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Grand Forks City Council Service/Safety Standby Committee
Tuesday, February 16. 2010 - 3:30 p.m.____________________

The Service/Safety Standby Committee met on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 3:37 p.m. in the council chambers in City Hall with Chairman Kreun presiding. Present at roll call were Kreun, Bjerke. There were 4 items on the agenda with change in the agenda to change item 4 to item 2.

Others present included: Al Grasser, Dean Rau, Capt. Kirby, Chief Packett, Chief O'Neill, Mark Walker, Dean Rau, Maureen Storstad, and Ross Lagasse.

1. 2010 police vehicle bids.
Capt. Kirby reported they had received bids for 6 full-size police package sedans (with trade-in) from Nelson Auto Center in Fergus Falls, MN, Hatton Ford, and Whiteside Chevrolet, St. Clairsville, Ohio; all bids met specs. - difference in the low bid between Nelson Auto Center and Hatton Ford was $2500 across the entire bid, and would be their recommendation that Hatton Ford offers a quicker delivery date, 60 to 90 days whereas Fergus Falls indicated 75 to 105 days, and to accept bid of Hatton Ford. Kreun asked if because of specified vehicles if would have to be brought back to the seller for any kind of warranty work, cost for pickup of vehicles, etc. could be additional cost; Capt. Kirby stated they had purchased vehicles from Hatton Ford last year. Motion by Bjerke and Kreun that based upon delivery date to accept bid of Hatton Ford. Motion carried. (This item will be placed on the February 22 committee of the whole agenda.)

4. Sorlie Bridge update.
Al Grasser, city engineer, reported they had received request from NDDoT re. Sorlie
Bridge reconstruction in 2016 and need long lead-time to start PCR, etc.; have identified about $312,000 for the preliminary engineering for the PCR and are asking that the City participate in that. Cost model is 3 phases: Phase 1 is on the ND side for the first $3 million+; the second $3 million+ will involve MN and their entities; and cost after that will be split between the two DOT's; they are spreading the PE out over 6 years so in 2010 anticipating $20,000, 2011 would be $30,000, 2012 would be $50,000. 2013 would be $50,000, 2014 would be $81,000 and 2015 would be about $81,000 - total to about $312,000.
The DOT is still trying to determine if a total reconstruct or if can rehab it, and working on historical issues which is one of the reasons for the long lead-time. Originally were going to the Committee of the Whole for budget amendment but given the low cost for 2010 will do it as an informational item for the committee and will start including numbers in future year's budgets; have been putting some money aside for this project knowing that it would be a big item; money comes out of Infrastructure Fund 2169, which has $800,000 for this project.. He noted they are not considering major rehab. on the Kennedy Bridge (2018). Informational update.

3. DFIRM update.
Mark Walker, assistant city engineer, stated the DFIRM (Digital Flood Insurance Rate
Map) and FEMA's intention is to take their best information and put that into a series of maps that they can put on the internet so people have ability to see whether they are in a flood risk area or not. Some time ago FEMA gave us a copy of a report and number of maps for the City to review along with counties and townships in the area, that the City has done some review, had conversations with FEMA and their consultant and on the 26th of this month is the deadline for submitting comments re. study and maps; City has a number of comments and they will be asking the Mayor to sign a letter to be sent to FEMA. He stated that for most part the City is okay with the study but have some suggestions on how to make the study a little more user friendly and understandable and some comments on the maps - clarifications and corrections re. minor errors. The flood insurance study does take into effect the 2003 study that the Corps did of a study of the Red River from Wahpeton to Emerson, Canada and does include the 2007 study that the Corps did for our LOMR when we were certified out of the 100-year flood plain. Some of the things that will change that are different from the DFIRM maps are in effect right now, curve maps that are basically 1985 vintage and have been amended by the LOMR that was completed after completion of the flood protection project outside of the 100-year floodplain; and those maps consisted of 3 maps that cover most of the area of the city, they have increased the scale of those drawings that the area of the city is now covered by about 15 maps - increased scale to make it easier. Our LOMR stopped at the edge of the flood protection project and these DFIRM's will now continue south and go past Shadyridge, Burke Addn, L & S Subdiv., etc. and that will bring the new 100-year floodplain at a higher elevation based on the 2003 study. Another change is because FEMA uses the most up-to-date information, that we have been accustomed to using the USGS data of 1929, they did a survey study that stated elevation is 830, and in 1988 they did another survey and stated not 830 but is 831.1 and raised it by a foot and a half, and new DFIRM will incorporate the 1988 data so previously when they said 100-year floodplain in your area is 830 and now calling that same elevation 831.1 and will take some explanation.

Kreun asked what is the end result, what is DFIRM going to do for us, and if we will get to one elevation that is used for most calculations. Mr. Walker stated it basically incorporates the same information we previously had with our LOMR, just on a more up to date map and goes farther south and farther north; but won't have one elevation because the River has a slope to it. Grasser stated difficult because all the water records are still on the 1929 data but now have new information. Mr. Walker stated our baseline will stay at 29 and all our construction plans will stay that way, and when we refer to elevations will refer to 29, but when it comes to this will have to recognize there is a difference between elevations and when someone asks about an elevation at a certain location, referring to flood insurance study, will have to convert either the 100-year floodplain down or their elevation up. There is no way to change FEMA to use the 29 data and that all across the nation they are trying to standardize this so don't want to use 29 here and Fargo use something else. Walker stated they are looking at adopting this one, previous one been around since 1985 and if do change it, it might be quite a ways in the future.
We will be in this process for sometime, our comments are due to FEMA the 26th of this month, thereafter they will reply to us in writing and an additional 30 day waiting or comment period and by the time this does take effect it maybe 90 days or more, but as far as an effect for citizens in the city of Grand Forks we are already outside the 100-year floodplain. - our land elevation - average elevation in the city - downtown area around 828 or 829, and in southend 834 or 835, and northend about 828..

2. Paving repair projects on 30th Avenue S., 31st Avenue S. and S. 23rd Street.
Dean Rau, assistant city engineer, reported these roadways were badly affected by frost last year, and presented report showing cost breakdown comparing full reconstruction which would be taking out curb and gutter and roadway and replacing it with 37 ft. concrete and curb and gutter; partial reconstruction with gravel and other reconstruction same except leave the curb and gutter and with gravel put a 10" thickness of gravel to help fill up subgrade with more even consistency and without curb and gutter saves some cost. The curb on these streets is fairly good, but few areas will have to replace because of inlet problems or broken up areas. The other option would be mill and overlay with problem is asphalt is deteriorated and would only last one to two years, and would come back doing major repair. He stated they are looking at partial reconstruction with gravel, with full cost little over 3/4 of million, and City would have to pick up 80%, we received some funds from the State last year and would have little over $1 million set aside for this project - our share would be little over $600,000. City received $1.5 million last year and have obligations put aside for that money, have $1,040,000 left in the fund. Another street they are looking at and will come to the next committee meeting is 18th Street and review at that point. These 4 projects combined would be little under the $1 million. This project because roadways are so close together, there would be overlapping special assessment districts, and looking at doing one district for the entire area, with one engineer's estimate showing cost breakdowns and are looking at a public meeting for residents and property owners next Thursday, February 25, still working on location but trying to get either Schroeder or Red River High School, or Kelly School. Grasser stated because of overlap of districts, would have one district and special assess entire cost.

Bjerke stated he favored partial reconstruction of the area and special assess the entire area. It was noted that the developer put in some of the streets, put in inexpensively and doesn't last, and asked engineer to do some research. It was noted report states cost per benefit is cost per lin. ft., lot of the properties have both frontage and sideage; and will have to go to Special Assessment Commission for determination of benefit.

It was noted this was informational type item to let you know before going to public, will do public meeting next week and will come back to committee on March 22, do Special Assessment Commission meeting first week in April, but wanted to bring to committee to make them aware.

Information only.

5. Comments:

Kreun asked because of snowfall what police department doing re. snowmobile enforcement, if getting lot of calls, etc. Capt. Kirby reported they are getting sporadic calls, and do respond to those.

There was some discussion re. flood fight update. Bjerke stated that last year the County not ready for the flood, and if City is ready to assist them if they ask for sandbag central, if preparing for what's coming, are at end of February and could be month away, and what are our plans to assist the County. It was noted Todd Feland was main contact and could ask if he has had any conversations with anyone from the County - last year gave bags but no sand -

Bjerke asked if this matter could be placed on the next committee meeting - flood fighting update. wants to make sure we are prepared if receive any phone calls. It was noted that engineering normally goes through to make sure we are prepared for flood fight. Bjerke asked if they had an opinion about the Lincoln Park - put on list to discuss.

Meet adjourned at 4:10 p.m.

Alice Fontaine, City Clerk