City of Grand Forks, North Dakota

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	MINUTES/FINANCE COMMITTEE Tuesday, February 15, 1994 - 3:30 p.m. Members present: Shores, Johnson, McCabe. 1. Applications for abatement of taxes: a) Arvid J. Aaker, 2486 N. 43rd Street. Mel Carsen, city assessor, reported this is routine senior citizen tax credit, applicant qualifies for 100% exemption, and recommended approval. Moved by Johnson and McCabe that the application be approved as submitted. Motion carried. b) Floyd K. and Marian Fayette, 312 N. 4th Street. Mr. Carsen reported that this is also a senior citizen who qualifies for tax credit for 1992 and 1993, and recommended approval. Moved by McCabe and Johnson that the application be approved as submitted. Motion carried. 2. Matter of City-owned lot at 1310 8th Avenue North. It was reported that Mr. Mutcher was unable to be at meeting today. Mr. Swanson reported he had met with Mr. Mutcher, that City couldn't enter into agreement with him unless City advertised and he submitted high bid; Mr. Mutcher wants to purchase property with building because of salvage. Mr. Carsen stated there possibly is some salvageable material. Mr. Swanson advised committee that lot has generated fair amount of interest. It was noted that Mr. Mutcher has vehicles parked on this lot; and he wants to do automotive repair. It was also suggested that the City would get more money for lot without the building. The committee suggested possibility of getting estimates for demolition; and Mr. Swanson advised that engineer's office est. demolition cost at $2800. Mr. Carsen stated they have $15,700 value on property ($700 in specials, $4,000 est. demo. cost); $11,000 value with house on it. Moved by Johnson and McCabe that we call for bids for the demolition of the building at 1310 8th Avenue North, including water shutoff and putting site back to level, with completion date of June 15, and with a bid date of April 1; declaring the lot as surplus, and authorizing city auditor to advertise lot for sale. Motion carried. 3. Change orders for City Hall project. Mike Murie, EAPC, reviewed change orders with the committee: a) G-XXVII, Peterson Construction, $3,511.69. Mr. Murie stated that item re. revising of City Hall plaque in the amount of $272.19 should be deleted, leaving balance of $3,239.50, and that change order would be revised. b) M-VII, C.L.Linfoot Co., $2,278.45. Johnson questioned item 2 of the change order, $288.32 to make up and install ladder and catwalk for air handling unit. Mr. Murie stated he will recheck on this item. MINUTES/FINANCE COMMITTEE February 15, 1994 - Page 2 Moved by Johnson and McCabe to approve the change orders with exception of item 2 on C.O. M-VII in the amount of $288.32 and item 1 on C.O. G-XXVII in the amount of $272.19. Motion carried. 4. Matter of cable TV customer service standards. Mr. Swanson stated that Mr. Hovet of TCI unable to attend today's meeting, and his recommendation would be to adopt resolution, City either to adopt FCC standards or their own; have ability to change later. Mr. Shores noted that one of the complaints City receives is one of unburied cable; Mr. Swanson stated that in some locations cable above ground, have ability to file complaints. Moved by Johnson and McCabe to adopt resolution to provide for the regulation of customer service standards of any cable television system operating in the city of Grand Forks, and adopting FCC regulations. Motion carried. 5. Matter of City chemical and substance abuse policy. Mike Shea and Jerry Moran, employee reps., Dan Gordon of personnel office, were present. Mr. Shea stated they have some suggested changes to the policy. Mr. Swanson advised committee that problem came up as result of audit, auditors have requested proof that we have policy; and that he is not recommending adoption of an ordinance. It was noted that a policy is in effect in Public Transportation Dept. There was discussion, and the following changes were suggested: Section 2. to read "Employees convicted of illegally selling alcohol or controlled substances on City owned or lease property may be subject to termination." Section 3. delete Section 4. deletion of last sentence ("Upon successful completion of the program, the employee may be required to submit to random chemical screening for up to one year.") Mr. Swanson agreed that could be deleted. Section 6. accept first draft (and delete second 6.) Section 9. delete. Sections 10 and 11. Redraft to include "reasonable suspicion". and to include "employee(s)" in the absence of supervisor. Section 1, to include "exclusion of functions at civic auditorium" The committee asked Mr. Swanson to redraft with changes and bring back to committee for further review. 6. Matter of joint powers agreement for city/county/school election. Mr. Swanson reported he reviewed and has number of questions, proposed draft does not include Park District, legal MINUTES/FINANCE COMMITTEE February 15, 1994 - Page 3 publications, hours of election, costs, that these need to be clarified. Moved by Johnson and McCabe to authorize proper City officials to enter into the joint powers agreement on joint election and that the city attorney and states attorney work out details. Motion carried. 7. Matter of fire station land. Chief Aulich submitted memo re. estimated cost of land and improvements for southwest fire station; land $68,000 and improvements $57,000; parcel of land 200'x200' (which is 40,000 sq.ft. or .92 acres) at 36th Avenue and South Columbia Road at cost of $1.70 sq.ft. or $68,000. Chief Aulich reported that Mr. Greenberg talking about time-frame for building of the station. Chief Aulich stated that the City doesn't speculate in land, but that he's not against time of 10 years and if City doesn't build, Greenberg can buy back. Mr. Swanson suggested right of first refusal, and could i.d. purchase price. It was noted monies in Building Fund. Moved by McCabe and Johnson that we authorize purchase of the property located at 36th Avenue South and South Columbia Road at $1.70 per sq. ft. for a total of $68,000 from Arthur Greenberg, Jr., and authorize entering into a purchase agreement giving Mr. Greenberg right of first refusal. Motion carried. 8. Matter of mileage - privately owned vehicles used for city government use. This item was pulled. 9. Matter of bond reserve on 1976 water revenue bonds. John Schmisek reported that in 1976 an ordinance was adopted that tied bond reserve to ordinance that established water reserve bonds in 1956; and that "..upon the retirement of the Water Revenue Bonds dated July 1, 1956, the City reserves the privilege, by amendment of Ordinance No. 875, of establishing the Bond Reserve Account as a bookkeeping account in the Water Utility Fund upon its financial records, without segregation thereof in a single deposit or investment account"......and requested committee to have ordinance amended to allow us to take money out of reserve account and to invest. He noted that the 1956 bonds paid off in 1986. Moved by Johnson and McCabe that we instruct the city attorney to draft an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 875 to allow reinvestment of reserve account, and to introduce the ordinance for first reading. Motion carried. Mr. Swanson reported this was presented to Dorsey Whitney, bond counsel, and they concurred. MINUTES/FINANCE COMMITTEE February 15, 1994 - Page 4 10. Matter of resolution to establish account with Link Invest- ment Services. Mr. Schmisek presented matter of resolution and reviewed with the committee; that this would authorize us to deal with bond entities, to call for bids, etc. He noted that if approved, subject to city attorney's review. Moved by Johnson and McCabe to adopt the resolution, subject to review by the city attorney. Motion carried. 11. Matter of amendment to pension plan ordinance. Mr. Schmisek reported there is discrepancy in area of pension, and need to bring Section 7-206(3) in line with other sections of the Code. Mr. Swanson advised that an ordinance should be introduced to amend the future services provision retroactive to January 1, 1993. Moved by McCabe and Johnson to introduce an ordinance to amend Section 7-0206, subsection (3) of the City Code (Income for service after January 1, 1970 (future service) to reflect the approved pension plan benefit at retirement, with the effective date of said ordinance to be retroactive to January 1, 1993. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned. Alice Fontaine City Clerk Dated: February 15, 1994.