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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 12, 2004OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 12, 2004 7:00 P.M. The invocation was provided by Theresa Taylor of Oak Hill Baptist Church. CALL TO ORDER/APPOINTMENT OF SECRETARY PRO TEM/ROLL CALL The meeting was called to ord er by Mayor Wyckoff at 7 p.m. Motion by Nawrocki, seconded by Kelzenberg, to appoint Carole Blowers as Secretary Pro Tem. Motion passed unanimously. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO MEETING AGENDA (The Council, upon majority vote of its memb ers, may make additions and deletions to the agenda. These may be items brought to the attention of the Council under the Citizen Forum or items submitted after the agenda preparation deadline.) Nawrocki stated he did not get to finish what he wanted to say at the end of the meeting on June 28, 2004, before the Mayor adjourned the meeting. He would like to see the agenda finished to completion. He likened her actions in abruptly adjourning our meetings to her interpretation of how St. Anthony handles th eir council meetings. The following items were removed from the consent agenda: Item #5, regarding Goal Setting Sessions with the Council and Staff Item #7, regarding the 2003 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and Auditors Report No items were added to the agenda. PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND GUESTS Proclamations – National Night Out — August 3, 2004 Police Chief Tom Johnson accepted the proclamation on National Night Out from the Mayor. All councilmembers were invited to ride along with the officers that night and attend parties. The Police Chief invited residents to come in to the Police Department to fill out a form if you wish to have a block party. They will arrange to get barricades to block off your street, and put you on t he list to get a visit from the Police Department and the Fire Department. Presentations 2004 Values First Community Recognition Awards Barb Warren, Program Director for Values First, was present to give out the awards. The Executive Committee evaluat ed the nominations received for individuals, businesses, and community organizations and selected winners in each category. The following awards were given out at tonight’s meeting: Community Organization Award : Columbia Heights Women of Today (Empty Bowls Project and other community projects). Numerous members of the organization were present to receive the award. Business Award : Comcast Cable Company (positive cable casting in the community; Empty Bowls commentary) Steve Antus and Mary Guy were t here to receive the award for the business. City Council Minutes July 12, 2004 Page 2 of 13 Individual Award: Father Allan Backman (dedication to children and community programs). Father Backman briefly spoke and thanked Values First for the award and mentioned there are several people in the commun ity worthy of this award. It was mentioned that the Values First Youth award was previously given to Renee Cosby, President of the Key Club at Columbia Heights High School. Rice Creek Watershed District Presentation Dawn Dubats, Environmental Education C oordinator for the past six months for the Rice Creek Watershed District introduced herself and showed a brief slideshow about the watershed district. Ms. Dubats defined a watershed to the council and audience as an area of land that drains into a lake or river. The Rice Creek Watershed District is 201 square miles, made up of 29 communities, covers parts of four counties, and includes the Mississippi River. One - tenth of Columbia Heights is in the Rice Creek Watershed District, and the rest is in the Six Cities Watershed District. The main purpose of this organization is to conserve and restore the water resources for future generations. Other purposes are : lake, stream, groundwater, and wetland management; land and water conservation; drainage syst em maintenance; storm water prevention; natural resource inventory; information management; issuing of permits; and teaching environmentally friendly uses to residents, businesses, and youth. Everyone in the metro has lakefront property because all the st reets connect to rivers, streams, or lakes. What’s flowing down the street ends up in the lakes and rivers. She briefly touched on fertilizing lawns; using zero phosphorus fertilizer — it’s the law. Residents were reminded not to put lawn clippings or lea ves in the street Ms. Dubats provided several handouts which she left for residents and interested persons. Other services provided by the watershed district include public service announcements, and curb and gutter systems and alternatives to handle stor m water runoff. She explained some less costly and more effective ways of handling storm water runoff -- drain bars (ditches), green roofs (like in Chicago), rain barrels, rain gardens, plantings by lakes, restoring shorelines. Pavement alternatives includ ed pervious surfaces for parking lots and driveways. However, pervious roads are two to three times as expensive as blacktop. Ms. Dubats explained there are several grants available. Residents are urged to contact her or Kevin Hansen. Residents can go www.ricecreekwe.com for more information. The Mayor asked about the milfoil at Silver Lake Beach, and if this is in the Rice Creek Watershed District? Ms. Dubats replied that yes it is. Sullivan Lake is not in this watershed district, but part of Silver Lake is. Ericson asked if the workshops will be on an ongoing basis, to which Dawn replied yes. Nawrocki stated that retention ponds pull contaminants out and retain them. What do we do about getting the cont aminants out of the retention ponds? What about these ponds becoming mosquito breeding grounds? The watershed district is requiring basins for developments. In the Apache development, they put in a pond on the west side of Apache when Cub Foods was buil t. Ms. Dubats replied the watershed district requires mitigation — not just ponds. Watershed management plans for our new developments will be required. The developer puts together a plan which the watershed district approves. Kelzenberg asked about a pe rson he knew that he thought was serving on this board. Introduction of New Employees Bill Elrite, Finance Director, introduced Wendy Eckert, our new Payroll/Accounting Clerk. Wendy previously City Council Minutes July 12, 2004 Page 3 of 13 worked for a school district for about 16 years. Wendy star ted working for the city on June 28, 2004. Recognition – none CONSENT AGENDA (These items are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be enacted as part of the Consent Agenda by one motion. Items removed from consent agenda approval will b e taken up as the next order of business.) Motion by Nawrocki, seconded by Williams, to approve the following consent items (pull #5 & #7) 1) Approve City Council Meeting Minutes for the June 28, 2004, Regular City Council meeting MOTION: Move to approve t he minutes of the June 28, 2004, regular City Council meeting as presented. 2) Accept Boards and Commissions Meeting Minutes MOTION: Move to accept the minutes of the following boards/commissions: a) Traffic Commission meeting minutes of June 28, 2004 3) Establis h a Hearing Date of July 26, 2004, for Revocation or Suspension of Rental Property License at 1162 - 1164 Cheery Lane N.E. MOTION: Move to establish a hearing date of July 26, 2004, for revocation or suspension of a license to operate a rental property with in the City of Columbia Heights against Katherine Crosby at 1162 - 1164 Cheery Lane N.E. 4) Authorize Final Payment for Zone 6B Street Rehabilitation Projects MOTION: Move to accept the work for 2003 Street Rehabilitation Projects in Zone 6B, City Project No. 0302 and authorize final payment of $15,094.90 to Midwest Asphalt Corporation of Hopkins, Minnesota. 5) Approve Transfer of Safe and Sober Program Funds from General Fund to Police 2004 Budget Overtime MOTION: Move to transfer $1,386.71, the total amount of money received from the State of Minnesota for our efforts in Safe and Sober program, from the General Fund to the Police Department 2004 budget line 1020 Overtime. 6) Approve Business License Applications MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for July 12, 2004, as presented. 7) Approve Payment of Bills MOTION: Move to approve payment of the bills out of the proper funds as listed in the attached check register covering Check Number 109036 through 109170 in the amount of $2,623,315.98 The following items were pulled from the consent agenda and now discussed: Approve Goal Setting Sessions of the City Council and Staff th Nawrocki stated the council got the information about the goal setting sessions after the meeting on J une 28 , after the council at voted on it. He expressed concerns about the city being short staffed and now we want some of the staff to attend two 4 - hour sessions. Some of the staff is entitled to take time off if they work overtime. (Linda Magee stat ed not on an hour for hour basis.) He stated that if one figured the cost of the staff to attend (based on 12 - 13 people), it will probably end up in $5,000 in staff time plus the City Manager’s time, who has a compensation package of $105,000. There is a staff cost for employees spending their time at these sessions rather than doing other city work. Magee stated there would probably be about twenty staff people attending. With that information, Nawrocki stated it would definitely be more than $5,000 in staff time. This means no City Council Minutes July 12, 2004 Page 4 of 13 time will actually be spent on the budget then. He also expressed concerns with the time starting — 6 p.m. He asked the City Manager to ask for a reduced price (4/5) — because he probably won’t attend. He stated the City Mana ger wouldn’t ask for a reduced price. Acting City Manager Linda Magee stated that the first half hour would be for dinner. Nawrocki commented that would be an additional expense as well. The Mayor stated she had some similar concerns as Nawrocki did. However, she learned that Moundsview was very pleased by their sessions with Salverda. We have had goals adopted before. We still have goals. Salverda will break down how we can achieve those goals -- what steps staff would do and what steps will the cou ncil do. She feels more comfortable with the idea since she met with Salverda at a division head meeting recently. She feels that providing box lunches or pizza is appropriate, as it will be a long day and evening for many people. Williams again reitera ted that the complexion of the council might change in January; so doing this is kind of late in the game. We need to be working on the budget. Thinks the new council should have a goal setting session. Motion by Ericson, seconded by Kelzenberg, to appr ove Monday, July 19, 2004, at 6 p.m. and Monday, August 2, 2004, at 6 p.m. at the Senior Center at Murzyn Hall as goal setting session meetings of the City Council and staff. Roll call vote: Ayes: Kelzenberg, Ericson, and Wyckoff; Nayes: Williams; Naw rocki. Motion passed. Accept 2003 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and the Independent Auditors Report Nawrocki questioned the acceptance of the audit letter. He also stated that the audit letter should not be accepted until the auditor comes out a nd goes over it with the council. Bill Elrite, Finance Director, explained that this is just to receive the audit report, that it is officially distributed th to the city council. He would like the auditor to attend the August 16 work session to go over t he audit with the council, as he has done in prior years. The report will be distributed prior to that date, and this is just to recognize that the report was distributed. The following motions were recommended but not voted on: Move to accept the 2003 independent auditors report from HLB Tautges Redpath, Ltd. including the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the City of Columbia Heights. Move to direct the City Manager to follow up on the auditor’s recommendations and to report back to the City Co uncil regarding the implementation of the auditor’s recommendations. Motion by Nawrocki, seconded by Williams to table the auditors report until after the meeting with the auditor when he explains the report. Roll call vote: Ayes: Kelzenberg, Williams, Ericson, Nawrocki. Nayes: Wyckoff. Motion passed. PUBLIC HEARINGS Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1472, Being an Ordinance Prohibiting Surface Drainage Connections and Discharge into the City of Columbia Heights Sanitary Sewer System The first reading of this ordinance took place on June 28, 2004. Kevin Hansen, Director of Public Works, explained the reasons for this ordinance and suggestions that were incorporated into it. At the first reading of the ordinance on June 28, 2004, the date for the surc harge to take effect was changed to January 1, 2005. Passing this ordinance is the first step in our program; next is an educational piece of the program. Postcards will need to be mailed to the first inspection area. He has City Council Minutes July 12, 2004 Page 5 of 13 had some calls on the prog ram; people are aware of it. We do not plan to initiate the program citywide at first. Williams questioned on Page 4 of the ordinance about giving reasonable time to do the inspections or act. Nawrocki asked that before 1991, the use of a sump pump wa s illegal. He asked if our records show what homes that were built after that time that are using a sump pump? Kevin Hansen explained permits do not show pump sump discharges to the sanitary sewer. We looked at the area and counted the parcels in that a rea — approximately 800 properties. Nawrocki questioned prior to 1991, how do you rationalize they were illegal? Hansen replied that codes changed. Nawrocki asked who would handle this program for the city and would additional personnel be needed. Hansen replied Public Works would handle this project, and no additional personnel would be needed. Nawrocki asked how did we come up with the $300 cost? Hansen explained we spoke to other cities, and that’s the kind of information we got ($100 - $300 was an ave rage range for disconnects). Nawrocki had other questions such as plumber costs, the direct mail program start date (shortly after the ordinance takes effect — mid August) — the first step getting the message out via an educational program. Also using the city newsletter and website. Time will be needed to train staff and get the information out to plumbers. He also asked what criteria would be used to determine the effectiveness of this program. He wanted to know how much are we expected to save with t his program. He wanted to know what follow up discussions with the League have been held as to what point and time we will be eligible for the no - fault insurance coverage. Kevin stated we got information back from the League, and we should be applying fo r the insurance in 2004. Nawrocki stated he would like to see that response from the League. More questions about the program surfaced. Will it be applied uniformly throughout the city and is anyone eligible for the program. What about allegations of t heft when staff is going into people’s homes. Whenever you have city staff going into people’s homes, there is that risk. Enforceable penalty — tell people if you don’t agree, to sign a statement not to have someone come in, and you will be subject to this penalty? If you ask to come in and inspect, and can’t get in, then the resident either gets a plumber or we charge the $100/month penalty. At this time, less than 12 communities have such a penalty. Nawrocki feels we should think a little bit better of our citizens that they will be cooperative. We want a program that emphasizes the good points. We need to be willing to work with the citizen to work with the problem. This is a heavy arm approach — hit them over the head with a penalty if they don’t com ply. William mentioned that out of 17 communities; some have a penalty of $1,000. The Met Council is the driving force on this issue. We have also started a more active cleaning program of the public lines. Kelzenberg stated he wants to take care of this problem; doesn’t want to see people here again complaining about this issue. Nate Jones, 2217 Maiden Lane, asked questions about the ordinance, such as is there a maximum fine over time? (No) $100 is for past three months, because the bill is for the past three months. After January 1, 2005, the $100 a month goes into effect. If no inspection before Jan 1, 2004, there will be a penalty. City Council Minutes July 12, 2004 Page 6 of 13 Much discussion on when the penalty would take place was held. th Harold Hoium, 5 Street, wanted to know now what the exact date this will start. The Mayor explained sd cannot give an exact date right now. After much discussion by the Council on the wording of the first sentence of the “Surcharge” paragraph, it was suggested by the City Attorney to make the fo llowing change: “A surcharge of $100.00 per month is hereby imposed on every utility bill accrued on or after January 1, 2005 to property owners….” Motion by Ericson, seconded by Kelzenberg, to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 1472, there being ample c opies available to the public. Motion passed unanimously. Motion by Ericson, seconded by Kelzenberg, to adopt Ordinance No. 1472, being an Ordinance prohibiting surface drainage connections and discharge into the City of Columbia Heights sanitary sewer sy stem with the above correction to the “Surcharge” paragraph, sentence one. Motion passed unanimously. Nawrocki stated for the record that he is voting for the ordinance, but still feels it is being unnecessarily tough on residents to get compliance. H e feels the job can be done on a more user - friendly basis, using education. The ordinance, with the above correction, is below: ORDINANCE NO. 1472 BEING AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING SURFACE DRAINAGE CONNECTIONS AND DISCHARGES INTO THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHT S SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM The City of Columbia Heights does hereby establish Chapter 8, Article VIII of the City Code to read as follows: 8.801 Purpose: The purpose of this ordinance is to implement regulations that will aid the City in limiting and reduci ng the inflow of rainwater (or clear water) into the sanitary sewer system. The ordinance will be utilized to minimize the overflow problem resulting from the lack of capacity of the sanitary sewer system to handle large amounts of rainwater. Other sourc es of inflow and infiltration are discharges of water from rooftops; surface water, groundwater sump pumps, footing tiles, swimming pools, or other natural precipitation sources that may flow into the city sewer system and potentially cause flooding or ove rloading of the City’s sewage system. When clear water is discharged into the sanitary sewer system it is treated at the sewage treatment plant. This results in added expenses for the City. The City of Columbia Heights, therefore, finds it in the best i nterest of the city to prohibit such discharges into the sanitary sewer system in order to protect and maintain the health and property of its residents. 8.802 Definitions : Area Drain - is a receptacle designed to collect and convey surface or storm water to the drainage system. Clearwater - is any surface flow, runoff, and drainage that does not contain any hazardous substance or sewage. This includes, but is not limited to, NPDES permitted discharges, storm water and water from foundation and footing dra ins and basement sump pumps. City Council Minutes July 12, 2004 Page 7 of 13 Combined Sewer - is a sewer that must handle flow of both sanitary wastewater and storm water in a single pipeline. Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) - occurs when excessive amounts of rainfall enter a sanitary sewer system. The result is a volume of rainwater and sanitary wastewater, which exceeds the system’s capacity. Combined rainwater and sewage is forced to overflow into area streams and rivers through outfalls. Hazardous Substances - are materials which may cause or cont ribute to a substantial hazard to human health, safety, property or the environment based upon its quantity, concentration, physical, chemical, or infectious nature. These may include: (1) Any gasoline, benzene, naphtha, fuel oil, or other flammable or ex plosive liquid, solid or gas. (2) Any waters containing toxic or poisonous solids, liquids, or gases in sufficient quantity, either singly or by interaction with other wastes, to injure or interfere with any sewage treatment process, constitute a hazard to humans or animals, or create any hazard in the receiving waters or the wastewater treatment plant. (3) Any waters or wastes having a pH lower than 5.5, or having any other corrosive property capable of causing damage or hazard to structures, equipment, an d personnel of the wastewater works. Liquid Waste - means the discharge from any fixture, appliance, or appurtenance that does not receive fecal matter. Owner - shall mean the person who is listed as property owner or taxpayer by Anoka County. Runoff - pre cipitation and other surface drainage that is not infiltrated into or otherwise retained by the soil, concrete, asphalt, or other surface upon which it falls. Sanitary Sewer System - pipelines, pumping stations, force mains, and all other construction devi ces, and mechanical devices used for conveying sewage or industrial waste or other wastes to a point of ultimate disposal. Storm Water - is any surface flow, runoff, and drainage consisting entirely of water from any form of natural precipitation. 8.803 C ompliance : Compliance with other Codes and Laws. Compliance with the provisions of this chapter does not release a person from any responsibility to comply with any other law or regulation, whether federal, state, or local. Conflict. In the event that t he provisions of the chapter shall conflict with any Minnesota statue or any federal statute, the Minnesota statute or federal statute shall govern to the extent of any direct conflict Violations. Any person who violated any provision of this chapter sha ll be guilty of an ordinance violation and subject to punishment and penalties identified elsewhere in this ordinance. 8.804 Prohibited Discharges : Prohibited Discharges. No clear water from any roof, surface, groundwater, sump pump, footing tile, City Council Minutes July 12, 2004 Page 8 of 13 swim ming pool, other buildings or structures which require, because of infiltration of water into basements, crawl spaces, and the like, a sump pump discharge system shall have a permanently installed discharge line which shall not at any time discharge water into the sanitary sewer system. No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged hazardous substances to any public sewers. Disconnection. Before August 1, 2004, any person having a yard drain, roof surface, tile, or swimming pool now connected and/ or discharging into the sanitary sewer system shall be disconnected or removed. Any disconnects or openings in the sanitary sewer system shall be closed or repaired in an effective, workmanlike manner, as approved by the Public Works Director or his desig nated agent. Sump pumps shall not be connected to the sanitary sewer. Prior to the closing of the sale of a dwelling, the seller must request that the sump pumps and drain tiled be inspected by the City visually and/or by smoking to ensure that they ar e not connected in any manner to the sanitary sewer system. If the City determines that the sump pump or drain tile is illegally connected to the sanitary sewer system, the situation must be corrected before the unit is considered in compliance to be sold . Manner of Disconnection. The disconnection shall be accomplished by a complete and permanent method and performed in a competent manner. Any disconnection, plugging, capping, rerouting, altering, or modifying must be done is accordance with all applica ble state and city building codes. A permanent installation shall be one which provides for year round discharge capability to either the outside of the dwelling, building, or structure, or is connected to city storm sewer or discharge through the curb an d gutter to the street. It shall consist of a rigid discharge line, without valving or quick connections for altering the path of discharge, and if connected to the city storm sewer line, shall include a check valve and air gap located in a small diameter structure. 8.805 Inspections : Inspection. Every person owning improved real estate that discharges into the City of Columbia Heights sanitary sewer system shall allow a city employee or a designated representative of the city to inspect the building to confirm that there is no sump pump or other prohibited discharges into the sanitary system. In lieu of having the city inspect their property before the sale of a dwelling, the property owner may furnish a certificate from a licensed plumber certifying th at the property is in compliance with this section. Any person refusing to allow their property to be inspected or refusing to furnish a plumber’s certificate within twenty - one (21) days of the date City employee(s) or their designated representatives are denied admittance to the property, shall immediately become subject to the surcharge hereinafter provided for. Any property found to violate this ordinance shall make the necessary changes to comply with ordinance and furnish proof of the changes to the City. New Construction. All new dwellings that are permitted to install a sump pump after June 1, 2004, shall have a pump that is piped to the outside of the dwelling before a certificate of occupancy is issued. New homes will be required to have their sump pump system inspected within (30) days of occupancy and a certificate of compliance must be completed before the property owner may occupy the property. Incentive. There are a number of methods to dispose of sump pump effluent. Any property which h as an existing illegal connection may apply for financial assistance by requesting a City inspector to verify the illegal connection, have the repair completion verified and submit a receipt for labor and/or materials (self help labor rate valued at $50). Upon verification of the corrective action and costs, the City will remit to the property owner the cost to correct the illegal connection to a maximum of $500 per installation. The property owner may petition the City to abate the problem and assess the property City Council Minutes July 12, 2004 Page 9 of 13 owner’s cost for the corrective work over a 1 - year period. This incentive program is in effect until December 31, 2006. Surcharge. A surcharge of $100.00 per month is hereby imposed on every utility bill accrued on or after January 1, 2005 t o property owners who are not found to be in compliance with this section or who have refused to allow the city to inspect the property. The surcharge will be added to the property owner’s utility billing until the property is found to be in compliance. Penalties. (a) Any person found to be violating any provision of this ordinance shall be served by the City with written notice stating the nature of the violation and providing a reasonable time limit for the satisfactory correction thereof. The offender shall, within the period of time stated in such notice, permanently cease all violations. (b) In the event that the owner fails to correct the situation within the given time period, the City may correct it and collect all such costs together with reasona ble attorney fees, or in the alternative, by certifying said costs of correction as any other special assessment upon the land from which said correction of said violation was made. Winter Discharge. The City Manager and his/her designee shall issue a p ermit to allow a property owner to discharge surface water into the sanitary sewer system. The permit shall authorize such st th discharge only from November 1 to March 30 of each year and a property owner is required to meet at least one of the following c riteria in order to obtain a permit: 1. The freezing of the surface water discharge from sump pump or footing drain is causing a dangerous condition, such as ice buildup or flooding, on public or private property. 2. The property owner has demonstrated th at there is a danger that the sump pump or footing drain pipes will freeze up and result in either failure or damage to sump pump unit of the footing drain and cause basement flooding. 3. The water being discharged from the sump pump or footing drain canno t be readily discharged into a storm drain or other acceptable drainage system. Following ten days written notice and an opportunity to be heard, the City Manager may require a s t th property to discharge their sump pump into the sanitary sewer from November 1 to March 30 , if surface water discharge is causing an icy condition on streets. Disclaimer. The City of Columbia Heights does not guarantee or imply that areas will be free from flooding or flood damages caused by inflow and infiltration. The City d oes not assume a specific duty as to individual property owners to enforce this ordinance, but is enacting the ordinance as a general regulation. This ordinance shall not create liability on the part of the city or its offices or employees for any flood d amage that may result from failure to comply with any portion of this ordinance or any administrative decisions made pursuant thereto, whatever the cause. Effective Date. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after thirty days (30) aft er its passage. th Public Hearing called for Revocation/Suspension of Rental Housing License at 1019 37 Avenue N.E. The Mayor closed the public hearing regarding the revocation or suspension of the rental license held by th Erika Thorn regarding rental proper ty at 1019 37 Avenue N.E. in that an extension of time to correct the violations on the property has been applied for and granted. It was explained that an extension of time to correct the violations is requested due to problems with the City Council Minutes July 12, 2004 Page 10 of 13 th contractor t he resident hired to correct the violations. A reinspection is scheduled for July 29 . Ericson asked questions about our rental housing compliance program. Nawrocki asked about fees for certain inspections/situations. Public Hearing called for Revoc ation/Suspension of Rental Housing License at 4147 Washington Street N.E. The Mayor closed the public hearing regarding the revocation or suspension of the rental license held by Larry Wakeman regarding rental property at 4147 Washington Street N.E. in th at the property is being considered a single - family home. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION Other Ordinances and Resolutions - none Bid Considerations – none Other Business Discussion of Decision Resources Survey The Mayor explained that the school district and city each paid $3,500 to Decision Resources to have this survey conducted. Three hundred people were randomly selected and called. The average interview was 18 minutes. A joint School Board/City Council meeting was recently held to review the survey res ults. Mr. Bill Morris of Decision Resources provided the summary of the results at that meeting. The Mayor reviewed the key findings of the report: Residents are divided, but tilting in support of the combined renewal of the existing operating levy and an increase of $303.00 per pupil unit for ten years. Among all voters, respondents split 47% - 39% in favor of the proposal, with 14% undecided. The success of a School District - City referendum for a new multi - use recreational facility will depend greatly on the specifics of the proposals. Residents are more likely to support a jointly operated building. There is no consensus on the appropriate site for the facility. Tax tolerance is extremely limited, with a majority willing to support no more than an i ncrease of about $45.00 per year in their property taxes. Timing of the ballot question is also a concern: If the two ballot questions were on the November ballot, the School District operating levy would be supported by a 51% - 34% margin, while the Schoo l District - City bond referendum would be supported by a 50% - 35% margin. The construction of a Minneapolis Community Center within one mile of the city would greatly jeopardize the passage of this proposal. Columbia Heights residents favor two of four bon d referendum proposals the City could bring forward. A majority would be willing to support a maximum tax increase of $32.00 per year for a new library. A majority would also be willing to support at most a $31.00 per year property tax increase for impro vements at every city park. Opposition is extremely high to bond referendums for two other proposals: “building a new City Hall near the center of the community” and “updating and expanding city trails.” The Mayor stated that residents have a high percep tion of the City and their spending habits. She also stated th that the Kroc Center location is looking more and more like it will be 37 and University. She also noted that o n July 8, staff met with Ann Forsyth of the Metropolitan Design Center. The Desi gn Center has agreed to provide site planning assistance to the City to assist the Council in determining development options for the NEI site. In addition, staff is working with Kraus Anderson Construction to determine preliminary cost for a community ce nter that could include two to four gyms, a walking/running track, racquetball courts, a small City Council Minutes July 12, 2004 Page 11 of 13 concession area, and locker room space. The initial site plan concepts will be presented to the City Council at a work session in August. Nawrocki stated on the library question, it did not ask if it should be expanded . Regarding new gyms, the NE th Minneapolis facility on 37 and University needs to be considered. We should work with the school district and pursue something on the ballot as to whether or not the voters support such a facility. And if we had such a facility, we should have a joint agreement with the school board. Kelzenberg feels the school has had their own agenda about the gym space. They wanted it by the school. He has lost his confid ence in them. He feels NEI is the place. We need to inform voters and go to a referendum. churches and Boosters -- everyone should get involved in this issue. Look at what Northwest Athletic Club charges: $100 a month. We, too, could provide as many se rvices as possible, including a pool. Some places are using salt instead of chlorine in their pools, because it is cheaper. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS Report of the Acting City Manager — None. Report of the City Attorney — None. CITIZENS FORUM (At this time, c itizens have an opportunity to discuss with the Council items not on the regular agenda. Citizens are requested to limit their comments to five minutes.) th Roger Strom, 690 47 ½ Avenue, asked about a rumor he heard about the strip mall on 37 and Stinson w ith the Liquor Store, Hardware Store, and Unique. He was very concerned the hardware store was going to be torn down. The Mayor informed him that the area in question will probably be redeveloped and the hardware store may have to be relocated. th Harold H oium from 5 Street made several comments about things in the community. COUNCIL CORNER Kelzenberg: Nobody wants to raise taxes. But, let’s put it to a referendum. We need gym space and a lot more. A recreation area that people could use to get away to relax. Lots of kids that are playing basketball. We need to look out for their interests. Some feel we can’t afford to pay for something like this. A lot of people voted it down on a special referendum before. The more voters on this issue the bett er. We need to get people educated. It wasn’t a landslide last time when this issue lost -- it was a close vote. We don’t have the amenities here in our community. We need to discuss this more with Park and Recreation. We need to educate the people on t his issue. Williams: Happy to see the K - Mart building go down. The City Manager, Walt Fehst, wrote a letter to the Governor, asking him not to call for a special session because of the $1 million we might get if they don’t call a special session. He re ad out loud parts of the City Manager’s letter to the Governor. He stated we need to continue to pray for the health of our citizens. Ericson: Rental housing was discussed at the last Planning and Zoning Commission, and they will be holding a special me eting regarding rental housing. They will also be providing some enforcement issues from the Planning and Zoning perspective, and what other communities do to take care of their rental housing. City Council Minutes July 12, 2004 Page 12 of 13 In the 2004 Jamboree booklet, there was an article about Ris ing to New Heights. It states that their meetings are at St. Tim’s Church. Meetings are now being held in the dining room at The Boulevard at Crestview on the second Tuesday of the month -- 4858 Reservoir Boulevard. The public is invited to attend. th Ther e is a meeting on Tuesday, July 13 . Nawrocki: He just met a couple who expressed to him how happy they were to move here and they love it here. He had talked to the City Manager about sending a letter to the Governor and legislators. He felt the le tter sent by the City Manager to the Governor was basically good. It expressed our concerns about Local Government Aid and how we are being treated. We don’t want to be in a contest with other cities. It doesn’t seem to bother the state to advocate chan ges in Local Government Aid. We need to speak up for Columbia Heights. It was suggested if we get that $1 million dollars, it will go into the general fund, and not be used to soften the blow on our citizens. Local Government Aid funds are to be used as an offset for property tax increases, and should not be used in the general fund. Last year, residents experienced a 20% property tax increase in our city. When there is an excess of 12% in property tax increase, a rebate is available. County Commissi oner Jim Kordiak has forms in his office on Central Avenue across from Heights Theater. Nawrocki also has the forms that are available for the public. Nawrocki stated there was an article in the American City and County Magazine about K - Mart. We should check to see if they objected to taxes paid here in Columbia Heights. Other questions: 3906 - 3906 ½ Reservoir? Is it a duplex, triplex, or what? He stated work that needs to be done in the yard yet. 3808 Reservoir — What is the status of the rental licen se? The City Attorney stated this was in court this afternoon, and they are taking steps to remedy it. 3727 Reservoir — Walls in the back. Need to have a follow up report on it. Also there are many weeds in the back. Jackson Pond — What is the status of fencing for residents who live along Jackson Pond? Cherry Heights — Need plan to alleviate the drainage problem in that area. Nothing has been done for months about this problem. Nawrocki would like to see the development plans that the consultant has for Huset Park area. Nawrocki stated that in the past, it has been indicated that he is intimidating, threatening, etc. He stated he personally feels he is being threatened and intimated to the extent that we don’t get the information that we should be get ting to base decisions on. We face the possibility of making bad decisions. Staff should give recommendations. We should get information indicating both pros and cons on issues so we can intelligently vote. We don’t get the alternatives, which puts hi m in a bad situation when making decisions for citizens effectively. Wyckoff: Was not in agreement with the letter sent to the Governor. Feels it pits cities against each other instead of fostering relationships between communities, and therefore she wou ld not send it under her signature. If City Council Minutes July 12, 2004 Page 13 of 13 they don’t call a special session, there are still millions of dollars that could be matched by the federal government for the Northstar Corridor that will be lost, as well as many other good reasons to have a spec ial session. The Mayor received a letter from Comcast indicating that Martha Lindstroth was nominated by her principal for her academic and outside activities, and Martha was selected to receive a $1,000 award. th The Mayor urged citizens to sign up for cou ncil positions and/or for Mayor. The deadline is the 20 of July. Recently was told our city is labeled “Crumbling Heights”, and she didn’t appreciate that. At a recent Library Board meeting, discussions were held regarding taking out children’s prog rams. These children’s programs are packed. The Library Board is trying to figure out a zero growth in budget allocations. th The Mayor indicated she received an e - mail regarding July 10 and the police department shift minimums that day. The e - mail we nt on to explain this is becoming more and more the status quo here. The Fridley th Police Department is called in for assistance continuously. The calls on July 10 included five high priority calls in a hour and a half. New Brighton also was called to c ome and assist. It took 8.5 minutes to get assistance. All this is due to tax rates; budget cuts. To clean up blight in the neighborhoods, it takes money. We are called “Bargain Boulevard” because taxes are so low. We need to stand up for ourselves. attract people to our town, and offer amenities. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:44 p.m. ________________________ Carole J. Blowers Secretary Pro Tem