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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAug 1, 1977OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA AUGUST 1, 1977 The meeting was called to order at 8:12 P.M. by Mayor Nawrocki. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg, Nawrocki--present. Hentges--absent. Mayor Nawrocki noted Hentges is representing the Council at the Traffic Commission Meeting and will be present just as soon as that meeting is over. 22 Residents were present. Motion by Norberg, Seconded by Heintz, that Carol Lattery be named Secretary Pro-Tem for the meeting. Roll Call: All Ayes. A moment of silent prayer was called for by Mayor Nawrocki in memorial to Curt Ramsdell, a Columbia Heights policeman who was killed in the performance of his duties this past week. Mayor Nawrocki stated this special meeting is for the purpose of having hearings on two individual storm sewer projects. He reported the first one, the Gould Avenue Storm Sewer Project, is a new project and the second one, the 5th Street Storm Sewer Project, is one that had previously been heard and approved a few years back, but it was approved on the condition that there would be federal funding available to defray part of the cost of the project. He noted that in spite of several attempts by the city, federal funding was never made available. He noted that the Engineering Department recommendation is that the project proceed at this time and the Council had decided that because it has been several years since the project was approved that the hearing should be reopened and the people be given an opportunity to question and comment accordingly. Mayor Nawrocki turned the floor over to City Manager, Malcolm Watson, and his staff to make a presentation on the Gould Avenue Storm Sewer Project. City Manager Watson called on members of the City Engineering staff to present the informational slides that had been prepared together with an audio section that had been taped on the Gould Avenue Storm Drains. A slide-sound presentation of the Gould Avenue Storm Sewer Project was made by Engineering Aide Bob Owens. Engineering Aid Owens explained the recommended assessment for this project is 2C/square foot with the remaining portion of costs to be paid for from the City Storm Sewer Fund. He stated the proposal is that all of the property in the defined area contributes to this particular line and that the property has not been previously assessed for storm sewer. City Manager Watson called for comments and questions regarding the proposal. August 1, 1977 Discussion followed. Public Works Director, Earl Gustafson, stated that if the project is approved tonight, he anticipated that it could be bid and constructed yet this year. Motion by Logacz, Seconded by Heintz, that the Gould Avenue Storm Sewer Project be approved. Roll Call: All Ayes. 5TH STREET STORM SEWER PROJECT City Manager Watson gave a brief history of the project, starting back in 1967 and 1968. He stated the project was actually approved at the time and it was assumed it would be paid for by 1/3 federal funding, 1/3 assessment and 1/3 other municipal funds. He explained we are reopening this hearing now because in those nine years, costs have increased and many had property at that time and sold it or many have purchased property for which banking institutions held monies in escrow at that time. He noted that monies held in escrow were held on the basis of 1½ or 2 times the estimated amount. He said we told the banking institutions that 1½¢ was the estimated assessment cost and they held either 2¼C/square foot or 3C/square foot, depending on the institution's policies. He called on the Engineering Department to give the slide-sound presentation showing where the pipelines will go and what areas are involved. Mayor Nawrocki commented on why the city tried for federal financial participation in this project. He explained the project was a joint project with the City of Minneapolis and involved one long pipe that comes in 5th Street on the Minneapolis side and comes out in through Columbia Heights and picks up drainage from an area in Columbia Heights. He continued that the City of Minneapolis applied for and received some type of federal financial assistance on their segment of the line. He noted the City of Columbia Heights felt that equity would indicate that we should be treated the same as the City of Minneapolis; but to date, each and every application made to the federal government for financial assistance under various programs has been denied. He noted that we have reached the point that we think chances of getting assistance is not going to come about and the project is proposed to go ahead on the basis that is being indicated here tonight. A slide-sound presentation of the 5th Street Storm Sewer Project was made by Bob Owens of the Engineering Department. Mayor Nawrocki opened the floor for questions and comments from the residents in the audience. He asked them to identify themselves by stating their name and address for the record. Mr. John Pribyl, 609 - 38th Avenue NE, asked to be shown again the area to be included in the proposed assessment. Engineering Aide Owens noted the outer boundaries of the area to be assessed are: University Avenue on the West, Central Avenue on the East, 42nd Avenue on the North and 37th Avenue on the South. August 1, 1977 Ms. Nelson, 403 Summit Avenue, noted the piece of pipe between 5th Street and 40th Avenue to the South. Mr. Owens explained the fund for that piece of pipe came out of the City Sewer Funds. Another gentlemen in the audience questioned whether the big main that was put in along the railroad tracks and 39th Avenue that was assessed at that time would be assessed against their property again. Mayor Nawrocki stated that the big main was not assessed. '. and there has not been any assessment for storm sewer in that area and the properties have not paid any assessments since 1921. He noted that although parts of the project, including the pipes indicated along side the railroad tracks, have actually gone in, some of it some years ago, the costs have never been assessed to date. Mayor Nawrocki explained the whole City of Columbia Heights has been divided up into water shed districts and the majority of the property in Columbia Heights has gone through hearings similar to this and have been assessed for storm sewer work. He noted that there are a few cases where people have paid more than 1½¢ or 2¢ per square foot for some storm sewer work in years back. The records have been checked back as far as they go to 1921. If the property has paid for major storm sewer work, the property gets credit deducted from the proposed assessment and most of those people have been credited. Mayor Nawrocki noted that in some cases where streets are being paved, catch basins and leads going from those catch basins to tie into these main lines are always separately assessed. Mayor Nawrocki stated the reasons that pipes were put in along the railroad tracks already is because it is in the park area and the Council on the Park Board felt the drainage ditch constituted a safety hazard to children playing in the park or in the ballfield, and the safety need was such that those parts of the line should go in at the time they went in. It was anticipated that sooner or later those costs would be picked up in the overall project. Ms. Nelson, 403 Summit Avenue, inquired whether her street would be tied up much for this project. Mayor Nawrocki explained that a truck from the construction area may come around her street to turn around or something like that, but there would be no general storage or parking of their vehicles or any concentrated traffic along her street. He stated if there is a truck that is doing any of these things on a regular basis, ca~ the Police Department at City Hall. Mr. John Pribyl inquired as to what part of 38th Avenue would be paved and what the assessment cost would be. August 1, 1977 Mayor Nawrocki answered that 38th Avenue from University to 5th Street would be paved and paid for using State Aid Funds. Mr. John Pribyl questioned whether this project would be completed this year. City Engineer, George Brown, answered that the project is expected to get started this year, but that the weather would determine if it is finished this year or not. If the project is approved, we expect to go out for bids this year, but it might be next year's construction season before the project is completed. Mr. John Pribyl asked when the assessment would take place. Mayor Nawrocki answered that the assessment would be levied after the work is completed. He stated that if the work is completed this year, another notice of an Assessment Hearing, which usually is held in November, would be sent out. If the work is not completed until next year's construction season, then the Assessment Hearing would be held in November of 1978. He noted at the time of the Assessment Hearing when all the actual costs are in, property owners will have an opportunity to ask questions and make comments. He stated if the assessment is approved at that time, property owners will have 30 days in which to pay the assessment. However, any portion which is not paid in 30 days then becomes a billing by September 30th of the following year, with 8% tacked on, and three years allowed on the installment basis. Concern was expressed by a gentlemen in the audience regarding the money held in escrow for the project for property sold or bought a year ago. City Manager Watson stated the city has no information concerning the money outside of supplying the information to the banking institution that is making the loan. He stated the banks have made a practice of setting aside 1½ times whatever we told them. The banking institution that works with the mortgage holder would be aware of it. Mayor Nawrocki stated the city will send the assessment to the present property owner and it is up to him/her to go and obtain the money held in escrow for this project and make the arrange- ments for that money to come out of escrow to be used to pay the assessment. The question was asked by a person in the audience as to when 37th Avenue is going to be paved. Mayor Nawrocki stated that the paving of 37th Avenue from Central to University will be done in 1979. The street paving or surfacing of 37th Avenue would be paid for out of State or Federal Aid Urban Funds, which are special highway monies available for surfacing on streets. However, the curb and gutter work would still be assessed to the property owner. August 1, 1977 Councilman Norberg commented that the Council was told this fall that the water main on 5th Street from 40th to 41st Avenues is very old and needed replacement. He asked if it would be economical to do this at the same time. Mayor Nawrocki stated the water main and the storm sewer are on opposite sides of the street and the only advantage of putting them in at the same time would be that restoration of the street could be done at one time. Mr. Vernon Johnson, representing Minneapolis Electric Steel Castings Company, stated he has worked for Minneapolis Electric Steel for 19 years and he believed that they get the bulk of flooding when it rains. He stated in the last week, the company has been flooded or had water in their plant twice. He noted that they have had flooding out in their parking lot 2 to 4 feet deep many times when it rains and when there is a 1/2 to 3/4" rains, their storm sewers back up in the plant's yard. The company would like to see the project go ahead because of these problems. Mayor Nawrocki asked for comments from the Council. Councilman Hentges asked to see the assessment map again and inquired into the area to be assessed. Engineering Aide Owens stated none of the property in yellow on the assessment map had ever been assessed. However, if there is anybody who has been assessed and it shows on record, they will not be assessed again and will receive credit. Councilman Hentges asked if the pipe which has been put in along the railroad tracks has been assessed and who paid for it at the time it was put in. Mayor Nawrocki stated the costs have been acrued. However, Sepko agreed to pay $6000 and the Council accepted their offer to pay. However, we cannot find any record of a receipt from them. The matter will be looked into further and they will be given credit if found. Councilman Norberg asked if this is the last project in the storm sewer plan. City Manager Watson replied not the absolute end. There is a couple of minor pieces to the East of Central that still have to be tied into another drain that goes toward Johnson St. Councilman Norberg commented that a good deal of financing of the project is due to come from the City Sewer Fund and it appeared it is going to bring the sewer fund down to nothing, meaning there is nothing left for the project that was talked about. Councilman Logacz stated that in the past the practice was to assess about 1/3 and that is what the 2¢ assessment is and he didn't see any reason to assess the water shed district any heavier than any other district. August 1, 1977 City Manager Watson stated we are assessing $151,000 at 2¢ per square foot, which is about $75,000 for one cent per square foot. The reason for 2¢ per square foot on the assessment is because it had been our practice in the past and there were sufficient funds in the past, but as noted, it would take over $300,000 of the Storm Sewer Fund, leaving approximately $20,000 left in the fund when we build it up over a period of time. Councilman Norberg asked for support of how City Manager went from 1¼¢ to 2¢ assessment per square foot. City Manager Watson stated he assumed that 1/3 of this would be assessed as was stated back in 1968. The total cost of this project is of such a range that 1/3 of it is in the $150,000 range. He explained that 1½¢ is no longer feasible because the city would not have the immediate obvious means of funding as in 1968. Motion by Heintz, Seconded by Logacz, to approve the 5th Street Storm Sewer Project. More discussion followed with Councilman Hentges noting the $541,540.48 figure as total cost of the project. City Manager Watson stated there is still a negotiation that must be worked out in respect to our share of the Minneapolis work that was completed. But, he stated, he projected the highest amount on the Average Balance Sheet. The total median cost on that sheet, dated July 29, might be around $511,000 or $512,000. He explained that he was taking the low and the high of the figures that he received from Minneapolis and is still negotiating on. He continued that the high figure is $541,000 and that cost just restores the street to its present condition. He informed the Council that the city is not going in with a surfacing or curb-gutter job yet. That will be a State Aid Project and we will wait a year after putting in the sewer line before doing permanent surfacing. He stated if the Council does not want to use all of the Sewer Fund money for this purpose, we could use, for example, some of the money that was for General Public Works Projects or some other source. Mayor Nawrocki stated Engineering estimates they can complete this project for $175,000. He questioned the derivation of $175,000 and if the total cost includes Engineering costs. City Manager Watson stated this is the cost to do the work which we discussed tonight and these figures are actual totals and do include anticipated Engineering costs. Councilman Norberg asked how long the paving would take. City Manager Watson answered he estimated 14 days. He also stated if the project is approved tonight, the next step is going out for bids. He advised that at the time the bids come in, before they are awarded, the questions should be asked whether the bids are within the estimate or what they do to the estimate. August 1, 1977 The resolutions were read by City Manager Watson. RESOLUTION 77-44 BEING A RESOLUTION ORDERING IMPROVEMENTS - GOULD STREET STORM SEWER PROJECT BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights, WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights by motion on the 1st day of July, 1977 ordered notice of a hearing to be given to property owners, and WHEREAS, pursuant to a notice of hearing certain residents appeared at a Council meeting on the 1st day of August, 1977, and WHEREAS, the Council determines to proceed with this local improvement, a portion of the cost being defrayed by special assessments under Charter provisions. NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED: That the location and extent of such improvements is as follows: Area between Central Avenue and the alley lying Westerly of Reservoir Boulevard and between Gould Avenue and 39th Avenue Northeast including Lots 30 through 35, Block 6, Reservoir Hills; Lots 26 through 28, Block 1; and all of Blocks 2, 3, and 4 of Walton's Rearrangement of Lots 33 and 34, Block 6. 2. That the materials to be used are as follows: Reinforced concrete pipe and appurtenances That a careful estimate of the cost of the improvement has been made by the City Manager and the several lots and parcels of land fronting upon and adjacent to such proposed improvement, which he deemed benefited thereby, were property notified of said hearings, and That the City Manager shall also list the names and owners of the several parcels so improved as nearly as can be ascertained. 5. These improvements shall also be known as Project Number 722. Passed this 1st day of August, 1977 Offered by: Logacz Seconded by: Heintz Roll Call: Ail Ayes August 1, 1977 Mayor Nawrocki stated concern has been expressed about interrup- tion of parking for the Community Methodist Church as the pipe- line would pass adjacent to their property. He expressed he would like the work scheduled so as to impose only a minimum disruption of any church activities, especially on the weekend. He stated it is not a big project and ought to be completed in a short time. RESOLUTION 77-45 BEING A RESOLUTION AFFI~4I~ THAT RESOLUTION PASSED JANUARY 22, 1968, COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE FIFTH STREET STORM SEWER PROJECT. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS: WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights has by motion ordered notice of hearing to be given to property owners, and WHEREAS, pursuant to such notice of hearing certain residents appeared at the hearing of August 1, 1977, and WHEREAS, the City Council had, on January 22, 1968, ordered by Resolution that a local improvement, storm sewer for the area north of 37th Avenue Northeast, south of 42nd Avenue Northeast, west of Central Avenue Northeast, and east of University Avenue Northeast, except those areas to be assessed under storm sewer assessments No. 581 and No. 583, be installed as Project No. 595, and WHEREAS, the Council has determined to proceed with the said project No. 595, NOW THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED: That the Resolution, dated January 22, 1968 ordering that improvement, known as Project No. 595, also known as the Fifth Street Storm Sewer Project, to wit: Storm sewer for the area north of 37th Avenue NE, south of 42nd Avenue NE, west of Central Avenue NE, and east of University Avenue NE be and hereby is affirmed. Passed this 1st day of August, 1977. Offered by: Heintz Seconded by: Logacz Roll Call: Ail Ayes RECESS: 9:40 P.M. RECONVENED 10:00 P.M. August 1, 1977 DISCUSSION - CETA SPECIAL PROJECTS Mayor Nawrocki called on City Manager Watson and Adminstrative Assistant Yantos to discuss the CETA Special Projects. City Manager Watson stated that Administrative Assistant Yantos had been gathering data on quotations on half-ton pickup trucks. He noted that in a letter he submitted to the Council he indicated that under our CETA Special Projects funds, the city is allowed to purchase equipment in order to allow the CETA people to work and to purchase vehicles necessary for transportation of these people. The city is in need of such transportation at this time. He called on Administrative Assistant Yantos to give a report. Administrative Assistant Tim Yantos began by explaining he first looked into renting two new vehicles for one year and found the cost ran at approximately $6,000 to $8,500 for two vehicles for one year. He reported he then called the CETA office and asked in the event we purchased the trucks whether we could keep them after the year is ended. He stated they could not give him a firm answer. He reported he then went out and, without putting any specs together, took informal quotes asking for three items: trucks that were at least one-half ton in capacity, had automatic transmission and were 1977 vehicles with full warranties. He stated he received four bids. He recommended White Bear Dodge as they had the best possible vehicle that the city could purchase taking into consideration economy, resale and durability. He went on to say, White Bear Dodge could supply us with 3/4 ton vehicles at the same price as 1/2 ton vehicles, better tires, engine and transmission parts that could be replaced with the same vehicle parts that we have with our current police vehicles. Tim noted, however, that legally the city cannot award to the highest bidder, which was White Bear Dodge, but he added, that White Bear Dodge probably have the lowest responsible bid for 3/4 ton trucks. Mayor Nawrocki noted that one small defect in our specification is that 1/2 ton trucks were asked for instead of 3/4 ton trucks. Councilman Hentges recommended looking to what needs to be replaced in the Street and Sewer Departments where CETA people are working and buy the vehicle that fits what each department needs. City Manager Watson noted if the CETA program stops, there is no guarantee that those vehicles will remain with the city. Councilman Hentges recommended buying the vehicles we need and when it is time, making CETA a good offer. He went on to say there is no question that we have to replace the 3/4 ton pickup truck for the Sewer Department and the 4-wheel drive in the Street Department. He noted the 4-wheel drive could carry four people, while a pickup could only carry three at the most and Sewer & Water just needs a chassis, no box. August 1, 1977 A discussion followed on Councilman Hentges recommendation. Mayor Nawrocki suggested asking for bids on one 3/4 ton truck and one 4-wheel drive to be handled as two separate items. Administrative Assistant Yantos stated he would contact bidders who could supply him with a bid in one day. VOTE TABULATION City Manager Watson reported the schools responded to the question on whether they might be able to use the vote tabulation machines or not by stating they plan to continue using their normal paper ballots. He reported that the cost of the maintenance of these units is $35.00/year with $125 minimum to a location service, on request. He informed the Council that two units are required, one to be used as a standby and also that they make delivery. He stated that if no Primary Election is needed this fall, the two units would be provided free for use in our November General Election. In that event payment to them would be set up in 1978 of $3700. Finance Director, John Shedler, felt that it would be a very worthwhile move on our part to consider the use of these units because it will save transportation to and from Anoka, our tabulation would be done sooner and ultimately, they would pay for themselves just in labor costs alone and tra- veling. Councilman Hentges argued that the Council had suggested trying the units out at the Primary Election and, if we like them and thought it was feasible, we would buy them. Mayor Nawrocki explained the City will get a free trial for the General Election if we don't have a Primary Election. City Manager Watson reported if we have a Primary, then we will get a free trial for the Primary, but not for the General Election. Councilman Norberg stated the city would only be able to use the machines once every two years as they can't be used for State and Federal Elections which are run out of the County. He reasoned that it would not pay the city to have a maintenance contract because it would never be used. Looking at both that fact and the relative cost, he felt the city would not be saving much. Councilman Logacz stat~the only apparent advantage is that it takes about an hour longer before getting the results without the machines. Motion by Norberg, Seconded by Logacz, that the request be denied. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg--Aye Hentges, Nawrocki--Nay August 1, 1977 Mayor Nawrocki reported on items not on the Agenda. He reported he had received a standard application form from the State on the grants which are for parks and open space projects and stated applications are being taken for projects until December. RESIGNATION OF CITY MANAGER Mayor Nawrocki reported receiving a memo from City Manager Watson indicating that, after 26 years of service to the city, he is tendering his resignation to go into private business. He stated City Manager Watson indicated that he is going into a partnership and expects to begin as of September 1st and would like to set Friday, August 26, as his last day of service with the city. The Mayor called for City Manager Watson to comment. City Manager Watson indicated he would be forming a new corpora- tion, an appraisal consulting service. He expressed appreciation for the opportunities he received while working for the city. He stated he would like to reach a settlement for a 2-year package in the union matter that the city is negotiating and, if at all possible, to get the initial phase of the budget prepared for Council consideration at the next meeting, before he leaves. Mayor Nawrocki expressed his wishes and that of the Council's that City Manager Watson do well in his venture and hope he will have every success in the new business. He then called for a vote on the resignation and discussion on finding a new City Manager to replace City Manager Watson. Motion by Heintz, Seconded by Hentges, that the City Council accept with regrets the resignation of Malcolm Watson as City Manager, effective August 26, 1977. A short discussion followed. Roll Call: Ail Ayes. 41st & POLK ST. Mayor Nawrocki reported the city has apparently put in the sod at the home on 41st & Polk, but paving was supposed to have been done on Friday, July 29 or Monday, August 1 for sure. He questioned what happened because Friday and Monday came and went and nothing was done. City Engineer, George Brown, indicated he called the contractor that day and had not had a call back. He informed the Council that the weather conditions on the weekend affected the contrac- tor's moving in and out with his equipment. He reported the contractor does not want to move his paver to do a single driveway, but could do it when he could pave the other street. The contractor could get it done Friday, August 5 or Monday, August 8. He suggested the only other alternative would be to locate another contractor who can get it done Tuesday, August 2nd. August 1, 1977 City Manager, Malcolm Watson, advised if the city can locate another company to do the job sooner, notify the first contractor that we have someone else. FUNERAL TIME OFF Councilman Logacz expressed some concern about time off to attend the funeral of Officer Ramsdell. He indicated some people feel that it is not very just to have a couple hours taken off from their vacation time or sick leave. City Manager Watson reported he posted notice that people who knew Officer Ramsdell were allowed to attend the funeral until 2:30 p.m. in the afternoon. Under the circumstances, an officer killed in the line of duty who has many friends among the staff and was certainly loved, the city is deviating from normal procedure and allowing time off without charging vacation or sick leave. LA BELLE PARK Councilman Heintz stated the contractor moved the observation platform on 40th Avenue, but it is not in anyway secured and he seen little children hanging over it and he expressed concern that someone will fall off it and tumble into the swamp. Mayor Nawrocki suggested they put some sort of barrier around the platform. ASSESSMENTS DEPARTMENT Councilman Heintz indicated City Assessor Carlson would like to have a discussion with the Council in reference to her department because she is losing people right and left. 53RD AND CENTRAL INTERSECTION Councilman Norberg expressed concern about the right lane going to 53rd Avenue and Freeway 694. He suggested putting a sign up there to attempt to keep the traffic off the immediate local street. Motion by Heintz, Seconded by Logacz, to adjourn the meeting at 10:55 p.m. Roll Call: All Ayes. Bruce G. Nawrocki, Mayor Carol Lattery, Secretary P~em