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MINUTES/URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Wednesday, September 27, 1995 - 2:00 p.m.

Members present: Beach, Glassheim, Hanson.

1. Hearings on CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) and
Human Needs program applications.
Chairman Beach declared the public hearing open.

Dean Jelsing, chairman of the Citizens' Advisory Committee, presented to the committee the results of balloting and ranking of CDBG funds. He stated this is his fifth or sixth year of being involved, that there are a lot of needy requests, that funding limited and committee tried to select and rank in the best interest of the community, and presented document to the committee.

Chairman Beach thanked Mr. Jelsing and the committee. Chairman Beach stated the committee would hear applicants in order in which received; that committee is hearing testimony today, and no decision will be made today.

1) Shelter for Homeless, Inc. - $70,000
(Project: change in heating system at 420 Division Ave.)
Nelson Rumore was present. Mr. O'Leary stated that Shelter for Homeless in contact with HUD (whether eligible for funding), and would be major impact for benefit to low and mod. income if unable to negotiate something; if not resolved, still have time by first of April or May to re-allocate funds. Mr. Nelson stated he had visited with rep. of Intergovernmental Affairs Office and see some resolution.

2) North Valley Arts Council - $50,000
(Project: Empire Theatre accessibility)
Kay Kjelland, director, stated she has no further testimony to present, funding will help meet ADA requirements at main entrance and restrooms.

3) Grand Forks Public Transportation Department - $20,000
(Project: Rehab. of bus shelters to meet ADA standards)
No rep. present.
Mr. O'Leary reported they were allocated $20,000 last year, that this would complete project, and all be bid under one bid.

4) L.I.S.T.E.N. Inc. - $52,340
(Project: operations funding for Listen Drop-In)
Charlie Bremseth was present; no additional testimony.

5) Third Street Clinic - $18,550
(Project: to provide rent, utilities, parking and misc. bldg. supplies; off-set cost of volunteer coordinator, contractual services for accounting services/record keeping assistance, and supplement medication fund)
No rep. present.

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September 27, 1995 - Page 2

Mr. O'Leary reported this request includes $6,000 in forgiven rent. There was some discussion by committee re. newspaper article stating change in scope of services; this location to become more of referral agency. Committee asked that a rep. of this organization be present at the next meeting to answer committee's questions/concerns.

6) Prairie Harvest Human Services Foundation - $20,500
(Project: Phase III of building project (garbage corral and rear parking for client resource center)
7) Prairie Harvest Human Services Foundation - $7,000
(Project: Harvest Homes Apt. Complex - pay closing costs on loan)
8) Prairie Harvest Human Services Foundation - $12,000
(Project: Program for individuals resistant to treatment)
Mr. O'Leary reported this project not ranked by the Citizens' Advisory Committee.
Roxanne Jensen, exec. director, was present.
Bob Sanderson, Dir. of Human Services Center, presented info. on requests for funding; organization helps low income individuals with serious mental illnesses. He stated State supports them but not directly given money to the project.
Betty Cary, member of the Board, and parent of person with mental illness, spoke of need for the apt. complex and in favor of the project applications submitted by Prairie Harvest.
Ms. Jensen stated they were granted funding reservation to go ahead with development plans for the apartment complex; that there are a series of paperwork requirements, have passed conditional commitment, Prairie Harvest has raised $60,000, need another $7,000, which covers exceptions HUD will not cover.
Dean Jelsing reported that when Committee reviewed documents, reason for low ranking was because of cost per sq.ft. and number of people benefitting; that project worthy of consideration to fund; needs are there and up to City to determine whether cost per sq.ft. equitable or not; need exists; and would recommend substantially higher consideration for funding of the $7,000.
Ms. Jensen stated that when presented request didn't know cost per sq. ft., met with architect (11,928 sq.ft. in the complex, (individual apts. 540 sq.ft) with common areas, $60.78 per sq.ft. which is in realm of normal building costs. She stated that a copy of letter has been forwarded to the chairman of the Adv. Committee.

9) Belmont Baby Care, $6,288.30
(Project: New roof on bldg. at 1002 Park Drive)
No rep. present.
Mr. O'Leary noted that this ap. not ranked by the committee.

10) Y-Family Center - $6,326.00
(Project: remodeling restrooms into ADA dressing room)
No rep. present.

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September 27, 1995 - Page 3

11) Grand Forks Central Business District Authority - $15,000
(Project: Walkway to access City Center Mall from the west)
No rep. present.
Mr. O'Leary reported this application not ranked by Citizens'
Advisory Comm.

Beach relinquished chair/Glassheim presiding.

12) City of Grand Forks and Grand Forks Central Business District
Authority - $8,500.00
(Project: Mall/Post Office entrance - signage at entrance)
No rep. present; no comments. Project ranked but not funded.

13) Grand Forks Food Cupboard - $10,488.00
(Project: rent/utilities)
No rep. present.

14) Community Violence Intervention Center, Inc. - $67,000
(formerly Adult Abuse Comm. Service, Inc.)
(Project: operating funds)
A rep. presented application for funding for Abuse and Rape Crisis Center which provides emergency and ongoing services to adult and child victims of family violence, etc., Victim Witness Program provides court-related services and advocacy to adult and child victims of personal injury crimes, etc. and Family Violence Intervention Program provides treatment group for perpetrators of domestic violence and a group for children who have witnessed violence in the home; that there has been increase of services in all three programs, and operating funds are for expanded services. She also reported that Congress has just voted to cut funding; 19 centers in North Dakota sharing $100,000; max. for agency $5,000; and is also concerned about other funding sources; facing cuts of $20,000 and have experienced increased demand for services; CDBG funding essential. She noted that there are centers in Grafton and Fargo; Grand Forks only one in Grand Forks County.

15) Grand Forks Head Start Program - $22,800
(Project: cooling system for building)
No rep. present.
Mr. O'Leary reported they are located at 3600 6th Avenue (Lake Agassiz School); School built new complex to house, ran out of funds when constructing.

16) "Just Say No" of the Dakotas/Grand Forks - $5,000
(Project: Youth Power is drug and alcohol prevention program).
Judee Keenan, VISTA coordinator, stated focus on young people and providing opportunities to discover their abilities, etc.; have had positive response; funding for travel, copies of

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September 27, 1995 - Page 4

brochures, telephone, seminar; office space is donated. Youth do community projects; drug and alcohol free activities.

17) The Children's Science & Technology Education Foundation -
$8,500
(Project: Youth Alive.)
Vera Uyehara, exec. director, stated this is program to employ young people in museum setting to increase job skills, involve in museum and access to career opportunities (develop and work exhibits, design activities within museum. She also stated they are considering developing mini-mobile museums.)

18) The Children's Science & Tech. Education Foundation -
$100,000
(Project: Children's Museum, 19 South 4th Street - heating system - HVAC)
Ms. Uyehara stated that $500,000 to renovate building; which they would phase in over several years; they have not made application to other funding sources.
Mr. O'Leary stated this project not ranked; that this building costly to tear down, costly to operate; that building needs lot of work, roof, mechanical, electrical, storefront, etc.; demolish for lot less than to rehab; that committee at crossroads on this building; if demolish would provide parking and alternate access to the mall; and strongly encouraged committee to remove rather than to start rehab process. Mr. O'Leary stated he is supportive of project (Museum), and there was discussion re. use of other buildings. Mr. Beach stated he would encourage organization and City to be on lookout for other structure that would work.

19) Quad County Community Action Agency - $10,000
(Project: Preventing rent evictions)
No rep. present. Mr. O'Leary reported that staff recommending $6,000.

20) Success Unlimited, Inc. - $47,314.00
(Project: Community based work activity (employment training and support for people with severe disabilities)
No rep. present. Mr. O'Leary reported staff is recommending some funding.

21) North Dakota Special Olympics - $10,300.00
(Project: re-organization)
No rep. present. Mr. O'Leary stated program is to provide assistance to local organization.

22) YMCA Family Center - 1,000.00
(Project: Little Brother/Little Sister Program)
No rep. present. Mr. O'Leary stated this organization does great work for almost no money.

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23) Red River Valley Habitat for Humanity - $10,000
(Project: building 7th and 8th houses)
No rep. present.

24) Grand Forks Mayor's Committee on Employment of People
with Disabilities - $1,200.00
(Project: Employment of people with disabilities)
No rep. present.

32) GGF Community Service and Restitution Program - $12,000
(Project: general operating)
A rep. reported program started in 1993, need to hire staff person; get referrals through court system; 125 individuals in program, since June completed 12000+ community service hours. She stated that municipal court runs its own program, but would like to coordinate programs. She noted that these are court imposed community service hours. Mr. O'Leary stated that question Committee had was lack of cooperation between County and Municipal Court.

Hanson present.

25) City of Grand Forks/Office of Urban Development - $40,000
(Project: Acquisition and Demolition of substandard buildings)
Mr. O'Leary stated this has lot of potential impact for downtown.

26) City of Grand Forks/Office of Urban Development - $18,000
(Project: Royce LaGrave Park - landscape enhancement)

27) City of Grand Forks/Office of Urban Development - $50,000
(Project: Storefront Rehabilitation)
Mr. O'Leary stated this is ongoing project; and have lot of good projects coming up: Pink Hanger building, back corridor from Dacotah Hotel south, old post office building, which is being converted to office space.

28) City of Grand Forks/Office of Urban Development - $30,000
(Project: Playground project - purchase equipment)

29) City of Grand Forks/Office of Urban Development - $125,000
(Project: Affordable Housing Assistance Program)
Mr. O'Leary reported they have been doing interest buy-down for first time home owners, all low and mod benefit; convert from rental to owner occupied.
30) City of Grand Forks/Office of Urban Development - $10,000
(Project: Riverbank Park)

31) Grand Forks Housing Authority - $18,000
(Project: Summer Youth Employment Training Program)

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September 27, 1995 - Page 6

Mr. O'Leary reviewed staff recommendations for funding of various projects; have tried to keep Listen about same as prior years; recommended additional funds for Habitat Program; increase to Food Cupboard Program.

Committee questioned what happens to monies set aside for detox center; Mr. O'Leary stated they can spend this year, carry over or wait to see what happens as they don't know what budget going to be, looking at budget reduction. He noted that if they look at staff recommendations, tried to put fewest number of projects in CDBG public service projects; Human Needs projects don't require as much monitoring as CDBG funds.

Bruce Hanson asked whether they had received Winship School application; committee had not.

Mr. Hanson reviewed several applications, questioned number of applications for accessibility, funding of operations rather than capital items. Terry Hanson also noted that if any applicant receives over $25,000 in CDBG funds, there are some audit requirements. Committee asked Mr. Hanson to check on this before their next meeting.

The committee will meet on Thursday, October 6, 1995, at 2:00 p.m. to make recommendations on the applications for funding.

2. Matter of EDA grant application.
Mr. O'Leary reported that their office has been invited to submit a full application for $1 Million to EDA for expansion in the Industrial Park; that this morning an engineering services selection committee (George Berg, John O'Leary, Dave Beach and Dick Olson) met to make a recommendation to this committee on the selection of an engineering firm for design of services; that time frame really short; that four of the five local firms submitted proposals and statement of their credentials, and committee reviewed statements based on established criteria (experience with scope of project of this size, experience with EDA, prior performance with the City, ability to bring project to completion on time/schedule within budget, and reviewed proposals, and recommended that the firm of CPS, Ltd. be retained. He stated that the understanding of the recommendation is that they would not be compensated for their services prior to the grant award, unless the grant award was received and successful negotiation of the contract price could not be made between the City and CPS; in that event CPS would be compensated for $3,000 for services rendered prior to the grant award. He reported that if negotiations are successful and they come to an agreement on the price, then the $3,000 wouldn't apply. He stated that at this time they don't know the scope of the project, and Dick Olson is negotiating with the owner of the property, which is next to North 48th Street, south of 11th and

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west of 48th Street, and are looking at a price of $6-7,000/acre; remainder of money, after purchase of the land, would be used for infrastructure improvements, and that will determine scope of work and fees.

He stated that if they are awarded grant, but do not reach agreement with CPS, will pay CPS, and negotiate with another firm.

Moved by Hanson and Beach to concur with the recommendation of the Engineering Selection Committee in the selection of the firm of CPS, Ltd. with the following conditions: 1) the ability of CPS, Ltd. and proper City officials to successfully negotiate the contract for services; 2) the understanding that CPS, Ltd. will provide the initial services for the preliminary engineering report on a gratis basis contingent upon EDA offering a grant to the City. Motion carried.

Mr. O'Leary reported that they have to have preliminary engineering report completed by the 5th of October.

Moved by Beach and Hanson that in the event that the City and CPS cannot negotiate a mutually satisfying contract, CPS will be reimbursed for their preliminary engineering services at an amount not to exceed $3,000. Motion carried. (comm. only)

Meeting adjourned at 4:25 p.m.

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 9/28/95.