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Minutes of Grand Forks City Council/Committee of the Whole
Monday, March 22, 2010 - 5:30 p.m._________________ __

The City Council met as the Committee of the Whole on Monday, March 22, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. following the Growth Fund (JDA) meeting in the Council Chambers in City Hall with Mayor Brown presiding. Present at roll call were Council Members Bjerke (teleconference), Glassheim, Gershman, Kreun - 4; absent: Council Members McNamara, Christensen, Bakken - 3.

Mayor Brown commented on various items during the past week and upcoming events:
Congratulations to Fighting Sioux hockey team and good luck this weekend in Worcester and beyond.
Congratulations to Ben Jacobson, UND basketball alum and current UNI coach from knocking out No. 1 Kansas and congratulations to Ben's son for placing in the top 10 in National Science competition and to his teachers and parents.
This past weekend Grand Forks hosted the ND Republican Convention and 87 team on youth hockey tournament, the Grand AM basketball tournament and a 32-team curling bonspiel and also fighting a flood.
Thank you to Al Grasser for heading up the fight and all the engineers and public works, public safety and public information personnel.
Our thoughts and sympathies on behalf of the City for the family of Ed Wilde, retired fire fighter who served 25 years in that department, whose funeral was today.

PRESENTATION ON 2010 BIG EVENT

Amy Jordan, director of Big Event at University of North Dakota this year, Catherine Fiestad, sponsorship chair, presented information re. the Big Event. This is an annual student run event put on by students from University of North Dakota in the Greater Grand Forks area; this marks the 6th year that the event is being held. University faculty, staff and students are in the event to complete projects around the community - no job is too big or too small for the volunteers - they do things like raking, painting, washing windows, helping at youth events in the community, etc. and excited to support the community and to do jobs for non-profits, churches and individuals who would like help on Saturday, May 1, between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and are giving 4 hours of their day to serve the community as a way to say thank you for their support during the year. Interested community members can contact them at 701-777-6468 for information.
The event would not be possible without the donations and support of the community, every year they use donations received to buy supplies for use at job sites, t-shirts for volunteers - if interested in supporting the Big Event please call - information on sheet handed out or call number previously given.

Council Member Gershman stated he is on the Board of Directors of the Empire Arts Center and thanked them publicly for help given to them over last number of years as they live by volunteers.

2.1 Unmanned Aerial Systems business development initiative.
Klaus Thiessen, president of EDC, reviewed the overview of the initiative on unmanned aerial systems; and acknowledged certain members of the EDC organization that have joined them tonight in support of this initiative. The EDC has several strategic sectors they have been focusing on - aviation and aerospace, energy and environment, life sciences and value added, agricultural approved cost -- he reported their 2010 budget is $599,757.00 and revenue and support from our three main members: City of Grand Forks, $214,000; Grand Forks County, $185,000 and members $185,000, and other i.e., rental income, etc.

Their work plan leads to establishing additional unmanned aircraft systems in the Grand Forks region with efforts to recruit companies involved in UAS and utilize resources to help establish development of new UAS business and to support those currently operating in the Grand Forks area. He stated long term opportunities are that they be recognized as an international center for research and development in UAS, and are the community, region, UND, world's premier center for UAS education and training and do have a business internationally known for all things UAS and that is ultimate goals in this initiative.

One of the first things they want to do is develop a UAS website, this will be region's website on UAS and will have everything coordinated under one umbrella and will work on that. Second strategy approach AUVSI is the world's largest UAS organization and established chapter in Grand Forks which is important from their standpoint. The smallest development center is embarking on procurement program to assist companies that are local and give opportunity, educate and support them, procuring opportunities for UAS business.

In terms of public relations market communications will be on-going and partnering and can't stress because it is all about partnering in this initiative, UND Aerospace has significant role, Center for Innovation is important as is City, County. The State of North Dakota has recognized the UAS opportunity for our region as a significant opportunity for the State which is important from their standpoint.

He stated what they are looking at on an annual basis is shy of $100,000, compensation package of salary, benefits is $73,000, travel, $11.000+, and marketing of $15,000, and looking at an annual cost of $100,000 and are asking the City of Grand Forks to provide them with partner commitment of $25,000/year for five (5) years. About month ago presented to the County and they are supporting us for $25,000/year for five (5) years and the EDC is $50,000/year to the table and that they have hired somebody but need another $25,000 to fully fund the program over the five years and is a real partnership in terms of how we all come to the table, County, City and EDC, to go after something they think is important to our area. He reported they have hired someone for the position they are funding, Eric Icard, who started with our organization March 2 and is a business development associate and his responsibilities are outlined.

Dave McFarlane, EDC chairman, stated that Grand Forks already has a UAV site at the Air Base, have partner of Homeland Security flying UAV's out of Grand Forks, have the Air National Guard flying them out of Fargo but are maintained in Grand Forks, have the University of North Dakota that has a school that will train people in UAV's; and to do that we need to go after it to make it happen and that is why asking City for its support - partnering with the EDC and watch what happens - its going to be big.

There was some discussion relative to funding and the city auditor reported that the funding is not coming out of JDA, but it is coming from the 20.5% of sales tax from Economic Development Fund balance, not budgeted in 2010 budget, and will come out of fund balance.

Council Member Gershman stated that the Growth Fund reviewed this and unanimously agreed with this effort; that he likes the regional aspect of this but wants to single out the County of Grand Forks - have noticed an incredible shift in the last year with the County and that they seem to come forward first, and wants to thank the County for becoming partners; and asked Mr. Schmisek if he would take that word back that he is grateful and knows that the EDC Board of Directors is also for the support. He asked Mr. Thiessen if he could e-mail that presentation to the city council so they could have the back information, and thanked supporters that came out tonight, and that he will support this.

Council Member Glassheim stated that the EDC very far-sighted in an emerging industry and we are going to be very grateful for this small amount will produce 10 times what it costs and City will be lead benefactor over the next 5 years.

2.2 Request to extend City Board of Equalization.
There were no comments.

2.3 Bids for construction of Project No. 6517, 2010 Concrete Street Repairs.
There were no comments.

2.4 Consideration of bids for Project No. 6514, 2010 City Sidewalks.
There were no comments.

2.5 Create Special Assessment District No. 639, Project No. 6460, reconstruction of 30th Ave.S. from S. 20th St. to S. 25th St., 31st Ave.S. from S. 20th St. to S. 23rd St. and S. 23rd St. from 30th Ave.S. to 32nd Ave.S.
There were no comments.

2.6 Appointment to Civil Service Commission.
There were no comments.

2.7 Request for exemption to ordinance for permission to allow a helicopter to land and take off within city limits for Hands on Learning Event on April 17, 2010.
It was noted that staff was constrained by ordinance, as only council can change the requirements. Jane Williams, traffic engineer, reported that the sketch that was distributed to council was put together based on information that is to set up a temporary landing site, it is mostly based on emergencies such as medical, etc., and noted what restrictions are in that area and that the denial that was previously given by engineering was based on the fact that city staff cannot approve this, only city council can approve it.

Council Member Kreun stated that their intentions were to eliminate ability to come and go as pleased with no safety concerns to the public; have been able to demonstrate that this is one landing and one take-off for Scouting event and has ability to match criteria and to give that variance. Council Member Gershman stated that last year had an issue where a helicopter was giving rides and neighbors were concerned, this is different, once in and out. Williams stated staff will also work with timing of the landing, etc.

2.8 Cellebrite Ruggedized Forensic System specifications and sole source request.
There were no comments.

2.9 Riverside Pool budget 2010.
Council Member Bjerke asked for update of the joint powers agreement on the order in which money is to be used to pay for any losses at Riverside Pool. Melanie Parvey stated the joint powers agreement says that the intent is that parties will pay for operations, utilities, maintenance, marketing and promotion of Riverside Pool; first by the donation grants, second by the Park District with a maximum of $15,000 and thirdly, if necessary, the remaining balance by the City of Grand Forks. What they were proposing through this budget was to utilize the foundation funds for some small capital items (lounge chairs, beach chairs and table with umbrellas to enhance the facility that were purchased last year), and then assess the budget so can tell what they are actually spending this year with the full season being open and the revenue that the pool will be taking in.

Council Member Bjerke stated first, donations, then Park, then City and in looking at projected loss of $54,600, would seem appropriate that the donations first, then Park District and City pay what is left and if want to make any capital improvements, seems that would be the last thing that we would be looking at. In general, long term, this looks to be a somewhat expensive greenway expenditure on a yearly basis, knew this was coming and agreed to this and made joint powers agreement and that he would make motion to stick with what voted on.

Council Member Gershman stated that he wouldn't put capital improvements last this year, that last year the pool wasn't done and were only open for 18 days, did go through 4,427 people in 18 days, and that by putting the money in upfront to get some of the capital improvements will enhance the pool and actually reduce the subsidy. If East Grand Forks decides that they are not going to repair their pool, will probably see an increase from there but they will do what they want. He stated he was interested in the report on the pool only, not the spray parks, spends a subsidy of $2.73 per swimmer, Bismarck subsidizes $6.35 per swimming and Fargo subsidizes $3.89 per swimmer. This is a very critical year for the pool and hoping that it will be open on June 9 and run for a full season - 4 years from now that we will assess the pool to see if we are willing to continue with it, and if the subsidy gets out of hand will have to address it at that point, but was strong start last year and great support - this is city pool and city voted for it.

2.10 Matter of wireless communication premises site leases consent to assignment of agreements._
There were no comments.

2.11 Public Works Department fleet vehicle bid.
There were no comments.

3. INFORMATION ITEMS

3.1 Summary of information on exposure of hotel/motel employees to secondhand smoke and/or thirdhand smoke; and on current practices of area municipalities re. patios, outdoor smoking areas, etc._
Informational items.

6. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS

1) Council Member Gershman stated last weekend for Fighting Sioux was terrific, and will be an exciting Saturday and hopefully Sunday coming up.

7. ADJOURNMENT

It was moved by Council Member Gershman and seconded by Council Member Glassheim that we adjourn. Carried 4 votes affirmative.

Respectfully submitted,


Saroj Jerath
City Auditor