Print VersionStay Informed
MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Tuesday, August 26, 1997 - 7:00 p.m.

Members present: Sande, Beyer, Glassheim.

1. Request for change in corporate officers for GMRI, Inc. dba
Red Lobster #641.
It was reported that notice of change in corporate officers had been made as required and that the changes had been reviewed by the city attorney and by the police department. Moved by Glassheim and Sande to receive and file. Motion carried. (comm. only)

Beyer reported present.

2. Request from Central High School to hold bonfire/pep rally on
September 17 on riverfront parking lot (behind Lola's).
LuAnn Burris, cheerleader advisor, presented request and stated they will contact Parking Auth. and fire department, will rope off area and have hired security. Lt. Kjelstrom stated that the police department would have no objections. Moved by Glassheim and Beyer to approve the request. Motion carried.

3. Request from DAV Auxiliary to sell "forget me not" flowers on
September 12 and 13.
It was noted that this is an annual event. Moved by Glassheim and Beyer to approve. Motion carried. (comm. only)

4. Requests for block parties:
a) on Robertson Court on September 3.
Lee Kurtyka presented request to block street at Cottonwood and 17th Ave.S., hours 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Moved by Glassheim and Beyer to approve. Motion carried. (comm. only)
b) on 25th Ave.S. from 10th to Olive Street.
Request is to block street August 28, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Moved by Beyer and Glassheim to approve. Carried. (comm. only)
c) Chestnut Street at 23rd Avenue South from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Linda Eickman, 2118 Chestnut St., presented request. Lt. Kjelstrom expressed some concern re. safety on this street. Moved by Beyer and Glassheim to allow blocking of Chestnut from 5:30 to 8:30, and allow blocking of 23rd Avenue South from 8;30 to end of party. Motion carried. (comm. only)
d) Walnut Street on September 7.
Peggy Klockman, 1327 Walnut, presented request for block party, to block Walnut Street at 13th Ave.S. on Sunday, September 7, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Moved by Beyer and Glassheim to approve. Motion carried. (comm. only)
e) 22nd Avenue S. from Cherry St. to Oak Street 9/07/97
Lee Anderson, 707 22nd Avenue S., presented request
for block party, block 22nd Ave.S. from Cherry to Oak St. from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Moved by Glassheim and Beyer to approve. Motion carried. (comm. only)

5. Matter of difficulty in making left turns at 32nd Ave.S. and
S. 38th Street.

MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
August 26, 1997 - Page 2

John Thompson, traffic engineer, reported that the east bound left turn (to proceed north) volume has been increasing with development and street improvements occurring directly to the north of Menard's; that a recent traffic count indicates that the minimum peak hour volume warrant for a protected left turn phase has been exceeded, and recommended the installation of left turn signal light. Moved by Beyer and Glassheim to approve installation of a left turn protected-permissive signal light and the appropriate traffic sensors to provide exclusive green time to the east bound left turn traffic movement at this intersection. Motion carried.

6. Matter of contract for Grand Forks Substance Abuse and
Traffic Safety for period October 1, 1997 thru September 30,
1998.
The committee reviewed contract, Beyer is on the Board. It was noted that health insurance cost cut from budget. Moved by Glassheim and Beyer to approve contract as presented. Motion carried.

7. Matter of grant agreement with ND State Dept. of Health:
a) Healthy Communities Grant Agreement - $4,200
Don Shields, health department, reported this is on-going grant, second year, with $6,000 match from Altru Foundation; and will focus on post-flood stress, etc. Moved by Beyer and Glassheim to approve the grant agreement. Motion carried.

8. Applications for gaming permits:
a) St. Michael's Men's Club - bingo - period ending 6/30/98.
It was noted that the application had been reviewed and approved by the city attorney. Moved by Glassheim and Beyer to approve the application. Motion carried. (comm. only)
b) A.O.R.N. (Assn. of Operating Room Nurses) of Grand Forks, ND Chap. #3504 - raffle
Mr. Swanson had reviewed application and recommended approval subject to adoption of resolution recognizing group as public spirited. Moved by Glassheim and Beyer to adopt resolution recognizing this group as an organization eligible to conduct gaming. Motion carried. Moved by Glassheim and Beyer to approve application for permit. Motion carried. (comm. only)

9. Matter of used vehicle for fire marshal.
Peter O'Neill, deputy fire chief, reported that they have 1974 vehicle which has reached end of usefulness, high maintenance, and requested authorization to purchase used vehicle out of cash carryover. He reported they found 1996 Cavalier at cost of $9900, less trade-in of $1700, for net amount of $8200. Committee questioned whether any other department interested in this vehicle (ie., for mosquito spraying), but Mr. Shields stated they rent at less cost, don't need two vehicles through winter. Committee asked why this wasn't included in budget or brought in during budgeting process. After further discussion moved by Glassheim and Beyer to

MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTE
August 26, 1997 - Page 3

authorize purchase of used vehicle, with trade-in. Motion carried. (comm. only)

10. Budget amendments:
a) Police Department - $3,000 (cash carryover)
b) Police Department - $1,220 (flood relief donations
c) Police Department - $11,834.45 (reflect insurance payments for flood-damaged vehicles)
Lt. Kjelstrom reported this amendment reflects unanticipated income from donations from law enforcement agencies for repair/ replacement of flood-damaged equipment, etc. as noted. Moved by Beyer and Glassheim to approve the budget amendments. Motion carried.

d) Health Department - $2,105 (Families First grant monies)
e) Health Department - $5,265 (1996 cash carryover from grants)
f) Health Department - $12,090 (grant funds from ND Dept. of Health for Women's Way Program)
Mr. Shields reviewed budget amendments. Moved by Beyer and Glassheim to approve the budget amendments. Motion carried.

11. Matter of Potato Bowl USA parade on September 20.
It was noted that the committee had approved route from Y-Family Center to the University, however, matter of parade route from East Grand Forks to University was again before committee at direction of the mayor. Several members of the committee were present: Michele Pfau, Terry Wanless and EGF city official, were present and stated they would like to have parade start in East Grand Forks and do entire route (will proceed on N. 3rd Street to University, and on University Ave. to UND). Mr. Wanless stated their goal was to get East Side involved, (parade of champions) and want to recognize those people; that the mayors strongly endorse this. He reported they met with Capt. MacCarthy, University police, etc. to make this work and would appreciate support for this. There was some discussion re. safety concerns, Mr. Wanless that they could create gap in parade if emergency. Moved by Glassheim and Beyer to approve revised Potato Bowl parade route, which starts in East Grand Forks across Sorlie Bridge to North 3rd Street, on North 3rd Street to University Avenue, and on University Avenue to University of North Dakota. Motion carried.

(Note: Beyer stated concern re. condition of outfall in front of Blue Moose, they will check that)

12. Matter of signs at temporary Belmont School.
Mr. Thompson reported that the principal at Belmont School had contacted him re. additional changes near the new school (Purpur Arena) on 7th Ave.S. and S. 10th Street area, requested stop sign in the alley just east of Williamson Field, no parking on the south side of 7th Avenue South between 9th and 11th Sts. and to install flashers for the crossing; est. cost of flashers $3,000 (Ron's

MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
August 26, 1997 - Page 4

Electric would move flashers from Lincoln School within next 3 weeks). Comm. asked what they could do in interim until flashers installed; there was discussion re. installation of temporary school zone signs until flashers installed. Moved by Beyer and Glassheim to approve additional traffic changes near new Belmont School on 7th Avenue South and South 10th Street, including installation of stop sign in the alley just east of Williamson Field, no parking on the south side of 7th Avenue South between 9th and 11th Streets, installation of school crossing flashers, and installation of temporary school zone signs until flashers installed. Motion carried.

13. Matter of grass and mosquito problems in buyout areas.
Glassheim presented matter of endless complaints re. abandoned property, unmowed grass, mosquitos in areas in Riverside, etc. and asked what could be done. There was some discussion re. mowing grass and charging back to the property, that City didn't receive bid for grass mowing this year, and difficulty in mowing because of abandoned property/debris in those areas. It was also noted that no resources to cut grass. There was also some discussion re. spraying for mosquitos, Mr. Shields stated they will be spraying again and will do some spot sprays in Riverside, etc.

After further discussion the committee suggested sending this matter to the Flood Response Committee for their consideration at their meeting on Wednesday, August 27, at 5:00 p.m.

14. Note: Sande asked status of open swimming pool at 1514 Chestnut Street; Mr. Shields reported this was turned over to building inspector, and to be boarded up.

Moved by Beyer and Glassheim to adjourn; meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 8/26/97.