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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 26, 1999OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING JULY 26, 1999 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Council President Jolly at 7:05 p.m. Present were Council President Jolly and Councilmembers Szurek, Wyckoff and Hunter. Mayor Peterson was absent due to personal reasons. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE MEETING AGENDA There were no additions nor deletions to the regular agenda of the Council Meeting. A resident requested the removal of items #11 and #19 from the Consent Agenda. 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 will be taken up as the next order of business. ) A. Motion by Wyckoff, second by Szurek to approve the Consent Agenda as follows: 1) Approval of Meeting Minutes The Council approved the minutes of the July 12, 1999 Regular Council Meeting. 2) Replacement of Automatic Transfer Switch for Emergency Generator Connection at Silver Lake Lift Station The Council approved the expenditure of $3,979.70 to Cummins North Central for one new generator automatic transfer switch from Sanitary Sewer Fund #602-49450-5180. 3) Authorization to Seek Bids for Sanitary_ Sewer Lining at 42nd Avenue from Fillmore Street to Reservoir Boulevard The Council authorized staff to seek bids for the sanitary sewer lining on 42nd Avenue from Fillmore Street to Reservoir Boulevard. 4) Authorization to Seek Informal Quotes for the Replacement of Toro Groundmaster, Unit #237 The Council authorized staff to seek informal quotes for the replacement of Toro Groundmaster #237. 5) Authorization to Seek Informal Quotes for the Replacement of Olathe Seeder #236 and Ryan Turf Aerator #227 The Council authorized staff to seek informal quotes for the replacement of Olathe Seeder #236 and Ryan Turf Aerator #227. 6) Authorization to Seek Informal Quotes for the Replacement of Toro Commercial Mower #241 The Council authorized staff to seek informal quotes for the replacement of Toro Commercial Mower #241. 7) Authorization to Seek Bids for Bituminous Mill and Overlay Repairs The Council authorized staff to seek bituminous mill and overlay repairs for Pierce Street, 37th Avenue to cul-de-sac (water main break repair); 43rd Avenue, east of Central Avenue (emergency service repair); Pierce Terrace (emergency Minnegasco repair); and 1036 Gould Avenue (car fire repair). 8) Authorization to Seek Quotes to Replace Windows in MSC Shop Repair The Council authorized staff to seek quotes to replace windows in the Municipal Service Center Shop Office. 9) Authorization to Seek Quotes to Replace Street Light on 40th Avenue between Van Buren Street and Central Avenue The Council authorized staff to seek quotes to replace the street light on 40th Avenue between Van Buren Street and Central Avenue. 10) Authorization for Public Works Director to Attend the APWA Congress in Denver, Colorado The Council approved the attendance of the Public Works Director at the 1999 APWA Congress and Exposition in Denver, Colorado, to be held September 19-22, 1999 and also approved that all related expenses be reimbursed from proper funds. 11) Establish Council Work Sessions Removed from Consent Agenda 12) Establish Public Hearing to Consider Alley Lighting The Council established August 23, 1999, 7:00 p.m. as a public hearing for consideration of alley lighting between Fifth Street and Sixth Street, 47th Avenue to 48th Avenue, on a pole behind 4840 Sixth Street Northeast. 13) Close Hearing - Rental License Revocation - 1020 44th Avenue Northeast The Council approved the closing of the public hearing regarding the revocation or suspension of the rental license held by Greg Heinen regarding rental property at 1020 44th Avenue Northeast in that the property is in compliance with the Housing Maintenance Code. 2 14) Establish Hearing Date - License Revocation, Rental Properties, 4201 Sixth Street The Council established a hearing date of August 9, 1999 for revocation or suspension of a license to operate a rental property within the City of Columbia Heights against Thomas Zaremski at 4201 Sixth Street Northeast. 15) Application for One-Time Gambling Request by East River Hockey Association The Council directed the City Manager to forward a letter to the State Charitable Gambling Control Board indicating that the City of Columbia Heights has no objection to a one-time bingo event to be conducted by the East River Hockey Association at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 4030 Jackson Street Northeast, Columbia Heights, on August 7 and 8, 1999; and the remainder of the thirty-day notice to the local governing body was waived. 16) Approval of License Applications The Council approved the items as listed on the business license agenda for July 26, 1999 and also approved the waiver of the license fees for the Single Event On Sale Beer License for Immaculate Conception Church for the dates of August 7-8, 1999. 17) Attendance of the Assistant to the City Manager at the NATOA Conference The Council authorized the attendance ofLinda Magee, Assistant to the City Manager, at the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors Conference to be held in Atlanta, Georgia, from September 15-18, 1999 and all related expenses will be reimbursed from Funds 225-49844-3105 and 225-49844-3320. 19) First Reading of Ordinance No. 1397 Being an Ordinance Establishing A Storm Water Utility This item was removed from the Consent Agenda for consideration later in the meeting. 20) Demolition Contract Change Order The Council accepted Change Order #1 for removal and disposal of one fuel tank at 627 38th Avenue Northeast submitted by the Blue Earth Environmental Company based upon their change order dated July 19, 1999 and also authorized the Mayor and City Manager to enter into an agreement for the same. Roll call on Consent Agenda: All ayes Consideration of Items Removed from Consent Agenda: Establishing Council Work Sessions A resident requested removal of this item from the Consent Agenda. He suggested that the first hour of each work session be used exclusively for citizen input on matters about which they are concerned. Members of the Council and staff felt there is always abundant opportunities for citizen input. Motion by Szurek, second by Wyckoffto establish Monday, August 2, 1999 at 8:00 p.m. and Monday, August 16, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. as times and dates for Council Work Sessions. Roll call: All ayes First Reading of Ordinance No. 1397 Being an Ordinance Establishing a Storm Water Utility The resident who requested removal of this item explained his objection to it. Motion by Wyckoff, second by Szurek to waive the reading of the ordinance there being ample copies available for the public. Roll call: All ayes Motion by Wyckoff, second by Szurek to establish August 9, 1999, as the date for the second reading of Ordinance No. 1397. Roll call: All ayes 5. PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND GUESTS A. Newly-Hired Employee The newly-hired Information Systems Technician will be introduced at the August 9th meeting. B. National Night Out Proclamation The Council President read the National Night Out proclamation. It was presented to Police Chief Johnson. C. Presentation of Donation from V.F.W. Post #230 V.F.W. Post #230 Commander Shupien and Past Commander Nawrocki presented a check for $5,500 from the Post for the purchase of a Party Wagon for use by the community. 6. PUBLIC HEAR1NGS A. Second Reading/Public Hearing of Ordinance No. 1395 Being an Ordinance Amending Chapter A of the City Code Regarding the Housing Maintenance Code and Licensing Rental Units The Assistant Fire Chief addressed the proposed amendments to the Ordinance. It was noted that these amendments would be beneficial to rental property owners. The resident at 2221 45th Avenue advised the Council the house next door to his has been a neighborhood problem for many years. He feels no progress has been made in bringing this property into compliance. 4 Councilmember Hunter indicated his willingness to meet with this property owner and requested a staff member to also attend the meeting. Some rental property owners stated they felt the ordinance should be evaluated with its amendments at the next Landlord Meeting before it receives its final approval. Members of the Council concurred. The public hearing was closed at 8:50 p.m. Motion by Hunter, second by Wyckoffto table further consideration of Ordinance No. 1395 until the September 13, 1999 Council Meeting so the proposed amendments can be discussed at the next Landlord Training Meeting. Roll call: All ayes The Assistant City Fire Chief requested that the policy on copying charges for the ordinance be clarified by the Council. Council President Jolly suggested this be a Council work session item. The City Manager recommended that a copy of the proposed changes be made available for landlords. B. Second Reading/Public Hearing of Ordinance No. 1396 Being an Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 853, Prohibiting Going From Alley to Alley The public hearing was closed at 9:10 p.m. Motion by Szurek, second by Wyckoffto waive the reading of the ordinance there being ample copies available for the public. Roll call: All ayes ORDINANCE NO. 1396 BEING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 853, CHAPTER 7, ARTICLE 11, SECTION 7.204(C) OF THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY CODE OF 1977 PROHIBITING MOVING OPERATIONS WHEREAS, the ordinance currently reads as follows: 7.204(C) No person shall drive a vehicle on any public alley or private roadway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances and in no event at a speed greater than ten miles per hour in an alley, or 15 miles per hour on a private roadway. Revised it shall read as follows: 7.204(C) No person shall drive a vehicle on any public alley or private roadway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances and conditions, and in no event at a speed greater than ten miles per hour in an alley, or 15 miles per hour on a private roadway. No person may operate a motor vehicle on a public alley unless directed to do so by a peace officer, authorized community service officer, reserve police officer, or authorized traffic control device, except abutting property owners, tenants, their guests and invitees, operating a motor vehicle in an otherwise lawful manner. This section shall not be interpreted to preclude use of alleys by the following: (a) Persons performing authorized activities on behalf of any law enforcement agency. 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: July 12, 1999 July 26, 1999 July 26, 1999 Offered by: Szurek Seconded by: Wyckoff Roll call: All ayes Donald Jolly, Council President Jo-Anne Student, Council Secretary 7. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION A. Other Ordinances and Resolutions None B. Bid Considerations None C. Other Business 1) Re-dedication of Mill Street The request for this change originated with V.F.W. Post #230. It was reviewed by the Traffic Commission who recommended that this be an additional name rather than an actual name change. Motion by Hunter, second by Wyckoffto re-dedicate Mill Street as Veterans Avenue, as an additional name, based on a recommendation of the Traffic Commission. Roll call: All ayes 8. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS A. Report of the City Manager 1) Strip Driveways: The City Manager advised that strip driveways do meet the requirements of a paved parking surface. Grass is the only covering allowed with these types of driveways and must be maintained. B. Report of the City Attorney The City Attorney had nothing to report. 9. GENERAL COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS The minutes of the following board and commission meetings were included in the agenda packet: Library Board of Trustees July 6, 1999 meeting, Planning and Zoning Commission July 6, 1999 meeting and Economic Development Authority June 22, 1999 meeting. No Council action was required. 10. CITIZENS FORUM TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL ON MATTERS NOT ON AGENDA a) Alley Reconstruction Project: The alley between 48th and 49th Avenues, Monroe and Madison Streets, is being reconstructed. Three properties on that alley have retaining walls. Owners of these properties previously had approached the Council and staff regarding replacement of the retaining walls as part of the project. Staff quoted them a price of approximately $30,000. These owners sought an appraisal from another source which was approximately $11,000. They came to the Council Meeting to discuss the situation and to request a compromise be considered. It was the opinion of the property owners that they were being treated inequitably because previous owners of their properties had improved the retaining walls by adding to them. They were placed on top of walls installed by the City. The City Attorney felt further discussion of associated costs would be of no consequence as the agreement has already been made by the City with the project contractor. The property owners gave their bid documents to the Council. b) Debris Left at Building Site: A resident advised of debris being left at a construction site on Fifth Street. He also mentioned what he thinks is auto repair being done. These two issues will be followed up on. c) National Night Out: Police Chief Johnson reminded members of the Council that Tuesday, August 3rd is National Night Out. 11. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Szurek, second by Wyckoffto adjourn the meeting at 9:45 p.m. Roll call: All ayes Respectfully submitted, Jo-Anne Student, Council Secretary