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MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Monday, February 12, 1996 - 3:45 p.m.

Members present: Johnson, Sande.

1. Request by National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Dakota
Chapter, to hold MS 150 Bike Tour August 10 and 11, 1996.
A rep. of the organization was present and reviewed route with the committee. Moved by Sande and Johnson to approve request contingent upon coordination with the police department. Motion carried.

2. Request by St. Michael's Church to hold procession.
Father Wilhelm, 520 N. 6th Street, stated this is May procession held on May 5 starting at approx. 1:15 p.m. and reviewed route (which is 4 block area in vicinity of St. Michael's Church. Chief Paschke stated they had no problem with the request. Moved by Sande and Johnson to approve request to hold procession on May 5, 1996. Motion carried.

3. Matter of notification by Dagwoods re. change in licensed
premises, 1395 South Columbia Road.
Howard Swanson, city attorney, reported that Dagwoods have provided floor plan which includes additional space for casino and also for alcohol sales, and that committee need not take any action. Moved by Sande and Johnson to receive and file. Motion carried. (committee only)

4. Matter of reduced visibility adjacent to Simplot.
Abe Muscari, Simplot, addressed committee re. safety concerns, traffic hazard on Gateway Drive over past several weeks from reduced visibility (steam from plant and extreme cold creating fog); high snow banks at intersection (snow banks on Stanford over 6' high - he called street dept.), icy conditions of streets, and motorists going through caution and/or red lights. They have shift changes at 8:00 a.m., 4:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight. He stated that he has discussed with John Thompson and Lt. Ellingson, and he is willing to work with City to come up with solution to the problem. There was some discussion re. advance warning light (flashing) when conditions warrant (constant flashing, sensors or advisory speed limit)

After further discussion it was moved by Sande and Johnson to direct traffic engineer to investigate feasibility of various options and est. cost and report back to committee in 2-4 weeks. Motion carried. (comm. only)

5. Request to change loading/unloading and handicapped parking
near Ryan House on corner of 1st Ave.N. and N. 3rd Street.
The bldg. manager at the Ryan House reported that the handicapped parking zone being abused (tenant's driver parking there for days), that he is not the only handicapped tenant, etc. and suggested loading/unloading zone on 3rd Street with handicapped zone on the avenue side of the building. Mr.

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February 12, 1996 - Page 2

Thompson reported that because of distance street would only support handicapped stall, otherwise infringe into space in front of other businesses. Mr. Thompson noted that vehicle with handi- capped sticker can park in any time restricted parking zone with no restrictions. Mr. Swanson stated they could put time limit on handicapped zone.

Leanne Cairns, 23 N. 3rd Street, stated that tenants concerned, that there is no need for handicapped zone as there are no handi- capped drivers in the building, they need loading/unloading zone, and person using handicapped zone is not handicapped driver. Ms. Cairns presented letter re. change in loading and handicapped zones, and petition from tenants asking that they restore loading/unloading zone on 3rd Street in front of the building.

Moved by Johnson and Sande to reinstate loading/unloading zone on North 3rd Street in front of the Ryan House, with one loading/ unloading zone on 1st Avenue North at North 3rd Street, and with handicapped zone directly behind the loading zone. Motion carried.

There was some discussion re. timed handicapped parking zones, and Mr. Swanson advised to do by ordinance if they implement in handicapped zones.

Moved by Sande and Johnson to refer question of timed handicapped parking zones in the downtown area to the Mayor's Committee on People with Disabilities. Motion carried. (comm. only) Member Sande stated that she is a member of that committee and will bring up at meeting.

6. Request from Morris Bushaw for 15 mph sign in the alley
behind 1601 University Avenue.
Mr. Bushaw was not present, but Mr. Thompson recommended approval of the request. Moved by Sande and Johnson to authorize installation of 15 mph signs in the alley as requested. Motion carried.

7. Matter of purchase of snowblower for police building.
Chief Paschke reported that during last several storms they have run into problems keeping sidewalks, approaches to lot and lot clean and accessible to police vehicles; that State bid prices have been extended and they can purchase two-stage riding snowblower for $4,735.89, and that money is budgeted. Dale Sebenaler stated they have over 2000 ft. of sidewalk plus drive- ways, etc. and this equipment is needed. He also stated that if they go to maintenance/pool, they would pool their equipment into that. Pete O'Neill, asst. fire chief, reported they have also had problem handling snow during storms; only do parking lots as they can; and next year may look at contracting out.


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Don Shields, health department, appeared in support of the police department in this request; that they have had to approach police building maint. several times re. snow removal to make accessible for their clients, etc.; that equipment they have is inadequate to do job.

Moved by Sande and Johnson that we authorize purchase of the two-stage snowblower in the amount of $4,735.89 under State bid; and approve budget amendment in the amount of $4,736. Motion carried. (committee only/budget amendment requires council action)

8. Request by fire department to purchase equipment for new
fire truck with balance of budgeted money (approx. $20,000)
Jerry Anderson reported they had originally budgeted $500,000; bid new pumper for $392,000 and bid repairs to platform truck in the amount of $90,000; and that after payment of platform repair and purchase of the new pumper will have balance of funds between $21,000-21,500 which they are requesting to use to purchase tools/equipment for the new fire truck: hose, jaws, axes, saws, fans, air tanks, etc. that this is basic equipment (no comfort items). He stated that they felt they could get better price bidding items separately rather than from truck manufacturer.

There was some discussion relative to bid requirements. Mr. Anderson reviewed listing of tools/equipment which they would purchase with these monies, and that they intended to purchase piecemeal over period of time; however, Mr. Swanson raised question of bid requirements and stated that if not bid, run risk - manipulating purchases to avoid public bidding.

After further discussion the committee stated they approved concept but asked Mr. Anderson to categorize and spec. out tools and equipment (other than those which could be purchased under the State bid) and bring back to committee.

9. Applications for gaming permits:
a) Winship Elementary School PTO - raffle 04/11/96
b) Grand Forks Hockey Assn., Inc. - raffle 03/17/96
c) MeritCare Foundation - raffle 05/04/96
The city attorney had reviewed and approved the applications.

d) Red River Nu-Voice club - raffle 04/13/96
e) ND Bow Hunters Assn. - raffle 04/13/96.
The city attorney had reviewed and approved the aps. contin- gent upon being recognized as a "public-spirited" organization.

Moved by Sande and Johnson that we adopt resolutions recognizing the Red River Nu-Voice Club and the North Dakota Bow/Hunters as public-spirited organizations eligible to conduct games of chance. Motion carried.

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Moved by Sande and Johnson that the applications for gaming per- mits be approved. Motion carried.

10. Information from The Edge re. alcohol free events.
Mr. Swanson reported that this is information only, is pro- vided by Code; The Edge needs to coordinate any events with the police department. He also noted in answer to committee's con- cerns that the owner can separate entrances to main and lower levels. Moved by Sande and Johnson to receive and file. Motion carried. (committee only)

11. Budget amendment:
Don Shields reviewed budget amendment for health department to allocate 1995 carryover funds in the amount of $2,219 to Education/Training and to Furniture/Fixtures. Moved by Johnson and Sande to approve the budget amendment. Motion carried.

12. Matter of alcoholic beverage license for Frenchy's, Inc.
Mr. Swanson reported that Frenchy's alcoholic beverage license had been held in abeyance for a period of one year, and application for renewal was not submitted; he will be asking they be given notice and to terminate that license at a later meeting. (Info. only)

13. Matter of developing flyer re. curfew for school mailings.
Ms. Sande reported that she had received copy of flyer re. curfew used in West Fargo (ages, hours, etc.) and sent to homes of students. Ms. Sande volunteered to develop flyer, and it was suggested that flyers could be sent to parents through direct school mailings, in news letters, or whatever means available. No action taken.

Motion to adjourn moved by Sande and Johnson; meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 02/12/96