Council Minutes
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
October 10, 2005
The city council of the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota met in special session in the council chambers in City Hall on Monday, October 10, 2005 at the hour of 7:00 o’clock p.m. with Mayor Brown presiding, pursuant to call by Mayor Brown, which was served on all members on October 6, 2005.
Present at roll call were Council Members Hamerlik, Glassheim (teleconference), Gershman, Christensen, Kerian (teleconference), Kreun - 6; absent: Council Member Brooks - 1.
Mayor Brown 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.
ADOPT SISTER CITY AGREEMENT WITH SARPSBORG,
NORWAY
The staff report from Mayor Brown relating to Sarpsborg, Norway Sister City Agreement, with recommendation to approve and adopt the agreement affirming the City of Grand Forks' intent to promote positive relations with the people and institutions of Sarpsborg, Norway.
Mayor Brown welcomed the Norwegian delegation from Sarpsborg, Norway: Mayor Jan O. Engsmyr, City Administrator Einar Evenson, Lars Noreng from the Sarpsborg paper, and honorary Grand Forks citizen Steinar Opstad from Sarpsborg, Norway. He stated we are honored to have you here and excited about moving forward with this relationship and hope that we, as cities, will act together as a facilitator of greater partnerships in the future and to encourage our community volunteers and organizations to initiate or expand their efforts for greater partnerships and greater understanding. He thanked the Nordic Initiative, the Center for Innovation. UND, Tory Johnson, the public schools, Brekke Travel and all the other local groups who have been instrumental in getting this done.
Mayor Engsmyr thanked them for inviting him and their Sarpsborg delegation to meet with the council again; that they are proud to be here in behalf of the citizens of Sarpsborg to sign a formal sister-city agreement between our two cities, councils and working together. He stated because of parliament of their communities that they always seek new opportunities for taxpayers and better future for their young people. He stated during year's work several good things have happened, esp., in the public school system where 20 classrooms were in frequent contacts and it is with great gratitude he is prepared to sign the sister city agreement knowing it will be benefit for our cities and be a small part through better understand and better world for all of us and thanked Mayor Brown for hospitality and friendship.
Council Member Hamerlik moved that we adopt the agreement resolution with Sarpsborg, Norway as presented. Council Member Gershman seconded the motion.
Council Member Kreun thanked delegation for coming and being a part of our community, and that there have been some communications between the schools and some businesses and hope that will continue so that we can bring economic trade commerce back and forth between the two communities and that is what opens the communication and starts the communication to better understand each other's communities.
Upon call for the question and upon voice vote, the motion carried 6 votes affirmative.
Mayor Brown and Mayor Engsmyr signed the resolution
Mayor Brown read the sister city agreement: Document No. 8776 - Agreement.
Gifts were presented to the cities by each of the Mayors - book with pictures of Sarpsborg, Norway to the City of Grand Forks and a picture was presented to the city of Sarpsborg by the city of Grand Forks in honor of our sister city relationship.
ADJOURN
It was moved by Council Member Hamerlik and seconded by Council Member Christensen that we adjourn. Carried 6 votes affirmative.
Respectfully submitted,
John M. Schmisek
City Auditor
Approved:
______________________________________
Michael R. Brown, Mayor