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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAug 24, 1976OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS CONTINUATION OF REGULAR MEETING OF AUGUST 23, 1976 CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AUGUST 24, 1976 The meeting was called to order at 8:12 p.m. Roll Call: Hentges, Nawrocki -- present. Heintz was absent. Logacz, Norberg, Motion byNorberg, seconded by Hentges, to name Beverly A. Peterson as secretary pro-tem for the meeting. Roll Call: All Ayes ATTORNEY RETAINER FEE Discussion was held on the report presented by Mr. Watson as prepared by by ROn Kalina on the payment for hours spent by Mr. Kalina so far this year that are over the contract agreement. Consideration for a full-time attorney versus an hourly wage was discussed at length. Mayor Nawrocki pointed out that he does not feel enough data has been collected to substantiate any action, that more information is needed on alternatives to an hourly attorney, and that more information is needed on costs for services other than retainer and prosecuting services. Mr. Watson pointed out that Mr. Kalina's request is in line with comparisons through the Stanton Report on other communities. Hentges states that the question was for an estimated cost for an in-house attorney, not for a cost breakdown of what we have spent. Logacz feels that for now, Mr. Kalina is justified in his request and that alternatives for the future may be considered later. Norberg ageees that the request is in line, but high at a 64% increase, and that use of legal council should be investigated. Offered by: Norberg Seconded by: Logacz Norberg states that the resolution can be tabled if further discussion is needed. Some discussion commenced on the reasons for this request for further compensation for services already rendered. Motion by Norberg, seconded by Hentges, to table the matter until the next meeting. Roll Call: All Ayes RESOLUTION ON LIQUOR STORE SALARIES Resolution 76-41 Setting 1976 Liquor Store Employee Salaries BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, that the following changes in salaries be effective for 1976 for the Munici- pal Liquor Stores: Full time employees to have hospitalization of $26.54 per month for single coverage paid plus life insurance of $5,000 (at $1.80 per month) and $16.66 per month paid toward family plan hospitalization for a maximum total monthly payment of $45.00. 1. Assistant store manager to receive $14,300 plus hospitalization. -330- August 24, 1976 2. Regular Bartenders, in accordance with the mediation determination, to receive $5.30 per hour. Part time bartendaers to receive $4.65 per hour- retroactive to January 1. New, experienced, bartenders to be paid $0.35 per hour under scale for a thirty day probationary period. Barten- der trainees to receive $0,35 per hour under scale for a six month proba- tionary period. 3. Regular Waitresses, in accordance with the mediation determination, to receive S3.36 per hour. Part time waitresses to receive $2.80 per hour. Regular waitresses to receive a uniform allowance of $50.00 per year for uniforms prescribed by the store manager. 4. Full time clerks at Store #1, ~2, and ~3 to receive $4.50 per hour. Part time clerks to receive $3.55 per hour. Off Sale Clerk Trainees to receive $O.10 per hour under scale for a six onth probationary period. Salary for regularly scheduled part time clerks (based on over five years continuous service) John Snyder $3.65 per hour, Paul Traynor $3.65 per hour, Harold Peterson $3.85 per hour, and Clem Janisch $3.90 per hour. These four clerks shall be paid for standard holidays or be granted equiv- alent time off on the basis of their average work day. 5. Regular janitor to receive $9,173 per year plus hospitalization. Part time janitors to receive $3.35 per hour. Glass washers to receive $3.00 per hour. Part time custodians to receive $2.75 per hour. 6. Vacation shall be granted on the basis of two weeks per year one to eight years, three weeks after eighth year through the fifteenth year, four weeks after fifteen years of service. 7. Holidays shall include the six major holdiays, plus two "floating" holidays for 1976. 8. All other fringe benefits as set forth for 1975 to remain in effect for 1976. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the forgoing changes be effective in accordance with the schedule as listed herein for the calendar year 1976 upon accept- ance by Local 17 for those employees represented by said union and the City of Columbia Heights. Offered by: Logacz Seconded by: Hentges Discussion was held on salaries and fringe benefits in comparison with other communities and with relation to 1975 wages. It was noted that number of personnel is the same, but that automatic overtime has been discontinued. Roll Call: All Ayes August 24, 1976 RESOLUTION ON SERGEANT SALARIES -331 - Resolution 76-42 Setting Salaries for Sergeants of the Police Department for 1976 and 1977 BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS That WHEREAS, negotiations have proceeded between the Police Sergeants, their Business Agent, the City Manager, and the Police Chief representing the City Council, and said negotiations have resulted in a salary schedule of: $152 per month over top patrol salary during 1976 (plus overtime payment) and $200 per month over top patrol salary during 1977 (eliminating overtime pay- ment). NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the contract agreements as negotiated in respect to economic considerations be, and the same are hereby established as, the salary and fringe benefit program for 1976 and 1977 for Police Sergeants of the Columbia Heights Police Department, with said contract to be made a part hereof as though set forth in full, upon acceptance by the representatives of the Police Sergeants and the City Labor Consultant. Offered by: Logacz Seconded by: Hentges Lengthy discussion on the use of injury-on-duty pay, Workmans Compensation, and sick leave pay. Corrections in the resolution on this were than recom- mended. Some discussion was held on whether the same union representative should re- present the sergeants as well as the lieutenants, etc. At this time, Logacz and Henges removed their offer for further discussion on negotiations and mediation, and on past discussions on this resolution. Discussion was also held on overtime, sick time and vacation time, and in- vestigation duty pay. The resolution was then discussed page for page with comparison to the patrol- mans' contract. Offered by: Logacz Seconded by: Hentges Roll Call: Logacz, Hentges, Nawrocki aye, Norberg nay. Adopted as amended. CODE AMENDMENT PROPOSAL BANNING ALCOHOL IN PARKS Discussion was held on the proposal as an offer for an ordinance. As an example, Fridley's ordinance and amendment banning the use of alcohol in their parks was discussed. Some changes in wording were made as recommended by the Council. The proposal was then read as a first reading of an ordinance. -332- August 24, ]976 Logacz states that the reason for the ordinance is vandalism and litter- in9 due to parties in the parks. LICENSES Motion by Norber9, seconded by Hengtes, to approve the licenses as listed upon payment of proper fees. Roll Call: All Ayes No discussion POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY REPORT ON OPEN GRADED ROAD MiX Discussion centered around the August 19, 1976 letter presented by Mr. Watson from Mr. Perez of the Pollution Control Agency. Hr. Watson stated that he had sent a copy of the letter with the results of the road materials sound-absorption testing to Mr. Crawford of the Minnesota Highway Engineer- ing Department. The road testing results were discussed further in relation to the Central Avenue Urbanization Project. Construction easements were then discussed for some time as needed for the start of this project. ACQUISITION AND RESALE OF THE SWARTZ HOUSE AT 547 MILL STREET NORTHEAST Much discussion was held as to how and where to move the house. Hengtes presented several questions. Motion by Norberg, seconded by Logacz, to: 1. Give the Mayor and the City Manager the authority to enter into an agreement to negotiate for purchase of the house at 547 Mill Street North- east. 2. To authorize the City Manager to advertise for bids for the sale of the house at 547 Mill Street Northeast on or before October 15, 1976 with bids to be opened at 2:00 p.m. on September 23, 1976. 3- In addition thereto, to authorize the City Manager to advertise for bids for the sale of Lot ]2, and the West half (3) of Lot ]1, Block 89, Columbia Heights Annex, to be considered as a possible relocation site for the said house and garage. Further discussion was then held as presented by Norberg and Hengtes on the moving of the house and the acquisition of these properties. Roll Ca]]: All Ayes. ST. TIMOTHY'S CHURCH Mayor Nawrocki presented a letter from the attorney for St. Timothy's Church regarding the dumping of dirt on the land behind the Church. A short discussion was held on this matter. August 24, 1976 -333- ENDORSEMENT OF U~IITED WAY A letter from Phillip Cohen, Chairman of the 1976 United Way Campaign, was presented by Mayor Nawrocki. The campaign was hereby endorsed. REVIEW OF THE JOINT COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM A short discussion was held on this matter concerning the costs of the new system and the Council's request for a review of our present system. RESOLUTION FOR APPLICATION FOR FUNDS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS Resolution 76-43 Regarding Development of an Emergency Operating Center in the City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, that WHEREAS, the City of Columbia Heights is in the process of developing a plan to expand the municipal building to house emergency fire and police facilities, and WHEREAS, it is possible to expand the lower level of this addition into an area that would qualify as an emergency operating center, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Columbia Heights that we will include in the expansion plans of our municipal building an area designated for an emergency operating center, and that fifty percent of the costs of constructing this area shall be borne by the City of Columbia Heights with the understanding that matching funds will be made available to cover the costs including equipment for this area. Offered by: Norberg Seconded by: Hengtes Hentges then presented questions on the acquisition and distribution of funds. Roll Call: All Ayes LIQUOR STORE FINANCIAL OPERATIONS STATEMENT ENDING JULY 30, 1976 Mr. Watson presented a report on th analysis of the statement. Questions were presented by Mayor Nawrocki and Hentges. The Council then requested a report to further explain the statement. TEMPORARY STOP SIGNS ON 7TH STREET NORTHEAST, 44TH TO 49TH AVENUES A question was raised by Norberg for explaination of the purpose for these signs. Mr. Watson reported that 7th Street will be used as an emergency route, as requested by the Police and Fire Departments, during the construc- tion on Jefferson Street. Questions were presented by Hentges. _33L~_ August 24, i976 Motion by Norberg, seconded by Hentges, to refer to the Traffic Commis- sion: the request for temporary stop signs to be placed on 7th Street Northeast during the present street construction on Jefferson Street. Roll Call: All Ayes REPORTS The time and dates for the upcoming budget sessions were discussed and finalized. The IBM Recording equipment was then discussed at length. Mr. Watson presented a report on the leasing of the equipment and pointed out that 65% of the leasing costs could be used toward the purchase of the equipment. The use of tape cassetts and the reRairing of the Gray Audograph were dis- cussed for some time. The length of time that the IBM discs would be kept in comparison to the Gray Audograph records was noted with emphasize on future legal needs. Motion by Norberg, seconded by Hentges, to repair and update the Gray Aud- ograph, to lease the IBM Recording equipment while the Gray Audograph is being repaired, and to compile a report at a later date as to the actual costs involved in the use of the IBM Recording equipment. Roll Call: All Ayes POSSIBLE COURT FACILITY IN NEW PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING The City Attorney presented a report concerning the possibilities of esta- blishing a court facility in the proposed public safety building. It was noted that judges using the facilities in surrounding communities are con- cerned because of the amount of noise and of conflict in schedules. Motion by Logacz, seconded by Norberg, to authorize the City Manager and the City Attorney to investigate further into the possibilities of pro- viding court facilities into the proposed public safety building. Roll Call: All Ayes Motion by Norberg, seconded by Logacz, to adjourn the meeting at 2:07 a.m.