City of Grand Forks, ND
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Learn MoreEmergency Management Board
1. Establishment
The City of Grand Forks and the County of Grand Forks through a Joint Powers Agreement establish a combined emergency management agency.2. Administration
The agency shall be managed by a board to be known as the Emergency Management Board. The Board shall consist of: a member of the County Commission, appointed by the County Commission; a member of the City Council, appointed by the City Council, and a representative of the public, whose appointment shall be jointly concurred with by the County Commission and the City Council.3. Powers and Duties
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To plan for and implement the establishment of the agency;
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To plan for and implement the emergency management systems, including emergency mitigation, preparation, response and recovery functions and activities for all emergencies and disasters, whether natural or man-made;
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To develop a plan for the administration and management of the Emergency Management Agency;
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To establish and develop policies governing day to day operations of the agency;
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To prepare an annual budget for approval by the City and County;
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To employ an Emergency Manager and staff necessary to operate or manage the agency, subject to the limits of annual appropriations and authority approved by the City and County;
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To enter into contracts for the purchase, lease and sale of equipment and/or services necessary to carry out its powers and duties, subject to the limits of annual appropriations and authority as approved by the City and County;
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To plan for future needs of the City and County in relation to emergency services and Emergency Management and make appropriate recommendations to the City and County;
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To assure that emergency operational plans are developed to effectively serve the citizens within the agency’s jurisdiction;
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To submit an annual report of all functions, activities, and recommendations for consideration by the City and County;
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To prepare and submit such grant applications for local, state, federal or other funding which may be available for the administration, operation and management of the Emergency Management program;
Such other powers and duties as may be assigned from time to time by the City and County.
4. Members
- Ken Vein - Term expires January 1, 2025
Grand Forks City Council Representative
- Terry Bjerke - Term expires December 26, 2026
Grand Forks County Commission Representative
- Leah Ista- Term expires March 3, 2026
Representative of the Public
- Michelle Rakoczy - Term expires March 4, 2027
Representative of the Public
- Heather Everson - Term expires March 5, 2027
- Representative of the Public
Grand Forks City Council
- Date: 09/15/2025 5:30 PM - 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/sjQvlJ2PfwI?si=3UmU5o6dF830Q4gb&t=3928
GRAND FORKS CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Monday, September 15, 2025 – 5:30 p.m.
Council Chambers, City Hall, 255 N 4th 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 Homelessness & Housing Discussion Update
Working Group Agenda, Meeting 1 09/03/2025
Working Group Agenda, Meeting 2 09/12/2025
Presentation
Information from NEHS
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND SECOND READINGS OF ORDINANCES
3.1 Public Hearing and Second Reading of Ordinance establishing the 2026 Budget, including salary plan and adoption of a Resolution setting 2026 Fees
a) Presentation Slides – Economic Development scenarios from 08/04 City Council
b) Presentation Materials from July 21 Committee of the Whole
c) 2026 Mayor’s Preliminary Budget (Previously distributed)
d) CIP Policy with Revised Cost Shares from 80/20 to 7/30
e) Annual Appropriations Ordinance
f) Budget in Brief
g) Certificate of Levy
h) Budget Q&A emails and related attachments
i) Memo from Municipal Court - late budget request
Citizen Comments, electronically submitted
3.3 Public Hearing and Second Reading of Ordinance amending City Code Section 14-0402 and creating Section 14-0420 relating to the use of mobility devices on the Greenway
a) Staff report & Ordinance as presented at City Council on 9/2/2025
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.
5. ACTION ITEMS
5.1 Opioid Litigation – Settlement Approval/Vote in Favor of Purdue Pharma LP Bankruptcy Plan
5.3 Ordinance to amend City Code relating to Alcohol Compliance
a) Amended Ordinance & Comparison table based on COW 9.8.2025 recommendations
b) Information as presented at City Council 09/02/2025
5.5 Approve Plan for Project 8688 – ADA Transition Plan
5.6 Letter of No Objection for City Project No. 8975 – 2025 Drain #4 Water Resource District Improvement
5.7 Landfill Special Services Agreement Authorization No. 50 for Gas Collection
a) Information from Burns & McDonnell
5.8 Award annual Public Works Bids:
a) Bid #2025-8, Contingent Snow Hauling & Spring Clean-up for 2025/2026 season
b) Bid #2025-9, Street Marking Paint
c) Bid #2025-10, Salt for Ice Control for the 2025/2026 Winter Season
5.9 Replat of Lot D, Block 1, Summer’s First Subdivision, located at 2313 N Washington Street
5.10 Replat of Part of Lot 7, Block 1, Heartland West Addition, located at 3005 Heartland Drive.
5.11 Plat of Demers Eighth Resubdivision, located at 2500 & 2600 Demers Avenue.
5.12 Vacation of Utility Easements, located at 2500 & 2600 Demers Avenue.
5.14 Ordinance to amend City Code Section 18-1001(4), to require a simple majority for zoning amendment approvals (postponed from May 19, 2025 City Council meeting)
Citizen Comments, electronically submitted
6. INFORMATION ITEMS
6.1 Investment Portfolio Summary as of August 31, 2025
7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND BILLS:
7.1 Vendor List
7.2 Minutes – September 2, 2025
8. CITY ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS
9. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
10. ADJOURNMENT
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