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Grand Forks Historic Preservation Commission
1405 First Avenue North
Grand Forks, ND 58203
701-772-8756
Meeting Minutes
March 13, 2007
7:00 p.m.
City Hall

Present: Sandy Slater, Vice-chair, Chuck Flemmer, Gordon Iseminger, Gerad Paul, Dale Sickels,
Dave Vorland
Others: Peg O’Leary

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Vice-Chair Slater; a quorum was present.
Motion: to approve the minutes of the February 27, 2007 meeting. (Flemmer, Iseminger)
Motion carries.

FY08 City Budget
O’Leary reported that the city budget process is beginning nearly two months earlier than in the past. She received notice that the budget is due March 13 on February 28, after the last HPC meeting. The city fiscal year runs from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31. O’Leary distributed a budget proposal (attached) that would hold office and project expenditures at current levels and that left salary level to be determined by the commission. She explained that the state grant covers office expenses, project costs, and 50% of the health insurance premium for the coordinator position. The other 50% of the health insurance premium is paid by the coordinator. It is expected that state funding will remain stable but will not increase appreciably.

In 2006, when the commission requested support from the state for the health insurance premium, the coordinator position was evaluated and rated by the city Human Resources department to provide documentation for the grant request. At that time, the job description was matched against similar city positions. HR determined that the coordinator position would be rated at Level 36 (range $37,753 - $56,629), if it were a city position. Commissioners noted that both the city and the university have conducted comparison analyses, in recent years, that resulted in sizable increases for a variety of positions. O’Leary has held the coordinator position for more than seven years and came on board with significant experience. Commissioners determined that it was necessary to approach reimbursement parity for the coordinator position.
Motion: to approve the HPC coordinator salary at $39,520 for FY08. (Iseminger, Paul)
Discussion: It was noted that this amount would net out at $37,250 after the coordinator pays the 25% of health insurance costs that is paid by the city for its employees, and that city employees have other benefits (life insurance, retirement) that are not available for the coordinator position. The salary is subject to 6% ($2,371.20) FICA benefits. The total of salary and FICA is $41,891.20, of which $10,000 would be requested from the state.
Motion carries unanimously.
O’Leary was directed to complete the budget proposal as presented and including the salary and FICA items as defined in the motion and discussion herein.
Coordinator Report – Peg O’Leary
  County Courthouse Card Reader System – The County is seeking grant funding to implement the card reader system.
  Gateway Demolitions – O’Leary reported that Urban Development doesn’t have any new information about the proposed demolitions. Iseminger asked if Curt Siewert could report on the status of those buildings at the next meeting.
  Infill Housing – The Office of Urban Development is researching a plan for redevelopment of Walnut Place and Belmont Road at 15th Street. Commissioners were asked to drive through the area and begin thinking about what HPC’s priorities are for the area. Iseminger requested information from Urban Development regarding the number and disposition of the lots involved.
  HPC Ordinance – The City Attorney’s Office is reviewing a housekeeping procedure that would move the HPC ordinance from Chapter XVII to Chapter XXIV of the City Code. He is also considering reducing the number of days between advertisement of the meeting from ten to five, and an amendment to the provision of the City Code now codified as 17-0409, which requires the scheduling of meetings one year in advance. To assure compliance with Certified Local Government requirements, these changes will have to be reviewed by the State Historical Society.

Motion: to adjourn. (Flemmer, Sickels)
Motion carries. Meeting adjourned. 8:30 p.m.
The next regular meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 27, 2007, in room A101, City Hall.

Respectfully submitted,



Peg O’Leary
Coordinator