11-16-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--November 16, 1998 1896 14. COURTHOUSE PARKING LOT REQUEST, Unitarian Universalist Church The county received a written request from the Unitarian Universalist Church, located directly north of the Cass County Courthouse, for an agreement to use the county's parking lots for church functions, primarily on evenings and weekends. Cheryl Bergian, member of the church, addressed the board on this request. She said the church anticipates a major renovation in order to make it accessible to people with disabilities, and they are working with the City of Fargo planning office to request a zoning change or waiver of set-back requirements. Mr. Wieland expressed concern about having any type of encumbrances on county property, particularly with a non-governmental agency. Mr. Meyer said the committee for a new jail site has not met yet, but this would be a consideration of the county's before formalizing a parking agreement. Mrs. Quick asked about the church's other options, and Ms. Bergian said the church needs to establish some parking space before undertaking the remodeling. Mr. Wieland is also concerned about the precedent this may set because of the number of apartment buildings and other businesses near the Courthouse. MOTION, passed Mr. Wieland moved and Mr. Meyer seconded to deny the request for a written parking agreement between Cass County and the Unitarian Universalist Church. Discussion: Mrs. Quick suggested that Ms. Bergian ask the Fargo Planning Office for any alternatives or a compromise from their standpoint. Ms. Bergian asked that the Cass County Commission minutes reflect that the Commissioners do not object to an informal parking arrangement, but they are concerned about a formal agreement and its impact in the future. The chair called for further discussion and hearing none, closed the discussion. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 15. JAIL UPDATE, Report by County Coordinator/Jail Project Coordinator Bonnie Johnson, County Coordinator and Jail Project Coordinator, reported on the operations and programming committee meetings held in the past month. She said Cass County correctional officers visited seven jail facilities and prepared a scrapbook of those field trips. County Auditor Michael Montplaisir, Commissioner Wieland and Ms. Johnson met informally last week with Mayor Bruce Furness to update the City of Fargo on possible jail sites and funding. Also, Elaine Little of the State Department of Corrections, has been contacted about exploring possible changes of prisoner classification, such as classifying them according to behavior. This new theme in criminal justice is being incorporated into new jails, according to Ms. Johnson. A possible change in recreation standards for inmates is another area of exploration with the Department of Corrections. 16. RESOLUTION #1998-18, Metropolitan Intelligent Transportation System Brian Shorten, Executive Director, Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Council of Governments, was present to request approval of the Comprehensive Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Plan, prepared by SRF Consulting Group, Inc. of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Brian Scott of SRF Consulting was present, as well as Keith Berndt, County Engineer, who served on the ITS Technical Committee and is recommending approval of the resolution presented today.