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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOct 26, 1971p. 151 Licenses. Motion by Land, seconded by Jeska that the licenses as listed be granted upon payment of proper fees. Roll Call - All Ayes. Street Lights. The City Engineer reported two street lights were taken down after accidents and said the cost will exceed $1,O00 for each. He asked if it was necessary to take bids on these? It was suggested if possible get three current quotations from suppliers and bring them to the Council as an informal bid. Contract for Sewer Cleaning Compound. Motion by Land, seconded by Heintz .that the Mayor and City Manager be authorized to enter into an agreement pursuant to the letter dated October 1st, 1971 from Oxford Chemicals with regard to sewer cleaning compound, to extend the contract between the City of Columbia Heights and Oxford Chemicals dated September 14, 1970 under the terms and conditions as specified in the agreement which were enumerated in the October 1st, letter. Roll Call - All Ayes. Motion by Jeska, seconded by Logacz .to adjourn at 12:4OX~ a.m. Call - All Ayes. j~~l~jj/~j Roll Sec~tar~ to t-he C'o'uncil OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS Regular Meeting The meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. Jeska, Logacz, Nawrocki - present. October 26, 1971 Roll Call: Land, Heintz, Payment of Bi lls. Election Judges Griggs Cooper & Co. JohnsonB ros. Le. L i q. Sep-Ko Chemicals Ability Tire Co. Am. Cast Iron Pipe Au to Gear Co. B & E Patrol Mary Blackstad 1,210.20 Budd Broman 70.06 Case Power & Equip.Co. 268.80 Col .Hts.Pol .Petty Cash 152.41 Cr.own Iron Works 313.25 Cy's Men's lJWear 27.6.00 Elk River Concrete Prd. 95.98 Janet Ericl~son 325.00 H. E. Erickson Co. 15.OO Genuine Parts Co. 15.00 616.00 27.O1 355.5O 10.20. 57.6O 15.00 4O .95 566.20 p. 152 Gestetner Corp. Glenwood Inglewood Goodin Company Gross Industrial Serv. Go,Ion Harvey Royhl Hedblad Home Federal Savings Albert Kordiak Kremer & Bavis Richard Kudak H. D. Lee Co., Inc. Leef Bros., Inc. Walter Logacz Albert Mancuso Modern Clean-up Service Northern Sanitary Sup. Olson's Plumbin§ Ovshak Printing Oxford Chemicals Ruffridge Johnson Equip. Spencer Sokolowski Standard Oil Co. Standard Spring Co. Sun Newspapers Superior Products Mfg. Tracy Printing Transport Clearings Malcolm O. Watson Payroll Account Anoka County Library Apache Office Supplies Better Homes & Gardens The Bookmen, Inc. Ethel Dedering Harriet Deeble Demco Educational Corp. Gestetner Corp. Groiler Edu. Corp. Harper & Rouk Publish. Hearst Magazine Lundblad's Bindery Monarch Book Co. Moody~ Investors Serv. Outdoor Life Book Club Pack-O-Fun Postmaster Powe rs Prent ice - Hall St. Paul Book & Stat. Howard W. Sams & Co. Time-Life Books U of M Audio Visual Wal! Street Journal 34 6O 51 15 535 91 28 O0 15 O0 l0 O0 3O O0 16O O0 25O O0 14 52 5 79 175 16 7 5O 22 15 1 ,000 O0 47 7O 13 12 4O O0 215 O0 66 10 800 O0 1,283 16 349 98 18O 6O 35 O0 3O 95 95 33 41 45 2,098 49 6 89 8 lO 6 67 19 O8 12 O0 20 O0 105 75 45 49 lO O0 88 O0 1 00 45 55 906 84 15 78 5 29 7 90 34 O0 778 58 91 2O 2,011 68 10 42 5 63 321 35 O0 Master Pools by Denny Co 1 .Hts. Recr. Comm. Paul's Gulf Service Gary Scholla Viking Trophies John Barna Chester Ewer John Fol ta Emi 1 Koistinen Eddie Mattson Arcon Construction Bert T. Hanson Const. Total Bills $ 5 50 60 O0 36 85 lO O0 10 00~ 11 10 X 107 52 36 18 91 76 19 84 6,579 O9 306 33 $23,615.05 p. 153 Bids on Park Vehicle. Bids on a 1/2 ton pick-up truck with plow for use in the Park Department were received from the following: Park-Gopher Jeep, Inc. and Brooklyn American, Inc. (See Bid Tabulation Attached) The City Manager reported the bid from Brooklyn American, Inc. did not include the required bid security. The City Attorney was requested to supply the Council with a written opinion as to the legality of the bid. Motion by Jeska, seconded by Heintz that the Bids be turned over to the City Manager for tabulation and report back at the next regular or special meeting, such report to include a written opinion from the Attorney as to the legality of the Brooklyn American bid. Roll Call - All Ayes. Park Construction Blasting Permit. Mr. Jerry McDonald from Park Construction Company was present to explain what happened during the past week when they went to a split shot on the blasting in the Burlington-Northern Railroad yards. He said seismograph readings indicated such a slight variation on the chart that this method has reduced considerably the amount of vibration that was coming through. They are working towards three shots per day spaced closely together which is inconvenient for the blaster, but seems to be working out very well and which the residents feel is much better. Now they are doing two shots at the same time, one minute or less apart. A resident present asked why this was not done in the beginning and why the one blast is always stronger than the other? Mr. McDonald explained it is a problem for the blaster. You ~never have two shots with the same amount of powder in them. It depends upon the pattern and the number of delay holes. Structurally, the residents should r~ be having a problem in their homes now. 3747 Main Street said the amount of shock waves is greatly reduced. Before, it shook the house and dishes but now it does not. Mr. McDonald said they are moving further north from these homes and are well into Fridley. That could make some difference, but lessening the powder on the charges also makes a difference. Councilman Jeska asked what kind of seismograph readings they are getting now as opposed to before. Mr. McDonald said before they were getting readings along Main Street and California Street up to .5 or .6 and since they went to the multiple shots in the same location, it is down to .02. p. 154 3928 Main Street asked if inspections were made at all houses on Main Street. Mr. McDonald said inspections were made in all except one or two where they could not get in. He said they go in wherever they are allowed to. Mrs. Dove, 3828 Main Street questioned the trucks running on Main Street. She said after the last inforn~l meeting with the Council, she thought they were supposed to be off Main Street. Mayor Nawrocki said it was his understanding there would be no trucks on Main Street day or night, and last night they were working until 11:30 p.m. Some residents went down to talk with ne crews. Mr. McDonald said he only found out today they were working in Columbia Heights last evening. He said they will not be running scrapers after 10:00 p.m. from now on. As far as trucks, they come from several directions. Some come up Main Street, some from the bottem, and some from University Avenue and down 37th Avenue. The residents said in the agreement, no trucks were to be on Main Street day or night. Mayor Nawrocki said he was led to believe that trucks were going to keep off Main Street. It was never specified day or night, they were to be off period. The City Manager said it was his understanding they were to use haul roads outside Columbia Heights and we were not to anticipate an increase in truck traffic. We were aware that when trucks were bringing materials into the Park on 2nd Street there would be more truck traffic but the contractor was to keep those streets watered down. Mayor Nawrocki requested three items be checked: 1. The truck traffic. 2. Who we talk to on off-duty hours. 3. Blasting. He said it appears there is a significant improvement in the problems when the blasts are 1/3 of what was used in the beginning. Me ~said he was concerned with trying to make this operation livable for the people in the area. He suggested the original resolution be revised to allow charges no more than 1/3 of the beginning, with a maximum of 500 lbs., that up ~to three blasts per day be allowed, that they be wit~n 5 minutes of each other. Mr. Smith from Barton Contracting Company said one thing that has not been brought up in the discussions is the fa ~ they have not made a single days blasting sufficient to meet their requirements. It will be necessary to shoot off more explosives if they are to finish the job on schedule. Mayor Nawrocki said it is not 100% necessary to blast. We have Vied to go along with you recognizing blasting is one way to do it, if the blasting is tightly controlled. p. 155 Mr. Smith said the blasting was too much in terms of tolerance, but it was not too much for what their readings and experts indicated. A representative from Twin City Testing was present and explained how the blasts are measured and compared with the Bureau of Mines Report. He explained a formula used in making their recommendations. Councilman Jeska suggested instead of talking about poundage in the resolution allowing the permit, talk about a reading no higher than · 3 on the seismograph. That is more realistic. The readings should be maintained under .3 and when the blasts come closer to the homes, they will have to use less powder to maintain the .3 reading. The blaster can apply the formula we just heard about. Mayor Nawrocki suggested the City Manager and City Engineer go over the formula with Twin City Testing. Until then, no more than three shots per day within a 15 minute period can be used. The total amount of dynamite used cannot exceed 500 .lbs. Our agreements will be reviewed on the truck situation. Possibly another meeting can be held a week from Thursday. Utility Rates. The City Manager said in accordance with the bids received on the garbage collection ~X~service, he has ~prepared a resolution setting new rates. The increase amounts to 50¢ over the present rate on residential service and would go into effect after the Price Freeze is off on the 15th. Mayor Nawrocki asked what our administrative costs are running in handling complaints and bool~eeping and is this increase enough. The City Manager requested the resolution be held off for a bit so he could make a correction in the rates for vat service. Request from Orfei & Sons for Final Payment on Watermain Contract. A number of residents from Gould Avenue were present for the discussion. The City Manager reported a letter was received from Orfei & Sons October 20, 1971, requestin~ final payment on the watermain project. He said a considerable amount of repair work has been done and Orfei is deserving of payment on this. He recommended releasing $15,000 of the $20,.000 being withheld. Lookout Place was done very nicely when you consider the condition of this roadway, the ~XX~alley west of Reservoir Boulevard on Gould has been repaired nicely, and some spots were repaired on Peters Place. There are some holes on the west end of Gould Avenue that are probably related to the work which we should have repaired as a~part of the project. A resident from Gould said the work has not ~Kbeen done on Gould. There are a lot of ~holes. Orfei went down part way but not all the way. X~Photographs of the street were presented to the Council. p. 156 Another resident said the street was good before Orfei came in. It was to be fixed and it is not. Someone asked about a discussion held on seal coat a while back. The City Manager said seal coating is done every five or six years. This is rotated throughout the City. Since the street was re-surfaced five or six years ago, if Orfei had not gone near the street, it would have been done this construction season or next construction season. A resident said Orfei worked 3½ hours on Gould Avenue. He has not completed his work yet and should not get payment until all the streets are in satisfactory condition. The City Manager said during the 1970 and 1971 construction season we have not done maintenance work on these streets. Under normal circumstances Gould would have required maintenance. He said this watermain in Gould was put on the contract late under protest from Orfei. The records indicated a 6" main existed but when we dug in, we found a 4" main that went in 50 years ago. The Council held a hearing. If the contractor had not done it, we would have had no federal funds available and the cost would have been $9 or $10 a foot. Councilman Heintz said all the people want is a decent patch job. You can't come in for consideration of payment until it is done. Councilman Land said it is practically unbelieveable that this has taken place. The Engineer is trying to be fair to both the City and to Orfei. ~XThe people living on the street have to take the bumps, ruts and inconvenience. It is up to the City to take care of this. The best idea would be to have the City do the work and deduct it from Orfei. But Orfei would not go for that. Orfei has said the work is completed three times. Motion by Heintz, seconded by Jeska that the request for final payment from Orfei & Sons for work on watermain project be denied on the basis that the ~rk is incomplete. Roll Call - All Ayes. Mayor Nawrocki said at such time when the City Manager feels the work is done, bring it back to the Council for consideration, but not before. At that time a letter will be sent to the same people on Gould Avenue so they will be aware of the d~cussions. Special Assessment Hearing. Motion by Land, seconded by Jeska that the City Manager be authorized to advertise for an Assessment Hearing to be held Tuesday, November 30, 1971, at 8:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, for assessable projects completed during the present construction season. Roll Call - All Ayes. p. 157 McKenna Park Walkway. The Park Board requested authorization to install a concrete walkway in McKenna Park along the northerly edge of the Park from Jefferson to Washington Street. MR. Murzy. n reported he had three informal bids on the job. Bert Hanson Construction Company was low bidder at $1,440..00.. Motion by Jeska, seconded by Heintz that the Mayor and City Manager be authorized to enter into a contract with Bert Hanson Construction Company for the concrete walkway in McKenna Park in an amount not to exceed $1500. Roll Call - A 11 Ayes. Resolution Setting Utility Rates. Councilman Land suggested the senior citizen rates K~XH be allowed for persons over 62 years of age with a maximum income of something higher than the present $3,000.. Possibly $4,000 should be the maximum household income. He said here we have a chance to do something for the ~X~X~senior citizens.' Everyone he Rs talked to would be willing to pay more if the senior citizens were able to stay in their homes. The City Manager was directed to research this suggestion and find out how many people would qualify for reduced rates with a maximum income of $3,500 or $4,000. Motion by Heintz, seconded by Jeska that consideration of the resolution setting utility rates be tabled until the next regular or special Council meeting. Roll Call - Ail Ayes. Proposal for Use of Propane in City Vehicles. A representati~s from the Hustad Company was present with a proposal for use of propane in City vehicles. He said he understood Columbia Heights was a fore-runner on air pollution in the Metro Area and was one of the first ones to adopt a No-burning Law. It appeared to them that K~X~XColumbia Heights is pollution conscious. He explained the costs involved with converting to propane and how much savings the City would realize by using propane. The City Manager was directed to contact the Metropolitan Transit Commission, Metallurgical and the Gas Company to find out how propane is working in their operations and report back to the Council. The representative from Husmd agreed to keep in contact with the City Manager. Proclamation for Cleaner Air Week. A Proclamation for National Cleaner Air Week was read by Mayor Nawrockl: WHEREAS, the purpose of Cleaner Air Week is to promote a ~~ united educational program for cleaner air and to help build a better, stronger America, and WHEREAS, air pollution is a seriou~ community problem brought about by industrial expansion and increasing population, and since industry and population gives every indimtion of continuing to increase at an impressive rate, soot, smoke, flyash, and ~Xnoxious fumes and gases progress to become a greater hazard to the health and welfare to the people of our sovereign state as well as a source of grave economic waste, and p. 15~ WHEREAS, in these days when the nation's security is threatened air pollution abatement assumes increasing importance in its prevention of waste materials and energies, its cutting of cost of fuel, upkeep and maintenance, and its reduction of illness and absenteeism, and WHEREAS, the height of air pollution can be greatly diminished through intelligent action involving engineering, equipment, research and education, and WHEREAS, with some of the mechanical means already available combined with the enlightened attitude of industry, air pollution control is forging ahead, but these measures must be continued and further measures instituted to win the race against air pollution, and WHEREAS, for these reasons abatement of air pollution and all its various forms is of ~~ utmost concern to America's citizens, NOW, THEREFORE, I, Bruce G. Nawrocki, Mayor of the City of Columbia Heights, do hereby proclaim the week beginning October 24, 1971 "Cleaner Air WeekI' in Columbia Heights I request that all citizens cooperate fully in the observance of this week and undertake a year-round campaign to abate destructive air pollution from all sources, and direct the appropriate departments of the City to assist in arousing the public awareness of the need for active participation in the fight for clean air. Proclamation on Halloween. Mayor Nawrocki read the following Proclamation on Halloween: WHEREAS, the children of our community are associated with Halloween, including going from door to door in their immediate ~ighborhoods with their happy challenges of I'trick-or-treat", and WHEREAS, the increasing possibility of accidents due to the general carefree spirit of the children at this partio~lar time when their masks often make them indistinguishable in the darkness of these early fall evenings is an ever present threat; and WHEREAS, students have petitioned for early evening hours; and WHEREAS, parents generally favor the early evening schedule since it tends to limit participation to the yoonger children, ~ for whom the observance was originally intended. NOW, THEREFORE, we, Duane R. Miedtke, Mayor ~the Village of St. Anthony, and Bruce G. Nawrocki, Mayor of the City of Columbia Heights, do hereby proclaim that Sunday, October 31, 1971, shall be known as Halloween. We do further ask both children and their parents to cooperate in limiting the time of trick-or-treat activities to the period marked by 4:00 p.m. and the hour of 8:00 p.m. We also ask that, wherever possible, parents of the very young insure that they or other responsible adults accompany them, and we further encourage all householders, wherever they are able to do so, cooperate in making this a happy occasion for all youngsters. Police Negotiations. A brief discussion was held regarding a negotiation session between Mr. Smythe and Mr. Prifrel. A possible Resolution had been set up as a result of that earlier session. The City Attorney was a~<ed to verify ~X~X~X~X~~how the Wage Freeze in ~X~existence might effect a ~~proposal that would span the time period between August 15th and November 15th. Orfei & Sons Watermain Contract. As proposed by the City Attorney, the following action was taken in regard to restoration work by Orfei &'Sons: Motion by Jeska, seconded by Heintz,~ that the City Attorney, City Manager and City Engineer be instructed to meet and determine what items of the contract between the City of Columbia Heights and Orfei & Sons remain unfinished and outstanding, that Orfei & 'Sons be advised that if these items ~are not completed within ten days pursuant to the contract, the bonding company will be notified and the City will take all further legal means to see that these items are completed before the end of the construction season. Roll Call - All Ayes. Paving on State Aid Projects. Motion by La~d, seconded by Jeska, that Harddrives, Inc., be authorized payment of their claim in the amount of $62,638.81 for paving on M.S.A. projects. Roll Call - Ail Ayes. Parking on Jackson, 39th to 40th Ave.N.E. Motion by Jeska, seconded by Land that the "No Parking" on the west side of Jackson Street, 39th to 40th Avenue, be removed, as reoommended by the Traffic Commission. Roll Call - All Ayes. Bituminous Conference. Motion by Land, seconded by Jeska that expenses be authorized for two people to attend the Bituminous Conference on November 17th, with registration at $16 per person. Roll Call - All Ayes. Licenses. Motion by Land, seconded by Neintz .that the licenses as listed be granted upon payment of proper fees. Roll Call - All Ayes. Special Council Meeting. Motion by Heintz,. seconded by Jeska to hold a special meeting of the City Council on Thursday, November 4th at 7:00 .p.m. for purposes of canvassi~ng election results, consideration of award of bid on Park vehicle, consideration of garbage and rubbishX~%%~ resolution setting rates, and a resolution on Police salaries. Roll Call - All Ayes. Motion by Jeska, seconded by Log Roll A11 Ayes. Bru~ce 'G.-~v~rocki, Mayo~ - Call- Secr.~tary to the Council