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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 23, 2004 OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 23, 2004 The following are the minutes of the regular meeting of the City Council held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 23, 2004 in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 590 40th Avenue N.E., Columbia Heights, MN. Pastor Dan Thompson, Assembly of God Church, gave the Invocation. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Mayor Wyckoff called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Present: Mayor Wyckoff, Councilmember Williams, Councilmember Nawrock i, Councilmember Ericson, Councilmember Kelzenberg. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - recited ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO MEETING AGENDA - none PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND GUESTS - none CONSENT AGENDA City Manager Walt Fehst took Councilmembers th rough the Consent Agenda items. 1) Approve City Council Meeting Minutes of the February 9, 2004 regular City Council meeting Motion to approve the minutes of the February 9, 2004, regular City Council meeting as presented. 2) Adopt Resolution No. 2004 - 09, bei ng a Resolution authorizing support of Legislation allowing Columbia Heights to control how Advanced Life Support Services in the City of Columbia Heights are provided. Motion t o waive the reading of Resolution No. 2004 - 09, there being ample copies availa ble to the public. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 2004 - 09, being a Resolution authorizing support of Legislation allowing Columbia Heights to control how Advanced Life Support Services in the City of Columbia Heights are provided. Fehst stated this wou ld give our support for legislation allowing communities consideration of the ambulance service used and the services given. The current system is not accountable to cities and should be reviewed. Wyckoff stated this might open support services to some com petition. RESOLUTION NO. 2004 - 09 BEING A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION ALLOWING COLUMBIA HEIGHTS TO CONTROL HOW ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT SERVICES IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS ARE PROVIDED. WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Colu mbia Heights desires to have control over how Advanced Life Support service is provided to the citizens of Columbia Heights, and; , WHEREAS the City of Columbia Heights should be allowed to control Advanced Life Support services as it is allowed to control how other Public Safety Services are provided, and; City Council Minutes February 23, 2004 Page 2 of 5 WHEREAS, the City Council believes special legislation is required to allow the City of Columbia Heights to acquire jurisdiction to control Advanced Life Support services. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLV ED, that the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights supports legislation to achieve this objective. 3) Approve Business License Applications Motion to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for February 23, 2004 as presented. 4) App rove Payment of Bills Motion to approve payment of the bills out of the proper funds as listed in the attached check register covering Check Number 107116 through 107253 in the amount of $617,349.40. Motion by Williams, second by Kelzenberg, to approve the Consent Agenda items as presented. Upon Motion carried. vote: All ayes. PUBLIC HEARINGS Public Hearing called for Revocation/Suspension of Rental Housing License at 4524 Monroe Mayor Wyckoff closed the Public Hearing regarding the revocation o r suspension of the Rental License regarding rental property at 4524 Monroe, in that the property complies with the Residential Maintenance Code. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION Other Ordinances and Resolutions Second reading of Ordinance No. 1469, being an Ordin ance repealing Ordinance No. 1426 pertaining to "permit parking only" on 41st Avenue and Jackson Street. Wyckoff stated the original ordinance allowed for the school to issue permit parking. As the school is no longer active, the permit parking can be re moved by Ordinance. Motion by Ericson, second by Williams, to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 1469, there being Motion carried. ample copies available to the public. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion by Ericson, second by Williams, to adopt Ordinance No. 1469, being an Ordinance repealing Ordinance No. 1426 pertaining to designated permit parking only from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays on 41st Avenue N.E. and Jackson St. N.E. adjacent to Motion carried. 825 41st Avenue N.E. (N.E.I. Colleg e of Technology). Upon vote: All ayes. ORDINANCE 1469 BEING AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ORDINANCE 1426 DESIGNATING PERMIT PARKING ONLY FROM 7:00 ST A.M. TO 3:00 P.M., MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, EXCEPT HOLIDAYS ON 41 AVENUE N.E. AND JACKSON ST STREET N. E. ADJACENT TO 825 41 AVENUE N.E. (N.E.I. COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY). WHEREAS Ordinance No. 1426 currently states: Section 1: Parking shall be designated by permit parking only, 7:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., Monday through Friday, except st holidays, on the north s ide of 41 Avenue N.E. from Quincy Street N.E. to the alley west of Central Avenue N.E. consisting st of eighteen (18) parallel parking spaces, on the south side of 41 Avenue N.E. from Jackson Street N.E. to the alley west of Central Avenue N.E. consisting of fifteen (15) parallel parking spaces, and on the east side of Jackson Street N.E. south of nd 42 Avenue N.E. consisting of eleven (11) parking spaces. Section 2: The provisions of the Columbia Heights City Code, Section 7.205 (1) which reads “No pers on shall park a vehicle in his custody or control in any one place upon any street or roadway for a continuous period longer than six (6) hours...” shall not be applicable during the hours of 7:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., Monday through Friday, except holidays, on the north and st south sides of 41 Avenue N.E. between Quincy Street N.E. and the alley west of Central Avenue N.E. and the east side of City Council Minutes February 23, 2004 Page 3 of 5 nd Jackson Street N.E. south of 42 Avenue N.E. Now, therefore, be it resolved that Ordinance 1426 is repealed in its entirety. B) Bid Considerations - none C) Other Business 1) Approve purchase of Cash Register System for Liquor Operations Bill Elrite, Finance Director, stated the current cash register system was purchased in 1991, with a life expectancy of seven to ten years. This system now requires numerous service calls and is worn out. Staff researched four vendors for information and informal price quotes. Staff evaluated the systems and considered cost effectiveness and transfer of historic data from the current system. Elrite stated that following the last work session meeting, staff negotiated a price decrease of $793, several add ons, and an additional one - year warranty in exchange for the current registers. Salvage is the only value of the current system. Wyckoff q uestioned the number of registers in this purchase package. Elrite stated there would be nine registers and the central system to tie them all together. He indicated that this system has a life expectancy of 10 to 13 years, has interchangeable parts, and r eplacement parts should be available on the open market. Elrite indicated that this system would improve inventory control, and afford timely information for staff to order merchandise. Wyckoff asked if the parts are portable. Elrite indicated they were. Williams indicated that the printers are interchangeable and would be rotated for equal wear. Nawrocki questioned ongoing maintenance costs for a new system and maintenance expenses for the past year. Elrite explained the repair costs and the staff time required to maintain a system that is past its life expectancy by five to seven years. Motion by Williams, second by Kelzenberg, to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into an agreement with Retail Data Systems for the purchase and instal lation of the S4 Point of Sale cash Motion register system based on their written proposal at a cost of $59,291. Upon vote: All ayes. carried. Wyckoff asked Larry Scott, Liquor Operations Manager, when the new system would be in place. st Scott indicated Ap ril 1 . Williams questioned inventory control. Scott spoke of time sensitive sales, sales trends, and managing inventory to provide the best service for our customers. Wyckoff referred to liquor coupons in the city newsletter. Scott stated this is to le t residents know that we are a Columbia Heights store and will give them a good deal. Nawrocki questioned the cash register system investment and warranty cost versus maintaining the current system. Scott discussed the variation in warranties from vendor to vendor, the process to extend the warranty for the proposed system, and the cost over the last year to maintain the current system. Williams complimented staff for negotiating down the price, and that a maintenance contract may not be necessary after fifteen months. Scott stated that we have always paid for repairs as needed. Ericson pointed out that the cash value to us is not $9,000 and any value on 15 months of free service. City Council Minutes February 23, 2004 Page 4 of 5 ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS Report of the City Manager th Fehst stated there would be a joint City Council/School Board meeting Tuesday, February 24 , at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the need for additional gym space. Wyckoff indicated that bids to tear down the old NEI building would be accepted soon. Williams stated that he knows of a party interested in helping salvage items from the building. Wyckoff asked residents to get involved with the decision making process for this site. Nawrocki referred to inoperable cars parked in the lot across from Murzyn Hall. Fehst stated that the City Attorney indicated they could be ordered for removal in 48 hours. Report of the City Attorney - none CITIZENS FORUM Deb Johnson, LaBelle Condo resident, came forward to address the Council. Wyckoff stated her awareness that Ms. Johnson wished to sp eak regarding comments made by a member of the Council at the last City Council meeting. Wyckoff requested that this item not be readdressed and that Councilmembers respect each other and residents, and that City Council meetings be held to conduct City bu siness. Deb Johnson indicated that Councilmembers should not be allowed to comment on Citizen Forum items during the Council Corner when residents cannot defend themselves. She commented on the Mayor’s Report cable show and indicated there should be a prog ram for Councilmember’s perspective to level the playing field. Wyckoff stated that in the City of Maplewood residents have one - half hour prior to the meeting to bring forward concerns, which are then discussed by Councilmembers at a work session. Joyce Meyer, 4931 Jackson Street, spoke regarding the need to discuss public nuisance charges being very biased. Human Rights are being violated, whereby homes are being entered in the name of public safety. COUNCIL CORNER Nawrocki ? ? Disagreed with limiting wh at Councilmembers can discuss under Council Corner. We must allow residents to speak their mind in a public forum. ? ? Represents the City on the Suburban Rate Authority: they request the City conduct a survey relative to DSL service, similar to a survey by t he City of Minnetonka. Asked that the City Manager research doing this. ? ? Listed City newsletter concerns: lack of information or misleading information on the City budget, elections, and utility rate article. Questioned the Finance Director whether the Ja nuary utility bill included the approved price increase for usage the prior three months. Elrite indicated it did. ? ? Refuted comments by the Mayor at the last meeting regarding community property values. ? ? Has considered hosting a Councilmember cable report, for a balanced presentation. Ericson ? ? Spoke of a compliment regarding the past Parkview Villa contract with Crestview. th ? ? A fellow Councilmember celebrated a milestone birthday on February 15 . ? ? The SACA benefit dinner last Wednesday was well attended. th ? ? Th e Columbia Heights 6 grade traveling basketball team came in second place in their tournament. th th th ? ? Columbia Heights Human Services Essay Contest deadline is February 27 and is open to 6 , 7 , th and 8 grade students. ? ? The Rising to New Heights Spring Housi ng Fair will be held March 27 at the Columbia Heights High School. They are still looking for contractors and businesses to participate. Last year 400 residents attended. Contacts are Bruce Nedegaard and Joanne Student. City Council Minutes February 23, 2004 Page 5 of 5 Williams ? ? Mark Rimey, Auctioneer, h as ideas for salvaged items from the NEI building. Read email from T.J. & V.K. Lothen regarding their ideas for the building. ? ? Continue to pray for the health, peace and prosperity of our City. ? ? We are still working on SAC/WAC charges to aid our sewer and w ater infrastructure. ? ? Would also like to respond to Council issues on a cable program. ? ? Read items from the employee newsletter recognizing anniversaries, birthdays and read the quote from Eleanor Roosevelt. ? ? Reported on the Tri - City Hockey Fundraiser. ? ? Mar ch Values First value is Integrity; honesty and sincerity. th ? ? The Community Prayer Breakfast is scheduled for May 12 . Kelzenberg ? ? The Heights Happenings City newsletter had delivery problems. If residents did not receive their copy, they may contact the City or the Post Office. ? ? Will be out of town next week. Wyckoff ? ? Attended the League of MN Cities Conference for Elected Officials. Other cities are interested in our redevelopment projects. ? ? We are a more informal Council and can speak our mind; reques ted members be respectful. ? ? Participated in a cable program featuring long time resident/drug store owner, Al Naegele. May also interview Louis Egey. th ? ? Taste of Heights will be March 28 , from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. rd ? ? The Zone 7A street improvement informational meeting will be held Wednesday, March 3 in the Council Chambers. rd ? ? Wednesdays with the Mayor – March 3 speaker will be Police Chief Tom Johnson. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Wyckoff adjourned the meeting at 8:28 p.m. _________________________ Patricia Muscovit z, CMC Deputy City Clerk/Council Secretary