Council Minutes

Minutes/Committee of the Whole
Monday, May 23, 2005 - 7:00 p.m. (following Growth Fund mtg.)

The city council met as the Committee of the Whole on Monday, May 23, 2005 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 (teleconference), 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:

Congratulations to all the nominees for the Small Business Awards and to the award winners: Jim Satrom, nominee for the Small Business Person of the Year; Wes Rydell, nominee for the 2005 Women in Business Champion of the Year; Joann Renfrow, nominee and award winner for the Veterans Small Business Champion, and Kevin Ritterman, winner of the 2005 Financial Services Champion.
He recognized that this past week was the Police Department Week, that we have outstanding men and women working every day and please take opportunity to thank them.
Next week-end is Memorial Day Weekend, that City Hall will be closed, and reminded everyone to have a safe time over the weekend.
Congratulations to the local graduates.

2.1 Applications for exemption of remodeling improvements to commercial and
residential buildings at various locations.______________________________
There were no comments.

2.2 2006 Budget Recommendation.
Glassheim questioned wording in staff report, and that only 60% of the total value is for
re-evaluation and suggested changing wording and someone to look at that, unless add re-evaluation and new construction.

The city auditor read the recommended council action: "The Grand Forks city council resolves that we have established as our goal for the 2006 budget to reduce the mill levy by 9 mills. The City's share of the total mill levy is 23.9%. Our reduction will return approximately 74% of the increased dollar amount the City will receive from the re-evaluation process. We further resolve to work with the other taxing entities in Grand Forks County to reduce the tax burden."

Gershman stated that the City will be getting approximately $1,377,000 of its share of the increased property taxes from re-evaluation and new construction and we will be returning approx. $1 million of the increase. Kreun suggested that removing "re-" off the "re-evaluation process". - That will be a motion next week.

Kerian stated that other entities are in the middle of their budgeting process and these are targets and wants to see what the impact of this will be, as there are expectations of the city government.

2.3 Matter of recommendation from Service/Safety Standby Committee for trunk sanitary sewer.______________________________________________________
There were no comments.

2.4 Create infrastructure connection fee district for Project No. 5774, District No. 438, trunk sanitary sewer along 40th Ave.S. from S. 20th St. to S. Washington Street. __
Christensen asked what happens to places that have their own lift stations or septic
systems, do they have to hook up; Grasser nodded affirmatively.

2.5 Exchange of property with Grand Forks Water Resource District (GFWRD) for Project. 4704, Permanent Flood Protection._______________________________
There were no comments.

2.6 Naming Greenway North End Boat Ramp - "Whopper John Little" Landing.
Hamerlik asked if there was a policy for naming of buildings, etc. Mayor Brown
stated they have policy in place and are following process for the greenway.

Gershman stated he would hope that we notify his family if this passes at city council so family knows he was recognized, Mayor Brown stated that have to have their permission to use his name and that is forthcoming. Glassheim noted that those who knew him, knew him as "Whopper John" and questioned whether they would want his full name or only "Whopper John". Brooks suggested that in future should have his full name - plaque. Mayor suggested having amendment next week for "Whopper John" Little Landing.

2.7 Matter of ordinance relating to sewer connection fees for newly developed properties.______________________________________________________
Howard Swanson, city attorney, noted that this item has nothing to do with item 2.3, that
this sewer connection fee had been in the ordinance for a number of years, that a few years ago
we adopted a new policy and new ordinance on various connection fees and this was
incorporated into the new ordinance and that there has been some confusion among building
inspections, the public and contractors as to how to identify this particular connection fee, and
suggestion was to re-adopt separately as it was before so numbering is going back to what it was
before and substance identical.

Kerian asked what connection this is and where money goes. Mr. Swanson stated that fees apply
to sanitary sewer connection and intended to be a capacity charge, fees of this nature started in
late 1970's and at that point referred to as a lagoon fee and is a connection fee at the time of
improvement or development of the property, original dollars were used to build expansion of the
lagoon system and since that time the dollars have been used for maintenance and operation of
the lagoons.

2.8 Request from Building Inspections Division for approval of a new square footage building costs for single-family houses, townhouses and garages.______________
Gershman stated last adjustment was in 1999 and should consider taking more measured
approach each year rather than jumps of 23%..

Christensen stated he agrees it is time to get the fees in sync now, should get it on track and then
move on with Gershman's thoughts being applied so have escalator each year, and as part of the
budget asked that they bring this to us in ordinance form and be increased on an annual basis on
% so automatic and helps budgeting, planning, etc.

2.9 Vehicle bid specifications (police department).
There were no comments.
2.10 Matter of smoke-free workplace ordinance.
Kerian stated there were comments at our last meeting and had asked for technical response for that and Mr. Shields from the Health Department will provide information re. that.

Don Shields stated that Public Health fully supports the proposed ordinance for smoke-free workplaces in Grand Forks, second hand smoke is a public health danger and data shows that second-hand tobacco is a serious health problem and known to cause cancer, respiratory disease and other illnesses. The Board of Health and the Mayor's Health and Human Services Cabinet has also sent resolutions supporting the smoke-free ordinance for Grand Forks and both the Public Health Dept. and the City Attorney's Office have provided information on tobacco ordinances, comparisons across the region and also on EPA studies and other information. He urged the council to pass the tobacco ordinance before you

The following individuals spoke in support of the smoke-free ordinance:
Don Shields, 3418 Cherry Lynn Drive, public health director
Carrie Kaltenberg, 5050 West Elm Court, public health nurse.
Jane Croeker, 1010 Campbell Drive, member of Smoker Coalition
Cordell Fontaine, 2215 4th Avenue North, director, Social Science Research organization at UND
Kristina Devaal, 3014 Olson Drive
Theresa Knox, 619 Oak Street
Kelly Schmidt
The following individuals spoke against the smoke-free ordinance or to stay with the State ordinance:
Bill Korol, Down Under Pub
Mary Weaver, 509 Cherry Street
Dave Davidshoffer, 405 N. 3rd Street, owner of the Q

Howard Swanson reported in response to request has provided you with a detailed analysis comparison of state bill which becomes effective on August 1 and two page executive summary.

Hamerlik stated he had request if there is such a copy of the written Attorney General's opinion and that they should see it or have it or if he hasn't rendered such an opinion yet. Mr. Swanson stated there is no Attorney General's opinion as to the definition of incidental.

3. INFORMATION ITEMS

3.1 Portfolio Management/Portfolio Summary as of April 30, 2005.
Informational - no comments.

3.2 Statement of Changes in Cash Balances as of April 30, 2005.
Informational - no comments.

6. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS

There were no comments.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Council Member Gershman and seconded by Council Member Brooks that we adjourn. Carried 7 votes affirmative.

Respectfully submitted,

John M. Schmisek, City Auditor