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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 26, 1987OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 26, 1987 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Nawrocki at 7:30 p.m.. 1. Roll Call Paulson, Petkoff, Carlson, Peterson, Nawrocki - present 2. Invocation The Invocation was offered by Pastor Richard Mork of First Lutheran Church. 3. Presentations and Proclamations Mayor Nawrocki presented a plaque to Fire Chief Don Johnson in recognition of his ten years of service to the City of Columbia Heights. Chief Johnson has been in the Fire Service for c~ver thirty years and is retiring. Mayor Nawrocki proclaimed the month of February as Heart Month in the City of Columbia Heights and presented the proclamation to a representative of the Heart Association. 4. Consent Agenda Mayor Nawrocki explained that the Council will be using a consent agenda at its regular Council meetings. The consent agenda will include items which are of a "housekeeping" nature and involve routine matters. These items are noted by an asterisk on the annotated agenda. They will be noted and then voted upon as a group. The Mayor stated that any consent item may be deleted from the consent agenda for individual discussion by a Councilmember or a person in the audience. Motion by Peterson, second by Paulson to approve the following items on the consent agenda: Minutes of Previous Meetings Minutes of the Community Development Block Grant Public Hearing of January 12th and minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of January 12th as presented in writing. There were no corrections. Resolution No. 87-08; Authorizing City 'Funds for the Mill and Overlay of Trunk Highway 65 from 37th Avenue N.E. to 45th Avenue N.E.(State Project #207-50) RESOLUTION NO. 87-08 Authorizing City Funds for the Mill and Overlay of Trunk Highway 65 from 37th Avenue to 45th Avenue (State Project #207-50) WHEREAS, It has been deemed advisable and necessary for the City of Columbia Heights to participate in the construction cost of said project, and WHEREAS, The funds for said project will be appropriated from the Municipal State Aid System Funds through an off-systems transfer. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights: That the City Council of Columbia Heights authorizes funds, as specified above, for the Cityls share of the construction project. ~Regular Council Meeting January 26, 1987 page 2 Dated this 26th day of January, 1987. Offered by: Peterson Seconded by: Paulson Roll call: All ayes Mayor Bruce G. Nawrocki Jo-Anne Student, Council Secretary Resolution 87-10; Resolution in Support of Locating an Olympic Development Facility Within Anoka County at the Blaine Soccer Complex RESOLUTION NO. 87-10 RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF LOCATING AN OLYMPIC DEVELOPMENT FACILITY WITHIN ANOKA COUNTY AT THE BLAINE SOCCER COMPLEX WHEREAS, Anoka County and the northern suburbs have long sought a major facility for this area, and WHEREAS, There is support from Governor Rudy Perpich and legislative repre- · sentatives from this area, and WHEREAS, The positive economic impact of a major facility of this type will be felt throughout both the northern suburbs as well as the entire State of Minnesota, and WHEREAS, The Blaine Soccer Complex is the largest and most widely utilized soccer facility in the Upper Midwest, and WHEREAS, The Blaine Soccer Complex is the "Home" of the USA Cup International Youth Soccer Tournament; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Columbia Heights City Council that every effort be made to locate and establish an Olympic Development Facility with Anoka County at the Blaine Soccer Complex; and, furthermore, that the City of Columbia Heights supports the efforts of the Northern Mayor's Association in pursuing such sports complex. Passed this 26th day of January, 1987. Offered by: Peterson Seconded by: Paulson Roll call: All ayes Jo-Anne Student, Council Secretary Mayor Bruce G. Nawrocki Regular Council Meeting January 26, 1987 page 3 National League of Cities 1987 Annual Membership Dues Payment of $926 to the National League of Cities for an annual membership commencing February 1, 1987 through January 31, 1988 was authorized. Payment to Anoka County Humane Society Payment of $10,OOO to the Anoka County Humane Society was authorized for support of the Society's shelter construction project. Conferences and Schools The attendance of Officer Steven Vaughn at the Field Training Officer Course to be held on March 30 - April l, 1987 in St. Louis Park and reimbursement of related expenses was authorized. Seeking Bids for Resurfacing 0'f Tennis Courts Authorization for the City Manager to seek bids for the resurfacing of tennis courts at Sullivan Lake and Huset Park was given. Roll call on consent agenda: All ayes 4a. Oral Petitions There were no oral petitions. 5. Ordinances and Resolutions a. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1137, Being an Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 853, City Code of 1977, Pertaining to Signs The Council received copies of a newly-revised version of Ordinance No. 1137. dated January 26, 1987. The revision dealt with the maximum number of signs on a building which faces a public street. This change had been requested by Councilmember Peterson. Mayor Nawrocki expressed concern with that section of the ordinance which deals with additional freestanding signs. He also stated that the signage should be related to the square footage of the building on which it will be displayed. He felt some of the language regarding sign size should be tightened up. Motion by Peterson, second by Paulson to waive the reading of the ordinance there being ample copies available to the public. Roll call: All ayes ORDINANCE NO. 1137 BEING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 853, CITY CODE OF 1977, PERTAINING TO SIGNS The City of Columbia Heights does ordain: Section 1: Section 9.117A(i)(jj) of Ordinance No. 853, City Code of 1977, passed June 21, 1977, which currently reads as follows, to-wit: (33) Section 2: Projecting Sign: A sign which extends outward from the wall of a building or structure more than fifteen inches (15"), and is supported by or suspended from such wall. Section 9.117A(b)(i) of Ordinance No. 853, City Code of 1977, passed June 21, 1977, which currently reads as follows, to-wit: (i) One (1) wall sign on each side of the building which faces a public street, not to exceed fifty(50) square feet per surface and limited Regular Council Meeting January 26, 1987 page 4 (i) Section 3: (i) (i) Section 4: (i) (i) Section 5: (i) (i) to one (1) surface per sign. Shall hereafter read as follows, to-wit: Not more than five (5) wall signs on any side of a building which faces a public street, nor to exceed fifty (50) square feet of total surface area for all wall sign surfaces and limited to one surface per sign. Section 9.117A(9)(b)(i) of Ordinance No. 853, City Code of 1977, passed June 21, t977, which currently reads as follows, to-wit: One (1) wall sign. on each side of the building which faces a public street, not to exceed one hundred (100) square feet per surface, and limited to one (1) surface per sign. Shall hereafter read as follows, to-wit: Not more than five (5) wall signs on any side of a building which faces a public street, not to exceed one hundred (100) Square feet of total surface area for all wall sign surfaces and limited to one surface per sign. Section 9.117A(lO)(b)(i) of Ordinance No. 853, City Code of 1977, passed June 21, 1977, which currently reads as follows, to-wit: One (1) wall sign on each side of the building which faces a public street, not to exceed one hundred (100) square feet per Surface, limited to one (I) surface per sign. Shall hereafter read as follows, to-wit: Any number of wall signs on any side of a building which faces a public street, not to exceed one hundred (100) square feet of total surface area for all wall sign surfaces and limited to one surface per sign. Section 9.117A(ll)(b)(i) of Ordinance No.853, City Code of 1977, passed June 21, 1977, which hereby reads as follows, to-wit: One (1) wall sign per lot line which faces a public right of way, not to exceed one hundred (100) square feet per surface, and limi- ted to one (1) surface. Shall hereafter read as follows, to-wit: Any number of wall signs on any side of a building which faces a public street, not to exceed one hundred (100) square feet of total surface area for all wall sign surfaces and limited to one surface per sign. I~egular Council Meeting January 26, 1987 page 5 Section 6: (ii) (ii) Section 7: (ii) (ii) Section 8: Section 9.117A(lO)(b)(ii) of Ordinance No. 853, City Code of 1977, passed June 21, 1977, which hereby reads as follows, to-wit: One (1) freestanding sign only if the building or structure is located twenty feet (20') or more from the front lot line, not to exceed seventy-five (75) square feet per surface, and limited to two (2) surfaces. Shall hereafter read as follows, to-wit: One (1) freestanding sign only if the building or structure is located twenty feet (20') or more from the front lot line, not to exceed seventy-five (75') square feet per surface, and limited to two (2) surfaces. Provided, however, that (a) if the building contains more than 80,000 square feet of gross floor area or the site on which the building is located contains more than 80,000 square feet of surface area, (b) if the street frontage of the site on which the building or structure is located exceeds one hundred fifty feet (150') in length, and (c) if the building is located twenty feet (20') or more from the front lot line, a second freestanding sign not to exceed seventy-five (75') square feet and limited to two (2) surfaces shall be permitted at a loca- tion at least fifty feet (50') distant from any other freestanding sign and at least twenty-five (25') distant from the lot line of any adjoining parcel of land other than a street or alley. Section 9.117A(9)(b)(ii) of Ordinance No. 853, City Code of 1977, passed June 21, 1977, which currently reads as follows, to-wit: One (1) freestanding sign, only if the building or structure is located twenty feet (20') or more from the front lot line, not to exceed thirty-two (32) square feet, and limited to two (2) surfaces. Shall hereafter read as follows, to-wit: One (1) freestanding sign only if the building or structure is located twenty feet (20') or more from the front lot line, not to exceed seventy-five (75) square feet per surface, and limited to two (2) surfaces. Provided, however, that (a) if the building contains more than 80,000 square feet of gross floor area or the site on which the building is located contains more than 80,000 square feet of surface area, (b) if the street frontage of the site on which the building or structure is located exceeds one hundred fifty feet (150') in length, and (c) if the bulldin9 is located twenty feet (20') or more from the front lot line, a second freestanding sign not to exceed seventy-five (75) square feet and limited to two (2) surfaces shall be permitted at a location at least fifty feet (50') distant from any other ~reestandlng sign and at least twenty-five feet (25') distant from the lot line of any adjoining parcel of land other than a street or alley. Section 9.117A(2) of Ordinance No. 853, City Code of 1977, passed June 21, 1977, (as amended by Ordinance No. 948, passed July 13, 1981) which reads as follows: ~¢gular Counc|l Meeting January 26, 1987 page 6 Section 9: 9.117A(2) Application (a) Within the municipality, no sign shall hereafter be erected, placed, altered, or moved unless in con- formity with this section. (b) Signs which are lawfully in existence and in use prior to and at the time of the legal adoption of this Section may remain in use even though they do not conform with the provisions of the Section for five (5) years to the extend permissible under Section 9. 104(3). (c) No'-sign lawfully in existence at the time of the adoption of this Section may be rebuilt, reconc structed, or altered with the exception of copy change unless in conformity with the provisions of this Code. (d) A sign is a structure or part of a structure for the purpose of app)ying yard and height requirements as required by Chapter 9, Artic)e I of this code. (e) Nothing in this Section shall relieve any person from complying with any other provision of this Code. is herewith amended to read as follows: 9.117A(2) Application (a) Within the municipality, no sign shall hereafter be erected, placed, altered, or moved unless in con- formity with this section. (b) Signs which were lawfully in existence and in use prior to and on July 13, 1981, may remain in use until July 13, 1988, even though such signs do not conform with Section 9.117A of the City Code. (c) No sign lawfully in existence at the time of the adoption of this Section may be rebuilt, recon- structed, or altered with the exception of copy change unless in conformity with the provisions of this Code. (d) A sign is a structure or part of a structure for the. purpose of applying yard and height requirements as required by Chapter 9, Article I of this Code. (e) Nothing in this Section shall relieve any person from complying with any other provision of this Code. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after thirty (30) days after its passage. .Regular Council Meeting January 26, t987 page 7 First Reading: January 26, 1987 b. Resolution No. 87-09; Regarding Labor Agreement Between the City of Columbia Heights and Minnesota Teamsters Public and Law Enforcement Employees' Union, Local No. 320 - Police Sergeants Motion by Petkoff, second by Peterson to waive the reading of the resolution there being ample copies available to the public. Roll call: All ayes RESOLUTION NO. 87-09 REGARDING LABOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND MINNESOTA TEAMSTERS PUBLIC AND LAW ENFORCEMENT EMPLOYEES' UNION, LOCAL' NO. 320 - POLICE ; SERGEANTS BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights that: WHEREAS, negotiations have proceeded between the Minnesota Teamsters Public and Law Enforcement Employees' Union, Local No. 320, representing Sergeants of the City's Police Department, and members of the City negotiating team, and said negotiations resulted in an impasse between the parties on the following issues: 1. Wages 2. Insurance contribution 3. Vacation 4. Meetings and shift hold-overs 5. False arrest insurance 6. Holiday premium; and, WHEREAS, an arbitrator was selected by the parties to determine such issues; and WHEREAS, at the time of the arbitration hearing, the parties reached a tentative agreement on all but one of the issues; and, WHEREAS, the arbitration hearing resulted in the following, effective January l, 1986, for Local No. 320 - Police Sergeants of: 1. Wa~es: 4.5% adjustment O-12 months of service - $2,833 per month over 12 months of service - $3,090 per month 2. Insurance: $165 per month employer contribution for employee and dependent coverage 3. Vacation: No change 4. Meetings and Shift Hold-Overs: For every hour in excess of ten hours pe~ calendar quarter that the employer requires an employee to extend his/her shift, the employer shall credit such employee with one and one-half hours of compensatory time. 5. False Arrest Insurance: No change. 6. Holiday Premium: No change. Regular Council Meeting January 26, 1987 page 8 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Manager are hereby authorized to enter into a contract with Local No. 320 - Police Sergeants in accordance with the above. Passed this 26th day of January, 1987. Offered by: Carlson Seconded by: Paulson Roll call: All ayes Jo-Anne Student, Council Secretary Mayor Bruce G. Nawrocki 6. Communications a. Cable Communications - Group W Cable/North Central Cable Communi~ations Corp. The City Manager reviewed the items of concern with the cable operation. These items included performance and construction bond, rates, equipment provision, channel realignment, complaint response, the annual subscriber survey, and religious access channel and programming. It was noted that North Central had no representative present at this meeting. Mayor Nawrocki observed that North Central is going to unilaterally make changes to the system without regard to the City and the Cable Communications Commission. Councilmember Paulson, who represents the City Council on the Cable Communications Commission, stated he feels that North Central has not acted in good faith. He requested that the staff and cable counsel review the franchise agreement, note any violations of that agreement and report back to the City Council. Council- member Paulson also requested information regarding retroactive penalties. Gary Matz, cable counsel, advised the Council he will report on penalties at the next meeting. Matz also noted that the cable company had received ample notice regarding channel realignment and non-compliance. All franchise violations will be discussed at the next regular Council meeting. Motion by Paulson, second by Petkoff to direct staff to review the cable operator's (North Central Cable Communications Corporation) past performance according to the cable franchise and report back to the City Council at its.work session on February 4th. Roll call: All ayes It was noted by the cable counsel that the City of Hilltop should take similar action. b. Lions Club - Gambling License Application Motion by Petkoff, second by Peterson that the City Council indicates to the State Charitable Gambling Control Board that it has no objection to their issuing the Lions Club a Class B License. Roll call: All ayes c.V.F.W. Requests for Licenses 1. Gambling License Application Motion by Petkoff, second by Peterson that the City Council indicates to the State Charitable Gambling Control Board that it has no objection to their issuing the V.F.W. #230 a Class B license. Roll call: All ayes 2. Sunday Club Liquor - Resolution No. 87-11 Motion by Petkoff, second by Peterson to waive the reading of the resolution there being ample copies available to the public. Roll call: All ayes ~egular Council Meeting January 26, 1987 page 9 RESOLUTION NO. 87-11 BEING A RESOLUTION GRANTING A SUNDAY CLUB LIQUOR LICENSE TO COLUMBIA HEIGHTS V.F.W. POST # 230 BE IT RESOLVED that Columbia Heights V.F.W. Post #230 is granted a Sunday Club Liquor License for February 21-22, 1987, February 28 - March l, 1987, and six other Sundays during the calendar year 1987 as are chosen by mutual agreement of V.F.W. Post #230 and the Mayor and City Manager. Should the Mayor, City Manager, or V.F.W. Post #230 not agree to a specific date, the Sunday Club Liquor License shall not be effective for such date. No license fee shall be required by V.F.W. Post #230 for 1987. Passed this 26th day of January, 1987. Offered by: Carlson Seconded by: Peterson Roll call: All ayes Jo-Anne Student, Council Secretary Mayor Bruce G. Nawrocki d. Insurance Commission - Verbal Report by Commissioner Wally Walburg, of the Insurance Commissin, advised the Council of the present findings of the Insurance Commission regarding the City's coverage for the coming year. He also requested to be appointed as "Agent of Record". This matter will be an item at the Council work session scheduled for January 27th. 7. Old and New Business a. Old Business 1. Community Development Block Grant Program - 1987 Activities Motion by Petkoff, second by Peterson to table this item for further discussion at a Council work session. 2. 1986 Community Development Block Grant Program - Public Service Projects Four organizations which have applied for the C.D.B.G. funds do not qualify for funding under certain requirements. The four organizations are the Family Life Mental Health Center, the Golden Age Club in Columbia Heights, Anoka County Association for Hearing Impaired and Friends of the Library. Mayor Nawrocki noted that the Golden Age Club and the Friends of the Library are operated entirely within the community and in community facilities and he saw no risk with these organizations. Councilmember Petkoff inquired if the Golden Age Club could be incorporated with the Recreation Department and was advised that it could. Motion by Petkoff, second by Carlson to authorize the waiving of the requirements for insurance for these non-profit, tax exempt organization. Roll call: All ayes 3. Municipal Service Center Flooring - Plan of Work and Recommendation for Funding A memo from the Public Works Director explained the plan for the work to be done as well as the sources of funding. He also advised that all of the work could be done in 1987 as well as the installation of a new roof for the municipal service center. Alternates for this plan were discussed. Councilmember Peterson requested Regular Council Meeting January 26, 1987 page 10 a definite timeframe for this work. Motion by Peterson, second by Carlson to authorize the City Manager to prepare specifications and to seek bids for repair of the Service Center Garage floor with the understanding that the bidding documents will break out the bid so there will be alternatlve~. Roll call: All ayes 4. Payment to Mediation Services for Anoka County Motion by Petkoff, second by Paulson to authorize the payment of $975 to Mediation Services for Anoka County and, furthermore, that the expense be charged to the Unallocated General Fund Balance and that the Mayor and City Manager be authorized to enter into agreements needed to implememt this project. Roll call: All ayes This funding is on a basis of $'.O5 per capita. 5. Street Work on 37th Avenue Between Stinson Boulevard and Central Avenue Mayor Nawrocki again stated his concern for parking on the Columbia Heights' side of 37th Avenue. This work would eliminate parking on the north side of 37th Avenue. When this matter had previously come before the Council the Mayor was opposed to the elimination of parking, noting that those residents on the Minneapolis side of 37th Avenue would have side street parking where there was none available for residents of Columbia Heights. He also noted that a public hearing had always been held for affected residents when elimination of parking was a consideration. The Mayor suggested the Public Works Director explore forms of parking used in areas near our City such as the "indentation" parking further east on 37th Avenue. b. New Business 1. Final Bills a. U.S.West - Telephone Installation Motion by Peterson, second by Petkoff to authorize the final payment to U.S. West Information Systems in the amount of $2,622 for the telephone installation at Murzyn Hall. Roll call: All ayes b. Final Payment to Shady Lady Motion by Petkoff, second by Carlson to authorize the final payment in the amount of $5,780 to Shady Lady, Inc. for installation of blinds and window coverings at John P. Murzyn Hall. Roll call: All ayes 2. Award of 1987 Recreation and Community Services Commission Brochure Bids Motion by Petkoff, second by Paulson to award the 1987 Recreation and Comm- nity Services Commission brochure bid to Nystrom Publishing for the publication of two twenty-page brochures at $2,800 per brochure~ and, two twenty-eight page brochures at $3,700 per brochure, with an add/deduct for each four-page incre- ments of $430, a deduct for only one-color ink on cover of $139, and a cost per photo at no additional charge; and costs not to exceed $13,OO0, based upon low, formal bid; and, furthermore, that the Mayor and City Manager to authorized to execute a contract for same. Roll call: Ail ayes Regular Council Meeting January 26, 1987 page ll 3. Establish Date for Board of Review Motion by Carlson, second by Paulson to establish the Board of Review Meeting for April 20, 1987 at 7:30 p.m. in the Columbia Heights Council Chambers in the City Hall. Roll call: All ayes 4. Other New Business a. MPIRG Canvassing Fee A letter was received from MPIRG requesting waiving of the $50.00 canvassing fee. Motion by Carlson, second by Petkoff to request the City Manager to gather addi- tional information on this organization. Roll call: All ayes b. Constitution Bicentennial Commission An informational meeting has been scheduled by the State of Minnesota regarding the observance of the Bicentennial of the Constitution. Motion by Nawrocki, second by Petkoff to authorize the expenses for members of the Constitution Bicentennial Commission of Columbia Heights to attend the State Training Information Meeting, February 19 - 20. 1987 in St. Paul. Minne~ot~ ~nd that the funds be taken from the General Fund Unallocated FundB~lance for regis- tration and expenses. Roll call: All ayes 8. Reports a. Report of the City Manager The City Manager's report was submitted in written form and the following items were discussed: 1. Replacement Personnel for Public Works Department: There presently are two vacancies in the Public Works Department. The City Manager is planning to fill these positions. A discussion followed regarding the need for filling these two positions in light of there being a smaller work load for the Department this winter with the light snowfall. The City Manager stated the work load is planned by hours not by people. Councilmember Carlson expressed a preference for hiring residents of Columbia Heights whenever possible. Mayor Nawrocki stated he felt filling these vacancies is not necessary at the present time. 2. Trimming of Bushes and Trees at Intersections: The City Manager stated this is an on-going problem and the City Staff is pursuing this matter. 3. Offer of Mobile Telephones in Exchange for Placement of an Antenna on the City's Water Tower: The City Manager is opposed to this offer. Dis- cussion followed regarding the use and costs of five mobile telephones. 4. School District #13 - Recreation and Community Services Commission Budget Cut: A letter was received from School District #13 Superintendent Dr. Rummel regarding the City's budget cut in the Recreation and Com- munity Services Commission budget. The Mayor said he will respond to the letter. b. Report'of the City Attorney The City Attorney reviewed the results of a case tried in Nicollet County regarding special assessments. Regular Council Meeting January 26, 1987 page 12 9. Licenses Motion by Carlson, second by Petkoff to approve the licenses as listed upon payment of proper fees, but to deny the taxi cab driver's license for Joseph Roger Gibeau as recommended by the Police Department and to waive the fees for B L Vending fora food/beverage ~ending machine license as the proceeds from these machines are donated to activities of the Lions Club. Roll call: All ayes 10. Payment of Bills Motion by Peterson, second by Carlson to pay the bills as listed out of proper funds. Roll call: All ayes Adjournment Motion by Peterson, second call: All ayes nne tu ent, ~unci by..Carlso~40 p.m.. May~'-Bruce G. Nawrocki Secretary Roll