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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDec 12, 1978OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS RECESSED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA DECEMBER 12, 1978 The meeting was called to order at 10:lO p.m. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg, Hentges, Nawrocki present ENFORCEMENT OF SIDEWALK ORDINANCE The City Manager stated that he and the Police Chief have discussed the problem of sidewalk cleaning. A priority area was set up to include business and commercial districts. He explained the areas to be covered first and several ways the ordinance information could be distributed to the residents. Councilman Norberg questioned the setting of priority areas and stated warning tickets should be given to violators. Councilman Hentges asked how the City could enforce the sidewalk ordinance and not enforce the "snowbird" ordinance. The City Manager was directed to select the department to handle the situation. CLOSING OF SILVER LAKE SCHOOL The City Manager stated the School District is considering closing Silver Lake School and they've asked if the City would be interested in renting it for municipal purposes. Councilman Hentges stated it would be a good place for the Recreation Department. Their programs could be run through the building also. The Mayor stated it deserves consideration but questioned whether they would need all the space. If it should be determined that this is the desirable thing to do, he would object to paying rent. The Chamber of Commerce suggested keeping the property as a park, if the building should be torn down, for possible use for a new school if necessary in the future. WAGE ADJUSTMENTS There is one adjustment for consideration. A 2½% merit increase is recommended for the Fire Department secretary. Discussion followed on why the City should give a CETA employee a raise when the program will be terminated in May. Mayor Nawrocki stated he supported the recommendation on the basis that she is an employee doing her job and performing her function and is deserving of the same treatment that anybody would get. Councilman Norberg stated that this is a person who will be in the job market soon and it might be a disservice to her to raise her pay to the point where she will have difficulty finding a comparable salary in another company. Motion by Heintz, seconded by Hentges, to deny the proposed merit adjustment. The City Manager appealed to the Council and asked that they accept the recommendation of the supervisor and City Manager. He does feel that the person has performed well and is in fact worth the performance adjustment. Councilman Norberg stated that when a program is not run the way it is designed, you have to start someplace to correct the errors in it. December 12, 1978 Page; 2 Ro11 Ca]l: Heintz, Norberg, Hentges Logacz, Nawrocki Nay Aye Motion carries. The Mayor stated he feels this is an unfair way to treat a person. She should be considered on the merits of her work along. If the system is wrong every- body' should be re-evaluated or the system should be phased out. Discussion on whether the merit program is being run properly. The Mayor stated again that the employee has been very unfairly treated by not giving her the same consideration everyone else has been given. AUTHORIZATION TO FILL POSITIONS INCLUDED IN ]979 BUDGET Motion by Heintz, seconded by Hentges, to authorize the City Manager to fill the positions budgeted for in the ]979 budget if the CETA people holding those positions terminate before the Hay deadline, or to begin the hiring procedures so new people can begin shortly after the CETA funding runs out. Hayor Nawrocki suggested that this matter be tabled until the next meeting and additional information be supplied as to what positions are being talked about. Motion by Norberg, seconded by Hentges, to table this matter until the next meeting. Roll Call: All Ayes OTHER NEW BUSINESS: City Hall Addition Anoka County Court representatives have expressed an interest in having a change order in the court services area. Their request is to have a wa]] installed creating a walkway from the court services area to the employee lounge and stairway to the Fire Department, the cost to be $985 which wi]] be reimbursed by the County Court System. Discussion followed on whether the court would still have their required square footage. Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, to approve the change order. Motion by Norberg to table this matter until the Counci) gets an opinlon from the architect. Motion dies for lack of a second. Roll Call on original motion: Logacz, Heintz, Nawrocki - Aye Norberg, Hentges - Nay Councilman Logacz stated that the back door to ~2 liquor store is very bad and should be rep]aced. The City Manager was advised to correct the problem and report back to the Council. Councilman Norberg asked that the subject of street names for Cheery Heights be on the agenda for the next meeting. December 12, 1978 Page 3 Councilman Norberg noted that it seems that the City is not getting coverage of fires with paid officers. He would like the City Manager to report back to the Council on the kind of coverage there has been with paid people and particularly officers over the last few months. Councilman Norberg stated he received a call from Gene Mady, Mady's Bowling Center. Mr. Mady's license cannot be renewed because of fire code violations in the building. The building owners have not made the necessary corrections and the fire inspector has recommended the license be denied. Mr. Mady was told it is the Council and not the license or fire departments that decides who receives licenses and he can appeal to them at the meeting when the license application comes up. Mayor Nawrocki asked for a list of the code violations. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Discussion on the position of Assistant City Engineer and the qualifications necessary for the job. The City Manager reported that he may have a tentative agreement with the bartenders union. Brief discussion followed on the Police Department bargaining unit and which employees it will include. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT The City Attorney stated he has talked to the owners of the senior citizens apartment and they indicated they will provide more parking. The manager has been called and he is in the process of determining how many cars there are. He will make a proposal to the owners on where to put the additional parking. Mayor Nawrocki noted that the Police Department is not enforcing the no parking on the east side of McKinley for the time being until the parking problem can be resolved. LICENSES Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, that licenses be granted upon payment of proper fees. Motion by Norberg, seconded by Hentges, to amend the motion to strike the waiver of fees for the Park Board and machines at 3707 3rd St. Councilman Norberg stated he feels the City still has to police these machines and the fee should be collected. Councilman Hentges asked about the state law limiting license fees for food vending machines to $2.00. Short discussion followed on the City's policy. Roll Call on motion to amend: Norberg - Aye Logacz, Heintz, Hentges, Nawrocki - Nay Roll Call on main motion: Logacz, Heintz, Nawrocki - Aye Norberg, Hentges Nay December 12, 1978 Page It A brief discussion was held on senior citizen utility rate reduction appl ications. Motion by Heintz, seconded by Hentges, to adjourn at ]2:00. Roll Call: All Ayes -Council Secr'etary Bruce G. Nawrocki, Mayor