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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 28, 1998OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 28, 1998 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Mayor Sturdevant at 7:00 p.m. Present were Mayor Sturdevant and Councilmembers Szurek, Jolly, Ruettimann and Peterson. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE MEETING AGENDA Added to the Other Business section of the agenda was the closing of a public hearing regarding a rental property license revocation. 4. CONSENT AGENDA (These items are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be enacted as part of the consent agenda by one motion. Items removed from consent agenda approval are taken up as the next order of business.) Motion by Sturdevant, second by Ruettimann to approve the consent agenda as follows: a) Approval of Meeting Minutes The Council approved the minutes of the December 28, 1998 Regular Council Meeting as presented. b) Re-Issue Rental Housing License After Revocation The Council approved the issue of a rental housing license to Susan Loewenthal to operate the rental property located at 1407-09 Circle Terrace in that the provisions of the Housing Maintenance Code have been complied with. c) Close Hearing - Rental License Revocation The Council approved closing the public hearing regarding the revocation or suspension of the rental license held by Thomas Ferrara regarding rental property at 1035-1037 43 lA Avenue in that the property is in compliance with the Housing Maintenance Code. d) Close Hearing - Rental License Revocation The Council approved closing the public hearing regarding the revocation or suspension of the rental license held by Madeline VonHeideman regarding rental property at 3718 Central Avenue in that the property is in compliance with the Housing Maintenance Code. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 28, 1998 PAGE 2 e) Close Hearing - Rental License Revocation The Council approved closing of the public hearing regarding the revocation or suspension of the rental license held by Sharon Vermeer regarding the rental property at 615 40th Avenue Northeast in that the property is in compliance with the Housing Maintenance Code. f) Close Hearing - Rental License Revocation The Council approved closing of the public hearing regarding the revocation or suspension of the rental license held by Mulji Patel regarding rental property at 939-941 42 lA Avenue in that the property is in compliance with the Housing Maintenance Code. g) Close Hearing - Rental License Revocation The Council approved closing of the public hearing regarding the revocation or suspension of the rental license held by Gordon Hines regarding rental property at 5007-5009 Jackson Street in that the property is in compliance with the Housing Maintenance Code. h) Workers' Compensation Insurance The Council authorized the Mayor and City Manager to enter into an agreement with St. Paul Companies for workers' compensation coverage under the standard premium plan at a cost of $89,486. i) Revisions to Murzyn Hall Rental Policy The Council authorized staff to implement the revisions listed in the Council Letter dated December 2, 1998, from the Recreation Director to the Murzyn Hall rental policy, including the rental rates for the year 2000 and the revised decorating rules. j) Approval of License Applications The Council approved the license applications as listed. k) Payment of the Bills The Council approved payment of the bills as listed out of proper funds. 1) Establish Hearing Dates for License Revocations of Rental Properties The Council approved the establishment of the hearing date of January 11, 1999 for revocation of a license to operate a rental property within the City of Columbia Heights against the following properties/property owners: Thomas Brownrigg at 4008-4010 Cleveland Street, Mohsen Dessouki at 4610-4612 Fillmore Street and Sandra Chu at 4456 Washington Street. REGULAR COUNCIL MEET1NG DECEMBER 28, 1998 PAGE 3 Councilmember Peterson inquired as to how many claims the City had during 1998. He was referring to the item on the agenda regarding workers' compensation insurance. The Finance Director responded there have been thirty-three claims to date. Roll call on consent agenda: All ayes 5. PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, GUESTS AND INTRODUCTIONS a) Recognition of Outgoing Councilmembers Mayor-elect Peterson presented plaques to Mayor Sturdevant and Councilmember Ruettimann in recognition of their years of service. Mayor Sturdevant had served on the Council for five years and Councilmember Ruettimann served on the Council for nine years. All members of the City Council commented on their appreciation of the outgoing members' service. 6. PUBLIC HEAR1NGS None 7. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION A. Other Ordinances and Resolutions 1) Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1381 Pertaining to Loud Parties Motion by Sturdevant, second by Szurek to waive the reading of the ordinance there being ample copies available for the public. Roll call: All ayes ORDINANCE NO. 1381 BEING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 994, CITY CODE OF 1977 PARTICIPATION IN LOUD PARTIES AND GATHERINGS Currently, the ordinance reads as follows: 10.312(3) Any owner or person in charge of the building or place who has knowledge of the disturbance and fails to immediately abate said disturbance upon order of a police officer shall be guilty of a violation of this section. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 28, 1998 PAGE 4 Is herewith amended to read as follows: 10.312(3) Any owner, RENTER, or person in charge of the building or place FROM WHICH A disturbance EMANATES and THOSE PRESENT fail to immediately abate said disturbance upon order of a police officer shall be guilty of a violation of this section. First Reading: Second Reading: Date of Passage: December 14,1998 December 28, 1998 December 28, 1998 Offered by: Sturdevant Seconded by: Szurek Roll call: All ayes Mayor Joseph Sturdevant Jo-Anne Student, Council Secretary 2) Second Reading of Ordinance No. 1382 Pertaining to Background Checks Motion by Peterson, second by Sturdevant to waive the reading of the ordinance there being ample copies available. ORDINANCE NO. 1382 BEING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 853 CITY CODE OF 1977, PERTAINING TO BACKGROUND CHECKS WHEREAS, the City of Columbia Heights is a participant in a program known as ;;Crime Free Multi Housing," a major concept of this program is the screening of new tenants by the property owners for the protection of local residents, property owners, tenants, and the overall public safety of the community; WHEREAS, part of said screening consists of a Minnesota criminal history check through the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension; WHEREAS, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension requires that a city have a city ordinance authorizing the city to run Minnesota criminal history checks for the purpose of screening potential tenants of rental property; and REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 28, 1998 PAGE 5 WHEREAS, this is a process that will be beneficial to the residents of Columbia Heights and its property owners; NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights that the Columbia Heights Code of 1977 be amended by adding Article IV, Section 11, as follows: 5A.411(1). That for the protection of local residents, property owners, tenants, and the overall public safety of the community, the Columbia Heights Police Department is hereby authorized to conduct Minnesota criminal history checks for the purpose of screening potential tenants of real property, subject to the following conditions: a) a request is made by the property owner/landlord in writing b) a signed consent form from the subject of the check is received by the Columbia Heights Police Department c) authorization is received from the subject of the check to release said information to the property owner/landlord d) the purpose and use of said information is solely for assisting in the screening of potential tenants. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after thirty (30) days after its passage. First reading: Second reading: Date of passage: December 14, 1998 December 28, 1998 December 28, 1998 Offered by: Peterson Seconded by: Sturdevant Roll call: All ayes Mayor Joseph Sturdevant Jo-Anne Student, Council Secretary 3) Resolution No. 98-118 Being a Resolution Pertaining to Joint Powers Agreement Relating to Law Enforcement Records Project A representative of Anoka County was in attendance to respond to any questions the Council may have regarding the Joint Powers Agreement. Police Chief Johnson reviewed all features of the project and gave some history of its background. REGULAR COUNCIL MEET1NG DECEMBER 28, 1998 PAGE 6 Motion by Ruettimann, second by Jolly to waive the reading of the resolution there being ample copies available for the public. RESOLUTION NO. 98-118 AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF A JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT RELATING TO THE ANOKA COUNTY JOINT LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTRAL RECORDS PROJECT WHEREAS, it has been proposed that the County of Anoka, Minnesota, (the "County") issue its capital notes on behalf of itself, the Anoka Joint Law Enforcement Council (the "Council") and the various cities that are represented on the Council (the "Cities") to finance the acquisition and installation of an integrated law enforcement central records communication system, including computer hardware and software (the "System"); and WHEREAS, in order to provide for the joint financing and operation of the System by the County, the Council and the Cities, it is necessary for the County and the Cities to enter into a joint powers agreement as required by Minnesota Statutes, Section 471.59; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA (the "City"): Section 1. The City Council of the City hereby authorizes and directs the Mayor of the City and the City Manager of the City (together, the "Authorized Officers") to execute and deliver the Joint Powers Agreement, dated as of December 29, 1998 by and between the Cities and the County (the "Joint Powers Agreement"). The Joint Powers Agreement shall be substantially in the form on file with the City Clerk on the date hereof, with such necessity and appropriate variations as the Authorized Officers, with the advice of the City Attorney, shall determine; provided that the execution thereof by the Authorized Officers shall be conclusive evidence of such determination. Section 2. This resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage. Passed this 28th day of December, 1998. Offered by: Seconded by: Roll call: REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 28, 1998 PAGE 7 Ruettimann Jolly All ayes 4) Resolution No. 98-119 Being a Resolution Extending the SACCC Joint Powers Agreement for a Period of Two Years and Approving Funding the the Year 1999 Southern Anoka County Community Consortium (SACCC) is requesting a two year extension of its Joint Powers Agreement with the City. It is also making a request for increased funding from all of the JPA participants to be used to fund a coordinator position for Values 1st with a portion of time dedicated to the Consortium. Chief Johnson, who has been an active participant in Values lst, distributed an outline for Values lst current and future activities. He also mentioned that a job description for the coordinator's position has been drafted and is being critiqued. Motion by Jolly, second by Szurek to waive the reading of the resolution there being ample copies available for the public. Roll call: All ayes RESOLUTION NO. 98-119 Contract #950154A EXTENDING THE TERM OF THE SOUTHERN ANOKA COUNTY COMMUNITY CONSORTIUM JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT WHEREAS, in June of 1995, a Joint Powers Agreement established the Southern Anoka County Community Consortium consisting of Anoka County, the cities of Columbia Heights, Fridley, and Hilltop, and Independent School Districts #13 and #14; and, WHEREAS, the general purpose of this Joint Powers Agreement is to allow each party to jointly and cooperatively coordinate the delivery of services, maximize the use of resources, avoid redundancy, encourage public, private community partnership and to develop and fund programs to promote the general community health and safety in the territory of the cities herein; and, WHEREAS, a very successful example of this joint, cooperative effort is the establishment of the community values program known as Values First, which has been recognized throughout the country as a model for promoting core values consistently across all sectors of the community so that youth and adults have a common, inclusive foundation upon which to operate. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 28, 1998 PAGE 8 NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Columbia Heights supports the efforts of the Southern Anoka County Community Consortium and does hereby renew and enter into the aforesaid Southern Anoka County Community Consortium Joint Powers Agreement until December 31, 2000, unless earlier terminated or extended under the term thereof. Passed this 28th day of December, 1998. Offered by: Jolly Seconded by: Szurek Roll call: All ayes Mayor Joseph Sturdevant Jo-Anne Student, Council Secretary Motion by Jolly, second by Szurek to approve the Columbia Heights' portion of the funding of the Southern Anoka County Community Consortium in the amount of $4,959 for the year 1999. Roll call: All ayes 5. Resolution No. 98-120 Being a Resolution Approving Revocation of a Rental License - J. Unke, 4357-4359 Seventh Street Northeast The resolution was not read as staff has advised that the last inspection found the property in compliance with the Housing Maintenance Code. Motion by Sturdevant, second by Ruettimann to close the public hearing regarding the revocation of the rental license held by Janene Unke regarding rental property at 4357-4359 Seventh Street in that the property is in compliance with the Housing Maintenance Code. Roll call: All ayes B. Bid Considerations None C. Other Business None REGULAR COUNCIL MEET1NG DECEMBER 28, 1998 PAGE 9 8. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS A. Report of the City Manager 1) The cleaning up of the property on Third Street has been completed. The City Manager thanked all of the employees in the Public Works Department, Fire Department and Police Department who assisted in this job. He wished everyone a Happy New Year. He also, on behalf of City staff, thanked Joe Sturdevant and Bob Ruettimann for their service and support. B. Report of the City Attorney The City Attorney wished everyone a Happy New Year. He had nothing to report. 9. GENERAL COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS A. Minutes of Boards and Commissions The minutes of the December 10, 1998 Park and Recreation Commission were included in the agenda packet for informational purposes. No Council action was necessary. 10. CITIZENS FORUM TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON MATTERS NOT ON AGENDA (At this time, citizens have an opportunity to discuss with the Council items not on the regular agenda. The citizen is requested to limit their comments to five minutes. Please note, the public may address the Council regarding specific agenda items at the time the item is being discussed.) Mayor-Elect Peterson made a correction to a statement made in the most recent edition of the Focus Newspaper with regard to the use of grant funding received by the City. The article suggested this funding has been dedicated to be used for a community center. He stated this was an error. 11. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Ruettimann, second by Szurek to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 p.m. Roll call: All ayes Respectfully submitted, Jo-Anne Student, Council Secretary