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MINUTES/URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Saturday, March 25, 1995 - 1:00 p.m.

Members present: Glassheim, Hanson.

1. Review of CDBG Community Development Block Grant) aps.:
John O'Leary submitted copies of listing of applications for 1995 CDBG bricks and mortar projects with ranking by the Citizens Advisory Committee; $374,000 in funds available. The committee heard presentations by the following applicants:

a) #8. Listen, Inc. - $27,500.00
Charlie Bremseth stated that their application had not been ranked and asked for reconsideration of their application. He stated that rather than the full $27,500 they were down-grading their request to $7500.00 to do parking lot (would delete portion of project to install plug-ins and would install sidewalk to office), which the City has asked that they put in at rear of their property to meet Code for parking.

b) #6 GF Public Transportation Dept. -$18,000
Ken Vein, city engineer, appeared on behalf of Public Transp. Dept., in support of project to upgrade 6 bus shelters in low/mod. income areas to meet ADA standards (modify structure - entry, wider ramps, etc); that they are getting 2 new low-floor buses and would use on routes where these shelters are. He reported that locations of shelters to be upgraded are 110 Cherry St., University Ave. near YMCA, N Wash. and 5th Ave. by Listen Drop-in Center, 3 on west edge of city: on N. 43rd Street between 13th and 6th Aves.N., University and N. 51st, and 6th Ave. and N. 48th. He reported they have a plan to upgrade all shelters but funds very short and will do number each year but do those in low and mod. income areas first. He stated that hopefully this will increase ridership. The committee asked if there were other monies available; Mr. Vein stated without funding probably not be done. Member Hanson stated he was chairman of the Bus Committee; that sooner they do less cost.

c) #2 Adult Abuse - $18,650.00
Ms. Kristi Hall-Jiran presented request for funds to install air exchanger and electronic air filter to create safe working environment, to fix outside of the building where stucco coming off, and roof repair. She stated that lot of employees having asthmatic symptoms, which were alleviated when away from the Center; that when stripped wallpaper off in one of the rooms found mold behind wallpaper. She stated they had someone look at roof and found they have major problems with roof and water coming in; est. cost to repair roof $11,000 (they revised their ap. to include). Mr. O'Leary reported that Adult Abuse pays rent to the Parking Authority for rental of building and that perhaps Parking Authority should be putting some money back into the buildings. He stated he had talked to Dick Jackson and he will bring matter to them. It was noted by the committee that possibly not need air exchanger if roof fixed; however, it was

MINUTES/URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
March 25, 1995 - Page 2

stated there are no windows in the building.

d) #9 North Valley Arts Council - $125,000
Cheryl Smith, president, and Kay Kjelland, executive director, presented their request for funding for acquisition of property to the rear of the building (First Bank drive-up) for parking and site expansion. She stated they are looking for donors/contribu- tors; but requesting funding through CDBG for seed money for match. They stated they have no negative comments from the community and 9 people here today in support of the project. They stated that $90,000 for purchase of property and balance for improvement of the lot (razing building, landscaping, concrete, etc.) It was noted that during the day lot used for general parking, and evening and weekends for Council events; lot is 75'x140'. It was noted that monies received through Community Needs program re-granted to other groups and is 15% of their budget; and they are looking at establishment of an endowment. Mr. O'Leary reported that they Arts Council negotiated price with First Bank; this is a million dollar capital improvements project and that if they monies don't go to parking lot could be used to refurbish roof, etc. lot of work needs to be done on the building; but need some seed money out of community.

e) Antenna Club - $5,000
Frank Lewis, Antenna Club, reported this is non-profit organization for alcohol and drug addiction, that they hold AA meetings for alcoholics, Al-Anon meetings, social functions, etc.; that they received funding about 3 years ago for indebted- ness on the building; and have done pretty well financially since that time and have made lot of improvements to the building; however, electrical system now obsolete and are re- questing $5,000 to improve. He stated they are self-supporting (receive monies from AA groups for rent, etc.) Mr. O'Leary reported lot of work done by volunteers and building in good shape. Mr. Lewis stated they have no paid employees - all volunteers.

2. Public hearing on funding priorities on CDBG applications and
determination of funding recommendations.
Chairman Glassheim called for the public hearing; there were no comments; and the public hearing was closed.

There was some discussion and review by the committee of the staff recommendation which following ranking of Citizens Advisory Committee. There was some discussion re. allocating of funds for detox center, and it was noted that some funds set aside out of public service portion of the CDBG.

It was moved by Hanson and Glassheim to adopt the following recommendations following ranking of the Citizens Advisory Committee and staff:

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March 25, 1995 - page 3

#1 Antenna Club, Inc. (electrical system) $ 5,000.00
#2 Office of Urban Development (playground equip.) 28,000.00
#3 Adult Abuse Community Services (air ex-
changer, roof repair, etc.) 7,200.00
#4 Shelter for Homeless, Inc. (change in heating
system/roof maint. and repair) 50,000.00
#5 Office of Urban Development (acq. and demo.) 40,000.00
#6 Office of Urban Development (riverbank park) 10,000.00
#7 GF Pub. Transp. Dept. (rehab. bus shelters) 15,000.00
#8 GF Head Start Program (kitchen equipment) 15,000.00
#9 Senior Citizens Center (parking lot) 25,000.00
#10 Office of Urban Development (affordable
housing assistance program) 90,000.00
#11 North Valley Arts Council (acq. of property) 69,800.00
#12 GF parking Authority (riverbank parking lot
access) 4,000.00
Listen, Inc. (parking lot) 7,500.00
Contingencies (additional) 7,500.00
Total $374,000.00

There were no additional comments; and the motion carried. It was noted that these recommendations will go to the council on Monday, April 3.

3. Beautification projects:
Chairman Glassheim noted that the testimony by the applicants was given at the last meeting, and the public hearing had been held at that time also. There was review and discussion of the projects by the committee. It was noted that there is $80,585.00 available for allocation.

It was moved by Hanson and Glassheim to recommend allocation of funding as follows:

#1 Central Business District Assn. (RR foot bridge
lighting) $ 15,000.00
#2 GGF Convention & Visitors Bureau (landscaping) 6,000.00
#3 GGF Convention & Visitors Bureau (signage) 6,000.00
#4 GF Central Business Dist. Assn. (hanging planters) 3,500.00
#5 GF Park District (landscape west DeMers) 2,000.00
#6 GF Park District (Adopt-An-Area program) 7,500.00
#7 GF Park District (Independence Park) 2,500.00
#10 UND Plant Services (Univ. Ave. beautification) 6,000.00
#11 GF Substance Abuse & Traffic Safety Council (First
Night Greater Grand Forks ice sculpture) 6,000.00
#16 Mayor's Office (City Christmas tree lighting) 4,000.00
#17 Urban Development (Royce LaGrave Park landscaping) 7,000.00
#18 Urban Development (S. 5th St/1st Ave. bikepath
fence vines) 1,000.00
Urban Development (Ishim Park - flagpoles) 6,000.00
Contingencies (reserve) 8,085.00

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March 25, 1995 - Page 4

Total $ 80,585.00

The motion carried.

3. Application by Larimore Economic Development Committee for
Growth Funds.
Mr. O'Leary submitted copies of Growth Fund pre-application from Larimore Economic Development Committee for $50,000 to help support economic development program in that community - to locate ethanol plant in Larimore. He reported funding sources for the project as follows: Larimore Economic Development Committee, $15,000; City of Larimore, $50,000; Grand Forks County Water Resource Board, $20,000; that problem with this project is that they are bidding on a plant where not have any numbers, no business plan and no cash flow but they are submitting bid to
Clifco New Energy Cooperative (group of farmers in Clifford who are trying to put this together), and competing with Hillsboro and Casselton, and what they are proposing to use money for is to put in RR spur to serve this plant. He reported this project had been submitted to the Growth Fund Committee, who felt this was a good project, and should probably contribute to the project, however, they felt this should go through the Urban Development Committee. He reported that staff suggestion was to refer to Urban Development to make recommendation to the Jobs Development Authority, that there will be a meeting of the JDA on Monday, April 3 at 7:00 p.m. to review another project prior to the city council meeting. He stated further that it is staff recommendation to do this; that if they obligate these funds for the use of the Clifco plant, it will generate considerable investment from other entities. He stated that competition is tough, no guarantee that Larimore will be chosen for the site for this plant; that they are part of our trade area, consulting engineer from Grand forks and if succeed more than get our money back many times over.

Pat Downs from the Grand Forks Regional Economic Development Corporation, stated that the City of Larimore has offered Larimore EDC a 5-year 100% tax abatement or a an 8-year TIF, plus other commitments; that there is a gentleman in the community who gave them 80 acres to give to the plant at no cost. He also stated that if no plant or no site selection, no money changes hands, and should know decision within a month. It was also noted that money is available; that an application was sent to Hillsboro, they were given opportunity to apply but didn't.

Moved by Hanson and Glassheim to approve $50,000 grant to the Larimore Economic Development Committee, contingent upon selection of Larimore as the site for the Clifco New Energy Cooperative plant. Motion carried.

4. Matter of meeting time.

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March 25, 1995 - Page 5

The committee discussed meeting times, and set a meeting time of 4:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. (the next meeting of the committee will be April 12.

Meeting adjourned at 3:20 p.m.
Alice Fontaine
City Clerk
Dated: 3/25/95.