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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFeb 25, 1974OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS Regular meeting February 25, 1974 The meeting was called to order at 8:07 ~.M. Roll call Land, Nawrocki - Present. Logacz, Heintz, Norberg, Motion by Norberg seconded by Land to appoint Kathy Sroga as Secretary Pro-tem. All ayes. Invocation was given by Malcolm Watson, City Manager. MINUTES OF FEBRUARY llth MEETING Motion by Norberg seconded by Heintz to approve the minutes with the noted changes on page 24 (Councilman Norberg elected vice-president of the Suburban Rate Author- ity) and the reading of the minutes dispensed with. Roll call all ayes. PAYMENT OF BILLS Motion by Heintz seconded by Logacz to pay the bills as listed out of the proper funds. Roll call - all ayes. Natl. League of Cities Payroll account Famous Brands Inc. Johnson Bros.Whsle Liq. Co. Ed Phi ll ips & Sons Co. Twin City Wine Co. Wine Merchants Co. Val Bjornson St.Treas. Val Bjornson St.Treas. United Air Lines Famous Brands Inc. Johnson Bros. Whsle Liq.Co. Ed Phillips & Sons Co. Am. Society for Public Adm Barton Contracting B & E Patrol Terrance J. Cain Cargill Inc. Col.Hts. Fire Dept. Col .Hts. Water Dept. Col.Hts.Water Del~t. Mitch DeMars Ralph Duray Fridley Office Supply Genuine Parts Co. Glenwood Inglewood Gross Industrial Royhl Hedblad Gerald Hedlund Robert Jend ro Mrs. Gayle Jones Ronald Kalina League of Mn Municipalities Lowry Central Bowlers Sup. Metro Sewer Board Mpls. City Treas. Mpls. Gas Co. Modern Clean-up Service 150.00 Moline Printing 34.00 51 ,483.85 Myrons Cafe 21.80 193.97 No. States Power 19.00 78.66 No. States Power 2,523.83 224,38 N.W.Bell Tel. 25.00 278.98 N.W.Bell Tel. 1,242.96 41.36' Dean Otterson 50.65 3,080.11 Payroll Account 5,382.15 108.90 Curtis Ramsdel 1 9.48 477.84 Ruffridge Johnson 54.00 222.31 Scherer Bros. Lumber 64.96 2,892.16 Sea rs Roebuck 42.10 3,280.56 Skarnes Inc. 23.10 25.00 Special Photo by Heuck 17.50 1,617.91 Sun Newspapers 216.21 350.80 Sundell's Engine Repair Serv. 39.20 55.70 Superior Products 49.15 812.34 Tracy Printing 136.40 1,445.50 Uniforms Unlimited Inc. 327.15 213.78 W.W.Generator Rebldrs. 43.35 258.00 Zayre Shoppers Cty 13.32 11.45 Bell & Howell 284.00 36.85 Better Homes & Gardens 7.06 217.12 The Bookmen Inc. 31.56 807.19 Elliot Film Co. 31.16 42.75 Ges tetner Corp. 106.00 11.20 Graves Interior Uphlstrs. 400.00 10.00 Heights Electric 2.64 30.10 Josten's Lib. Supl. 24.35 5.00 McGregor Magazine Acy. 656.56 3.15 Maintenance Experts Inc. 34.60 875.00 Monarch Book Co. 955.59 40.00 Natl.Camera Exch.lnc. 13.95 31.00 Outdoor Life Book Club 8.60 816.75 Ovshak Printing 69.50 14,898.63 Pack-OOFun 3.50 2,188.53 U.S. Pos tmaster 32.00 1,000.00 Purnell Library Serv. 105.50 Feb. 25, 1974 Quill Corporation Regent Book Co. Inc. Standard & Poor's Corp. Teaching Resources Films U of M Audio Visual Dept. Wes ton Woods City Wide Locksmithing Columbia Metal Fabrications Conway Fire 8 Safety Inc. Keep Fill Products Co. Roger LaPointe Mpls. Saw Co. James Kapa la Model Craft Electric Modern Htg. & A/C Northland Elec. Supply Co. City of Columbia Heights Derald Hadtrath Royhl Hedblad 48 52 15 73 1 8O O0 ] 36 O0 l0 84 18 55 ]5 00 156.38 10.50 20.64 26.00 2.85 141 .00 Leslie Paper Co. Richard PetkoFf N.W.Bell Tel. Wi] 1 Jam C. Nunl~ Steven Piper Delivery Management Serv. Eberhard Candy & Tobacco Chester Ewer R.E.Fritz Inc. G1 enwood I ngl ewood Gold Medal Beverage Harems Twin City Sales Co. Home Juice Co. 4.22 Miner McAlpin Acy. Inc. 644.30 Miner McAlpin Acy. lnc. 420.00 Sunderland Inc. 36.80 Brauer & Assoc lares 10.00 Brauer & Associates 40.00 144.82 5O.OO 15.00 46.25 200.00 412.86 268.50 72.24 77.84 19.50 136.62 1,552.20 83.72 85.OO 17.00 172.60 509.62 2,000.00 109,213.01 Mayor Nawrocki questioned as to the problem with the bookkeeping machine. Mr. Watson indicated that the machine is in need of some extensive repair and would be sent out for repair on Wednesday after the payroll had been completed. Es- timated time for repair is one week. Transfer of Funds From General Fund to Garage Construction Fund RESOLUTION /74-10 BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Colum!:ia Heights that the City Treasurer be, and he is hereby authorized and directed to make the following transfer from the General Fund to the Garage Construction Fund, and that there are monies in said fund to make such transfer: $]5,]4B.86 from the General Fund to the Garage Construction Fund, to close out the garage construction fund as of December 3i, 1973. Resolution offered by Heintz seconded by Land. Discussion took place as tn whether this amount represented costs above and beyond that anticipated for the garage. Mr. Berg indicated to the Council that these were; however, he pointed out that the actual building cost had been under budget. These additional expenses were for expenditures for fencing and time charged by Mr. DeMars for preparing the storage yard. Roll call on the resolution - all ayes. Change in Human Rights Commission Resolution Mr. Watson informed the Council that he had been in contact with Ken Stuart and he had indicated that the Commission had prepared a redraft of their Resolution, and would like to meet with the Council to explain what the reasoning is behind the changes requested. Mr. Stuart had set a tentative me,ting date for March ]3. cause of previous engagements the Council recommended changing the meeting date to the 12th of March. Motion by NOrberg seconded by Land to table the request for changes in the Human Rights Commission Resolution until after the Council had met with the Human Rights Commission. Roll call, all ayes. RESOLUTION ~74-11 SOS (Save Open Space Now) Presently a bill is being introduced in the Legislature which addresses itself to the saving of open space. Mayor Nawrocki indicated that this bill, quite possibly, was the result of a committee, which members of the community such as A1 Kordiak and Mr. Perovich were on. Mr. NOrberg noted that under this bill the Metropolitan Council February 25, 1974 would have-authority to authorize General Obligation Bonds which he did not feel were justified. Mr. Logacz, as a member who is serving on the Suburban League of Municipalities states that they too had reviewed the bill; however they had strong feelings against the clause regarding Eminent Domain. The meeting was recessed at 8:25 P.M. Mayor Nawrocki indicated that he had just been in contact with Mr. Franchette and the bill as it stands now has had the power of Eminent Domain eliminated from it. He urged the Council to support the bill. Resolution #74-11: BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS THAT WHEREAS because development pressures are threatening unique natural land and open spaces in the seven-county metropolitan area, and WHEREAS rising land prices are increasing the cost of open land to almost prohibitively high levels, and WHEREAS the failure to pass Parks and Open Space legislation for the Metro Area has already increased the cost of acquisi- tion to taxpayers by several million dollars, and WHEREAS the failure to pass legislation for Metropolitan area Parks and Open Space has allowed some choice park land to be lost to urban development, IT IS THEREFORE RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights, strongly supports the recommendations of the 1972 open Space Advisory Committee to the Metropolitan Council providing for a regional Parks and Open Space system planned by the Metropolitan Council with counties, park districts and municipalities acquiring and developing the land, and urge the passage of such legislation in 1974. Resolution offered by Logacz, seconded by Land. Roll call - ayes Logacz, Heintz, Land, Nawrocki. Nay, Norberg. RESOLUTION #74-4 ENDORSING THE HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY'S PLAN TO UNDERTAKE AND CARRY OUT STUDIES OF THE REDEVELOPMENT NEEDS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. During discussion of this resolution, it was moved by Heintz and seconded by Norberg to delete the 4th paragraph which read: Whereas MSA 462.445 sets forth the powers and duties of a Housing and REdevelopment Authority, pur- suant to which the Housing and Redevelopment Authority is authorized among other powers "to undertake and carry out studies and analysis of the housing and redevelopment needs within its area operation and of the meeting of those needs." Roll call on the motion to delete this paragraph, all ayes. RESOLUTION #74-4 WHEREAS the Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Columbia Heights has proposed to undertake and carry out studies and an analysis of the downtown area to determine the redevelopment needs of the area, and WHEREAS the Housing and Redevelopment Authority further proposes to utilize the services of rhe Mankato State College Urban Studies InStitute in said studies, and WHEREAS the City Council, inand for the City of Columbia Heights has determined that a public purpose exists in the preparation of future development plans for the downtown area, NO'~' THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY the City Council in and for the City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota that (1) The City Council does hereby endorse a plan for study and analysis of the redevelopment needs for our downtown area as presented by the Housing and Redevelopment A~thority and (2) The City Manager is authorized to provide the Housing and Redevelopment A~thority with any data, material, or clerical assistance he deems necessary to execute said studies (3) A community develop- ment advisory board be hereby established, consisting of, but not necessarily limited to, representatives from the City Council, the City Planning and Zoning Commission, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, the League of Women Voters, and the Chamber of Commerce, said committee to be named by the Mayor Feb. 25, t974 subject; to confirmation by the City Council. Resolution offered by Logacz, seconded by Land. Roll call all ayes. RESOLUTION ON SALARIES Mr. Watson indicated that salary proposals were not ready at this time. ORDINANCE #814 REGARDING TAVERN CLOSING HOURS. A first reading was held. PURCHASE OF CITY PROPERTY Mr. Mike Bizal of Graham Testers proposes to purchase property from the city, on 37th Avenue south east of the new Municipal Service Center. He was not present: at this meeting because of a family emergency, however he would like to meet: with the Council members to discuss his proposal. A meeting date was tentatively set for March ]st at 7:30 P.M. FOTOMAT BOOTH ON CHIEF THEATER PARKING LOT Mr. Gerry Herringer, owner of the Chief Theater, and Gary Mammen, representati,~e from Fotomat were present. Mr. Mammen indicated that his company was interested in placing one of their outlets on the Chief parking lot. Prior approval has been obtained from the Planning and Zoning Commission, contingent upon Mr. Herringer's signing of an agreement to decrease the size of his proptsed theater addition. Such an agreement has been submitted by Mr. Herringer. The Council questioned the City Attorney as to what type of action would be needed on this proposal. Mr. Kalina suggested that an amendment be made to the Chief theater plot plan. Motion by Heintz seconded by Norberg to amend the plot plan of the Chief Theater parking lot to allow for tile placing of a Fotomat building as proposed by Mr. Herringer and recommended by the Planning and Zoning Colamission. All ayes. POLICE & FIRE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION Mr. Nawrocki announced that Donald Krot] has resigned from the Police and Fire Civil Service Commission. Motion by Heintz seconded by Land to accept the resig- nation of Mr. Kroll, and that auLhorization be given for recognition of his service. Roll call - all ayes. Mr. Nawrocki stated that he has appointed Mr. Vernon Moore to the Poi ice and Fire Civil Service Commission. Mr. Moore is an assistant to the president of Land O'Lakes with an extensive amount .~f personnel background, which should prove to be very beneficial to the Commission. Motion by Norber9 seconded by Heintz to concur in the appointment of Vernon Moore to the Police and Fire Civil Service Commission. Roll call, all ayes. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Mr. Norberg called attention to the fact that Lee Graczyk, who is a member of the Human Rights Commission, is thought to have moved out of I~olumbia Heights and therefore would be disqualified from serving on the Commission. Mr. Watson will check into this matter and report to the Council. ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS ON PARK IMPROVEMENTS The Park Board has approved the plans and specifications for the grading of Prestemon Park, grading and complc-tion of Southwest Park, playground equipment for Southwest Park, and the sodding of Ostrander Park, and recommend that they be let ,out for bids. A tentative project schedule was presented at this time by Engineer Bob Owens. Mr. Norberg questioned as to where the funds would be coming from. Mr. Owens explaine~l that they would come from a combining of funds from th,=_ Park Development Fund and monies obtained from the sale of CirTech. Motion by NOrberg seconded by Land that the City Manager be authorized to advertise for bids for work in grading Prestemon Park, grading and completion of Southwest Park, playground equipment for Southwest Park, and the sodding of Ostrander, with bid advertisement on March 6th, bid opening on March 20th, and be presented to the Council for consideration on March 25th. Discussion took place on the reasoning behind the combining of the three projects. Mr. Owens indicated that they were separate specifications and no bids would be tied. Roll call - all ayes. GESTETNER MIMEOGRAPH MACHINE Mr. Watson requested permission to purchase a Gestetner 420 mimeograph machine. Recently the old machine had to be repaired at a cost of $200, and the repair man has also found that the drum has been cracked, which would cost an additional $200 to repair. Mr. Watson talked with a representative from Gestetner and he has a machine available for a net cost of $737.50 which would include the trade-in of our old machine ($50.00) and the elimination of the $200 bill re- cently incurred. Mr. Watson felt that such a machine would always be needed, even if we should decide to utilize a Xerox machine. Motion by Land seconded by Heintz to authorize the City Manager to purchase a new Gestetner 420 mimeograph machine. Discussion took place as to whether it would be necessary to take informal bids from 3 suppliers. Mr. Watson indicated that the machine has to be used in conjunction with the Gestefax therefore another supplier could not be used. Roll call, all ayes. CHANGE ORDER IN FENCING FOR LABELLE PARK During the negotiations for land acquisition of the Frank Manikowski property, provisions were made to allow for a fence along their property line for privacy and screening from children running through the yard. At the time of the con- tract signing for the park, Mr. Manikowski was not certain as to the type of fence he would like; therefore contracts were signed with an understanding from the contractor that a Change Order from a 5' standard chain link fence would be necessary. Mr. Manikowski has seen samples of the fence which is similar to that used at the City Garage, and concurs in this type of fence. Total additional cost for the fencing will be $480.00. Mr. Otterson indicated that the LaBelle Park fund has a contingency of about $2300; however Mr. Otterson expects that additional funds will be left over of Division V is placed on a Change Order and the planting and sodding are bid later by the city. Motion by Heintz seconded by Land to authorize a Change Order on the LaBelle Park project, subject change to be an add in the amount of $480.00 for a change from standard chain link material to a wood link material, said monies to be taken from the contingencies of LaBel le Park. Kenneth Hentges questioned as to whether this type of fence would me,--t the city codes required in regard to wind flowage and height. Mr. Watson indicated that he would check into any variance that might possibly be needed. Roll call - all ayes. PARK BOARD Motion by Land seconded by Heint~. to accept the resignation of Marvin Super from the Park Board, and that appropriate measures be taken for an appreciation presentation. Roll call - all ayes. At this time no recommendations were made for his replacement. Feb. 25, 1974 REQUEST TO ATTEND ASPHALT CONTRACTORS WORKSHOP ON MARCH ll AND 12 George Brown and Clayton Berg request permission to attend the Asphalt Workshop in St. Louis Park. Mr. Brown indicated that the registration fee had been waived for municipal employees. T,~.~o lunches and a banquet are included in the conference at a cost (Df $5.00 for lunch and 97.00 for the banquet. Motion by Land seconded by Heintz 'to grant permission to George Brown and Clayton Berg to attend the Asphalt Contractor's WORKSHOP on March ]1 and 12, and be reimbursed for any expenses that are a part of the conference, i.e. meals and transportation. All ayes. REQUEST TO ATTEND SNOW CONFERENCE IN WINNIPEG CANADA Mr. DeMars, Street Superintendent, requests permission to attend the Snow Conference in Winnipeg Canada on April ]7-19. He estimates that the total cost of tt,e conference will be $200. Motion by Norberg secor~ded by Heintz to grand permission to attend the Snow Conference in Winnipeg by .~lir_ch DeMars along with the necessary expenses of approximately $200. Roll call, all ayes. A recess was held at lO:O0 P.M. URBAN CORPS SUMMER HELP The City Manager requests permission to enter into an agreement with the Urban Corps to utilize three part time summer students. Cost for such students would be 30~ of their hourly rates, which ran9e from $2.50 for undergraduates to $3.50 for graduate students, or a maximum of $~2.00 per week. Motion by Heintz seconded by Land to authorize the City Manager to enter into an a agreement with the Urban Corps for 3 students to work durin9 the summer months. Discussion took place on the total COL, t for three students, and whether or not the necessary funds were available. Mr. Watson indicated that each individual department has a contingency fund set aside for part-time help which could be used. Roll call all ayes. LATE REQUEST Mr. Watson reminded the Council of the meeting with the Legislators in St. Paul on Thursday evening. The cost is $8.00 per person and registraxtion will be done at the meeting. Mr. Nswrocki urged each Councilman to attend, as it will be a good op- portunity to have individual contact with the Legislators. CITY MANAGER's REPORT - RADIO TOWER Mr. Watson has contacted the George M. Hansen Company regarding a method of financing the proposed radio tower. Mr. Murphy suggested setting up a debt certificate to be issued to one of the funds, which would be carried over for Five years. Three accounts that could be used would be Liquor, Water, or P.I.R. Mr. Wa.tson suggested that the P.I.R. fund be used, because it has monies not required for bond repayment for a few years. A repayment schedule would then be set up and the allowance for receipts from rent would be credited Co the amount. Mr. Watson had also been incontact with Metro Fone who do not foresee any problem in getting together and working out an agreement. Discussion took place as to the method of Financing to be used on this project. It was indicated that research should be done as to the amount of revenue that can be expected from rental space. Mr. Norberg indicated that he had been contacted by a Mr. Grider who had worked on the Shoreview tower. He Felt that he may be a good source to talk to in order to find out about where going rates for tower space could be obtained. Discussion took place on getting a definite committment from interested renters before proceeding. Mr. Brown has indicated that obtaining steel for the basic structure of the project is going to be very difficult. He has contacted several suppliers with no success. February 25,1974 ~]~ CITY MANAGER'S REPORTS, CONTINUED Mr. Nawrocki requested that reports be made available on the status of the Elderly High Rise, and the Fifth Street Storm Sewer proposals. Mr. ~latson also reported on the legislative session he had attended on Friday, which he felt was very favorable. He indicated that the bill on special assessments against cities of the first class was laid over until next Friday; however, in talking to various members present, he felt that the majority of the people were in favor of the bill, including the section of retroacting it back to January l, 1968. RESOLUTION #74-12 REGARDING S.F.2296, COMPANION H.F.2417 RELATING TO THE POLICEMEN'S AND FIREMEN'S RELIEF ASSOCIATIONS IN THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights that WHEREAS the billsfor an act relating to the Policemen's Relief Association in the City of Columbia Heights have been introduced in the 1973-74 Legislative session as Senate File 2296 and companion House File 2417, based on the City Resolution #73-28 and WHEREAS in the interest of eliminating areas of concern on the part of personnel in the Police and Fire departments it has been deemed expedient to make certain amendments to the original bill which changes have been read into the bill at the Legislative Retirement Study Commission meeting Monday Feb. 18, 1974, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council does hereby endorse the Bill SF2296 Companion HF2417, as amended. Resolution offered by Norberg, seconded by Land. Roll call - all ayes. PUBLIC WORKS REPEIRT- 5th STREET STORM SEWER Mr. Brown has been in contact with the City of Minneapolis in regard to the 5th St. Storm sewer proposal. They have requested him to present the proposal to the Council to get their viewpoint on it. In general, Minneapolis would provide the City with a loan for $219,000 which would be billed back in three equal parts in i975, 1976, and ]977, with an interest rate to be determined by their May 1974 bond sale. The Council felt that because of Minneapolis' AAA rating they would be able to procur a bond at a cheaper rate than themselves. The Council asked to be able to review the cost of the entire project along 5th Street. Mr. Brown distributed cost breakdowns on the proposed project. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT Mr. Kalina indicated that no word had been received on the pending cases. Pursuant to a request at the last meeting by Mr. Heintz, Mr. Kalina contacted Tabor Bushnell Co. with respect to property claims made by Mr. Gafkjen which he did not feel were true. Mr. Kochevar indicated that he will be present at the March 25th meeting to discuss the ~roblem with the Council. Mr. Kal ina also did research on the ordinance establishing the Traffic Commission which indicates that the Commission was established as an advisory committee. In that respect all signs placements have to be authorized by the City Council, which would indicate that perhaps almost all the signs in the city technically are not 1 ega 1. Specific focus took place on what action should be taken, at the present time, regarding the signs located at 46th and 47th and Jefferson which citizen~ have already been voicing opinions about. Mr. Kalina suggested not taking any action at this time, but rather waiting until he had finished his codification, in which necessary changes in the policy regarding placement of signs would be made. The Council felt some action should be taken to prevent any citizen from starting a lawsuit before that time. Mr. Brown indicated that an up-to-date map of all signs could be prepared by the next Council meeting and at that time they could all be approved. February 25, 1~?~, Motion by NOrberg that the City Engineer be instructed to remove the recently placed signs on 46th and 47th and Jefferson and replace them with "Yield to Pedestrian in Crosswalk" signs which will accommodate the basic reasons i:hat signs were requested. Motion dies for lack of a second. Motion by Land seconded by Heintz authorizing the City Manager to call for a hearing on the traffic control sign approval at the next regular meeting. Roll call - all ayes. LICENSES Motion by Heintz seconded by Logacz that the license applications be approved, based upon ~ payment of proper fees. Roll call, all ayes. OLD B!JSINESS Mr. Norberg requests that a schedule for additional payments be submitted for the services of Brauer which are not on a set contract. Mr. Otterson indicated that a report would be presented at the next Council meeting. Mr. Norberg also wishes to call attention to a street light located in Hilltop on 45th Avenue whose glare for oncoming cars is obstructing. Mr. Land indicated that the Traffic Commission had been notified of the hazard and they would be reviewing the matter at the nex[ regular heeling. Mr. Watson suggested contacting Hilltop Village a!,d ,4orking out some type of arrangement. NEW BUSINESS A proposal from Marshall Stevens Inc. was discussed regarding obtaining of current appraisals for city-owned property. A number of proposals for this service had been obtained and this was the lowest proposal. The r, ew municipal garage and the park building were not included in the proposal because the current value is known. Motion by Norberg seconded by Heintz that the informal proposal from Marshall Stevens Inc. for appraisals of city property be accepted and that the City Manager and Mayor be authorized to enter into an agreement with them. Discussion tool< place regardint] the annual renewal provision. Roll call,all ayes. Mr. Norberg indicated that he had been contacted by a citizen who requests that the City Council look into the matter of providing garbage discounts to the handicapped and disabled. Discussion took place as to the advantages and disI advantages of a program of this nature. The staff felt that it would be very costly to enforce as the definition of "handicapped" is very ambiguous. Mr-. Norberg suggested that possibly a program could be worked out similar to the one for low-income elderly which would include low-income handicapped. Mayor Nawrocki appointed Mr. Norberg to explor'e the possibility of a reduced low income handicapped utility rate and to report back to the Council. Motion by Heintz seconded by Logacz to~ourn atol~i:~/~/.m. /1 ayes. Bruce G. Nawrocki, Mayor Secretary pro-tern to the Council