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MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Wednesday, September 16, 1998 - 3:00 p.m.

Members present: Bakken, Bouley.

1. Request from Beta Theta Pi fraternity for variance to noise
ordinance on October 3, 1998 (fund raiser for SADD as part of
Alcohol Awareness Week).
Reps. of the fraternity stated they were having an outdoor band for Alcohol Awareness Week for fund raising for students against drunk driving, for period from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight. He stated they are also having basketball tournament with disc jockey during that time. Committee stated they had just received complaint on another function that exceeded midnight and would be very concerned about exceeding midnight. Chief Packett reported he has reviewed request. Moved by Bouley and Bakken to approve request. Motion carried.

2. Request from fire department for approval of revised clothing
specifications.
Peter O'Neill, deputy fire chief, reported they have been purchasing clothing off specifications that they went to bid with several years ago and since that time using oral quotes, and wanted to do full specifications again to get best prices and continue to buy piecemeal as people need uniforms. He reported they will mail to several bidders and try to get better pricing than presently have; and that there are funds in the budget. Moved by Bouley and Bakken to approve request to call for bids. Motion carried. (Comm. only)

3. Matter of request from fire department for consideration of
specs. for breathing apparatus (SCBA) and authorization to
call for bids.
Dep. Chief O'Neill reported he had joined fire department in 1973 and had MSA 30-minute airpacks with heavy steel tanks, have updated to certain degree, but still same basic technology; put in 1998 budget and have $110,000 in the budget, $55,000 coming from carryover. He reported they did an exhaustive study of different manufacturer's equipment and have now lowered to four manufacturers with very adequate pieces of equipment and would like to bid those four, look at prices, options along with warranties. Moved by Bouley and Bakken to approve call for bids. Motion carried. (Comm. only)

4. Request from fire department for approval of southside fire
station foundation and authorization to call for bids.
Chief Aulich stated he would like this matter withdrawn because since they requested that it be put on the agenda, have become aware that the utilities on that site probably won't be available until mid-summer 1999 and been advised by architect that may get better bids if bid the entire project in February for spring start.

5. Applications for gaming permits:
No applications.

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6. Request for refund for food service license by Grand Forks
Hockey Assn.
Moved by Bouley and Bakken to approve the request for refund in the amount of $65.00. Motion carried. (comm. only)

7. Budget amendment.
Wally Helland, health department, reported this request is budget amendment request for health department in the amount of $1,651, unanticipated Caring for Childrens grant (CSCC) and to be used for med/lab supplies and education/training. Moved by Bouley and Bakken to approve budget amendment. Motion carried.

8. Matter of automatic fingerprinting system grant and Memo of
Understanding.
Chief Packett reported they presented copies of Memo of Understanding that they were proposing to be signed with the County that as part of the overall grant of $55,000 to put in automated fingerprint system in County Correctional facility, have to have local match and are proposed that the City furnish that match of $15,400 which comes out of an equipment grant they received earlier in the year; so far have received grant for $116,000 that has purchased equipment; second grant $148,000 of which this $15,400 will come out of; and also receiving a third grant later in the year for $136,000 to purchase equipment as well. He reported this will set up a machine in the County Correctional Department which will allow all agencies in County to book people directly into the County jail rather than go to their own agency first and then bring back to County facility - one-stop location. It is quite a sophisticated system where similar to analysis by computer, put prints on a pad, computer analyzes that print and stores permanently and checks national data basis for wants and warrants, quite a step forward technology-wise. He also reported that the advantage for them is that they are anticipating an annual cost of about $16,000/yr. for County to charge for booking prisoners in the future, but if purchase this machine (one-time purchase) they will not charge annual cost to book in prisoners, cost effective for the City to furnish match for this grant; City owns equipment and they will utilize in Correction facility.

Moved by Bouley and Bakken to approve, and authorize entering into joint powers agreement with County of Grand Forks concerning purchasing and maintaining equipment for the electronic booking of prisoners. Motion carried.

9. Request for permission to call for bids on computerized
polygraph.
Chief Packett reviewed purpose for bidding automated polygraph machine, have had an officer who completed basic training for operation, that machines used now are computerized rather than manual, can see breakdown of information that staff has supplied re. advantages, takes away lot of the operator interpretation and

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computer indicates deception and problems when run people on it, and upgrade of equipment they have. He reported this will be about $7,000 bid and comes out of second $148,000 equipment grant, and no general fund money. Moved by Boule and Bakken to authorize call for bids. Motion carried. (Comm. only)

10. Request to call for bids for up to 90 - 40-calibre pistols.
Chief Packett reported that the second memorandum provides information to go with standardized handgun, staff has identified a problem area where officers carrying various types of weapons, makes difficult to keep officers certified on different weapons and purchasing different types of ammunition, and only agency in area that has variety of weapons on the street; that Sheriff's Office, HP, University Police all carry the 40-caliber weapons, and attempting to standardize the caliber in the metro area but also go to a standardized weapon for the department, anticipating that weapons cost about $400/ea. and this money would come from $148,000 block grant for equipment, no general fund money involved. He reported they had an internal research committee research a specific type of weapon, field tests, etc. and committee has recommended the specific model of Glock to either 22 or 23 (model 22 is larger framed weapon carrying about 15 rounds and 23 is smaller handle for female officers and smaller handed officers and carries about 13 rounds). He stated they are asking for bids for a specific type of product but will have a number of vendors that will bid that type of weapon, but may be approached as to why selecting a specific model, and could be problem of criticism. He reported they surveyed all officers as to their wishes and gave everyone opportunity to shoot various models, etc. and have put together paper trail as to research and why this is their recommendation. He stated that standardization to one type of weapon is beneficial to administration. Equipment is good technology choice, agencies in mid-west switching to this specific weapon - cost-effective weapon, maintenance low and simple weapon.
(Old that are City owned weapons can be used for trade-ins towards purchase price and ammunition; personally owned weapons will not be allowed).

Moved by Bouley and Bakken approve call for bids. Motion carried. (Committee only)

11. Request from Red River High School to hold bonfire on October 1 from 8;30 to 10:30 p.m. and noise variance to play music
during the school function (Homecoming).
Chief Packett reported that the fire department would want to review the final approval of safety factors on this because of bonfire, and police usual comments re. safety concerns and hold harmless agreement. Moved by Bouley and Bakken to approve request pending fire and police approval and their approval as to location. Motion carried.


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12. New Business:
a) Bouley reported she had brought to Officer Beck's attention, that during flood contractors occupied businesses areas not nor-mally allowed; that at intersection of Lewis Blvd. and N. 3rd Street, at Western Auto building Melby Construction has brought in a pile of dirt which is being used by kids in the neighborhood for biking, etc. - bottom of the pile is at the street (pile has been there for several months) but kids now making into hill for dirt bikes. It was reported that there is ordinance covering that; and Mr. Thompson stated that he will call Melby Const. re. this matter.
b) Bakken stated he had received letter/complaint on variance that City issued to Sigma Nu Fraternity and asked Chief Packett to respond to that from City's standpoint. Chief Packett stated they will go out and talk to offenders and make sure they were aware that there were complaints from the neighborhood and indicate close scrutiny from the committee should they approach in the future for more variances, that committee has concern, and make arrangements to give Mr. Kopp a written response with a cc to the committee.

c) Bakken reported that a stop sign at Congressional II has not been installed; John Thompson, traffic engineer, reported he wrote a second work order on that. He also reported they are planning to put up a 4-way stop at 51st and 6th Avenue North also because of complaints of traffic going through their, and yield signs on all side streets on 51st.

d) Mr. Thompson reported he had received request from Ken Vein to send any major road closures like North 4th Street and DeMers Avenue and downtown streets through public service either in addition to or instead of bringing them to public safety because at public service usually have all consultants/contractors, etc. and take one item out of safety's consideration and handle through public service. Bakken stated they are still going to want to look at first and send to public service with their recommendation and expect them to keep this committee advised. Mr. Thompson stated when these come in he could send concurrently so no delay, Bakken agreed.

e) Chief Packett reported that the finance committee discussed the impound lot on North Mill Road to some extent, no real deci-sions made but that committee's aware that finance committee is looking at that, costing out what property is worth, and discussing some City options, trades, etc.; that safety would stay abreast of that as well and they would involve this committee in any decision that would be made in the future.

16. Matter of yellow flashing lights at Ben Franklin School on 11th
Avenue South. Rick Asche, Autumn Court, stated that there had been discussion re. installation of yellow flashing lights on 11th Avenue S., that

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he has three daughters attending school, and was here to voice support of the lights, and that he would like to see done on timely basis and installed this year. He stated this is busy street, esp. after school when parents there to pick up their kids. Bakken stated this matter was under study, and asked that this be placed on their next agenda, September 28 at 4:30 p.m., for an update from John Thompson, traffic engineer.

Moved by Bouley/Bakken to adjourn; meeting adjourned at 3:35 p.m.

Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 9/16/98.