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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 8, 2002OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 8, 2002 The following are the minutes for the regular meeting of the City Council held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 8, 2002 in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 590 40th Avenue N.E., Columbia Heights, Minnesota. Pastor Dan Thompson, Assembly of God Church led the invocation. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Peterson, Councilmember Williams, Councilmember Wyckoff, Councilmember Nawrocki. Absent: Councilmember Szurek. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO MEETING AGENDA -none PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND GUESTS Proclamations -none Presentations Jennifer Bergman, Housing Resource Center Director of the Greater Metropofitan Housing Corporation, gave the company program background for assistance of affordable housing of low and moderate income level fatuities. Three programs are provided which target loans for first time home - buyers and home improvements'. The Housing Resource Center provides free housing services to all residents' of participating communities. Wyckoff questioned the program we currently have with CEE. Bob Streeter, Community Development Director, indicated they continue to do two programs for us. Bergman fisted what advise the company would give to residents' regarding redevelopment of their home. Walt Fehst, City Manager, asked if there is a dollar fimit on this program. Bergman stated the total limit for Columbia Heights' is $40,000, with a maximum rebate per homeowner of $3, 000. Bergman stated this is a non-profit organization. Fehst questioned the income level for home purchase. Bergman indicated the mission is service low to moderate income fatuities. Wyckoff asked if the city pays anything. Fehst indicated the city has a contract with them on a yearly basis. Deb Johnson, 4638 Pierce Street, asked if there is a fimitation on project improvement. Bergman stated that luxury improvements' are ineligible. Introduction of New Employees - none Recognition - none CONSENT AGENDA Fehst took Councilmembers through the consent agenda items. A) Motion by Nawrocki, second by Wyckoff, to approve the Consent Agenda items as follows: 1) Minutes for Approval Motion to approve the minutes of the June 24, 2002, regular City Council meeting as presented. City Council Minutes July 8, 2002 Page 2 of 8 2) Establish hearing date of July 22 for Revocation or Suspension of a license to operate a rental property at 4610-4612 Fillmore Street and 4637-4639 Pierce Street NE. Motion to Establish a Hearing Date of July 22, 2002 for Revocation or Suspension of a License to Operate a Rental Property within the City of Columbia Heights against Mohsen Dessouki at 4610- 4612 Fillmore Street NE. Motion to Establish a Hearing Date of July 22, 2002 for Revocation or Suspension of a License to Operate a Rental Property within the City of Columbia Heights against Russell Waletski at 4637- 4639 Pierce Street NE. 3) Approve 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 98731 through 98962 in the amount of $853,126.31. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion carried. PUBLIC HEARINGS Public Hearing called for Revocation/Suspension of Rental Housing License at 1300-1302, 1316-1318, and 1324-1326 Circle Terrace. Mayor Peterson closed the public hearing as the property owner is in the process of correcting all deficiencies on the property. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION Other Ordinances and Resolutions Adopt Emergency Ordinance #1449, being an Ordinance amending Ordinance #1428, Zoning and Development Ordinance 2001 imposing an emergency moratorium on the change in use of property within the industrial districts identified in the redevelopment study area for the City of Columbia Heights. Fehst indicated that the first priority of the City Council goal setting session was redevelopment of the industrial area. ,,Is a result, redevelopment specialist; were interviewed and a recommendation wouM be made at the next council meeting. As the study is developed we may look at purchase of some sites, leading to speculation on the property. The concern, and request for this moratorium, is that current owners may look at long-term changes prior to this study. This moratorium will allow for the public good of future planning. Streeter indicated the moratorium would be for up to twelve months, with the thought that if the program begins the moratorium wouM be rescinded. He indicated that six months wouM be a reasonable amount of time for the process. This is the for the I1 audi2 General Industrial areas. Streeter indicated the properties that are included in the moratorium. Any action required wouM require Planning Commission approval or a building permit. Nclwrocki pointed out the area not included next to California Street. Streeter indicated that this area is an individual potential redevelopment area and there is no specific reason for not including that area, but couM be included at Council direction. Nclwrocld asked if notice was sent to property owners. Streeter indicated this was published and owners wouM be informed when the Council decisions are make. Wyckoff asked if there are any current projects that this wouM affect. Streeter indicated there are no current building permits. Fehst indicated that he received only one call regarding a property split, City Council Minutes July 8, 2002 Page 3 of 8 and his explanation that purchase of property would not be affected. Wyckoff asked that we work with these people, not against them. Wyckoff questioned the old Conoco station we own and what the zoning is. Streeter indicated that it is general business, and the moratorium would not apply to that area. Williams indicated that we are serious about developing this area and it would be a smart move by the City. Peterson stated that we want to work with the people in this area to be part of the redevelopment. Wyckoff felt this moratorium would help the property owners from spending money unnecessarily. Steve Johnson, 23450 Nightengale Street NW, Andover and businessperson in Columbia Heights, asked if there are any single or multiple family homes in the area. Streeter indicated there are not. Pat Truchinski, 3859 Main Street, asked who would absorb the cost of soil condemnation removal. Streeter stated that we feel there may be such costs' and there are public andprivate funds to help clean up the soil. Williams felt this property shouM have been worked on long ago and that these are the right steps to make. Motion by Nawrocki, second by Williams, to waive the reading of Emergency Ordinance #1449, there being ample copies available to the public. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Williams, second by Wyckoff, to adopt Emergency Ordinance #1449, being an Ordinance amending Ordinance #1428, Zoning and Development Ordinance 2001, imposing an emergency moratorium on the change in use of property within the industrial districts identified in the redevelopment study area for the City of Columbia Heights. Motion by Nawrocki to amend to include the industrial area along California Street (in section 6 of the moratorium to strike "the" and replace with "all" of the I1 and I2 General Industrial properties). Motion died for lack of a second. Upon vote of the original motion: Williams, aye; Wyckoff, aye; Nawrocki, aye; Peterson, aye. All ayes. Motion carried. EMERGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 1449 BEING AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 1428, ZONING AND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE 2001 The City of Columbia Heights does ordain: Section 1: On May 29, 2001, the City of Columbia Heights adopted Ordinance 1428, which is an ordinance relating to and establishing a Zoning and Development plan and revised Zoning Map for the City of Columbia Heights; and, Section 2: Ordinance 1428 and subsequent amendments is officially known as the Columbia Heights Zoning and Development Ordinance; and, Section 3: The Columbia Heights Zoning and Development Ordinance divides the City into four residential districts, three business districts, and two industrial districts; and, Section 4: The two industrial districts are further classified in the Columbia Heights Zoning and Development Ordinance as I-1, Light Industrial District; and 1-2, General Industrial District; and, City Council Minutes July 8, 2002 Page 4 of 8 Section 5: The City Council determines it is necessary to undertake a strategic master planning process to determine the highest and best use of industrial zoned properties, and, Section 6: In an effort to protect the strategic planning process, and the health, safety, and welfare of the public, the Columbia Heights City Council hereby imposes a moratorium on the I-1 Light and 1-2 General Industrial zoned properties within the area generally bounded by 3rd Street on the west, 40~ Avenue on the north, Jackson Street on the east, and 37m Avenue on the south, in the City of Columbia Heights, effective immediately and terminating on July 8, 2003, and recognizing said time period may be shortened or extended by adoption of an Emergency Ordinance by the City Council. Section 7: Activities affected by this moratorium include anything in the industrial districts addressed above requiring action by the Planning and Zoning Commission, or building permits. This does not include building permits for maintenance issues such as roofs and/or siding. Section 8: This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect immediately. Date of Passage: July 8, 2002 Bid Considerations -none Other Business Approve Springsted Professional Services Contract Motion by Wyckoff, second by Williams, to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into an agreement with Springsted for their proposal of June 26, 2002 to evaluate the City's plan to relocate the Central Avenue liquor operation. Nawrocki asked when Council authorized seeking these proposals. Fehst stated this proposal is based on discussions with Council to look for other liquor store sites. Nawrocki asked if we sought any other consultants. Fehst indicated that we did not, as on this particular item discussions have been with the Springsted Company. Nawrocki indicated his belief in getting other bids. He felt the timing was premature, with a cost is $7,500 to $10,000. Nawrocki spoke against the motion. Fehst stated that the fiquor store is an enterprise fund, which Mr. Thistle, a principal at Springsted, indicated the city wouM have to justify the success of the business to obtain bonds. Fehst indicated negatives of the current location. Nawrocki stated the study seems to be geared to a new location and bonding, and felt this was premature. Bill Elrite, Finance Director, indicated the proposal is not regarding sales, as our fiquor store manager can do that. This is to research a stand-alone location versus renting, to get an evaluation on comparison sales, and look lightly at potential for increasing sales by moving. Williams felt we shouM include the University Store at the same time, as we have had a company looking at property since last year for both locations. Elrite stated that ideally we would like to move the store on Central, get it up and running and then look at the University location. Elrite indicated the problems at the University store. Williams stated the need to be more aggressive in our property search. Fehst indicated that other specific questions could be addressed. Fehst stated our success with liquor operations, but that we are not expert realtors. Wyckoff asked the amount paid for rent at the Central Avenue store. E/rite indicated it is over $100,000. Wyckoff suggested closing the University store and building a better store on Central Avenue. Elrite indicated that he opposed this because of the revenue that wouM be lost. Elrite stated the newly implemented actions for increased security at the University Avenue store. Nawrocki indicated that citizens of this community voted for the city to be in and stay in the fiquor business. Revenue also subsidizes costs of some city services. Nawrocki stated current and future City Council Minutes July 8, 2002 Page 5 of 8 financial needs of the City, and the projected cuts' to cities by the State. He felt that current profits would be needed to provide city services, not to pay bonds. Nawrocki indicated that he is speaking against the study. Elrite stated this study would be to answer questions, including if we shouM stay in the current location. Discussion included the pros and cons of closing the University Avenue store. Fehst stated that the intentions are to see if this project couM sustain itself and not deplete our resources. Fehst indicated that this is a small amount for research on a $6 million dollar corporation. Williams stated the need to keep our city moving forward. Peterson indicated that this is proactive and looks' at our future. It may come back as not being a wise thing to do, but may force the Rainbow owners to be a better landlord. Peterson indicated that you must pursue possibilities to move forward. He shared concerns on the University store and concerns on State funds, but indicated that we shouM take care of ourselves, and this is an area that takes care of itself. Nawrocki stated that loss of fiquor funds would qf. fect taxes and city services, and put pressure on the property tax base. He indicated that we are currently working on too many items at once. Fehst stated that doing nothing is an option. Fehst indicated that staff is working on an additional acquisition on dOth Avenue and redevelopment oft he industrial site. Upon vote: Williams, aye: Wyckoff, nay; Nawrocki, nay; Peterson, aye. 2ayes - 2 nayes. Motion failed. dim Hoefi, City Attorney stated that any member of council couM bring this item up again, as there was no prevailing indication of the vote. Motion by Williams, second by Peterson, that this be brought up at another meeting for further discussion. Wyckoff asked residents' to contact her with their opinions. Hoefi indicated that the property on dOth is moving forward as the contract directs'. Nawrocki asked what would be built at the site. Peterson stated that we keep getting the opportunity to make the site better. Wyckoff stated that she voted in the negative because the site being looked at would be a larger building, not just a site for the liquor store. Upon vote: Williams, aye; Wyckoff, aye; Nawrocki, nay; Peterson, aye. 3 ayes - 1 nay. Motion carried. Adopt Resolution No.2002-46, being a Resolution authorizing the purchase of 4833 University Avenue Motion by Williams, second by Nawrocki, to waive the reading of Resolution No. 2002-46, there being ample copies available to the public. All ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Williams, second by Wyckoff, to Adopt Resolution No. 2002-46, being a Resolution authorizing the purchase of 4833 University Avenue; and furthermore, authorizing the Mayor and City Manager to enter into a contract for purchase of the property for $75,900, with funds to be appropriated from the Abatement Fund. City Council Minutes July 8, 2002 Page 6 of 8 Nawrocki asked where the authorization came from to place earnest money on the property. Fehst stated it is under the $3,000 amount he can authorize, and that he contacted council regarding their interest. Nawrocki questioned the problems with the property. Fehst stated the roof is damaged. This is a small property, and the hope would be to adjoin to the adjacent property. Nawrocki questioned the taxes on the property. Steve Johnson felt the tax amount is low and at approximately $60,000. Nawrocki indicated that the City has money in too many projects' and not getting anything done. Fehst indicated the concern is to take care of brighted properties in the city. There is an abatement fund to deal with these properties, and that we may have to ham the property for a while before development. Peterson stated this is why the abatement fundwas created. There is nothing hidden in this acquisition. Truchinski commented on the lot sprit he was involved in and that the money is a profit to the city. Wyckoff indicated that this purchase wouM stop a band-aid fix of the property. Wyckoff questioned the size of the lot. Steve Johnson stated it is not big enough for a liquor store. Steve Johnson stated before relocating or expanding any business, a study would be required before financing wouM be considered. Many private businesses spend funds to determine the feasibirity ora new location and he felt this amount was not unreasonable. Upon vote: Williams, aye; Wyckoff, aye; Nawrocki, nay; Peterson, aye. 3 ayes - 1 nay. Motion carried. RESOLUTION 2002 - 46 BEING A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF 4833 UNIVERSITY AVENUE N.E. WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights (the "City) has an on-going Abatement Fund suitable for purchase of blighting influences within the City; and WHEREAS, the City has found that there exists conditions of deterioration, and substandard structure, in need of repairs which are in violation of the City Housing Code and City Ordinances or there exists a need (due to blighting influences) for intervention by the City to prevent further deterioration of the area; and WHEREAS, the City has an option to acquire such property pursuant to the Purchase Agreement by and between the City of Columbia Heights and Gilbert Hams (the "Seller") and such Purchase Agreement has been signed by the Seller and provided to the City Council. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights that: 1. The City Council hereby approves the terms of the Purchase Agreement for 4833 University Avenue N.E. between the City of Columbia Heights and Gilbert Hams and authorizes the Mayor and the City Manager to sign the agreement on behalf of the City at a purchase price of $75,900 based on negotiations with the property owner. 2. The City Council hereby authorizes the City Manager to handle all the requirements and conditions in order for the City to complete the transaction contemplated in the Purchase Agreement. 3. The City Council approves payment of the purchase cost from the City Abatement Fund. Passed this 8~ day of July 2002. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS Report of the City Manager Fehst referred to an article on the delly and Beans store on Central Avenue, and that Caribo Coffee may be looking to locate in our area. City Council Minutes July 8, 2002 Page 7 of 8 Upcoming · · · · · · Work Session Items Long term care insurance presentation Early replacement police administrative car Request to accept federal equipment block grant with matching dollars. Discuss limiting the time on review of council corner items. Number of tenants in multiple housing units. Liquor store discussion Wyckoff referred to complaints about properties not being kept up, such as one on Gould, and the possibility of requiring improvements. Fehst stated that grass on the property referred to has been ordered cut and will be cut again on a specific date in July. 147yckoff asked what the city couM legally do to clean up these properties. Fehst referred to the housing maintenance code, and Public 147orks Department for grass complaints. Fehst indicated that we wouM arrange for regular grass cutting on abandoned property. Nawrocki stated that instead of immediately sending citations, to try sending a letter asking for cooperation from the property owner in a reasonable time; and then to use the citation process. Hoefi indicated that there are several steps before a citation gets to court. Fehst indicated the type of initial letter that goes out to residents, but stated that we are open to improvements. Report of the City Attorney -none GENERAL COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS Minutes of Boards and Commissions · Meeting of the Telecommunications Commission on June 20, 2002 CITIZENS FORUM HaroM Hoium, 4313, 4317, and 4321 5th Street, requested the agenda packet include reports from the Mayor, Councilmembers, City Manager and each City Department. He stated that his house has been trashed Fehst indicated that he would like to meet with Mr. Hoium and the Police Captain to discuss this. Hoium stated that he would like to keep his property clean, but permit costs are too high. Hoium became agitated and was asked to take his seat. Truchinski thanked the Council for what they are doing to improve the City. He complimented Mel Collova, Building Official, for the advice and help he has given him. Nawrocki stated that regarding Mr. Hoium ' s comments that a gentleman indicated he had contacted Nawrocki, that he had received a complaint regarding the Hoium property, but that the City Manager had indicated there was a meeting set for July 12th to discuss this and there was now a meeting set for tomorrow. Nawrocki stated the concern was with the jungle appearance of the property. Deb Johnson, 4638 Pierce Street, questioned if pofice officers can be summoned to Council meetings at a moments notice, and if not, the Police Chief should always be present. Fehst stated that if there is a possible problem, the police are present, as one was tonight. Fehst stated he would pass along this concern. Fehst stated that he wouM meet with Mr. Hoium on Tuesday, July 9th at 9.'00 a.m. COUNCIL CORNER Nawrocki asked if signs couM be put up around Sullivan Lake indicating pedestrian and bicycle paths. He stated there are still problems with graffiti. City Council Minutes July 8, 2002 Page 8 of 8 Nawrocki stated "Practice what you preach, and actions speak louder than words ". Wyckoff thanked dean Kuehn, Special Projects Coordinator, for placing recycfing cans back at Huset and Prestemon Parks. She also suggested placing one at Keys Park. 14Zilliams asked everyone to pray for peace and prosperity for our city, and stated that we shouM keep moving forward in the city, as we have a lot of work to do. He stated "By your works you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned". Peterson asked that citizens look inward to take care of their selves and their own property. If residents do not follow the rules, there would be an outside influence. Peterson stated "Don't take ourselves too seriously, enjoy life, do a random act of kindness, and love your neighbor. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Peterson adjourned the meeting at 9:24 p.m. Patricia Muscovitz, Deputy City Clerk