Council Minutes

Minutes/Committee of the Whole
Monday, December 10, 2007 – 5:30 p.m.

Page 1 of 3

The City Council met as the Committee of the Whole on Monday, December 10, 2007 at 5:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers in City Hall with Mayor Brown presiding. Present Council Members Brooks, McNamara, Glassheim, Gershman, Christensen (joined meeting in progress), Kreun - 6; Absent: Bakken - 1.

Mayor Brown made the following announcements:

1) City Calendars are out and feature photos from area residents depicting life in Grand Forks. He stated that anyone who has not received a calendar can contact the Info Center to receive one.
2) Informed the public that Slumberland, along with help from the Fire Department and other businesses made it possible for 37 local youth to obtain new beds and quilts this holiday season.
3) Stated that Kent Conrad had been in town to announce the talent finalists for this years Marketplace for Entrepreneurs event that will be held in Grand Forks in 2008. He encouraged everyone to attend the event which is a great source of information for young entrepreneurs as well as a very entertaining talent competition.
4) Announced that there will be a flu shot clinic at the County Office Building on Thursday from 5-7:00 p.m. and is a great opportunity for those unable to get in for their shot during the day.
5) Thanked Council Memebrs and staff that met with Ohio Commissioner Ed Ingold who was here from Hancock County Ohio this past week. He was looking for information and guidance as they deal with recovery from the devastating flooding that occurred in their County last year.
6) Proclaimed Friday, December 14 as citywide jeans day and encouraged all businesses to allow their employees to wear jeans to work that day and that any donations received be given to the Alli’s Boundless Playground Fundraiser. Alli Karpenko explained to the group she is leading a drive to create an accessible playground in Sertoma Park so that all children can have a place to play.
7) Wished Council Member McNamara a happy birthday.

2.1 City Council structure and meeting time review.

Council Member Glassheim asked if there was a report that would be included in the packets for Council Members to review. Council President Gershman stated that at the Work Session that was held consensus seemed to be to possibly move the work sessions up to Council Chambers, and that most felt having the committee meetings downstairs was less intimidating for those in the public to come and speak with the committee on an item and that they had more frank discussions in that environment. He continued that the other item of discussion was whether to leave the meeting time at 5:30 or to return to the 7:00 p.m. meetings and that he had not heard any negative feedback to the earlier start time and felt that it was easier for the public and staff to have the earlier time.

Council Member Brooks stated that he will be drafting something for next week’s meeting. He encouraged the public to forward comments on the meeting time or structure to their Council representatives so that it could be taken into account prior to the vote next week.

(Council Member Christensen joined the meeting.)

2.2 Budget Amendments:
a) EGF Share of Point Bridge Project
b) CVIC – Encourage Arrest Grant.
c) Police Department – Department of Justice State Homeland Security and Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Grant.
d) Police Department – Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant
e) GFAFB realignment and retention.

There were no comments.
2.3 Altru Health System tax agreement.

Mel Carsen, City Assessor, stated that this agreement is an extension of the agreement that is currently in place, but there are some nonsubstantial changes that he is making to the agreement and the revised document will be in the packets for the Council meeting next week.

Council Member Christensen asked whether the agreement provides for valuation changes in the properties. Carson replied that it does and values can adjust up or down just as commercial properties would and that there is no minimum or maximum values set in the agreement for any of the property. He added that the agreement states that Clinic properties will continue to be taxes and that hospital property will continue to be exempt, as they each were prior to the merger of the clinic and hospital some years ago.

2.4 Design, Bidding and Construction Administration Engineering Services Agreement, Project No. 6261, Lift Station 30 Rehab.

There were no comments.

2.5 2008 Salary Plan Update.

Daryl Hovland, Director of Human Resources, gave a brief overview of the plan. Council Member Christensen asked for an explanation of how the percentage raises of other cities translate into the range changes in our plan. Hovland explained that there is a salary survey that is done, the results of which are included in the binder, and that the percentage increases are compiled and used as a basis for the request for funds that is made in the budgeting process. He continued that there is another part of the process where benchmark job descriptions are sent out to comparison cities and that 75% of the job description must match in order for the comparison data to be good. Positions in our system are then adjusted to bring them in line with the market salaries that have been found and non-benchmark positions are adjusted accordingly to preserve internal equity.

Hovland stated that the City continues to review the system and make adjustments to continue to improve the way the plan works. He stated that Human Resources receives feedback from employees and works to address any concerns expressed. He commented that when we first implemented this plan we were one of the few cities that used this type of market based system, but there are now more public entities moving to this type of system.

2.6 2007 Holiday Bonus Hours.
2.7 Wastewater/Stormwater Collection System sewer line inspection camera/recording system.
2.8 2008 Chemical Bids for Water/Wastewater Treatment Plant.
2.9 2008 Special Events Program.
2.10 Funding for Marketplace for Entrepreneurs and Military Appreciation Day.
2.11 Request from CPS, Ltd. on behalf of Boettner Investments for final approval of Replat of Lot 5, Blks. 1, Adams-Dobmeier Third Resubdiv. (loc. at 5510 First Avenue N.), including variance to Land Development Code, Rules and Definition of Minor Subdivision.
2.12 Request from CPS, Ltd. on behalf of Gowan Properties, LLC for final approval of Replat of Lots 20-25, Blk.1, Oscarville Subdiv. (loc. at 2500 N. 43rd St.), including variance to Land Development Code, Rules and Definitions of Minor Subdivision.
2.13 Request for Paul R. Mahlen on behalf of plat of Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc. for preliminary approval of plat of Prairie Power Addn. (loc. at S. 58th St. between 11th Ave S. and 17th Ave S.)
2.14 Request from Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc. for preliminary approval of ordinance to amend zoning map to exclude from A-2 (Agricultural Urban Reserve) Dist. and include within the I-2 (Heavy Industrial) Dist. all of Prairie Power Addn. (loc. east of S. 58th St. between 11th Ave. S. and 17th Ave. S.)
2.15

Request from Mike Juntunen on behalf of Victor Lunski for preliminary approval of plat of Lunski
Family Addn. (loc. at 6526 17th Ave. S.)

There were no comments on items 2.6 through 2.15.

3. Information Items
4. Citizen Request
5. City Administrator Comments
6. Mayor and Council Member Comments

There were none.

7. Adjournment.

Motion to adjourn by Brooks, second by Kreun. Aye: All. Nay: None. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,


John M. Schmisek, CPA
City Auditor
SLL