Moorhead City Council Meeting
February 17 2015
Chuck Chadwick
*At Committee of the Whole Meetings, Council Members discusses City business or other matters of interest as determined by the Council. No official action is taken at Committee of the Whole meetings.
Lake Agassiz Regional Library (LARL) Presentation
Regional Library Director Liz Lynch and Moorhead Public Library Director Megan Krueger provided their long-range operational and capital planning for the Moorhead Public Library to the City Council. Lynch emphasized “we are not just a Moorhead library, but a regional wide library.” That view was echoed by Mayor Williams adding, “Our library really is a gem.” The City of Moorhead, through its partnership with LARL and participation in the regional system, has provided total support of $7.8 million over the past 10 years. The total includes direct support of $6.3 million and $1.5 million in building maintenance costs, which include custodial services, utilities, insurance, lawn care, snow removal, elevator maintenance, etc. The figures include State-mandated financial support by the City.
The Library’s 2014 direct funding request was for $716,535, but was allocated $675,730 due to the lateness of the request. Any additional funding would have required a lesser amount for other funded organizations.
Metro COG Food Systems Advisory Commission Presentation
Project Coordinator Megan Myrdal, Cass Clay Food Systems Advisory Commission requested that the Moorhead City Council appoint a member who would serve on the commission. She explained that the initiative is four years in the making. The purpose of the commission is to establish a public group that would advise the policy makers. For example, the commission would research and provide recommendations regarding best practices, ordinances, and policies that will improve the production, distribution, sales, and consumption of healthy and locally grown foods within our region.
Myrdal stated, “A vibrant local food system is one that allows people to have access to healthy, local, and affordable food, while also improving the economy for local business owners and food producers. That is the goal of the Cass Clay Food Systems Advisory Commission, a newly formed group that will work across the Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Area to help residents access a wide variety of nutritious, affordable, and locally grown foods.”
The City of Moorhead is the last entity to appoint a representative to the commission. The cities of Fargo, West Fargo, and Dilworth have appointed a representative as well as Cass County and Clay County. The committee will include five at-large members to be named at the first meeting on March 25, 2015 at the Fargo City Chambers. All citizens are invited to participate in the project.
The Council took it under advisement.
Massage Therapist Regulations
The City Council discussed an ordinance amendment proposed by Moorhead Police Chief Ebinger. Chief Ebinger explained that Moorhead currently does not yet have a major problem, but there is a national trend and the purpose of the amendment is to keep it under control.
The amendment would make changes to the application process necessary to help prevent human trafficking, sex trade, and prostitution that are associated with transient and unregulated therapists and on-site managers. The police department will investigate all applications for a license to operate a massage enterprise or massage home occupation, or to practice massage within the city. The changes would be effective on license renewals.
According to Chief Ebinger, the amendment would also add licensing of Massage Home Occupation to the current ordinance. The current application process does not provide adequate information to confirm citizenship, alien resident status, and to allow for a thorough background investigation of applicants.
The amended ordinance can be viewed in its entirety on the city’s website. It defines a massage as any method of pressure on or friction against, or the rubbing, stroking, kneading, tapping, pounding, vibrating, stimulating, or rolling of the body with the hands, or with the aid of any mechanical or electrical apparatus, or other appliances or devices, for a fee or for compensation, direct or indirect. It also defines who is considered a massage therapist.
The City Council will meet again on Monday, February 23, 2015. The following items are on the agenda.
Resolution to Award Bid for Flood Mitigation Project Area 1B (15 Ave & 7 St N). Eng. No. 11-A13-5B
Resolution to Authorize Property/Easement Acquisition for Sidewalk Improvements along TH 75 from 2nd Ave S to 20th Ave S. Eng. No. 14-7-1
Resolution to Approve Amendment No. 3 to the Engineering Services Agreement with SRF Consulting Group for Design and Right-of-Way Services for the TH 10/TH 75 Safety and Operations Improvement Project (CIMS Grant). Eng. No. 14-2-1
Resolution to Authorize Property/Easement Acquisition for the TH 10/TH 75 Safety and Operations Improvement Project (CIMS Grant). Eng. No. 14-2-1
Resolution to Approve Submittal of an Application for the FEMA U.S. Department of Homeland Security FY 2014 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant.
Moorhead Public Service
warns customers of payment scam
Moorhead Public Service (MPS) is warning customers of a payment scam. MPS has been contacted by numerous customers who have received suspicious telephone calls from individuals or automated messages attempting to collect payment.
MPS uses automated messages for its collection process and contacts customers with past due balances by phone to offer payment options; however, MPS does NOT demand direct payment over the telephone and does NOT use threatening tactics to obtain payment.
Any call demanding direct payment over the telephone and/or using threatening tactics to obtain payment is NOT a call from Moorhead Public Service. This call is a scam – do NOT provide any financial information.
If you receive a call claiming to be from Moorhead Public Service that seems suspicious, please do not provide any financial information. Please hang up and call our office at 218.477.8000.