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

Jeff Groven, City of Grand Forks Mayor Appointment Expiration: December 31, 2028

Monica Evavold, City of East Grand Forks Expiration: December 31, 2028

Anna Rosburg, Alerus Center Commission Expiration: December 31, 2027

Amish Patel, Hotel/Motel Association Expiration: December 31, 2028

Jody Hodgson, Ralph Engelstad Arena Expiration: December 31, 2027

Clare Albrecht, Hotel/Motel Association December 31, 2027

Monica Musich, City of Grand Forks Mayor Appointment December 20, 2027

Julie Rygg, Executive Director/Secretary

Mike Orr, Grand Forks Park District Expiration: December 31, 2026

Jennifer Swangler, University of North Dakota Expiration: December 31, 2028

Staff

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

Grand Forks JDA & City Council

Date: 09/08/2026 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM 09/08/2026 5:30 PM 09/08/2026 6:30 PM
Location: Grand Forks City Hall - Council Chambers
255 N 4th St
GRAND FORKS, North Dakota 58203

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GRAND FORKS GROWTH FUND,
A JOBS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (JDA) AGENDA
Monday, September 8, 2026 – 5:30 p.m.
Council Chambers, City Hall, 255 N 4^th Street

Notice is hereby given that the Grand Forks Growth Fund, a Jobs Development Authority (JDA) will meet at the above date, time and place. Members of the JDA may be attending this meeting in person, electronically or telephonically.

Members of the public may view the live airing of the JDA meeting on Grand Forks Channel 2 or streamed live through the City’s Facebook page at facebook.com/cityofgrandforks. Any member of the public seeking to submit comments relating to an agenda item or public hearing without appearing in person should submit their comments to www.grandforksgov.com/councilcomments or call 701-746-2678 for further information. All comments received prior to 5:00 p.m. on the meeting date will be considered part of the record of the meeting as if personally presented.

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 Roll Call:

__ Weigel __Osowski __Berg __Salentiny __Fridolfs __ Sande __Vein __Bochenski

2. ACTION ITEMS: Hold Public Hearing and take action:

2.1 FlexPACE Quality of Life Loan Request: Frankling Marketplace

2.2 Accelerate Loan Authorization to Pursue Collections: First-i

3. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:

3.1 2025 Annual Report

4. ADJOURN

GRAND FORKS CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Monday, September 8, 2026
(Immediately following JDA)

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 ____ Salentiny ____Fridolfs ____Sande ____ Vein

1.2 Pledge of Allegiance

1.3 Mayor’s Announcements

2. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS, APPOINTMENTS & PROCLAMATIONS

2.1 Proclamation: Assisted Living Week, September 13-19, 2026

3. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND SECOND READINGS OF ORDINANCES

3.1 Public Hearing and Second Reading of Ordinance establishing the 2027 Budget, including salary plan and adoption of a Resolution setting 2027 Fees

a) Presentation from July 20, 2026

b) 2027 Mayor’s Preliminary Budget (previously distributed)

c) Ordinance entitled “The Annual Appropriations Bill for 2027”

d) Budget in Brief

e) Certificate of Levy

3.2 Public Hearing on Application for Tax Incentive (PILOT) from ACTIVATE RRGC, LLC,

(University of North Dakota (UND)/Ray Richards Golf Course (RRGC) Development Project)

New information:

a) Tax Incentive Checklist

b) Development Agreement

c) Resolution approving Tax Incentive

Previously distributed information:

a) UND/RRGC Development Presentation and Video from UND and Development Team

b) Baker Tilly But-For-Analysis Report – UND/RRGC Development, dated June 30, 2026

c) Baker Tilly But-For-Analysis Presentation – UND/RRGC Development, dated July 13/2026

d) PILOT Impact Analysis RRGC Development

e) Memorial Village P3 Projects with Community-wide Benefits

f) Combined Grand Forks Local Government Subdivisions Payment in Lieu of Tax (PILOT) Incentive Review Process, dated June 11, 2026

g) ACTIVATE RRGC, LLC Application for Property Tax Incentive for New of Expanding Business

h) Approved City of Grand Forks Staff Report Ordinance to Amend the Zoning Map to Rezone from UD – University District to Ray Richards Golf Course PUD Concept Development Plan, dated February 2, 2026.

i) Approved Replat of Portion of Lots 1 and all of Lot 2, Block 1, Ray Richards Golf Course Addition with Street and Highway Ordinance, dated February 2, 2026

j) Approved City of Grand Forks Staff Report Greenview Living, LLC Tax Incentive Pre-Application (Ray Richards Golf Course Redevelopment), dated April 21, 2025

3.3 Public Hearing and Second Reading of Ordinance relating to trespass

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 Appeal by Laura Bakken of variance granted by Board of Zoning Adjustments for property located at 6200 Driftwood Dr City Council Findings for adoption
(to be attached prior to the meeting)

Previously distributed information:

a) Appeal submission including minutes from July 23, 2026 Board of Zoning Adjustment

b) Application for variance provided to July 23, 2026 Board of Zoning Adjustments

c) Collings email with attachments a-g

d) Notice of Hearing date

e) Handouts from 08/24/2026 Special City Council meeting

5.2 Adopt Resolution directing Special Assessment Commission to assess special assessments on an estimated basis

5.3 2027 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan

5.4 Applications for tax exemption of improvements to residential and commercial buildings at various locations

5.5 Grand Forks Renaissance Zone Project GF-90: Franklin Marketplace, LLC

5.6 Approve transfer of Class 4 (Food & Beverage) Alcoholic Beverage License from MMW Hospitality, LLC (previously dba Ground Round) to Franklin Markertplace, LLC (dba Fenders and Earl’s)

5.7 Authorization to issue and set sale date for Refunding Improvement Bonds, Series 2026F

5.8 Declaration of surplus and transfer of 2002 Ford E450 Bud (Retired Crisis Negotiator Response Vehicle) to Grand Forks Public Schools

5.9 Plans and specifications for Project Nos. 9129.1, Sanitary Sewer and 9131.1, Storm Sewer for Grand valley 2^nd Amendment – Phase 1

5.10 Engineering Amendment for Pump Station 186 & Forcemain, Upgrade PS 182 & 188 Project 8265, District No. 598

5.11 Red River Valley Water Supply Project (RRVWSP) Governance

a) Resolution of Lake Agassiz Water Authority Board of Directors – Support for pursuing further due diligence of Option 3 of the Governance and Finance Study conducted by Deloitte specific to Red River Valley Water Supply Project, dated 08/06/2026

b) ND DWR Update Presentation from Director Reice Haase to LAWA Board of Directors, dated 08/06/2026

c) ND State Water Commission Regional Water Systems Governance and Finance Study – Final observations and Considerations report from Deloitte, dated 05/29/2026

6. INFORMATION ITEMS

6.1 Statement of Changes in Cash Balances as of July 31, 2026

6.2 Refuse & Recycling Services Agreement with Grand Forks Air Force Base Renewal (Information Only)

7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND BILLS:

7.1 Vendor List and Engineers Estimates

7.2 Minutes –August 17 and August 24, 2026

8. CITY ADMINISTRATOR COMMENTS

9. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS

10. ADJOURNMENT

AG CC-JDA 20260908