OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

BRANDON BOCHENSKI

CITY OF GRAND FORKS (701) 746-2607

255 N 4 TH
STREET - P.O. BOX 5200 - GRAND FORKS, ND - 58206-5200 BBOCHENSKI@GRANDFORKSGOV.COM

MEMORANDUM

DATE: October 21, 2020

Subject: Veto of Ordinance Number 4776 and amendment to Grand Forks

City Code Section 6-0101(14) relating to list of department heads

TO: Maureen Storstad, City Auditor

FROM: Brandon Bochenski, Mayor

Pursuant to Grand Forks City Code § 2-0104(33), please take this as a formal notice
that I am vetoing the City Council’s action taken at their meeting on Monday,
October 19, 2020 approving and passing Ordinance Number 4776, which is
attached hereto, that sought to amend Grand Forks City Code § 6-0101(14). The City
Council’s approval and passage of Ordinance Number 4776 to amend Grand Forks
City Code § 6-0101(14) would have made the department head of the newly distinct
and separate Inspections Department a classified civil service position. This
memorandum shall serve as my veto and the reasons for my veto.

It is staff’s recommendation and the administration’s desire that the department

head position of the Inspections Department not be a classified civil service
position at this time, and instead be a non-classified contract benefited position. I
refer you to and incorporate, as reasons for my veto, the staff report submitted to
the City Council outlining the basis for the recommendation that this position be a
non-classified contract benefited position. Doing so will create consistency with
similar positions responsible for the regulation and development of the City and
align it with the City Engineer and City Planner - both non-classified contract
benefited positions.
 CITY OF GRAND FORKS
255 N 4TH STREET - P.O. BOX 5200 - GRAND FORKS, ND - 58206-5200

Making the position a non-classified contract benefited position will align with the
administration’s goal to increase efficiency, transparency, and accountability as well
as create flexibility with pay, benefits, and other compensation.

I appreciate the constructive dialogue and debate with the City Council on this
matter, but have concluded vetoing Ordinance Number 4776 that sought to amend
Grand Forks City Code § 6-0101(14) is appropriate for the reasons set forth in this
memorandum including the administration’s goals and desired direction.

In sum, by this memorandum, I have vetoed Ordinance Number 4776 and the
proposed amendment to Grand Forks City Code Grand Forks City Code § 6-
0101(14).

Respectfully,

Brandon Bochenski
Mayor of Grand Forks

CC:
Grand Forks City Council
Todd Feland, City Administrator
City Department Heads
Sherie Lundmark, City Clerk