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PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
February 3, 2003

The city council of the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota met in the council chambers in City Hall on Monday, February 3, 2003 at the hour of 7:00 o’clock p.m. with Mayor Brown presiding. Present at roll call were Council Members Brooks, Hamerlik, Glassheim (teleconference), Gershman, Christensen, Kerian (teleconference), Kreun - 7; absent: none.

Alice Smith, teacher at Ben Franklin School, and her 5th graders led the council in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Mayor Brown thanked them and that on their way out Mr. Haga would give them City pins and pencils.

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 announced that the news of the Columbia Space Shuttle tragedy on Saturday resonated throughout the entire nation, that we add our sorrow and prayers to the nation's mourning, and honor the seven crew members, their proud commitment and the ultimate sacrifice remind us of both the risk and the spirit of progress. Our country is carried forward by people who embrace this spirit.
He noted that the Columbia Shuttle tragedy also underscores the incredible risk that so many people take each and every day as they serve our country and that recognition is even more important and significant that three of the Grand Forks Air Force Base personnel were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross this week, congratulated them and thanked the entire 319th Air Refueling Wing for demonstrating how fortunate we are that our community is in part defined by their actions and their character.
Strategic Planning - that last year's study showed 93% of the residents said that long range strategic planning was necessary and 95% said we should integrate our plans with other community entities; that he and other city leaders met with East Grand Forks' city leaders last Wednesday and with UND administrative assistants and student leadership last night - that they discussed a wide range of issues and focused on what solutions are best for the whole community. He thanked Council Members Brooks, Hamerlik and Gershman for taking part in the UND discussion. Council Member Hamerlik noted that the Grand Forks Herald had a copy of questions that people are asked to complete and return, that council needs their response.
He stated he is looking forward to the Chamber Annual Dinner tomorrow night and would encourage as many people to attend these functions as possible because important to communicate and work together.
          MONTHLY FLOOD PROTECTION PROJECT UPDATE

Al Grasser, city engineer, stated that they are proceeding on Phase III of the design and bidding that this spring; Phase II contractor is working in the Belmont Road area installing large diameter storm sewer pipes, and are anticipating starting some of the storm sewer outfall work in neighborhood of St. Anne's area this month; and are also working on some large soil stabilization behind Reeves Drive. Gowan Contracting is continuing on southend drainway and expecting them to be working south of DeMers Avenue on diversion structure on Legal Drain 9, which is basically the English Coulee, extension of 17th Avenue South. Construction Engineers is renovating some basins on the water treatment plant and completed the installation of the river inlet streams and other design work on some of the inlet facilities. He reported on the federal appropriations, that the President's initial budget for 2004 has $23.5 million earmarked for the Grand Forks flood protection project, that is less than what the Corps told them they have the capability of providing, in the $60 million range. He stated they are still dealing with the 2003 budget and the Senate has $40 million in the budget for the Grand Forks flood protection project and the House has $30 million, that has yet to be resolved and worked out through the appropriate committees. He stated on State appropriations process the bill is starting to work its way through the State system and that Mr. Duquette, administrative coordinator, was in Bismarck today giving testimony for that. Mr. Grasser showed several views of soil stabilization work in area behind Reeves Drive.

Melanie Parvey-Biby, greenway coordinator, stated that the development of the recreation portion of the flood protection project is progressing; in Phase I (Lincoln Drive park area) working on roofs of the picnic shelters and when too cold working inside on the electrical and mechanical equipment in the trailhead building, hoping for work to be done this summer so able to use for winter activities next year. The Cities of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks and the Army Corps of Engineers are still working on the pedestrian bridges, and at this point still exploring options for designing and building the bridges. She stated there is an effort to collaborate on marketing efforts and getting the community out to utilize the greenway once we have it developed and have put together a group of agencies that were working on the same efforts including the Park District, Minnesota DNR, Downtown Leadership Group, MPO, Public Health Department and Friends of the Greenway and the Greenway staff and hoping to join efforts with the Chambers of Commerce, the CVB and UND and Technical College. She stated one initiative the group took was submitting a proposal for a grant opportunity, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has an active living by design grant and are awarding up to $200,000 to 25 communities to utilize over a 5-year period, this will be a competitive grant but feel have good opportunity for funding, and will hear back in mid-March. She stated there is a fund-raiser by the Lincoln Drive neighborhood committee, they are selling paving stones to help commemorate an area in the Lincoln Drive neighborhood, put in paving stones engraved with what people want (names, house numbers of where lived in 1997, etc.), place those around a bronze sculpture in that area as well as develop a wildflower garden (brochures available in the Info Center). Questions were raised as to the maintenance plan and costs; Ms. Biby stated they are hoping to have something this spring, early summer, that the Army Corps of Engineers is also working on a number of maintenance and operations plans, and utilizing some of that information and gathering information from our departments, Park District and City of East Grand Forks.
      ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 3959, RELATING TO MOSQUITO
CONTROL FEE

An ordinance entitled "An ordinance amending Section 15-0117 of the Grand Forks City Code relating to mosquito control fee", which had been introduced and passed on its first reading on January 21, 2003, was presented and read for consideration on second reading and final passage.

Upon call for the question of adoption of the ordinance and upon roll call vote, the following voted "aye": Council Members Brooks, Hamerlik, Glassheim (teleconference), Gershman, Christensen, Kerian (tele-conference), Kreun - 7; absent: none.

APPROVE BUDGET AMENDMENT, PSAP

The staff report from PSAP relating to budget amendment transferring $336,000 from revenue line, Excise Tax E-911 Wireless to expense lines $168,000 Cell Phone Charge NDACO and $168,000 non-current outlay, with recommendation for acceptance of income and expenses budget amendment.

It was moved by Council Member Hamerlik and seconded by Council Member Gershman that this recommendation be approved. Carried 7 votes affirmative.

DIRECT STAFF TO PREPARE PLANS AND SPECIFICA-
TIONS AND ADVERTISE FOR BIDS FOR PROJECT NO.
5451, SIDEWALK REPAIRS FOR CITY-OWNED PROPERTIES

The staff report from engineering department relating to Project No. 5451, 2003 Sidewalk Repairs for City-owned properties, with recommendation to direct staff to prepare plans and specifications, advertise for construction bids and approve the funding methodology (a special assessment to the property, with the 2003 ADA Curb Ramp budget line item paying any cost assessed directly to the General Fund). (Note: this project to be combined with standard citywide sidewalk repair, Project No. 5409)

It was moved by Council Member Hamerlik and seconded by Council Member Gershman that this recommendation be approved. Carried 7 votes affirmative.

APPROVE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND ADVERTISE
          FOR BIDS FOR PROJECT NO. 5409, 2003 SIDEWALK REPAIRS

The staff report from engineering department relating to plans and specifications for Project Nos. 5409, 2003 Sidewalk Repairs, with recommendation to approve plans and specifications and advertise for construction bids for Project No. 5409, 2003 Sidewalk Repairs.

It was moved by Council Member Hamerlik and seconded by Council Member Gershman that this recommendation be approved. Carried 7 votes affirmative.

AUTHORIZE PROCEEDING WITH PROJECT CONCEPT
REPORT FOR PROJECT NO. 5287, JOHNSON'S LINEAR
          PARK BIKEPATH

The staff report from engineering department relating to authorization to proceed with the Project Concept Report for Project No. 5287, Johnson's Linear Park Bikepath, with recommendation to authorize staff to prepare the project concept report.

It was moved by Council Member Hamerlik and seconded by Council Member Gershman that this recommendation be approved. Carried 7 votes affirmative.

APPROVE COST PARTICIPATION AND MAINTENANCE
AGREEMENT FOR OVERLAY AND RECONSTRUCTION
OF US 81 FROM GATEWAY TO I-29

The staff report from the engineering department relating to Cost Participation and Maintenance Agreement for overlay and reconstruction of US 81 from Gateway to I-29, with recommendation to approve the agreement with the NDDot in the amount of $69,721.00.

It was moved by Council Member Hamerlik and seconded by Council Member Gershman that this recommendation be approved. 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.

AUTHORIZE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT TO PLAN
AREA FOR SERVICE AND PROCEED WITH PROVIDING
SERVICES TO PROPERTY ON THE WET SIDE OF THE
CORPS LEVEE

The staff report relating to providing services to property on the wet side of the Corps levee, with recommendation to authorize engineering department to plan the area for service and to proceed with design of the lift station and to budget $700,000 for the construction of lift station and forcemain with funding from Sanitary Sewer Fund.

It was moved by Council Member Hamerlik and seconded by Council Member Gershman that this recommendation be approved. 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.

SUPPORT COMMITTEE MOTION NOT TO PROCEED WITH
GRANT APPLICATION FOR 2003 AND FORM GROUP TO
          DEVELOP PROPOSAL FOR BOAT RAMP IN GREENWAY
The staff report relating to proposed boat ramp in greenway, with recommendation to support the Public Service/Safety Committee motion to not proceed with the grant application for 2003 but continue to investigate the possibility of a grant application for 2004 by forming a group to develop plans for a proposal for a boat ramp in the greenway.

It was moved by Council Member Hamerlik and seconded by Council Member Gershman that this recommendation be approved. Carried 7 votes affirmative.

APPROVE BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR AIR BASE
RETENTION EXPENSES FOR 2003

The staff report from the finance department relating to budget amendment, department of finance and administrative services, with recommendation to fund the Mayor's budget contribution line item for Air Base Retention related expenses for 2003.

Council Member Brooks stated concern that we have a figure of $93,000, but need to see a budget as to how they are going to spend the money and need to plan ahead to tie into annual financial budgets. Council Member Gershman stated this is carry-over money that the City has been putting in $50,000/year, that more is needed and that request will probably come forward after Mr. Marshall announces his committee. Council Member Brooks stated he is looking for the financial plan of what our plan will be to achieve our goal, and to come back with a budget for approval. Mayor Brown stated it was his intent for Mr. Marshall to bring that forward as this progresses.

It was moved by Council Member Gershman and seconded by Council Member Christensen to approve the recommendation. Carried 7 votes affirmative.

INFORMATIONAL ITEM

The city auditor reported the attendance report is for the period October 1 through December 31, 2002.

APPROVE BILL LISTING AND ESTIMATE SUMMARIES

Vendor Payment No. 03-03, dated February 3, 2003 and totaling $1,048,359.10, Regular Estimate Summary in the amount of $815,332.88, and Flood Estimate Summary in the amount of $2,202.00, were presented and read. It was moved by Council Member Kreun and seconded by Council Member Christensen that these bills and estimates 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 and estimates ordered paid.

APPROVE MINUTES JANUARY 21, 2002

Typewritten copies of the minutes of the city council meeting held on Tuesday, January 21, 2003, were presented and read. It was moved by Council Member Christensen and seconded by Council Member Kreun that the minutes be approved. Carried 7 votes affirmative.

ADJOURN

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

Respectfully submitted,



John M. Schmisek
City Auditor
Approved:
-----------__________________________________
Michael R. Brown, Mayor