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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNov 20, 1978OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA NOVEMBER 20, 1978 The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg, Hentges, Nawrocki Present PURPOSE OF MEETING Mayor Nawrocki noted that this was a special meeting to handle items on the agenda. COLUMBIA COURT GRADING AND SCREENING Mr. Wahlquist, developer of Columbia Court, 51st and Central, would like to proceed with the screening and grading plan previously approved by the Council. The current problem is whether to remove some existing trees which would be partially covered to meet the recommended grade. The staff recommends asking the developer to remove only those trees that would be affected by changes in the grade and replacing them with new trees. Councilman Norberg stated he would like some information from the staff on why the existing trees are endangered and why this problem wasn't considered in the original plan. He stated it was his understanding that the staff approved leaving all the trees in. Mayor Nawrocki stated that the first concern should be to be sure that the properties adjoining this development will not be adversely affected by drainage. He added the matter of saving existing trees came up at the end of the original proposal when it was expressed by the neighbors that they would like to save the trees. Councilman Heintz stated that screening lies within the range of the Planning and Zoning Commission and he would like them to meet with the neighbors and developers to go over the plan again. Mr. Novotny, 1061 Polk, stated he is getting a lot of light in his back windows from the White Castle restaurant because the trees taken out eliminated his screening. Mayor Nawrocki noted that when permits to develop other properties in Columbia Court are submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission for review the Council will have another chance to review the screening plan. Councilman Hentges pointed out that fencing can also be considered screening- Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, to refer this back to the Planning and Zoning Commission for their recommendation and report back to the Council. Councilman Heintz suggested an informal meeting be held with the interested people prior to the Planning and Zoning meeting. Roll Call: All Ayes November 20, 1978 Page 2 SALARY AND FRINGE BENEFITS FOR NON-UNION EMPLOYEES FOR 1979 The City Manager presented a breakdown of the salary and fringe benefits for 1978 and those recommended for 1979. He explained the method used to figure the 7% increase which is allowed by the federal guidelines. Cy Smythe, Labor Relations Associates, was present to answer any questions of the Council. Councilman Hentges stated he didn't think the management should be separated from the non-management personnel in the computation process. He asked if the union personnel should not also be included in the 7% total increase. Discussion continued on sick pay, vacations, holiday pay and whether these were included in the total salaries cost base. Cy Smythe said that the guidelines state the fringe benefits should be taken separately. Discussion continued on the settlement with union personnel and whether they can settle for over the 7% limit. The City Manager asked the Council to favorably consider the resolution. He believes that the employees are deserving of at least 7%. Councilman Norberg stated he feels the plan in inadequate and makes a farce of the pay plan. Discussion continued on whether the 7% should be given across-the-board. RESOLUTION 78-60 REGARDING SALARIES FOR 1979 NON-UNION PERSONNEL BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, that WHEREAS it is necessary to make salary adjustments as of January l, 1979, to give recognition to cost increases in our area, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that an increase of 7% be established effective January 1, ]979, on the monthly sa]aries of all full time non-union City emp]oyees, and said employees shall be granted up to $75 per month including dependent coverage for hospitalization and $5,000 term life insurance. The across-the- board increase also applies to the range and step chart used for evaluations. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that salary adjustments for the individual employees on their anniversary dates may be made within their salary range as based on job performance evaluations. Said adjustments would occur on their anniversary date. For those whose salary exceeds the top step after the January 1 adjustment is made, there will not be a further change during the calendar year 1979. Passed this 20th day of November, 1978. Offered by: Logacz Seconded by: Nawrocki Motion by Norberg to change the increase from 7% to 4%. Motion dies for lack of a second. Motion by Hentges to amend the resolution to pro-rate the increase to: Under $14,OO0 - 7%; $14,OO0 - $17,OO0 - 6~; Over $17,000 - Motion dies for lack of a second. November 20, 1978 Page 3 Motion by Norberg, seconded by Hentges, to table this matter until the October to October Consumer Price Index is available. Roll Call: Heintz, Norberg, Hentges Logacz, Nawrocki - Nay Aye PROPOSALS ON SULLIVAN LAKE DEVELOPMENT The City Manager noted that he had forwarded to the Council criteria he felt would be the most favorable to decide the development of the Sullivan Lake property. He encouraged the Council to establish a negotiating team to select the most desirable of the Sullivan Lake property proposals, subject to Council approval. He feels this would help to insure the originality of the individual developer's ideas in lieu of requiring them to present their plans at a public meeting. Motion by Logacz, seconded by Hentges, that the City Manager, City Attorney, and Mayor be authorized to negotiate with those who have made a proposal to the City for acquisition and development of the Sullivan Lake property and to report back to the Council. Councilman Heintz asked how the committee will know what the Council would like to see in the development of the property and stated he thinks the Council should have the opportunity to relate to this committee what kind of development they would like. Councilman Norberg suggested that the Council instruct the committee not to entertain any proposal that results in a density of more than 8 living units per acre. Discussion continued on the type of development this would encourage and limit the City to using. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Hentges, Nawrocki - Aye Norberg - Nay RECESS at 9:10 p.m. RECONVENE at 9:30 p.m. SETTING SALARIES FOR SERGEANTS FOR 1978 AND 1979 The City Manager explained the recommended resolution and asked that this resolution be contingent upon the employee group being recognized by the State as an exclusive negotiator of the employees within that unit. Councilman Hentges stated he doesn't agree that unused sick leave should be paid when an employee terminates. RESOLUTION 78-61 BEING A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE SALARY AND FRINGE BENEFITS SCHEDULE FOR POLICE SERGEANTS FOR 1978 AND 1979 BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, THAT: WHEREAS, Negotiations have proceeded between the Columbia Heights Police Supervisors Association representing Police Sergeants of the City of Columbia Heights and the City Council's labor consultant and management bargaining team, and said negotiations have resulted in the mutually acceptable contract, and November 20, 1978 Page 4 WHEREAS, a copy of said contract is available for inspection at the Office of the City Clerk and is made a part hereof by reference, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the contract as negotiated by, and is hereby, established as the salary and fringe benefit program for ]978 and ]979 For police sergeants of the City of Columbia Heights as represented by the Columbia Heights Police Supervisors Association upon signin9 of the contract documents by both union and City representatives. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Manager are hereby authorized to execute this contract agreement, however, subject to the Columbia Heights Police Sergeants Association being recognized as exclusive representatives under Minnesota State Statute. BE IT ALSO FURTHER RESOLVED that the reading in full of the actual contract be, and it is hereby, waived. Passed this 20th day of November, 1978. Offered by: Logacz Seconded by: Heintz The City Hanager distributed copies of the proposed contract to the Council and went over the changes in it. Discussion followed on the various parts of the contract. Councilman Norberg noted that this seemed to tie the sergeants pay increase to the patro]men~s pay increase. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Hentges, Nawrocki - Aye Norber9 - Nay PARA-TRANSIT Tim Yantos, Administrative Assistant, stated that this resolution was requested by the State for the City to enter into a contract, if and when funds are provided for the program. RESOLUTION 78-62 PARA-TRANSIT BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights, that the Mayor and City Manager are authorized to enter into contract with the State of Minnesota for the Shared Ride Para-Transit System. Passed this 20th day of November, 1978. Offered by: Logacz Seconded by: Nawrocki Mayor Nawrocki reminded the Council that they have awarded a bid on the subject. Councilman Hentges stated he had voted no on the bid award because he feels the program will be misused. Councilman Logacz stated he feels the Council has discussed this enough and doesn't feel the staff should have to do a lot of work and then have the Council not pass the project, November 20, 1978 Page 5 Roll Call: Logacz, Norberg, Nawrocki - Aye Hentges - Nay Heintz - Abstain ENERGY AWARENESS COMMITTEE The City Manager stated his recommendations for dealing with the Energy Awareness group and establishing a committee. He explained the staff's suggestions for the formation and goals of the committee. Councilman Norberg stated he is in favor of addressing these questions but wonders whether this committee should be consolidated with the Clean Air Committee and possibly some others so the groups won't be operating separately. He suggested a Science and Technology Committee to include all these items. Motion by Norberg, that the Council authorize the City Attorney and himself to prepare an ordinance which would establish a committee which would report to and advise the Council which would have as its sphere of interest the energy awareness, performance criteria for Planning and Zoning, clean air and other similar matters which would be assigned to them from time to time by the Council. Mayor Nawrocki asked if Councilman Norberg would consider assigning a committee for this one specific assignment and adding other items later as new committees seem to bog down if they are given too many areas to cover at their start. Motion dies for lack of a second. Motion by Hentges, seconded by Heintz, to appoint a five member committee to advise on energy awareness. Ruth Welch, League of Women Voters, stated she would take this suggestion back to her board members to find out if they would be interested in serving on the committee. She feels it would be better to have a specific committee for energy awareness and would like to see more people get involved by forming a seven member committee. Mayor Nawrocki suggested a story in the Newsletter stating that a committee would be being set up and asking for interested people to call. The committee will be formed when some specific responses are obtained. Councilmen Hentges and Heintz agreed to withdraw their motion until that time. STOP SIGNS AT 37th AVE. AND MADISON PLACE The City Manager explained the fact that the requested motion from Minneapolis approving the four way stop failed at the last meeting. Councilman Heintz stated he would vote against this again because the idea of a four way stop sign was Columbia Heights' originally and the City shouldn't have to approve it again. Mayor Nawrocki noted that the Council's previous action was to ask Minneapolis to take down their sign. No an action to agree with their recommendation for a four way stop is necessary. Discussion followed on the history of the stop sign controversy with Minneapolis. Mayor Nawrocki suggested that all that may be required is to write the Minneapolis Council a letter stating that the City of Columbia Heights already has agreed to a four way stop. November 20, 1978 Page 6 PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR PROPERTY AT 539 MILL STREET The City Manager stated the purchase price is $34,000 and Mr. Semotuk has agreed to sell. He has met with one other resident, Mrs. Burrows, and her property will be appraised this week. He is meeting with Mrs. Leslie on Wednesday to discuss the purchase of her property. Councilman Norberg stated he is not interested in purchasing one of the properties unless the Council can deal for all the properties at one time. Motion by Norberg, seconded by Hentges, to table this until similar agreements can be reached with other property owners. The City Manager stated that both Mrs. Burrows and Mrs. Leslie are in favor of selling. Roll Call: Norberg, Hentges Aye Logacz, Heintz, Nawrocki Nay Motion fails. Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into a purchase agreement with Mr. Mike Semotuk for his property at 539 Mill Street in an amount of $34,000. Mayor Nawrocki stated he will vote for the motion with the following understanding: (1) that the Leslie property will be available on the same basis, (2) that if the meeting on Wednesday would indicate something different, then he would not propose to sign any agreement on the Semotuk property. This would give the Council the opportunity to reconsider the matter at the next regular meeting on Monday. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Nawrocki - Aye Norber9, Hentges - Nay CITY HALL ADDITION AND REMODELING The City Manager noted a report on the status of the remodeling and which items were included in the change orders to date. Tim Yantos reported on several change orders and explained the reason for them. Councilman Heintz stated that the moving of the receptionist's booth was a waste of taxpayers money. Discussion followed on the change in the plasement of the booth. Councilman Heintz stated he wants to see this change order as a seaprate item on the list of bills. Additional discussion followed on the layout of the building and the City Manager's authority to change floor plans. Councilman Heintz questioned whether the change would come to over the $500 the City Manager was authorized to spend without Council approval. Motion by Heintz, seconded by Norberg, that the City Manager be directed to pay for the relocation of the receptionist's booth out of his own pocket. Roll Call: Heintz - Aye Logacz, Nawrocki - Nay Norberg, Hentges - Abstain Motion fails. November 20, 1978 Page 7 Motion by Norberg, seconded by Heintz, to establish the clarification that the authority to make change orders was not and is not intended to extend to the making of floor plan changes or relocation of major facilities. Roll Call: Heintz, Norberg, Hentges - Aye Logacz, Nawrocki - Nay At 11:50 Mayor Nawrocki recessed the remainder of the meeting until after the Tuesday night special hearing. Council Secretary Bruce G. Nawrocki, Mayor