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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNov 24, 1976OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS RECESSED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS NOVEMBER 24, 1976 The Meeting was called to order at 6:07 p.m. by Council President Heintz. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg, Hentges--present Nawrocki--absent STATEMENT OF PURPOSE OF MEETING Council President Heintz noted that this meeting was called for the purpose of finishing the remaining agenda items from the November 22 Council meeting. CONSIDERATION OF LICENSING ON ICE STATIONS AND TRUCKS City Manager Watson noted that this item was put on the agenda as a clarification was to be made in respect to the fee on licensing ice stations and trucks. Attorney Nick Casper, who was representing City Attorney Kalina who was unable to attend the meeting, stated that the fee for ice stations and trucks was set by the Council in a resolution passed on November 8, 1976 as $25. In previous years, the license had been $5. He further explained that in ordinance 474, the license fee for ice stations, manufacturing places, trucks, and distribution points was set forth as $5. He noted that because of this ordinance amount, the $25 as set forth in the resolution would not be in effect. He explained that the amount would have to be changed by an ordinance. He also noted that in the proposed City Code, the fee amount would be able to be set and changed by resolution. Councilman Hentges stated that he thought the ordinance should be up-dated. Councilman Norberg agreed. Councilman Logacz said he felt this could be dealt with in the code and Council President Heintz stated that he also felt this way. Attorney Casper stated that it was his opinion that it would be best to deal with it in the code. Mayor Nawrocki joined the meeting at 6:46 p.m. OLD AND NEW BUSINESS Mr. Watson told the Council that he would like them to seriously consider granting a front yard parking waiver to the occupant at 4723 6th Street. He stated that he had prepared a diagram of the situation at this address, and that perhaps granting a front yard waiver would be the only way to provide this home- owner with suitable off street parking. November 24, ]976 Motion by Hentges, Seconded by Norberg to grant a front yard parking waiver for 4723 6th Street for one car. Councilman Hentges noted that this was a hardship case. Councilman Heintz noted that this waiver was to be restricted to the present owner. Roll Ca]]: All Ayes Acting Public Works Director Clayton Berg noted that the Sewer and ~Jater Department Superintendent Don Jolly submitted a report regarding root control in sewers by treating them chemically with foam. Mr. Berg noted that he felt this was a good method of treating the root problem in the sanitary sewers. He was asking for a transfer of funds from the Sewer Department fund for chemicals to purchase the equipment necessary for this kind of treatment. He noted that there would not be a need to buy any chemicals for the rest of the year. Councilman Norberg stated that he would like to know what the foam was made of. He explained that it maybe was a persistent pollutant. Mr. Berg noted that the chemical does have an EPA rating and an EPA registration number. City Engineer Brown noted that the chemical has been used extensively on the east and west coasts. Councilman Norberg explained that the east, west, and gulf coasts use the oceans for dumping wastes. He further noted that, being in the midwest, the City of Columbia Heights must be concerned with filtration. Councilman Heintz suggested having Sewer and Water Super- intendent Jolly get quotes on the equipment for the next Council meeting. Mayor Nawrocki noted that the information which should be obtained is as follows: a report on the test which was conducted on Reservoir Boulevard with the foam, more information on the foam itself, and an up-date on the price quotations, He noted that Councilman Norberg's question on toxicity and persistence in the environment should also be explored. November 24, 1976 It was reported that a test had been conducted on Highway 100 in which the sound level of "popcorn'l mix bituminous was found to be three to four decibels lower than the regular mix. It was noted, however, that both mats have been subjected to traffic only a short time. Mayor Nawrocki stated that he would like to suggest that the Council have a meeting with the Highway Department people to review the Central Avenue Urbanization project. He noted that there were some other matters besides noise abatement which should be discussed; but that Mr. Perez of the Pollution Control Agency should be invited to the meeting. Mayor Nawrocki noted that other meetings should be set to discuss the liquor licensing ordinance, the liquor in parks ordinance, the proposed City Code, and the 1977 proposed budget. Tuesday, November 30 at 7:00 p.m. was set for discussion of the liquor licensing ordinance, the liquor in parks ordinance, and possibly the City Code. Monday, December 6 at 8:00 p.m. was set for an informal meeting with the Highway Department on the Central Avenue Urbanization project. Specific topics to be discussed: signalization, costs, final plans, noise abatement. It was noted that Mr. Perez of the Pollution Control Agency should be present. An informal session to discuss the budget was scheduled for Tuesday, December 7 at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 9 was set aside for Judge Sokolowski to meet with the Council, should it be possible for him to come that evening. CITY MANAGER REPORTS Mr. Watson deferred to Administrative Assistant Tim Yantos, who talked about the possibility of using a CETA position which was currently being used as an administrative aide as an Assistant Building Inspector because it was felt the need was greater in this area. Mayor Nawrocki noted that this suggestion should have Council concurrence, and could not be done in a report. There was some discussion on the need for assistance in the Inspections Department. November 24, 1976 Councilman Heintz noted the possibility of using the CETA position for an Assistant Park Superintendent. Mayor Nawrocki asked if the suggestion for an Assistant Park Superintendent had been considered when this change was proposed. Mr. Yantos replied that it had not. It was noted that there were also other departments which felt they had a justified request for additional help. It was suggested that perhaps all the positions which were requested through the budget should be looked at before any final decision is made. Mayor Nawrocki noted that this should be done in fairness for ail those departments requesting help. There was some discussion on the status of the CETA positions for the Housing and Redevelopment Authority which had been reported on at a previous meeting. Mr. Watson ]eft the meeting at 7:14 p.m. Counci]man Heintz directed Mr. Yantos to make a list of all the present City CETA positions and come back to the Council at another time with the request. CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS Attorney Casper explained the situation regarding the City's maintenance contract. Mr. Casper noted that part of the requirements in the bid specifications was a performance bond in the amount of $5,O00. It was further noted that it is not possible for a cleaning service to get a performance bond in this amount. Maintenance Experts, the company who had been the only bidder when the contract was ]et, and to whom the bid was awarded, did not supply a performance bond. They, therefore, did not meet the specifications and some type of action would be necessary. He noted the alternatives as being: ]. if this is a unique service, which it could be considered, the bidding requirements would be discretionary. 2. the $5,000 performance bond specification could be construed an irregularity (consider the change of $5,000 worth of damage for not cleaning a facility properly). 3. re-open formal bids Mr. Casper noted that the representative from Maintenance Experts stated that the reason no one bid on the contract was because of the performance bond specification. November 24, 1976 There was some discussion as to why a performance bond in the amount of $5,000 could not be obtained. Mayor Nawrocki noted that he felt the only fair thing to do was to re-bid the contract. Motion by Logacz, Seconded by Heintz to authorize the City Manager to re-advertise for bids for cleaning services. Bids are to be opened and reported to the Council on a schedule consistent with meeting and advertising dates. Mayor Nawrocki asked Attorney Casper if it would be necessary to formally rescind the previous action awarding the bid to Maintenance Experts and authorizing a contract. He noted that the contract had not been signed. The Attorney replied that no formal action would be necessary. It was noted that some decision would have to be made regarding the amount of the bid security that would be required. Roll Call on motion: All Ayes PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR REPORTS Acting Public Works Director Clayton Berg noted that his reports were in writing. He did ask about the status of the ad hoc Tree and Landscaping Committee. He explained that Mr. Vern Rozmark, who was working with the Dutch Elm problems, was interested in seeing something from this committee. It was noted that the committee had decided to suspend their activities for a while. Mayor Nawrocki noted that this was something which should not be let go, and that some kind of progress should be made during the winter months. Motion by Logacz, Seconded by Heintz to adjourn at 7:40 p.m. Roll Call: All Ayes Bruce G. Nawrocki, Mayor Secretary