Council Minutes
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
January 4, 2010
The city council of the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota met in the council chambers in City Hall on Monday, January 4, 2010 at the hour of 6:10 o’clock p.m. following Growth Fund meeting, with Mayor Brown presiding. Present at roll call were Council Members Bjerke, McNamara, Glassheim, Gershman (teleconference), Christensen, Bakken , Kreun (teleconference) - 7; absent: none.
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.
APPROVE APPLICATIONS FOR EXEMPTION OF
REMODELING IMPROVEMENTS TO RESIDENTIAL
PROPERTIES
The staff report from the city assessor relating to applications for exemption of remodeling improvements to residential buildings as follows: 1811 North 3rd Street; 1024 4th Avenue North; 1117 South 17th Street; 1815 Chestnut Street; 1202 Cottonwood Street; 817 North 4th Street; 1817 2nd Avenue North; 4847 5th Avenue North; 4843 5th Avenue North; 718 Belmont Road; 122 Rolling Hills Circle; 531 Hamline Street; 3221 6th Avenue North and 1802 10th Avenue North, with recommendation to grant exemptions of increased value for three (3) years.
It was moved by Council Member Christensen and seconded by Council Member Glassheim that this recommendation be approved. Carried 7 votes affirmative.
APPROVE APPLICATION FOR ABATEMENT OF TAXES
FOR PROPERTY AT 723 SOUTH 18TH STREET
The staff report from the city assessor relating to application for abatement for 2008 taxes by Vernon and Edna Ellenson, 723 South 18th Street, with recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners that application be approved as submitted.
It was moved by Council Member Christensen and seconded by Council Member Glassheim that the recommendation be approved and further that we adopt the findings, conclusions and recommendations as prepared by the city attorney. Carried 7 votes affirmative.
APPROVE COST PARTICIPATION, CONSTRUCTION AND
MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT FOR PROJECT NO. 6405,
CONCRETE PANEL REPLACEMENT ON CHERRY STREET,
FEDERAL AID PROJECT
The staff report from the engineering department relating to Cost Participation, Construction and Maintenance Agreement for Project No. 6405, Concrete Panel Replacement, Pavement Marking and Mill and Overlay on Cherry Street (25th Avenue South to 47th Avenue South), Federal Project No. STM-SU-6-986(089)093, with recommendation to approve the Agreement with the NDDOT for Project No. 6405.
It was moved by Council Member Christensen and seconded by Council Member Glassheim that this recommendation be approved. Upon call for the question and upon voice vote, the following voted "aye": Council Members Bjerke, McNamara, Glassheim, Gershman, Christensen, Bakken, Kreun - 7; voting "nay": none. Mayor Brown declared the motion carried and the agreement approved.
APPROVE COST PARTICIPATION, CONSTRUCTION AND
MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT FOR PROJECT NO. 6425,
CONCRETE PANEL REPLACEMENT ON 13TH AVENUE
SOUTH, FEDERAL AID PROJECT
The staff report from the engineering department relating to Cost Participation, Construction and Maintenance Agreement for Project No.6425, Concrete Panel Replacement, Mill and Overlay and Incidentals on 13th Avenue South (South 20th Street to Cherry Street), Federal Project No.
STM-SU-6-986(097)101, with recommendation to approve the Agreement with the NDDOT for Project No. 6425.
It was moved by Council Member Christensen and seconded by Council Member Glassheim that this recommendation be approved. Upon call for the question and upon voice vote, the following voted "aye": Council Members Bjerke, McNamara, Glassheim, Gershman, Christensen, Bakken, Kreun - 7; voting "nay": none. Mayor Brown declared the motion carried and the agreement approved.
APPROVE COST PARTICIPATION, CONSTRUCTION AND
MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT FOR PROJECT NO. 6476,
SHARED USE PATH ON 42ND STREET, FEDERAL AID
PROJECT
The staff report from the engineering department relating to Cost Participation, Construction and Maintenance Agreement for Project No. 6476, Shared Use Path on 42nd Street, Federal Project No. STM-TEU-6-986(100)104, with recommendation to approve the Agreement with the NDDOT for Project No. 6476.
It was moved by Council Member Kreun and seconded by Council Member Glassheim that this recommendation be approved. Upon call for the question and upon voice vote, the following voted "aye": Council Members McNamara, Glassheim, Gershman, Christensen, Bakken, Kreun - 6; voting "nay": Council Member Bjerke - 1. Mayor Brown declared the motion carried and the agreement approved.
APPROVE QUIET ZONE IMPLEMENTATION
The staff report from the traffic engineer relating to quiet zone implementation, with recommendation to authorize staff to prepare and distribute letter of intent, prepare and submit NDDOT Highway - Rail Safety Project Grant Application.
It was moved by Council Member Christensen and seconded by Council Member Glassheim that this recommendation be approved. Carried 7 votes affirmative.
APPROVE APPLICATION BY CRACKERS, INC. FOR
RENEWAL OF 2010 LIQUOR LICENSE
The staff report from the Police Department, Community Resource Bureau, relating to review of 2010 renewal of liquor license for Crackers, Inc. (dba Campus Liquors, Down Under Pub, Sensations Night Club and Celebrity Ball Room), with recommendation to be determined after a review of information provided in the staff report.
It was moved by Council Member Bakken and seconded by Council Member Kreun to approve the 2010 alcoholic beverage license for Crackers, Inc.
Council Member Gershman asked to be recused from voting on this matter, and it was so moved by Council Members Bakken and Glassheim. Carried 6 votes affirmative.
Council Member McNamara stated he was concerned that people come before council and claim ignorance when making mistakes (on the application for license) and doesn't see that as being a good steward of the license if they can't take the time to complete the forms appropriately.
Upon call for the question and upon voice vote, the motion carried 5 votes affirmatively, Council Member McNamara voting against the motion, and Council Member Gershman recused.
APPROVE BILL LISTING AND ESTIMATE SUMMARY
Vendor Payment Listing No. 10-01, dated December 31, 2009, totaling $1,020,377.14 and Estimate Summary dated December 31, 2009 in the amount of $1,157,794.88 were presented and read.
It was moved by Council Member Bakken and seconded by Council Member Glassheim that these bills and estimates 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, Bakken, Kreun - 7; voting "nay": none. Mayor Brown declared the motion carried and the bills ordered paid.
COMMENTS BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL
1) Council Member Bjerke stated there was notice from Pete Haga re. immigration meeting and that he would like additional information on this matter.
2) Council Member McNamara expressed appreciation for work done by the street department, that Mr. Aubol does great job in keeping public informed and his staff did excellent job. Several other council members also expressed appreciation to street department staff.
3) Council Member Glassheim reported he had seen some snowmobile tracks on the dike and in greenway and wants to be sure we are tracking that so don't have problems. Mr. Christensen echoed matter re. snowmobiles and not to get lax on enforcement of the ordinance, and asked for report from Chief Packett on that issue. It was also noted that enforcement of snowmobiles could be affected by personnel available.
4) Council Member Kreun expressed appreciation for the Celebrate the Night event held at the Alerus Center, that the Alerus Center also had other events during that time, great utilization of the facility.
Mayor Brown reported there will be an Alerus Center Task Force meeting this coming Thursday at 5:00 p.m. in the council chambers and anyone interested can attend.
ADJOURN
It was moved by Council Member Bjerke and seconded by Council Member Glassheim that we adjourn. Carried 7 votes affirmative.
Respectfully submitted,
Saroj Jerath
City Auditor
Approved:
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Michael R. Brown, Mayor