A law banning texting and driving is going before the Grand Forks City Council for a first reading tonight at the 5:30 council meeting at City Hall.
If passed, drivers would be forbidden from sending text messages or accessing the Internet from their cell phones or other electronic devices while behind the wheel of a moving car. The practice is also banned in cars stopped at stop signs and stop lights.
Driving and talking on the cell phone would not be banned.
City leaders and some constituents that have contacted them worried that texting and driving is too distracting and could lead to serious accidents. Studies show that the practice is one of the most distracting things drivers commonly do and other cities and states have passed bans of their own.
Also on the council agenda tonight:
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- The purchase by LM Wind Power of the city-owned building now leased by LM for $2.3 million, which is the city debt on the building. It'll pay another $1.2 million to the state for another loan. The city assessor's office values the building at $10.1 million.
The city reserves the right to re-buy the building for the same amount LM paid if the company should leave town.
- The purchase of city-owned land near the J.R. Simplot plant by the Simplot company for $252,000 for an expansion to its sewage treatment plant.
- Discussion of the impending parking crunch for Central High School. The school will lose its access to the city-owned Civic Auditorium parking lot next year when the lot is expected to be the site of a new apartment building. Schools officials has considered buying the city-owned parking ramp across the street from the school, but have not made an offer.
- Confirmation of election results. In Ward 2, Tyrone Grandstrand won the race with 322 votes to Tim Behm's 256. Incumber Mike McNamara did not seek re-election. In Ward 4, incumber Hal Gershman ran unopposed and got 700 votes. In Ward 6, newcomer Dana Sande also ran unopposed and got 542 votes.
Reach Tran at (701) 780-1248; (800) 477-6572, ext. 248; or send e-mail to ttran@gfherald.com .
