Council Minutes
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
March 19, 2009
The city council of the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota met in special session at the call of Mayor Brown in the council chambers in City Hall on Thursday, March 19, 2009 at the hour of 5:30 o’clock p.m. with Mayor Brown presiding. Present at roll call were Council Members Bjerke, McNamara, Gershman (teleconference), Christensen (teleconference), Bakken, Kreun (teleconference) - 6; absent: Council Member Glassheim - 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.
FLOOD PROTECTION UPDATE
Al Grasser, city engineer, presented latest flood information from the National Weather Service giving 7-day preliminary estimates of river stage with 20.9 ft. on Friday through 40.7 by the following Thursday with preliminary crest 45 to 50 ft. March 30 to April 4, 2009, and that 50 ft. is well within our ability to handle. The 45 ft. crest with no precipitation and 50 ft. with 1 to 1.5 inches of rain and noted that a storm is expected this coming Monday/Tuesday. He also noted that these estimates are preliminary and there can be changes to these numbers.
Mr. Grasser also stated they will do gate closure on storm sewers and remove bridge rails on pedestrian bridges; that they are looking at installation of stoplogs which will begin this week by street department. He noted they may also see ice jams but width of the river channel is wide to take care of that. Information will be given re. closing of the greenway, that lower level trails will close at 25-26 ft.
FLOOD PROTECTION OPTIONS
Mr. Grasser stated options for hauling clay or topping off levees have been stopped and contractor hasn't been hauling clay since Sunday when they finished with levees along Belmont Road, could order contractor to continue and try to get 18-20 day build-out time, that at 50 ft. we are well within our capabilities and they are not giving us any guidance of anything on the horizon that would jeopardize us into those higher areas, that in the meantime will be working our standard floodfight process.
Council Member Bjerke thanked National Weather Service, that his recommendation would be to close the greenway at appropriate time, also when preparing to close bridges that sooner pick that date so people can make alternate routes. He stated there might be some people outside the city limits who may have some problems and if City can let citizens know that people might need help in sandbagging. He stated that staff working with Fargo with pumps, manpower, etc. and important to put forth the effort to help them as much as we can.
Council Member Bakken stated that we should do as much as possible ahead of time putting logs in and make sure everything fits and works before needed, good to have clay and sandbags ready in case should be needed, would like to have it accessible at this time because things can change rather quickly because of weather, etc. and have new issues; that the National Guard is geared up as they have equipment parked and ready to go.
Mayor Brown stated that we have a standard floodfight in place (re. closure of the bridges, etc.) where certain height triggers certain actions and that would be published and announced so people can plan for that.
Council Member Gershman cautioned people to keep their children away from the river, and agreed with closing of the greenway along with patrol.
ADJOURN
It was moved by Council Member Kreun and seconded by Council Member Gershman that we adjourn. Carried 6 votes affirmative.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Storstad for
Saroj Jerath, City Auditor
Approved:
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Michael R. Brown, Mayor