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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOct 16, 1975-303- Official Proceedings Special Meeting of the City Council October 16, 1975 Meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg, Land, Nawrocki-present Motion by Heintz, Seconded by Land to name Margo Emerson secretary for the meeting. Roll Call: All Ayes Mayor Nawrocki noted that this is the reconvening of the meeting following an informal session held at the site between ~2nd and 42½ Avenue west of Fillmore Street~ where the Council had met previous to the formal meeting to examine the conditions for a proposed storm drain in this location. At this time the continued hearing was held on this proposed storm drain installation. At this time Mr. Watson showed engineering plans and pointed out which lands cntribute to the drainage problem. He stated that he and Mr. Berg from the Engineering Department had looked over the grades the same afternoon. He stated that the total cost of the project would amount to approximately $3,500. Using that figure and noting that there are fourteen fifty foot parcels, it would amount to an estimate of about $4.50 a front foot or $250 on a 55' lot. Mr. Watson stated that it would be his recommendation that this project be authorized as the only practical solution to a problem which is developing now as the land is developed on 42~ Avenue. He felt that to delay the project further would mean problems with the yards with a back up of water, if a very wet spring should occur. Councilman Norberg asked if this meant that the filling of the ]and is totally discounted. Hr. Watson stated that this would cost thousands of dollars, more than for the storm sewer, and the problem would not necessarily be alleviated by this method, but would perhaps cause other similar problems elsewhere in the same area. Discussion held on where the line would be drawn on the west end, Eckman's property. Hr. and Mrs. Eckman were present. Hr. Watson pointed out that the drainage from their property contributing to the area under discussion is the east one-half of their property. He again explained the drainage patterns. Councilman Land asked whether or not any of the other homeowners had been spoken to on this project. Hr. Watson answered that all had received the hearing notices and were aware of what was being considered. October 16, 1975 -304- The homeowner was present from 1107-42nd Avenue and questioned why this storm drain should be considered now, pointing out that they have not had any problem in thirty years, and can not see why the drain is needed. Mr. Watson explained the need in view of when the lots on 42½ are built on, and the problems which will be created on drainage for those already built on 42nd. The lady then asked why she has to be assessed, feeling that her property should not be included. Mr. Watson explained that any lots that contribute to a particular drainage area where a drain is to be placed must be assessed. He pointed out that in particular two houses to the east of 1107-42nd Avenue will have a drainage problem when 42½ is built. Whereupon, the lady pointed out that they are still paying past assessments. Mr. and Mrs. Eckman stated that they felt that when 42½ is built up these homes will drain to 42½ and there will be no problem in their back lots. Mr. Watson explained the drainage patterns and stated that the drainage on the back of the house, off the roof, would end up in the back and would not drain to 42½ Avenue. Mr. and Mrs. Eckman asked if the city wasn't anticipating a problem that may never exist. Mayor Nawrocki asked what had started the consideration of this project. Mr. Berg indicated that the City Engineer, Mr. Brown, had a request from an individual in the area, but that he (Mr. Berg) did not know who. Councilman Logacz pointed out that in other similar instances people have been opposed to storm drains, but then have found that there was a definite need and they had to be installed anyway. He stated that since no one is really interested in this project, then it can be considered at a later time, when the people come and ask for it. He stated that the people building on the lots on 42½ Avenue should be aware of the problems that exist. Mayor Nawrocki felt that people would be foolish to buy those lots on 42½ Avenue as they now stand, and he stated that there seems to be a definite need for the storm drain. Following this was a discussion on whether the project should be authorized. It was pointed out that little interest seems to have been shown on having this storm drain installed since only a few were present, and were in opposition to ~the work. Councilman Heintz again pointed out to those present that if every home is built up along 42½ Avenue, the water will back up to 42nd and not to 42½ Avenue, so it should be those living on 42nd presently that are concerned about the problems. Mayor Nawrocki asked for a copy of the hearing notice and Mr. Watson supplied him with same. -305- October 16, 1975 Motion by Logacz, Seconded by Norber9 to deny the proposed storm drain installation between 42nd and 42~ Avenue, west of Fillmore. Roll Call: All Ayes Mayor Nawrocki asked that a follow-up letter go out to the people in this area telling them that only those people showed up who were opposed to the project, and no favor was shown toward havin9 it done, so the Council chose to deny the project. Mr. Land noted that he thinks there wilt be a problem in the future, but as lon9 as the people are not interested enough to be present at the hearing, then the work should not be done. He also stated that he too thinks a letter should 90 out to the people informin9 them of the Council's decision. RESOLUTION #75-55 CANVASS OF PRIMARY ELECTION Offered by Logacz, Seconded by Heintz Resolution /75-55 was adopted. Rol1 Call: All Ayes Councilman Norber9 asked if these vote counts include absentee ba]lots and was toJd that they do. WHEREAS, the City of Columbia Heights, did on the 14th day of October, 1975 conduct and hold a Primary Municipal Election for the purpose of nominating candidates for the office of Mayor and for two members of the Council to be voted on at a General Municipal Election November 4, 1975, and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights at a meeting of said Council held on the 16th day of October, 1975 did canvass the returns and results of said Primary Municipal Election; and WHEREAS, the following results were determined by said canvass of said Primary Municipal Election, to wit: Total Ballots cast in election 1,650 Valid votes cast of Mayor 1,286 Non-voted ballots for Mayor 364 ] ,650 Valid votes cast for Council 2,980 Non-voted ballot votes for Council 320 3,3OO VOTES FOR MAYOR Bruce G. Nawrocki 1,286 October 16, 1975 -306- VOTES FOR COUNCIL Mel Aanerud 501 Gayle R. Norberg 756 Mrs. Joanne Mady 297 Thomas C. Sherohman 469 Kenneth E. Hentges 479 Darwin J. Hadtrath 377 Ronatd (Ron) Cornelius 101 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights that Bruce G. Nawrocki is hereby declared to be the candidate for Mayor and Mel Aanerud, Kenneth E. Hentges, Gayle R. Norberg, and Thomas C. Sherohman are hereby declared to be candidates for the Council at the General Municipal Election to be held November 4, 1975. BIDS ON WATERMAIN, MONROE STREET, 45th to 46th, and STORM DRAIN BETWEEN 42nd and 42½, WEST OF FILLMORE STREET It was pointed out that since the project has been denied on the storm drain, then this portion of the bids can not be awarded. Clayton Berg stated that the storm drain could be removed by change order from the contract. The City Attorney stated that this is too large a change order to be considered. Discussion held on the watermain project in Monroe Street. Mayor Nawrocki asked who pays for the water line, considering that it is a boundary street between Columbia Heights and Hilltop. Mr. Watson stated that both cities will pay, with Hilltop donating their share of CETA allocations to Columbia Heights as their part. He also pointed out that the cost is running over $12,OOO with the t~ig cost being the reconnecting of the private lines. Councilman Heintz pointed out that at the time of the hearing for the street construction of Monroe Street, the people from that area were told that as long as the street is to be done, then the watermain should be done at the same time. He felt that as long as the plan now proposed only includes the watermain and not the street construction, bemuse of problems with Hilltop on the street construction, then the people should be brought back in for another hearing. He also pointed out that the cost is essentially higher than was indicated at the prior hearing and this is another reason for the new hearing. Discussion held on whether all the easements have been obtained from Hilltop for this watermain, and Mr. Berg pointed out that the last easement was signed as of this day. Mayor Nawrocki stated his agreement with what Councilman Heintz had said pointing out that the people want the street primarily, and the watermain installation had come in connection with the street construction, and not as a separate project itself. The total project including both street and watermain had been approved by the Council, pending agreement with the City of Hilltop. Motion by Heintz, Seconded by Norberg to reject all bids on the storm -307- October 16, 1975 drain, between 42nd and 42½, West of Fillmore, and the watermain, Monroe Street:, 45th to 46th. Roll Call: All Ayes BIDS ON TREE AND SHRUB PLANTING At this time the City Attorney explained his letter sent to the City Hanager regarding the bids on tree and shrub planting. He stated that the low bidder, Summerhiil Landscape, did not sign the Affidavit of Non-Collusion, OSHA Compliance Form, and Affirmative Action Compliance form, but that the City Council can decide if the signature on these forms is a mere formality. He stated that the Council can decide this and require that the forms be signed along with the contract documents; thus, the bid could be awarded to the low bidder in spite of the fact that these forms were not signed. Councilman Heintz stated that the Park Board recommends the second low bidder, Up-A-Tree, Inc. of Osseo, Minnesota, but that it did so with the understanding that the ]ack of signature on the aforementioned forms made the ]ow bidder not responsible to the specifications. Discussion held on where these trees are to be p]anted-generally throughout al] parks in the city, as a part of the tree program. Councilman Norberg questioned whether the funds to be used on this tree and shrub planting are from federal funds, and pointed out that if they are~ then Non-Col]usion, OSHA, and Affirmative Action forms may perhaps have to be signed to meet federal funding laws. Mr. Watson stated that certain of the funds are from Revenue Sharing allocations. Councilman Norberg also expressed concern over the fact that in the past the Council had found that the low bidder was not responsible because he did not fill in the very same forms, and Mr. Norberg asked if this would put the City in a position to be sued. Mayor Nawrocki asked if the ]ow bidder is capable to perform under the contract. Mr. Watson stated that he is, pointing out that the City Planner/ HRA Director, Dean Otterson, spoke highly of Summerhili's past performance in the city in relation to the hi-rise and LaBelle Park. Mr. Watson also stated that Mr. Otterson had spoken to Sumn~erhi]] Landscaping telling him about his being the ]ow bid. Mr. Watson stated that he had told the low bidder about theprob]ems being found in LaBe]]e Park with vandalism to trees and shrubs that are newly planted in that they are being ~pu]]ed out~" Motion by Norberg, Seconded by Heintz to accept the bid of Summerhil] landscape and Nelson Tree and Terry Zab]e in the amount of S5,170.00 for tree and shrub planting and the Mayor and City Manager be authorized to enter into a contract for same. The City Council finds that the emission of the signatures of the Affidavit of Non-Collusion, OSHA Compliance Form, and Affirmative Action Compliance form is an informality which is October 16, 1975 -308- hereby waived as a necessity for the award of the bid. Roll Call: All Ayes Motion by Norberg, Seconded Roll Call: All Ayes by Heintz to adjourn at 8:06 p.m. // I~ruce G. N'~wrocki , Mayor