01-16-1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--January 16, 1996 1429 portfolio commissioner, subject to State's Attorney approval; and authorize the chairman to sign: On roll call vote, motion carried unanimously. Board of prisoners and juvenile detention--counties of Ransom, Grand Forks, Richland, Griggs, Barnes and Walsh; City of Fargo; Courthouse construction contracts with Gast Construction; Grant's Mechanical; and Magnum Electric; Courthouse south wing telephone and data service to second, third and fourth floors. STATE'S ATTORNEY, Out-of-state travel approved MOTION, passed Mrs. Schneider moved and Mr. Eckert seconded to approve out-of- state travel for Steve Dawson, Assistant State's Attorney, to attend symposium on juvenile crime in Washington, D.C. January 18-20, 1996, according to letter provided by State's Attorney John Goff dated January 9, 1996. On roll call vote, motion carried unanimously. ORDINANCE #1996-1, Curfew ordinance/second reading and adoption Chairman Toussaint announced this was the time and date advertised for second reading/ adoption of an ordinance regulating the presence and conduct of certain minors on streets and other public places. First reading of this ordinance was held December 18, 1995 and notice of the proposed ordinance was published in the official newspaper, The Forum, on December 26, 1995. No one was present to address the commission on the proposed ordinance when the chairman opened the meeting for public comment. She then invited discussion by fellow commissioners. Mrs. Schneider said she cannot support a curfew ordinance because a recent gang-resistance meeting held in Fargo indicated there are about 150 gang members in the area at this time. With about 18,000 students in the Fargo, West Fargo and Moorhead area school system, that equates to less than 1% of the student population being involved in gangs. She does not believe this necessitates adoption of a county curfew ordinance. Also, she said response from cities was mixed, and one parent opposed the curfew ordinance at the time of the first reading. Mr. Eckert said he supports the curfew ordinance and suggested reviewing it in one year's time. Mr. Wieland believes the curfew ordinance will be a tool for law enforcement officials and that Cass County should be consistent with the cities of Fargo and West Fargo, who have adopted the same, or similar, curfew ordinances within their jurisdictions. Mr. Ness and Mrs. Toussaint also support the curfew ordinance and review in one year's time. Citizens who called them favored the ordinance. MOTION, passed Mr. Wieland moved and Mr. Ness seconded to approve Cass County Government Ordinance #1996-1 (curfew ordinance), effective February 1, 1996. On roll call vote, motion carried with four members voting "Aye" and Mrs. Schneider opposing.