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TASK FORCE COMMITTEE – SPECIAL EVENTS
PROGRAM – February 7, 2002 – 7:30 a.m._________

Members present: Hamerlik, Burke, Gershman, Glassheim.

Chairman Hamerlik asked Peggy Kurtz, Urban Development, for update relative to the Starlites. Ms. Kurtz reported that she had talked to Rick Duquette, Adm.Coordinator, that the final lease had been prepared and sent out by Mr. Swanson, that he had talked to reps. from Starlites who had indicated that everything was in order and that the lease would be signed with all other required information and back to the City by Friday. Glassheim stated that is moot because the applicant withdrew their request (#5 SPA/ Crimson Creek Collegiate Players, $10,000) and issue for the committee doesn’t matter and the $10,000 returns to the Events funding.

Glassheim stated they need to resolve request from Lions Club and his understanding is that they can’t loan money. John Schmisek, director of finance and adm. services, reported that State Statute prohibits a government from loaning money to any private or non-profit, (that’s part of the reason that the JDA was formed because they were able to take money and put it into the Growth Fund.) Burke asked how they loaned money to Valley Memorial; Mr. Schmisek stated they used CDBG funds through federal funding source (can if allowed within the program). He stated that Mr. Swanson confirmed that. He stated that Chairman Hamerlik had asked if the City put it in, could we sell that to the Lions Club but once the City uses their money to install infrastructure, the City owns it and State Statute requires that we declare it surplus and bid it out; other option is in looking at the Greenway Betterment Funds, there are still some funds in that category that if the City wished to use those funds as part of a betterment of the greenway and that other groups could use that, it is a valid use – could work with the Lions Club and they could contribute their money to the City as a donation to that, we could supplement it with our greenway funds and depending on how they want to set it up, maybe reasonable to then lease this area of land to the Lions Club, they can sub-lease it to others but they would be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep – he stated he didn’t know how much of that land they wanted to be responsible for even during the summer, but perhaps it’s an area that within the maintenance of the greenway this is like an “adopt an area of the greenway”, but could lease that area back to the Lions and make them responsible for it. Committee noted that if the City put it in, they could just as well control it and lease it to Lions and any other group that may want to use it. Burke stated he wouldn’t support anything more than what’s in there right now, just as soon zero that line out and have it paid for from the Greenway as it is infrastructure, it’s capital and go at it from the City owning it and then contributing to it, that if start paying for capital through Events Program could be problem for the future.

Glassheim stated we could spend $35,000 from the Greenway Funds with staff instructed to develop the appropriate leasing arrangements with the Lions. Burke asked why we would have to get into a lease business, it’s a facility that the City owns and allow people to use it and may have hold harmless clause and they would pay for whatever costs they used. Mr. Schmisek stated the only thing they would want to do is make sure that because the Lions have contributed to it that they get their first choice but every rental stands on its own and don’t have to have long term lease. Chairman Hamerlik stated he had received call from Andy Swanson, Lions, and they are ready to make contributions to the development of the greenway in future years from their income – spread it in the community (park benches, etc. and if in some way repay it, would be east to justify our expenditures if they help develop the rest of it.
TASK FORCE COMMITTEE – February 7, 2002, Page 2

Burke moved that we zero that line item and recommend to council that they direct staff to work with the Lions Club to provide the needed infrastructure in conjunction with the betterment activities in the greenway. Gershman seconded the motion. Burke noted this would come back to the city council for approval, as they would have to approve the betterment spending. Glassheim suggested a friendly amendment “..and that the council appropriate up to $35,000 from the Greenway Betterment funds”. Upon call for the question the motion carried.

Ap. #6, Summer Performing Arts Company – Committee asked Ms. Kurtz to call Mr. Opp to see if the request before this committee is the same as they are requesting in the Arts Grants. (unable to reach).

After some discussion Glassheim moved to add $2,500 to Ap. #17 (North Dakota Museum of Art, SunDog Jazz Fest 2002) from tentative $5,000 to $7,500. Carried 3 votes affirmative; Burke voted no.

The committee reviewed all the applications and proposed funding and made changes as follows: Ap. # 11, First Night, additional funds of $4,000 to a total grant of $19,000; Ap. #16, 2002 Curling Classic, additional $2,500 to $17,500; #13, Sertoma for 4th of July festival, additional $1,500 to total of $19,000; #7 Potato Bowl, add $3,000 to $8,000; Ap. #15, Downtown Leadership Group, add $1,000 to total of $11,000; and #14, UND Indian Association, add $1,000 to total of $6,000.

Moved by Gershman and Glassheim to recommend to city council for approval the following recommendations (Attachment #1). Motion carried 3 to 1, Burke voted against the motion.

Chairman Hamerlik adjourned the meeting.

Alice Fontaine, City Clerk.