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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDec 12, 1978 (2)OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA DECEMBER 12, 1978 The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg, Nawrocki - present It was noted that Councilman Hentges was attending an HRA meeting as the Council's representative. Approximately 30 residents were present. PURPOSE OF MEETING Mayor Nawrocki stated that the purpose of the meeting is to conduct a public hearing for various public improvement projects as proposed for the coming year. PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION The City Manager stated that he would go through the proposed improvements by street and summarize costs and assessments. The estimated cost of the construction project is $151,766.20, plus 10% inflationary increase, plus 15% engineering and contingency, plus 15% administration for a total of $220,781.87 to be assessed. The cost per assessable front foot will be $23.46 and the cost per assessable avenue foot will be $7.82. There are approximately 40 vacant lots on 42½ and 44½. These lots would be assessed the costs of the water and sewer service as well. Slides were shown of the proposed areas to be improved and the driveway con- struction. The City Manager explained how the assessments were figured and which homes would be assessed. Earl Gustafson, Public Works Director, described the type of improvement to be installed, the material which will be used, and the problems anticipated with existing driveways. The City Manager stated that the common lot, assuming a front footage of 55', will be assessed $1,290 plus the avenue footage of $430 for a total typical assessment of $1,720. A corner lot of 145' depth would be assessed $2,424.00. This project would be bid with other projects as the work is approved by the Council. The Mayor asked Council President Heintz to take over the meeting for awhile as he was going to speak to a Metropolitan Council meeting in another part of the building. DISCUSSION Mr. Bennek, 1312 44½ Ave.; Mr. Ward, 965 44½ Ave.; and Mr. Kruse, 1038 44½ Ave. had questions about drainage, grading, and lot settling. Mrs. Kocur, 1213 42nd Ave., asked for the breakdown of the $23.46 per foot assessment and questioned the sodding which was being proposed as part of the project. Councilman Heintz explained that in the past the City has either included the cost of the sodding in the project or allowed the people to take care of their own sodding. The City Manager stated that the sodding is recommended by the staff to be a part of the project costs. December 12, ] 978 Page 2 Ann galuski, 1006 42nd Ave., asked who wanted the project, the residents or the Council. The City Hanager responded that the residents in the area have expressed an interest in the project. This interest brings the process to a public hearing for input from the neighbors and a decision from the Council on whether to approve the project. Several residents questioned why the street couldn't be done in concrete, why the City couldn't get federal funds to defray some of the cost, what is inc]uded in administration and engineering expenses, and how the interest on the assessment is figured. Mayor Nawrocki explained that the project wi]l be completed within the summer months. Sometime in November all projects that have been completed in the previous season will have an assessment hearing. At that time the actual costs will be presented. He explained the process of assessing and the options open to the residents in paying off the assessment. Discussion followed on why the project was being proposed now before the area was fully developed. Mr. Check, lO21 42nd Ave., stated his opposition to the project. He feels the cost of the material will be extremely high next summer and probably for the next four or five years. He thinks the City should wait for a more tolerable time in the business cycle. Mr. Ward stated he supports the installation of the street but is afraid this will cause even more problems at 44½ and Tyler Place which he feels is already !~eing used as a raceway. He would like to see a 3-way stop sign installed there when 44½ is completed. Discussion continued on the placement of the driveway aprons on vacant lots, who pays the assessment on County owned lots, and the possible use of asphalt or mountable curbs. Mayor Nawrocki emphasized that the costs given tonight are only estimates. When the bids come in, before they are awarded and if they are significantly over the estimate, the policy of the Council is to reopen the hearing and explain what the costs are to the property owners. Discussion followed on whether the entire project must be awarded together or whether it can be approved for just one street. Councilman Hentges joined the meeting at 8:55 p.m. Counci!man Norberg asked for clarification of how this project would be included with other bids and how the cost of this project will be segregated from the larger bid. The City Manager answered that the staff maintained project costs separately. Councilman Norberg asked the people present if they wanted sodding to be part of the project. A poll was taken; eleven were for including sodding and fourteen were against. He also asked if it was feasible to leave out driveway cuts from the undeveloped lots. A curb cut permit would then have to be obtained at the time of development. The City Manager answered that this may be costlier to the property owner. The City Manager read the proposed resolution. Offered by: Logacz Seconded by: Hentges December 12, 1978 Page 3 Councilman Hentges stated he will vote for the project even though some residents don't approve because the cost wll increase over the years. Councilman Norberg noted that the resolution included sod and asked if it would be possible to just sod the developed property. Motion by Norberg, seconded by Hentges, to amend the resolution to have sodding applied only to the developed lots. Discussion followed on the alternatives to sodding all the lots. Councilmen Norberg and Hentges withdrew their motion. Motion by Nawrocki, seconded by Heintz, to amend the resolution to strike sodding from the project. Councilman Norberg stated that the sodding is a trivial amount, the rest of the parcels would benefit, and the project would look much better if the sodding is done by the contractor. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Hentges, Nawrocki Norberg - Nay Aye RESOLUTION 78-67 BEING A RESOLUTION ORDERING IMPROVEMENTS 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 24th day of October, 1978, 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 12th day of December, 1978, 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: 1. That the location and extent of such improvements is as follows: Curb, gutter and surfacing: (not including sodding) 44½ Ave. N.E., Tyler Place N.E. to East Cul-De-Sac 42½ Ave. N.E., West Cul-De-Sac to East Cul-De-Sac Buchanan Street N.E., 44½ Ave. N.E. to 45th Ave. N.E. Fillmore St. N.E., 42nd Ave. N.E. to 42½ Ave. N.E. Pierce St. N.E., 42½ Ave. N.E. to 43rd Ave. N.E. 2. That the materials to be used are as follows: Concrete and bituminous materials. December 12, 1978 Page 4 That a carefu] esLJmate of the cost of the improvements has been made by the City Manager and the severa] lots and parceJs of land fronting upon and adjacent to such proposed improvements, which be deemed benefited thereby, were properly notified of said hearings, and 4. 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 No. 735. Passed this 12th day of December, 1978. Roll Call on amended resolution: All ,^,yes Motion by Heintz, seconded by Norber9, to adjourn at 9:40 p.m. Roll Call: All Ayes 'BTm%-~--G. Nawrocki, Mayor '-'~ouncil Secretary