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December 3, 2001
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
December 3, 2001

The city council of the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota met in the council chambers in City Hall on Monday, December 3, 2001 at the hour of 7:00 o’clock p.m. with Vice President Martinson presiding. Present at roll call were Council Members Brooks, Bjerke, Hamerlik, Burke, Glassheim, Christensen, Klave, Kerian, Kreun, Martinson - 10; absent: Council Members Stevens, Gershman, Lunak, Bakken - 4.

Vice President Martinson announced that anyone wishing to speak to any item may do so by being recognized prior to a vote being taken on the matter, and that the meeting is being televised.

Vice President Martinson congratulated UND’s football team on one of the best football games ever played in Grand Forks this past Saturday, there were over 11,000 people at the Alerus Center, this is the third UND team that is competing for a national championship this year, and hats off to the Fighting Sioux and our good friends and neighbors on campus at the University of North Dakota, alumni, students, faculty - we’re proud to have you with us.

Vice President Martinson announced that we are looking for four council people to serve on a Community Events and Arts Grant Program (Potato Bowl, class reunions, etc.) and if want to see him after council or stop in mayor’s office.

Vice President Martinson announced that on December 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Grand Forks Public Works building, 724 South 47th Street, there is an influenza and pneumonia clinic for the public.

FLOOD PROTECTION PROJECT UPDATE

Al Grasser, city engineer, reviewed the update on the flood protection project.
Technical Work Update on the Corps of Engineers:
Stanley Consultants is working on Phase II of the plans, final technical review is due to be submitted this week for final comments, and potential bidding next spring.
Nodak Contracting is working on Phase I and have completed construction of the foundation of the stormwater pump station at Almonte and 8th Avenue South, and also working on lift station in Lincoln Drive and work well and continue on both of those lift stations throughout the winter.
The demolition of the Almonte Nursing Home is complete and contractor has constructed various sections of levees in the Lincoln and Olson-Elmwood areas; work is almost done, pulling out some dirt and doing some stockpiling but levee construction over for this year.
They have done a pre-final on the Riverside Dam, need to do seeding in the spring.
English Coulee Diversion - will have a bid opening on December 18, and there is a possibility of starting some of that work this winter, that will be extending and widening the English Coulee interceptor ditch.
Gowan Construction - the Corps will authorize three additional foundations in the Sun-Beam area, those demo’s have been completed and are in the process of backfilling some of those.
English Coulee pump station plans are complete, project will be bid this winter to allow work to commence next spring, but is contingent on funding limitations and in order to advance that, there is a possibility that the City may have to do some advance funding to keep that project going on time.
Raw water intake casing - that is being poured, pour section and sink casing, build another piece of wall, etc. and process will continue until get it to the necessary depth.
City Consultant Updates:
Gowan Construction has completed most of the interim levee work, possibly he may re-mobilize and finish off a couple of levee sections this year.
Various contractors are doing relocations on the English Coulee Diversion projects and is going pretty well, Minnkota will complete the relocation of a line and switch over by Highway 2 by mid-part of this month. United Crane and Excavating has completed the utility relocations for Phase I and has begun some of the relocation work on Phase II, that is part of the City’s responsibility areas where we relocate the water and sewer lines ahead of the Corps coming in.
Financing: Federal Appropriations Process
The President has signed the fiscal year 2002 appropriations at $31 million, and now appears from a cash flow standpoint that may not be enough money to get the English Coulee closure and Phase II levees may have to wait until the next fiscal year that begins in October.
State Appropriations: No updates.
Local funding: No updates.
Project Cost Update:
No new information from the Corps but are still evaluating comments that we made about their previous estimate that was discussed at the last meeting; however, based on that we are going to look into the possibilities of making reductions in part of the Phase II plans and may go back and revisit Phase I - staff is investigating that to see if there are any reductions to be had and if worthwhile going after, and staff will be talking with various groups about possibilities of that. He stated they are expecting costs from the Corps relative to our questions to come back in next couple weeks and getting close to where they will be getting bids for the English Coulee Diversion so Corps may wait and incorporate their findings on that project until they give us any revised numbers.
Acquisitions. Nothing to report - are ongoing and would like to have all the properties acquired in 2002, Phase I. Clay hauling is essentially done for the year.
Phase II. With the exception of Northridge Hills most of the previously purchased homes in this phase have been sold and relocations will occur this month.
Other Misc. Properties. Have a purchase offer and has been accepted on the Riverview Apartments (on Alpha Avenue) and have purchase agreement that is being finalized with Viking Electric (in the downtown reach).
Historical Properties. They are in the appraisal process for five homes that are yet to be addressed and took care of rest of them in 2001.
Communications. He stated the staff is working on a communication plan and that was disseminated last week, that they are trying to utilize the Info Center as one of their primary points of contact and through their flood protection staff.

Melanie Parvey-Biby, Interim Greenway Coordinator, gave a brief summary on the Greenway.
She stated that since the time of the update they have new information on the TCSP grant, that she spoke with staff of Senator Dorgan’s office last week and informed her that the Conference Committee has finished and appropriated $1 million to the greenway project for the transportation appropriations, which would be the trails and non-motorized bridges in the greenway. She stated she will be working with staff within next month to put together some funding options with what they can do with that portion of the grant that has been acquired for this project. She stated that another grant they are working on right now is for the community green project, last year they submitted a grant application to the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District to help offset the local cost share for the community green and they will be reconsidering that tomorrow night at their committee meeting. The Greenway Technical Committee meets tomorrow to talk about the non-paid trail planning in the greenway, there will be public meetings held sometime in December and they will be announced after tomorrow’s meeting. She also noted that the Veteran’s Day Race was held by the Goals group, the Grand Forks Air Force Base and the Park District on November 11 and had a great turn-out, 55 participants in the race, with people coming from Winnipeg, Minneapolis, Pine River, MN, the Fargo area as well as Grand Forks and East Grand Forks communities and the Air Force Base. She also noted that the Goals group will be meeting Wednesday, December 12, at 5:30 p.m. and are working on developing cross country ski trails in conjunction with the Park District as well as hosting an event in February, the Greenway Ski Day; that the Lincoln Drive Neighborhood Committee will meet December 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the Park District Office. The Grand Cities Bird Club is working on a Christmas bird count, can obtain information from their web site, they hold a bird count once a year.

Council Member Brooks asked if there was anything the Senior Leadership Group has to report. Council Member Kreun stated they haven’t met; he pointed out that in this material that you may want to be aware of is to take a look at other properties, RDO Foods and St. Anne’s Guest Home, and those will be some large dollar items that we may have to incur, don’t know but possibility is there.

ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 3908, RELATING TO
WASTEWATER RATES

An ordinance entitled “An ordinance amending Section 15-0301 and subsection 150-0304 (2)(F) of the Grand Forks City Code, relating to wastewater rates”, which had been introduced and passed on its first reading on November 5, 2001, was presented and read for consideration on second reading and final passage.

The staff report from the director of public works relating to the second reading of the wastewater utility fee increase, with recommendation to approve wastewater utility fee increases effective January 1, 2002 as per the FY 2002 budget.

It was moved by Council Member Brooks and seconded by Council Member Kreun that this recommendation be and is hereby approved. Carried 10 votes affirmative.

Upon call for the question of adoption of this ordinance and upon roll call vote the following voted “aye”: Council Members Brooks, Bjerke, Hamerlik, Burke, Glassheim, Christensen, Klave, Kerian, Kreun, Martinson - 10; voting “nay”: none. Vice President Martinson declared the ordinance adopted.

ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 3909, RELATING TO FEES
FOR DUMPING

An ordinance entitled “An ordinance amending Section 13-0502 of the Grand Forks City Code relating to fees for dumping”, which had been introduced and passed on its first reading on November 5, 2001, was presented and read for consideration on second reading and final passage.

The staff report from the director of public works relating to second reading of landfill tipping fee increase ($20.74 to $23.25 per ton), with recommendation to approve landfill tipping fee of $23.25 per ton effective January 2, 2002 as per the FY 2002 budget.

It was moved by Council Member Burke and seconded by Council Member Hamerlik that this recommendation be and is hereby approved. Carried 10 votes affirmative.

Upon call for the question of adoption of this ordinance and upon roll call vote the following voted “aye”: Council Members Brooks, Bjerke, Hamerlik, Burke, Glassheim, Christensen, Klave, Kerian, Kreun, Martinson - 10; voting “nay”: none. Vice President Martinson declared the ordinance adopted.

ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 3910, TO ANNEX ALL OF
SHADY RIDGE ESTATES 6TH ADDITION NOT PREVIOUSLY
ANNEXED BY RESOLUTION OF ANNEXATION FILED ON
SEPTEMBER 9, 1996

An ordinance entitled “An ordinance to annex to the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota, all of Shady Ridge Estates 6th Addition not previously annexed by resolution of annexation filed with the Grand Forks County Recorder as Document No. 525980 and filed on September 9, 1996”, which had been introduced and passed on its first reading on October 15, 2001, and upon which public hearing had been scheduled for this evening, was presented and read for consideration and second reading of the ordinance.

The deputy city auditor reported that notice to the public that this petition would be presented to the city council had been published as required, and further that no protests or grievances had been filed.

Mayor Brown called upon the audience to see if there was anyone present who had comments to make on this matter. There were none.

Upon call for the question of adoption of this ordinance and upon roll call vote the following voted “aye”: Council Members Brooks, Bjerke, Hamerlik, Burke, Glassheim, Christensen, Klave, Kerian, Kreun, Martinson - 10; voting “nay”: none. Vice President Martinson declared the ordinance adopted.

APPROVE BUDGET AMENDMENTS

The staff report from the IS Department relating to $4,853 budget amendment for training and education with recommendation to approve the budget amendment for $4,853 from the IS Department’s cash carryover for education and training.

The staff report from the Police Department relating to budget amendment request for $15,366.66, with recommendation for council approval of the amendment.

The staff report from the Police Department relating to budget amendment request for $1,560.00, with recommendation for council approval of the amendment.

The staff report from the Police Department relating to budget amendment request for $23,108.42, with recommendation for council approval of amendment.

The staff report from the Police Department relating to budget amendment request for $52,100.60, with recommendation for council approval of amendment.

The staff report from the Police Department relating to budget amendment request for $8,648.38, with recommendation for council approval of amendment.

The staff report from the Police Department relating to budget amendment request for $33,032.11, with recommendation for council approval of amendment.
The staff report from the Police Department relating to budget amendment request for $6,624.00 with recommendation for council approval of amendment.
It was moved by Council Member Hamerlik and seconded by Council Member Christensen to approve the recommendations. Carried 10 votes affirmative.

APPROVE FUNDING FOR RAILROAD CROSSING SIGNAL
AT NORTH 42ND STREET AND 18TH AVENUE NORTH

The staff report from the engineering department relative to consideration of funding for railroad crossing signal, with recommendation to allocate 10% match for railroad crossing signals at North 42nd Street and 18th Avenue North.

It was moved by Council Member Hamerlik and seconded by Council Member Christensen that this recommendation be and is hereby approved. Upon roll call the following voted “aye”: Council Members
Brooks, Bjerke, Hamerlik, Burke, Glassheim, Christensen, Klave, Kerian, Kreun, Martinson - 10; voting “nay”: none. Vice President Martinson declared the motion carried.

APPROVE CHANGE ORDER FOR PROJECT NO. 5197,
2001 CONCRETE STREET REPAIRS

The staff report from the engineering department relating to Change Order No. 5 for Project No. 5197, 2001 Concrete Street Repairs, with recommendation to approve Project No. 5197 Change Order No. 5 for Opp Construction in the amount of $10,519.00.

It was moved by Council Member Hamerlik and seconded by Council Member Christensen that this recommendation be and is hereby approved. Upon roll call the following voted “aye”: Council Members
Brooks, Bjerke, Hamerlik, Burke, Glassheim, Christensen, Klave, Kerian, Kreun, Martinson - 10; voting “nay”: none. Vice President Martinson declared the motion carried.

AUTHORIZE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT STUDY IN
AREA SURROUNDING STORM WATER LIFT STATION
NO 89

The staff report from the engineering department relating to Storm Water Lift Station No. 89 and drainage improvement study to surrounding area, with recommendation to direct engineering department to proceed with an engineering study if the cost for the study is less than the current authorization amount of $30,000 for the special assessment project.

It was moved by Council Member Hamerlik and seconded by Council Member Christensen that this recommendation be and is hereby approved. Upon roll call the following voted “aye”: Council Members
Brooks, Bjerke, Hamerlik, Burke, Glassheim, Christensen, Klave, Kerian, Kreun, Martinson - 10; voting “nay”: none. Vice President Martinson declared the motion carried.

APPROVE CHANGE IN MEETING SCHEDULE FOR
DECEMBER AND JANUARY

The staff report from the mayor’s office relating to committee of the whole meeting schedule changes for December, 2001 and January, 2002, with recommendation to change committee of the whole meeting from Monday, December 24 or 31, 2001 to Wednesday, January 2, 2002.

It was moved by Council Member Hamerlik and seconded by Council Member Christensen that this recommendation be and is hereby approved. Carried 10 votes affirmative.

RECEIVE AND FILE ALERUS REPORT

The staff report from the finance office and Alerus management re. analysis of cash flow assistance for the Alerus Events Center was presented for information.

Council Member Burke questioned the 4% sales tax collection figures which were $21,000 below projections in August and $10,000 below projections in September and asked why the numbers were so low for August and September. The deputy city auditor stated that those were the actual collections reported from the State.

Council Member Hamerlik reported that the way the sales tax figures are brought in on the budget was averaged out evenly across the full year and those two months are down time traditionally and the Commission has asked after a little experience on that in the future that it be reflected according to the month and the way the collections usually will come in rather than to have them spread out evenly over the 12 months. Mr. Kossow agreed.

Council Member Burke asked the finance department to bring an explanation of this at the next committee of the whole meeting. Vice President Martinson stated it was so noted.

It was moved by Council Member Brooks and seconded by Council Member Hamerlik to receive and file the report. Carried 10 votes affirmative.

APPROVE APPOINTMENT TO ALERUS COMMISSION

The staff report from the mayor’s office relating to an appointment to the Alerus Commission, with recommendation to confirm the mayoral reappointment of Randy Newman as a public at large rep. to the Alerus Commission, for a three-year term that would expire November 2004.

Council Member Bjerke noted that there is another Commission member whose term has expired and would need to vote on that in the near future. Council Member Hamerlik stated he has discussed this with the mayor and that the ordinance states that people are appointed and will serve until another person is appointed and ratified by this body, that all 14 members of the council are up for re-election in June and there was some discussion that rather than have someone serve for 4 or 5 months and then not be re-elected, and makes sense that he continue on, and that is the reason it is not on the agenda at this time.

It was moved by Council Member Hamerlik and seconded by Council Member Klave that this recommendation be and is hereby approved. Carried 10 votes affirmative.

APPROVE BUS FARE RECOMMENDATIONS

The staff report from the Task Force Committee relating to fare recommendations, with recommendation as follows: Fare Schedule: Adult $1.50 cash Discount: $10.00 (10 tickets)
Senior $0.60 cash Discount $5.00 (10 tickets)
Disabled $0.60 cash Discount $5.00 (10 tickets)
Student $1.00 Discount $10.00 (10 tickets)
All-day Monthly Pass $32.00
Off-peak Monthly Pass $17.00
Dial-A-Ride fare schedule: $3.00 first rider/$1.50 second and additional; and that any fare changes go into effect at the same time the new ticket readers (registering fareboxes) are installed and working and that we exchange outstanding tickets with credit for new tickets and that the old tickets not be useable.

It was moved by Council Member Hamerlik that we take committee’s recommendation with the Dial-A-Ride and adult ticket prices, and to make it more simple and easier to communicate with the public that the senior, disabled and student prices for this year and in the future be 50% of the adult rate as established, that when you get to the discount prices those with the adult would have a $0.20 discount for 10 tickets and the others (senior, disabled and student) be a $0.10 discount; that the all-day monthly pass and off-peak monthly pass should be prorated according to the increases which are in this motion. Council Member Klave seconded the motion.

Frank Harlow, 110 Cherry Street, Apt. 102, stated there are some people on dial-a-ride that at times can’t afford it because they don’t have the money, and would like it to stay the same as it currently is ($2.50 first rider/$1.00 second and additional).

Bobbie Vogel, 2500 14th Avenue South, Apt. 11, stated that he hoped people can afford it.

Mary Weaver, 509 Cherry Street, expressed concern that several things hadn’t stated clearly before, nor mentioned or things that were down-played so much as to make them seem insignificant or unimportant: 1) motivation - that to say it has been a number of years since there has been a fare increase is not reason enough, prices go up but so does the FTA funding; that the burden to the taxpayers is not that much of a burden; that the Task Force recommendations were briefly outlined last week but the total amount of money the fare increase is expected to generate was not made public in media, that as of now it is about $51,000 assuming ridership stays the same. She stated another item that was down-played was the fact that it was anticipated that the tripper service would be eliminated if we follow the task force recommendation; the $1.00 per ride for students will also contribute to a heavy decline in the ridership; that another item that was not mentioned is the issue of reducing the mill levy for the city bus, that it has been stated that reducing the mill rate is a good thing and a goal they are working towards, but believes it fits the political beliefs or would become a platform issue for certain people who are going to be seeking re-election. She stated if they reduce fares they will lose almost 14,000 revenue miles from the trippers, lose almost 46,000 tripper riders, may lose up to one-third of the student riders because fares so high and puts a burden on those people and their families. She stated they will lose mill revenue if the mill levy decreases, lose future ridership base, save money by not running the trippers, gain fare box revenue assuming ridership stays the same, will lose federal dollars without the local tax money as match, and if we really don’t need to raise fares, why are we going to tie up time and money, staff, MPO, EGF city council, Grand Forks city council spending several months occupied with these issues and ending the long range transportation plan, having hearings, etc. but left with just about the same amount of money. She stated that public service is supposed to do the most good for the most people, the only thing the fare increase is hurt the service and the community.

Council Member Hamerlik stated he was advised by the city attorney that the motion should be that we recommend to hold a public hearing and the rates in his motion would be for discussion, and would include that in his motion; Council Member Klave agreed with the friendly amendment that the motion would include the rates and time scale of when it will take effect. It was noted that the new fare boxes will be received by June or July of 2002, and rates if approved would go into effect in August or September.

After further discussion and upon call for the question and upon roll call vote, the following voted “aye”: Council Members Hamerlik, Klave, Kreun, Martinson - 4; voting “nay”: Council Members Brooks, Bjerke, Burke, Glassheim, Christensen, Kerian - 6. Vice President Martinson declared the motion failed.

It was moved by Council Member Kerian and seconded by Council Member Christensen to accept the recommendation of the task force and take the recommendation to a hearing. Carried 10 votes affirmative.

ACCEPT 2002 CHEMICAL BIDS FOR WATER TREATMENT
PLANT

The staff recommendation from the superintendent of water treatment relating to 2002 chemical bids for the water treatment plant, with recommendation that the Ondeo Nalco bid received Friday morning per attached FedEx tracking memo, it was not the vendor’s intent to miss the bid opening, that request to open or not open the bid and add to the bid summary for council consideration, and upon a decision whether to open the bid an updated bid tabulation would be prepared prior to council action to approve recommended bids per attached summary.

Mr. Swanson advised that the first question they need to address to whether or not you will consider a bid that was delivered late and the information was provided to you with the tracking device provided by Federal Express, whether waive the time limits of the bid or if you will decline to waive the timeliness, then take action on the lowest and most responsive bid would be. Todd Feland stated if they decline to accept the late bid, he would like acceptance of both polymer (anionic and cationic) bids by Neosolutions and to accept the cationic polymer bid in the tote size rather than drum even though it is more expensive because that is what the treatment plant is set up for and less labor involved

It was moved by Council Member Kreun that we do not accept the bid of Ondeo Nalco that was received late, and seconded by Council Member Christensen. Carried 9 votes affirmative; Council Member Glassheim voted against the motion.

It was moved by Council Member Klave and seconded by Council Member Brooks that we accept the staff’s recommendation as to the low bids as presented along with Mr. Feland’s recommendation for the polymer. Upon roll call the following voted “aye”: Council Members Brooks, Bjerke, Hamerlik, Burke, Glassheim, Christensen, Klave, Kerian, Kreun, Martinson - 10; voting “nay”: none. Vice President Martinson declared the motion carried.

TABLE ARTS REGRANTING PROGRAM UNTIL SECOND
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING IN JANUARY

The staff report from the Office of Urban Development relating to Arts Regranting Program, with recommendation to authorize mayor to appoint a five-member committee/task force to develop and initiate an arts regranting process.

It was moved by Council Member Bjerke and seconded by Council Member Christensen to table this matter to the second Committee of the Whole meeting in January. Carried 10 votes affirmative.

APPROVE 2002 HUMAN NEEDS FUNDS

The staff report from the Office of Urban Development relating to the 2002 Human Needs funds, with recommendation to approve allocating $100,000 to United Way GF/EGF to be distributed for “human needs” projects through their competitive application process with two contingencies: 1) United Way will allocate the entire amount for human needs programs, and 2) once the United Way Board has determined and prioritized agencies to be funded, City staff will determine the allocation of City Human Needs or CDBG funds to the individual approved agencies.

Council Member Burke asked if our policy or resolution on the CDBG tighten up the requirements for when the CDBG funds have to be spent, that organizations that did not spend their CDBG, whether it was bricks and mortar or the public service, were able to carry those funds over for more than a year. Mr. Hanson stated that staff has shortened the time that we are authorizing these projects be outstanding, without a good explanation, we require all the funds be spent within the year that they are awarded; if there are other considerations to be given, we have to receive notice on what those considerations should be. Regulation has not changed that - regulation is that project funds for bricks and mortar can be carried over under federal regulation; funds for public service cannot be carried over but have to be spent within the year that they are awarded, and if not spent they go back to the fund. He also noted that we are required to have a balance on October 31 or November 1 of our line of credit to control balance of an amount not to exceed one and one-half times the annual allocation and that would control the amount of projects that are outstanding at the end of any one year.

Council Member Burke moved that we accept the recommended council action and also that the local funds, Human Needs funds, must also be spent as per the requirement for the CDBG public service funds, and spent in the calendar year for which they are authorized. The motion died for lack of a second.

It was moved by Council Member Glassheim and seconded by Council Member Brooks to approve the staff recommendations. Upon roll call the following voted “aye”: Council Members Brooks, Hamerlik, Glassheim, Christensen, Klave, Kerian, Kreun, Martinson - 8; voting “nay”: Council Members Bjerke, Burke - 2. Vice President Martinson declared the motion carried.

TABLE WAGE STUDY COMMITTEE COMPOSITION TO
NEXT COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING

The staff report from the mayor’s office relating to the wage study committee composition, with recommendation for approval of additional members to Wage Study Committee (city council 1 and employee reps. 2).

It was moved by Council Member Christensen and seconded by Council Member Kreun to table this matter until the next committee of the whole meeting . Carried 10 votes affirmative.

TABLE RECOMMENDATION FROM POPULATION GROWTH
TASK FORCE FOR USE OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES
TO DECEMBER 19, 2001

Council Member Glassheim stated that he had not discussed with other council members who had concerns about the recommendations from the Population Growth Task Force re. use of our natural resources and that if any council members had concerns or wanted any input to arrange to get together sometime this week. and moved to table this matter until the next city council meeting. Council Member Hamerlik seconded the motion. Carried 10 votes affirmative.

APPROVE BILL LISTING

Vendor Payment Listing No. 01-23, dated December 3, 2001 and totaling $726,598.28 and estimates as follows: Regular Estimates, $3,048,913.41 and Flood Estimates, $1,265.00

It was moved by Council Member Kerian and seconded by Council Member Bjerke that these bills be allowed and that the city auditor be authorized to issue warrants in payment of the same. Upon roll call the following voted “aye”: Council Members Brooks, Bjerke, Hamerlik, Burke, Glassheim, Christensen, Klave, Kerian, Kreun, Martinson - 10; voting “nay”: none. Vice President Martinson declared the motion carried and the bills ordered paid.

INFORMATION RE. WASTEWATER TREATMENT
PLANT EQUIPMENT

The Wastewater Treatment Plan Equipment report was presented to council for their information. Council Member Bjerke stated that the City budgeted $470,000 and anticipating spending $150,000 to $200,000, leaving balance of $270,000 to $320,000, and asked where those funds would go. Mr. Feland reported those funds would go back to the cash balance of the utility fund, that part of that is in salaries and wages and benefits. Council Member Bjerke stated that we have cash carryover of at least $1 million scattered throughout in the General Fund and other funds, that we have excess sales tax of over $2 million and have cash reserves of over $3 million so we don’t have a 15% reserve in this city but have 30% reserve, that in his opinion the City has too much taxpayer money laying around and hopefully can address how much money the City really needs to keep in reserve.

MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS

1) Council Member Brooks asked question on other properties issue - re. acquisition of properties in the flood protection report - if these were continuation of acquisitions. Council Member Kreun reported they were planned in Phase II and some may or may not be in acquisition, may have to change as there is a possibility of floodwalls, earthen levees and possibility of purchasing the buildings(St. Anne’s and RDO) and could be potentially large number items, depending on what they come up with or work out. Mr. Swanson reported his staff has been involved and part of the issue is the extent of taking and not fully resolved yet, but not new properties.

2) Council Member Brooks stated there were some accusations against some employees under discussion on fare increases, doesn’t like to see employees attacked at the podium by council members or anyone else.

3) Mr. Swanson reported that they are continuing the arbitration on the John T. Jones wastewater treatment plant matter, that he anticipates presently that that will conclude sometime on Wednesday, and will not have a decision from the arbitrator for some time, he has indicated he will keep the record open for approximately one week and there will be additional time for both parties to make submissions, and anticipates they would have a ruling within 60 days or so thereafter.

4) Council Member Kerian stated Alerus a plus for economic development, but we are the regional entertainment city and last week for football game, people had a great time and makes building worth it.

5) Council Member Christensen stated he would echo Council Member Kerian’s comments, but we do have the Alerus and soon have King’s Walk and have these amenities in this city and have to work towards utilization of those amenities, one of the responsibilities we have is figuring out how we deliver the services the citizens count on (cleaning streets, picking up garbage, recyclables, and balancing those issues and also how we’re going to fund continuing the Alerus, if there is a shortfall, and its generally well known fact that they don’t generally make money, and hope to break even, and have greenway coming forward - those are current realities that the council will have to deal with, and would be much better served to spend the time focusing on the future issues which are facing us and coming up rather than dealing with recriminations and second guessing as to what has already gone in the past.

6) Vice President Martinson thanked staff and council for their undivided attention and been his honor to chair this meeting.

ADJOURN

It was moved by Council Member Hamerlik and seconded by Council Member Brooks that we adjourn. Carried 10 votes affirmative.

Respectfully submitted,



Saroj Jerath
Deputy City Auditor

Approved:
_________________________________________
Sam Martinson, Vice President of the City Council