HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 24, 1976OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
MAY 24, 1976
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The Meeting was called to order at 7:08 p.m.
Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg, Hentges, Nawrocki--present
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE OF MEETING
Mayor Nawrocki stated the purpose of this meeting as being
a public hearing to discuss the possibility of extending
MTC Route 18 on 4Oth Avenue from Reservoir Boulevard to Stinson
Boulevard to create a more direct route to Apache Plaza.
He noted that the proposal is basically to provide
additional service to the citizens of Columbia Heights.
He went on to say that this matter has gone through the
Traffic Commission and it was decided at the Regular Meeting
of the City Council on May lO that this public hearing would
be held to hear comments, questions,and concerns relating to
the extension of this bus line.
Mayor Nawrocki then introduced Mr. Isaacs of the Metropolitan
Transit Commission Operating Division.
Mr. Isaacs and Mayor Nawrocki pointed out that the MTC tries
very hard to get additional transit service, particularly in
suburban areas, to meet the needs of the people. It was also
noted that there have been many requests for this type of
service.
At this time, Mr. Isaacs presented a map to show the proposed
service. He noted that the busses would run from approximately
8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9:00
a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. He also stressed the point
that this proposed service is primarily designed to give riders
direct service to Apache Plaza.
Mayor Nawrocki asked if there were any questions on the
proposed service.
A gentleman in the audience noted that he would be in favor
of the proposed service, because in order to go to Apache
Plaza, he must ride a bus downtown and transfer.
A question was raised as to whether or not this proposed
service would have any effect on the Hilltop bus line. Mr.
Isaacs answered that it would not.
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Another person asked if the Hilltop bus line could be altered to
go to Apache Plaza. Mr. Isaacs answered that the bus would then
have to travel to two destinations and people would have to ride
on the bus for a longer period of time to get to where they want
to go. He noted that altering the bus line in Hilltop to go to
Apache Plaza would be giving the people a lower level of service.
Someone asked if 37th Avenue is a state aid road and Mayor Nawrocki
answered that it is. It was further asked if 37th Avenue could be
used for this bus service. Mr. Isaacs answered that one of the
advantages of the bus service as proposed is that it makes use of
lay-over time so well. The run as proposed is much more economical
than one that would go up 37th Avenue. A route that would go up
37th Avenue would cost anywhere from $5500 to $10,8OO more annually.
He also noted that a separate service is being planned for 37th
Avenue.
Someone in the audience was concerned about the increase of traffic
along 40th Avenue, expecially near Silver Lake School and Ostrander
Park. Mayor Nawrocki noted that the busses would consist of a very
small percent of the traffic that travels 40th Avenue daily.
The actual traffic count was noted as being approximately 4960
vehicles per day with the hour between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. having
the heaviest traffic; approximately 528 vehicles.
Mayor Nawrocki noted that the idea of bus service is to try to
get some people out of their cars and try to decrease the level
of trips made in automobiles.
Someone asked if the bus route would give the City a reason to
widen 40th Avenue. Mayor Nawrocki answered that having busses
running along 40th Avenue would not justify widening the road.
Discussion was held about the possible damage to 40th Avenue from
the busses.
George Brown, City Engineer, noted that the road might possibly
become rippled from the busses stopping at the bottom of hills,
but the road had been designed for heavy traffic and damage was
not anticipated.
Concerns about noise and air pollution were also voiced.
Mayor Nawrocki noted that the number of trips the bus would add
to the 40th Avenue traffic count would be very minimal. Concerning
the noise factor, he noted that the sound of a bus under full
acceleration is lower than that of the average motorcycle.
He further stated that busses have deisel engines, which are much
cleaner than gasoline engines. He noted that today's bus is much
cleaner than the automobile. He also stated that the comments
on noise and air pollution were overstated.
May 24, 1976 -220-
Mayor Nawrocki noted that in the event of another "energy crunch"
bus lines like this will be needed. He also noted that people
should depend more upon public transit.
Someone stated that they thought having a bus line in their area
would depreciate the value of their homes. Mayor Nawrocki noted
that the contrary is true, saying that many times homes are ad-
vertised as being on bus lines when they are put up for sale
because it attracts potential buyers and is not considered a
deterrant.
Councilman Norberg asked about the alternate route to the
proposed 40th Avenue extension. He wanted to know if it would
be possible to modify the alternate route and drop the proposed
extension or condition the continuance of the 40th Avenue
extension on the success of the alternate route.
Mr. Isaacs answered that there were two different reasons for
these two routes; that is, serving Columbia Heights and serving
Minneapolis. He also noted that any revision of the proposed
extension would not be giving the citizens of Columbia Heights
as good a level of service, and it would be more expensive to
operate.
Mr. Isaacs pointed out that there was a chance that the 37th
Avenue route would not survive because of failure to attract
reasonable ridership. Mayor Nawrocki noted that the 37th Avenue
route was not the one under discussion at this meeting.
Mr. Isaacs stated that MTC routes are reviewed after six and twelve
months-and if the level of usage does not justify the service, the
service is either modified or dropped. He noted that sometimes
bus lines are eliminated because of low ridership.
Councilman Hentges noted that the League of Women Voters supported
this proposed bus route.
Motion by Hentges, Seconded by Logacz to concur with the Traffic
Commission, the Housing Authority and the League of Women Voters
and grant the extension on route 18 on 40th Avenue to Apache Plaza
to the Metropolitan Transit Commission. Roll Call: All Ayes
Councilman Logacz stated that he lives on a busy street with
much traffic. He stated that each year there would be more and
more traffic unless something is done to offer people an alternative
to driving their cars. He also said that the MTC busses are
controlled and driven by responsible people, and their service is
economical.
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Someone in the audience asked if the MTC would participate
in the cost of maintaining 40th Avenue should any damage occur.
Concern was voiced that the busses would be travelling over the
area that once was swampy, and the road would not hold out.
George Brown stated that the road was designed for the legal
limit and no problems of this kind were anticipated. He stated
that there isn't any reason why 40th Avenue shouldn't be as
good as any other road. He further noted that if the road
should require replacing, it would be paid for out of state
aid funds at no cost to the residents.
Mayor Nawrocki stated that, after the bus service is put
into effect, people who feel that the service is causing more
problems than had been anticipated should feel free to call
him or the City staff.
The special meeting was adjourned at 8:07 p.m.
Bruce G. Nawrocki, Mayor
Secr~l~ary
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
MAY 24, 1976
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Meeting was called to order at 8:27 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 Reverend Otte of St. Matthew's Lutheran
Church.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Motion by Heintz, Seconded by Logacz to approve the minutes of
March 23, March 29, April 12, April 13, and April 26 as presented
in writing and the reading be dispensed with. Roll Call: All Ayes
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Motion by Norberg, Seconded by Hentges to pay the bills as listed
out of their proper funds. Roll Call: All Ayes
BIDS ON PICK UP TRUCK INCLUDING UTILITY BOX
It was recommended that the bid on the Pick Up Truck be awarded
to the low bidder, Bill Boyer Ford, in an amount of $5,738.31.
Motion by Logacz, Seconded by Heintz to award the bid on the
Pick Up Truck with Utility Box to Bill Boyer Ford in an amount of
$5,738.31 and the Mayor and City Manager be authorized to enter
into contract for same.
Councilman Norberg asked if the $5,738.31 amount included the
AM radio option. Mayor Nawrocki replied that it did.
Motion by Norberg, Seconded by Hentges to award the bid on the
Pick Up Truck to Bill Boyer Ford deleting option #2, AM radio,
for a total amount of $5,667.76 and the Mayor and City Manager
be authorized to enter into contract for same.
Councilman Logacz asked Shop Foreman Tom Hosch what the
justification for the AM radio was. Mr. Hosch answered that
by including the AM radio, people would no longer have to
bring their own portable radios in the trucks. He stated
that portable radios tend to scratch up the dashboard of the
vehicles. He also stated that the re-sale value of the trucks
is higher when they have a radio. He also noted the advantage
of having something to break the monotony when it is necessary
to plow snow for long periods of time.
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He also stated that the highway reports from the radio could
be useful in avoiding traffic jams and bad roads when the vehicle
is used to travel out of the City. Ne also noted that other
departments in the City have radios in their vehicles. He
concluded by stating that it was not just a matter of riding
around listening to & radio.
Councilman Norberg stated that he thought the Public Works
two-way radio could be used to transmit weather and highway
reports.
Councilman Hentges stated that most of the vehicles owned
by the City are used to take the employees from the City Garage
to the job site and there is really no need for a radio. He
stated that he thought a radio wou]d be a distraction.
He stated that the employees would have the temptation of
listening to music or a ball game and not concentrating on
their work.
Mr. Hosch stated that he thought the practice of listening
to music on the job should be discouraged, but noted that
he still believed there was merit in having a radio in the
vehicle.
Councilman Hentges asked where the line should be drawn as to
who should or should not be allowed to have an AM radio in
their vehicles. He stated that if someone is allowed to have
a radio, everyone else would also want one, and the cost of
installing radios in all the City's vehicles would be a major
expenditure.
Roll Call on Motion to award the bid on the Pick Up Truck to
Bill Boyer Ford: All Ayes
Roll Call on Notion to delete from the purchase agreement the
option of the AM radio: All Ayes
BIDS ON KEYES PARK RECREATION BUILDING
Motion by Heintz, Seconded by Logacz to award the bid on the
Keyes Park Recreation Building to Nedegaard Construction in an
amount of $53~930 and the Mayor and City Manager be authorized
to enter into contract for same.
Councilman Hentges inquired as to whether or not a motion would
have to be made to show where the money for this construction
would come from, since only $50,OOO was budgeted for the
construction of this building.
Mayor Nawrocki noted that some other park related project
would have to be decreased or eliminated to make up for the
over expenditure on this item. He also stated that no motion
would have to be made to transfer funds to the line item for
construction of the Keyes Park Building.
May 24, 1976 -224-
Roll Call on Motion: Logacz, Heintz, Nawrocki---aye
Norberg, Hentges---nay
Motion carries.
Councilman Hentges noted that there is no year-round program
for the use of these buildings, so therefore he thought the
money could be put to better use on some other project.
Mayor Nawrocki and Councilman Heintz pointed out to Councilman
Hentges that these park buildings do get used all year, and as
time goes on and better recreation programs can be instituted,
more and more uses will be available for the buildings.
BIDS ON REPAIR WORK ON DRIVE APPROACHES NEAR PRESTEMON PARK
Mr. Watson noted that the driveways in question were along
Cleveland Street, 39th to 40th Avenue and on 39½ Avenue
from Cleveland Street to McKinley Street. He also noted
that these driveways were restored by City forces during the
Fall of 1975 after the installation of curb and gutter and
street surfacing. Several complaints from dissatisfied
homeowners were received on the unprofessional work done, the
weak edges, and poor appearance.
George Brown, City Engineer stated that he felt that he must
recommend either overlays after patching, or removing and
replacing all of the work. He also noted that two quotes
on the work had been received: D. J. Krone and Sons for
$1,500 and Jeff Masters for $1,750.
Mayor Nawrocki asked if the work on the driveways should be
cleaned up by the contractor who did the work. George Brown
replied that the contractor was the City of Columbia Heights.
Motion by Hentges, seconded by Heintz to enter into a contract
with D. J. Krone and Sons in an amount of $1,500 for repair work
to be done on driveways near Prestoman Park based on low informal
quotation. Roll Call: All Ayes.
Councilman Norberg had questioned which fund the money for this
project would come from and at this time asked for a written
report from Mr. Schedler, Finance Director, stating which line
items the money would be taken from.
HEARING ON MONROE STREET; 45th to 46th Avenue
City Manager Watson noted that the City of Columbia Heights
has been working in conjunction with the Village of Hilltop
in order to come to some agreement on the Monroe Street;
45th to 46th Avenue Project which entails installing a water
main, putting in a new street and curb and gutter. Mr. Watson
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noted that the City of Columbia Heights by itself does not have enough
right of way to proceed with the project to its fullest extent.
It was noted that this project had been proposed last year but bids
were rejected by the Council because they came in very high. The
project was being proposed again this year because it is probable
that a contractor can be found who can do the job for a reasonable
cost.
Mr. Watson noted that Clayton Berg of the Engineering Department
has been attending the Hilltop Village Council meetings and was
present at this meeting to discuss the topic with the Council and
the people present.
Mr. Berg stated that he thought this project could be accomplished
this year with the cooperation of Hilltop. He also stated that
Hilltop had scheduled a hearing for June 7, 1976, to further review
the plans and see if some agreement could be reached.
Mr. Berg noted that Hilltop requested that prior to thh. ir June 7
hearing, the Columbia Heights City Council should approve the taking
of bids with the understanding that the bids would be awarded with
concurrence from their Council because they would have to share in
the costs.
Mr. Berg noted that a petition had been received from the people in
this area and had already been placed on file which had been signed
by 59 percent of the property owners requesting permanent blacktop,
street drainage, and curb and gutter.
One lady in the audience noted that she knew of two people in the
area who intended to take their names off of the petition if the work
could not be done to an acceptable extent, that is: A full street,
water main, and curb and gutter.
The gentlem&n who had circulated the petition was present and noted
that no one had signed the petition without first reading it and
discussing it with him.
One man noted that he had read the petition but hadn't noticed
anything about a water main.
Mr. Watson noted that the water main was an integral part of the project.
Mr. Berg at this time showed transparencies of the proposed project.
Mayor Nawrocki noted that the City would propose to build the fullest
street width possible, based on the assumption that Hilltop would
go along with the City of Columbia Heights' proposal. It was noted
that the "fullest street width possibleII would be 26 feet face to face.
May 24, 1976 -226-
Lengthy discussion was held on how this project would be assessed
and on the estimated costs.
Mayor Nawrocki asked what the extent of the project would be if
Hilltop did not participate. Mr. Berg noted that it would include
the water main and curb and gutter resurfacing.
Discussion was held centering on what Hilltop's "Fair Share"
would be of this project.
One man asked if the people living along the Columbia Heights
side of Monroe Street used Hilltop land long enough if they
could assume this was their land.
Mr. Watson noted that this was the principle of adverse possession.
He also noted that this type of possession is not as easy as
people usually assume it to be. He stated that there were about
fifteen requirements which had to be met in order to be able to
take possession of the property. He concluded that the City of
~olumbia Heights could not just assume the land was theirs to use
for this improvement.
George Brown noted the possibility of no cooperation from Hilltop,
in which case a half street of fourteen feet would be put in with
curb and gutter on one side.
Councilman Heintz asked Mr. Brown if this was a sound way to build
a street and Mr. Brown replied that he was not advocating it, but
it may have to be considered as an alternative.
A gentleman in the audience asked if Hilltop could be forced to
pay for the amount of the improvement that would affect them.
Mayor Nawrocki noted that this would be very difficult to do.
Mr. Watson noted that the Hilltop Village Council is interested
in knowing what the intentions of the Columbia Heights City Council
re§arding this project.
Motion by Hentges, seconded by Norberg to concur with the full street
width proposal with the understanding that Hilltop would pay their
'lfair share" with the improvement to include installation of a
water main, curb, gutter, and blacktopping. Roll Call: All Ayes.
It was noted that this hearing would be continued on June 14 at
which time there would be some report from Hilltop.
RECESS !0:30
RECONVENE lO:51
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PETITION FOR A PRIVACY FENCE AT 3907 - 2nd Street
It was noted that his petition was signed by the neighbors of 3907 2nd Street
for a privacy-type fence to keep the children of that address in the yard.
It was noted that the children get into the alley very easily, causing a
hazardous situation for drivers who are likely to hit these children.
It was noted that this subject had come before the Planning and Zoning
Commission at their last meeting three weeks ago, and the matter was
presently on their table.
Motion by Hentges, seconded by Logacz to refer the matter of the privacy
fence at 3907 2nd Street back to the Planning and Zoning Commission for
their recommendation. Roll Call: All Ayes.
Police Chief Anderson came before the Council to ask a question in response
to the authorization to purchase two protective vests. He noted that the
price for two of the vests is slightly ~nore that they had anticipated.
Mayor Nawrocki noted that since the price was still considerably under $500,
he may go ahead and purchase the vests.
Chief Anderson noted that the people he knows who have this type of vest wear
them daily.
Mayor Nawrocki noted that the Metropolitan Transit Commission was planning
to dispose of their used busses by making them available at no cost to
units of local government and non-profit organizations. He noted that these
were twenty five year old busses, but several of them were still in fair
condit ion.
Motion by Hentges, seconded by Norberg to authorize the acquisition of
three used MTC busses. Roll Call: All Ayes.
LICENSES
At this time, Mr. Law of the Minneapolis Recreation Development Company
came be'fore the Council to ask them to consider granting him a solicitor's
license. Mt. Law noted that his candy selling program gives under-privileged
young people a chance to earn some money.
Mr. Law noted that his company is not a non-profit organization. He stated
that if it were a non-profit organization, the kids who participate wouldn't
be able to make any money from the candy they sell.
Hotion by Logacz, seconded by Heintz to grant the license upon payment of
proper :Fees.
Councilman Norberg inquired as to whether each solicitor would be required
to have a separate license. It was noted that in previous years, a blanket
license has been issued and separate licenses have not been required.
Mr. Law noted that the selling was done before 8:00 p.m. and at the very latest
8:30 p.m.
May 24, 1976 -228-
May~r Nawrocki noted that Mr. Law's company worked out fairly
well when they went through the City of Columbia Heights last year
and that there were no problems.
City Attorney, Ronald Kalina, noted that the City Council could
really not restrict people from getting licenses. He stated
that the power was limited to the Police Department jurisdiction.
He further stated that the only real question before the Council
was whether or not they chose to waive the license fee.
Mr. Law stated that he gives a good deal of his own time to helping
these children and he invited the Council to ride with him sometime
when he was with the kids.
Chief Anderson suggested that Mr. Law's license be limited to
one pass through the City.
Mayor Nawrocki noted that perhaps these would be good guidelines
for Mr. Law to follow:
1. Register individuals involved in the program with the Police.
2. License be limited to one pass through the community at such
times to be worked out by the Police Chief.
Councilman Norberg asked tlr. Law if each of the sellers carried
identification. Mr. Law replied that each of them carries an
Insty Print copy of the license that is issued.
Roll Call on motion: Logacz, Heintz, Nawrocki--Ayes, Norberg and
Hentges--Nay
Councilman Norberg and Hentges noted that the reason they voted
against this motion is because the name of the organization leads
people to believe that Mr. Law's company is a non-profit organization,
which it is not. They noted that people who would not ordinarily
buy candy from him might do so if they believe he was working for
a non-profit organization.
General discussion was held between George Brown and the Council
regarding the matter of storm drain construction to be discussed
at the School Board Meeting May 25, 1976.
At 12:31 a.m. Mayor Nawrocki declared a in_th'Ls ~eetingrecess ' ' '
until Tuesday, May 25, at 7:30 p.m. ~~l////~
Bruce G. Nawrocki, Mayor
Secr/~tary