Outlined below are the agenda items for the City of Minot’s regularly scheduled City Council meeting for February 4, 2019. Also included are brief comments of one Alderman.
Regular City Council Meeting
Monday, February 4, 2019 at 5:30 PM
City Council Chambers – City Hall
Any person needing special accommodation for the meeting is requested to notify the City Clerk’s Office at 857-4752.
1. ROLL CALL
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. PERSONAL APPEARANCES
4. REPORTS: MAYOR
5. REPORTS: CITY MANAGER/CITY ATTORNEY
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Alderman Notes:
There’s one item in this update that caught my attention and will draw a question for our City Attorney.
6. CONSIDER THE REPORT OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
- Pass an ordinance on first reading to change the zone from C2 to M1 on Bridgeview Park Addition, Lot 1; Also adopt a resolution amending the Comprehensive Plan/Future Land Use Map.
- Approve subdivision of Family Recreation Addition, Lot 1; pass an ordinance on first reading to change the zone from AG to P on Family Recreation Addition, Lot 1; pass an ordinance on first reading to annex into City limits Family Addition, Lot 1; and adopt a resolution to amend the Future Land Use Map to change from Low Density and Medium Density Residential to Parks and Open Space.
- Pass an ordinance on first reading to change the zone from C2 to M1 on Lafarge Addition, Block 2; Also adopt a resolution to amend the Comprehensive Plan/Future Land Use Map.
- Approve subdivision of Terrace Heights 15th Addition, Lots 1 & 2.
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Alderman Notes:
Item four I will support without comment. On items one and three, it’s interesting to note how much work our zoning laws create for businesses trying to get their doors open. This ordinance is in the process of being holistically revised to address these issues, but that work can’t be completed soon enough.
On the Park District’s proposal to rezone a large tract of land on the NW side of the City I expect discussion. I will support the item because I understand and agree with the Park District’s rationale on this project with regards to not rebuilding Souris Valley the next time there is a costly flood event. This rebuilding work is expensive and this alternative will get us out of that business. It’s smart planning. That said, I do have a couple comments I went heard for the record:
1. I support the work; it’s important for political subdivisions to work together, and I trust the Park District’s and Park Board’s evaluation of this project and its prioritization.
2. I am concerned that this project will put outward development pressure on the City of Minot. Many times I have commented on the hidden cost of the outward push; this project will fuel that. In particular, this project will put pressure on the City to build the NW fire station. We cannot and should not develop further that direction without first addressing this critical public safety infrastructure need.
7. CONSENT ITEMS
Alderman Notes:
I will support the consent agenda, but will pull item 7.9 for a brief comment.
7.1. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Approval of the minutes of the January 22, 2019 regular City Council meeting.
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7.2. BILLS, TRANSFERS, AND PAYROLL
Approval of the bills and transfers in the amount of $3,782,717.81 and payroll for the period of December 23, 2018 to January 19, 2019 in the amount of $2,092,198.64.
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7.3. ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVALS
It is recommended the City Council ratify the attached administratively approved requests.
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7.4. THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ON SECOND READING
Ordinance No. 5342 – Amend the 2019 Annual Budget- Traffic Signal Pole/Mast Arm Replacement
Ordinance No. 5343 – Amend the 2019 Annual Budget- Traffic Signal Cabinet Replacement
Ordinance No. 5344 – Amend the 2019 Annual Budget- Sidewalk Curb & Gutter
Ordinance No. 5345 – Amend the CMCO- Chapter 5 Airport Terminal Restaurant
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7.5. FINAL PAYMENT – LIB033
As approved in January 2018 by City Council, the Minot Public Library installed a digital sign on the grounds of the property in order to promote the Library. This project was funded through donations to the Library and it has now been completed.
It is recommended that City Council approve the final payment in the amount of $23,290 to Rolac Contracting, Inc. and $9,097.50 to Indigo Signworks for the completion of project LIB033 (Library Digital Sign).
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7.6. US 2 AND BURDICK EXPY. MICROSURFACING FINAL PAYMENT (4362)
The East Burdick Expressway from 42nd St SE to US Highway 2 is a principal arterial street located within the City of Minot Corporate Limits. The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) bid the work in May of 2018 to resurface by microsurfacing the street described above and the work was completed in 2018. The City’s has a 10% cost share in this project.
1. It is recommended that Council approve the final payment of $364.74 to be paid to NDDOT.
2. It is recommended that Council authorize the Mayor to sign the Certification of Local Match.
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7.7. GAMING SITE AUTHORIZATION- FOUNDATION FOR ORTHODOXY
Site approval by the City Council is required as a precondition to obtain a state games of chance license.
It is recommended the City Council approve the gaming site authorization for Foundation for Orthodoxy to conduct games of chance at Clarion Hotel & Convention Center.
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7.8. CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL FOR AUCTION OF A COMMERCIAL STRUCTURE
As the City acquires properties for the flood mitigation projects, it has periodically presented to the City Council requests to auction structures on such property deemed sound and able to be moved. The commercial structure at 435 4th Avenue NE has been inspected and deemed in sound shape for auction and relocation.
It is recommended the City Council authorize auction of the commercial structure at 435 4th Avenue NE with execution of sale to the highest responsible bidder.
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7.9. PERMISSION TO USE GOVDEALS ONLINE AUCTION FOR DISPOSAL OF EXCESS EQUIPMENT
In an effort to maximize the revenue that the city receives from the sale of excess vehicles and equipment we have researched online auction websites specializing in the sale of excess government equipment.
We are requesting that council approve the option of using the GovDeals online auction website for the purpose of disposing of excess city vehicles/equipment.
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Alderman Notes:
I will pull this item for a brief comment. I want to make sure we’re still providing some local notification that we’re selling stuff — either through social media or our website, maybe even both.
7.10. BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE TRAINING
In 2018, the City of Minot Vehicle Maintenance/Bus Superintendent along with the Human Resource Director had contacted Mike Kutzke of Professional Training Services to provide city employees with training sessions to enhance customer service skills. The training was initially going to occur in 2018 but due to scheduling conflicts, it was delayed until March 2019.
Recommend approval of the budget amendment ordinance allocating $2,500.00 of unused funds from the 2018 Vehicle Maintenance Training Budget into the 2019 Vehicle Maintenance Training Budget.
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8. ACTION ITEMS
8.1. PURCHASE OF SKID STEER LOADERS (PROJECT NUMBER 4414)
On Tuesday, January 29, 2019, bids were opened for the purchase of two new skid steer loaders for the Street Department.
Recommend Council award the bid to Swanston Equipment for the purchase of two new Bobcat skid steer loaders at the bid price of $43,890 including the trade-in of two Case skid steer loaders.<
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Alderman Notes:
I want to confirm my understanding of this item and our status in entering this program.
8.2. RIGHT OF WAY ENCROACHMENT APPLICATION – MONITORING WELLS – 1700 AND 1704 23RD AVE NW
A Limited Site Investigation was completed for a property in northwest Minot and petroleum hydrocarbon contamination was detected. The ND Department of Health is requesting that additional investigation be completed by the owner. Two of the proposed monitoring wells will encroach on the City’s right-of-way.
Recommend approval of the Right of Way Encroachment Agreement Application submitted by Pace Development Inc for the installation of groundwater monitoring wells in the right-of-way at 1700 and 1704 23rd Ave NW.
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Alderman Notes:
I will support this item.
8.3. P# 3529.3A MREFPP PHASE BU-1A – COLTON AVENUE BRIDGE
Replacement of the Colton Avenue bridge is part of the overall Mouse River Plan. The project was initially programmed to be a part of the Burlington levee project; however when bid prices for Phases 1, 2, and 3 in Minot came in below budget, some of the funds were reprogrammed to advance other phases of the Mouse River Plan.
- Recommend Council approve plans and specifications and recommend approval to the SRJB for bidding of the Colton Avenue Bridge Replacement, Phase BU-1A of the MREFPP.
- Recommend approval of resolution 3400 adopt earlier in regards to bonding for the MREFPP.
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Alderman Notes:
I assume this will get discussion. I expect to support this project as that is the City’s long standing committment — to support a basinwide, border to border project, but I remain concerned that it is only Minot businesses that are asked to assess their customers through sales tax that are funding this improvement.
8.4. CONTRACT FOR PLANNING CONSULTING SERVICES
Since 2014 the Zoning Ordinance Steering Committee (ZOSC) has been meeting to make corrections, revisions, and updates to the zoning ordinance document. Recently, the committee has been reenergized with new members appointed by the Mayor and two-hour meetings are regularly scheduled twice per month. The goal now is to analyze and update the entire ordinance from beginning to end over the course of the next fifteen or so months. However, the Planning Department is still understaffed, so a planning consultant is being requested to provide professional assistance in the effort to complete this monumental task in a timely fashion.
Recommend approval of the contract for consulting services with SRF Consulting Group, Inc. for planning consulting services to assist in a comprehensive update to the Minot Zoning Ordinance as presented. Scope of work and estimated costs are included.
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Alderman Notes:
This item appears to have been pulled from consideration; that’s good. The amount listed in these documents is not acceptable and is far beyond the scope of what was discussed in the zoning and planning steering committee meetings.
8.5. APPROVE MINOT AREA COMMUNITY LAND TRUST SUB-RECIPIENT AGREEMENT
The Minot Area Community Land Trust (MACLT) is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation established in 2014 as an offshoot of the already established Grand Forks Community Land Trust. Currently, the staff of MACLT is the staff of Grand Forks Community Land Trust but built into the sub-recipient agreement are requirements that there be a sufficient physical presence in Minot to assure successful undertaking of the construction and/or rehabilitation of 10 single family homes for LMI homeownership. This agreement maintains the city’s overall goal not to adversely affect the private marketplace for single family homes.
It is recommended the City Council approve the Minot Area Community Land Trust Sub-Recipient Agreement for LMI Single Family Homes for an amount up to $2,069,845 in CDBG-NDR funds.
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Alderman Notes:
Like all NDR Housing related projects, I’m very concerned about impacts to the private market. I do not see a demand for these projects. On the other hand, we’ve made a committment to LMI Housing in the NDR grant program. Perhaps it’s wise to keep options open given the speed at which circumstances in Minot have changed in recent years. There is no demand for this now; in two years — who knows.
8.6. CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL FOR EXTENSION OF BEYOND SHELTER, INC. DEVELOPER AGREEMENT
The City of Minot entered into a Development Agreement with Beyond Shelter Inc. on June 18, 2015 for the new construction of multi-family rental housing for low and moderate income residents to be undertaken in two phases. The City Council tabled the discussion on this item at the January 22nd meeting.
It is recommended the City Council approve an amendment to the Developer Agreement with 501(c)3 non-profit Beyond Shelter, Inc. extending the term subject to added conditions to complete Low Income Multi-Family Housing.
Documents:
- BEYONDSHELTEXTENSIONDEVELOPERAGREEMENTCOUNCILMEMO.PDF
- BEYONDSHELTERAMENDMENTAGREEMENT.PDF
- CDBGDR SIGNED DEV AGRMT (00000002)BEYONDSHELTERA.PDF
Alderman Notes:
Like all NDR Housing related projects, I’m very concerned about impacts to the private market. I do not see a demand for these projects. On the other hand, we’ve made a committment to LMI Housing in the NDR grant program. Perhaps it’s wise to keep options open given the speed at which circumstances in Minot have changed in recent years. There is no demand for this now; in two years — who knows.
8.7. 2018 PROPOSED ORDINANCE: LINE ITEMS OVER BUDGET
Department budgets must reflect the correct amounts for the 2018 CAFR, adjustments are necessary so no departments report amounts not appropriated.
Recommend the Council pass an ordinance to amend the 2018 annual budget to adjust department budgets for funds approved by the City Council for Sales Tax Flood Control, CDBG Relocations, Various Grants, Library Memorial, NAWS Project, and Interest Distribution.
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Alderman Notes:
I will support this, but I would appreciate comments from our Finance Director to better inform the public of what’s going on.
9. DEPARTMENT PRESENTATION- NDR
The Disaster Resiliency Grant Program Manager will present information and updates on the National Disaster Resiliency Grant.
10. MISCELLANEOUS AND DISCUSSION ITEMS
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
First Western Bank & Trust v. North Dakota Port Services and City of Minot: Attorney Consultation and Discussion of Potential Litigation Strategy and/or Guidance for Negotiation Strategy/Instructions, Pursuant to N.D.C.C. 44-04-17.1, 19.1, and 19.2.
