Council Minutes

Minutes/Committee of the Whole
Monday, September 27, 2004 - 7:00 p.m.

The city council met as the Committee of the Whole on Monday, September 27, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. 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 for the record, and advised that the meeting is being televised live and taped for later broadcast.

Mayor Brown commented on various events held during the past week and upcoming events:
He thanked North Dakota League of Cities leadership and staff for excellent conference this weekend in Bismarck and thanked Governor Hoeven for his hospitality. He also thanked local council members and staff who attended the conference; that they presented the cities and mayor of the year award to our sister-city Dickinson and Mayor Dennis Johnson.
He acknowledged that the Chamber of Commerce had an excellent conference in Winnipeg this weekend.
He thanked the city of Warren and Mayor Nelson, his staff and residents, good discussions with better ability to look for help when either need it.
In honor of veterans he proclaimed the week of September 26 as Veterans of Foreign Wars Week and September 29 as Veterans of Foreign Wars Day.
He encouraged everyone to check out the Grand Forks Symphony production at the Empire this weekend, Saturday, October 2 at 7:30 p.m. and October 3 at 2:00 p.m. concert open for everyone.

2.1 Establish polling hours, approve polling sites and election officials (inspectors) for the November 2, 2004 General Election.__________
Council Member Hamerlik noted that the hours of election were not included in
the staff report. Hours will be noted next Monday for council meeting. He also noted there were two precincts in the same location. It was noted that we are having harder time finding locations for polling sites.

2.2 Application for abatement for 2002 and 2003 taxes by Richard and Judith Yoney, 718 Walnut Street._________________________________________
There were no comments.

2.3 Application for Class 1 (General On/Off Sale Alcoholic Beverage) license
by Uptown Hospitality, Inc. dba Sledsters, 21 South 4th Street._________
There were no comments.

2.4 Application for Class 3 (Off and/or On Sale Beer and Wine) license by Kon Nechi Wa's, 3750 32nd Avenue South.________________________________
There were no comments.

2.5 Consideration of bids for Project No. 5712, Bituminous Surfacing of TCP-2002(012) Phase 2.________________________________________________
Council Member Kerian questioned whether all money spent for this project.
Cindy Voigt, asst, city engineer, reported that as long as engineering stays on track and no other change orders, will spend money allocated for this project and also some of our bikepath money.

2.6 Amendment No. 1 to Engineering Services Agreement for Project No. 5636, Rehabilitation of Lift Station No. 17A.________________________________

2.7 Amendment No. 1 to Engineering Services Agreement for Project No. 5637, Rehabilitation of Lift Station No. 20.__________________________________
Ms. Voigt stated both projects include rebidding, and primary work is the construction administration services and for construction engineering services.

2.8 Request from Tim Crary on behalf of Crary Development for preliminary approval of ordinance to amend the zoning map to rezone and exclude from Southbrook PUD (Planned Unit Develop.), Concept Develop. Plan, and to include within the Southbrook PUD (Planned Unit Development), Concept Development Plan, Amendment No. 1, Lot 2, Block 1, Curran's 3rd Resubdiv. (loc. in 4600 block of S. Washington Street).__________________
There were no comments.

2.9 2005 Community Development Block Grant Program._
Council Member Glassheim reported they came to division of additional funds in
committee, and thinks that a larger amount should be given to the non-profits who depend on CDBG funds and came to $250,000 for them and $425,000 for either downtown housing or other City projects, thinks the mix should be closer.

Council Member Brooks questioned program administration - that from
beginning it was set up as percentage of annual amount they received, 20%, and because of large increase because of program income generated from flood recovery, if stay with 20% and have to look at additional paperwork and that this maybe 4 or 5 year's time and that program income dollars will go away and what will happen to the additional staff and how address that. Mr. Hoover stated normally get $500,000/year in entitlement money from federal government and City has recouped some of the $171 million from flood, and that at some point run out of money and now is time as doing with regular budget process to look into future and be aware of how spend this money, want to make investments that will return dollars back into the community or within 5 to 7 years not have a community development program. Brooks stated his question was how to deal with staff.

Council Member Gershman stated that we have been giving $250,000 to non-profits over past number of years - Mr. Hoover noted that was correct and within the area of public service and other money for Bricks & Mortar is also for non-profits. Council Member Gershman stated that we are not reducing the $250,000 for social services under this proposal, and that looking at federal deficits that are coming at us for many years, and is concerned that if we don't find a way to preserve CDBG money that we will end up with some cuts, that when we make grants and get nothing back from that, will eventually run out, and is encouraged that we want to invest the program money we have so we will get a return on it so that can continue doing things to increase tax base and help low to moderate income areas of town.

Council Member Kerian stated public service funds are intact but Bricks & Mortar are changing, and as this plan goes forward with $250,000 it is on light side for Bricks & Mortar projects and that would be one adjustment she would make, that in future years they can look ahead at investing in some way the return of dollars that the community has and respond to low and moderate income people in the future but for this year would like to stay within the framework used in past years and another 15% beyond what we have.

Council Member Glassheim asked how much is available to the Advisory Committee to deal with, and a large portion of the $1.8 has been spoken for and is not available for the non-profits to compete for. Mr. Hoover stated that Entitlement and Program Income are put into same pot and divvied from there, and are first required to draw from Program Income before drawing from Entitlement. He stated that the discussion in committee - started out with $1.8 million and took $360,000 for Program Administration, $250,000 for Public Services to be administered by United Way, $365,000 for commitment to the Promenade infrastructure being done by Housing Authority, and Committee suggested that $150.000 be retained for the American Dream down-payment and closing cost assistance program because of high priority the City has placed on Affordable Home Ownership; leaving a balance of $675,000 for Bricks & Mortar and Committee's recommendation of that amount $250,000 be set aside for Bricks & Mortar for the non-profits and $425,000 for Downtown Housing Projects and if that does not occur, the Finance/Development Committee would review City applications for infrastructure. He stated the applications were a little over $1.6 million for non-profit Bricks & Mortar and City's $1.9 million. Council Member Glassheim stated that Housing important but Bricks & Mortar a little light.

Council Member Gershman stated that if you add up $250,000 for Public Service; $360,000 for Promenade infrastructure, $150,000 for American Dream Program and $250,000 for Bricks & Mortar, that is $1,015 million which is 77% of money and is going to help people this is meant to help.

Council Member Brooks asked for clarification, total amount $1.8 million, that in the past they used to deduct Program Administration, and what was left was available for requests that came in and of that amount only 15% could be for Service and 85% for Bricks & Mortar; and when take $360,000 from the $1.8, leaving $1,440 and 15% of that is $216,000. Mr. Hoover stated that the scenario is not correct, take 15% of the allocation we will receive plus Program Income we earn in this year is est. at x amount, put together and take 15% of that and for Administration is different, take Entitlement you will get next year but Program Income is from the income you believe you will derive in 2005 and that is 20% and never get 20-15 breakout - staff has done the calculations. Council Member Hamerlik asked if it is not to exceed the 15% or not to exceed 20% and that is the important question; Mr. Hoover stated that was correct, that it is the not to exceed amount.

Council Member Christensen stated there will always be pet projects and never enough money for the non-profits, but if take Program Administration off you have $1.440 million and this is at 80% projected available for CDBG programs and have $765,000 allocated for CDBG programs of that money which is 53%; the money we are retaining is $425,000, and are going to use that money to see if can come up with some LMI program in the downtown area or in Renaissance Zone that hasn't been explored, but if can't do those projects, all of that money will be available as if was in the past; and hopes council will give this an opportunity to try it for 2005 and have balance of 2004 to continue planning and submit our plan to HUD in Denver. He commended staff for putting this program and recommendations together, and hope look with favor on this on Monday.

Council Member Kreun stated want to give and work with our non-profits and there is a need for non-profits in our community, and all very interested in developing the money that is coming back from the CDBG funds to reinvest in our community and invest over and over again.

Council Member Kerian stated we are substantially in agreement - and all of this money is being spent community-wise.

Council Member Glassheim stated that good to talk about return on investments but sometimes good to talk about human return on investment rather than financial investment - many people helped by monies invested by CVIC, etc. He stated that haven't talked about the CAC and how much we give them to rank and rate and how much we want to encourage citizens to have a say in how this money is allocated but city council has final decision. He stated that as dollars go down for CAC to rank, gets to be less interesting; that as CAC is going through the process and making people appear, justify what they want and say what are the highest community needs and to participate in a real process has certain virtues.

Council Member Hamerlik stated that he believes that if we have some pre-designated amounts of money, the CAC should be told that so that they know that when making their rankings.

3. INFORMATION ITEMS

3.1 Cable T.V. Franchise Agreement.
Howard Swanson, city attorney, stated that each of the council members should
have received correspondence from him last week, that they have been in continued negotiations with Mid-Continent on existing cable t.v. franchise, have presented them a final draft from City's perspective that has not yet been accepted by Mid-Continent, their existing franchise will expire the end of September and if don't have an agreement or indication that have agreement this week, will ask on Monday to pass a resolution extending the existing franchise for a short term, 3 to 4 months, for continued negotiations. There appear to be one or two items that they have some concern about.

6. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS

1) Council Member Brooks stated the first trip to surrounding communities went well and hopes just start of a number of those, that surrounding communities bring a number of things to Grand Forks in terms of shopping and city sales tax dollars but there are a number of things in return that we can bring and important to go out and visit with them and looking forward to the next one.

2) Council Member Christensen asked that mayor's staff or those on the legislative committee schedule a meeting in next 3 or 4 weeks with chairs of ad hoc committees to review issues that are facing the city where may need some involvement at legislature.

He stated that the City will be getting significant amount of money from MPO which will assist planning department of our city and of East Grand Forks to engage in overall comprehensive review of the planning and zoning regulations of our city and to some extent of East Grand Forks, meeting is on October 1.

3) Council Member Kerian stated she was invited to EcoLab by employees who were putting on a local blood drive, that they do number of things for the community, they serve as an International Customer Base out of the Grand Forks office and is one of the base businesses that provide good employment locations for our community, good corporate citizens from employees and business and she appreciated being there

4) Council Member Glassheim stated that tomorrow night there will be a final meeting at the Park District office at 6:30 p.m. re. Riverside pool and report of the committee will go to the Park District and hope to have final determination in 1 or 2 months.

5) Council Member Kreun stated that there will be public input meeting tomorrow evening at 7:00 p.m. at the Grand Forks Country Club re. the Merrifield Road Bridge and Overpass.

ADJOURN

It was moved by Council Member Kreun and seconded by Council Member Gershman to adjourn. Carried 7 votes affirmative.

Respectfully submitted,



Candi Stjern
Acting City Auditor