHLY FLOOD PROTECTION PROJECT UPDATE
Al Grasser, city engineer, reported that a short video showing some of the functioning of part of flood protection system would be shown, that the City did get significant flood, last week crested at approx. 38.5 feet and currently at 31.96 ft. and that the flood tested part of our diversion system. He noted that the Corps of Engineers awarded the Phase III construction contract to Construction Engineers for little over $21 million project, effective March 29, 2004. A short video was shown.
Council Member Glassheim asked if there were any planning meetings re. the re-opening of 3rd Street. Mr. Grasser reported the contractors are starting to look at their schedules for this year and would get back to him on something specific. Council Member Hamerlik stated it might be well to have session with property owners after he gets information as they have been very patient and would appreciate it.
Mr. Grasser also reported that they are asking the Corps to put together another quarterly summary but haven't identified anything that would change them from the earlier budget estimates.
Melanie Parvey-Biby, greenway coordinator, stated that picnic tables and park benches in various parts of the project will be flooded from time to time but are recycled plastic materials and survive times of high water. She stated that the northend boat ramp to be located north of Riverside Dam has received some partial funding - ND Game & Fish announced that they awarded $55,000, Grand Forks County Water Resource District awarded $12,000 and they have put in an application to the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District and are hoping to hear back from them. She stated there will be restoration projects occurring this year in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks, that Xcel Energy and Friends of the Greenway are restoring about five acres downtown in East Grand Forks, that Xcel Energy Foundation awarded the Friends of the Greenway a $20,000 gift, and will have interpretive plaques stating history and Xcel's involvement in the community over the past few years and will be located in both Grand Forks and East Grand Forks. She noted several events that will be coming up, grand clean-up on May 15 and dedicating small pieces of the greenway that have been complete.
SUSPEND AGENDA TO INCLUDE ITEM RELATING TO
APPLICATION FOR MOVING PERMIT UNDER PUBLIC
HEARINGS
It was moved by Council Member Brooks and seconded by Council Member Hamerlik to move the item relating to the application for moving permit to move rental dwelling from 419 North 5th Street to 317 North 3rd Street to be used as a three-unit rental dwelling under public hearings. Carried 7 votes affirmative.
PULL MATTER OF 2003 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION REPORT
The item on the agenda relating to the public hearing on the 2003 Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report was pulled from the agenda as the item will be held for the committee of the whole meeting on April 12 and to city council on April 19, 2004.
DETERMINE INSUFFICIENCY OF PROTEST ON
PAVING DISTRICT NO. 595, PROJECT NO. 5493
The city auditor reported that the period for filing protests on the resolution of necessity for the improvements in and for Paving District No. 595, Project No. 5493, paving in Deacon Gardens: Augusta Drive, South 26th Street from 62nd Avenue South to Augusta Drive and South 24th Street from 62nd Avenue South to Augusta Drive, had expired on April 1, 2004, and that he had received no written protests.
President Gershman called upon the audience to see if there was anyone present who had comments to make on this matter. There were none.
Council Member Kerian introduced the following resolution as to protests which was presented and read: Document No. 8450 - Resolution.
It was moved by Council Member Kerian and seconded by Council Member Kreun that we find and determine an insufficiency of protest against Paving District No. 595, Project No. 5493, as no protests were filed, and further that the resolution be adopted. Carried 7 votes affirmative.
Bids will be considered by the city council on April 19, 2004.
APPROVE APPLICATION FOR MOVING PERMIT TO
MOVE BUILDING TO 317 NORTH 3RD STREET
The staff report from the Inspections Division to hold public hearing for moving permit application to move rental dwelling from 419 North 5th Street to 317 North 3rd Street to be used as a three-unit rental dwelling, with recommendation to approve the moving permit. The application had been published and posted as required.
President Gershman called upon the audience to see if there was anyone present who had comments to make on this matter. There were none.
It was moved by Council Member Christensen and seconded by Council Member Brooks that the recommendation be approved and further that the applicant is authorized to move the building subject to meeting any conditions established. Carried 7 votes affirmative.
APPROVE APPLICATIONS FOR EXEMPTION OF
REMODELING IMPROVEMENTS TO VARIOUS
BUILDINGS
The staff report from the city assessor relating to applications for exemption of remodeling improvements to commercial buildings at 1901 DeMers Avenue and 1923 DeMers Avenue, with recommendation to grant exemptions of increased values for 3 years.
It was moved by Council Member Glassheim and seconded by Council Member Kreun that this recommendation be approved. Carried 7 votes affirmative.
ADOPT RESOLUTION CREATING ASSESSMENT
DISTRICT, WATERMAIN PROJECT NO. 5604, DISTRICT
NO. 281
The staff report from the engineering department relating to creating special assessment district for Project No. 5604, District No. 281, watermain on South 42nd Street and 36th Avenue South, with recommendation to approve engineer's report, create special assessment district, direct engineering department to prepare plans and specifications and advertise for construction bids for Project No. 5604, District No. 281.
It was moved by Council Member Glassheim and seconded by Council Member Kreun that this recommendation be approved, that we adopt a resolution creating the assessment district, approving the engineer's report, including estimate of cost, an assessment district map, and further that we pass a resolution instructing the city engineer to prepared detailed plans and specifications, and that we declare intent to sell bonds to finance these improvements. Carried 7 votes affirmative.
Council Member Glassheim introduced the following resolution creating the assessment district, which was presented and read: Document No. 8451 - Resolution.
It was moved by Council Member Glassheim and seconded by Council Member Kreun that this resolution be adopted. Upon roll call the following voted "aye": Council Members Brooks, Hamerlik, Glassheim, Christensen, Kerian, Kreun, Gershman - 7; voting "nay": none. President Gershman declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.
ACCEPT ENGINEER'S REPORT, WATERMAIN
PROJECT NO. 5604, DISTRICT NO. 281
The city auditor presented and read the engineer's report on Watermain Project No. 5604, District No. 281: Document No. 8452 - Report.
It was moved by Council Member Glassheim and seconded by Council Member Kreun that this report be approved. Carried 7 votes affirmative.
ADOPT RESOLUTION TO PREPARE PLANS AND
SPECIFICATIONS, WATERMAIN PROJECT NO. 5604,
DISTRICT NO. 281
Council Member Glassheim introduced the following resolution to prepare plans and specifications, which was presented and read: Document No. 8453 - Resolution.
It was moved by Council Member Glassheim and seconded by Council Member Kreun that this resolution be adopted. Upon roll call the following voted "aye": Council Member Brooks, Hamerlik, Glassheim, Christensen, Kerian, Kreun, Gershman - 7; voting "nay": none. President Gershman declared the motion carried and the resolution adopted.
AWARD CONTRACT FOR PROJECT NO. 5555, TCSP
GREENWAY TRAIL ENHANCEMENTS PHASE 2
The staff report from the engineering department relating to bids for Project Nos. 5555, TCSP Greenway Trail Enhancements Phase 2, with recommendation to award contract to low bidder, Gowan Construction, Inc. in the amount of $97,629.00.
It was moved by Council Member Glassheim and seconded by Council Member Kreun that this recommendation be adopted. Upon roll call the following voted "aye": Council Member Brooks, Hamerlik, Glassheim, Christensen, Kerian, Kreun, Gershman - 7; voting "nay": none. President Gershman declared the motion carried and the contract awarded.
APPROVE BID SPECIFICATIONS FOR PORTABLE
LIVE.SIMULATOR TRAILER AND EQUIPMENT FOR
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The staff report from the fire department relating to bid specifications for portable live fire simulator trailer and equipment, with recommendation to approve specifications for portable live fire simulator trailer to be purchased with FEMA Fire Act Funds.
It was moved by Council Member Glassheim and seconded by Council Member Kreun that this recommendation be approved. Carried 7 votes affirmative.
APPROVE BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR FIRE
DEPARTMENT
The staff report from the fire department relating to budget amendment for the fire department, with recommendation to approve budget amendments in the sum of $386,770 including City match of $8,677 meeting FEMA match requirements in order to purchase a portable live fire simulator trailer and equipment to be used for training.
It was moved by Council Member Glassheim and seconded by Council Member Kreun that this recommendation be approved. Carried 7 votes affirmative.
APPROVE PURCHASE OF MOSQUITO CONTROL PRODUCTS
The staff report from the health department relating to mosquito control bid recommendations, with recommendation to approve purchase of mosquito control products including chemicals, equipment, services and lease vehicles as per tabulation of bids attached to the staff report.
It was moved by Council Member Glassheim and seconded by Council Member Kreun that this recommendation be approved. Carried 7 votes affirmative.
ACCEPT LOW BID FOR NEW MOBILE COMMAND
VEHICLE
The staff report from the police department relating to bid package for new mobile command vehicle with recommendation for approval of the low bid of Custom Command Systems, who met the specifications. Funding in the amount of $205,000 is through the use of Weapons of Mass Destruction Funding and has been approved by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the North Dakota Division of Emergency Management and our local City/County Emergency Management Office.
It was moved by Council Member Glassheim and seconded by Council Member Kreun that this recommendation be approved. Upon roll call the following voted "aye": Council Members Brooks, Hamerlik, Glassheim, Christensen, Kerian, Kreun, Gershman - 7; voting "nay": none. President Gershman declared the motion carried.
APPROVE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN CITY AND RED RIVER REGIONAL COUNCIL
FOR GREENWAY RESTORATION PROJECT NO. 5248
The staff report from the greenway coordinator relating to the agreement for Greenway Restoration Project No. 5248, with recommendation to approve Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Grand Forks and Red River Regional Council (RRRC) subject to review by the city attorney.
It was moved by Council Member Glassheim and seconded by Council Member Kreun that this recommendation be approved. Upon roll call the following voted "aye"; Council Member Brooks, Hamerlik, Glassheim, Christensen, Kerian, Kreun, Gershman - 7; voting "nay": none. President Gershman declared the motion carried.
APPROVE REQUEST FROM METRO PLAINS PROPERTIES,
INC. FOR EXTENSION OF DEFERMENT OF FLOOD RENTAL
REHAB LOAN PAYMENTS
The staff report from the office of urban development relating to request from Metro Plains Properties, Inc. for extension of deferment of flood rental rehab loan payments, with recommendation to approve request for 6-month extension of deferment of rental rehab payments until September 30, 2004 and to require Metro Plains Properties, Inc. to become current with their loan payments upon expiration of the deferment period.
It was moved by Council Member Glassheim and seconded by Council Member Kreun that this recommendation be approved.
President Gershman asked to be recused from voting on this issue. It was moved by Council Member Kerian and seconded by Council Member Glassheim to recuse President Gershman. Carried 6 votes affirmative.
Upon call for the question and upon voice vote, the motion carried 6 votes affirmative; President Gershman recused.
APPROVE BALLOT LANGUAGE RE. PUBLICATION
OF MINUTES AND CHECKS FOR JUNE 8, 2004 ELECTION
The staff report from the finance department relating to ballot language: publication of minutes and checks, with recommendation to approve the language as submitted by the city attorney for the June 8, 2004 election.
There were questions raised as to whether the council can oppose this item and inform the voters of what the cost would be, whether public funds could be used to do that, and what estimated costs would be to do the publications.
Mr. Swanson stated there is no prohibition against the council identifying what the fiscal impact of this vote would be, the prohibition is that the fiscal impact cannot be stated within the ballot language, and to make sure that whatever occurs cannot be described as electioneering.
He stated public funds cannot be used to promote a particular vote but public funds can be used to identify the issue and the consequences of a particular vote, and to provide information to the public as to the impact of this issue. He stated the issue did come about by initiated measure a number of years ago and requires, unless voted upon to the opposite effect by the public, that every check be stated and published in the newspaper and full and complete minutes be published within 7 days of your action. He stated the financial impact would be fairly significant, and that type of information can be provided, whether it is in a press release, if contained within pamphlets or information, in meetings, discussions, can look at the utility billing.
Mr. Swanson noted with respect to the checks, it does include payroll checks unless the City on an annual basis separately publishes the annual salary of every employee; that this pre-dates any anticipation of the web page, presently the City has all of that documentation available, most of it is available on the internet and the information for those interested in or wanting it is more available than it has ever been, there are a number of communities that don't have the resources to have that information available, but the City has little or no choice to put it on the ballot in June and allow the public to vote on it, key is to explain to the public what they are voting on and what the effect of that vote will be. It was noted that individual checks are not published on the internet but available in the finance department.
Council Member Glassheim suggested letter to the editor signed by 7 council members; Mr. Swanson stated that is permissible as is 7 separate letters to the editor signed by individual council members and mayor; that simply because you hold position of elected official doesn't remove the first amendment from you; the question as to what public funds are used to promote or provide information is a different question, but identifying what the issue is and that a majority of the public is not aware of the issue, is not aware of ballot language and unless the city council takes it upon themselves to make people aware wouldn't necessarily understand the issue until they reached the voting booth on the date of election and even then may or may not have an accurate understanding.
Council Member Glassheim suggested that either the administrative coordinator or the council president or both might get a plan of action to see how to proceed because want to inform the public fully.
Mr. Swanson stated if the vote were defeated that what is occurring presently could continue to publish the minutes in an abbreviated form that identifies the matter and the action taken, and that has been a policy of the City for years without a requirement of state law.
The city auditor stated they did some research on this item, worked with the local newspaper to try to determine cost, presently we spend $30,000/year for publishing the agendas for council and committee of the whole meetings and abbreviated summary of the council meetings, that when they checked out the new publication costs, come up with additional cost of $25,000 to $30,000 per year and that is a minimum, virtually doubling what we are paying now.
It was moved by Council Member Kreun and seconded by Council Member Kerian to approve the recommendation. Carried 7 votes affirmative.
APPROVE URBAN AND REGIONAL PROGRAM PROJECT
REQUEST TO ND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
The staff report from the engineering department relating to Urban and Regional Program project request to North Dakota Department of Transportation, with recommendation to approve federal aid projects for construction years 2005 to 2009.
Council Member Christensen questioned where the 42nd Street/DeMers Avenue underpass sits as far as our recommendation to the State of North Dakota, and that we move that to the top of the list and why not.
Mr. Grasser stated the process is that the City produces a list that goes to the MPO, the executive committee, and that is forwarded to the State, the State has to concur in the funding and have funding available in the year in which spending it, the information in the staff report lists the projects recommended by the council meeting last fall, including paving on 55th Avenue South, rehabbing the Point Bridge, paving 40th Avenue South, paving 47th Avenue South and also doing the Columbia Road/24th Avenue intersections; that in out years they also have paving 31st Street and additional Columbia Road projects. The list of projects that we submit to the State needs to be financially constrained, that the list of projects we request can't be beyond the dollars that they are allocating the City to spend. The 42nd Street underpass, current estimate would require urban funds in the amount of $6,972,000, the local funding about $2.5 million. Council Member Christensen stated that he and Council Member Kerian sit on the MPO and as they have been focusing their efforts on 42nd Street and as having substantial entertainment complex about to be constructed and as have a lot of people moving on 42nd Street to go to the Alerus and to the Ralph, that we should do what we can to focus on an underpass on 42nd; that not very palatable to have an underpass for 42nd in the year 2010 or 2012, and asked what the council can do to move that up as quickly as can. Mr. Grasser stated they could adopt a new federal aid request and it look like to them that the very earliest it could possibly happen is 2006 and that would eliminate all of the projects except the Point Bridge. Council Member Christensen stated he would like to do something like that to get staff, the Department of Transportation, and MPO focused on that, and would agree that the rehab of the Point Bridge is a priority item also. It was noted that updated figures and the current estimate on the Point Bridge is $10.22 million with the federal share to be $6.97 and the local share $3.25 million.
Council Member Brooks stated this was discussed at the time the Alerus was being constructed and now not only Alerus but Canad Inns coming in and potential development in the future, and hears complaints re. trains, and this project a higher priority; that since the Alerus was built they were also building Congressional I and II and the flow has gone to the west and when want to get to the south end, take 42nd and also have another facility in the Ralph and 42nd gives two major ways in and out of that area, that this is not just for the Alerus but also has to do with traffic patterns and involves Congressional I and II.
Council Member Kreun stated he thought they were in agreement at the work session and think they all agree that it should be one of the top priorities but funding becomes question, and as they work through this rather than removing other projects off the list is to look for alternative funding mechanism in order to move it up; the other concern is that they want it before other businesses come in and get started or wait until they are established.
Chief Packett stated the original plan for the Alerus on major events were that there would be no delay in traffic due to train traffic but in talking to our supervisors they advised him that there has been no major event since they have been working the events that has not been impacted by a train coming through before the event starts.
Council Member Christensen moved that we direct staff to submit as part of the City's request for projects that to the extent possible that the construction of the DeMers Avemue/42nd Street underpass be moved to the top of the list as far as state funding is concerned and that staff do whatever is necessary to perfect a Congressional earmark for the funding of 42nd Street underpass. Council Member Brooks seconded the motion.
Council Member Glassheim stated that if we do this we set aside a number of other projects which are important to various residential areas of the city and asked what we would be sacrificing, that the motion commits us to apply for this in number one position for state funds and also to try to get Congressional earmark and commits us to replace all the other items in the stated funding except the Point Bridge. Mr. Grasser noted that the State has regional monies and urban monies, and the regional money is basically competed for on a state-wide basis, that State has prioritized and basically allocated their regional monies out to 2010, that the State has said no money for the 42nd Street underpass. He stated that the listing indicates the urban portion of our federal pass through dollars, that they give us more control over the urban, but there is only a set allocation per year and what we have to do is build that bank account up until we can afford to do that project, and that the other alternatives that were on this list would have to be dropped off so we can build that account up. He stated that the regional is a separate pot of money from the urban pot of money, regional is competed for region wide and urban , we get about $2 million to the City to allocate as we deem best for the city, lot of flexibility.
Council Member Christensen asked if there was any urgency in making this recommendation. Mr. Grasser stated that the State is waiting to see where we fall into the cash flow and will have to evaluate what we are going to do because the money we are allocating on the books isn't sitting in the bank but State cash flowing this, and thinks State would have hard time coming up with that in 2006.
Council Member Christensen stated there was some degree of urgency but doesn't believe it is that urgent, that he is looking at an earmark here and for 48th Street and DeMers Avenue to 32nd in the Industrial Park and is a $13 million project and the underpass is a $10.2 million project, and would rather see us build an underpass in this highly congested area than a 2-mile strip of road in the Industrial Park and our job is to make some decisions as to what we feel to be the urgent needs in this community as far as traffic flow and direct staff to work towards achieving those needs and if something doesn't get built for a year, and his motion is to direct staff to use their efforts to assist us in directing the sources of federal funding towards the construction of a 42nd Street underpass and that is basis of his motion.
Council Member Glassheim stated he wanted to know what the effect of this motion is but his understanding is that you are going to push several projects back about 3-4 years which means that North 20th mill and overlay, 55th Street and Belmont, 40th Avenue South, 47th Avenue South, Columbia Road, Cherry Street to Washington, North 51st Street, Columbia Road, 36th to 40th, and several others will all be pushed back 3 to 4 years and not be done and the only project that we will do in this town for almost 4 years will be the 42nd Street underpass and the Point Bridge, and are all streets on which traffic is flowing, some new construction. some reconstruction, that we are dealing with limited funds and are making choices, but we are putting residential needs against the commercial needs of 42nd and there will be bottlenecks and what are the alternative routes that people use to deal with the excess traffic if we don't have the underpass at 42nd and would use the Interstate or Columbia Road, and those would be his comments opposing this motion.
Council Member Kerian stated that if there were any way in which they could put the 42nd in they would have done that and that there was a consensus that to move all the efforts towards one project over the next 4 to 5 years was not reasonable for the city, but hears the need to stress this project and to ask staff to prioritize this in every other way.
Mr. Grasser suggested as an alternative may want to look at adopting the table as currently presented and that fixes our projects out to about 2006; that urban monies are usually fixed solidly a year or two in advance and what they are proposing up through 2006 on urban monies but what could do is put the underpass in 2007 or 08 and in 2007 have to go back and drop some projects off and in 2008 could drop off some of those out-year projects, build those balances and will present that to you next year for CIP programming or can revise this chart and get out to 2008 and present another one to come back to be approved, and those are his suggestions that move it to 2007 or 2008.
Council Member Hamerlik stated the Point Bridge figures were changed, local funding instead of $430,000 is $213,900 and was changed at working meeting. and moved a substitute motion that we adopt the schedule proposal before the council and charge staff to prepare by another year to include the 42nd Street underpass in our priority for 2007. Council Member Christensen seconded the motion.
Mr. Swanson stated procedurally they cannot have a substitute motion under our rules, but can amend by substitution.
Council Member Christensen withdrew his second from Council Member Hamerlik's motion and withdrew his original motion. Council Member Brooks withdrew his second to the motion.
Council Member Kerian seconded the motion by Council Member Hamerlik.
Mr. Grasser reviewed the motion which is that his office would submit to the MPO staff the table in the staff report which would be the 2005 and 2006 projects, and in 2007 substitute for those projects the 42nd Street underpass.
Upon call for the question and upon voice vote, the motion carried 7 votes affirmative.
APPROVE REQUEST FOR EXTENSION TO CDBG
LOAN AGREEMENT SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION
DATE FOR METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE
The staff report from the office of urban development relating to request for extension to CDBG loan agreement substantial completion date for Metropolitan Opera House, with recommendation to approve request for extension of CDBG loan agreement substantial completion date until January 15, 2006 subject to Oriental Properties, LLP securing a tenant for the building by January 15, 2005 and executing a warranty deed to be held in escrow by the City pending full performance to the construction loan agreement, as amended.
Keith Lund, urban development, stated the agreement was actually dated February 2, 2000 and that beginning on year 6, on February of 2006, 3.3% of the principal balance was to be forgiven 6 years after the date of the agreement; that if Oriental Properties does not successfully complete the project by January 15, 2005 the City can call the note. He stated that Mr. Laffen and his group are presently negotiating with the tenant and if signed an agreement today they have indicated that they would not meet the January15 deadline and in order to move forward with those negotiations, they would like the City's assurance that we will extend that for another year and the proposed action requires them to have a tenant by January 15, 2005 or it is moot and can call the loan in default at that time , and in addition will require Oriental Avenue to execute a warranty deed that they will hold in escrow that we can file if we choose to call the project in default and feel that is much more secure position than what we are in now.
It was moved by Council Member Kreun and seconded by Council Member Hamerlik to approve the recommendation. Carried 7 votes affirmative.
REFER MATTER OF INCREASE IN DEFINED CONTRI-
BUTION PLAN CONTRIBUTION PERCENTAGE TO
COMMITTEE
The matter of increase in Defined Contribution Plan contribution percentage, with recommendation that council approve an increase in the contribution rate in the Defined Contribution Plan to 5% effective May 1, 2004 and authorize the drafting of a plan amendment to incorporate the change into the plan document and grant authority to appropriate staff to execute the amendment.
Mr. Duquette, administrative coordinator, reported there was some discussion last week about taking this matter back to committee or introducing as a budgetary matter and asked the council to send that back to committee and consider as a budgetary matter and move forward.
Council Member Christensen suggested that they may want to have a complete overview or a review of our pension plan, our 401K or profit sharing plan, and the benefit plan given our employees because that is something we should address now that we have the wage study done and the pay for performance and have ad hoc standing committees and wage study committee, and leave up to administration to explore the various committees and/or structures you have in place to review that.
Council Member Kerian stated that trying to get this set of benefits in line with what other equivalent kinds of organizations pay for benefits along with our salaries makes some sense as well, and has financial implications and some advantage in having employee input in this so that might lend a different kind of group for that.
Mr. Duquette suggested a group or committee that combines staff members and council members to look at this matter.
It was moved by Council Member Christensen and seconded by Council Member Kreun to table this matter. After several comments Council Members Christensen and Kreun withdrew their motion.
Mr. Duquette stated this he will assemble a committee and move forward.
INFORMATIONAL ITEM RE. ATTENDANCE
REPORT
The city council attendance report for periods April 1, 2003 through June 30, 2003, July 1, 2003 through September 30, 2003, and October 1, through December 31, 2003 was presented and read.
APPROVE BILL LISTING AND ESTIMATES
Vendor Payment No. 04-07, dated April 2, 2004, totaling $1,505,391.27, and estimate summary in the amount of $717,527.93 were presented and read.
It was moved by Council Member Kerian and seconded by Council Member Kreun that these bills and estimates be allowed and that the city auditor be authorized to issue warrants in payment of the same. Upon roll call the following voted "aye": Council Members Brooks, Hamerlik, Glassheim, Christensen, Kerian, Kreun, Gershman - 7; voting "nay": none. President Gershman declared the motion carried and the bills ordered paid.
APPROVE MINUTES MARCH 15 AND 29, 2004
Typewritten copies of the minutes of the city council meetings held on Monday, March 15, 2004 and of the special meeting held on Monday, March 29, 2004, were presented and read. It was moved by Council Member Christensen and seconded by Council Member Kreun that these minutes be approved. Carried 7 votes affirmative.
CITY COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
1) Council Member Glassheim asked if there was a working session meeting on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. and it was noted there would be a meeting each Wednesday through April. He also noted they received a listing of the budget process timeline and asked if there would be any input prior to receiving the administration budget as they have in the past and had adopted budget proposals, guidelines and more informal meetings and asked what is the plan. It was noted that was what the working sessions were for and discuss that through the process.
2) Council Member Christensen stated they were to receive an update from finance and the city assessor as to what they can expect for increased revenues from the proposed tax increase and construction and to get that information before budgeting planning. Mel Carsen stated the information would be available after next Tuesday.
3) Council Member Kreun questioned the matter of the parking and junk ordinances they were trying to accomplish and asked Mr. Duquette to get them updated and complete that project.
President Gershman congratulated finance department for their national award and that that there is a Board of Equalization meeting next Tuesday, April 13, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.
President Gershman stated this morning he was invited to speak to the RSVP which is Retired and Senior Volunteers Program and that there are 250 volunteers, 55 and older, and that there are 37 organizations they help, CVIC, Museum of Art, thrift stores, etc. and is part of a federal program; he will give information to the Info Center and would encourage those interested in volunteering to call the Info Center, they save the city of Grand Forks about $300,000 a year with their efforts.
ADJOURN
It was moved by Council Member Brooks and seconded by Council Member Glassheim that we adjourn. Carried 7 votes affirmative.
Respectfully submitted,
John M. Schmisek
City Auditor
Approved:
__________________________________
Harold A. Gershman, President of Council