Loading...
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