[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6295800,"mediaKeyId","2519736-e54f64f48a604a7d4e45ed128db3af0f","parentId",2519736,"title","Votes at a glance: council approves multiple contracts, bids and routine actions","audioSeconds",1563,"startMs",1042000,"endMs",2605000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2519736-e54f64f48a604a7d4e45ed128db3af0f&start=1042&end=2605","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2519736-e54f64f48a604a7d4e45ed128db3af0f/thumbnail_1042000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6295800/Grand-Forks/Grand-Forks-County/North-Dakota/Votes-at-a-glance-council-approves-multiple-contracts-bids-and-routine-actions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6295800-d36da5d9e1f29c294a242727a481d352/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160521&Signature=EqP76Dl8vmjwAnZVScFWf~bvzLQP6KUrYJBMTmz8c4iKLW3TDeZszYE5ZKVgOODRSNTO2vhWrn~NNNNZlrjCErn~FmjtasIyLKIQLbG-gNGWeyDGxjB6ICm2EntpEE7px~sH77RyHN6LJNyVqExB-RpgZmcJ4zYj4MWd~1PcfzoTMRZoYm6abAYOa79y~G2HeNoQHYJIFJJiuc1zxI45QJM1sZZJWGQAZr~Io4kQeuFSffj~s2akcNRO4vhJp15DQHQMVYPN5LI3nCJOTpJBn5TNdXrNRz6JYd~eX21Ms9R0phELjhEzx0PBwMIQ6AnDC03vNkCCq5Ih9GUWjmhrBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Grand Forks, ND","date","2025-02-24T00:00:00Z","article","The council approved multiple routine and procurement items in a single set of votes at its Committee of the Whole meeting.

Key approvals and contract awards

- Health Department vehicle surplus (Agenda item 3.2): Motion moved by Osovskiy, seconded by Berg. Motion carried unanimously; staff declared a department vehicle surplus.

- Opportunity Park infrastructure (Bid award; Agenda item 3.5): Staff recommended awarding the contract to United Crane, the low bidder, in the amount of $3,690,354.34. The council approved the award contingent on the developer providing the required letter of credit.

- UND Pond Outfall (Bid award; Agenda item 3.6): The low bid from Molstead Excavating for $124,411 was approved; staff said the bid was roughly 17% under the engineer’s estimate.

- Annual light-protection services contract (Project 8876/2025): Council approved the annual award (no dollar amount specified in the transcript).

- Mosquito-control chemicals (Project 2025-6): Chemical purchase awards were approved; staff introduced Eric Nelson, the mosquito control supervisor, and recommended specific larvicide/ adulticide items in the staff packet.

- Mosquito-control vehicles (Project 2025-5): Council approved the purchase of a full-size vehicle this budget year; staff said the fleet will total 10 pickups after purchase.

- Valves and pumps (Project 8928): Staff asked council to waive time limits to open a late bid from Water Technology Resources due to courier delay and to open the bid; the council voted to open the bid and later approved the material purchase. Water Technology Resources’ bid included line items such as a 10\" knife valve unit price $3,490 (qty 3), a 12\" knife valve $7,980 (qty 3), a 6\" swing flex check valve $3,990 (qty 6) and an 8\" knife valve $2,950 (qty 6), each with an 8–10 week delivery estimate.

- HVAC work at the raw-water intake building (Project 8941): Council approved the HVAC improvements.

- Maintenance agreement for Turblex blowers (Project 8952): Staff presented a new vendor that quoted about 40% lower than the prior RFQ; the council approved the maintenance agreement.

- Red River Valley Water Supply interim financing agreement, Series E modification: Changes requested by bond counsel to the interim financing agreement were approved; staff said the modifications did not change substantive obligations but satisfied bond counsel’s requests.

- Planning and zoning membership referral: Council referred the proposal to add a Grand Forks Air Force Base ex officio member to the Planning and Zoning Commission for review.

Votes on these items were recorded as motions carried, typically by unanimous voice vote unless noted in the individual agenda discussion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Grand Forks City Committee of the Whole meeting February 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved a slate of procurement, contract and routine administrative actions at its Feb. 24 meeting, including bid awards, equipment purchases and financing agreement modifications.","taxTitle","Grand Forks, Grand Forks County, North Dakota","taxId",3815,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6295805,"Council sends proposal to add Air Force Base representative on Planning and Zoning to commission for review",187,2659000,2846000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2519736-e54f64f48a604a7d4e45ed128db3af0f&start=2659&end=2846","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2519736-e54f64f48a604a7d4e45ed128db3af0f/thumbnail_2659000.jpg","/articles/6295805/Grand-Forks/Grand-Forks-County/North-Dakota/Council-sends-proposal-to-add-Air-Force-Base-representative-on-Planning-and-Zoning-to-commission-for-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6295805-d8d97deec3fcf4828bd6af8ec36df9e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160521&Signature=lhod5RC7ezlSrjVdjhVm0waggDHZsTjnfVXS9XCAkGbj8KmphvY7aVVoUKE-iN0-W-gx0hh7ti8~i3expQrGSLifprDY20YqdfiM8cApzzZvWa7mXaQpyk~IXDtYuP4yRncQHu0AsrFpItBa9v-JbOsbmvQ1yCBERFxViFzna-7l6P5N49oOeQgX5A-zP3Ib5gL9zh9kFhSltyp2GfhEy31CmBbW82IkifXyOE1GgTg0ayB5AXmHMk2arTs3ppHDYpAxZk7oML30KnhYftbKDEMvr~1q1ONTxjdtkjnYhvsE6W9QCQ23f4cG0LvD3unDyD5xDLMd~hd59V5TvoLAWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members voted to send a proposal to planning and zoning that would add a Grand Forks Air Force Base representative as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the Planning and Zoning Commission.

City staff said the change is permissible under the city's Home Rule Charter and that the proposed member would be nonvoting and informational. Mr. Gustin and Mr. Phelan discussed the intent: council members said a base representative could help identify development proposals that might affect future base missions and that Grand Forks County is considering a similar change.

A motion to refer the concept to the Planning and Zoning Commission for review was moved by Osovskiy and seconded by Lenski. Council member questions established that the commission currently has nine voting members; the addition would create two ex officio nonvoting members (the city engineer and the proposed base representative). The motion passed unanimously.","The council voted to refer a proposal to add an ex officio, nonvoting representative from Grand Forks Air Force Base to the Planning and Zoning Commission for further review; the item mirrors a county-level proposal and would create a second ex officio seat.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6295812,"Council approves purchase of property next to Station 1 for fire-marshal offices",344,694000,1038000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2519736-e54f64f48a604a7d4e45ed128db3af0f&start=694&end=1038","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2519736-e54f64f48a604a7d4e45ed128db3af0f/thumbnail_694000.jpg","/articles/6295812/Grand-Forks/Grand-Forks-County/North-Dakota/Council-approves-purchase-of-property-next-to-Station-1-for-fire-marshal-offices","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6295812-a79c22aa61113b82cd4328000050c05d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160521&Signature=YUe-u~PlPLm8Ej3WFQgFKgC2DHAZmgg2yP8c3UgSET5omV4ydzz0jHPb1i3KrnAuuiMGMAklfXZF7nHPbyRw~bV5RLNLpxdnV1~6BY-gQDQqNyqsTki4ndsesZmq~juaMHpATks9G5lSro1CqoE7~b3NZ5s9Hav9-ozPTmeJS4yXK9qDaASfgCJUsSkyBKWpVrPYyEWnqbJMt5zjaSxf5PadQWLud1jcy~h5WCWSWYEGe2W~QvvB9mn-LTc0L2M0JzR6yf9eMcXlExaG-EVGtZm6g2og4ZMS4w24wmtsH1jjx~fVsx83I6WqJqJ~bUEKb-8KtXl-dr6P~pBQxde4Vw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The council approved the purchase of two lots at 575/595 North Washington Street to relocate the fire prevention division and provide additional office and public meeting space.

Chief Lorenz said the property includes office space, a garage and a conference area that would let the fire marshal staff meet with architects, developers and contractors away from the cramped Station 1. He described Station 1 as built in 1979 with limited interior expansion options and said the new property would allow room for an additional marshal and for people on modified duty.

Lorenz told the council the parcels include three billboards under a long-term lease that generated about $14,200 in February 2025 and, with 28 years left on the lease, have potential to produce approximately $600,000 over that remaining term.

Council member Salski asked whether the building included an open shop; Lorenz confirmed a large heated garage and said the city planned initially to move four vehicles there. Salski also asked about a small strip of property between the garage and the city parcel; staff described it as a utility easement and said the city does not own that small stretch.

A motion to approve the purchase was moved by Kosowski and seconded by Berg. The motion carried unanimously.","The council approved buying two adjoining lots and building with office and garage space near Station 1 to house the fire prevention division and provide public meeting room space; staff cited billboard lease revenue as partial payback.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6295816,"City creates special-assessment district to fund Altru Sports Complex site work, council narrowly approves",674,1069000,1743000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2519736-e54f64f48a604a7d4e45ed128db3af0f&start=1069&end=1743","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2519736-e54f64f48a604a7d4e45ed128db3af0f/thumbnail_1069000.jpg","/articles/6295816/Grand-Forks/Grand-Forks-County/North-Dakota/City-creates-special-assessment-district-to-fund-Altru-Sports-Complex-site-work-council-narrowly-approves","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6295816-dfeabb7d05d53275e9b63484fcd36a28/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160521&Signature=B4IL23Xl1Mht7bMnNVH-ClRNnOf6heZn4JsJBIwQnx-YsYpO0HQk-AC7g8VpLEwUlz4aJ5tUONJPOw-Smu8tmxOXRz9cdzBTn94tezYHWXd8PoPsaKNuRTs~ynday~ZZQmoonY4hgeu2zOb9jS5bEZwHG2nC-hwAwqQad8z4qKScho-ZMZDwtDmDaG~IQswIz3bhydKPy70UWARUdpUBmvsJ27niECfZN~c2leJbhhj4C0VYiT8rGLLgPwJ-ASWA3nmmt10YTv4byqDg08sx-hfOWoL4IJ9chPAKaWHm7D~rixRuasj6OGYYrhipS1wk2yaEThqg~WapHN~NCzcR0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council voted to create Special Assessment District Project 8933 to fund $8.7 million of paving, storm sewer, street lighting and site work tied to the Altru Sports Complex and related lots.

City staff said the total estimated site work is about $11.8 million, and the $8.7 million engineer’s report before the council would be financed in part by special assessment and in part with city funds including water, wastewater and stormwater enterprise funds and sales-tax allocations. Mr. Lieberman, city staff, told the committee that the special-assessment portion specifically covers paving, storm sewer, street lighting, earthwork and landscaping.

The special-assessment district boundaries cover four city-owned lots: the Altru Sports Complex site, the Hugo’s Raceway parcel, the lot for a proposed children’s museum and an associated stormwater pond lot. Council members asked whether the City would effectively be special-assessing itself. Lieberman said the North Dakota Century Code procedures require the same special-assessment process even when the city is the property owner and that the Special Assessment Commission will determine how benefits are apportioned among the lots.

Council members pressed staff on the financing breakdown and the use of sales tax. A staff presenter identified roughly $4.4 million coming from the three-quarter percent sales tax portion that benefits the complex and another $4.238 million from other sources in the district; other portions would be funded by enterprise funds for water, wastewater and stormwater. Staff said the city would special-assess itself over a 25-year period and that annual payments are projected to start around $400,000 and decline over time as principal is repaid.

Council member Wasowski said she would not support moving forward while the project was still over budget and voiced concerns about relying on sales tax for repayment. The motion to approve the engineer’s report and create the district passed after a roll-call “aye” vote; Wasowski registered the lone dissent.

Council directed the item to the Special Assessment Commission for benefit allocation and to follow the statutorily required steps before final bond sale and assessment.","The Council approved creation of a special-assessment district to cover $8.7 million of site work for the Altru Sports Complex as part of an $11.8 million site package. Council member Wasowski registered a lone dissent amid questions about sales-tax reliance and budget risk.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: council approves multiple contracts, bids and routine actions

Council sends proposal to add Air Force Base representative on Planning and Zoning to commission for review

Council approves purchase of property next to Station 1 for fire-marshal offices

City creates special-assessment district to fund Altru Sports Complex site work, council narrowly approves