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MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Monday, November 14, 1994 - 3:45 p.m.

Members present: Hoeppner, Johnson, Sande.

1. Applications for gaming permits:
a) Red River Snowmobile Club, Inc. - site authorization.
b) Criminal Justice Assn. of UND - raffle on 12/01/94.
c) Lewis & Clark PTO - bingo on 11/18/94.
It was reported that the applications had been reviewed and approved by the city attorney. Moved by Johnson and Hoeppner that the applications be approved. Motion carried. (comm. only)

2. Matter of DJL, Inc. liquor license.
Larry Stauss, 1030 James Avenue SE, EGF, owner of DJL, Inc., stated that approx. year ago they had received permission to relocate their business, that they had problems with financing, and that last week they took plans to the building inspection department. He noted they had renewed their license through December 31, 1994*, and have submitted application for 1995 license. He also noted they intend to start construction December 1 and goal is to open 31st of March. Grant Shaft, attorney for Mr. Stauss, stated DJL has kept current with licensing, etc. (*Note: Fee paid for 1994 and license held in abeyance; license ap. and fee submitted to auditor's office for 1995).

Sande present.

It was moved by Johnson and Sande that we grant extension for continuation of that license. Motion carried.

3. Matter of request to remove no-parking zone signs on portion
of 5th Avenue North.
Chad McCabe, 3610 10th Avenue North, reported that he and committee chair had been out to the area on 5th Avenue North where trying to get parking to Cambridge to ease parking problem at UND - only about 10 additional parking spaces. It was noted that the street is 2 ft. narrower in that area and if concern re. snow removal in winter only allow parking until 3:00-4:00 p.m.

John Thompson, traffic engineer, stated that if the committee decides to grant request, he would recommend allowing parking on the north side of 5th Avenue from the alley between Cornell and Hamline to Cambridge. He also noted that the UND police were informed, and street maintenance is done every day.

Moved by Sande and Johnson that we allow parking on the north side of 5th Avenue North in the two-block section from the alley between Cornell and Hamline to Cambridge, with exception of the existing loading and unloading zone for mail pickup, and removal of parking on south side on 5th from Hamline to the east. Motion carried.


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November 14, 1995 - Page 2

Member Sande stated she will bring the matter up again in April or May.

4. Presentation by Traffic Safety Council re. First Night -
Greater Grand Forks Celebration on December 31.
Sheila Bruhn, director of Grand Forks Substance Abuse and Traffic Safety Council, stated she would like to inform committee of First Night Greater Grand Forks (incl. East Grand Forks) and made video presentation; event scheduled from 2:00 p.m. until midnight on December 31.

Mrs. Bruhn stated this is first year and will be primarily downtown, have 8 facilities they will be working with; from the hours of 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. skating at Fido Purpur Arena, will use civic auditorium and City Center Mall as base anchor site, with several warming sites; starting at 5:00 p.m. will have entertainment ongoing through the hour of 11:30 p.m., and fireworks at midnight. She stated credit should be given to Deb Swanson for bringing concept to the area. Mrs. Bruhn stated they wanted to let committee know what they are doing and will come back later if need permits.

5. Budget amendment.
Dennis Kobach, 911 director, stated they are requesting the funds ($28,233.00) from the 911 reserve account to make the second payment on rural address signs (original bid of $84,000) and funds ($62,500) will be paid back as Townships are billed; funds temporarily taken out of cash reserves.

Moved by Johnson and Sande to approve the budget amendment and to introduce the ordinance for first reading. Motion carried.

6. Matter of fire lane ordinance re. fines, markings.
Asst Chief Phelps, Fire Inspector Richard Westacott, and Chief Paschke were present. Chief Paschke raised question of fines and enforcement as lanes not marked, etc. and wants some direction from committee (Ord. 3411 adopted increasing fine to $50.00, with eff. date of September 1, 1994). Mr. Westacott stated they have drafted letter to businesses setting out guidelines as they want consistency and uniformity of markings and signage, and are working on this. After further discussion it was moved by Johnson and Sande to instruct police department to delay enforcement until July 1, 1995 to give businesses time to paint and mark fire lanes. Motion carried.

Chief Paschke also questioned whether painting of lanes, etc. should have been put in the Code, whether expand ordinance to include specifics. Mr. Swanson, city attorney, advised they don't need to include in ordinance, police and fire departments can identify those specifics.


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7. Matter of Crime bill.
Chief Paschke reported this item came from mayor's office and gives information re COPS Fast, put together some basic information re. Crime Bill, and questioned whether City would pursue officers through this bill. He stated the program designed for community oriented policing and placing officers in the department for that specific program; and that Grand Forks lacks officers to have community oriented policing program; and there has not been definition of what that program is. He stated program begins with committee developing their own. He reported he had est. of cost for the 3-year program, if approved and City accepts, City has to make commitment to continue without federal funds: cost for officer at base pay $110,052 (one officer for 3 years) and government will fund up to 75% but not to exceed $75,000 over the 3-year period. He also noted this doesn't include cost for initial training, clothing and equipment, nor overtime, administrative costs, annual training. He also noted that with 3 officers would need another vehicle; and if they were to place one officer on street 24-hours/day would need to hire 5 officers, with 5 officers annual City portion of cost $58,400, and after 3 years City picks up entire cost. There would be some ongoing cost, re. maintaining uniforms and equipment. He advised that application has to be made by December 31 for this part of the program; there will be other programs coming out for equipment, overtime, data gathering, etc. He also stated that another idea council may want to look at if they choose to put money into law enforcement is to increase their overtime budget - using trained officers - and would like council to entertain that as alternate to this program.

Chairman Hoeppner expressed concern re. commitment of City after 3 years. Member Johnson suggested using bicycle patrol in neighborhoods as done in Fargo and West Fargo. Chief Paschke stated they can design community oriented policing program, but decision is commitment to the money; he stated that just because apply doesn't mean will receive award. Mr. Johnson stated bicycle patrol for 4-5 mo. program; but Chief Paschke stated program has to be year-round - that this is 3-year program with full-time officer(s), and part-time officers would have to be trained, etc. Member Johnson stated he was not in favor of increasing police force, and Chairman Hoeppner stated he was not in favor of commitment after the 3-year program. It was also noted by the committee that the Crime Bill is due for review with new Congress.

Chief Paschke stated they are looking for officers but have to be very cautious in approach to city government as well as community that there are costs associated with this.

Moved by Sande and Johnson that the police department present proposal for bicycle patrol for the summertime and proposed

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duties for the rest of the year for committee consideration.
Motion carried. (committee only)

Chief Paschke stated they will do proposal without preparing the grant application.

8. Matter of setting license fees.
John Schmisek, city auditor, reported that in the 1995 budget they had included some increase in license fees and were pre- senting to committee for review and recommendation as to whether any licenses should be deleted. He reviewed listing with the committee.

Mr. Swanson, city attorney, stated there were several fees which should be deleted: 1) sale of agricultural products by sample (agricultural products are exempted); 2) second hand dealer (doesn't apply to antique dealers, doesn't apply to automobiles, etc.), and questioned why charging them a fee; and 3) auctioneers has been removed under one section of the Code. He also noted that work permits (for gaming) deleted, covered by the State.

Member Johnson stated he would rather have liked to see gradual increase every year - losing fees and irritating people. Mr. Schmisek stated they have reviewed and tried to establish costs and will make an annual review. Moved by Sande and Johnson to recommend approval of the fee increases as presented, and deletion of the following license categories: 1) sale of agricultural products by sample, 2) send hand dealer, and 3) auctioneer. Motion carried.

9. Applications for gaming permits:
a) Winship PTO - bingo
b) UND Psychology Club -
c) National Assn. of Orthopaedic Nurses, United Hospital
raffle on December 15.
d) Indians into Medicine (Inmed) Student Organization - raffle on January 21, 1995.
It was noted that the city attorney had reviewed the applications except a) and approved with conditions.
Moved by Sande and Johnson to approve the applications as follows:
a) approve, subject to review by the city attorney.
b) approve, subject to filing of certain documents.
c) approve, contingent upon adoption of resolution recognizing the group as public-spirited.
d) approve. Motion carried.

10. Matter of alcoholic bev. license for Knights of Columbus.
Council Member Hamerlik asked when did liquor licenses get separated out between private clubs and regular profit-making enterprises, and why. Mr. Hamerlik stated Columbian Club has

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restricted membership and doesn't have the access to the profits and net sales. Mr. Swanson reported liquor code adopted 1/1/93 which eliminated private club license. He stated there were very few who held club licenses, and in reducing and re-establishing categories, club was eliminated and placed into the Class 1 license classification, which gave them authority to sell not only on sale but off sale as well. Dick Wessling, 4315 Cottonwood Street, member of Board of Directors, stated that Columbia Club has 358 members, and is only club left with liquor license and fee went from $1650 to $2750. He stated they are struggling and would like to ask committee to take into consideration and see what they can do for them. He stated they don't open until 4:00 p.m. on weekdays, noon on Saturday and not open on Sundays. Member Johnson stated that under club license controlled situation where have to be member to go in; under Class 1 anyone can walk in. Mr. Hamerlik asked if there was chance to change from Class 1 to another class that would reduce the cost. Mr. Swanson stated Class 3 (Beer and Wine) license is $1100. The committee asked that this matter be brought upon on council floor and referred back to committee, and not to bring up as extra item without people involved being present.

Meeting adjourned.

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 11/15/94.