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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNov 9, 1978OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA NOVEMBER 9, 1978 The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. Roll Call: Heintz, Norberg, Hentges, Nawrocki - present PURPOSE OF MEETING Mayor Nawrocki stated that this was a special meeting called to discuss the various items of business as listed on the agenda. RESOLUTION FOR DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT The City Manager distributed a revised resolution to the Council. RESOLUTION 78-56 WHEREAS, the Department of Housing and Urban Development has requested certification from the City of Columbia Heights relative to the assurance of the availability of local funds for the municipally funded portion of the proposed downtown C.B.D. redevelopment project as outlined in the application to H.U.D. for C.D.B.G. Small Cities Funds and, WHEREAS, the City of Columbia Heights has identified the financial tool of tax increment financing as the available local resource to be utilized, should the proposed project occur as planned, and, WHEREAS, the City of Columbia Heights, through its Housing and Redevelopment Authority, applied for the C.D.B.G. Small Cities funds through the Department of Housing and Urban Development to make the proposed downtown revitalization project more feasible through the use of tax increment financing, and, WHEREAS, the City of Columbia Heights recognizes that local funds will be essential to complete this C.D.B.G. and overall redevelopment project. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the City of Columbia Heights that if the proposed project is found to be in the best interest of the City of Columbia Heights through public hearings and further negotiations with the developer that: General obligation bonds will be sold by the City of Columbia Heights to finance the local share of the downtown revitalization project as outlined in the full application for C.D.B.G. funds. 2. Local funds will be available if required to assure adequate parking for the project. No federal funds will be expended in regards to this proposed project unless a firm contract is entered into with a developer outlining the responsibilities of all parties concerned and a commitment for the sale of general obligation bonds to finance the local share of said project has been made by the City Council of Columbia Heights, MN. November' 9, 1978 Page 2 Passed this 9th day of November, 1978. Offered by: Hentges Seconded by: Heintz Councilman Norberg asked if the resolution will commit the City to general obligation bonds or similar funding in such a manner that cannot be changed at a later date. Roger Jensen, HRA Director, stated that H.U.D. wanted some assurances that local funds would be available for the development project. He pointed out that #2 on the resolution had been changed from the resolution distributed to the Council earlier in the week. Discussion followed on whether this would commit the City to using tax increment financing for the project. Hayor Nawrocki pointed out that the project is not being approved tonight, only a resolution that the City would commit money if the project is finally approved. Roll Call on resolution: All Ayes RESOLUTION ON SALARY AND FRINGE BENEFITS FOR NON-UNION PERSONNEL The City Manager passed out a revised resolution setting salary and fringe benefits for non-union personnel for ]979. John Schedler, Finance Director, indicated that if the Council could take action now the changes would get into the data processin9 system and save many hours of work figuring back pay and adjustments. Councilman Logacz joined the meeting at 7:25 p.m. The City Manager stated that this recommendation would be within the federal government's recommended wage increase limit of 7%. Councilman Heintz stated he didn't think it was proper to present this tonight and expect the Council to approve it without time for consideration. Tl~e City Hanager stated that he will ask Cy Smythe, Labor Relations Associates, Inc., to be available to answer questions at the next Council meeting. Councilman Hentges stated he believes it is unfair to give a flat increase to every employee. Motion by Heintz, seconded by Hentges, to discuss this at a special meeting on November 20 at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Nawrocki noted that he and Councilman Logacz will be out of town for the regular meeting of November 27 and if there is anything coming up that will require a 4/5 vote it should also be brought to the special meeting of Nov. 20. Roll Cai'l: All Ayes Councilman Norberg stated he is dissatisfied with the way the salary reviews go and thinks the proper thing to do would be to limit all merit increases for next year. November 9, 1978 Page 3 SULLIVAN LAKE PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS The City Manager is requesting a negotiating committee be established to select the type of development which would be best for the property on the west side of Sullivan Lake. Councilman Heintz stated he thinks the Council should have the opportunity to look at the proposals to decide what they would like to see on the property and then the negotiating team could work on the sale of the property. Mayor Nawrocki asked what type of proposals the City had at this time. The City Manager answered that he had two definite offers and two other parties that were interested. Motion by Norberg, seconded by Heintz, to direct the City Manager to bring to the special meeting of November 20 all the present proposals for the Council's consideration. Roll Call: All Ayes APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS FOR 1978 AUDIT The City Manager stated that the audit reports were previously submitted. He again asked that the Council authorize the appointment of Haskins and Sells as the firm to conduct the Cityls audit. The price difference between this firm and the present auditor is $2600. Discussion followed on the difference between the estimates of the George Hansen Company and Haskins and Sells, whether specs should be submitted for bids, and how to determine the competency of the auditors. Councilman Norberg stated that one other factor is involved and that is that the City would be paying a new firm to learn the City's system. Since George Hansen Company knows the system, it should be able to do the work in a more efficient manner. Mayor Nawrocki stated that the Council should consider whether or not it would be a good policy to change auditors from time to time to obtain a different perspective. Motion by Heintz to appoint the firm of Haskins and Sells as the City's auditors for the 1978 audit. Motion dies for lack of a second. Motion by Hentges, seconded by Logacz, to appoint George Hansen and Company to do the 1978 audit. Motion by Norberg, seconded by Hentges, to table further consideration of the audit until later in the meeting. Roll Call: All Ayes BIDS ON PARA-TRANSIT SYSTEM Specs were prepared and twelve invitations to bid were sent to taxi services. Town Taxi was the only company to respond and their bid was $13 per hour for actual service provided. November 9, ]978 Page 4 Motion by Logacz, seconded by Nawrocki, to award the bid for the shared ride para-transit system to Town Taxi Company for the amount of $13 per hour for actual service provided and authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into contract for same. This action shall be subject to final approval by the Metropolitan Council and State of Minnesota of the grant application for the para-transit program. Motion by Heintz, seconded by Hentges, to table further consideration of this until the 3]st of December. Mayor Nawrocki suggested that this was an irresponsible motion since the City only has 30 days to act on the bids. He asked if this could be deferred until later in the meeting. The maker and seconder of the motion agreed. The motion before the Council is to defer further consideration of the para-transit proposals until later in the meeting. Roll Call: All Ayes Mayor Nawrocki indicated that the meeting would be recessed at this time to hold an informal meeting with residents to review the Crestview Lutheran Home proposal. Recess at 8:00 p.m. Reconvene at 10:22 p.m. Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, to appoint Ron Kalina secretary pro rem for the remainder of the meeting. Roll Call: All Ayes ACQUISITION OF MILL STREET PROPERTIES The City Manager reported that Mrs. Burrows will allow access to building for assessor, that Mr. Semotuk was favorably impressed by appraisal price and that Mrs. Leslie was also interested in selling. He suggested that the Council set aside $205,000 from the proceeds of the 1976 Bond Issue for the acquisition of the Mill Street properties. Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, to set aside $205,000 from the proceeds of the 1976 Bond Issue for the acquisition of Mill Street properties. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Nawrocki - Aye Norberg, Hentges - Nay AUDITORS FOR 1978 AUDIT Motion by Hentges, to appoint George Hansen Company as auditor for the 1978 audit. Mot[on dies for lack of a second. Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, to engage Haskins and Sells for the 1978 audit Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norber9, Nawrocki - Aye Hentges - Nay November 9, 1978 Page 5 PARA-TRANSIT Motion by Logacz, seconded by Nawrocki, to award the bid to Town Taxi Company for the amount of $13 per hour for actual service provided and authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into contract for same. This action shall be subject to final approval by the Metropolitan Council and State of Minnesota of the grant application for the para-transit program. Councilman Norberg asked if this was a real bid. The City Manager answered in the affirmative. Councilman Norberg asked whether a franchise was required. The City Attorney answered that it was not. Councilman Norberg asked what the urgency of the bid letting really was. Tim Yantos, Administrative Assistant, answered that the City might lose some money if it did not make use of the full year of 1979. Councilman Norberg stated that this was probably the right way to go into this kind of program. Mayor Nawrocki expressed several positive items about the proposal. Councilman Heintz stated that the motion to table was still on the floor. Mayor Nawrocki agreed. Roll Call on motion to table until December 31st: All Nayes Motion by Logacz, seconded by Heintz, to award the bid for shared ride para-transit system to Town Taxi Company for an amount of $13 per hour for actual service provided, and authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into contract for same. This action shall be subject to final approval by the Metropolitan Council and the State of Minnesota of the grant application for the para-transit program. Councilman Hentges stated he felt this is a waste of government and private money. Mayor Nawrocki stated that this was a demonstration project only and expressed the value to the elderly, handicapped, young, and others. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg, Nawrocki - Aye Hentges - Nay Motion by Logacz, seconded by Heintz, to adjourn. Roll Call: All Ayes Council 'Secretary iSecr~tary Pro Tem Bruce G. Nawrocki, Mayor