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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMar 22, 1976-104- OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL March 22, 1976 Meeting was called to order at 8:12 p.m. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg, Hentges, Nawrocki-present Motion by Norberg, Seconded by Heintz to name Karen DeBruin Secretary for the meeting. Roll Call: All Ayes Invocation was given by Rev. Douglas Henderson of People's Church Motion by Heintz, Seconded by Norberg to approved the minutes of the last regular meeting of March 8 as presented in writing and the reading be dispensed with. Roll Cati: All Ayes PAYMENT OF BILLS Motion by Norberg, to pay the bills as listed out of their proper funds with the exception of #16192 to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, based on his continued protest. Motion dies for lack of a second. Motion by Logacz, Seconded by Hentges to pay the bills as listed out of their proper funds. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Hentges, Nawrocki-Aye Norberg-Nay Robert Owens 14.00 Ed Geslin 14.00 James Gleason 20.00 Robert Verbrugge 20.00 Joseph Ocel 20.00 Everett Grey 20.00 Vernon Rozmark 24.00 Distillers Dist. Co. 225.32 Johnson Bros.Whsle. Liq.3,721.84 McKesson Mn. Distillers Inc. Old Peoria Co. Prior Wine Co. Ed Phillips & Sons Twin City Wine Co. Payroll Account James Lord, St. Treas. Univ. of Minnesota Treas., I.U.O.E. #49 672.39 10,122.92 398.77 72.01 6,822.00 427.53 60,928.34 3,797.19 43.50 6.25 Home Fed. Savings & Ln.35,000.O0 Famous Brands, Inc. 163.50 Johnson Wine Co. 319.43 Ed Phillips & Sons 130.52 Quality Wine Co. 446.15 Twin City Wine Co. 203.24 Construc.lnd. Safety Day 22.00 Marq. State Bank of C.H.95,216.67 Leag of Mn. Munic. Hous. Commission Coca Cola Bottling Gold Medal Beverage Johnson Paper & Supply Merrill Chapman Co. Betty Myers Pepsi Cola Bottling Rex Distributing Co. Seven Up Bottling Co. South Side Distributing Sunderland, Inc. Columbia Transit Corp. Llnda Hansen David MacGregor A & A Hardware Albinson Ambulance Society of Amer. Ann Arbor Science APECO Corp. Gerald Arseneau 120.00 116.25 89.]O 548.32 73.95 56.80 51.40 5,018.29 202.20 33.00 ]8O.5O 50.00 114.00 45.00 268.22 9.OO 6.40 20.90 66.90 t14.00 March 22,1976 -105- Auto Gear Co. 162.17 Business Furniture Inc. 345.01 Cavanagh Ins. Agency 225.50 Chet's Shoe Store 8.95 Col.Hgts. Fire Dept. 240.00 Color Tile 4.98 Columbia Heights Pharmacy 21.35 Cook Paint & Varnish 3.52 Data Dispatch, Inc. 32.40 Robert E. Diedrich 262.50 Equipment Supply Inc. 536.02 1'1976 Family Life Conf.'l 200.00 Galaxy Auto Centers 20.00 Garwood Twin Cities 71.43 General Industrial Supply 39.50 General Office Productsl,855.30 Genuine Parts Co. 699.76 Glenwood Inglewood 56.10 Goodin Co. 156.00 Gopher State Oil Co. 51.43 Gross Industrial Serv. 24.00 Hagen Sales, Inc. 311.25 Hayden Murphy Equip. 242 O0 Royhl Hedblad 10 O0 Heights Electric 140 57 Hillcrest Safety Equip. 60 O0 Homelite 143 50 Housing Authority Col.H. 855 34 Arden Hovland 16.71 I B M 248.40 Donald Jolly 6.71 J-K Distributors 149.75 Ronald Kalina 1,675.00 Keep Fill Products 52.61 Charles W. Kewatt 22.68 K Mart 7.97 Lawco Co. 662.39 Labor Relations Subscriber 1,800.00 Lowry Lumber Co. 120.72 John Marchiniak 11.67 Mells Van 0 Lite 33.66 Metro.Waste Control Comm. 20,295.27 Mincis 256.13 Min McAlpin Agency 4,096.00 Minnegasco 2,126.32 Minneapolis City Treas. 15,688.60 Minneapolis Oxygen Co. 45.06 Modern Service Inc. 17,982.45 National Chemsearch 363.35 Ernie Nelson 25.00 Northern States Power 31.05 Northern States Power 2,276.45 N.W. Bag Corp. 380.00 N.W. Bell Telephone 1,440.97 N.W. Bell Telephone 45.00 Chas. Olson & Sons 31.50 Olson's Plumbing 290.00 Power Process Equip. 45.90 Road Machinery & Supply 120.14 H.A. Rogers 66.55 St. Anthony 298.06 Satellite Industries 392.30 John E. Schedler 31.25 Silver Lake Clinic 134.00 Sun Newspaper 13.00 Sun Newspaper 607.45 Terrace Auto Supply 4.68 Tracy Printing 108.59 Twin City Filter Service 6.90 Upper Midwest Safety Shoe 117.80 Viking Industrial Center 8.33 Univ. of Wisconsin 200.00 Waldor Pump & Equip. 68.00 Williams Steel & Hardware 101.10 The Winsted Corp. 36.00 Zayre Shoppers City 21.19 Mark T. Jacobs 250.90 TOTAL BILLS ...... $305,647.94 -106- March 22, 1976 PROCLAMATION FOR HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAM The proclamation was read by Mayor Nawrocki. Designating Thursday, April l, i976 As Columbia Heights Basketball Team Appreciation Day WHEREAS, the Columbia Heights High School Basketball Team compiled a winning record in their 1975-76 season, finishing as co-champions of the North Suburban Conference, and WHEREAS, A special banquet has been arranged for the purpose of honoring the players and coaching staff of our fine high school basketball team with said banquet to be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening, April 1, 1976 NOW THEREFORE, I, Bruce G. Nawrocki, Mayor of the City of Columbia Heights, do hereby designate Thursday, April l, 1976 as Columbia Heights Basketball Team Appreciation Day, and recommend to any of our citizens who would find this time available to consider attending the banquet honoring our basketball team and coaching staff. I further recommend that each of the various civic groups in ,our community be notified of this special day and arrange to be i~resent at the banquet. BIDS ON SALE OF CITY PROPERTY ON 38TH AVENUE Mr. Watson reported that two bids were received on the City property that was offered for sale on 38th Avenue. The first bid was for $6,600 with the intention to build a single family dwelling on the land. The second bid was in the amount of $6,500, with the land to be joined with an adjacent vacant lot for the purpose of building a multiple dwelling. It was noted that the assessed value of these two parcels of land is $6,900, higher than both of the bids. Mr. Watson recommended delaying action on this item. Motion by Logacz, Seconded by Heintz to table this item until the next regular meeting. Councilman Norber9 asked why this item should be tabled. He stated that: he thought the bids should be rejected. Mayor Nawrocki stated that: he thought the bid amounts were not realistic selling prices for this land. Councilman Heintz asked the City Manager if he thought there would be any new bidders. He also asked who the bids were sent to and how the sale was advertised. Mr. Watson stated that advertisement of sale was published as usual and information was also sent to local contractors and to some interested citizens. March 22, 1976 -107- Councilman Logacz stated that he would withdraw his motion on the condition that if bids are taken again, the minimum price for the lots be $10,000. The second was also withdrawn. Mayor Nawrocki stated that no conditions can be made while withdrawing a motion. Motion by Hentges, Seconded by Norberg to reject bids received on the property offered for sale on 38th Avenue. Roll Call: All Ayes It was noted that there would be no motion to re-bid the property at this time. Motion by Heintz, Seconded by Logacz to set $10,000 as the minimum price on lots 10, 11, and 12 of block 89 if this land were ever to be advertised for bids at a later date. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz --aye Norberg, Hentges, Nawrocki--nay Motion was defeated. PATROLMEN SALARIES Resolution #76-14 Regarding Patrolmen Salaries was offered by Logacz, Seconded by Norberg. Mayor Nawrocki asked the City Attorney if the dollar amounts of the salaries must be specified in the resolution. The attorney, Douglas Peterson, stated that as long as the amounts were stated in the contract which is alluded to in the resolution, no mention need be made in the resolution itself. Mr. Peterson stated that he had gone through the contract in great detail and the necessary changes have been made. Mayor Nawrocki stated that he had not received a copy of the corrected contract. Motion by Hentges, Seconded by Norberg to table the resolution regarding patrolmen salaries until the next formal meeting. Roll Call: All Ayes SALE OF VACANT LAND BEHIND 4334 BENJAMIN STREET Mr. Watson stated that Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Tatting had requested to buy this piece of land as it is adjacent to their property. They would be the only logical buyer as it is a land locked piece of property. Mr. Watson further stated that he thought selling this land would be advisable, as the maintenance was costing the City time and money. There is a weed problem on this particular piece of land and the City is responsible for keeping the land in good condition. Mr. Watson recommended that this sale of land be granted, with the exception of the thirty foot easement strip at the back of the ~roperty, which would be held by the City allowing for the future development of a street. Mayor Nawrocki asked who would be responsible for taking care of this thirty foot strip until such time as the City saw fit to use it. -108- March 22~ 1976 Mr. Watson stated that this point had been discussed, and that Mr. Tatting was willing to perform the upkeep on the land. It was noted that this land would be sold to the Tattings for $132.50. Mr. Watson stated that the land would sell for this low price because of the inaccessibility. Councilman Heintz stated that he thought this price was extremely low for this parcel of land. Mr. Watson noted that if the City kept this piece of ]and it would be an on-going expense because of the cost of mowing and other maintenance. Councilman Hentges asked the City Manager how many parcels of land the City owned in that block. Mr. Watson replied that there were two or three small thirty foot pieces owned by the City there. Motion by Hentges, Seconded by Heintz to deny the request of Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Tatting to purchase the land lying behind 4334 Benjamin Street. Roll Call: All Ayes At this time Mayor Nawrocki noted that the Council had received a request from the Bicentennial Commission to participate in a challenge issued by the City of Alameda, California. The project was begun to see who can be the "votingest" community in the country in the fall elections, based on percent of eligible voters who actually do vote in these elections. Motion by Norberg, Seconded by Heintz to concur in the "Get Out and Vote" Project proposed by the Bicentennial Commission. Roll Call: All Ayes SUBDIVISION REQUEST BERNADETTE GICE 1107 - 42nd AVENUE N.E. A concern was voiced over the need for a storm sewer in this area. The land which was proposed for subdivision is high, and the water trains to the low spot in the block. It was feared that, once subdivided, this land would be sold and built upon and the storm sewer would not be put in. Mr. Watson asked the City Attorney what could be done about this. Mr. Peterson answered that, even if the land is subdivided, the City still controls the issuance of building permits, and a permit can be denied until the drainage problem is solved. He stated that the subdivision would actually have little effect on the situation in that area, and that there would be no legal basis to withhold on the subdivision because of the drainage problem. Councilman Heintz asked the attorney if, since there is no basis for denial of this subdivision, there was any reason for this party to come before the Council with this request at alt. Mr. Peterson stated that there could be other possible reasons for denying the request and told Councilman Heintz that he had simply stated that the drainage problem was no basis for denial. March 22, 1976 -109- Mayor Nawrocki added that the Council must be sure that lot splits that are made comply with requirements. The Council referred to the minutes of the last regular meeting to see what had transpired concerning the Gice subdivision request. Councilman Norberg stated that he thought the subdivision should be granted and then have findings of fact on the drainage problem. He also stated that some measures should be taken to see that no building permits are issued for this piece of land until such time as the drainage problem is taken care of. Mr. Peterson stated that this would not be necessary, as before a permit is issued, such problems are checked out. Motion by Logacz, Seconded by Heintz to take matter of subdivision from the table for discussion. Roll Call: Logacz, Nawrocki--aye Heintz, Norberg, Hentges--nay Motion was defeated. Discussion was held on the storm drain and on the fact that there was a storm drain proposed for construction on this block before, but the residents were opposed to the idea, and the Council voted the construction of it down. Councilman Heintz voiced his concern that if, in the future, there were to be a building inspector less competent than the one presently employed by the City, the problem of the drainage might not be thoroughly checked and a building permit may be issued to someone wishing to build on this property. Mayor Nawrocki stated that he thought the obvious answer to the problem was to have a storm sewer put in. Councilman Hentges asked Mr. Gustafson, Public Works Director, if the research that was requested at the last Council meeting was done. Mr. Gustafson reported that it was not. Councilman Heintz asked Mr. Peterson if it was wrong for the Council to table this matter. Mr. Peterson stated that if the Council did not have all the necessary and pertinent information, there was nothing wrong with tabling the matter until such time as the information was available. Mayor Nawrocki asked the Council to reconsider and pass this request. Councilman Hentges stated that there had not been a report from the Engineering Department concerning the drainage problem. Mr. Gustafson then stated that the storm drain is needed. Motion by Hentges, Seconded by Logacz to take the matter of the subdivision request from the table. Roll Call: All Ayes Motion by Logacz, Seconded by Hentges to grant the lot subdivision to Bernadette Gice calling for special assessments in the amount of $462.67 to be paid in full. Roll Call: Logacz, Hentges, Nawrocki --aye Heintz, Norberg--nay Motion carries. Mr. Peterson noted that a 3/5 vote is sufficient to pass a motion of this nature. -llO- March 22, 1976 Councilman Norberg stated for the record that he thought the matter of the drainage problem should be investigated a bit more thoroughly to find out if there really is a serious problem. Councilman Norberg further stated that he thought a hearing should be called to discuss the matter of putting a storm sewer in. Councilman Hentges asked Mr. Gustafson how long it would be before he would have the Engineering investigation of this situation completed. Mr. Gustafson reported that he could have this matter taken care of by the time of the next regular meeting. Councilman Hentges then stated that he agreed with Councilman Norberg on the point of holding public hearings for the purpose of considering construction of a storm sewer. It was noted that hearings could be held on the other places that also have drainage problems. These had previously been discussed and are: Between 43rd and 43½ East of Fillmore and the Swamp area North of 39th Avenue between Hayes and Arthur, as well as the area primarily in question, 42½ Avenue West of Fillmore. Motion by Norberg, Seconded by Heintz to hold a special hearing Tuesday, April 13 at 7:00 in the Council Chambers for the purpose of discussing the drainage problems. Roll Call: Alt Ayes SUBDIVISION REQUEST ANDERSON-EKLUND, INC. 42~ AVENUE N.E. Motion by Heintz, Seconded by Logacz to grant the lot subdivision as requested. Roll Cai]: All Ayes Hr. Watson noted that there are no outstanding special assessments on this property. The descript on is to be:the east one half of 5 /Exc. North ]50 feet)(Subject to rd. $ Utii.ease. over S.30~ thereof) and the west one half of lot 5 Exc. North ]50 feet)(Subject to rd. $ Util.ease.over S.30~ thereof). APPEAL FOR SIGN REQUEST CAR-X-SYSTEMS 45TH AND CENTRAL AVENUE It was noted that Mr. Jim Stafford of Signcrafters was requested to work out an arrangement for a smaller sign to meet the City requirements for Car-X-Systems. Mr. Stafford reported that it is impossible, and is quite concerned since the signs he has worked on most recently: Dunkin Donuts, Marquette Bank, and Champion Auto Stores, were all under the former interpretation of square footage being measured on the actual footage of the sign regardless of how many sides were painted. The request calls for a waiver to allow an 8 foot by 16 foot sign with 128 square feet of face on eaclh side. Mayor Nawrocki asked the attorney if there had been any change in the way this ordinance would be interpreted. The attorney stated that it would be interpreted in the same way. March 22, 1976 -Ill- Councilman Norberg stated that, according to the Zoning ordinance, such matters could not be considered again for at least 90 days after they were denied. He noted that since this request was denied at the last regular Council meeting, he would respectfully suggest that this request was out of order. Mr. Peterson agreed with Councilman Norberg, saying that if the request had been denied, then there would be no basis for taking any formal action on it until 90 days had passed. The Council and the attorney referred to the minutes of the last regular meeting and it was decided that the 90 day time period was not appropriate in this case. Mr. Jack Lawrence from Signcrafters appeared before the Council to represent his company's appeal. He spoke of the signs which had been made in the last six months under a different interpretation of the Zoning Code. He explained how a signmaker measures his signs and stated that this was different from the interpretation used by the City. He also quoted the Zoning Code as saying that the signs would be measured "per surface'l and he said that a surface is a side of the sign; therefore, each side of a sign could meet the maximum of the code, thus the total footage of a two-sided sign could equal twice as much as stated in the code. Much discussion followed between Jack Lawrence, Doug Peterson, and Mayor Nawrocki. Councilman Norberg stated that he would like to deny this request as recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Motion by Norberg to deny the request for a variance for a sign for Car-X-Systems. Motion dies for lack of a second. Motion by Heintz, Seconded by Hentges to grant appeal of Signcrafters for a variance of 28 percent of face area for sign to be put up on 45th and Central for Car-X-Systems. Councilman Norberg stated that there had been no finding of fact in this matter and he did not want to set a precedent that would be followed in the future. He suggested that the Council turn to the attorney for advice in this matter. Attorney Peterson agreed that there was a need for finding of fact in this matter. Motion by Hentges, Seconded by Logacz to table this request until later in the meeting. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Hentges, Nawrocki --aye Norberg--nay Motion carries. It was noted that a motion to table takes precedence over any other motion before the Council. -112- March 22, 1976 LICENSE TRANSFER REQUEST ERNIE NELSON Mr. Nelson came before the Council at this time to request that his restaurant and amusement machine license, which was obtained for the building which used to house Danielson~s Drug Store, be transferred to the old Post Office Building. It was noted that it would be the same type of license and the same type of operation. Mr. Nelson explained to the Council that the rent on the drug store site was actually more than he thought it was going to be, and this is why he was asking for the transfer. Arden Hovland, building inspector, was asked if the post office building had been inspected. Hr. Hovland replied that it had not been inspected, but he knew that to make the building comply to code, there must be another bathroom put in. Mr. Hovland stated that since the building was only one floor, there would be no problem with a basement. He also said the building might possib!y need more windows for po]ice surveillance. He went on to say that he didn't know about the distance from the nearest school building. During the course of the ensuing discussion, three different requirements for the distance from a school for this type of establishment were quoted. One of these requirements was 200 feet, another was 500 feet, and another was 600 feet. Many different ways of measuring this distance were also discussed, such as: ~'as the crow flies," front door to front door around the corner of the building, paths taking the sidewalk, corner of: one building to corner of the other building, and so on. The school building being measured to and from was Columbia Junior High School. The attorney was asked which of the methods was used for determining measurements. Mr. Peterson replied that you measure the path of ac:cessibi]ity of one building to another. Mr. Nelson stated that this measurement would be 526 feet. It was noted that Mr. Nelson must meet the codes before he would be allowed to move his business into the new site, and it was therefore su99ested that Mr. Nelson be 9ranted the license with the assumption that he wii] meet the specifications outlines for the building to be used for this type of establishment. Mayor Nawrocki thought that it ~as proper to question the acceptability of the building before the license was granted. Mr. Ne]son stated that he would Follow the guidelines previously set before him by the Council recommended by the building inspector, fire inspector, and police department. March 22, 1976 -113- Reverend Henderson of Peoples Church, who had given the Invocation at this meeting, spoke at this time, saying that he had problems with his building now from acts of vandalism. He stated that his buildings and vehicles on the parking lot must be kept locked at all times. He further stated that he expected a certain amount of trouble from being located so close to a junior high school, but that also having this type of recreation center so near would only increase the problems he has been having. He said that he would like to talk this matter over with his board to get their reaction to having something like this in their immediate neighborhood. Reverend Henderson also said that he was afraid that some of his parishioners would be going to the recreation center instead of to church on Sunday mornings. Mr. Nelson stated that he would be glad to hold off and open one half hour after Reverend Henderson's last service. A young girl in the audience told the Council that she thought Mr. Nelson should be granted his transfer because there was really no place for young people in Columbia Heights to go for recreation; Councilman Hentges disagreed sharply saying that Columbia Heights has a fine recreation department. He also mentioned the Drop-In Center operated for teenagers at the Field House and of church activities for young people in the area. Someone in the audience notedthat this establishment would be well supervised. It was also noted that all Mr. Nelson needed to proceed with his plans was a license. The question came up as to how long the license would be in effect, and Mayor Nawrocki stated that the license would expire on December 31, 1976 at the end of the calendar year with all of the other licenses issued during the year. Mr. Peterson stated at this time that the Council had no other recourse but to grant the license providing Mr. Nelson met all the requirements previously set before him. Mr. Peterson further stated that the location of the building proposed for Mr. Nelson's operation was zoned commercial, and establishments of this type are allowed in commercial zones. Motion by Heintz, Seconded by Logacz to grant a license transfer to Mr. Ernie Nelson upon compliance with suggestions after inspections by the building inspector, fire and police departments. Discussion continued concerning inspections and complaince with recommendations. Motion by Norberg, Seconded by Hentges to table this matter. It was noted that there was already a motion before the Council but that a motion to table takes precedence. Roll Call on Motion: Norberg, Nentges--aye Logacz, Heintz, Nawrocki--nay Motion is defeated. Mayor Nawrocki noted that a "yes" vote on this transfer was not a vote of approval for Mr. Nelson's operation, but that it was merely a yes vote to a legal operation; that is, the licensing of a business --114- March 22, 1976 to operate in a commercial zone. Roll Call on Motion to transfer license: Logacz, Heintz, Nawrocki ---aye Norberg--nay Hentges--abstain Motion carries. RECESS WAS CALLED AT 12:01A. M. MEETING WAS RECONVENED AT 12:18 A. M. LICENSES Mr. William Spain was asking the Council for a secondhand dealer license. There was some question concerning the hours of operation for a secondhand dealership. Mr. Spain was informed of these hours by Douglas Peterson, and Mr. Spain stated that he would have no trouble conforming to these hours. Motion by Norberg, Seconded by Hentges to grant Mr. Spain a secondhand dealer license upon payment of proper fees. Councilman Heintz proposed to amend the motion to include the approval of all licenses as listed. Councilman Norberg proposed to amend the amended motion to strike the solicitors license from the list of approved licenses. Motion dies for lack of a second. Roll Call on motion to approve all licenses as listed. Logacz, Heintz, Hentges, Nawrocki--aye Norberg--nay Motion by Norberg to defer the remainder of the agenda. Motion dies for lack of a second. APPEAL FOR SIGN REQUEST CAR-X-SYSTEMS 45TH AND CENTRAL AVENUE Attorney Peterson stated that he had prepared a resolution that would allow Signcrafters their variance. Resolution Offered by Heintz, Seconded by Hentges Heintz, Hentges, Nawrocki--aye Norberg--nay abstain Resolution #76-16 was adopted. Roll Call: Logacz-- RE:SOLUTION #76-16 REGARDING THE SIGN REQUEST OF CAR-X-SYSTEMS BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, THAT WHEREAS, Car-X-Systems has applied for a sign permit to allow the installation of a sign to advertise its business at 45th and Central Avenue Northeast, Columbia Heights, and March 22, 1976 -ll5- WHEREAS, the said sign is designed to have an advertising surface on each of its two opposing sides, each of which di~splays 128 square feet of advertising surface, and WHEREAS, The Columbia Heights Planning and Zoning Commission has denied the application for such permit, and WHEREAS, The City of Columbia Heights in the past and on one occasion within six months prior to this date has administratively issued sign permits for a sign of this size to other applicants, and WHEREAS, Car-X-Systems entered into a contract for the expenditure of approximately $2,200 based on its knowledge that another sign of the size requested herein had been installed within the past six months in the City pursuant to a sign permit issued by the City, and WHEREAS, The City Council finds that Car-X-Systems will in all probability suffer a substantial economic loss because of the change in its economic position taken in reliance that the Car- X-Systems would be issued a sign permit for the size of the sign set out herein, and WHEREAS, The City Council does not intend to set a policy of allowing variances for sign permits in the future based on economic considerations, but because of the circumstances set out herein the City Council finds that adherence to the literal provisions of the Columbia Heights sign ordinance would cause undue hardship to the property owner and that in fairness to the applicant it should in this case grant such a variance, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS that the appeal of the Car-X-Systems be granted and that it be allowed to install the type and size of sign applied for in its February, 1976 application. Further, the Columbia Heights building inspector is directed to issue a permit to install the sign as described within such application. Councilman Logacz stated that he had abstained in this vote for several reasons; primarily because he is the Councills representative on the Planning and Zoning Commission and he had not had a chance to discuss this matter with them. Mayor Nawrocki asked if signmakers had to have a special license to operate and Building Inspector Hovland replied that they do. Mayor Nawrocki suggested sending out letters of clarification on how the sign specifications are interpreted, and what the limitations are. The attorney suggested that the Council be allowed to look at the letter before it was sent out to be sure they concurred in the infor- mation contained therein. · -116- March 22, 1976 DISCUSSION OF MAINTENANCE OF LIBRARY EXPANSION AREA Mr. Watson reported that the basement area of the Library had now been finished, but there still remained the question of how the maintenance would be handled. It was further reported that Maintenance Experts, who presently handles maintenance on City buildings, prepared a contract outlining the maintenance of this section of the Library. It is an adendum to their present contract. This adendum calls for an additional $1]7.O0 per month and would go into effect on or about April 1. Motion by Heintz, Seconded by Hentges to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into the adendum to the Maintenance Experts contract for maintenance of the Library expansion area. Roll Call: All Ayes REQUEST FOR USE OF CITY LAND NEAR THE HI-RISE FOR GARDENS Mr. Watson noted that the County was willing to till the ground for these gardens and the Kiwanis Club was offering to help set them up. It was stated that the people in the Hi-Rise had asked for these gardens. Motion by Heintz, Seconded by Norberg to grant request for use of City land near the Hi-Rise for gardens. Roll Call: All Ayes SET BOARD OF EQUALIZATION MEETING DATE The proposed date for the Board of Equalization meeting was Thursday, May 20 at 7:00 p.m. It was decided that this date would be acceptable. Motion by Norberg, Seconded by Heintz to table the rest of the agenda until Tuesday, March 23 after the Public Works Hearing. Roll Call: All Ayes Meeting was recessed at 12:47 a.m. Bruce G. Nawrocki, Mayor