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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJul 26, 1976OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA JULY 26, 1976 The Meeting was called to order at 8:20 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 Councilman Norberg. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Motion by Heintz, Seconded by Logacz to approve the minutes as presented in writing with corrections as noted and the re~ding be dispensed with. Roll Call: All Ayes PAYMENT OF BILLS Payment of bills was deferred until later in the meeting. PROCLAMATION--PROCLAIMING THE WEEK OF AUGUST 2 THROUGH 8 AS RECYCLING FOR MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION WEEK WHEREAS Reynolds Aluminum Recycling Company is again this year a corporate sponsor of the Muscular Dystrophy Association; and WHEREAS Reynolds Aluminum Recycling Company provides a large portion of funds in support of the worldwide program of research on neuromuscular diseases sponsored by the Muscular Dystrophy Association; and WHEREAS Reynolds Aluminum Recycling Company urges groups and individuals to collect aluminum cans and other clean household aluminum, to turn the metal in at one of Reynolds' 13 collection points in Minnesota and to donate the 15 cents per pound to the Muscular Dystrophy Association; and WHEREAS recycling aluminum takes 95 percent less energy than it takes to produce the original aluminum for that can; and WHEREAS this participation by Reynolds Aluminum Recycling Company is a demonstration of goodwill on the part of all those who participate in keeping with the basic truths this great state was founded upon. -296- July 26, 1976 I, Bruce G. Nawrocki, Mayor of the City of Columbia Heights, do hereby declare the week of August 2 through August 8, 1976 as Recycling for MDA week and strongly commend all persons who unite to make this worthwhile project possible. BIDS ON TOWING John Schedler, City Clerk/Acting City Manager, reported that bids were opened and read at 2:00 p.m. on July 26. He noted that the overall low net bid was Shorty's Towing Service. He stated that the recommendation would be to award the contract to Shorty's Towing Service. Motion by Hentges, Seconded by Logacz to award the contract for towing for the year beginning August 1, 1976 to Shorty's Towing Service on the basis of low, responsible bid and that the Mayor and City Manager be authorized to enter into contract for same. Roll Call: All Ayes REPORT ON CENTRAL AVENUE URBANIZATION It was noted that Mr. Crawford of the Highway Department who was to continue the discussion of Central Avenue Urbanization at this meeting was not present. RESOLUTION 76-37 AUTHORIZING TO CONTRACT FOR CONSULTING ENGIIIEERING SERVICES ON LABELLE PARK PHASE II There was much discussion on the various aspects of LaBelle Park Development Phase II and the priorities which had been set by the Park Board. Mayor Nawrocki noted that no dollar amount or estimate had been given on the contract, and he stated that he would not sign it until the question on cost had been cleared up. Mayor Nawrocki suggested that this resolution be offered so work on LaBelle Park could proceed. Resolution 76-37 Authorizing to Contract for Consulting Engineering Services on LaBelle Park Phase II BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights, that The Mayor and City Manager be, and they are hereby, authorized to enter into a formal contract with Wolverton Engineering Company to prepare plans and specifications for the project known as LaBel]e Park Phase II. July 26, 1976 -297- BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That Wolverton Engineering Company be directed to utilize available data and appropriately related materials already completed by the City Planner and Public Works Director and the Engineering Staff of the City. Offered by Norberg, Seconded by Hentges. Roll Call: All Ayes RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CONTRACT FOR ARCHITECTURAL SERVICE ON PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING It was noted that there was a resolution before the Council proposing to contract Architect Robert Diedrich to prepare the necessary detailed plans and specifications to take formal bids on the proposed public safety building. It was noted that this resolution would provide Architect Diedrich with a flat rate fee instead of being paid on an hourly wage as at the present time. Councilman Norberg stated that he thought this resolution was premature and no action was taken at this time with the understanding that Architect Diedrich remain working on an hourly basis. RESOLUTION REGARDING ATTORNEY RETAINER Mr. Schedler asked Attorney Kalina to explain the retainer agreement as proposed. Mr. Kalina explained that he was suggesting putting prosecution services on an hourly basis at $35 per hour up to a maximum of 600 hours, and reducing the amount of the retainer to $12,000. He noted that the present retainer was $20,1OO. There was much discussion on the proposed retainer. Motion by Hentges, Seconded by Norberg to table the subject of the attorney retainer until the next regular meeting of the City Council. Roll Call: Logacz, Norberg, Hentges, Nawrocki-- aye Heintz--nay REQUEST TO PURCHASE CABLE LOCATOR Mr. Schedler noted that the request to purchase a cable locator had originated in the Sewer and Water Department. A brochure picturing this locator was shown to the Council. Earl Gustafson, Public Works Director, noted that this cable locator would locate underground pipes, lines with water, and metal. He explained that it could be used as a metal or liquid detector. -298- July 26, 1976 Councilman Hentges asked about the locator presently being used. Mr. Gustafson stated that it is old and in need of repair. He stated that an estimate could not be obtained for the repair of the machine. The Council inquired as to why a repair estimate could not be obtained. Mr. Gustafson explained that the older models tend to be obsolete. Mayor Nawrocki asked what this locator would be used for and Mr. Gustafson replied that it would be used to find broken water lines snd private water services. Councilman Norberg stated that he would like to see an estimate for repairs and a report on the possible residual value of the present locator. Motion by Hentges, Seconded by Norberg to table the request to purchase a cable locator until the next regular Council meeting. Roll Call: All Ayes AUCTIONEER AND RESTAURANT LICENSE Mayor Nawrocki noted that Mr. and Mrs. Anton R. Hanson were present concerning their proposed auctioneer and restaurant license. Motion by Heintz, Seconded by Logacz to grant the auctioneer's license and restaurant license to Mr. and Mrs. Anton R. Hanson upon payment of proper fees. Roll Call: All Ayes RECESS 9:37 RECONVENE 9:55 Mayor Nawrocki noted that during the time when Columbia Heights did not have a Police Chief, Sergeants Hedblad and Lohse took on the duties of that position without receiving any additional compensation. He stated that he thought some dollar amount would be in order. He suggested that $600 be given to each Sergeant Hedblad and Lohse for extra services performed. Motion by Heintz, Seconded by Norberg to authorize $600 as compensation to Sergeants Hedblad and Lohse for services performed as interim police chiefs. Roll Call: All Ayes July 26, 1976 -299- REQUEST FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN DRIVERS TRAINING Chief Anderson stated that he would like to have all of the members of the Police Department participate in a one day driver training course. He stated that he had visited the course and had the program explained to him; and he believes the course would be very beneficial. He stated that departments that have participated in this course have noted less accidents, and the Minneapolis department's accident rate is down 50 percent. He noted that the cost of the school is $55 per day per man, and the department must provide the cars being used. He noted that the money would come from the school line item from the 1976 budget. Chief Anderson was asked if the car would be engaged in any potentially dangerous situations. He replied that the driving which would be done at the school would be a little hard on the tires, but the car would be in no serious danger. Motion by Logacz, Seconded by Heintz to authorize expenditure for the Drivers Training School for members of the Police Department. Roll Call: All Ayes Timothy Yantos, Administrative Assistant, noted that a late request had come in from Mr. Richard Dustin, who was coordinating the Fall Festival for Immaculate Conception Church. Mr. Dustin was asking the Council for authorization to close off Jackson Street south of the residential homes to 40th Avenue on August 13, 14, and 15. Motion by Logacz, Seconded by Heintz that the request of Immaculate Conception Church to close off part of Jackson Street during August 13, 14, and 15 for the Fall Festival be granted subject to the supervision of the Police Chief. Councilman Hentges stated that this item should have come before the Traffic Commission for their consideration before it came to the Council. He stated that this was the reason the various boards and commissions were formed, to make recommendations to the City Council. Roll Call on Motion: Norberg--abstain Motion Carries. Logacz, Heintz, Nawrocki--aye Hentges--nay · -300- July 26, 1576 LICENSES Motion by Norberg, Seconded by Heintz to approve the licenses as listed upon payment of proper fees, with the exception of the restaurant license for VFW Post 230 with the fee being waived, this license also being contingent upon concurrence with Anoka County on the date of the fund raiser. ]-here was a question as to whether the license for On Sale beer for Hady~s Softball team should have the fee be waived. After reading the letter of application, in which there was no request for the fee to be waived, it was decided that the fee would be charged. Roll Call on Motion: All Ayes BIDS OH AIRLESS PAll'IT SPRAYER AND PAINTIIIG OF THE SERVICE CENTER Mir. Schedler noted that Hr. Gustafson has been working very closely with this project and asked Mr. Gustafson to comment at this time. Hr. Gustafson stated that informal quotations had been received on several airless paint sprayers, tie explained that the Pittsburg Paint Company had been low on a Binks Hode] 98-991 Super Bee, at a price of $870.07. Hr. gustafson recommended purchasing this model from the Pittsburg Paint Company. Hayor Nawrocki stated that the formal bids which had been let on the painting of the service center must also be considered at this time so the Council could get a complete picture of the situation: whether it was most economical to contract the painting, buy the equipment and use City forces, rent the equipment, etc. Mr. gustafson noted that the bids which had come in on sealing and painting the exterior wall surface of the service center had come in extremely high, which he had anticipated. He was recommending that these bids be rejected and the air]ess sprayer be purchased and the painting be done with City forces, inside and outside of the building, and on the other City buildings as well. Councilman Hentges questioned the feasibility of purchasing painting equipment. Mr. gustafson agreed that to purchase painting equipment to paint one building would not be feasible, but in the light of all the other city buildings which could benefit by the purchase and use of this equipment, it became more feasible. Councilman Hentges stated some of the disadvantages of an airless type sprayer, and Mr. gustafson stated that the facts which he was giving were contrary to facts he had received in talking with painters. Mayor Hawrocki noted that this may be just a matter of opinion. July 26, 1976 -301- Mr. Gustafson noted that an air spray is used when a fine finish is desired, as in the painting of vehicles. Councilman Hentges stated that one could not use a big airless sprayer on small equipment, and Mr. Gustafson noted that he would not; he has other painting equipment to take care of these kinds of jobs. Councilman Hentges inquired as to whether this equipment would be used enough to warrant spending the money on it. Mr. Gustafson noted that this was his intention. Councilman Norberg asked about the possibility of renting the equipment. Mr. Gustafson noted that this would be a less expensive way to go, but that renting equipment very often creates problems; for example, if the equipment has not been cleaned properly in the past, etc. Councilman Heintz asked how the cost of contracting the work out compared to doing it with City forces. Mr. Gustafson noted that the work could be done for half of what the contractors were asking. He further noted that this included wages, fringe benefits, pensions, and the cost of the equipment. Motion by Logacz, Seconded by Heintz to purchase the Binks Model 98-991 Super Bee from Pittsburg Paint Company based on low informal quotation in an amount of $870.07. Roll Call: All Ayes Mr. Gustafson noted that he would try to use normally unproductive time to get the painting done. Councilman Norberg noted that a motion was in order to reject bids on the painting of the service center. Motion by Norberg, Seconded by Heintz to reject bids for sealing and painting of the city service center. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg, Nawrocki--aye Hentges--nay Councilman Hentges noted his concern about overspray. He stated that if any cars or buildings other than the one being painted were sprayed with the paint, the City would be liable for the damages. ST. MATTHEWS LUTHERAN CHURCH--REQUEST FOR VARIANCES TO BUILD A PARKING LOT , Mr. Richard Byersdorfer, A representative of St. Matthews Lutheran Church/was at the meeting to present to the Council the plans for the proposed parking lot. -302- July 26, 1976 'There was much discussion on the proposed plans. Motion by Norberg, Seconded by Heintz to approve the requested variances(waiving the requirements of Section 8.4(3), a front yard requirement of 25 feet; and Section 16.2(13), requiring off street parking in an R-2 district to be on the same lot as 'the principal building) and a variance of three feet on the north for St. Matthew's Church. Councilman Hentges stated that this item should have gone to the Traffic Commission so they could determine what effect this parking lot would have on traffic in the area, and make their recommendation to the City Council. He stated that this is the reason the Traffic Commission was created. Fioll Call on motion: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg, Nawrocki--aye Hentges--nay F'AYHENT OF BILLS Motion by Logacz, Seconded by fteintz to pay the bills as listed out of their proper funds. Roll Call: All Ayes There was some general discussion on the construction on Stinson Bou]evard. Mayor Nawrocki noted that the Columbia Heights queen Float won a prize in the Aquatennial Day Parade. He noted that there was a problem as to where this float would be stored for the rest of the parade season. Mr. gustafson noted that it could be put in the shop yard and covered with plastic. Attorney Kalina noted that he would like to line up more meetings on the revision of the City code. Tuesday, July 27 at 7:30 p.m. was set for a meeting on this subject. Hr. Gustafson noted that he was still gathering information for a tree ordinance. Motion by Heintz, Seconded by Logacz to adjourn at ]2:]2 a.m. Roll Call: All Ayes Bruce G. Nawrocki, Mayor Secretary C( <.