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MINUTES/PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Monday, November 23, 1998 - 4:30 p.m.

Members present: Bakken, Bouley, Martinson

2. Matter of uniforms/clothing for fire department. Jim Broten, Fire Department, reviewed clothing purchases for fire department employees, and recommended the following clothing purchases: white and blue shirts, winter dress jackets and black ties from White Banner Uniform Shop, dress trousers and work pants from U.B. Specialties, and firefighter dress caps from Silverman’s per bid price: long sleeve shirts, $18.99, short sleeve shirts, $16.99, work pants, $17.50,dress pants, $42.75, dress jacket, $173.95, ties @$4.50, and caps at $6.00. Mr. Broten reported that they purchase clothing as needed and go to the best vendor and bid on a one-year basis. Moved by Bouley and Martinson to accept proposal as submitted. Motion carried.

3. Matter of tobacco permits for 1999.
A communication from the city attorney, relative to this matter stated that his office would make no recommendations with regard to the amount of fees to be imposed; and stated that they should keep in mind that a tobacco retailer may be subject to both administrative penalties under Chapter 21 as well as criminal penalties under Chapter 9, and he recommended that the penalties remain as presently provided in order to obtain further experience with the existing code provisions. Don Shields, Health Department, reported that his department and the police department are still discussing and asked for an additional two weeks to consider and bring back recommendations. Held for 2 weeks.

4. Budget amendment.
a) Capt. Kjelstrom, police department, reviewed budget amendment, which reflects additional income from grant funds for narcotic enforcement to wages-overtime. Moved by Martinson and Bouley to approve the budget amendment. Motion carried.

5. Discussion of downtown parking.
Chairman Bakken reported that this was put on the agenda because there was problem downtown because of conflicting reports of ticketing and non-ticketing, and Chief Packett brought to his attention, that he talked to DDC since then and are assuming they will enforce all parking regulations as per Code. Capt. Kjelstrom reported that the problem they have had with daytime parking is now that they don’t have a right-hand drive vehicle for marking cars, and are going through twice a day (once in morning and once in afternoon), and will be increasing to twice in morning and twice in afternoon; night parking is handled by the regular officers for snow removal and he sent them another memo to make sure they’re there whether plows out or not to enforce street signs. Chairman Bakken suggested that they need to do something with signage, too, because parking situation has completely changed since those signs installed, and will address with John Thompson, traffic engineer. Capt. Kjelstrom reported they are enforcing all signs that are accessible (where people can park by are enforced). He reported they had two old postal vehicles which were flooded, body rusted out and unsafe to drive any moret, insurance settlement was for little over $1,000 on them, and that theyare trying to find funding for new vehicle, $16-26,000 for right-hand drive or open Cushman scooter type, and toput man permanently downtown; talking to Gary Christianson about the problem to see if they can’t resolve something.
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November 23, 1998 - Page 2

6. Request to call for bids for police vehicles:
a) four-door sedans
b) 4x4 mid-size pickup
Capt. Kjelstrom reported that Sgt. Phelps is drawing up on this, will present to staff meeting for the marked police cars and the 4-wheel drive animal warden truck, and once approved, will bring to committee before being sent out. Held until next meeting.

7. Matter of monthly update - substandard buildings and
blighted structures.
Don Shields and Wally Helland, Health Dept., reported on this matter. Mr. Helland reported they are down to about 11 houses that haven’t been able to get information on


8. Applications for gaming permits:
a) ND Shooting Sports Assn. - raffle 2/06/99
b) Assn. of Operating Nurses - raffle
c) Red River Valley Muskies - raffle
d) St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church - site authorization for year ending 6/30/99
e) Dakota Science Center - site authorization for raffle on February 15. Mr. Bill reported their loan comes due on February 15

Moved by Bouley and Martinson to approve applications for gaming contingent upon review and approval by the city attorney. Motion carried.

10. Request from Grand Forks Lions Club for refund of temporary
restaurant license fee ($65.00).
Moved by Bouley and Martinson to approve request for refund of temporary restaurant license fee. Motion carried. (Comm. only)

1. Request from Steering Comm. for First Night Greater Grand
Forks celebration on New Year’s Eve:
a) placement of portable restroom facilities
b) traffic lights
Capt. Kjelstrom reported there was no problem with leaving traffic lights on daytime setting after 10:00 p.m. to help alleviate traffic flow patterns. Moved by Martinson and Bouley to approve requests contingent upon review of traffic engineer. Motion carried.

11. Additional items:
Bouley brought up the matter of snowmobiles after snowstorm, being on streets, etc. Capt. Kjelstrom stated people running snowmobiles, can’t read license number, no way to identify, and cannot stop. He stated that when adopted snowmobile regulations and routes, Red River Snowmobile Club worked with them and did a good job. He stated they are meeting with reps. of Articat and Polaris re. what programs they have,
re. police department getting funding and snowmobile. He stated
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November 23, 1998 - Page 3

that if get funding would need to determine assigning officer,
equipment and perhaps have more info. next week. Chairman Bakken suggested putting something in the paper. Lonnie Winrich, 606 s. 4th Street, stated he served on committee to try to draft regs. on snowmobiles and resulted in routes and regulations but unfortunately non-existent because never had effective enforcement program and unbelievable that anyone purchasing vehicle not knowing rules and regulations. Snow-mobilers very irresponsible, ignore law and encourage others to ignore law provide and effective enforcement med and work with police department to implement those rules. Info. only.

b) Chairman Bakken reported that the garbage bin by Holiday Station for building materials sitting on the street and not on property and after snow dangerous piece of equipment, and get moved off S. 34th Street, sitting on curbs for motels. Capt. Kjelstrom will check on this.

c) Chairman Bakken suggested info. For John Thompson, traffic engineer: a) signs changes downtown, have someone look at changing parking areas, probably don’t need so many kinds.

Moved by Bouley and Martinson to adjourn; meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.


Alice Fontaine
City Clerk

Dated: 11/23/98.