HomeMy WebLinkAboutNov 21, 1978OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA
NOVEMBER 21, 1978
The meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m.
Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg, Nawrocki - Present
PURPOSE OF MEETING
Mayor Nawrocki stated the purpose of the meeting was to inform affected residents
of the bid on the storm drain installation (37th to 39th, Lincoln and Buchanan
Streets), to decide whether or not to proceed, and complete the remainder of the
agenda from the previous night.
PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION
At the last hearing on this matter an acceptable solution to the problem was
reached. The contractors who bid on the project, however, bid higher than the
City had estimated. The original estimate was $8500 including contingencies and
the low bid was $11,O63.45 not including contingencies. The difference in
assessments would be approximately $1OO, from $160 to $266 per lot. He
explained how the cost of the assessment to the homeowners was arrived at. The
proposal at this point is to continue with the project and provide for the
assessment at $265 per lot.
Discussion continued on why the difference between the estimate and the bid
would come to $1OO per lot. George Brown, City Engineer, stated that 30% for
contingencies has to be added to the bid and explained why it wouid not be the
best idea to have the City crews do the job.
Discussion followed on why the money cannot come out of the general fund, when
the water problem began, and if it was the fault of the City that the storm
drain wasn't installed at the time the area was developed. Councilman Norberg
stated that, on the subject of the financing of the project, it is unfair to
the rest of the citizens of the City of Columbia Heights that they should have to
pick up the cost of one half the project. He feels the neighbors should pay the
entire cost. Mayor Nawrocki stated that this was not a typical storm sewer
project and this 50/50 arrangement was a compromise.
Councilman Norberg stated he had the impression that this problem existed between
a few neighbors and probably was not a thing that the City should be involved in at
all. Discussion continued on where the water comes from in the houses that are
affected, the difference between the estimates and the bids, and on whether the
correction of a faulty driveway at one residence would solve the problem of water
runoff.
Mayor Nawrocki asked if there is any reason to believe that a rebid next spring
would bring in worse bids than the City received now. George Brown answered that
this is probably the best bid that can be obtained.
November 21, 1978
Page 2
Motion by Norberg, seconded by Logacz, to reject all bids and rebid next spring.
Roll Cai]: All Ayes
Mayor Nawrocki stated that the project will not proceed at this time, that it will
be rebid next spring. If the bids then are in line with the original engineering
estimates, the project wi]l proceed. If the bids are high again, there wi]] be
another pub]lc hearing.
RECESS at 8:50 p.m.
RECONVENE at 9:10 p.m.
Mayor Nawrocki noted that the Council will now finish the agenda from Monday's
meeting.
WAGE ADJUSTMENTS
The City Manager stated there is one adjustment of a21~2o merit increase.
Councilman Norberg asked how this relates to the federal wage and price guidelines.
Discussion followed on the limits. Mayor Nawrocki noted that if there are no
motions to the contrary, the adjustment will go into effect administratively.
Motion by Heintz, seconded by Norberg, to start enforcing the wage price guidelines
on all adjustments as of January 1st.
Roll Call: All Ayes
CITY HANAGER'S REPORT
The City Manager reported that this year's United Way drive exceeded its previous
year's donations.
The City is proceeding with the cable TV program.
City Attorney Kalina has been working on the Firefighters Relief Association
program. There wi]] be a meeting with the firefighters the beginning of December.
Mayor Nawrocki asked about the snowplowing after last week's heavy snow and
stated he felt that the City got a slow start. His understanding was that the
street plowing would start at 2:00 a.m. so the streets would be ready when people
left for work in the morning. The City Manager answered that the City had two
fire calls and this took a number of employees from the street department, there
was a major watermain break in the morning, and four pieces of equipment broke
down.
Discussion followed on the procedure of getting the plows out and the misture of
sand to salt that is used at intersections. Councilman Norberg asked that the
City Manager look into some alternatives to alleviate the problem of snow chunks
which block driveways. Discussion continued on the availability of sand to the
public and the problem of residents blowing or shoveling snow onto neighbor's
propert:y.
November 21, 1978
Page 3
Councilman Heintz stated he received a letter from Pat Olynyk thanking the
City for the tarp for the float and asking for money to sponsor the queen
pageant for next year.
Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, to authorize the City Manager to prepare
a check in the amount of $1,000 for the purposes of Miss Columbia Heights
activities during the coming year.
Motion by Norberg to amend to add the following: "and it is understood that
this is the last appropriation for these activities this year."
Motion dies for lack of a second.
Roll Call on main motion: Logacz, Heintz, Nawrocki - Aye
Norberg - Nay
Mayor Nawrocki noted he received a letter from the Department of Natural Resources
regarding the revision of the flood plain zoning ordinance. They acknowledged
receipt of the change.
John Hemak has proposed making a replica of the Lincoln funeral car to be displayed
at the library. Councilman Norberg stated that the Library Board has decided
they would rather not do this as they do not see the library taking on a museum's
function.
Motion by Heintz, seconded by Norberg, to adjourn at lO:O0 p.m.
Roll Call: All Ayes