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Council Minutes

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
September 8, 2009

The city council of the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota met in the council chambers in City Hall on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at the hour of 5:30 o’clock p.m. with Mayor Brown presiding. Present at roll call were Council Members Bjerke, McNamara, Glassheim, Gershman, Christensen, Bakken, Kreun - 7; absent: none.

Ali Borgen led the city council in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. (Ali stated she attends Valley Middle School, that she had cancer, leukemia, which is in remission). Mayor Brown reported that September, 2009 is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and read a proclamation.

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

Mayor Brown reported there were five city employees who have reached employment milestones and recognized the following employees and thanked them for their dedication:
Branden Bartholomew, planning and right of way officer in the engineering department, 35 years
Terri Newman, administrative specialist with Municipal Court, 25 years
Dave Brose as lead operator with water treatment plant, 15 years
Linda Kuntz, accounts payable technician in finance department, 10 years
Cheryl Lillebridge, accounting technician in urban development department, 10 years

AMEND COUNCIL AGENDA

Mayor Brown reported that the item relating to amendment to the Event Center Commission ordinance has been pulled from the agenda.

Mayor Brown asked that after talking with Judge Eslinger that the council table the item relating to the nomination of alternate judge, that they have 3 applicants for the position of alternate judge. It was moved by Council Member Gershman and seconded by Council Member Glassheim that this item be tabled for two weeks. Carried 7 votes affirmative.

ADOPT RESOLUTIONS AUTHORIZING ISSUANCE AND
SALE OF VARIOUS BONDS ISSUES AND CALLING FOR
PUBLIC SALE

The staff report from the finance department relating to resolutions authorizing the issuance and sale of $9,040,000 Sanitation Reserve Revenue Bonds, Series 2009A; $3,755,000 Sewer Reserve Revenue and Refunding Bonds, Series 2009B; $8,095,000 Refunding Improvement Refunding Bonds, Series 2009C, and $6,015,000 Water Reserve Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2009D; and call for the public sale thereof; with recommendation approving the resolutions authorizing the issuance and sale of the Bonds; and set sale date of September 28, 2009.

It was moved by Council Member Gershman and seconded by Council Member Kreun that this recommendation be approved. Carried 7 votes affirmative.

ADOPT RESOLUTION RELATING TO SANITATION
RESERVE REVENUE BONDS, SERIES 2009A; AND CALL
FOR PUBLIC SALE THEREOF

Council Member Gershman introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: Document No. 9231 - Resolution.

The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Council Member Kreun and upon vote being taken thereon the following voted in favor: Council Members Bjerke, McNamara, Glassheim, Gershman, Bakken, Kreun - 7; and the following voted against the same: none; whereupon the resolution was declared passed and adopted and was signed by the Mayor and his signature attested by the City Auditor.

ADOPT RESOLUTION RELATING TO SEWER RESERVE
AND REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2009B; AND CALL FOR
PUBLIC SALE THEREOF

Council Member Gershman introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: Document No. 9232 - Resolution.

The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Council Member Kreun and upon vote being taken thereon the following voted in favor: Council Members Bjerke, McNamara, Glassheim, Gershman, Bakken, Kreun - 7; and the following voted against the same: none; whereupon the resolution was declared passed and adopted and was signed by the Mayor and his signature attested by the City Auditor.

ADOPT RESOLUTION RELATING TO REFUNDING
IMPROVEMENT REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2009C; AND
CALL FOR THE SALE THEREOF

Council Member Gershman introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: Document No. 9233 - Resolution.

The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Council Member Kreun and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor: Council Members Bjerke, McNamara, Glassheim, Gershman, Christensen, Bakken, Kreun - 7; and the following voted against the same: none; whereupon the resolution was declared duly passed and adopted and was signed by the Mayor and his signature attested by the City Auditor.

` ADOPT RESOLUTION RELATING TO WATER RESERVE
REVENUE REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2009D; AND CALL
FOR THE SALE THEREOF

Council Member Gershman introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: Document No. 9234 - Resolution.
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Council Member Kreun and upon vote being taken thereon the following voted in favor: Council Members Bjerke, McNamara, Glassheim, Gershman, Christensen, Bakken, Kreun - 7; ands the following voted against the same: none; whereupon the resolution was declared passed and adopted and was signed by the Mayor and his signature attested by the City Auditor.

APPROVE JOHNSON FARMS LAND BUY BACK

The staff report from the engineering department relating to Johnson Farms land buy-back, with recommendation to approve sale of Lot 1, Block 1, T.J.'s Second Addition to Johnson Farms as per previous negotiations.

It was moved by Council Member Gershman and seconded by Council Member Kreun that this recommendation be approved. Upon call for the question and upon roll call vote, the following voted "aye": Council Members Bjerke, McNamara, Glassheim, Gershman, Christensen, Bakken, Kreun - 7; voting "nay": none. Mayor Brown declared the motion carried.

ADOPT RESOLUTION APPROVING PLANS AND
SPECIFICATIONS AND ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS,
STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 6272, DISTRICT NO. 99

The city engineer's estimate of total cost of the reconstruction of Cherry Street from 17th Avenue South to 25th Avenue South, in the amount of $ , was presented and read.

The staff report from the engineering department relating to plans and specifications for Project No. 6272, District No. 99, Cherry Street reconstruction from 17th Avenue South to 25th Avenue South, with recommendation to approve plans and specifications for this construction and further that the city auditor be directed to advertise for bids on the project.

Council Member Gershman introduced the following resolution which was presented and read: Document No. 9235 - Resolution.

It was moved by Council Member Gershman and seconded by Council Member Kreun that the recommendation be approved and that the resolution approving the plans and specifications be adopted. Carried 7 votes affirmative.

APPROVE RENEWAL OF AGREEMENTS FOR WIRELESS
COMMUNICATION PREMISES

The staff report from the director of public works relating to matter of wireless communication premises site lease agreements renewal and addendum, with recommendation to approve the wireless communication premises site lease agreements renewal and addendum with Alltel Corporation and Sprint Nextel Corporation for the Viking Water Tower as prescribed and authorize the proper City officials to draft and sign the Wireless Communication Premises Site Lease Agreements Renewal and Addendum.

Todd Feland, director of Public Works, reported he had revised the staff report to reflect the requests on behalf of city council from year 2011 to 2016 with price per month of $1500 and from 2016 to 2021 at the recommended $2500 per month.
It was moved by Council Member Gershman and seconded by Council Member Glassheim that this recommendation be approved. Upon call for the question and upon roll call vote, the following voted "aye": Council Members Glassheim, Gershman, Christensen, Bakken, Kreun - 5; voting "nay": Council Members Bjerke, McNamara - 2. Mayor Brown declared the motion carried.

APPROVE AGREEMENT FOR WATER TREATMENT
TECHNOLOGY TOURS, PRELIMINARY PILOT STUDY, AND
PRELIMINARY FUNDING DEVELOPMENT

The staff report from the director of public works relating to agreement for the Grand Forks Water Treatment technology tours, preliminary pilot study planning, and preliminary funding development, with recommendation to authorize the City of Grand Forks to enter into an agreement with Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc. (AE2S) in the amount of $306,314.00 for services to complete the Grand Forks Water Treatment technology tours, preliminary pilot study planning, and preliminary funding development, subject to the city attorney's office review and approval of the agreement.

It was moved by Council Member Gershman and seconded by Council Member Kreun that this recommendation be approve. Upon call for the question and upon roll call vote, the following voted "aye": Council Members Bjerke, McNamara, Glassheim, Gershman, Christensen, Bakken, Kreun - 7; voting "nay": none. Mayor Brown declared the motion carried.

APPROVE PRELIMINARY BUDGET FOR 2010

The staff report from the finance department relating to the preliminary budget of the City of Grand Forks for 2010, with recommendation to give preliminary approval to the budget for the City of Grand Forks for the period January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010.

Mayor Brown stated that the matter of 15th Avenue South would be pulled from the budget and not up for discussion tonight.

There was some discussion relative to the Convention and Visitors Bureau and it was noted that they are receiving the motel and room tax and getting the full 3%. Council Member Christensen stated that the City is collecting 3% on rooms in the city, that 2% goes to CVB and 1% was collected for a period of 15 years to amortize the bonds which the City sold to pay for the facility that the CVB operates on Highway 2; those bonds were paid off in February of this year, and in the 2009 budget it appears that they increased their expenditures based upon the additional revenue that they would be collecting from the 1% tax ($230,000) and used for tourism, promotion or buildings; and would like the extra 1% to be reviewed. .
He stated that they also have $391,000 in a reserve account that hasn't been designated, that the CVB has presented a 15-year plan for the repairs and maintenance of their facility and in 2010 looking for $103,000 - that there is more than enough money to cover the maintenance of the facility out of the $391,000 and to help them with that for the next 2 to 3 years - in 2004 City advanced $225,000 to CVB to help with additional needs. At that time suggested that it is appropriate time for the council to review issues of cooperation and communication and look at how they spend the additional sales tax dollars they are collecting and to address the future amount that they will be receiving when the Canad Inns is no longer exempt from paying the sales tax, that there will be an additional $85,000/year that will be available for the CVB in 3 years, and have not addressed the other 2 motels that have been built and perhaps a third one will be built this year. .
Council Member Christensen moved that the City doesn't take the money away from CVB but market the additional sales tax revenue and the money we have in the reserve fund, account 3116-001.10 of $391,000 and that those items be reviewed before we make a final determination as to how the money in the account 3116 is spent and how much of the additional 1% would be allocated to CVB. Council Member McNamara seconded the motion.

Council Member Glassheim moved to amend the motion by substituting the following, that we give preliminary approval to the CVB budget as presented with the understanding that the 3% lodging tax will go to the CVB. Council Member Bakken seconded the motion.

Council Member Glassheim stated that the CVB is the organization with the broadest capacity to promote the city, the money comes from the motels which have an interest in more events than just the Alerus, but the CVB is getting the money more broadly and applying it more broadly and seems appropriate that they keep it. Another factor is that when you look at the comparative budgets with Fargo and Bismarck, etc. we are at disadvantage in promotion and this money is useful and needed and will do the job that want it to do which is to attract people to events and conventions, shopping, etc. and hopes there will be support for the motion

Council Member Gershman stated that at previous meeting Ms. Rygg stated that once the bonds were paid they wouldn't be coming back to the City when times become little tight; that Fargo paid their bonds off on their building and the City of Fargo allowed them to keep that money to promote, but when have Fargo, St. Cloud, Bismarck, etc. which are competitors being so much ahead of us, not to say that the discussion shouldn't take place, but would be in favor of Mr. Glassheim's motion.

Council Member Bjerke asked what plan to use $391,000 to make sure your building is properly maintained - and want to go on the record that they are going to maintain their building, and they are willing to take this money and set it aside and maintain their building. Julie Rygg, CVB, stated that they absolutely plan to maintain their building, have done it on their limited budget thus far, and have received beautification awards for their building and operate a full service visitors center for the State of MN as well as the State of ND and is their intent to keep building as a top priority for them.

Council Member McNamara stated it behooves us to study it and if need to make certain percentage flexible because of variables that can't qualify now, thinks Mr. Christensen's motion has merit, and should do more detailed study and support Mr. Christensen's motion.

Council Member Christensen stated that if passed Mr. Glassheim's motion, it would tie the hands of future councils as far as taking back the 1%; that in April of 2012 CVB will get the revenue from the Canad Inns which est. is $100,000; that the council allocates $112,000 for Special Events and $107,000 for the Arts, that part of the money we give to CVB they reallocate and overlay there to some of the same things we allocate money to - understands that the CVB buys conventions - that the only convention center in the city is the Alerus Center - there might be some motels that have meeting rooms and may cater to travel tours - that is not taking any of the money away from CVB to buy down convention at the Holiday Inn or Ramada Inn, but is that appropriate - this is public money and have a public facility and if buying down convention for private business is appropriate - these are some of the things we should review and make sure what we are doing with all the dollars collected is prudent and effective.

July Rygg, CVB, stated there have been overlaps in special events, that when the applicants are able to show that they are going to use the marketing for people from out of town, that for the 4th of July celebration which is a local event, they committed certain portion of advertising that they were doing in Canada since it occurred during the same weekend as the Canada long weekend, that they did fund in their program this year to help bring in actors from out of town as well as promote two shows and that is when you see an overlap, when they are working to bring people from out of town.
With regard to buying conventions - they do not buy conventions - they have sponsorship dollars for conventions and majority of those dollars are to get people into the Alerus Center, that conventions across the state are mostly held in hotels and meeting space is much less and in efforts to get people into that facility, do offer sponsorship dollars and hope they will use those dollars to make their conference unique and to keep them coming back.
With regard to the car rental tax, there was a car rental company that has commented that the airport was not getting promotion from CVB, that they promote the community as a whole. When the airport and Economic Development were going before Allegiant Airlines to make a presentation to come here, they were asked to do research, they did it and helped to make that successful bid for Allegiant Airlines to come here.
Regarding new motels coming on line and Canad Inns in 2.5 to 3 years, they should pay a lodging tax and are promoting them just like any other hotel, and with new motels, more work for them to do more promotion, spending more, doing more, and just because new motels coming in place, is a substitute for the additional 1% tax.

It was noted that each council can make decisions each time the budget comes through, but is a statement of commitment by this council to the 3%, that if things change in the future and if a lodging tax brings in additional monies and have more money than needed. Ms. Rygg stated that administrative costs are on the low end but could affect staffing, could affect t.v. advertising in Canada, some print advertising could be less effective for them, and cannot be as competitive with the communities that are closest to us, trying to generate just as many people as Fargo and we have facilities that can outperform Fargo's facility. She stated they do share their annual audit with the City.

Upon call for the question on the amendment and upon roll call vote, the following voted "aye": Council Members Bjerke, Glassheim, Gershman, Bakken, Kreun - 5; voting "nay": Council Members McNamara, Christensen - 2. Mayor Brown declared the motion carried.

Upon call for the question as amended and upon roll call, the following voted "aye": Council Members Bjerke, Glassheim, Gershman, Bakken, Kreun - 5; voting "nay": Council Members McNamara, Christensen - 2. Mayor Brown declared the motion carried.

Council Member Bjerke made several comments, that he is for limited government, less services and is not on a personal basis, but have different views, and if do not limit or change services will have to raise taxes and fees; and reported that he had several motions that he had prepared for the council's consideration.

1) Council Member Bjerke presented request that CVB, Humane Society and the Library present their budgets to the Mayor and Council every year. (This is to make sure that we have all the information and that the mayor and council are informed on those budgets for more accountability and transparency issues, and if not presentation but have documents presented to them.) The motion was seconded by Council Member Christensen.

Council Member Gershman stated that this council has in the last 10 years reduced the mills by 28 mills and that translates into $4 million of operating revenue that we don't have to manage this city, and when talk about efficiencies and cutting, have done a lot of that, and what we are doing this year by transferring funds and taking capital reserves, cutting overtimes, etc. and that council stated they did not want to raise mills this year and staff worked very hard to find $1.4 in shortfall, cannot do that next year, and willing to look at everything next year but doesn't know that we are going to find additional cuts in services to cover that - important to notice that this city is operating with $4 million less each year.

Howard Swanson, city attorney, stated he understands that Council Member Bjerke is adopting a policy which requires the CVB, Humane Society and Library present their approved budgets to the council; the council has no authority whatsoever to interfere with the budgeting process of the Library, that is vested statutorily in their board of directors, they have exclusive approval rights. The Humane Society is a non-profit organization which the City does not control either, CVB is different but that your request is and which is within your realm of requesting it, you are asking for informational material from each of those bodies, that the Library has to statutorily make an annual report by July 1 of each year to the city council.

Council Member Glassheim stated he has concerns, that these are not functions of the city, if the motion is simply to get the reports and discuss recognizing that they have their own board of directors, not created by the council, and if do understand that, a conversation with suggestions back and forth seems to be useful activity - supporting motion because sharing of that information seems to be appropriate but have self-restraint after get the information.

Upon call for the question, and upon voice vote, the motion carried 7 votes affirmative.

2) Motion to reduce the mill levy for Noxious Weeds to .01 and to increase the General Fund amount to 73.35, as have a 20-year reserve in that fund. Council Member Glassheim seconded the motion.

The question was asked whether we have the power to allocate the money from the Noxious Weeds to the General Fund by budget amendment during the year. Mr. Swanson stated he believes it is a specified or itemized mill levy and without an opportunity to review, not in a position to render an opinion. He stated that preliminary approval of a budget does allow you to make changes to that budget in subsequent meetings as long as they are either revenue neutral or reduction, cannot increase; and would review whether balance be transferred to the General Fund and can lower the amount of the mill; and if by lowering the amount of the mill would still allocate that use for Noxious Weeds - would review that. Council Member Bjerke stated he would withdraw his motion

3) Moved to include Public Buildings in the CIP that are not currently being covered. That the Police, Public Safety building, fire stations, City Hall, etc. should be included in the CIP with some type of schedule for those buildings, how much money they spend would be debated every year and be a part of the CIP planning process, no money being spent but asking finance department to include this in their budget presentation. Council Member Christensen seconded the motion.

Upon call for the question and upon voice vote, the motion carried 7 votes affirmative.

4) Motion to delete from this Fund the Special Events money (and want that rolled over into the CVB as they will have extra money and let them take care of that, the purpose of those events is economic development, they will have additional money.) Council Member McNamara seconded the motion.

Council Member Gershman stated that they have a committee which reviews Special Events applications and committee well represented and they see that the CVB lets us know if there is a cross over.

Upon call for the question and upon roll call vote, the following voted "aye": Council Members Bjerke, McNamara - 2; voting "nay": Council Members Glassheim, Gershman, Christensen, Bakken, Kreun - 5. Mayor Brown declared the motion failed.

5) Same motion as previous motion - to delete from this Fund the Arts money. Council Member McNamara seconded the motion.

Upon call for the question and upon roll call vote, the following voted "aye": Council Members Bjerke, McNamara - 2; voting "nay": Council Members Glassheim, Gershman, Christensen, Bakken, Kreun - 5. Mayor Brown declared the motion failed.

6) Motion to delete transfer to JDA for loans, $400,000. The motion died for lack of a second.

7) Motion that the $249,500 for land acquisition to delete from the JDA budget. Council Member McNamara seconded the motion.

Council Member Christensen stated that the money that is being repaid to JDA Fund, that this is a bookkeeping transfer, moving from 2163 Sales Tax dollars and allocate to JDA.

Upon call for the question and upon roll call vote, the following voted "aye": Council Members Bjerke, McNamara - 2; voting "nay": Council Members Glassheim, Gershman, Christensen, Bakken, Kreun - 5. Mayor Brown declared the motion failed.

8) Motion re. Alerus shortfall - Alerus gets almost $400,000/year in the quarter cent sales tax, and moved to delete that from the budget. Council Member McNamara seconded the motion.

Upon call for the question and upon roll call, the following voted "aye": Council Members Bjerke, McNamara - 2; voting "nay": Council Members Glassheim, Gershman, Christensen, Bakken, Kreun - 5. Mayor Brown declared the motion failed.

9) Motion re. TSA Grant, that the Airport was going to start that in 2010, and moved to delete that from the budget. Council Member Christensen seconded the motion.

Upon call for the question and upon roll call vote, the following voted "aye": Council Members Bjerke, McNamara, Glassheim, Gershman, Christensen, Bakken, Kreun - 7. Mayor Brown declared the motion carried.

10) Council Member Bjerke stated there was discussion about the Alerus being an Enterprise Fund, and if so treat it like one, that they should be reimbursing the General Fund same as other Enterprise Funds, i.e., general fund money would not be used to subsidize that building, so when police, streets or finance departments are doing work for the Alerus, those are General Fund entities and should be reimbursed from the Alerus - and that on a monthly basis whenever General Fund entities perform work, send Alerus Center a monthly bill and that they reimburse the City - Motion would be for the City to bill the Alerus Center monthly for all General Fund expenditures provided to the Alerus. Council Member McNamara seconded the motion.
Council Member McNamara questioned why Alerus using services but not reimbursing the City. Council Member Kreun stated that is the way it was originally set up in 1999 and 2000 - that anytime the police are inside the building they are paid, if they direct traffic outside it is no different than other events; as far as accounting all of the payroll, etc. is done by VenueWorks. The city auditor stated that there haven't been any overhead expenses which we get reimbursed from the Alerus, except the audit fee. Mr. Kreun stated that as far as streets and special assessments are taken care of, the only thing is the overhead expenses not been reimbursed,

There were several comments that the Alerus belongs to the City, and if City wants to bill them, the Commission will bill the City for all the things it does over there - need to promote the Alerus and support it and thousands of people use the Alerus on free events.

Upon call for the question of whether treat the Alerus as an Enterprise Fund and bill monthly for general fund expenses, and upon roll call vote, the following voted "aye": Council Member Bjerke - 1; and the following voted "nay": Council Members McNamara, Glassheim, Gershman, Christensen, Bakken, Kreun - 6. Mayor Brown declared the motion failed.

11) Council Member Bjerke stated that signal improvements at 11th Avenue South and 42nd, and that 42nd Street was developed because of the Alerus, and to take capital money from the Alerus Fund to do the signal and take the $200,000 of City money and use for other projects and moved to delete the City's share of that project and replace that with Capital money from the Alerus Fund.
Council Member McNamara seconded the motion.

Council Member McNamara asked the city attorney if that is an appropriate use of the capital funds out of the Alerus Fund. Mr. Swanson stated he is not in a position to render an opinion on that without consulting bond counsel. Council Member Bjerke asked that Mr. Swanson obtain that information and forward that information to council members.

Upon call for the question and upon roll call the following voted "aye": Council Member Bjerke - 1; and the following voted "nay": Council Members McNamara, Glassheim, Gershman, Christensen, Bakken, Kreun - 6. Mayor Brown declared the motion failed.

12) Comments by Council Member Bjerke re. bikeway on 42nd Street (from 11th to 17th Ave.S.) and questioned spending money on bikepaths with federal money, and moved to delete the bikepath on South 42nd Street. The motion died for lack of a second.

13) Comments by Council Member Bjerke re. bikeway on South Washington Street, motion died for lack of a second.

14) Council Member Bjerke stated his next comment was re. recycling, that we spend $100/ton to get rid of trash, spend $187/ton get rid of recyclables and only have one-third of the people doing this and still spending $400,000/yr. and 63% of the people say they don't care about it, but we continue doing it, and moved to end recycling on December 31, 2009. The motion died for lack of a second.

Todd Feland, director of public works, stated that an average of 30% of residential units recycle on a given week, varies in different neighborhoods, and when made surveys around 70% of people stated they do recycle at least once a month - recycling is done every other week and lot of people do this once a month.

15) Council Member Bjerke stated under uses of funds, re. landscaping and property management, and that this sounds like beautification (mowing, flower beds, trimming, pesticide application, adopt-a-street program, maintain benches, setting up and tearing down downtown events at no cost, clean up downtown trash, banners, etc.) and thinks duplication, either have to trim or raise and so far trimmed $13,000, and moved to delete landscaping from the budget. The motion died for lack of a second.

Council Member Bjerke made closing remarks, thanks to finance department for their assistance; and stated that he believes in individual responsibility, personal accountability, and that at the last budget meeting there were some scenarios brought to them, one was looking at services and that he made an attempt to reduce services and lost them except for the $13,000 which had already been promised.
He noted various items that the council is going to look at - mill levy for fire station and 5.2 mills that already have to be made up, quarter cent sales tax for roads, utility rates for increased expenditure and third dike special assessment - should look at travel, organizations that the City belongs to and administrative costs, need to look at charging for special events and being consistent, and need to have discussion with the County re. road money, need to examine street sweeping, leaves, yard waste, public transportation - that the question the citizens of Grand Forks need to know is either look at cutting services or taxes and utility rates and sales tax will be going up. That he put forth his plan and the rest of the council has theirs.

It was moved by Council Member Gershman and seconded by Council Member Bakken to approve the recommendation, as amended, to give preliminary approval to the budget for the City of Grand Forks for the period January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010. Upon call for the question and upon voice vote, the motion carried 6 votes affirmative, Council Member Bjerke voting against the motion.

APPROVE BILL LISTING AND ESTIMATE SUMMARY

Vendor Payment Listing No. 09-17, dated September 2, 2009, totaling $1,600,865.17 and Estimate Summary dated August 31, 2009 in the amount of $2,509,355.80, were presented and read.

It was moved by Council Member Gershman and seconded by Council Member Bakken 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.

APPROVE MINUTES AUGUST 17, 2009

Typewritten copies of the minutes of the city council held on Monday, August 17, 2009 were presented and read. Council Member Bjerke reported several corrections to the minutes in the various roll calls, and moved approval of the minutes with corrections, seconded by Council Member Gershman that the minutes be approved as corrected. Carried 7 votes affirmative.

COMMENTS BY COUNCIL MEMBERS

1) Council Member Gershman reported that tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. at the Airport have an announcement about increased service for our region and the Grand Forks International Airport, will be good news, very proud of the Airport Authority and all of the work that went into that. .

ADJOURN

It was moved by Council Member Gershman and seconded by Council Member Kreun that we adjourn. Carried 7 votes affirmative.

Respectfully submitted,

Saroj Jerath
City Auditor

Approved:
________________________________
Michael R. Brown, Mayor