Council Minutes
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
November 2, 2009
The city council of the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota met in the council chambers in City Hall on Monday, November 2, 2009 at the hour of 5:30 o’clock p.m. with Mayor Brown presiding. Present at roll call were Council Members Bjerke, Glassheim, Gershman, Bakken, Kreun - 5; absent: Council Member McNamara - 1.
Brownie Troop 20441 led the city council in the pledge of allegiance to the flag, Tammy Burris, leader and co-leader, Tina Hoffert. A letter was presented to Mayor Brown outlining some of the details of their activities.
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.
Mayor Brown commented on various items during the past week and upcoming events:
The third leaf pass pickup will be done this week and to please get the leaves on the berm.
Next week will have a setup where council members can paint bowls for the Empty Bowl Contest.
Council Member Christensen reported present.
ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 4281, AMENDING SECTION
2-0402 OF THE GRAND FORKS CITY CODE RELATING
TO SALE OF CITY PROPERTY
An ordinance entitled "An ordinance amending Section 2-0402 of the Grand Forks City Code relating to sale of city property", which had been introduced and passed on its first reading on October 19, 2009, was presented and read for consideration on second reading and final passage.
Howard Swanson, city attorney, reported that this amendment is necessary for City to participate in a HUD funded program and would authorize Urban Development Office to acquire and sell properties according to the Federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program as authorized by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, Public Law 110-289.
Mayor Brown opened the public hearing, there were no comments and the public hearing was closed.
Upon call for the question of adoption of the ordinance and upon roll call vote, the following voted "aye": Council Members Glassheim, Gershman, Christensen, Bakken, Kreun - 5; voting "nay": Council Member Bjerke - 1. Mayor Brown declared the ordinance adopted.
ADOPT RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ISSUANCE
AND SALE OF 2009E REFUNDING IMPROVEMENT
BONDS
The staff report from the finance department relating to resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of 2009E Refunding Improvement Bonds, calling for the public sale thereof, with recommendation to approve resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of Refunding Improvement Bonds, Series 2009E and set sale date of November 16, 2009. It was moved by Council Member Christensen and seconded by Council Member Bjerke that this recommendation be approved.
The city auditor reported that they are issuing special assessment bonds for 2009E in the amount of $2,220,000, that these are bank qualified tax exempt special assessment bonds for a term of 20 years, that special assessments will be collected to pay the debt.
Council Member Christensen introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: Document No. 9242 - Resolution.
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Council Member Bjerke and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor: Council Members Bjerke, Glassheim, Gershman, Christensen, Bakken, Kreun - 6; 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.
APPROVE PLEDGED COLLATERAL REPORT
The staff report from the finance department relating to pledged collateral report, with recommendation to approve the pledged security report.
It was moved by Council Member Gershman and seconded by Council Member Glassheim that this recommendation be approved. Carried 6 votes affirmative.
APPROVE CHANGE ORDER NO. 1 FOR PROJECT NO.
6363.4, FLOOD DAMAGE REPAIR
The staff report from the engineering department relating to Change Order No. 1 for Project No. 6363.4 Flood Damage Repair (Shadyridge Court site), with recommendation to approve the change order in the amount of $13,250.00.
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 voice vote, the motion carried 6 votes affirmative.
AWARD CONTRACT FOR PROJECT NO. 6420, SIGN
REPLACEMENT AT CONTROLLED INTERSECTIONS
CONTINGENT ON NDDOT CONCURRENCE
The staff report from the engineering department relating to bids for Project No. 6420, Sign Replacement at Controlled Intersections, with recommendation to award contract to low bidder, Newman Signs, in the amount of $209,151.76, contingent upon ND Department of Transportation concurrence.
It was moved by Council Member Gershman and seconded by Council Member Glassheim that this recommendation be approved, contingent upon concurrence from the North Dakota Department of Transportation. Upon call for the question and upon voice vote, the motion carried 6 votes affirmative.
APPROVE BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR CARPET
REPLACEMENT FOR CITY HALL
The staff report from Human Resources relating to matter of budget amendment for City Hall carpet replacement, with recommendation to approve budget amendment in the amount of $100,757.00 for replacing City Hall carpeting.
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 voice vote, the motion carried 6 votes affirmative.
APPROVE REAPPOINTMENT TO GROWTH FUND
COMMITTEE
The staff report from Mayor Brown relating to Growth Fund Committee replacement, with recommendation to confirm reappointment of Terry Smith to the Growth Fund Committee.
It was moved by Council Member Gershman and seconded by Council Member Glassheim that this recommendation be approved and the appointment confirmed. Carried 6 votes affirmative.
APPROVE REDEVELOPMENT OF CITY-OWNED
PROPERTY AT 1815 NORTH THIRD STREET
The staff report from the director of Urban Development relating to redevelopment of City-owned lot at 1815 North Third Street, with recommendation to declare the property surplus and authorize staff to issue a Request for Proposals for its redevelopment.
It was moved by Council Member Gershman and seconded by Council Member Glassheim that this recommendation be approved. Carried 6 votes affirmative.
APPROVE BILL LISTING AND ESTIMATE SUMMARY
Vendor Payment Listing No. 09-21, dated October 28, 2009, totaling $1,171,855.93 and Estimate Summary dated October 31, 2009 in the amount of $2,845,492.61, 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, Glassheim, Gershman, Christensen, Bakken, Kreun - 6; voting "nay": none. Mayor Brown declared the motion carried and the bills ordered paid.
APPROVE MINUTES OCTOBER 19, 2009
Typewritten copies of the minutes of the city council held on Monday, October 19, 2009 were presented and read. It was moved by Council Member Bjerke and seconded by Council Member Bakken that the minutes be approved as read. Carried 6 votes affirmative.
COMMENTS BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL
1) Council Member Bakken stated that we are watching our economy and that 2010 won't be much different than the last year, and in planning for economic development we need to bear that in mind and do things within reason.
2) Council Member Kreun asked if Mr. Hoover, director of Urban Development, could give us an update on our NSP (National Stabilization Program) Funds next week to let us know status, as deadline is the end of this month to submit application and how utilize the funds and make sure we don't lose the $4.6 million. Council Member Christensen reported they are going to form that corporation and that on Wednesday if Mr. Hoover would e-mail report to the council of status as that will drive our economic development.
ADJOURN
It was moved by Council Member Gershman and seconded by Council Member Bjerke that we adjourn. Carried 6 votes affirmative.
Respectfully submitted,
Saroj Jerath
City Auditor
Approved:
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Michael R. Brown, Mayor