HomeMy WebLinkAboutJan 31, 1972p. 15
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
Special Meeting
January 31, 1972
The meeting was called to order at 8:02 p.m.
Norberg, Jeska, Heintz, Nawrocki - present.
Roll Call: Land,
Invocation was given by Father Ince of Immaculate Conception Church.
~4inutes of last regular and special meetings.
The City Manager reported a misprint occurred in the minutes of
December 13, 1971 on the figure on the purchase agreement with
Peter Tema for property to be used as a City Garage site.
The purchase price should have been $35,000 as authorized by
the Council, not $32,500. Motion by Jeska, seconded by Heintz
that the minutes of December 13, 1971 be approved as corrected,
and the minutes of the last regular and special meetings be
approved as presented in writing. Roll Call - All Ayes.
Payment of bills.
Motion by Land, seconded by Norberg that the following bills be
paid out of their proper funds: Roll Call - All Ayes.
Famous Brands, Inc.
Griggs, Cooper & Co.
Johnson Bros.Whle. Liq.
Old Peoria Co., Inc.
Ed Phillips & Sons
Twin City Wine Co.
Griggs, Cooper & Co.
Old Peoria Co., Inc.
Sep-Ko Chemicals, Inc.
Am. Nat'l. Bank & Trust
Famous Brands, Inc.
Griggs, Cooper & Co.
Johnson Bros.Whle. Liq.
Merrill Chapman Co..
Old Peoria Co., Inc.
Ed Phillips & Sons
Payroll Account
$10,966,91
464.62
2,179.38
603.58
22,426.14
481.42
215.18
461.68
14.85
23,443.53
1,197.51
10,316.11
4,026.83
14.0~
76.17
253.28
44,088.05
1st Nat'l. Bank - St. Paul
131,031.36
Am. Photocopy Equip. Co.
Am. Photocopy Equip.Co.
Am. Public ~orks Assoc.
Anoka Co. Assoc. of Mun.
Anoka Co. Chie~of Police
Anoka Co.Law Enforce.
B & E Patrol
Cleanco Truck Wash
Col.Hts. Fire Dept.
15.95
52.88
60.00
658.82
5.00
52.00
325.00
21.00
215.00
Col.Hts. Fire Dept. $
Gary Eide, Admin.Asst.
Exec.Sec'y.,C.D.Council
Fridley Office Supply
Merle Glader
Geo. M. Hansen Co.
Royhl Hedblad
Henn. Co. Chiefs of Police
Chief H. Richard Harrigan
267.00
2.00
10.00
22.65
21.11
900.00
10.00
5.00
20.00
Int'l.Chief of Police Asoc.25.00
Int'l.City Mng.Assoc.
Kiwanis Club
Albert Kordiak
Donald Lohse
Metro Bus.Forms
Metro Sewer Board
Minn. Chief of Police
102.50
3.00
160.00
41.85
84.77
16,252.54
10.00
Minn. Police & Peace Offi. 45.00
Modern Clean-up Serv.
James Montague
Motorola Communications
Mr. Steak
N.W. Bell Tel. Co.
Olson's Plumbing
Chas.Olson & Sons
Parker Publishing
Postmaster of Mpls.
Secretary of State
1,000.00
87.40
162.60
24.00
25.00
2.27
1,636.62
8.87
300.00
1.25
p. 16
Spencer Sokolowski
Tri County Law Enforce.
Wahl & Wahl, Inc.
Payroll Account
Gaylord Bros., Inc.
Ovshak Printing
Postmaster
Regent Book Co.
St. Paul Book & Stat.
Westinghouse Elec. Supply
John T. Downey
John P. Marchiniak
Minn. Recr. & Park Assoc.
A & B Sporting Goods
Coast to Coast Stores
Col.Hts. Recr. Comm.
Col.Hts. Recr. Comm.
Crown Rubber Stamp Co.
Dunn & Fowler, Inc.
Flickertail Sports Co.
General Office Prod.
McGraw-Hill Book Co.
Nat'l. Recr & Park Assoc.
Ovshak Printing
Paul's Gulf Service
Pommer Mfg. Co.
Twin City Duplicator
Chester Ewer
John Folta
Eddie Mattson
N.W. Bell Tel. Co.
A. A. Battery Co.
A B C Lettering Co.
Ability Tire Co.
Albinson
Am. Linen Supply Co.
Aunt Jenny's Restaurant
Auto Gear Co.
Bill Boyer Ford Co.
Cargill, Inc.
Carlson Equipment Co.
City of So. St. Paul
City Wide Locksmithing
Coast to Coast Stores
Col.Hts. Agency
Col. Hts. Water Dept.
Col.Hts. Water Dept.
Computer Election Systems
Conway Fire & Safety
Crown Iron Works Co.
Acoustical & Insul. System
Eklund Clothing Co.
$ 958.33
10.00
78.00
3,892.98
86.10
5.50
28.00
57.75
38.82
95.42
20.00
20.00
10.00
273.35
24.75
50.00
450.75
6.50
450.00
62.55
132.27
16.92
50.00
180.50
11.83
38.23
23.05
108.32
180.90
12.40
4.32
46.40
19.00
378.77
26.39
17.13
6.80
31.67
74.26
366.54
149.50
60.00
14.20
95.63
753.00
343.98
14.70
12,070.00
4.00
50.60
1,500.00
34.95
Gestetner Corp. $
Glenwood Inglewood
Goodin Company
Gopher Glass Co.
Hall Equipment Co.
Heights Auto Wash
Heights Shell Serv.
Institutional Sales
Int'l.Bus. Machines
Itasca Equipment Co.
Keep Fill Products
Norm Kiefer
J. N. Larson Chevrolet
Leef Bros., Inc.
Lowry Lbr. Co.
Metro Business Forms
Midland Cooperatives
Miller Davis Co.
Mpls. Elec.Balancing
Mpls. Equipment Co.
Mpls Gas Co.
Minnesota Onan Corp.
Mobil Oil Corp.
Mound City Warehouse
No. States Power Co.
No.States Power Co.
N.W. Bell Tel. Co.
Nott Company
Oil Burner Service
Ovshak Printing Co.
Ovshak Printing Co.
Phillips Petroleum Co.
Rogers
Sherwin-Williams Co.
Sokolowski & Peterson
Standard Oil Co.
Sun Newspapers
Superior Products Co.
Twin City Typewriter
W & W Generator
Viking Industrial Center
Waste Management of Minn.
Zayre Shoppers City
Better Homes & Gardens
The Bookmen, Inc.
Bro-Dart, Inc.
Coronet Fils
T. S. Denison & Co.
Doubleday & Co.
Elliott Film Co.
Imperial Film Co., Inc.
Lundblad's Bindery , Inc.
21.60
69.34
129.63
75.43
94.83
5.00
11.60
634.00
23.49
427.00
7.06
39.55
6.53
167.15
70.83
82.81
160.78
23.40
39.50
68.14
1,446.70
208.00
33.15
59.42
1,910.20
4.00
779.65
5.00
65.85
132.50
179.00
53.35
6.60
9.35
132.50
1~35.70
413.70
19.80
42.50
127.95
183.50
6.00
69.99
6.51
32.80
61.58
64.00
6.68
137.04
13.39
44.10
136.55
p. 17
Miller-Brody Product. $
Monarch Book Co.
Outdoor Life Book Club
Parent's Magazine
Regent Book Co., Inc.
Silver Burdette Co.
Spoken Arts, Inc.
Writer's Digest
H. W. Wilson Co .
Am. Linen Supply Co.
Coca Cola Btlg.
Col.Hts. Park Petty Cash Fd.
Gopher Jeep, Inc.
Heights Electric, Inc.
Mel's Van 0 Lite
Seven Up Btlg. Co.
Boutells
General Office Prod.
Wm. A. Holmin Corp.
Lowry Central Bowling
Playhouse Co., Inc.
St. Paul Book & Stat.
Viking Trophy
Am. Linen Supply
Eberhard Candy Tobacco
Ganzer Distributor
Gross Industrial Serv.
Kuether Distrib. Co.
Pac, Inc.
Pepsi Cola Btlg Co.
Rex Distributing Co.
Arcon Construction
Don Paul & Sons Sod Serv.
Don Paul & Sons Sod Serv.
Dunkley Surfacing
R. A. Luxenburg
R. A. Luxenburg
Griggs, Cooper & Co.
Johnson Bros.Whle. Liq
Johnson Paper & Sup.
Old Peoria Co., Inc.
Ed Phillips & Sons
Twin City Wine Co.
Malcolm O. Watson
19.00
376.95
5.49
138.00
56.08
5.60
66.52
7.16
45.00
7.21
580.50
10.42
3,649.00
519.88
35.28
54.50
302.90
192.98
185.00
457.85
97.54
321.63
73.00
120.17
190.85
1,656.35
14.00
2,553.28
262.80
69.70
1,208.32
2,632.12
670.32
4,394.61
3,568.57
384.50
5,516.12
290.31
4,023.08
102.34
213.36
64.74
799.21
25.20
TOTAL $287,561.75
Award of Bids on Domestic Animal Control.
The City Manager reported based on the availability of the
communication system with our present contractor, B & E Patrol,
it would be his recommendation that the low bid of B & E Patrol
be accepted for a one year period. Motion by Jeska, seconded by
Heintz, that the bid for domestic animal control be awarded to
B & E Patrol in the amount of $3,900 for the coming year. Roll
Call - Ail Ayes.
p. 18
Award of Bids on Sale of Property.
The City Manager reported since tke last meeting, he contacted
the three bidders on sale of Lots 1, 2, 8, and 9, Block 2,
Apache Heights and requested additional data from them on what
the proposed use of the land would be. He said he received a
plan layout of a proposed medical building. The ultimate zoning
as projected by the Comprehensive Plan indicated this to be
L-B Limited Business which would eliminate the need for a special
use permit which is presently required on this land.
Motion by Land, seconded by Jeska to award the bid on
sale of Lot 1, Block 2, Apache Heights (2300 - 40th Avenue) to
Audria Williams Hartry in the amount of $6,005.00; Lot 2, and
Lot 8, Block 2, Apache Heights (2310 - 40th Avenue and 3945 McKinley)
to Dr. Paul Williams in the amount of $6,000.00 and $5,005.00
respectively; and Lot 9, Block 2, Apache Heights (3955 ~Kinley)
to Dr. Nilliam J. Carr in the amount of $5,005.00. Roll Call-
All Ayes.
Award of Bids on Standby Generator·
Motion by Heintz, seconded by Jeska to award the bid on a standby
electric generating set to Flaherty Equipment Company in the
amount of $3,250.00. Roll Call - All Ayes.
Agreement on Issuance of Blastinq Permit.
The City Attorney reported an agreement has been worked out between
himself and Wyman Smith, attorney representing Barton Contracting,
outlin~g standards on a blasting permit for rock removal in the
Burlington-Northern railroad site. Included in the agreement
was the following:
That the construction operations be limited to between 6:00 a.m.
and 12:00 p.m.
That the blasting operation be limited to between 9:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, unless that day may be a
legal holiday when no blasting shall be allowed. Blasting
shall be accomplished at a maximum of two times per day with an
individual blasting sequence not in excess of 15 minutes.
The blasting will be within the performance standards of
the City as hereinafter described and as established by the
zoning code of the City.
That an employee of the City shall be assigned to monitor
at all times the effects of the blasts.
The seismograph readings shall be taken at thewest side of the
structure nearest the blast site.
p. 19
10.
11.
12.
The contractor shall pay the entire salary cost for the City
inspector for his time on inspections related to the operation.
Blast intensity shall not exceed the seismograph reading of
0.15 inches per second particle velocity average for ten
consecutive blasts and no single blast shall exceed 0.20 inches
per second particle velocity at the nearest structure.
Each blast shall be designed not to exceed 0.15 inches per
second particle velocity.
If any blast intensity exceeds 0.20 immediate steps shall be
taken to reduce the charges and a report submitted as to the
reason for the excessive reading. If, in the opinion of the
City, the reason for the excessive reading is insufficient, the
sum of $100 shall be paid by Barton to the City's general fund.
Barton will fully furnish all plans and records and other
information concerning blasting to the City as the City may
require.
Prior to general rock removal, pre-splitting of the rock layers
shall be made at the easterly limit of the construction area
where rock must be removed.
No hammerheading shall exceed 0.05 inches per second particle
velocity as registered on the seismograph. Hammerheading shall
be restricted to ~he kours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Any
reading exceeding .075 shall invoke the penalty under #7.
Barton and Park will not permit children and trespassers to
come upon the premises under construction as a saf~ precaution.
Barton shall establish a fund to reimburse property owners,
within the City of Columbia Heights, for legal fees incurred by
such persons in collecting property damage claims as follows:
ae
$10,000 of said fund to be contributed by Barton Contracting.
Tke fund is to be held by the City Attorney and Park
Construction Company, as co-escrow agents for the fund.
be
Any property owner, within the City of Columbia Heights,
wko has incurred expense by reason of employment of an
attorney to recover a property damage claim against
Barton, or its insurer, arising out of blasting and construction
of said railway yards and who receives a payment for such
property damage, whether by negotiation or by court suit,
shall be entitled to additional compensation in an amount
equal to 33-1/3% of said payment as an add-on.
Said 33-1/3% add-on will be for property damage claims
and shall not be paid for injuries to the person.
A resolution autkorizing the agreement was offered by Land,
seconded by Jeska:
p. 21
p. 20
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Columbia Heights, that the Mayor and City Manager be authorized
to enter into an agreement with Park Construction Company and
Barton Contracting Company on the issuance of a blasting permit
for rock removal in the Burlington-Northern Railroad construction
site west of California Street between 37th Avenue and 40th
Avenue N.E.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that said agreement be in conformance with
the guidelines established by the City Attorney for this purpose.
Roll Call - Ail Ayes.
Recess was called at 10:25 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 10:40 p.m.
Resolution Supporting Project Identification.
Offered by Heintz, seconded by Land.
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Columbia
Heights, that
WHEREAS, the Chamber of Commerce of the City of Columbia Heights
has made a study of the use of engraving identification marking
on personal properties, and
WHEREAS, said Chamber of Commerce has officially presented
the information to the City Council, and
WHEREAS, the Chamber of Commerce has purchased the necessary
engraving tools and identification stickers and has agreed
to purchase such additional supplies as are necessary to carry
out this program for our citizens.
NOW, THEREFORE, B).: IT RESOLVED that the City Council hereby
endorses the "Project Identification" and recommends that
all of our citizens avail themselves of this oppor~nity to protect
their personal property in this manner.
Roll Call - Ail Ayes.
Resolution Authorizinq Transfers from Salary Continqency Fund.
Offered by Jeska, seconded by Land.
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Columbia
Heights that the City Treasurer is hereby instructed to transfer
from unallocated General Expense, Salaries, Fringe Benefits, as
follows:
p. 22
p. 21
General Government ...... $
Public Safety .........
Highways ...........
Library ............
Park .............
12,640
3,860
12,470
4,820
6,030
Total. . $ 39,820
/ ~. 'l~Roll Call - All Ayes.
Resolution Setting Certain 1972 Salaries.
Offered by Jeska, seconded by Heintz.
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Columbia
Heights that the following salaries be established for 1972,
effective January 1, 1972. In addition, the individual employee's
hospitalization and insurance (under the Hennepin County groupplan)
will be paid.
Recreation Director ...... $ 10,750
Recreation Supervisor ..... 8,500
Park-Recreation Secretary . . . 4,940
Acting Clerk-Treasurer ..... 13,500
Chief Dispatcher to receive $40.00 per month
additional compensation above standard
dispatcher scale.
That a residency waiver be given to the Acting Clerk-Treasurer.
These adjustments are acceptable to the requirements of the
Office of Emergency Preparedness guidelines establishing
Phase II limits.
Roll Call - Ail Ayes.
Recycling .~rogram for Cans and Bottles.
Mrs. Irene Parsons from the League of Women Voters was present
to explain a project of recycling cans and bottles in the City
of Columbia Heights. She said there is a recycling plant in
St. Paul and this facility should be made available to the people.
She suggested Columbia Heights follow St. Anthony Village where
a collection center is being set up next to their maintenance
garage where residents on bring cans and bottles. The area
will be supervised by the village service organizations.
The center in St. Paul will provide transportation of the items
to the center. She said the center employs handicapped people.
In Columbia Heights, the League is interested in this type of
project, the Girl Scouts, the S.C.A.R.E. group at the High School,
and she suggested a committee be set up with the City and service
groups to work with this proposal.
p. 22
The City Council members were in favor of this project and
it was suggested a meeting be set up with the various civic
groups to try and implement this thing.
Purchase of Copy Machine.
Motion by Land, seconded by Jeska that the City Manager be
authorized to purchase a Pitney-Bowes copy machine for use in the
administration offices in an amount not to exceed $995 with
trade-in of an existing machine from the Engineering office.
Roll Call - ~11 Ayes.
Land Description Course.
Motion by Heintz, seconded by Land to authorize Clayton Berg
from theEngineering Department to attend the land description
course at Anoka Senior High School on Monday evenings for 11
weeks beginning February 7th, registration of $15.00.
Roll Call - All Ayes.
Corrosion Short Course.
Motion by Jeska, seconded by Land to authorize necessary expenses
for one person to attend the Corrosion Short Course at Purdue
University February 23rd and 24th. Roll Call - Ail Ayes.
Travel Expense Policy.
Councilman Norberg requested the City Manaqer to come up with
the policy on expenses - the amounts allowed for mileage,
transportation, meals, lodging, etc. It was reported we do have
a policy now with vouchers, and the Manager said he will
prepare the policy to be submitted before the next Council
meeting.
Designation of 40th Avenue as State Aid.
A request was received from the Traffic Commission to hold a
hearing for designation of 40th Avenue from Reservoir to
Arthur as municipal state aid road. This way, the City could
draw from gasoline taxes to defray expenses in maintaining
this street. The City Engineer said in order to get it in
1972 state aid allotment, we should hold a hearing in February.
Several residents from the area were present in opposition
to proceed with any major construction, saying the City is
building a freeway to Apache. Motion by Land, seconded by Jeska
that the Council concur with the Traffic Commission to hold a
hearing to consider putting this section of 40th Avenue on the
municipal state aid system, this hearing to be held on
Monday evening, February 7, 1972. Roll Call - Ail Ayes.
p. 23
Park Board Requests Hiring Electrical Engineer.
A request was received from the Park Board to hire an electrical
engineer to prepare specifications for lighting new ball field.
John Murzyn said he would like to hire Jim Wolverton to handle
this work. He ~id there is $16,000 in the budget. Motion by
Heintz, seconded by Land tkat the City Manager be authorized to
enter into an agreement with Jim Wolverton for preparation of
specifications and design for lighting system for the new ball
park east of Jefferson Street. Roll Call: Land, Jeska, Heintz,
Nawrocki - Ayes. Norberg - abstained.
Storm Sewer Gauvette Park.
A proposal for a storm sewer in Gauvette Park was presented
by the Engineering Department. The matter was referred to the
City Attorney to check on a means of financing.
ProClamation on 1972 National Children's Dental Health Week.
Mayor Nawrocki presented the following proclamation:
WHEREAS, the future is, to a large measure, dependent on
the good health of our children and youth, the citizens of
tomorrow; and
WHEREAS, good health, physical and mental, can be achieved
through good health habits, learned early;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Bruce G. Nawrocki, Mayor of the City of
Columbia Heights, do hereby proclaim the week of February. 6,
through 12, 1972, as children's Dental Health Week in Columbia
Heights and urge that all citizens and all community organizations
join in tke observance.
Resolution Concern%~g Land Use Power in Columbia Heights and Other
Home Rule Municipalities.
Councilman Norberg presented the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the citizens of Columbia Heights are more informed in
their knowledge of their City than anyone else, and therefore, are
the best judges of the proper and most profitable use of its land
and resources in the general welfare, and
WHEREAS, the right to property guaranteed our citizens under
the U.S. Constitution extends to include the right to reasonably
exercise control over that property and to protect its value,
And,
WHEREAS, home rule City and Village Government , being closest
to and within closest reach of the individual citizen, is most
responsive to that ~tizen in the exercise of his property rights,
and
p. 24
W~EREAS, certain metropolitan officials have announced their
intention to seek from the Minnesota Legislature, for the Metro
Council added Land Use Control in the Seven-County Metropolitan
Area, and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City
of Columbia Heights will s~utly and regularly oppose the
extension of its land use power to the Metropolitan Council,
or any other large government unit, both before the Legislature
and the Courts, and that Governor Anderson, State Senator Nyquist,
Representative Sokolowski, Metro Councilman Kozlak, and all
other members of the Metro Council are hereby memorialized that
such is our intent.
Offered by Norberg, seconded by Jeska.
Members of ~he Council requested more information on this matter
from the Metro Council before voting in favor of the resolution.
It was felt the resolution was premature.
Roll Call on resolution: Land, Heintz, Nawrocki - Nay.
Norberg, Jeska - Ayes.
Police Service for Hilltop Village.
Mayor Nawrocki reported meeting informally with the Village of
Hilltop on providing police service for the Village.
He said the se~ice would be an expansion of the service we
presently have. It would offer Hilltop 24 hour service. In
talking with the Police Chief, it would not require new additional
equipment or men. The cost of providing this service would
be $12,500 per year. He asked for Council approval of this
service. Motion by Jeska, seconded by Norberg to authorize
City staff to prepare an agreement for the City of Columbia
Heights to provide Police Service for the Village of Hilltop
as mentioned. Roll Call - All Ayes. ~
Levy Limitation Challenge by Brooklyn Center.
Mayor Nawrocki reported on the actions of Brooklyn Center
regarding challenging levy limitation portion of the Tax Bill.
He said several communities have joined Brooklyn Center either
by direct intervention or by agreeing to pay a certain portion
of the costs of the suit and the League of Minnesota Municipalities
has made a committment to this also. He requested the Council
authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into an agreement
which would in effect be a joint agreement with Brooklyn Center
and others to share in the expenses of the litigation
in an amount not to exceed $500. Motion by Jeska, seconded
by Heintz to grant the request. Roll Call - All Ayes.
p. 25
Congressional Conference.
Motion by Norberg, seconded by Jeska that expenses be authorized
for Mayor Nawrocki to attend the Congressional Cities Conference
March 5, 6, and 7 in Washington O. C. Roll Call - All Ayes.
Cable Television.
It was suggested that a member of t~e Council who is interested
in Cable Television become an informal ~epresentative of the
Council at some of the discussions being held and a conference
at the University in March,on the subject of Cable TV, possibly
Councilman Norberg because of his technical background.
Street Light at Super. america Station.
A letter was received from Superamerica asking to get a street
light on their property at 50th and Central Avenue N.E. The
matter was referred to the City Attorney for a report at the
next City Council meeting.
Rice Creek Watershed District.
Motion by Heintz, seconded by Jeska that the City Manager be
authorized to communicate with the County officials in opposition
of Columbia Heights being included in the Rice Creek Watershed
District. Roll Call - All Ayes.
Snow Emergency Snowbirds.
Ken Hentges was present and discussed the problem of snowbirds.
He said an employee of the City had to knock on doors and get
the residents to move their cars. He said the City should not do
that. Mayor Nawrocki said there are laws on the books where
the City can simply ticket and tow the cars away but the knocking
on doors is a courtesy to our citizens.
Informal meeting.
It was reported an informal meeting was to be held on Wednesday
evening this week ~ith ~e ~ousing Authority members and the
Council. At this time, the public works program for 1972 could
also be outlined.
Joint Powers with Fridley.
Councilman Norberg said before he took office they talked about
a joint powers agreement with the City of Fridley. Mayor Nawrocki
said he spoke with staff people from Fridley and they are to make
a contact with the Columbia Heights staff on the matter.
Mr. Watson said he would contact the City Manager of Fridley and
ask him what his thoughts are on this.
p. 26
Licenses.
Motion by Jeska, seconded by Heintz that the licenses as listed
be approved upon payment of proper fees. Roll Call -
All Ayes.
Motion by Keintz, seconded by Land to grant a 3.2 beer license
to the Jaycees for their functions including softball tournaments.
Roll Call - Land, Jeska, Heintz, Nawrocki - Ayes. Norberg - Nay.
Motion by Jeska, seconded by Heintz to adjourn at 1:40 a.m.
Call - All Ayes.
Bruce G. Nawrocki, Mayor
Roll
Secretary to the Council