Print VersionStay Informed
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
April 7, 2003

The city council of the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota met in the council chambers in City Hall on Monday, April 7, 2003 following the meetings of the Growth Fund Authority (JDA) and of the special committee of the whole at the hour of approx. 7:15 o’clock p.m. with Mayor Brown presiding. Present at roll call were Council Members Brooks, Hamerlik, Glassheim (teleconference), Gershman, Christensen, Kerian, Kreun - 7; absent: none.

Mayor Brown 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.

Mayor Brown reviewed events of the past week and of the upcoming week:
1) he thanked the organizers of the Wacipi and Time-Out for a facinating and educational program, Native American culture is so much a part of our community's history, present and future, and offers a chance to experience and learn.
2) he enjoyed the glimpse of India on Saturday night at the Chester Fritz, and thanked organizers for the invitation to take part in the evening and enjoy program and excellent food.
3) he stated that last Friday at the Multi-cultural Center they announced this year's Martin Luther King, Jr. awards for service to the community, and congratulations to recipients of awards, the Devils Lake High School for their contributions to the community, the Air Base and the State; and thanked the Era Bell Cultural Center and the UND administration for their combined effort in recognizing individuals in our community.
4) he thanked Keith Lund and Meridith Richards and the Urban Development crews for installing the patriotic banners downtown, these were special purchases for events like July 4th and Memorial Day but this is the right time to display our support and we should be doing everything we can to demonstrate our support to our servicemen and women.
5) he noted that April 7-13 is Public Health Week and would like the City of Grand Forks to join with Governor Hoeven and the State of North Dakota in recognizing the importance of public health activities, services and education; the actions of our local and state public health agencies benefit everyone.

MONTHLY FLOOD PROTECTION PROJECT UPDATE

Mark Walker, asst. city engineer, reviewed the update of the written flood protection project update which was provided to the city council members.

There were questions regarding the $6 million addition to the cost of the project, how much of that is the City's share. Mr. Walker stated that at the current working estimate is going to cost the city of Grand Forks about $2 million more than what was projected when the assessments were calculated. The city auditor stated they will still be able to maintain the $52 million and be able to fund that additional $2 million either through the mill levy and increased valuations that continue to grow or through current sales tax dollars.

Council Member Christensen stated on Phase II he had heard there is an $8 million bid that is to be let for that but the acquisitions maybe impeded because if we don't have the property purchased, the Corps won't go with the bid. Mr. Walker stated relative to Phase II everything has been bid on that portion of the project, but have carved out a section of the project where they don't have title to the property and have notified the contractor that he cannot work in those areas. and are trying to get those area acquired so the contractor has access to the entire project completed. It was noted that the bid has been let but the contractor has been precluded from operating in those areas until properties acquired. Mr. Walker stated that the Corps estimate has come out quarterly and has fluctuated up and down, but has gone down for the most part and this is first time increased since estimates have come out, and will continue to fluctuate.

Melanie Parvey-Biby, greenway coordinator, reviewed the update on the greenway which had been provided to the council members and also reviewed upcoming meetings and events.

APPROVE APPLICATION FOR MOVING PERMIT TO
          MOVE BUILDING TO 1316 10TH AVENUE SOUTH
          FOLLOWING PUBLIC HEARING

The city auditor reported that the notice of public hearing on the application by Bill Graveline, 511 Reeves Drive, to move a building from 1306 10th Avenue South to 1316 10th Avenue South to be used as a duplex rental had been published and posted as required.

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

The staff report from the Inspections Division relating to the public hearing for a moving permit application to move a single family home and detached garage from 1306 10th Avenue South to 1316 10th Avenue South, with recommendation to approve the moving permit to be used as a duplex rental with detached garage.

It was moved by Council Member Gershman and seconded by Council Member Kerian that this recommendation be approved and further that Mr. Graveline is authorized to move the building subject to
meeting conditions established. Carried 7 votes affirmative.

DETERMINE INSUFFICIENCY OF PROTEST ON PAVING
PROJECT NO.5408, DISTRICT NO. 589

The city auditor reported that the period for filing protests on the resolution of necessity for the improvements in and for Paving District No. 589, Project No. 5408, paving on South 20th Street from 44th Avenue South to 47th Avenue South, had expired on March 31, 2003, and that he had received no written protests.

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

Council Member Kreun introduced the following resolution as to protests which was presented and read: Document No. 8240 - Resolution.

It was moved by Council Member Kreun and seconded by Council Member Kerian that we find and determine an insufficiency of protest against Paving District No. 589, Project No. 5408, as no protests were filed, and further that the resolution be adopted. Carried 7 votes affirmative.

RECEIVE TABULATION OF BIDS, ESTIMATE OF FINAL
COST AND AWARD CONTRACT, PAVING PROJECT NO.
5408, DISTRICT NO. 589

The city auditor presented and read tabulation of bids which had been received and opened on March 17, 2003 for Paving Project No. 5408, District No. 589, paving South 20th Street from 44th Avenue South to 47th Avenue South, indicating that Aggregate Industries North Central Region, Inc. was the low bidder based upon their bid in the amount of $230,453.94: Document No. 8241 - Bid Tabulation.

The city engineer's estimate of total cost on Paving Project No. 5408, District No. 589, in the amount of $0000, was presented and read.

The staff report from the engineering department relating to bids for Project No. 5408, District No. 589, paving South 20th Street from44th to 47th Avenues South, with recommendation to award contract to Aggregate Industries in the amount of $230,453.94.

It was moved by Council Member Kreun and seconded by Council Member Kerian that ths recommendation be approved. Carried 7 votes affirmative.

Council Member Kreun introduced the following resolution which was presented and read: Document No. 8242 - Resolution.

It was moved by Council Member Kreun and seconded by Council Member Kerian that this resolution awarding the contract for Paving Project No. 5408, District No. 589, to Aggregate Industries North Central Region, Inc. be adopted. Upon roll call the following voted "aye": Council Members Brooks, Hamerlik, Glassheim, Gershman, Christensen, Kerian, Kreun - 7; voting "nay": none. Mayor Brown declared the resolution adopted and the contract awarded.

DETERMINE INSUFFICIENCY OF PROTEST ON STREET
LIGHTING DISTRICT NO. 139, PROJECT NO. 5431

The city auditor reported that the period for filing protests on the resolution of necessity for the improvements in and for Street Lighting District No. 139, Project No. 5431, street lighting on 44th Avenue South from South 20th Street to South2 5th Street, on 45th Avenue south from South 20th Street to South 25th Street, on South 20th Street from 44th Avenue South to 47th Avenue South and on South 25th Street from 44th Avenue South to 47th Avenue South, had expired on March 31, 2003, and that he had received no written protests.

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

Council Member Kreun introduced the following resolution as to protests which was presented and read: Document No. 8243 - Resolution.

It was moved by Council Member Kreun and seconded by Council Member Kerian that we find and determine an insufficiency of protest against Street Lighting District No. 139, Project No. 5431, as no protests were filed, and further that the resolution be adopted. Carried 7 votes affirmative.

RECEIVE TABULATION OF BIDS, ESTIMATE OF TOTAL
COST AND AWARD CONTRACT, STREET LIGHTING
PROJECT NO. 4531, DISTRICT NO. 139







The city auditor presented and read tabulation of bids which had been received and opened on March 17, 2003 for Street Lighting Project No. 5431, District No. 139, street lighting in Southern Estates 1st and 3rd Additions, indicating that Ron's Electric, Inc. was the low bidder based upon their bid in the amount of $49,818.64: Document No. 8244 - Bid Tabulation.

The city engineer's estimate of total cost on Street Lighting Project No. 5431, District No. 139, in the amount of $0000, was presented and read.

The staff report from the engineering department relating to bids for Project No. 5431, District No. 139, street lighting in Southern Estates 1st and 3rd Additions, with recommendation to award contract to Ron's Electric, Inc. in the amount of $49,818.64.

It was moved by Council Member Kreun and seconded by Council Member Kerian that ths recommendation be approved. Carried 7 votes affirmative.

Council Member Kreun introduced the following resolution which was presented and read: Document No. 8245 - Resolution.

It was moved by Council Member Kreun and seconded by Council Member Kerian that this resolution awarding the contract for Street Lighting Project No. 5431, District No. 139, to Ron's Electric, Inc. be adopted. Upon roll call the following voted "aye": Council Members Brooks, Hamerlik, Glassheim, Gershman, Christensen, Kerian, Kreun - 7; voting "nay": none. Mayor Brown declared the resolution adopted and the contract awarded.

CITIZEN REQUESTS

Ross Weiler, 701 North 3rd Street, stated he has concerns regarding some perceptions on how we are proceeding to do business as a city, need to be aware of regional perceptions of us are, have had a lot of people in the past that have helped us a lot during and since the flood and crucial that we embrace them as members of the region and try to make Grand Forks a "destination city" for them. He stated he is struggling with a lot of issues:

1) water park - they will lose swimming pool soon and council wants to replace it with a water slide, however it is going to be on the west end of town and concerned that children in the north end of town won't have adequate transportation to that site - concerned with lack of a swimming pool end up seeing kids swimming in the river above the dam and great concern for north end kids. He stated if include with simming pass to include bus activities so kids can get transpoprtation to this new pool site. He stated another concern with water slide doesn't have value of a swimming pool, that swimming pool activities -exclude people (older people, handicapped, etc.)

2) another issue - are in such a rush forward and maybe losing way a little bit - the job of city government should be betterment, improving efficiencies of government, improving quality of life for people who fund this government though their hard-earned tax dollars - sales tax increase that has been proposed and with general regional image we are presenting, very concerned that we be as user friendly to people in this area that come here to shop, and perception that we're trying to pass our tax relief problems onto people who helped us out -
3) on-going landfill situation - shoving this problem down the throats of the Manvel residents without regard to their feelings on the issues, the baling faciolity is a good idea but need to get more information out so people don't have these hostile feelings that we're an uncaring big city and everyone in the region will have to work with whatever we dish out. He would like to see the thought of developing a rail spur to that site rather than trucking these bales up and down the Interstate, increase in traffic through Manvel on county road and could be hazardous to a lot of people's well-being. He stated things have gone around on the recycling bit and recycling may not be commercially viable and not upfront good use of taxpayers money but dealing with perception thing, and if require surrounding communities to recycle and can our own program, benefit of recycling isn't a cost to benefit issue, that recycling for the young people, have to get into mentality of using our resources wisely and not wasting them, conxumer individual based thing, not a community based thing where the benefit is made, people feel good about doing recycling at their curbside because it's concenient, they see recyclibles go into a bin, and into a truck and that they are doing something to help the environment and the community and limit the landfill overflow problem. He stated we need to look at running it efficiently, define savings, and ecnourage people who do not have items not to put it out unless full, put bins out when full.
4) concept of economic development - doesn't have problem with money being spent that way - the problem he has is that it is for the benefit of corporations, big entities and where we really need to make economic development a reality in this town is better wages so people can afford to pay their higher taxes with the new appraisals of their home - not raising taxes as far as the mill levy but if everybody's hom eis worth $6,000, or $7,000 more dollars, paying more in taxes and that is alarming.- as taxation one way or the other.
5) another item that continues to concern him is have a lot of empty buildings in this town, hotels that are struggling and encouraging another hotel to come to town.

He stated one of the things he has noticed in town is that there are a lot of pay-day loan shops that have opened up, these are legitimate businesses but they prey on people who are not being helped by tranditional banks, etc. and are alarming to him because what they say about how people are struggling here. He stated to please contact him regarding these concerns and would be happy to talk to them.

Mayor Brown thanked Mr. Weiler for sharing his concerns and with thoughtful discussion and for the solutions.

















APPROVE BILL LISTING AND ESTIMATE SUMMARY

Vendor Payment No. 03-07, dated April 4, 2003 and totaling $2,784,640.93 and Estimate Summary for Regular Estimates totaling $603,168.08 were presented and read. It was moved by Council Member Gershman and seconded by Council Member Kerian 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, Hamerlik, Glassheim, Gershman, Christensen, Kerian, Kreun - 7; voting "nay": none. Mayor Brown declared the motion carried and the bills ordered paid.

APPROVE MINUTES MARCH 17, 2003

Typewritten copies of the minutes of the city council meeting held o Monday, March 17, 2003 were presented and read. It was moved by Council Member Kreun and seconded by Council Member Christensen that these minutes be approved. Carried 7 votes affirmative.






COMMENTS BY MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL








REPORT ON TABULATION OF BIDS FOR PROJECT
NO.

Mr. Walker, asst. city engineer, reported that staff had the opportunity to tabulate the bids of United Crane and found that the math is correct and that their bid of $682,169.52 is correct and that is the low bid for this project.

ADJOURN

It was moved by Council Member Gershman and seconded by Council Member Kerian that we adjourn. Carried 7 votes affirmative.

Respectfully submitted,



John M. Schmisek
City Auditor