Council Minutes

Minutes/Committee of the Whole
Monday, November 22, 2004 - 7:00 p.m.

1

The City Council met as the Committee of the Whole on Monday, November 22, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in the council chambers in City Hall with Council President Gershman presiding. Present at roll call were: Council Members Brooks, Hamerlik, Gershman, Glassheim, Christensen, Kerian, Kreun, - 7; absent: - 0.

President Gershman made following announcements.

1) Congratulated the East Grand Forks Green Wave on their win on Friday and wished them luck in their upcoming game this weekend.
2) Congratulated the UND Football team on their win and wished them luck in their upcoming game this weekend with Grand Valley State.
3) Congratulated the UND Hockey team on their sweep the past weekend.
4) Announced that he attended the ribbon cutting for 32nd Avenue South and South Columbia Road this past week and invited the public to enjoy the newly designed roadway.
5) Stated that he was able to participate with Councilman Kreun in a kickoff promotion for the Salvation Army’s annual campaign and was pleased to donate the first $1 of this year’s campaign, which has a goal of $60,000. He added that all of the funds raised in our community are used locally in our community and expressed appreciation for the valuable impact they have on our community.
6) Voiced appreciation to Sgt. Love of the Grand Forks Police Department for his follow-up with a call he made concerning business advertising signs that had been placed on the berm by a local business. He stated that it was nice to see the quick response and also the fact that Sgt. Love took the time to call him back and let him know the situation had been addressed. He added that he brought up this item for the purpose of informing others in the community that we do have an ordinance against this type of advertising, as in this case the business was unaware of the prohibition.

2.1 Application for moving permit to move garage from 603 22nd Ave S to 2202 6th Ae N (public hearing on 12/06/04)

Mr. Schmisek stated that this item was for information only, as the public hearing will be conducted on December 6, 2004.

2.2 Bids for Project No. 5636 and 5637, Lift Stations 17A and 20 Upgrade.

Council Member Kerian inquired as to the funding for this project. She stated that she was seeing this project budgeted in 2004 and in 2005. Ms. Voigt answered that was correct. Kerian inquired whether that would lead to a shortfall going forward. Ms. Voigt stated that the funding for this project was covered and that they will be reviewing as they move into 2005.

2.3 2006-2010 Urban and Regional Program Project request to NDDoT.

Al Grasser, City Engineer, explained that this item deals with two programs from which we receive federal dollars from gas tax collections. The first is the urban projects which amount to about $2 million per year and breakdown as an 80 federal, 20 local project split. The second is the regional programs, which are much more restrictive than the urban funds. The regional funds are federal funds passed through the state and are broken down 80 federal, 10 state, 10 city split.

Mr. Grasser continued by directing the committee’s attention to the table provided in the packet. He noted for the group that there were two total columns and explained that the Total Construction Cost column and the Total Project Cost column may be different for some projects. He explained that is due to some elements of a project not being eligible for participation in the split and that these costs are then added to the city’s share.

Grasser then drew attention to the 2007 project for the 42nd Street Underpass/Overpass project. He noted that the total project costs are projected to be $10,224,000 and that there is a proposed change in the request for this project. He stated that they are requesting a 50/50 split in the funding between the urban and regional programs which, if approved, will reduce the City’s share to $2.4 million from the $3.2 million in the original request that was under the urban program only. Grasser added that he does not know if the state will accept the proposed split between the two programs, but believes that we may be able to support funding the project in this way. Grasser continued that, if accepted as proposed, we would also be able to save some of our urban funds which are much less restricted in use. He is requesting that the Council will approve the revised list so that it can begin the process for final approval.

Council Member Kerian stated that she wanted to commend the creative thinking for exploring all the potential funding options for this project. She inquired as to whether Grasser feels that there is a good chance in securing the federal share on this project. Mr. Grasser replied that at this time funding at the state level is tight on all projects and even if this request is approved, we should be ready to advance fund the project as we have done with some recent projects.

Council Member Glassheim inquired as to whether we needed to decide between the two options, or if both could be proposed. Mr. Grasser replied that he will be working with Earl Haugen of the MPO to strategize and try to determine if we need to put a priority on the options or if they could stand alone. Council Member Gershman inquired if we have completed any traffic studies or other research to show the regional impact of this project so that we have quantifiable data to support out request. Mr. Grasser stated that some studies have been done and are in progress and that there are more that will be developed as the PCR moves forward through the process.

Council Member Kreun expressed that we also need to work on public input for this project, including getting written support from other political bodies such as the school district and especially UND.

2.4 2005 chemical bid approval for Water Treatment Plant.

Mr. Schmisek directed the attention of the Committee to the revised bid tabulation that was provided to them on their desks and in particular noted that the change was for the alum bid and the correction lowered the bid by $30,000 per year. He added that next week’s requested action would be to approve the revised bid tabulation.

2.5 Matter of negotiation strategy for acquisition of property for the Flood Protection Project, Project N. 4704. (Committee may adjourn into executive session pursuant to NDCC 44-04-19.2)

Motion by Council Member Brooks, second by Council Member Hamerlik, to suspend the agenda and move this item to follow Agenda Item 6. Aye: All. Motion Carried.


INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

No comments.


CITIZEN REQUESTS

No comments.


ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR COMMENTS

No comments.


MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS

1) Council Member Brooks informed everyone that the Auto Salvage Committee has been meeting and had been given a six month extension to make a recommendation to Council on the issues that they have been researching. He stated that this extension will be up in December and wanted the Council to be aware that his committee will be going to both Planning and Zoning and then to Council requesting more time, as they are in the process of researching a couple of items and will not be able to conclude their review within the current time. He offered congratulations to the Green Wave on their win last weekend and wished them luck in this weekend’s game. He also offered congratulations to the team from Stephen-Argyle that was also a winner last weekend.

2) Council Member Kerian stated that the UND area rezoning committee will be meeting on Monday, November 29 at 4:30 p.m. and at that time the various subcommittees will be reporting.

3) Council Member Kreun stated that the subcommittee of the UND area rezoning committee that he chairs will be meeting on Wednesday, November 24 at 12:30 p.m. in the Planning Department and encouraged anyone with interest to attend.

4) President Gershman reiterated encouragement to community members to support the Salvation Army in their campaign this year and to consider serving as a bell ringer, which is in great need.

5) Council Member Hamerlik inquired as to if any comments could be made in regard to the sales tax information that was distributed. Mr. Schmisek stated that we have received the sales tax collections for November and they have continued strong for another month, with year to date collections up 4.86% from last year. He stated that this year we have seen a yo-yo effect in the collections as you look from month to month, but he still anticipates a strong finish for the year and anticipates meeting the predicted 6.9% increase that was used in the budget. He added that he has seen a large amount of traffic in our stores and community over the last several weeks and that lends support to his belief that our collections will continue their upward trend.


2.5 Matter of negotiation strategy for acquisition of property for the Flood Protection Project, Project N. 4704. (Committee may adjourn into executive session pursuant to NDCC 44-04-19.2)

Motion by Council Member Hamerlik, Second by Council Member Kreun, to adjourn into Executive Session pursuant to NDCC 44-04-19.2. Aye: All. Motion Carried.

Motion by Council Member Hamerlik, second by Council Member Christensen, to adjourn from Executive Session. Aye: All. Motion Carried.


ADJOURN

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

Respectfully submitted,



John M. Schmisek
City Auditor