Print VersionStay Informed
MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Saturday, March 8, 1997 - 8:00 a.m.

Members present: Sande, Ellingson.

1. Matter of ordinance relating to traffic signal preemption
system.
Deputy Fire Chief Peter O'Neill reported that after reviewing the ordinance, they don't have a problem with but would have to be aware of who's asking for the system, and that ordinance requires full council action for entity to utilize the system. Moved by Ellingson and Sande to approve the proposed ordinance and to introduce for first reading. Motion carried.

2. Request to move loading/unloading zone sign at the water
treatment plant.
Hazel Sletten, water plant superintendent, reported they currently have loading zone along Franklin Ave. side of the '56 plant which is where elevator located, that they have since modified their lime unloading system and moved it to the middle of block from the elevator to the corner and by doing so left two parking spaces on the corner, but now are creating problem for trucks unloading when vehicles are parked there, and need to increase zone to include that area. Moved by Ellingson and Sande to remove two parking spaces from loading zone to the corner. Motion carried. (committee only) Mr. Thompson stated they could do as soon as frost is out, and could put up portable signs in interim.

3. Matter of removing parking for one car length on south side of 11th Avenue North at 20th Street.
It was noted that this item was submitted by Council Member Hanson, and that parking has been removed for two car lengths on the north side of the street but vehicles park all the way to the corner on the south side of the street and this creates problem for vehicles turning onto 11th or 20th. Mr. Thompson recommended approval of the request. Moved by Ellingson and Sande to remove parking as requested as soon as possible. Motion carried. (committee only)

4. Request from fire department to amend City Code re. fire
alarm connections.
Dep. Chief O'Neill reported that this request came from Mr. Eggeman of PSAP to bring in line with other alarm systems ($25.00 fee), that this was varying fee structure based on number of detectors (had to do count of number of detectors - but building is alarmed regardless of number of detectors), this will standardize fee. Moved by Ellingson and Sande to approve amend- ment of the City Code, Section 12-0602, to delete the graduated fee schedule for connection permit and to establish a single $25.00 fee for direct or automatic connections to PSAP, and to introduce the ordinance for first reading. Motion carried.

5. Consideration of bids for copier for fire department.

MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
March 8, 1997 - Page 2

Dep. Chief O'Neill reviewed tabulation of bids received for copiers and reported that the only bidder meeting all specs. was Advanced Business Methods (Minolta EP 4050 copier) in the amount of $9,987.00, that staff recommended acceptance of this bid based on copier trial and also checked a lot of references from other users. He noted some bidders took exceptions to the bids on specific items. After considerable discussion it was moved by Ellingson and Sande that based on data presented to accept bid of Advanced Business Methods in the amount of $9,987.00 as it meets all specifications and is within budget. Motion carried. (Committee only)

6. Applications for gaming permits:
a) Grand Forks Bambino Baseball League - raffle 6/11/97
It was noted that the application had been reviewed and approved by the city attorney. Moved by Ellingson and Sande to approve. Motion carried. (comm. only)

7. Temporary and overtime statement for January, 1997.
The committee reviewed report. Moved by Ellingson and Sande to approve. Motion carried. (comm. only)

8. Application for gaming permit:
a) UND Trapshooting Club - raffle on
Howard Swanson, city attorney, reported that this group would be eligible under public-spirited category if the committee so recommended, otherwise application is in order.
Moved by Ellingson and Sande to recognize the UND Trapshooting Club as a public-spirited organization eligible to conduct gaming. Motion carried.
Moved by Ellingson and Sande to approve the application for permit. Motion carried. (Comm. only)

9. Application for transfer of Class 4 alcoholic beverage license from Chi-Chi's to Manzana Grande, Inc. dba Rio Bravo. Mr. Swanson reported that the license issued to Chi Chi's was held in abeyance; that they have struck agreement with corpora- tion known as Manzana Grande, Inc., that they are going to do business as a Mexican restaurant under the name of Rio Bravo, that for all practical purposes, though one minor distinction, this is the same organizational group that runs Applebee's, that they are seeking approval of the transfer of the Chi Chi's liquor license to the new organization. He reported he has reviewed the application, that it appears to be in order, and would recommend approval of the application subject to final payment of all fees, investigative fee, transfer fee and license fee, subject to review by police, health, fire and inspection departments.

Moved by Ellingson and Sande to approve the transfer of the Chi Chi's liquor license to Manzana Grande, Inc. dba Rio Bravo,
subject to final payment of all fees and review and approval by
MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
March 8, 1997 - Page 3

the police, health, fire and inspection departments. Carried.

10. Report on bond closing - Aurora.
Mr. Swanson reported that the City closed bond sale for Aurora, $70 Million, which was largest bond sale the City has ever undertaken, largest g.o. bond issue in State of North Dakota, and was smoothest bond closing ever had.

11. Request for traffic study at N. 20th and University Ave.
Ellingson presented request for traffic study to determine whether traffic signals warranted at North 20th Street and Uni- versity Avenue. He noted that this is where the street median begins and this is a school crossing. Mr. Thompson reported that a study was done 3-4 years ago; that he would do study before Washington Street project starts and after snow melts.

12. Information - Article re. photo radar.
Sande distributed copies of article on photo radar; and that this is something need to consider at some point in the future with regard to left turns after green arrow turns red and running of red lights. Mr. Swanson reported that the City of St. Paul (and Metro. Planning Council) is doing a pilot project to study this; they are being funded by a national organization re. effec- tiveness and cost effectiveness, that he thought this was a one-year project on selected intersections. He also noted that they had some technical concerns re. weather. Chairman Sande stated they install cameras inside street light bulb or dome to protect from weather. Info. only.

13. Meeting date.
Comm. scheduled their next meeting for Monday, March 24, at 3:45 p.m.

14. Matter of Affordable Housing Plan.
Chairman Sande reported there was only one item in the report under purview of this committee - proposed street widths.

Deputy Fire Chief O'Neill stated fire lanes 22 ft. by Code, that 22 ft. adequate but would be a concern if parking allowed, esp. in winter. Chief Paschke suggested parking either on one side or no parking allowed. After some discussion Sande stated that the committee go on record supporting the affordable housing concept but that consideration of fire lanes has to be paramount.

Moved by Ellingson and Sande that the public safety committee supports the affordable housing concept but has concerns over safety aspects of the width of streets mentioned in the report. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45 a.m.
Alice Fontaine, City Clerk
Dated: 3/08/97.