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MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Monday, November 13, 1995 - 3:45 p.m.

Members present: Hoeppner, Johnson, Sande.

1. Matter of dog problem in Richard's West neighborhood.
Judy Iverson, 5303 Circle Drive, Park Manor Mobile Home Park, stated that their dog and themselves have been attacked by neighbor's dogs (pitbulls at 5310 Circle Dr.), that their dog is in a fenced area; that neighbor cited three times in municipal court, paid fines, and has threatened them. She submitted copies of police reports to the committee. She reported that she called manger of mobile home park, dogs removed until month and half ago; and requested that the ordinance governing dangerous pets be revised, with stronger penalties imposed on pet owners who do not control their pets. Council Member Beach stated that Mrs. Iverson has talked to him several times re. this matter, didn't see easy solution to this matter except through stiffer ordinances. He stated that the owner of the pitbulls doesn't have any fences/enclosures to contain dogs. It was noted that dog now tied to tree.

Mr. Swanson, city attorney, advised committee that there is an ordinance which defines dangerous animals and that it was up to municipal court to determine whether animal dangerous or not; that it doesn't have to be an actual attack but threatening manner; first step in municipal court, prosecuted through city prosecutor's office. He stated that the police department can cite for animal at large, don't have authority to remove animal, have authority to require that animal be penned; need to set public hearing before council, hear testimony, etc. but don't have ability to do anything without notice to the animal owner.

Moved by Johnson and Hoeppner to set public hearing for December 4, 1995 relative to declaring dogs at 5310 Circle Drive to be vicious and to be penned. Motion carried.

Mrs. Iverson stated that the owner of the dogs is Shane Monda; Member Johnson asked that the animal warden who handled complaint(s) be present to give testimony, and in order to keep Mrs. Iverson's testimony at minimum. Comm. suggested that Mrs. Iverson notify any neighbors who are concerned re. dogs either to appear at public hearing or submit concerns in writing.

2. Matter of excessive truck traffic on 12th Avenue North.
Held in committee.

3. Matter of Chaps liquor license.
Grant Shaft, attorney representing Larry Stauss and Dale Stauss, reported that the Stauss' have purchased old Social Services building on 3rd Street to establish an entertainment facility, bar and restaurant; that some issues re. location of doors (distance to existing facility) and parking have been resolved in getting project started, that initial extension and

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November 13, 1995 - Page 2

additional extension granted to November 30; that since that time have had financing problem because of bad publicity re. Air Base situation, not a viable operation in downtown if Air Base left, etc. and difficulty in obtaining financing to do major renovation in downtown Grand Forks, local financial institutions not interested unless there is up to 50% equity position in the project; that they have this last week retained a commitment for additional financing and are requesting additional extension on the liquor license. He stated that the Stauss' have held liquor license in Grand Forks for over 10 years. He stated that they are requesting extension beyond November 30, that financing appears to be in place, and their office designated as trustee for construction disbursements.

The committee questioned how long time they were requesting extension. Mr. Stauss stated that subcontractors will be requesting rebid of the project, and that contractors more than likely wouldn't start until after first of the year because of the holidays. He also noted that if financing were for facility in south end of town, no problem. He stated they would need 4 to 5 months for construction.

Member Johnson asked what benefit/advantage in hold license, when no restriction on the number issued. Mr. Swanson advised committee that if applicant turned license in, then came back for new license, they would be obligated to pay $50,000 issuance fee. He also advised that the council has issued extensions before, but not to this extent; Code allows for one year and this is in advance of year and a half.

After further discussion it was moved by Hoeppner to grant an extension to June 1, 1996; Johnson seconded the motion. Motion carried.

4. Request for handicapped parking at 623 N. 6th Street.
A recommendation from the traffic engineer to approve the request was read. Moved by Sande and Johnson to grant the request for handicapped parking at this location. Motion carried.

5. Request for stop or yield signs at Campbell Dr. and Oak St.
A request from the traffic engineer to hold this item was presented. Council Member Carpenter asked that Mark Lundeby, 806 Campbell Drive, who made request be allowed to present his information at this time. Mr. Lundeby stated they are requesting stop signs on Campbell Drive, that vehicles traveling at excessive speeds on Campbell, neighbors also concerned. Held for traffic engineer's study and report.

6. Request for stop/yield signs at 20th Ave.S. and S. 36th St.
Held in committee to allow traffic engineer to do survey.

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7. Matter of replacing loading/unloading zone in front of Ryan House with 15-minute parking zone.
Melba Carlson, mgr. of Ryan House, stated they have problem in front of building with people parking in loading/unloading zone, vehicles will stay for up to 2 hours; and that they do have handicapped residents and makes it difficult for them if parking not available.

A recommendation from the traffic engineer for approval was noted.

Mr. Swanson, city attorney, stated he sees more violations with 15-minute signs, that they would be allowed to park for 15 minutes and leave vehicle unattended, that you cannot leave vehicles unattended in loading/unloading zone, problem may be worse.

After further discussion Member Johnson and Sande moved to authorize a handicapped parking zone in front of the loading/ unloading zone on the corner of North 3rd Street. Motion carried.

8. Matter of increasing fine for parking in bus transfer sites.
Member Sande stated that as a member of the Bus Committee has received complaints from bus drivers re. vehicles parking in transfer site at end of City Center Mall, need enforcement, and asked if parking enforcement officer could pay particular attention to this area. She stated that drivers hoped that by raising penalty would discourage parking in the transfer site. It was noted that penalty for violation is either $5-10.00, that if increase fine would have to specifically identify/define. Chief Paschke stated that towing would only take place after ticketing by police department. The committee asked for increased enforcement by the police department and to report back to committee in two to four weeks.

Moved by Hoeppner and Sande to receive and file. Motion carried.

9. Matter of increasing fine for stop sign violations.
Mr. Swanson asked that this matter be held in order to look at bond schedule also. Moved by Hoeppner and Johnson to hold for 4 weeks (to December 11 meeting). Motion carried. (comm. only)

10. Question of whether council can authorize committee to act on
special liquor permits.
Mr. Swanson advised that they have two options: can either amend Code to provide for committee to act, or 2) or council adopt resolution delegating its authority for purposes of special permits to the committee, and would recommend the latter.

Paul Endres stated that the applicants don't always get a lot of
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lead time. Mr. Swanson stated that we don't get a lot of
requests, that there hasn't been a problem, and doesn't see lot of concern.

Moved by Sande that the council delegate its authority for off-premise alcoholic permits to the public safety committee. Motion carried.

Mr. Swanson asked committee to think about more of those things, to take administrative functions that now go to council and do belong at committee level, ie., handicapped parking spots, 15-minute parking spots, yield signs, block parties, raffles, etc.

11. Matter of community service and restitution program operated through court system.
There was no one present to speak to this matter.

Mr. Swanson reported that when they recently redrafted offense code, they specifically included authority for the municipal court to participate in alternative sentencing and restitution program, Code allows; and there was suggestion that this was particular program that someone was proposing, but was not aware of what that might be. (It was noted that Library uses, City uses as part of ground crew, etc.)

Moved by Johnson and Sande to receive and file. Motion carried.
Committee noted that this matter could be brought back.

12. Matter of Immunization agreement amendment and budget amend-
ment.
Don Shields, health department, requested review and approval on an amended agreement under the immunization initiative and also a budget amendment; the agreement runs July through June and the increased amount was $13,600 for the entire year of which $2150.00 needs to be spent by the end of December, so budget amendment is for this year and 1996 budget taken care of accordingly.

Moved by Johnson and Sande to approve amendments as requested. Motion carried.

13. Matter of bids for police vehicles.
Chief Paschke reviewed bids received for police vehicles, with trade-ins: that low bid received from Hansen Ford as follows: base bid for 7 units, $132,209, less trade of 7 vehicles, $52,025.00 for a net bid of $80,184.00 and asked approval to purchase vehicles. He noted that they came in early because of deadline Ford has in ordering.

Johnson asked if other departments interested in vehicles. Chief Paschke stated trade-in vehicles have mileage of about 65,000 to 70,000 minimum, over 80,000 on others. He noted that other

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departments have gone to dealer to purchase without markup, and dealers have done that. Delivery expected March to May.

Moved by Johnson and Sande to approve bids of Hansen Ford and expenditure of $80,184.00. Motion carried.

14. Matter of bid for combination pumper/ladder unit for fire de-
partment.
Jerry Anderson presented tabulation of the two bids received, reviewed bids and exceptions, and recommended approval of the bid of Pierce Manufacturing, Appleton, WI in the amount of $392,457.00.

Johnson asked whether repair of aerial platform unit completed; and it was reported that they should have completed in late December. Mr. Anderson stated that they do need platform unit, and it needs to be in good repair.

Moved by Johnson and Sande to accept the bid of Pierce Manufacturing, with exceptions, in the amount of $392,457.00. Motion carried.

15. Applications for gaming permits:
a) ND Chapter of American Assn. of Critical Care Nurses -
raffle - 02/09/96
It was noted that the city attorney had reviewed and approved the application, subject to adoption of a resolution as public-spirited organization. Moved by Sande and Johnson to recognize this organization as a public-spirited organization eligible to conduct gaming, and to approve the application. Motion carried.

b) ArtWise - raffle 02/29/96
c) Lewis & Clark PTO - bingo 11/17/95
It was noted that the city attorney had reviewed and approved the applications. Moved by Sande and Johnson that the applications be approved. Motion carried. (committee only)

Meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 11/13/95.