Convention & Visitors Bureau

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1. Powers and Duties

Subject to the restrictions of this article, the bureau shall have the power to adopt such policies, procedures, rules and/or regulations as it may determine to be reasonably necessary and/or convenient to promote and market meetings, conventions, trade shows, sporting events, artistic productions, tourism and leisure travel in the Greater Grand Forks area.

To market, promote, advertise, sponsor, and fund events that provide for the promotion of meetings, conventions, trade shows, sporting events, artistic productions, tourism and leisure travel in the Greater Grand Forks area.
To coordinate the efforts of public, private and volunteer agencies involved with the promotion and marketing of meetings, conventions, trade shows, sporting events, artistic productions, tourism and leisure travel in the Greater Grand Forks area.
To purchase and sell supplies, goods, equipment as may be reasonably necessary and/or convenient.
To make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of the bureau's authority. However, no contract or other instrument shall be entered into by the bureau that exceeds any appropriation or authorization within the annual budget approved by the city council.
To hire and retain personnel and to prescribe their qualifications and fix their compensation; provided however, said personnel shall not be subject to civil service or merit system laws or other laws, ordinances and/or regulations pertaining to the status of municipal employees.
To establish committees, determine committee membership, and delegate powers to such committees, employees, and staff as the bureau sees fit.
To establish and adopt bylaws, policies, procedures, rules and/or regulations as it may determine to be reasonably necessary and/or convenient to the exercise of bureau powers and the implementation of its programs and activities provided that the adoption thereof shall not be in conflict with any city ordinance, policy, procedure, or resolution.
To allocate, spend, grant, or commit funds received by the bureau, including but not limited to, municipal sales tax or other funds appropriated or allocated to the bureau by the city council and hotel-motel tax under Chapter XXII or such other funds or revenues received by the bureau.
To exercise other such powers as delegated by the city council

2. Membership

The powers and responsibilities of the bureau shall be vested in its nine (9) members who shall be selected as follows: One (1) member shall be selected by the mayor of the City of East Grand Forks; one (1) member shall be selected by the management company of Engelstad Arena; one (1) member shall be selected by the Grand Forks park district commission; one (1) member shall be selected by the president of the University of North Dakota; one (1) member shall be appointed by the chair of the Events Center commission; two (2) members shall be selected by the mayor of the City of Grand Forks, and two (2) members shall be selected by the hotel/motel association.

3. Terms

Three (3) years.

4. Members

Shawn Clapp, City of Grand Forks Mayor Appointment

Monica Evavold, City of East Grand Forks

Duane Hafner, Alerus Center Commission

Jonathan Hanson, Hotel/Motel Association-President

Jody Hodgson, Ralph Engelstad Arena

John Janzen, Hotel/Motel Association-1st Vice President

Monica Musich, City of Grand Forks Mayor Appointment

Julie Rygg, Executive Director/Secretary

Cam Tweeten, Grand Forks Park District

Fred Wittmann, University of North Dakota

Staff

Julie Rygg, Secretary/Executive Director Email
Greater Grand Forks CVB - 746-0444

Grand Forks City Council

Date: 09/02/2025 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM 09/02/2025 5:30 PM 09/02/2025 6:30 PM
Location: Grand Forks City Hall - Council Chambers
255 N 4th St
GRAND FORKS, North Dakota 58206

Video Linkhttps://www.youtube.com/live/k-rJQdEDx2I?si=NKBg4-hgK83PZ-Q2&t=390

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GRAND FORKS CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Tuesday, September 2, 2025 – 5:30 p.m.
Council Chambers, City Hall, 255 N 4^th Street

Notice is hereby given that the City Council will meet at the above date, time and place. Members of the Grand Forks City Council may be attending this meeting in person, electronically or telephonically.

Members of the public may view the live airing of the City Council meeting on Grand Forks Channel 2 or streamed live through the City’s Facebook page at facebook.com/cityofgrandforks.

Persons with disabilities who may need assistance should contact the ADA Coordinator at least 24 hours prior to this meeting at 746-2665.

1. GENERAL BUSINESS

1.1 Welcome and Roll Call

____ Weigel ____ Osowski ____ Berg ____ Lunski ____Fridolfs ____Sande ____ Vein

1.2 Pledge of Allegiance

1.3 Mayor’s Announcements

2. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, APPOINTMENTS & PROCLAMATIONS

2.1 Red River Valley Community Action Update

2.2 Proclamation – National Assisted Living Week – September 7-13, 2025

3. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND SECOND READINGS OF ORDINANCES

3.1 Public Hearing and Second Reading of Ordinance to enact Trespassing on City Property and Appeal

3.2 Public Hearing and Second Reading of Ordinance related to Gaming – Site Authorizations

a) Ordinance as revised per City Council on August 18, 2025

3.3 Public Hearing and Determination of Protest on request to vacate Drainage Easements lying within Lot 2, Block 1, Homestead Grove Fourth Addition, located at 1051 10th Avenue South & 4401 South 11th Street

4. CITIZEN COMMENTS

To speak during Citizen Comments: Complete a comment card with required speaker information - speaker’s name, address, and the item or topic to be commented upon. Place the comment card in the basket prior to start of the Citizen Comments. Speakers have three minutes to share their comments. Time cannot be transferred from one speaker to another. The total time for Citizen Comments is capped at 30 minutes.

Submission of written comments: In lieu of speaking, a written comment can be submitted by placing in the tray next to the speaker card basket prior to the start of the meeting. Written comments are limited to two and a half pages. Written comments will be distributed to the City Council for their information and maintained in city files.

Submission of electronic comments: Any member of the public seeking to comment without attending in person may submit electronic comments by clicking on this link www.grandforksgov.com/councilcomments . If you have difficulty accessing the link, please contact 701-746-2664 for assistance. All comments received prior to 4:00 p.m. on the meeting date will be distributed to the City Council prior to the meeting. Comments submitted after 4:00 p.m. will be distributed the day after the meeting. All comments are maintained in city files.

General Citizen Comments, Click Here
Citizen Comment, Item 5.4
Citizen Comment, Item 5.13

5. ACTION ITEMS

5.1 Reappointment to Grand Forks Events Center Commission

5.2 Authorize certifying assessments based on estimated cost

5.3 Fire Chief Employment Agreement

5.4 Ordinance relating to Alcohol Compliance

5.5 Ordinance relating to Speeding Violations

5.6 Ordinance relating to Permits allowing Low Speed Vehicles on Greenway

5.7 MOU with Grand Forks County relating to Cabling in County Building

5.8 Contract for Professional Services for Police Department Remodel, Project #8984

5.9 Preliminary Engineering Reimbursement Agreement for Project #8987 – Gateway Dr & N 43^rd St. Intersection Improvements

5.10 Letter of No Objection for Project #8975 – 2025 Drain #4 Water Resource District Improvements

5.11 Task Order Amendment 1 for Project No. 8549, Upgrade Storm Sewer Pump Station #184

5.12 Amendment for Task Order for Project Number 8529 for WFW for Engineering Services for Upgrade Flood Pump Stations 202, 203 & 210 Project

a) Supporting information from WFW

5.13 Northridge Construction Tax Incentive Application (PILOT) (new staff report)

New Information:
Baker Tilly Updated Analysis
Impact Analysis Updated

Approved staff report from 07/21/2025
a) Baker Tilly Analysis Updated
b) Impact Analysis Updated
c) Letter from Grand Forks County
d) Letter from Grand Forks Public Schools
e) Grand Forks Vacancy Rate July 2025
f) PILOT Checklist
g) Community Partner Letters of Support
i) Altru
ii) Grand Forks Air Force Base
h) Citizen Comments (as of 7/18/2025)

Information provided prior to 07/21/2025:
i) Northridge Construction PILOT Review and Recommendation (Baker Tilly)
j) Northridge Construction PILOT Impact Analysis
k) Mark Schill, Praxis Strategy Group Memorandum
l) Development Map
m) Development Elevation Sketch (Added 06/09/2025)
n) Approved Staff Report City Council 04/21/2025, Pre-Application

5.14 Discuss the pending litigation of East Central Regional Water District v. City of Grand Forks, United States District Court Case Number 3:20-cv-208.

The City Council may convene into executive session for attorney consultation regarding this pending civil litigation pursuant to NDCC §§ 44-04-19.1 and 44-04-19.2

6. INFORMATION ITEMS

6.1 Statement of Changes in Cash Balances as of July 31, 2025

7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND BILLS:

7.1 Vendor List and Engineer’s Estimates

7.2 Minutes – August 18, 2025

8. CITY ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS

9. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS

10. ADJOURNMENT

AG CC 20250902