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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 23, 1999OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 23, 1999 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Mayor Peterson at 7:00 p.m. Present were Mayor Peterson and Council members Szurek, Jolly, Wyckoff and Hunter. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE MEETING AGENDA There were no additions nor deletions to the meeting agenda. 4. CONSENT AGENDA (These items are considered to be routine by the City Council and are enacted upon as part of the Consent Agenda by one motion. Items removed from Consent Agenda approval are taken up as the next order of business. There were no requests to remove any items from the Consent Agenda.) 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 August 9, 1999 Council Meeting as presented. 2) Recommendation to Enter into a Contract for Cleaning Services at City Buildings The Council accepted the written proposal for cleaning services at City Hall, the Municipal Service Center and the Public Library as made by Fidelity Building Services, Inc. and authorized the Mayor and City Manager to enter into an agreement for the same. 3) Authorization to Sell, Salvage or Dispose of City Property on September 11, 1999 The Council authorized the sale, salvage or disposal of surplus City property as listed to include Municipal Units #3771-1988 Chevrolet Caprice Classic, #406-1988 Caprice Classic and #417- 1992 Ford Crown Victoria. 4) Establish Hearing Dates for License Revocation, Rental Properties The Council established September 13, 1999 for revocation or suspension of a license to operate a rental property within the City of Columbia Heights against the following owners/properties: Donn Woods at 1133 45th Avenue, Terry Thornberg at 4326 Monroe Street, Joseph Ryan at 1000 41st Avenue, #103, Anthony Melton at 3763 Third Street, Wayne Mecl at 3819 Main Street, Susan Loewenthal at 1407-09 Circle Terrace, 1206-08 Circle Terrace and 4040-42 Cleveland Street, and Ginger Duckworth at 4356 5th Street. 5) Police and Fire Reserve Appreciation Event The Council authorized the expenditure of up to $4,100 from the Special Events budget to host an annual appreciation night for the Fire and Police Reserve Units and that the Mayor and City Manager are authorized to enter into contracts as needed for this event. 6) Change Order No. 1 for Limited Site Investigation for Waste Oil Tank Removal The Council approved Change Order No. 1 to Thatcher Engineering in the amount of $4,747.50 for conducting additional boring investigation at the MSC with 10% of the funding appropriated from Refuse Fund 603-49950-3050. 7) Resolution No. 99-70 Accepting Local Law Enforcement Equipment Block Grant and Appropriating Matching Funds The reading of the resolution was waived there being ample copies available for the public. RESOLUTION NO. 99-70 BEING A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT EQUIPMENT BLOCK GRANT AND APPROPRIATING MATCHING FUNDS WHEREAS, the City of Columbia Heights Police Department has been granted $23,945 in an equipment block grant from the U.S. Department of Justice for the purpose of funding equipment, and WHEREAS, a condition of the grant is that the City provides $2,661 in local match for this grant, and WHEREAS, the City of Columbia Heights Police Department has provided the U.S. Department of Justice a proposal for implementation of funding for this grant, NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights that: The City of Columbia Heights enter into a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice for the project entitled "Local Law Enforcement Equipment Block Grant Program" for the period October 1, 1999, to September 30, 2000. That $2,661 be appropriated from unexpended funds in the Police Department 1999 budget to pay the local match. Passed this 23rd day of August, 1999. 2 Offered by: Wyckoff Seconded by: Szurek Roll call: All ayes Mayor Gary L. Peterson Jo-Anne Student, Council Secretary 8) Lease Amendment for Top Valu Liquor at Central Valu Shopping Center The Council authorized the Mayor and City Manager to enter into a lease agreement with Bradley Real Estate for the liquor store located at Central Valu shopping center. 9) U.S. WEST Contract for ISDN Telephone Service The Council authorized the Mayor and City Manager to enter into an agreement with U. S. WEST for ISDN phone service. 10) First Reading of Ordinance No. 1398 Being an Ordinance for the Sale of Property Located at 4519-4521 Taylor Street Northeast The reading of the ordinance was waived there being ample copies available for the public. ORDINANCE NO. 1398 BEING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 853, CITY CODE OF 1977, AUTHORIZING THE CONVEYANCE OF CERTAIN REAL ESTATE AT 4519/4521 TAYLOR STREET NORTHEAST The City of Columbia Heights does ordain: Section 1: The City of Columbia Heights may convey unto Ernesto Payan the real property at 4519/4521 Taylor Street Northeast described as follows, to wit: Lot Twenty-one (21) and the North One-half (iA) of Lot Twenty (20) in Block Seven (7) of Sheffield's Second Subdivision according to the plat thereof on file and of record in the office of the Register of Deeds of Anoka County, Minnesota. Section 2: The Mayor and City Manager are herewith authorized to execute deed to effectuate the conveyance of said real estate subject to the terms, purchase price, and conditions specified in the Purchase Agreement. Section 3: This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after thirty (30) days after its passage. The second reading of Ordinance No. 1398 was scheduled for September 13, 1999 at approximately 7:00 p.m. 11) First Reading of Ordinance No. 1399 Being an Ordinance for the Sale of Property Located at 4642-4644 Taylor Street Northeast The reading of the ordinance was waived there being ample copies available for the public. ORDINANCE NO. 1399 BEING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 853, CITY CODE OF 1977, AUTHORIZING THE CONVEYANCE OF CERTAIN REAL ESTATE AT 4642/4644 TAYLOR STREET NORTHEAST The City of Columbia Heights does ordain: Section 1: The City of Columbia Heights may convey unto Laj. L. Wang and Phoua Lee the real property at 4642/4644 Taylor Street Northeast described as follows, to wit: Lot Five (5) and the South One-half (iA) of Lot Four (4), Block One (1), Sheffield's Second Subdivision according to the plat thereof on file and of record in the office of the Register of Deeds at Anoka, Anoka County, Minnesota. Section 2: The Mayor and City Manager are herewith authorized to execute deed to effectuate the conveyance of said real estate subject to the terms, purchase price, and conditions specified in the Purchase Agreement. Section 3: This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after thirty (30) days after its passage. The second reading of Ordinance No. 1399 was scheduled for September 13, 1999 at approximately 7:00 p.m. 12) Establish Dates for Council Work Sessions The Council established the dates and times for Council work session as follows; Monday, August 30, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. and Monday, September 20, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. 13) Resolution No. 99-71 Being a Resolution Accepting Petition and Ordering Preparation of a Feasibility Report The reading of the resolution was waived there being ample copies available for the public. 4 RESOLUTION NO. 99-71 BEING A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE ADEQUACY OF A PETITION AND ORDERING PREPARATION OF REPORT ON ALLEY IMPROVEMENTS WITH COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION WHEREAS, a petition, signed by all 3 abutting property owners, was received to construct a concrete alley to extend from Circle Terrace Boulevard to approximately the south property line of 4116 Reservoir Boulevard. WHEREAS, the City Council intends to assess the benefitted property for all or a portion of the cost of the improvement, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 429, and NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA, that the proposed improvement be referred to Mr. Kevin Hansen, City Engineer, for study and that he is instructed to report to the Council with all convenient speed advising the Council in a preliminary way as to whether the proposed improvement is necessary, cost effective, and feasible and as to whether it should best be made as proposed or in connection with some other improvements, and the estimated cost of the improvements as recommended. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the petition received represents greater than fifty percent of the property having frontage along the alley and therefore the petition is declared adequate. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a Public Hearing shall be held on such proposed improvements on the 13th day of September, 1999 in the Council Chambers located at 590 40th Avenue Northeast, at 7:00 p.m. and the City Manager shall have mailed and published notice of such hearing and improvements as required by law. Dated this 23rd day of August, 1999. Offered by: Szurek Seconded by: Wyckoff Roll call: All ayes Mayor Gary L. Peterson Jo-Anne Student, Council Secretary 14) Restricting Parking on 44th Avenue from McLeod Street to Reservoir Boulevard The Council approved the elimination of parking on the south side of 44th Avenue from McLeod Street to Reservoir Boulevard and also approved the correction of the striping of the street based on the recommendation of the Traffic Commission. The Council approved the removal of the restrictions on the parking on the north side of 44th Avenue from McLeod Street to Reservoir Boulevard based on the recommendation of the Traffic Commission. 15) Approval of License Applications The Council approved the license applications as listed. 16) Payment of the Bills The Council approved the payment of the bills as listed out of proper funds. 17) Posting of Turn-Around on 41 st Avenue The Council approved posting of the turn-around on the north side of 41st Avenue as "No Parking" based on a recommendation of the Traffic Commission. 18) Authorization to Seek Bids for Playground Equipment at Prestemon Park The Council authorized staff to seek bids for the replacement of playground equipment at Prestemon Park. 19) Final Payment for Joint and Crack Sealing The Council accepted the work for 1999 alley and parking lot crack sealing, City Project 9901(b) and authorized the final payment of $5,074.90 to Bergman Companies, Inc. of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. 20) Authorization to Purchase Community Party Wagon The Council authorized the appropriation of $4,350.52 from Fund 881-00-36230 and authorized the Mayor and City Manager to purchase a trailer at the lowest quote from Hilltop Trailer Sales, Inc. at a cost of $4,350.52 including tax. 21) Extend Memorandum of Understanding with Real Estate Equities This item was removed from the Consent Agenda by the City Manager. Roll call on Consent Agenda: All ayes Extend Memorandum of Understanding with Real Estate Equities Mr. Boyle, the son-in-law of Rose Ostrander, had requested this item be discussed. Mr. Boyle is representing the interests of Mrs. Ostrander, who owns property located in an area being considered for redevelopment. He stated that Mrs. Ostrander is not opposed to the project. He recalled that the City had received a grant regarding this project in July of 1998. Noting this, he said that, to date, Mrs. Ostrander has received no proposal nor information from the City relative to acquiring her property. The EDA Director advised that an appraisal for the property was not received until June 30, 1999. The project developer has been directed to make an offer to Mrs. Ostrander very soon. Motion by Jolly, second by Szurek to approve the extension of the Memorandum of Understanding (Preliminary Agreement) between the City of Columbia Heights and Real Estate Development Equities Development Company for the LCDA Transition Block redevelopment project; and furthermore, to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into an agreement for the same. Roll call: All ayes 5. PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND GUESTS A) Introduction of Newly-Hired Employees Susan Schmidtbauer, Secretary II, Finance Department Rose Knerr, Secretary II - Permits/Licenses, Community Development Paul Frakie, Community Service Officer, Police Department. 6. PUBLIC HEAR1NGS A) Resolution No. 99-69 Ordering and Levying an Improvement This resolution is for ordering a mid-block light between 5th and 6th Streets, 48th to 49th Avenues. Motion by Szurek, second by Jolly to waive the reading of the resolution there being ample copies available for the public. Roll call: All ayes RESOLUTION NO. 99 - 69 Adopting assessment roll for the following local improvement and determining said improvement will be made and ratifying and confirming all other proceedings, heretofore had: Special Assessment for mid-block alley light, on the existing pole behind 4840 6th Street, numbered 677-Area 35 - Project #9914. WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota, met at 7:00 p.m. on the 23rd day of August, 1999, in the City Council Chambers, 590 - 40th Avenue N.E., Columbia Heights, Minnesota, being the time and place set when and where all persons interested could appear and be heard by the Council with respect to benefits, and to the proportion of the cost of making the local improvement above described, a notice of such hearing having been heretofore duly published as required by law, and a notice mailed to each property owner of record, stating the proposed amount of the assessment; and, WHEREAS, this Council has heretofore estimated the cost of such local improvement and has prepared an assessment roll therefore, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS HEREBY RESOLVES: Section 1. That this Council does hereby adopt the aforesaid assessment roll known and described as "Assessment Roll for Local Improvements" numbered 677-Area 35 - Project 9914 for mid-block alley lighting. Section 2. That this Council hereby finds and determines that each of the lots and parcels of land enumerated in said assessment roll was and is especially benefitted by such improvements. This Council further finds and determines that the proper proportion of the cost of such improvement to be especially assessed against each lot or parcel of land is the amount as billed annually by Northern States Power. Section 3. That the annual installment shall be paid in full without interest on or before September 15, 2000 (covering September electric payable in October, 1999 through 2000), and in annual installments thereafter, as long as the mid-block light is in place. Failure to pay the annual installment renders the same delinquent and thereafter a 10% penalty plus Anoka County fee is added and the said delinquent special assessment is certified to the County for collection with the real estate tax. Section 4. That this Council did hereby determine and redetermine to proceed with said improvement, does ratify and confirm all other proceedings heretofore had in regard to this improvement, and said improvement shall hereafter be known and numbered 677-Area 35 for mid-block alley lighting. Section 5. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage. Passed this 23rd day of August 1999. Offered by: Szurek Seconded by: Jolly Roll Call: All ayes Gary L. Peterson, Mayor Jo-Anne Student, Council Secretary 7. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION A) Other Ordinances and Resolutions None B) Bid Considerations None C) Other Business The City Manager referred to the Space Needs Study Committee meeting which preceded this Council Meeting where the upcoming referendum was discussed. The referendum is in regard to the proposed multi-use center. He recommended that the architectural firm which performed the Space Needs Study be considered to do the rendering for the multi-use center as well as addressing future funding needs for a new library. He felt this firm had an intimate knowledge of what would be needed for space needs for the City. Motion by Wyckoff, second by Szurek to retain Buetow and Associates to do the initial plans and general concept plans for the community center and include what the library would look like at a later date at a cost not to exceed $9,500. Roll call: All ayes 8. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS A) Report of the City Manager The City Manager reminded the Council of the City Auction scheduled for September 11th. He noted that the van being purchased by the Recreation Department for community use will be delivered soon. A policy for use of this van is being drafted by the Park and Recreation Commission. The carpet will be installed this coming week in Murzyn Hall. Councilmember Wyckoff made a request for applicants for service on the Human Services Commission. The Public Works Director advised that the water retention and control strategies put into place for the Prestemon Park area, 49th and Monroe area and Jackson Pond had worked very well with the most recent hard rain. B) Report of the City Attorney The City Attorney had nothing to report at this time. 9. GENERAL COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS Minutes from the following board and commission meetings were included in the agenda packet: August 3, 1999 Library Board of Trustees August 2, 1999 Traffic Commission July 28, 1999 Park and Recreation Commission July 15, 1999 Charter Commission July 20, 1999 Economic Development Authority These minutes were for informational purposes only. 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. Citizens are requested to limit their comments to five minutes.) The resident at 4645 Fillmore Street had questions regarding the Transit Hub and the status of the demolition of some structures in the City. Staff responded to these inquiries. The resident at 1328 41st Avenue wanted to discuss the City's policy on retaining walls which are located on private property. The Public Works Director responded to this inquiry. The resident at 4535 Taylor Street inquired if the City-owned properties on Taylor Street, which were approved for sale, would be owner-occupied. He was advised they would be. He also had questions regarding the ownership of some of the dwellings in the proposed mixed housing project on 42nd and Central Avenues. Another concern of his was the behavior of some of the residents in his area. He cited some of the conflicts and questioned how tenants were selected by landlords. 11. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Hunter, second by Wyckoffto adjourn the Council Meeting at 8:05 p.m. Roll all: All ayes Respectfully submitted, Jo-Anne Student, Council Secretary 10 11