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Minutes of Grand Forks City Council/Committee of the Whole
Monday, June 23, 2008 - 5:30 p.m._________________ __

The City Council met as the Committee of the Whole on Monday, June 23, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers in City Hall with Mayor Brown presiding. Present at roll call were Council Members Hutchison, McNamara, Glassheim, Gershman, Christensen Kreun - 6; absent: Council Member Bakken - 1.

Mayor Brown commented on various items during the past week and upcoming events:
Thanks to those who came to the Farmers Market on Saturday for the Mayor's Walk on the Greenway, it was about 8.5 miles and did it in 2 1/2 hours, and that there will be more but shorter.
Thanks to everyone who attended the Farmers Market and is off to a good start.
Tops in Blue is in Grand Forks this Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at the Chester Fritz and is open to the public, please come and show support for our friends in the Air Force and enjoy evening of entertainment.
Skjeberg Choir from Norway is here and will be at United Lutheran Church at 7:00 p.m.
There is a fund raiser for Honor Flyght tomorrow night, Airwaves, at the Empire Theatre at 7:30 p.m. and encouraged everyone to attend.

2.1 Application for property tax exemption for expanding business by James Satrom/Production Specialties Corp. dba P.S. Doors, 1150 South 48th Street.
There were no comments.

2.2 Historic Preservation Commission appointments.
There were no comments.

2.3 Engineering Services Agreement for Project No. 6303 (Federal Project No, TEU-6-986(085)089 - Reconstruction of English Coulee Shared Use Path from 24th to 17th Aves. S.________________________________________________________________
There were no comments.

2.4 Plans and Specifications for Project No. 6309, Dist. 301, watermain on 2500-2800 blks. of S. 42nd St. and 4100 blk. of 29th Ave.S____________________
There were no comments.

2.5 Change Order No. 1, Project No. 6213, 2008 Asphalt Street Repairs.
There were no comments.

2.6 Bids for Project No. 6271, Dist. 98, 2008 Seal Coat.
There were no comments.

2.7 Design, Bidding and Construction Administration Engineering/Architectural Services Agreement for Project. No. 6320, Riverside Pool Restoration.______
Council Member Gershman thanked Al Grasser and Mark Walker for good staff
report and included in the report is to develop future agreement between Park District and the City and would recommend that item be referred to the finance committee for review with suggestions to Mr. Swanson and will refer that at the next meeting. Council Member Christensen stated he would like to have agreement approved prior to accepting bids. Mr. Duquette reported that they met with engineer and finance today and has a call in to Mr. Staley and will meet on Wednesday and then bring that to the finance committee. Council Member Hutchison reported that the Park Board has not met to vote on this issue but did get a tentative timeline from Mr. Staley and should have smooth sailing.

2.8 Bids for Project No. 6177, Safe Routes to School - Pavement Markings, State Project No. SRU-6-986(079)083 PCN 17155.____________________________
There were no comments.

2.9 Amendment No. 2 to Engineering Services Agreement with Webster, Foster & Weston for Project No. 6174, Dist. 458, Rehabilitate Storm Pump Station No. 182 and No. 188.______________________________________________
There were no comments.

2.10 Grand Forks Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Tier II Non-Methane Organic Compound Emission Sampling ands Report Agreement._________________
There were no comments.

2.11 Grand Forks Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Geotechnical Evaluation.
There were no comments.

2.12 Request from Joe Black's, 118 North 3rd Street, for authorization to serve alcohol in conjunction with outdoor café seating at their business.
There were no comments.

MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS

1) Council Member Hutchison reported he had attended a 911 Authority Board meeting, that the Board's concern was that there was no representation from the city council or department and that a motion was made to change the makeup of the Board, at present there are 2 citizens appointed to that Board of the 6 members and the motion was to change 1 of those citizens to a representative from the Grand Forks City operational departments, appointed by the Mayor, and most likely would be from fire or police - or another department if the Mayor so chose, and that would take care of committee concerns because that person would attend the meetings.

2) Council Member McNamara thanked Council Member Hutchison for serving and being a great addition to the Grand Forks city council, that he is a class act and has done a great job.

He also stated that in the next month the Library will be looking for people to join a task force to begin to look at what the City needs to expand the Library or what the Library ought to be in the future in this community, and if interested to contact him or the Mayor's Office.

3) Council Member Glassheim stated he will be out of town tomorrow and wanted to say it was wonderful serving with Hutch.

4) Council Member Christensen stated it has been a privilege working with Hutch, that he is a class act and the City is lucky to have people like Mr. Hutchison who serve in whatever capacity they can, that he exemplifies community service and leadership, and hope we can encourage others to take the time to serve in whatever capacity.

5) Council Member Kreun thanked Hutch. He also stated there is a sheet on their desks from the Soldiers' Angels National Communication Officer, that on June 6 there was a memorial march that was held for all the ND Armed Services people that perished in the last global war on terrorism, and Alerus Center's role in the Grand Forks location march was one of the keys to its success, the staff acted in a quick attitude an allowed us to take our outdoor march inside around the concourse when event was threatened to be cancelled due to thunderstorms through that area that morning and that this is above community commitment and thanked them for their generous and genuine support; Shelle Michaels was person that signed the statement.

6) Council Member Gershman stated he has enjoyed working with Mr. Hutchison and thanked him for his insights and help with the Riverside pool, that his challenges on that issue helped get their arms around that issue and has been great addition to the council.

Mayor Brown stated he would also like to say thank you to Council Member Hutchison for what he has done to help us in a difficult time.

ADJOURN

It was moved by Council Member Hutchison and seconded by Council Member Christensen that we adjourn. Carried 6 votes affirmative.

Respectfully submitted,



John M. Schmisek
City Auditor