HomeMy WebLinkAboutFeb 2, 1977OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA
FEBRUARY 2, 1977
The Meeting was called to order at 9:08 p.m.
Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg, Hentges, Nawrocki--present
Also present were several City staff members.
Motion by Norberg, Seconded by Hentges to name Karen DeBruin secretary
for the Meeting. Roll Call: All Ayes
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE OF MEETING
Mayor Nawrocki explained that he had called this special meeting to discuss
ways in which City government could help in the Energy Emergency situation.
He noted that the Council had received two very thoughtful memos on the
subject of energy conservation; one from Public Works Director Earl
Gustafson and one from City Planner/HRA Director Dean Otterson.
Mayor Nawrocki asked Mr. Gustafson to give a synopsis of his report.
Mr. Gustafson gave the highlights of his report, telling of the reduction
of heat levels in City buildings. He also explained vehicles and certain
work areas would only be used when they were absolutely needed, that less
lighting would be used, and that incandescent lights would possibly not be
used at all.
He also stated that he had talked quite a bit with the City Manager about
the possibility of a four day, forty hour work week for the Public Works
Department. He explained that, in his opinion, it was not feasible for
the Public Works Department to go on this kind of schedule considering
the type of service that is provided. He cited the example that a four
day work week opened up three days a week when overtime could be charged
for work in the event an emergency occurred. He also noted that the men
would be working in darkness at times because of the longer days, and he
also stated that he felt longer days would cut efficiency.
Mayor Nawrocki asked Mr. Gustafson some general questions on the City's
fuel supply and these were answered.
Mr. Gustafson concluded by stating that much conserving had already been
done at the Municipal Service Center and the other buildings taken care of
by Public Works.
Someone asked about the cost per year that is incurred by going around the
City two and three times with snowplows to clean up after "snowbirds."
Mr. Gustafson replied that this accounts for twenty five percent over and
above the regular plowing.
There was some general discussion on ways in which "snowbirdsI' could be
handled.
February 2, 1977
Mayor Nawrocki then called on Park Superintendent John Murzyn to report
on what has or could be done to conserve energy in his department.
Mr. Murzyn stated that the thermostats have been turned down in all park
buildings. He also stated that the lights on all skating and hockey rinks
have been set to automatically shut off at 9:00 p.m. He explained that more
cut backs could be made in this area, such as only opening rinks four or
five days a week, and perhaps cutting the use of the lights back even more,
perhaps to 8:00 p.m. He also noted that the skating season could be
shortened and the warming houses closed down completely.
Mr. Murzyn further reported that lighting in the City parks has been
lessened.
Mayor Nawrocki then asked City Planner/HRA Director Dean Otterson to report
on his suggestions.
Mr. Otterson began by stating that he feels all individuals have a
responsibility to conserve energy, all sources of energy. He further
stated that it is the responsibility of municipal government to take
a lead; in this case, by conserving energy.
Mr. Otterson went on to say that some of his suggestions were directed
to the immediate nature of the Energy Emergency, and some were directed
to the long range energy situation.
Mr. Otterson noted his suggestions for immediate steps as follows:
1. Change to a four day work week starting February 7 with work
hours from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.
2. Turn off gas lights at City Hall.
Re-schedule all evening meetings for late afternoon and require
all department heads responsible for meetings to streamline
agendas, resulting in shorter, more productive meetings.
Have the Building Inspector evaluate all municipal buildings
to determine what corrections can be made to minimize heat
loss/energy consumption. (He noted that the thermostat in the
City Administrative office needs repair.)
Authority the City Manager and Civil Defense Director to prepare
an immediate plan to provide emergency fuel and/or shelter for
those citizens in need of same.
Require the City Manager to charge various staff members with the
responsibility of daily monitoring of energy consumption, i.e.
turning down thermostats, turning out lights, etc.
7. Close off un-used or under-utilized space during the day.
February 2, 1977
And the long range steps:
1. Commission a Mayor's Advisory Task Force on Energy Conservation
charged with the responsibility for preparing a comprehensive
strategy for long range energy conservation.
2. Sponsor City wide forums on energy conservation including
techniques, car pooling, etc. These sessions can also be used as
a means to publicize available Home Improvement Grants, etc.
3. Discontinue use of used City Police vehicles as staff cars and
purchase four cylinder economy cars instead.
4. Utilize the City Newsletter to provide citizens with an on-going
series on energy conservation.
Mayor Nawrocki noted that these were very interesting ideas.
There was some discussion on the four day work week idea.
Administrative Assistant Tim Yantos noted that he did not feel this
type of re-scheduling would do much to conserve energy, since other
parts of the building would be utilized during the regular hours.
Mayor Nawrocki asked Building Inspector Arden Hovland about the heating
system in City Hall. Mr. Hovland explained that there have been problems
with the heating system. He noted that he did not understand the system,
and Olson Plumbing Company, who had worked on the system several times,
also did not understand it.
There was some discussion on the problems with the building's heating
system.
Mr. Otterson pointed out that a savings could be realized by putting the
Administrative office workers on a four day work week and shutting off
the offices from the rest of the building the remainder of the time.
There was more discussion on what Mr. Gustafson termed the "mish mash"
of the heating system.
Mayor Nawrocki noted that the City should procure some kind of heating
expert to look at the system and give some kind of help.
Mayor Nawrocki asked if it would be feasible to go on a four day work
week if the offices could be shut off from the rest of the building.
Mr. Otterson replied that he had spoken to White Bear Lake City Manager
Steve Bernard on the subject of a four day work week. He stated that
Mr. Bernard informed him of studies that were done that showed that there
were benefits to longer days and shorter weeks, such as increased
production.
February 2, 1977
Mayor Nawrocki noted that he knew of places that had gone on four day
work weeks and then reverted back to five day schedules.
Councilman Hentges noted that, in his opinion, four day work weeks did
not work out well. He felt it would decrease both production and service
to the citizens.
Mayor Nawrocki turned back to Mr. Otterson's fifth suggested immediate
step: prepare an immediate plan to provide emergency fuel and/or
shelter for those citizens in need of same. Mr. Gustafson stated that
the City had a plan like this.
Mayor Nawrocki pointed out that Mr. Otterson's sixth suggested immediate
step--charging various staff members with the responsibility of
monitoring of energy consumption--was administrative in nature and
should be handled "in office."
Discussion then turned to Mr. Otterson's first suggestion for long
range steps: commissioning an Advisory Task Force on Energy Conservation.
Mr. Otterson stated that the committee could be made up of Council
representatives, staff representatives, and citizens of the community
for the purpose of devising programs sponsored by the City on behalf of
the citizens and to research energy saving programs. He further stated
that one of the first sessions of the group would be a brainstorming
session to establish goals and objectives.
Councilman Norberg stated that he felt this idea tied in to his idea of
forming a "Science and Technology" committee, which he has been
proposing for some time.
Mr. Otterson noted that a major objective of any energy conservation-
type plan should be to reach people and distribute useful information
to them.
Linda Hansen, Recreation Director, stated that she did not feel it was
feasible for her department to work a four day week.
Harriet Deeble, Library Director, noted that she has been conserving
where she can, but she did not wish to cut back on Library hours.
Administrative Assistant Yantos suggested the possible use of solar
energy in the planned municipal building expansion.
Councilman Norberg suggested not turning off and on flourescent lights,
stating that turning them on uses up to three hours of lighting energy.
He also suggested encouraging businesses to turn off their advertising
signs late at night. He also suggested checking into the possibility
of doing clean up and building maintenance during working hours instead
of after everyone goes home. He also added that he felt one room in
the building should be kept at a reasonably warm temperature so that
employees would have someplace to go to warm up; stating that this
would boost morale.
February 2, 1977
Fire Chief Johnson noted the problem with the overhead garage doors in
the fire department which are sometimes left open for short periods of
time when the firefighters leave on an emergency call. The possibility
of an automatic door opener/closer was discussed.
Building Inspector Arden Hovland stated that people should not let
their vehicles, whether City or private, idle for long periods of
time.
Council members commented on some of the ideas presented.
Mayor Nawrocki stated that this meeting had been a very interesting
discussion and that it was encouraging to see that many steps had
already been taken. He commended Public Works Director Gustafson for
the exemplary actions noted in his report, and Dean Otterson for his
well thought out suggestions.
Mayor Nawrocki noted that some of the things that have come out of this
meeting should be tried. He also noted that it brought out some of the
problems in the City Hall building itself that should be taken care of.
Mayor Nawrocki asked Arden Hovland to take the responsibility of making
corrections in City buildings to conserve energy; e.g. sealing windows
and checking out the heating system. He stated that Mr. Hovland should
call on others with expertise in this general area to see if there were any
other feasible things that could be done.
Mayor Nawrocki then asked the Housing Authority to work on building
renovations, to see if there were some workable kinds of programs that
could be put together; also suggestions for things that people could
do for their own homes and come up with ways to get the information
distributed to the people. He asked Mr. Otterson to make
recommendations as to how the City can best disseminate the information
to the public, perhaps by setting up meetings or forums, through
newsletters, and/or the Sun newspaper.
Mayor Nawrocki then asked the Fire Chief to look at the possibility of
using automatic door openers on the fire doors; Tim Yantos to check into
the possibility of handling building maintenance and clean up during the
day; and Public Works to check the possibility of turning off some of
the ornamental lights on Central Avenue.
Mayor Nawrocki stated that he had one last suggestion: for the City
Manager to have a staff committee coordinate the ideas discussed at
this meeting and also to think in terms of long range plans.
Thanks were extended by the ~Ma~or to all who came to this meeting and
participated in the discussion.
Motion by Heintz, Seconded by Logacz t~_q aOjou 56 p.~.
Br-~ G. Nawrocki, Mayor
Roll Call:
S e f.-r'b £~ ry