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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 14, 1990OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING I'~RCH lk, 19~o The Council Meeting was called to order by Ma~or Carlson at 7:30 p.m.. The Swearlng-ln Ceremony was conducted for the newly-appolnted Councllmember Robert Ruettlmann by the City Clerk. Mayor Carlson publicly thanked all of those residents who had expressed an Interest in serving on the Councll end.in being appointed to the Council vacancy. I. ROLL CALL Nawro~kl, Ruettlmann, Paterson, Carlson - present Clerkln - absent PLEDGE OF.ALLEGIANCE 3. CONSENT AGENDA The foilowln'b items were on the Consent Agenda: Resolution No. 90-18; Certification of Delinquent Speclel Assessments The reading of the resolution was waived there being'ample'copies available for the public .... RESOLUTION N0. 90-!8 CERTIFICATION OF DELINQUENT SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY C~UNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, that THE COUNTY AUDITOR be, and he Is hereby directed, to levy the delinquent speclal assessments on the properties in the City of Columbia Heights as submitted on the attached sheets end flied In the Assessment Book for 1990 totaling Sq,855.gq. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the aforegolng amounts shall be Included In the Indivldual real estate tax statements for the current year and identified thereon es '"Special Assessments - Fund #913." SAID LEVIES shall be enforced and collected In the manner provided for the enforce- ment and collectlon of State and County taxes under and in accordance wlth the pro- vlslons of the general laws of the .State. AI1 assessments wlth penailtles and Interest as Indicated thereon paid to the City Treasurer shell belong to the City of Columbia Heights and shall be turned over to theCity Treasurer In the manner provided by the Clty Charter and Ordlnances. THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS shell accept payments on these levies until October 15, 1990. Upon recelpt of sald payments the County wi11 be notified to remove thls levy from the tax rolls. Passed this lkth day of March, 1990. Offered by: Seconded by: Roll cai1: NawrockI Ruettlmann Ali ayes MaYor EdWard M. Carlson Jo-Anne Student, CoUncil Secretary Regular Council Meeting March Iq, 1990 page 2 Resolution No. 90-19; Beln9 a Labor Agreement'S&tween the City and AFSCME The reading of the resolution was Waived there being ample copies eva'liable for the public. RESOLUTION NO. 90-19 'REGARDING LABOR AGREEMENT BETWEEN CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND .AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES,.COUNCIL NO. Iq, LOCAL NO. q95 WHEREAS, negotiations have proceeded between the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council No. *lq, Local No. q95, representlng clerlcal and technical employees of the City and members of the City negotlatlng team, and said negotiations have resulted in a mutually acceptable contract for calendar year 1.990, 1991, and 1992; 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; NON, 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 1990, 1991, and 1992 for AFSCME bargaining unit employees of the City wlth a wage and contribution to fringe benefit reopener for 1992; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and.City Manager be authorized to execute this agreement. Passed this lqth day of March, 1990. Offered by: Seconded by: Roll call: Nawrockl Ruett imann Al I ayes Mayor Edward M. Carlson Jo-Anne Student, Council Secretary Approval of Classification of Tax-Forfeited Parcels The Council a~roved the classlflcatlon and sale of forfeit parcels lying within the Clty of Columbia Heights and authorized the Mayor and City Manager to Inform the Anoka County Land C~1ssioner that the City has no Interest in acquiring any of the three tax-forfeit parcels for.publlc purposes. Purchase of Plastlc Library Cards The Council authorized the purchase of 10,000 plastic Ilbrary cards through the Anoka County Llbrary for $1,760 based on their volume discount and ~uthorlzed the Mayor and City Manager to enter into an agreement for the same. Final Payment and Acceptance of Municipal Pro~ect 8905 This project'"'is for the equipment storage bullding"east of the Servlce Center. The total cost of the project was $93,q03.O0 of which $18,q30.00 Is being contributed by the Columbia Helghts Athletic Boosters. The Councll authorized payment &f $9,331.00 to Mat-Con Construction of Bloomington and accepted the work for Municlpal Project 8905. Regular Council March l~, 1990 page 3 Award of Bituminous Contracts The Council awarded the bid for and authorized the Mayor and City Manager t° enter Into an agreement to purchase plant mlxed bltumlnous materlals for the 1990-199) season based upon the low, formal blds recelved, at the unlt prices and from the vendors as follows: Materlal Fine Plant Mix Company Tower Asphalt Inc. BI tumlnous Roadways. Unit Price $30.85'/ton delivered $30.O0/ton picked up A.C.Flne Material - 3/8" Bituminous Roadways Midwest Asphalt Corp. $20.90/ton delivered $18.10/ton picked up A.C.Flne Material - i/2" Midwest Asphalt Corp. Midwest Asphalt. Corp. $21.30/ton delivered $18.10/ton picked up Winter Patch Mix Tower Asphalt Inc. Tower Asphalt Inc. $76.76/ton delivered $72.50/ton picked up A.C. Fine Sand Mix Bituminous Roadways Midwest Asphalt Corp. 320.90/ton de.I ivered $18.10/ton picked up Award of Road A~lgregate Contracts The Council awarded the bid for end authorized the Mayor and Clty Manager to enter 1rite an agreement to purchase road aggregate materials for the 1990- 19~)] season based upon Iow formal bid received at the unit prices and from the vendor as fo] lows: Materlal Bid A - FA-2 Aggregate Company J.L. Shlely Co. J.L. Shlely Co. Unit Price ~8.17/ton dellvered $6.92/ton picked up Bid B - Class 5 Aggregate Hassan Sand & Gravel J.L. Shlely Co. Sq.8$/ton delivered Sq.52/ton picked up Bld B - Alternate -Crushed Concrete (Class 5 Aggr.) J.L. Shlely Co. J.L. Shlely Co. S4.90/ton delivered $3.65/ton picked up Bid C - Select Granular Bo r row J.L. lhlely Co. J.L.'Shlely Co. $3.47/ton dellvered $3.72/to~ plcked up Bid D - Class 2 Aggregate J.L. Shelly Co. J.L. Shlely Co. $5.77/ton delivered Sq.52/ton picked up Bld E - Sandlng Sand Hassman Sand &'Gravel J.L. Shlely Co. $4.60/ton delivered $3.77/ton picked up Bid F - Course Aggregate Hassman Sand & Gravel J.L. Shlely Co. $9.10/ton delivered $8.q7/ton piCked up Award of Asphaltic Material Contract The Council awarded the bid to and authorized the Mayor and Clty Manager to Regular Council Meeting March 14, 1990 page 4 enter Into an agreement to purchase the 1990-1'991 asphaltlc materials from Koch Materials Company of St. Paul based on their Iow formal bid for the unit prices as Material MC-30 MC-250 Unit Price Delivered $0.7230 per gallon $0.7230 per gallon Unit Price Picked Up $b.7000 per gallon $0.7000 per gallon Councllmember Nawrockl Inqutred how these bids compared to last year~s. He was advised they were very close. Purchase of Replacement .~oo.rs and Framing for Pu~p Station.Nov 2 The Council awarded the door and framing rePlacement to Tom Zurell Construction based upon their Iow quotation of $1,282.'50 and authorized the Mayor end City Manager to enter Into an agreement for the same. Purchase of Street Sweeper Brooms The Council authorized the purchase of street sweeping brooms from Old Dominion Brush of Kansas Clty, Missouri based upon thelr iow quotation of $1,982.28 end also authorized the Mayor and City Manager to enter Into an agreement for the same. Purchase of Bleacher Seats and Aluminum Benches The Council authorized the purchase of bleacher seats and benches from Flanagan Sales, Inc. of St. Paul based upon their Iow formal quotation of $2,349 and also authorized the Mayor and City Manager to enter .Into an agreement 'for the same. Licenses The Council approved the license applications as presented upon paymentof proper fees. payment of Bllls The Council approved the payment of the bills as listed out of proper funds. 4. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Nawrocki, second by Ruettlmann to approve the Consent Agenda 'as pre- sented. Roll cai1: All ayes Councllmember Clerkln arrived at the Meeting at 7:35 p.m.. qa. MINUTES FOR APPROVAL Motion by Nawrockl~ second by Ruettimann to approve the minutes of the Regular Clty Councll Meetlng of February 2q, 1990, the Public Improvement Hearing of March !, 1990 and the Continued Council Meeting of March !, 1990 wlth. the correctlons as Indicated on the memo from the Council Secretary. Roll call: Al! ayes 5. PROCLAHATIONS/OPEN MIKE Mayor Carlson read a proclamation designating Loyalty Day as May Ist In the City of Columbla Heights and a proclamatlon recognizi.ng Poppy Day. He presented the proclamations to representatives of V.F.W. Post # 230. The Mayor also referred to a proclamation he had signed designating the reek of March !i - 17, 19~0 as Glrl Scout Week. The resident at q232 Honroe Street requested the Counc11 not continue with the Regular Council Meeting March 14, 19~0 page $ rental project being proposed for the south~e~'~'portlon of the City. He was advlsed that this project is no longer viable. The resident of 4233 Qulncy Street expressed some concerns regarding the use of the funds received from bond repayment for Tax Increment Finance Olstricts. He also questioned the admlnlstrative fee enclosed In the water bill. Members, of the Council and of the staff addressed both of these concerns. The resident of 4021 Fifth Street Indicated he felt the Council was very tardy in fllllng the vacancy on the Councll. He also requested what Is being done regarding the possible hazardous waste In Huset Park. The Clty. Englneer advised him that this matter Is still belng studied and 'It Is anticlpoted the Complete study should be completed in the spring. He noted that the MPCA is requesting some addltlonai, lnformetion..It Is anticipated that If any clean up Is required the funds will come from the Superfudd clean up monies. The resident at 4021 Fifth Street also Inquired how the City benefitted from Councllmember Nawrockl"s recent trlp to Washington, O.C.. Councllmember Nawrockl advised he attended the Natlonal League of C1tles.t Conference. The City Is a member of the National League of'Cltles. Me noted he attended the meetings whlch addressed cable matters and met with and discussed cable Issues With Congressman Slkorskl. The Congressman slts on the Commerce Coemlttee which will.hear any cable legislation Introduced during this session. Councllmember Nawrocki also met with those staff members who will be drafting cable leglslatlon to advise them of our Clty~s concern regarding thls subject. Noting that th~ City has some concerns regardlng tra~sportation matters, Ceuncllmember Nawrockl attended meetlngs which concerned transportation Issues. He was appointed to serve on the League"s Cable Pollcy Comnlttee as well. 6. ORDINANCE5 AND RESOLUTIONS ..Res°lutl°n. No. 90-20; .Res°luti°n Approvln~ Amendment to Tax Increment Pledge ~greement with the Housing and ..Redevelopment Authority The City Manager reviewed the amendment. He felt how the proceeds would be used was the question not how the bonds are sold. A representative of the Clty"s bond counsel advised that Council must take action on thls matter by April I, 1990. Don Schneider, Dirctor of the HRA, advised that the HRA Commissioners had met and were recommending that no action be taken wlth eegards to the sale of the bonds. He noted that since the meeting some of the MRA Commlssloners had In- dlcated they might posslbly reconsider their recommendation relative to the Multi-Use Redevelopment Project. Councilmember Nawrockl advised that the funds generated by the Tax Increment Finance Districts can be used for · project. He noted that domestic programs previously supported by the Federal government no longer exlst and there appears to be no more fundlng being consldered for these types of programs by the Federal government. Counclimember Nawrockl would be supportive of funds being earmarked for senlor citizen housing In the community. He felt there are numerous unmet needs of the Cityts seniors and housing Is' an Important one of them. Hayor Carlson indlcated he preferred to see a project proposed before any bond sales are authorized. The City's bond counsel advised he is presently In the process of structuring bonds to glve the City more flexlblilty and Intends to have this process completed wlthln a week. Regular Council Meeting Hatch !q,'1990 page 6 Councllmember Peterson remarked that the HRA Co~Issloners had considered senior citizen houslng In their deliberations regarding this bond Issue. He noted that there Is a possibility that thls housing may not be able to be reserved for Columbia Heights' resldents only end that addltlonal funding ~ould be needed for a fifty unit senior housing project. He feels the bond funds should be used for improvlng the community. The bond counsel advised the method of "Perking the Bonds" could be employed to hold the Issue beyond the April lit deadline. A closing could be conducted end the Clty~ould receive an additional six months to~ork on a project. If no decision Is made then the bonds ere redeemed end the only costs ere those associated with legal fees. The interest rate would be locked In at the tlme of the closing. The bond counsel advised that when bonds ere escrowed the use of the proceeds is certified end a decision is made whether these w111 be tax exempt .bonds or taxable bonds. It was noted that this can change If expectations for the bond use is changed. Insurance companles ere also being contacted regarding these bonds. Councllmember Nawrocki felt 0ely senior citizen housing should be the use for these bonds. He observed that It has been a slgnlflcant length of time since money was a~allable for senior .houslng end the two senior housing projects In the City presently have very long walling 1Isls. Councllmember Nawrockl requested the bond counsel to Insert the proper language .Into the resolutlon to Insure that the resolution addressed senior citizen housing specifically. He also wanted It recorded that a Iocatlon for the housing would be selected, addltlonal funding would be necessary, end that some guldellnes would be In place to Insure that present Columbia Heights senior cltlzens would occupy this facility. The bond counsel read the resolution. One resident In attendance suggested this action would result In removing money from the County and the School OtStrlct. Councilmember Nawrockl responded by advising that this'money had been generated by the City and the HRA end not by any other taxlng authority. RESOLUTION NO. 90-20 BEING A RESOLUTION RELATING TO THE APPROVAL OF AN AJqENDMENTTO A TAX INCREMENT PLEOGE AGREEMENT RELATING TO THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT REVITALIZATION PROJECT BE IT RESOLVED by the Clty Council (the "Council") of the City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota (the "eltO'), as follows: Section I. Recitals 1.01. The Housing end Redevelopment Authority In and for the City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota (the '~uthorlty") proposed to Issue Its tax Increment revenue bonds In the prlnclpal amount of up to $2,400,000 to finance publlc redevelopment-~ costs, speclflcally.a senior housing project, of the Central Business Olstrlct Revltallzatlon Project (the "Project") end the Authority has requested the City to amend the Tax Increment Pledgq Agreement (the "Pledge Agreement") for the Project, dated August II, 1980, to 'provide'for the. Issuance of the Authorlt¥'s revenue bonds, to finance such senior hous'Ing project, (the "Revenue Bonds"). Regular Council Pleating March 14, 19~0 page 7 !.02. The Authority and the City have amended.fha Pledge Agreement by an Amend- ment to a Tax Increment Pledge Agreement dated as of July 10, 198q, by an Amend- ment to a Tax Increment P]edge Agreement dated September 10, 1985, and by an Amend- ment to a Tax Increment Pledge Agreement dated as.of June 23, 1987. 1.03, The Authority has caused to be prepared a proposed amendment to the Pledge Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A for the Project. 1.04. The Counc11 hereby determines that it Is necessary and In the best Interest of the Authority and the City at thls time to amend the Tax .Increment Pledge Agreement dated as of August il, 1980, as amended, between the City and the Authority to provlde for the Revenue Bonds. Sectlon 2. ~.ln~Ings Relatlng to the Amendment 2.01. The Councll hereby confirms the findings made with respect to the original approval of the Project. Section 3. Approval of the Amendment to the Pledge A~reemeht 3.01. The Amendment to the Pledge Agreement (the t~Amendment') Is hereby approved In substantlally the form of Exhlblt A attached hereto. The Mayor and City Manager are authorized to execute the Amendment on behalf of the City. Passed thls 14th day of March, 1990. Offered by: Seconded by: Roll call: Nawrockl Clerkln Nawrockl, Clerkln, Ruettlmann, Carlson - aye Paterson - abstaln Mayor Edward Pi. Carlson' Jo-Anne Student, Council Secretary 7. COI~IUNICATIONS a. Planning and Zoning Commission The minutes of the March 6, i~0 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting were distributed to the Council for Info~mationai purposes. I. Kraus-Anderson, 4300 Central Avenue - Conditional Use Permit Hotlon .by Paterson, second by Clerkln to approve a Condltlonal Use Permit for an open sales lot and portable greenhouse at q300 Central Avenue for a temporary period from April 13, 1990 to June 18, 1990, subject to a $500 cash deposit being submitted to the City to assure removal of the temporary structure prior to June 20, 1990. Roli call: A!1 ayes b. Annual Membershlp 0ues In Labor Relations Subscriber Service Hotlon by Nawrockl, second by Paterson to discontinue partlclpation In the Labor Relations Subscriber Service; and furthermore, that the City Manager be directed to so Inform the League of Minnesota Cltles. Roil call: A!1 ayes 8. OLD BUSINESS Regular Councll Meeting l~arch 14, 1990 page 8 a. Determination Regarding Revocation/Suspenslbh of Beer License - Tycoon Tavern The Clty Manager reviewed the matter of the Tycoon Tavern and Its vlolatlon of the City's business, licensing code. Mayor Carlson felt the ordinance should be changed and this matter should be referred to a work session agenda. The City Attorney advised that a public hearing need not be held to address this matter. Motion by Paterson, second by Ruettlmann to take no further action to consider the revocatlon~ suspension or such other action restrlctlng the beer license held by the Tycoon Tavern. Councllmamber Nawrockl felt the Council should take some action based on the as It currently.~xlsts. He felt changing of the ordinance wes a separate matter than that of the violation which occurred. He noted this matter had been tabled pending the findings of the court case. The court had fined the owner of the tavern $$0.00. The motion was withdrawn. Motion by Paterson, second by Ruettlmann to recognize that a vlolatlon of the ordinance, in particular, allo~Ing a mlnor to remain on the premises, was com- mitted by the llcensee at the Tycoon Tavern and thai'findings under the facts of this past offense, the conduct was not so egreglous so that action in additlon to that taken by the court Is required by the City Council, and that on that basis the City Council not revoke or suspend the license privileges had at the Tycoon Tavern by Mr. Jerome Halek. Roll call: A!! ayes b. Petition Received - Tyler Street Residents Councllmember Nawrocki distributed copies of a petition received from residents of the area of Tyler Street In the 42nd block. The Clty Manager felt the circulators of the p~titlon had not understood what had been decided regarding the Improvements In thls area. Hotion by Nawrocki, second by Clerkln to refer the petition to the City Manager for a report.back to the Clty Councll at the next Council Meetlng. Council- member Nawrockl requested the Clty Manager to copy the Council if a response has been sent to the petitloners. If a response has not been sent the City Manager was requested to report ba~k to the Council wlth his findings or a status report. Roll call: AII ayes c. Weed Cutting Charges --K-Mart K-Mart had received a substantial bill for weed cutting end had requested an explanation. Councllmember Nawrockl had followed .up on this matter. He ~ound K-Mart had bee~ billed at' the $85.00 an hour rate which would have been for the use of heavy equipment and he noted that thls could not have been the case. He understood that a weed whip had been used on the K-Mart property. The City Engineer Indicated he would check on thls. Councllmember Nawrockl had researched the charges for weed cutting and noted that they had not been changed since-1985. The City Manager advlsed he had Informally directed the staff to continue at the 1985 rates. The Clty Engineer felt the incorrect rates had been applied and that the $45.00 per hour rate should have been used. Regular Council Meeting March 1~,.1990 page 9 Councllmember Paterson requested that all blll.~'be reviewed as there may have been an error on other bills. This item wlll be on a councll work session agenda. 9. NEW BUSINESS .' a. Establish New Date for Public Improvement Hearing Hotlon by Carlson, second by Nawrockl to establish a new date for a Speclal Meeting of the City Councll for purposes of holdlng · Public Improvement Hearing on April 18th at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.'Roll call: AI1 ayes b. Authorization to Seek Bids for Sealcoating Project Motion by Paterson, second by Nawrockl to authorize the City Hanager to seek blds for the sealcoating of streets In the northeast quadrant of Columbla Heights with a bid opening to occur before the proposed publlc*improvement hearing. Roll call: All ayes c. Anoka County Partlcipatlon in Sealcoat Project and Turn Back of County Road #104 Anoka County responded by letter to Its particlpation in a proposed sealcoat project which would Include a portion of Highway #q, a County State Aid road. The County has offered to participate In the sealcoating project provided that a joint powers agreement can be negotlated. The County suggested that as part of the jotnt powers agreement all of County Road #10q be turned back to the City. Councilmember Nawrockl stated that.HnDOT Is supportive of turn backs as they are reluctant to turn over fundlng received for maintenance of these roads. The City Engineer noted that this road is built to City standards, that being, a five ton design and is not built to County Aid standards. Motion by Clerkln, to authorize the City Manager to commence negotiations of a joint powers agreement to provide for the sealcoatlng of City-owned streets considered part of CR#I04; and furthermore, to negotiate with the County the proposed turn back of CR#104 to the City of Columbla Heights. Councllmember'~awrockI felt It was premature to talk about turn backs. He felt the City could offer to maintain thls road and bill the County for the costs of the sealcoatlng.' The motion ~as wlthdrawn. Motion by Ruettimann, second by Paterson to direct the City Manager to advlse the County that they are welcome to continue to maintain this street If they so choose, and if not, to notify the City. Councllmember Nawrockl suggested that staff could pursue this matter on an Informal basis. Hotion withdrawn. d. Use of Murzyn Hall by Polltlcal Parties Councllmember Nawrocki Inquired why polltlcal parties are being required to pay for the use of a room in Murzyn Hall and If thls were a change of policy. The Public Works Director advised that It had been the policy to charge for the use of Murzyn Hall for political party meetlngs as they dld not fit the description of eleemosynary groups, that being, one who raises funds and returns them to the community. Regular Council Meeting March 1~,.1990 page I0 The Public Works Director feels the Park Boar~hould be requested to-relook thls policy and he w111 meet with the City Attorney to draft language to take to the Park Board meeting for its consideration. e. Cable Tapes from National League of Cities Conference Councllmember Nawrocki purchase tapes from a cable session held at the recent NLC Conference. It Is his Intention to present the tapes at the~larch 15th Cable Commission meeting. Me noted that activity at the federal level may negate some of the changes made in the 198q cable leglslatlon. 10. REPORTS a. City Manager's Report The City Manager's report was submitted In written form and-the following Items were discussed: i. Resolution Regarding Transfer of flVET Revenues and Reducing Local Government Alds: The City Manager advised that the following resolution was sent to a number of senators and representatives regarding the Ctty~s posltlon on transfer of the Minnesota MVET revenues and reduction of Iooal government aids. " '- RESOLUTION NO. 90-17 RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE USE OF THE RAINY DAY FUND AS A MEANS OF BALANCIIJG THE "~ STATE'S BUDGET RATHER THAN TRANSFERRING OF MINNESOTA MOTOR VEHICLE' EXCISE TAX REVENUES OR REDUCING LOCAL GOVERNMENT AIDS WHEREAS, Minnesota cities and counties have rapidly growing transportatlon needs and problems; and WHEREAS, the street and highway system ls deteriorating at a rate faster than the financial ablllty to malntaln and rebuild such systems; and WHEREAS, the North Metro area has waited patlently many years for several trans- portation projects to reach a priority status; and WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Transportation has committed funding for the followlng essentlal projects In the North Metro area: * New Trunk Highway 10 from County Road d to Egret Boulevard * Anoka-Champiin temporary/permanent bridges * Trunk Highway 169 from Brooklyn Park to Champlin * Trunk Highway 101 Improvements; end WHEREAS, more than one-fourth of all the bridges In the State of Mlnnesota were recently considered to be deficient end another 2,000 wiii be deficient by the year 2000; and WHEREAS, the Minnesota Vehlcle Excise Tax also provides slgnlflcant flnanclal support of public transit programs which are essential to urban areas; and WHEREAS, cities and other local jurisdictions are heavily dependent upon Local Government Aids as a means of financing 1Dca1 services; and R~gular Councll Meeting March l~, I~O page il WHEREAS, local jurisdictions are presently operating under budgets established for 1990 on the basis of leglslatlon adopted In September, 1989; and WHEREAS, local jurisdictions lack the resources to offset any shortfalls or cutbacks In Local Government Aids; and WHEREAS, the Governor and the Legislature have prevlously provided $500,000,000 In a ""Rainy Oay Fund" to meet unforeseen budgetary problems which Is a degree of flexlblllty not afforded local jurisdictlons; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Columbia Heights City Council:~rges and Implores the Governor and the State Leglslature to: I) Balance the State"s budget without utilizing the Minnesota Vehicle Excise Tax Revenues previously scheduled to be transferred for transportation purposes; and 2) Uphold their commitment to local governments by assuring that Local Government Aids wlll be maintained and strictly adhered to; and 3) Utilize the ""Rainy Day Fund"" as was orlginally Intended In order to assist In balancing the budget and thus keeping their commitments to local units of gov- ernment for transportatlon-related funding and Local Government Aids. Passed thls 5th day of February, 1990. Jo-Anne Student, Council Secretary Mayor Edward M. Carlson 2. Early ChlldhoOd .Family Education - Family Resource Center: Two other sites are being considered for the Resource Center and the Building Inspector w111 be looking at them. Councllmember Nawrockl has been advlsed by the Anoka County Community Action Program about some fourplexes being refurbished on 46th and Tyler Street that may meet the need of the Resource Center. Councllmember Ruettlmann stated that the program must be up and running by July 1st but the State must be notlfled as to the program by May 1st. 3. Columbia Heights Parking Ramp: The City Manager recelved a copy of a letter from the ~sslstant County Attorney advising the County Assessor that the parking ramp located at 950 40th Avenue ls not entitled to tax exempt status under Minnesota Statute. The City Manager indicated that this informatlon came as a surprise to the City. He reco~nended that since the Council serves as the Board of Review It could set the ~alue of the ramp at a $1.00 or let the property go.tax forfeit and revert to the County. He requested the City Attorney to review the letter from the County and contact the County At- torney regarding the matter and to research who actually owns the ramp. Counclimember Nawrockl observed that Zaldan Holdings recelved an abatement of the value of the building and this could Impact further on this evaluation if the value of the ramp were reduced. He felt there was a whole series of questlons which needed to be addressed. Demolition Status of Certaln Properties: The Building Inspector advised the Counc11 that the demolltlon of 4600 Taylor Street has been completed. Some repairs have been made to the house at qll 40th Avenue and that the house located at q633 Taylor Is being advertised for sale with the stipulation Regular Council Meeting March lq, I~90 page 12 that the house be demolished when purchase'~. The house located on Van Buren Street at 39th had been granted a 120 day extension for action. This extension expires on Play Ist. 5. Damage to Equipment from Lighting Strike: A memo from the Pollce Chief was received advising of damage Incurred by · lighting strike on Tuesday, March 13th. A computer and printer in the Police Department ~ere damaged and the radio equlpment and telephone system vere affected. It Is sus- pected that the lighting hit ~he antenna. Mayor Carlson suggested that the antenna needs to be grounded better. b. City Attorneyes Report The City Attorney advised the Coun:ll of the current status of the e~Kona" case where a dog In the City wa~ abused. The accused dld not appear at his trial and an arrest warrant was Issued. He was apprehended by a local police- man at the bus depot and is currently being held in the Anoka County Jail. The City Manager had contacted Kraus-Anderson regarding the proposed assessment for the improvement project slated for 43rd Avenue. Mr. 0ahlberg of Kraus-Anderson requested Councilmember Nawrockl contact him to dlscuss the matter. The City Manager observed that if Kraus-Anderson did not participate In the project as suggested by Counciimember Nawrockl, the project would not proceed. Traffic counts on 43rd Avenue are very high and all of the traffic-appears to be entering the Kraus-Anderson property. It vms noted that the traf¢lc counts done would justify a ~-ton rate on the street. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Peterson, second by Ruettlmann to adjourn the meetlng at lO:q0 p.m.. Roll call: All ayes /~6-A-nne Student, -Councl I Secretary Ma~or Edward Pl. Ca-~ison~