Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 23, 1987OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 23, 1987 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Nawrocki at 7:30 p0m.. 1. Roll Call Paulson, Carlson, Peterson, Nawrocki - present Petkoff - absent 2. Invocation The Invocation was offered by Pastor Richard Mork of First Lutheran Church. 3. Proclamations and Presentations a. Rita E~ickson Week - Mayor Nawrocki proclaimed the week of March 23-29 as Rita Erickson Week in Columbia Heights and presented the proclamation to the child's grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Adams. b. Fair Housing Month Proclamation: Mayor Nawrocki proclaimed April as Fair Housing Month in the City of Columbia Heights and presented the proclamation to'Mickey Rooney, a realtor. c. Registration Awareness Month - Selective Service: The month of April was pro- claimed Registration Awareness Month in the City of Columbia Heights by Mayor Nawrocki. d. Funds for bullet-proof vests from American Legion: John Hearn, Commander of American Legion Post #513 presented a check for $2,500 to Captain Leonard Olson of the Columbia Heights Police Department for use in the purchase of bullet- proof vests for the Department. Mayor Nawrocki noted that Tri-City American Legion Post #513 represents three cities, Columbia Heights, New Brighton and St. Anthony and has its newly remodelled clubrooms in New Brighton. Commander Hearn introduced other officers of the Post and noted that the Post had donated a substantial sum to the Rita Erickson Fund. e. Presentation of plaque to First Lutheran Church: Mayor Nawrocki presented a plaque to Pastor Richard Mork in recognition of seventy five years of First Lutheran Church's service to the community. Pastor Mork thanked the Council and invited all to attend the Church's Open House on Sunday, Ap~l 5th. 4. Consent Agenda The following agenda items were included on the consent agenda: a. Minutes of Previous Meetings The Council approved the mi.nutes of the Regular Council Meeting of March 9th, the Board of Trustees, Volunteer Division of March lOth, and the Public Improvement Hearing of March 16th and the reading was dispensed with. b. Resolution No. 87-23; Being a Resolution Authorizing a Safety Deposit Box The following resolution was adopted by the Council. RESOLUTION NO. 87-23 BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of. Columbia Heights to authorize the securing of a safe deposit box at Northeast State Bank of Minneapolis, 3989 Central Avenue N.E., Columbia Heights, Minnesota, by rental agreement for anyone of the following employees to have access thereto: Regular Council Meeting March 23, 1987 page 2 Robert Bocwinski William Elrite June Johnston City Manager Finance Director City Accountant BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the authority herein given is to remain irrevocable so far as above bank is concerned until it be notified in writing of the revoca- tion of such authority and shall in writing acknowledge receipt thereof. Passed this 23rd day of March, 1987. Offered by: Carlson Seconded by: Paulson Roll call: All ayes Jo-Anne Student, Council Secretary Bruce G. Nawrocki, Mayor c. Resolution No. 87-24; Regarding Labor Agreement Between City and AFSCME The following resolution was adopted by the Council. RESOLUTION NO. 87-24 REGARDING LABOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY A~D MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES, COUNCIL NO. 14, LOCAL NO.' 495 WHEREAS, negotiations have proceeded between the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council No. 14, Local No. 495, represent- ing clerical and technical employees of the City and members of the City negotiating team, and said negotiations have resulted in a mutually acceptable contract for calendar year 1987; WHEREAS, a copy of said contract is available for inspection at the Office of the City Manager and is made a part hereof by reference; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the contract agreement as negotiated, be and is hereby established as the salary and fringe benefit program for calendar year 1987, for AFSCME bargaining unit employees of the City; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Manager be authorized to execute this agreement. Passed this 23rd day of March, 1987o Offered by: Carlson Seconded by: Paulson Roll call: All ayes Jo-Anne Student, Council Secretary Mayor Bruce G. Nawrocki d. Annual Membership Dues - Suburban Rate Authority The Council authorized the City's continued membership in the Suburban Rate Authority and authorized the 1987 membership assessment in the amount of $1,750. e. Establish Date for Mid-block Lighting Public Hearing The Council established a public hearing for the installation of midblock lighting Regular Council Meeting March 23, 1987 page 3 in the alley north of 47th Avenue and between Upland Crest and Stinson Boulevard for Aprll 27, 1987 at 7:30 p.m.. f. Request to PurchaseSanafoam Vaporooter The Council authorized the purchase of 135.gallons of Sanafoam Vaporooter from Davies Water Equipment Company of Minneapolis for a total of $6,804 and noted that this is a proprietary item. g. Attendance of Liquor Operations Manager at Convention The Council appropriated $600 from the Liquor Fund unreserved retained earnings to the Liquor Fund Store #l Department, Travel, Conferences and Schools line item and authorized the payment and reimbursement of expenses not exceeding $600 for Phil Sukerman, Liquor Operations Manager, to attend the 1987 National Liquor Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, from April 8 - 12, 1987. h. Participation in State Deferred Compensation Program The Council authorized the Mayor and City Manager to execute appropriate documents to initiate participation of City employees in the State Deferred Compensation Program. Mayor Nawrocki introduced newly-elected Anoka County Commissioner, Jim Kordiak. Commissioner Kordiak made a few comments and advised those at the meeting of the location of his office in Columbia Heights and welcomed all of the residents Of the City to contact him with their concerns. 5. Oral Petitions The resident at 4140 Jefferson Street advised the Council that she is experiencing problems with her neighbor's pidgeons. She noted that'this problem has been in evidence for some time. She advised the Council of the cities near the City of Columbia Heights do not allow the keeping of pidgeons. Mayor Nawrocki stated that presently there have been no violations of the 'City Code observed. When the City's Health Inspector has viewed the premises she has noted no .bird droppings and no odor and that there was no problem regarding health, safety or welfare of the residents. The County Health Officer will also be contacted. 6. Ordinances and Resolutions a. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1142; Being an Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 853, City Code of 1977, Pertaining to Day'Nurseries and Nursery Schools This ordinance had received a public hearing by the Planning and Zoning Com- mission. It was sent back to the Council without recommendation. Pastor Richard Mork of First Lutheran Church advised the Council 'that the Church is not presently pursuing this matter. He noted that at some time in the future it may be a wish of the Church to have a nursery school in its facility but not now. Mayor Nawrocki Inquired if the resident who wrote in opposition to this zoning amendment had been notified of the public hearing or of this meeting where the subject was being discussed. Staff did not know if this had beenldone. The Mayor felt t~fs matter should be continued until the resident has been notified of its discussion. Motion by Paulson, second by Carlson to continue the hearing on the second reading of Ordinance No. 1142 until the next regular Council meeting. Roll call: All ayes Regular Council Meeting March 23, 1987 page 4 b. Resolution Ordering Improvements, Project #8701, Continuation of Hearing This item was tabled from the March 16, 1987 Public Improvement Hearing so the staff could prepare additional information regarding relocation of the travelled way so it would be located within the existing easement. The alley is between University Avenue and Fourth Street, 47th to 48th Avenues. There was a lengthy discussion regarding the opinions of the affected residents and the project. Some of the residents felt the alley simply needed regrading to put it back where it belonged. Only one resident supported the original project. The majority of those residents who spoke supported the grading of the alley and its re- location within the right-of-way. The consensus of the Council was to grade the alley and place it in the proper place. The City Attorney observed that the City has no legal responsibility to relocate the alley as an easement has been established by the alley having been used for so many years in its present location. Motion by Peterson, second by Carlson to regrade the alley using City equipment and relocate it into the appropriate easement. Roll call: All ayes Councilmember Peterson further instructed staff to follow the same maintenance of thislallev that had been followed previously. c. Resolution No. 87-25; Resolution Appropriating MSAS Off-System Funding It was the City Council's intention to use M.S.A.S. funds to finance the City's portion of the costs involving an overlay project on Central Avenue. The City's portion of the costs amounts to $18,747.73. The overlay would extend from 37th Avenue to 45th Avenue on Central Avenue. The Mayor inquired if parking in this area would be restricted or eliminated. He was advised by the City Engineer that it would be restricted with the installation of signalization. Mayor Nawrocki had been led to believe parking would be restricted only with the signalization project. The City Engineer advised that this resolution addresses only the source of funding for the projects which include the overlay and the signalization. The owner of the property at 3710 Central Avenue had responded to a survey re- garding elimination of parking in front of his property and had not heard any- thing since his response in November. He expressed his concern regarding the removal of parking in front of his business. He noted that he and his two tenants utilize.the four parking spaces in front of his building very often. The property owner is supportive of installation of the signal lights but requested that only three lanes be used for vehicles and that one remain for parking. Councilmember Paulson support, s the signal light installation as he feels they would make the intersection of 37th and Central Avenues safer as stated by the City Engineer's assessmeht. Mayor Nawrocki felt there had been no evidence that this signalization would increase the safety of the intersection. He noted that presently there is backup and stacking when a car is waiting to turn left onto 37th Avenue. Mayor Nawrocki had previously requested staff.,to investigate indented parking such as that on 37th Avenue farther east near St. Anthony. At this point in time this has not been done. Councilmember Carlson felt these signs would not improve the situation. The City Engineer advised this project could be changed by change orders to ac- commodate parking spaces on Centra! Avenue. Councilmember Paulson supports the minimizing of the parking area as long as the signalization continues as proposed. The City Engineer noted that the resolution can be submitted as written and that the dollar amounts contained in the resolution will automatically be amended by the change orders. Motion by Peterson, second by Paulson that t'he City of Columbia Heights investigate restoring some of the parking proposed to be removed in the original plan for the Regular Council Meeting March 23, 1987 page 5 Highway #65 project #S.P. No. 207.50. Roll call: All ayes Motion by Peterson, second by Carlson to waive the reading of the resolution there being ample copies available to the public. Roll call: All ayes Councilmember Petkoff arrived at the meeting at 10:15 p.m. RESOLUTION NO. 87-25 AUTHORIZING THE USE OF MUNICIPAL STATE AID FUNDS ON T.H. 65 PROJECT WHEREAS, it has been deemed advisable and necessary for the City of Columbia Heights to participate in the cost of a construction project located on T.H. No. 65 within the limits of said municipality, and WHEREAS, said construction project has been approved by the Commissioner of Transportation and identified in his records as S.P. No. 207-50. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights; That we do hereby appropriate from our Municipal State-Aid Street Funds the sum of $18,747.73 to apply toward the construction of said project and request the Commissioner of Transportation to approve this authorization. Dated this 23rd day of March, 1987. Offered by: Peterson Seconded by: Carlson Roll call: All ayes Jo-Anne Student, Council Secretary Mayor Bruce G. Nawrocki CERTIFICATION: I hereby certify that the aforegoing resolution is a true and correct copy of the resolution presented to and adopted by the City Council of the City of Colum- bia Heights, at a duly authorized meeting thereof, held on the 23rd day of March, 1987, as shown by the minutes of said meeting in my presence. William J. Elrite, City Clerk d. Soo Line Crossing - Proceeding with Condemnation or Acceptance of Easement Document The City Attorney advised that an informal agreement has been reached with respect to the provision of a private easement which is basically on the terms originally proposed. Motion by Peterson, second by Carlson to authorize the City Attorney to commence eminate domain proceedings to obtain the easement for the grade crossing as autho- rized by the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Roll call: All ayes Discussion regarding future'use of this crossing was had by the Council and staff. Regular Council Meeting March 23, 1987 page 6 f. Other Communications The Council had received a copy of a letter from the Insurance Commission regarding its opposition to the City self insuring in some of its coverage. Old Business a. Authorization to Purchase Tire Changer The Mayor felt this piece of equipment could be purchased with less sophis- tication thereby reducing the cost. Motion by Paterson, second by Paulson to authorize the purchase of one FMC 8600 High Performance Tier Changer from Hanco Corporation of Bloomington, Minnesota, for $2,450 based upon iow formal quotation. Roll call: Paulson, Petkoff, Carlson, Paterson - aye Nawrocki - nay b. Agreement for Construction of Traffic Signals at 37th and Central Avenues The Public Works Director reviewed this entire project. The Mayor felt the cost splits were unfair to the City of Columbia Heights. He noted that the State of Minnesota was to pay 40%, the City of Minneapolis was to pay 20% and the City of Columbia Heights' was to pay 40%. The Mayor also felt the control of the light controls should not be entirely with the City of Minnepolis. The Public Works Director suggested that negotiations could be continued on this matter. He felt the maintenance and maintenance costs were standard procedure as stated in the contract. Regarding the costs the Mayor suggested that the City of Min- neapolis should pay half of the costs not being paid by the State of Minnesota. Motion by Petkoff, second by Paulson to refer the agreement back to the staff for continued negotiations in the areas of the municipal cost split, control of the signals, and a cap being placed on maintenance costs. Roll call: All ayes c. Hilltop Pollce and Emergency Service Contract The Hilltop City Attorney wrote expressing hi§ concern with the City's requirement to include in its service contract an indemnification provision. He objected to this on behalf of the City of Hilltop. It .was noted that the present contract expires on March 31, 1987. The City Attorney for Hilltop is requesting an extension of 30 days to cover the month of April, 1987. The Columbia Heights City Attorney advised that no formal action is necessary to grant this extension. RECESS: 10:57 p.m. RECONVENE: 11:40 p.m. d. Columbia Heights/Hilltop Cable Communications Violations and Issues The City's cable counsel reviewed the franchise violations which had been pre- sented to the Council in draft form. He distributed a draft of these st[pulations and their proposed resolutions for Council consideration. Each stipulation was reviewed by the Council and the cable counsel, It was recommended that negotiations continue regarding the violations whJch the Council felt still needed to be resolved. Councilmember Paulson suggested this matter be tabled for further nego- tiating and theh be presented to the Council as a package. Channel realignment was still of ~oncern to the Council. Motion by Peterson, second by Carlson to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into the Stipulation Agreement. Roll call: All ayes New Business a. Appropriation of Monies for Fitness Program Regular Council Meeting March 23~ 1987 page 7 Monies for the fitness program for the Fire Department were budgeted in 1986. They were'not carried over to the 1987 budget. Motion by Carl~son, second by Paulson that $1,585 be transferred from the General Fund Contingency into the Expert and Professional Services Account in the Fire Department Account #101-4120-1130. Roll call: All ayes b. Award of Bid - Reroofing of SACA House MaYor Nawrocki inquired of Councilmember Peterson as to the appropriateness of the costs for the reroofing. Councilmember Peterson felt this was a fair price. The Board of Directors of SACA had indicated it would pay a Portion of the costs for the reroofing. The Mayor suggested the City did not accept any funding from SACA as this money might be better spent assisting residents who are in need. Motion by Petkoff, second by Pautson to appropriate $3,712 from the General Fund - Contingency to the General Fund Balance entitled General Government Buildings - Building ImproYements (Account #101-4090-1510) to offset the cost of reroofing the SACA House. Roll call: All ayes Motion by Petkoff, second by Paulson to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to'enter into an agreement with Rayco Construction, Inc. to reroof the SACA House located at 627 38th Avenue N.E. as per Option A including installation of gutters at a total of $3,712. Roll call: All ayes c. Ratify Action of City Manager Regarding Repairs to Water Pump Station #2 Motion by Peterson, second by Paulson to.ratify the actions of the City Manager and authorize the purchase of one Westinghouse Vectrol Model #64ESl electronic soft starter unit for Pump Station #2 in the amount of $3,398. Roll call: All ayes d. Revocation of Grocery Sales License Motion by Peterson, second by Carlson that the City Council hold a public hearing on April 13, 1987, at 7:30 p.m. to consider revocation of the grocery sales license held by the Shehnaz Authentic International Food Store located at 544 Summit Street N.E. due to the loss of their license from the State Board of Agriculture for their operation. Roll call: All ayes Reports a. Report of the City Manager The City Manager's report was submitted in written form and the following items were added verbally to the report and discussed: 1. New Hire: The City Manager advised the Council he had hired Michael Peyer to fill a Maintenance I position effective March 9, 1987 at the rate of $8.72 per hour. 2. Alley Between Gould and 40th Avenues, Reservoir Boulevard: The City Engineer was requested to check this alley to determine its proper location. This will be coordinated with the Police Department to determine if vehicles are being improperly pa~ked on the alley. 3. Auctioneer for City Auction: The Police Chief had requested the City Manager pursue the retention of an auctioneer for the City Auction. The City Manager will prepare the costs for this service for presentation at the next Council meeting. Motion by Peterson, second by Petkoff to authorize the proposals for auctioneer services for tMe annual City Auction. Roll call: All ayes Regular Council Meeting March 23, 1987 page 8 4. Alley, Third Street/University Avenue, 44th to 45th Avenues: Water drainage problems have been experienced in this alley and staff was requested to draft some proposals to solve the problems. The City Manager will have the report for the Council later in the meeting. 5. Request for Traffic Signals at 37th Avenue and Johnson Street: The City Manager advised the Council that the City of Minneapolis had been notified that Columbia Heights is not interested in pursuing this project. 6. Sodding of Murzyn Hall Project: The City Manager suggested this item could be discussed by the Council at a Council work session. b. Report of the City Attorney The City Attorney had nothing to report at this time. Licenses Motion by Paterson, second by Carlson to approve the licenses as listed upon payment of proper fees. Roll call: All ayes Payment of Bills Motion by Petkoff, second by Paterson to pay the bills as listed out of proper funds. Roll call: All ayes The City Manager distributed copies of an evaluation Of the radio system in booklet form. Also distributed was a memo from the Police Chief regarding the Public Works Department end the Fire Department evaluation. Mayor Nawrocki noted that the HRA had met to discuss the submitted proposals for the development of the Sullivan Lake area. The City Council will hold an informational hearing on this matter on Tuesday, April 14th at 8:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Staff was requested to send notices of this informational hearing to all property owners within 300 feet of the properties proposed for development and to the property owner at 701 50½ Avenue who had written to the Council stating his opposition to this development. Council work sessions were scheduled for Monday, March 30th and Tuesday, March 31st at 7:30 p.m. At a prior assessment hearing regarding the alley between Third Street and University Avenue, 44th to 45th Avenues, a resident stated she has been experien- cing water drainage problem behind her garage for some time. staff was requested to explore solutions. The Public Works Director gave the Council three alternatives for solving the drainage problem. They are regrading of the alley, relocation of thealley and thirdly, building up of an asphalt birm to force the water down to the catch basin presently in the alley. The third alternative would be the least costly. The Mayor observed that the general feeling of the Council is that this project would not be ~h assessable project. ~otlon by Peterson, second by Carlson to adjourn · ' ayes ~/(o- nne Student, Coun~il Secretary