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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 28, 1991OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 28, 1991 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Carlson at 7:00 p.m.. I. ROLL CALL Nawrocki, Clerkin, Ruettimann, Peterson, Carlson - present 2. PLEDGE'OF ALLEGIANCE 3. CONSENT AGENDA The following items were on the Consent Agenda: Approval of Meeting. Minutes The minutes of the January 14, 1991 Regular Council Meeting were approved as presented and there were no corrections. Authorization to Seek Bids for Sod and Black Dirt The Council authorized staff to seek bids for sod and black dirt for the 1991 maintenance program. Authorization to Seek Weed Contractor The Council authorized staff to seek bids for the 1991 Weed Removal Contract. Authorization to Seek Bids for 1991 Tree Planting Program The Council authorized staff to seek bids for the 19S1 Tree Planting Program. Authorization to Seek Bids for Road Materials The Council authorized staff to seek bids for various road materials required in 1991 Maintenance Program. Authorization to Seek Bids for Street Striping Work in 1991 The Council authorized staff to seek bids for the 1991 street striping program. Purchase of Traffic Signs The Council authorized the purchase of various signs under Hennepln County Joint Purchasing Contract #1668A-232 from Lyle Signs of Eden Prairie in an amount of $1,638.45 and also authorized the Mayor and City Manager to enter into an agreement for the same. The Council authorized the purchase of various signs under the Hennepin County Joint Purchasing Contract #1668B-232 from Signs & Blanks, Inc. of Akron, Ohio in an amount of $1,218.18 and also authorized the Mayor and City Manager to enter into an agreement for the same. ~pproval of License Applications The Council approved the license applications as listed upon payment of proper fees. .~ayment of Bills The Council approved the payment of bills as listed out of proper funds. 4. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Regular Council Meeting January 28, 1991 page 2 Motion by Nawrocki, second by Peterson to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Roll call: All ayes 5. OPEN MIKE Senator Don Frank gave a status report on the activities of the Legislature since the current session was convened. He noted he is the Chair of the newly-created Commission on Metro Affairs. This Commission will address the issue of Fiscal Disparities. He observed that Anoka County and the City of Columbia Heights are both recipients of considerable funds from this resource. Hennepin County is a loser and is making an effort to revamp the Fiscal Disparities formula. The Senator stated he will do all that is possible to avoid a decrease in the tax base presently benefitting Columbia Heights. The Senator also advised that the senate bill which addressed a $50 million cut in the Local Government Aid package had passed as had a similar bill of the Governor's in the House of Representatives. He noted that a $197 million shortfall is anticipated. Councilmember Ruettimann suggested that some of the high salaries of the · Governor's appointments cou)d be considered for a cut. Don Frank responded these salaries are just a fraction of the funds which would impact on the shortfall. He feels the "rainy day" reserve will have to be tapped and some taxes increased to maintain the present level of services. Councilmember Nawrocki stated he has always found Senator Frank very accessible and responsive to hls constituents in Columbia Heights. He noted that the Fiscal Disparities Act did exactly what it was supposed to do and that only those units of government which dld not receive funds wanted it dissolved. Councilmember Nawrocki advised that Columbia Heights Will be losing $103,000 from the LGA decreases. He felt all entities should be participating in solving the fiscal problems of the State not just the cities. He noted that originally the 3% sales tax revenues were to be used to provide an alternative source of revenue for providing local services along with property taxes. This fact has not been mentioned. He also stated that the State has mandated many ways in which cities are to operate yet have not provided funding. Senator Frank stated that levy limits are slated to be removed in 1992 or 1993. Paul Olson, a resident of Golden Valley, advised the Council he has leased space in the recently burned out building on 37th and University Avenues. He had recently been notified by the Building Inspections Department he must not enter the building. 01son stated he still has a considerable amount of inventory of his business remaining in the building. He inquired if the demo- lition contractor would be allowed to make the building safe by shoring up the walls so he could remove his inventory. The City Attorney stated this would be allowable provided the building is not hazardous nor an attractive nuisance. The improvements could be only for the contents and not for the building and would not increase the hazardous state of the building. Regular Councll Meeting January 28, 1991 page 3 Ed Granowskl, another tenant of the building, advised he has been invited to move into one of the outbuildings. He inquired if the outbuildings have to be removed if the main building is demolished. The City Attorney stated he sees no problem with temporary occupancy if the Code is met. This advice was based on a limited number of facts. The Acting City Manager felt this question could not be responded to without first viewing the outbuildings. The City Attorney agreed and noted that zoning, usage, and building codes must be considered. Don Jenkins, another tenant in the building, noted there is considerable crumbling of the walls and is concerned with safety. The Acting City Manager will try to coordinate a meeting between the building owner, the tenants and the Building Inspector at the site. The City Attorney noted that under the current zoning laws this site could not be rebuilt to what it formerly was. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS There were no ordinances or resolutions. 7. COMMUNICATIONS There were no items of communication. 8. OLD BUSINESS Joint Powers Agreement - Fiscal Disparities Lobbyist Councilmember Nawrocki received a copy of a Joint Powers Agreement which would procure the efforts of Charles Weaver as a Jobbyist for various cities regarding the Fiscal Disparities Act. He noted that the costs for the City of Columbia Heights to participate in this Agreement would be $2,500. Motion by Nawrocki, second by Carlson .to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into an amended Joint Powers Agreement that the County of Anoka and other cities have regarding Jegislation lobbying on the Fiscal Disparities issue and authorize funding for the City's part of the program in the amount of S2,500 to come from the Unallocated Fund Balance. The motion was withdrawn so the City Attorney and the Acting City Manager could review the Agree~nt. NEW BUSINESS a. Purchase of Cable TV P)ayback System and Video Playback System The Cable Communications Commission had recommended that the specifications for the cabling of the Council Chambers be rewritten. This material wil) be be back before the Council by the end of February. Motion by Nawrocki, second by Ruettimann to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into a contract with Television System .Company in the amount of $560 for the purchase of a Portable Video Playback System based on low proposal submitted, and with EPA Audio Visual for the pur- chase of a Programmable Automated Cable Television Video Playback System in the amount of $8,075 based on low porposal submitted, and furthermore, Regular Council Meeting January 28, 1991 page 4 the funding will come from the Cable Fund. Roll call: All ayes b. Law Enforcement Television Network Membership The Acting City Manager felt this was cost effective and was a budgeted item. Motion by Ruettimann, second by Peterson to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into an agreement with the Law Enforcement Televislon Network for a one-year subscription in the amount of $4,656. Roll call: All ayes c. Assistant Weed Inspector Councilmember Nawrocki advised that Dick Dustin had indicated an interest in serving as the Assistant Week Inspector. Councilmember Peterson also knew of a person who holds a degree in Biology who is interested in the position. This matter will be discussed at a Council work session. d. Purchase of Root Control Foam for Sanitary Sewers Councilmember Clerkin inquired how long this treatment is effective. The Public Works Director stated that it lasts for six to seven years. Motion by Peterson, second by Nawrocki to authorize the purchase of 135 gallons of Sanafoam Vaporooter II from Airringation Engineering Company of Pleasanton, California for an amount of $6,895, and to recognize the product as proprietary in nature based upon evidence provided; and further- more, to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into an agreement for the same. Roll call: All ayes e. Final Payment for Municipal Project 8903 (Wargo Court Relandscaping) Motion by Nawrocki, second by Peterson to authorize acceptance of Municipal Project #8903 and final payment of $784 to Midwest Landscapes of Maple Grove, Minnesota. Roll call: All ayes f. Final Payment for Municipal Project #9015 (Prestemon Park Lighting) Motion by Ruettimann, second by Peterson to accept the work for Municipal Project #9015 (Prestemon Park Lighting) and authorize final payment of $11,158.50 to Ridgedale Electric, Inc. of Long Lake, Minnesota. Roll call: All ayes Councilmember Ruettimann observed that although the lights are very low, they are efficient and effective and do not distract the neighborhood. g. Award of Bid for Skid Steer Loader The Public Works Director explained the previous bids received were not compliant and the specifications were re-wrote. Me also reviewed the three options selected with the Iow bid. Motion by Clerkln, second by Peterson to award the bid for the Skid Steer Loader to Tri-State Bobcat, Inc. of Burnsville, Minnesota, for a Model 753 Bobcat plus options for a total amount of $10,847; and furthermore, to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into an agreement for the same. Roll call: All ayes h. LaBelle Park Bank Erosion Control Motion by Ruettimann, second by Peterson to authorize staff to work with the Soll .Conservation Service, Anoka Soll and Water Conservation District and others to submit a grant application to control erosion on the east bank Regular Council Meeting January 28, 1991 page 5 of LaBelle Park. Roll call: All ayes i. Repair of City Bus The City Councilmembers received a Council letter from the Public Works Director regarding repair of the transmission and the replacement of the clutch of the City bus. This' work was done by the MTC at a very reasonable cost. The repairs were needed to continue the safe use of the bus. The Acting City Manager authorized the repairs. Motion by Paterson, second by Nawrocki to ratify the action of the Acting City Manager in having the City's bus' transmission, clutch and brakes repaired by the HTC, based on a present MTC estimate of $1,350. Roll call: Ail ayes A maintenance fund has been established for the bus. Councilmember Nawrocki requested staff to inquire about the heater while the bus is in the repair shop. OLD BUSINESS (cont.) The City Attorney reviewed the amended Joint Powers Agreement regarding hiring the services of a lobbyist for representing the City's interests in the Fiscal Disparities issue and found it in order. Motion by Nawrocki, second by Carlson to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into an amended Joint Powers Agreement that the County of Anoka and other cities have regarding legislation lobbying on the Fiscal Disparities issue and authorize funding for the City's part of the program in the amount of $2,500 to come from the Unallocated Fund Balance. Roll call: All ayes lO. REPORTS a. Report of the City Manager The City Manager's report was submitted in written form and the following items were discussed: 1. 1991 Carryover Money: Councilmember Nawrocki stated he could not under- stand why the carryovers and encumbrances were not printed in the budget books. 2. Joint Inspections - Housing Maintenance Code and Section 8: Councilmember Nawrocki had previously requested that joint inspections by the Building Inspections staff and the Section 8 Housing staff be done.-He noted that other communities have this arrangement and realize considerable cost savings. Mayor Carlson stated he had also made this request and was advised that the Housing Maintenance Code has different requirements than those of Section 8 housing. The Acting City Manager advised there are some pros and cons for doing these inspections in tandem. The HRA is unwilling to give any funding for inspections for the Housing Maintenance Code and that there is a several, month backlog of inspections on the Code. He also noted that the HRA standards are national standards and are much less restrictive than the Housing Maintenance Code's. Councilmember Nawrocki felt the same inspector could inspect for both entities and make two reports. He requested that members of the Council Regular Council Meeting January 28, 1991 page 6 receive a copy of the report on this matter from the Acting City Manager and the HRA Executive Director. License Renewal Counci}member Peterson noticed that a license renewal is being requested by the Concerned for Youth organization. He inquired if this organization had been reactivated. The Acting City Manager will check the application. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Peterson, second by Clerkin to adjourn at 9:00 p.m.. Roll call: All ayes -Anhe Student, [;ouncil Secretary Mayor Edwa rd 'M. l~a'r'F~n - -