Council Minutes
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
January 19, 2010
The city council of the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota met in the council chambers in City Hall on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at the hour of 5:30 o’clock p.m. with President Gershman presiding. Present at roll call were Council Members Bjerke, Glassheim, Gershman, Christensen (teleconference), Kreun (teleconference) - 5; absent: Council Member Bakken - 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.
EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION
President Gershman reported there were 7 city employees who have reached employment milestones and recognized the following employees and thanked them for their dedication:
Peter Stoute, 25 years as senior water service worker; Carol Gierszewski, 20 years and currently works for the Human Resources Department; Dave Pankratz, 20 years with Public Works as senior equipment operator; Doug Ferrie, 20 years as engineering technician; Mike Sande, 15 years with Fire Department; Adam Jonasson, 10 years as GIS coordinator with IT Department; and Brian Geatz, 5 years with Fire Department.
APPROVE REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF ALCOHOLIC
BEVERAGE LICENSE BY SUITE 49, LLC
The staff report from the Service/Safety Standby Committee relating to request for extension of alcoholic beverage license by Suite 49, LLC. 2950 10th Avenue North, with recommendation to approve an extension of the alcoholic beverage license until February 28, 2010.
It was moved by Council Member Bjerke and seconded by Council Member Glassheim that this recommendation be approved.
Council Member Gershman asked to be recused from voting on this matter, and it was so moved by Council Members Bjerke and Glassheim. Carried 4 votes affirmative.
Carried 5 votes affirmative.
APPROVE BOAT DOCKS FOR LINCOLN BOAT RAMP
The staff report relating to Greenway boat dock for Lincoln boat ramp, with recommendation to accept gift of a boat dock from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department to place at one of the boat ramps and pursue applying for funding for purchasing a boat dock for the other boat ramp in the Greenway, to be put in place in 2010.
Melanie Parvey, greenway manager, reported that after last week's discussion with committee of whole put forth an amendment to the staff report and are recommending that the council approve acceptance of the gift of boat ramp from the Game and Fish Department and planning for an additional dock at the other location.
It was moved by Council Member Christensen and seconded by Council Member Kreun that this recommendation be approved. Upon call for the question and upon voice vote, the following voted "aye": Council Members Bjerke, Glassheim, Gershman, Christensen, Kreun - 5; voting "nay": none. President Gershman declared the motion.
APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH EAPC FOR DESIGN
SERVICES FOR PUBLIC WORKS FACILITY RENEWAL
PROJECT
The staff report from the director of public works relating to Public Works Facility Renewal Project Design Services Agreement, with recommendation to approve professional services agreement with EAPC in the hourly not to exceed amount of $116,000 for architectural/engineering design services for the Public Works Facility Renewal Project, subject to the city attorney's review and approval of the agreement.
It was moved by Council Member Bjerke and seconded by Council Member Glassheim that this recommendation be approved. Upon call for the question and upon voice vote, the motion carried 5 votes affirmative.
APPROVE 2010 ARTS RE-GRANTING PROGRAM
The staff report from the Urban Development director relating to 2010 Arts Re-granting Program, with recommendation to approve North Valley Arts Council re-granting recommendations.
President Gershman stated there were some questions on the funding request for Community Theatre for $11,890.00, that Mr. Glassheim had requested background information on that request, however, have not received that information, and that this afternoon had received lengthy e-mail re. background information on this funding request and that when receive information the day of a vote is disturbing.
It was moved by President Gershman that we approve all of the funding as presented by North Valley Arts Council and their committee, with the exception of the funding for the Community Theatre, and would request that Community Theatre information be reviewed by city council next week at the committee of the whole and that any further questions be asked at that time, and a vote on this funding in the subsequent city council meeting the following week. Council Member Glassheim seconded the motion. Upon call for the question and upon voice vote, the motion carried 4 votes affirmative, Council Member Bjerke voting against the motion.
APPROVE FINAL PLAT OF REPLAT OF LOTS 5 THROUGH
10, BLOCK 1, AND BLOCK 2, GREENBERG'S INDUSTRIAL
SITES
The staff report from the Planning and Zoning Commission relating to request from Pribula Engineering on behalf of Idahoan Foods, LLC for final (fast track) approval of the Replat of Lots 5 through 10, Block 1 and Block 2, all in Greenberg's Industrial Sites to the city of Grand Forks, ND (located at State Mill Road and Red Dot Place), with recommendation of final approval to the plat, subject to the conditions shown on or attached to the review copy.
It was moved by Council Bjerke and seconded by Council Member Glassheim that this recommendation be approved. Carried 5 votes affirmative.
APPROVE FINAL PLAT OF BOSMA RESUBDIVISION
The staff report from the Planning and Zoning Commission relating to request from Randy Bosma on behalf of Al Bergstrom for final (fast track) approval of the Bosma Resubdivision, being a Replat of Lot 1, Block 1, Landowski Subdivision and an unplatted part of the East One-half (E 1/2) of the East One-half (E l/2) of Section 29, Township 152 North, Range 50 West, Grand Forks County, North Dakota (located on North Washington Street), with recommendation to give final approval to the plat, subject to the conditions shown on or attached to the review copy.
It was moved by Council Member Bjerke and seconded by Council Member Glassheim that this recommendation be approved. Carried 5 votes affirmative.
Council Member McNamara reported present.
APPROVE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR LOT 1,
BLOCK 1, COLUMBIA PARK 25TH RESUBDIVISION FOR
ALLOWING CONSTRUCTING ANIMAL CREMATORY IN
CONJUNCTION WITH KINDNESS ANIMAL HOSPITAL
The staff report from the Planning Department relating to request from Dr. Richard Odegard on behalf of Kindness Animal Hospital, PC for approval of a conditional use permit (CUP) for Lot 1, Block 1, Columbia Park 25th Resubdivision to the city of Grand Forks, ND (located at 2325 32nd Avenue South) for the purpose of constructing an animal crematory to be operated in conjunction with Kindness Animal Hospital, with recommendation to approve the conditional use permit.
Howard Swanson, city attorney, reported that Brad Gengler, city planner, had presented memorandum revising the conditions under which the conditional use permit is being issued, that conditions were revised after consultation with him and cover the concerns that he had previously - that it is an indefinite conditional use permit, that it is not issued for a specific period of time; it is required that the crematorium must be operated in conjunction with the continuous operation of a small animal veterinarian clinic at that location; that both the clinic and the crematorium must have all necessary licenses, permits and certificates, the facility must be in compliance with all local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations; and that the crematorium must be compatible at all times with public health, safety and welfare.
It was moved by Council Member Glassheim and seconded by Council Member Bjerke to approve the conditional use permit with the conditions outlined in Mr. Gengler's memorandum. Carried 6 votes affirmative.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
The Portfolio Management/Summary for period ending December 31, 2009 was presented for council's information.
APPROVE BILL LISTING
Vendor Payment Listing No. 10-02, dated January 13, 2010, totaling $1,189,535.97 was presented and read.
It was moved by Council Member Glassheim and seconded by Council Member Bjerke that these bills be allowed and that the city auditor be authorized to issue warrants in payment of the same. Upon roll call the following voted "aye": Council Members Bjerke, McNamara, Glassheim, Gershman, Christensen, Kreun - 6; voting "nay": none. Mayor Brown declared the motion carried and the bills ordered paid.
APPROVE MINUTES DECEMBER 7, 2009
Typewritten copies of the minutes of the city council held on Monday, December 7, 2009 were presented and read. It was moved by Council Member Bjerke and seconded by Council Member McNamara that the minutes be approved as read. Carried 6 votes affirmative.
COMMENTS BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL
1) Council Member Bjerke reported that the Service/Safety Committee meeting for tomorrow has been cancelled; and that over a year ago he had asked to end municipal parking, and get information and come to conclusion but need to settle the downtown parking.
2) Council Member Christensen reported that the Growth Fund, EDC, and wanted to give Council Member Glassheim kudos' for his extended patience in that meeting.
3) Council Member Gershman reported that today he was invited to the dedication of the Somali Community Room, that have quite a large community here and was very well done, food incredible, and that they are going to be opening a café on South Washington. He stated they had four plants on the table and each plant had an American flag in it and that spoke their feelings and want to be part of America and part of our community. He thanked them publicly for the invitation for allowing him to be part of that and their being part of our community, very interested in being integrated into our community and becoming American citizens.
ADJOURN
It was moved by Council Member Bjerke and seconded by Council Member McNamara that we adjourn. Carried 6 votes affirmative.
Respectfully submitted,
Saroj Jerath
City Auditor
Approved:
_____________________________________
Harold A Gershman, President of City Council