Council Minutes

Minutes of Grand Forks City Council/Committee of the Whole
Monday, February 22, 2010 - 5:30 p.m._________________ __

The City Council met as the Committee of the Whole on Monday, February 22, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers in City Hall with Mayor Brown presiding. Present at roll call were Council Members Bjerke, McNamara, Glassheim, Gershman (teleconference), Christensen, Kreun - 6; absent: Council Member Bakken - 1.

Mayor Brown commented on various items during the past week and upcoming events:
Congratulations to local Olympians, the Women's Hockey team is outstanding and men's team also was good last night.
Thanks to everyone for their support of continuing or starting discussion of major topics from last week's State of the City address, is an ambitious agenda for 2010 but have people in place to see positive results and thanked them for their participation.

Patrick Dame, executive director of Grand Forks International Airport, thanked council for last week's vote on the support of the Airport Drive project, apologized for not being in attendance at the meeting, but that he and Mr. Gershman were after some additional air service for our community, but wanted opportunity to say on behalf of the Authority, thank you for your support of the Airport Authority and of the projects that they are currently looking at for Airport Drive. He also stated that after having opportunity to have conversation with Maury Gallagher, President/CEO of Allegiant Air, was asked to pass along to the city leaders what a great job Grand Forks is doing in the Allegiant Air market, hope to see some additional service from them in the future.

2.1 Bids for Project No. 6530, 2010 Flood Preparation Assistance.
There were no comments.

2.2 Construction, Engineering Services Agreement for Project No. 6405.1, Concrete Panel Replacement with Mill and Overlay on Cherry Street from 25th Ave.S. to 47th Ave.S.__
There were no comments.

2.3 Plans and specifications for Project No. 6101, Dist. 642, Paving S. 48th Street from 16th Ave.S. to 32nd Ave.S. and Project No. 6101.4, Dist. 466, Storm Sewer and Drainage on S. 48th St. from 17th Ave.S. to 32nd Ave.S._
There were no comments.

2.4 Utility Relocation Agreement with Nodak Electric Cooperative for Proj. No. 6101, Dist. 642, Paving S. 48th St. from 16th Ave.S. to 32nd Ave.S and Proj. No. 6101.4, Dist. 466, Storm Sewer and Drainage on S. 48th St. from 17th Ave.S. to 32nd Ave.S.
There were no comments.

2.5 Easements to Grand Forks County Water Resource District for portions of Legal Drain #9 relocated during Proj. No. 6101, Dist. 642, Paving S. 48th St. from 16th Ave.S. to 32nd Ave.S. and Proj. No. 6101.4, Dist. 466, Storm Sewer and Drainage on S. 48th St. from 17th Ave.S. to 32nd Ave.S.
There were no comments.

2.6 2010 police vehicle bids.
There were no comments.
2.7 Rehabilitation of 614 Seventh Ave.S., 606 Reeves Drive, and 722 University Avenue.
Council Member Bjerke stated he would be voting no on this item next week as he does not think it is appropriate to spend federal taxpayer dollars to remodel houses.

2.8 Redevelopment of City-owned lots at 1432, 1510 and 1517 Chestnut Street.
Council Member Christensen reported he had received call from individuals today regarding the difference in pricing, that they had discussed their issues with Mr. Hoover and no need to address this.

2.9 Discussion of Alerus Center Commission structure.
Council Member Gershman stated that the Task Force reported that it would be good to look at members at large and doing away with criteria of having individuals relating to specific businesses or organizations, etc. and is also a recommendation of the Commission. Since it is an ordinance change, that will take more time and because there was consensus of the task force to do that and should get that moving.

Council Member Christensen stated at the next meeting would ask Mr. Swanson to start drafting ordinance to implement those provisions of the task force, and all, except Mr. Bjerke, agreed that should be done, the Commission was in favor of expanding the Alerus Commission to a 6-member body at large with a city council person being appointed, 3-year terms and 2 term limits and should move forward on that so can appoint more people to the Commission.

Council Member Kreun stated that they had received letter from their new chairman asking that a position be appointed because there is a vacancy that does meet the requirements in place and does not affect any of the changes they are proposing; another thing they would want to do was to change the chair of the Commission so would not be the council member. One of the things they would like Mr. Swanson to look at as well besides the 7 member with ex officio of University person.

Mayor Brown stated re. vacancy, will speak to people this week and notify council of his recommendation so can vote on that at next council meeting. It was noted that if someone from the public wishes to apply to call the Mayor's Office prior to 5:00 p.m. on Friday for considera-tion. Info Center will see that information is available to the public.

3. INFORMATION ITEMS

3.1 2010 Flood update.
Al Grasser, city engineer, presented information received from the Weather Service, maps showing soil moisture for the Red River Valley, maps showing snow/water equivalent and action that would be taken at various levels of the River. It was noted that last year's water level was just under 50 ft. and that the current flood outlook is likely to see same event as last year; no date prospective from Weather Service, normally between mid and late April.

Council Member Bjerke stated that based on last year and evaluated what we did last year and assuming will do things a little differently this year and maintain safety and cost containment. Mr. Grasser stated that will look at probabilistic forecasts, the one we do have - that we have about 1.5% chance of an elevation that exceeds the top of our levies. Mr. Bjerke stated we had one of those last year too, and Mr. Grasser stated we want to pay close attention to that. Mr. Bjerke stated we should have learned some lessons from last year especially if it is anywhere close to where it was last year - we have a ballpark figure, around 50 ft., and looking to be around that figure. He stated they will have a briefing next week at Service/Safety Comm. where we are with the County.

6. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS

1) Council Member McNamara made a personal comment - that someone took the flags from the front of his house over the weekend - a 3x5 Marine Corps flag and a 3x5 American flag, both have tremendous sentimental value and if anybody know where they are, would appreciate bringing them someplace - police department, his house, etc.

2) Council Member Glassheim thanked the kids at Wilder and Winship Schools for giving each of you Valentines - they made Valentines for many people in the neighborhood, and thanked principals, teachers and kids.

3) Council Member Kreun stated we appreciate the thought from the kids in the Near Northend.

ADJOURN

It was moved by Council Member Glassheim and seconded by Council Member Bjerke that we adjourn. Carried 6 votes affirmative.

Respectfully submitted,



Saroj Jerath
City Auditor