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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOct 16, 1978OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA OCTOBER 16, 1978 The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Hentges, Nawrocki - present Mayor Nawrocki stated that Councilman Norberg was ill and would not be attending the meeting. There were approximately 50 people present. PURPOSE OF MEETING Mayor Nawrocki noted that the purpose of the meeting was to conduct a public hearing on some possible solutions to storm drainage problems in three different areas of the community, to give the City staff the opportunity to present the proposals they have come up with, and give the residents the chance to respond and ask questions. Stu Anderson, Acting City Manager, stated that notices of the meeting were sent to people on the east side of Lincoln Street in error. They are not included in this project. PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION: SECOND STREET AREA Earl Gustafson, Public Works Director, presented the information on the 2nd St. area at 42nd Ave. He noted the houses where the problem existed. He stated the Engineering Department's recommendation was to reconstruct catch basins, realign the curb and raise the north boulevard. New driveways would be installed at 4247 2nd St. and 4253 2nd St. to elevate them to the street level and eliminate their flooding. The cost to the owners would be $200 each through the City contractor. The owners would have the option of negotiating their own contract for the work. Mr. Beberg, 4247 2nd St.,stated the curb and gutter installed two years ago doesn't guide the water the way it should. He feels he wouldn't get any water in his driveway if the City hadn't curved the curb by his lot line. He doesn't disagree with the new apron for his driveway, he objects to the assessment of $200 for it as he already was assessed $1,200 for the work done two years ago. The Mayor asked if Mr. Beberg thought the proposed solution would work. Mr. Beberg stated he does agree that it would. Mr. Fay, 4253 2nd St., stated he didn't think he should pay any money for this project as he didn't have this problem before the installation of the curb and gutter two years ago. Mr. Fay also agrees that the proposed solution would take care of the problem but feels that the City is responsible and should pay for the work. Mayor Nawrocki proposed that the City and the property owners, because of the effects of the existing curb and gutter, split the expense of the project 50/50. October 16, 1978 Page 2 Motion by Hentges, seconded by Heintz, to authorize the project with the cost sharing on a 50/50 basis. Rol1 Call: All Ayes Mr. Kotzer, 4201 2nd St., stated that he wanted the City to install a relief line to handle the overflow during the heavy rains. He feels the system is too sma]]. Earl Gustafson stated that when the catch basins are installed at 41st and 2nd St. it will solve the problem. This is planned as a future project. The Mayor noted that the Engineerin9 Department will talk to Mr. Kotzer before the work is done. 40th & McKINLEY Slides were shown of the area involved. Earl gustafson pointed out where water had jumped the curb and co]lapsed the basement of a house under construction this past summer. Since that time three more houses have been started in this area. The Engineering Department is recommending opening another catch area along the drain line and putting in another high capacity catch basin which wi]] hook into the storm drain line in the back of the lots on the north side of 40th Ave. The cost is estimated to be $3,000. Blueprints were shown of the watershed involved in this area. Earl Gustafson suggested that this will accommodate the extreme conditions which the City experienced (luring the flooding in July. Discussion followed on the elevations of the homes, yards, and curbs in the area. Mr. Barnick, 2301 40th Ave., stated that the existing drains didn't seem to be running to their capacity because of the debris collected in them. Discussion continued on the maintenance of storm drains. Hr. Waga~,on~ 3960 McKinley St., stated he doesn't feel all the property owners in the area should be assessed now because the City didn't install storm drains on the property before they sold it for homes. Mr. Anderson, 22]7 39½ St., stated he doesn't feel the City did enough plannin9 three or four years ago when the street was installed. Mr. Barnick stated that he believes the park is a bi9 contributor to the floodin9 problem and the clinic at 3900 Stinson Blvd. should also be con- sidered a contributor and assessed accordingly. Dr. Williams, owner of the clinic, stated that he is wi]lin9 to accept the responsibility for some of the water drain- off problem and will accept the assessment for his property. Motion by Hentges, seconded by Heintz, that the project be authorized with the inclusions of lots 5 and G on block 2 (Dr. Wil]iam's clinic). Roll Cai]: All Ayes BUCHANAN & LINCOLN ST. AREA Earl Gustafson stated that in 1973 the City graded out this area between 37th and 39th and Buchanan and Lincoln Sts. with the idea that if enough grade was put in, the existing water could be taken care of without problems of maintenance and erosion. Apparently since that time some additional settlement of the field has taken place and it has lost the capacity to take water. He showed slides with the boundaries October 16, 1978 Page 3 of the contributing drainage. Water ponding is adding to the problem. The Engineering Department suggested the construction of a storm drain, including structures and restoration, and that a complete driveway be constructed at 3801 Buchanan. The cost can be reduced to $8,500 from the original estimate of $10,000 by the use of plastic lines instead of concrete lines to $315 per platted property. The option would be to regrade and deepen the existing swale. Mr. Ballard, 3857 Buchanan, presented a petition signed by nineteen households in opposition to the project. Motion by Hentges, seconded by Logacz, to accept the petition and place it on file as being in opposition to the project as proposed. Roll Call: All Ayes Mayor Nawrocki stated that two or three properties are having most of the problems. Mr. Kocon, 3747 Buchanan St.; Mr. Thiffault, 3753 Buchanan St.; Mr. Niznik, 3730 Lincoln St.; Mrs. Grevious, 3817 Buchanan St.; Mr. Peterson, 3712 Lincoln St.; Mr. Scalise, 1500 39th St.; Mr. Nelson, 3806 Lincoln St.; and Mr. Resch, 3801 Buchanan St. questioned which property was contributing the water which was collecting~ how the properties would be assessed (per lot or per square foot of lot size), why the problem wasn't taken care of by the City when the houses were built, and alternatives to the City's proposal. The Mayor stated that the City did oo throuoh a comDrehensive study on storm sewer problems a number of years ago. The major problems that have surfaced from this past summer's rain are minor and nothing like what the City had before the plan was developed. Discussion continued on existing sewer lines and who was assessed for them, the grading proposed around the catch basins, the present assessing practice, and the condition of the land over the past years. The Mayor commented that according to the City Assessor, these properties have never been assessed for a storm sewer. Most properties in the City have paid assessments for storm work to serve their areas. The City has gone through a comprehensive plan for the community and it was divided up into watershed districts. Bonds were issued to help pay for some of the other bigger projects. The City has tried to set some maximum amounts the people would pay per square foot. The Mayor proposed that the project be authorized and that a certain limit be set as to the amount which will be assessed against the properties. The policy has been in the past that work that goes above and beyond some specified amount would come out of a City fund. The current amount being used is 2¢ per square foot. He proposed that the Council indicate it would use that policy of assessing. (A tot of 150 ft. by 50 ft. would represent an assessment of $150.) He proposed that the additional cost of the project come out of the City's general fund or unallocated general surplus of the City. As a result, the City would be puttino in more than one half the cost of the project based on the total cost figure the Council had been presented. Discussion continued on the total size of the project and the total cost per square foot. Millie Carlson, City Assessor, noted that the assessment will be paid in three to five years at 8% interest. October 16, 1978 Page 4 Mr. Jackman, 3831 Buchanan, stated he di'dn't think it was fair that he should contribute the same amount as the people whose property will benefit from the project because their property value will increase. Discussion continued on payment of the assessment. Mrs. Ballard asked if some consideration couldn't be given to those with large lots to reduce their share. Councilman Logacz suggested that the three large ]ots be charged the same as the average size lot in the project area. Stu Anderson suggested takin9 the origina] proposal of $315 per lot and splittin9 that cost on a 50/50 basis which would amount to about ~]60 on every parcel, regardless of the size. Additional discussion follovzed on cost of the project and its breakdown between lots. The Mayor noted that if a bid comes in considerably more than the cost given to the residents, the Council will reopen the public hearin9. Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, that the project be authorized, that the policy for the assessment be established on the per lot basis, that 50~ of the cost be paid for by the City out of unallocated general fund surplus, and that the other 50~ would be assessed to the property owner. Discussion followed on the alternative ways of assessing. Roll Call: All Ayes RECESS at ll:lO p.m. RECONVENE at 1]:20 p.m. Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, that the reading of the resolutions For drainage for projects 742, 744, and 745 be waived. Roll Ca'Il: All Ayes Motion by Heintz, seconded by Hentges, to approve resolution 78-48 For project 742. Roll Call: All Ayes RESOLUTION 78-~8 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 llth day of September, 1978 ordered notice of a hearin9 to be given to property owners, and WHEREAS, pursuant to a notice of hearing certain residents appeared at a Council Meetin9 on the ]6th day of October, ]978, 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: October 16, 1978 Page 5 1. That the location and extent of such improvement is as follows: The installation of storm drain at the intersection of 40th Avenue and McKinley Street N.E., including the lots on both sides of 40th Avenue, west of Stinson Blvd. through 2216 and 2217 40th Avenue, also 3960 and 3970 McKinley, also lots 5 and 6 on Block 2, also 2217 39½ Avenue, also vacant lots 8 and 9, Block 2, Apache Heights, which are South of the lots along 40th on McKinley Street. 2. That the materials to be used are as follows: Reinforced concrete pipe That a careful estimate of the cost of the improvements has been made by the City Manager and the several lots and parcels of land fronting upon and adjacent to such proposed improvements, which be deemed benefited thereby, were properly notified of said hearings, and the estimated cost not to exceed $3,000, 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. 742. Passed this 16th day of October, 1978. Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, to approve the resolution for project 744. Roll Call: All Ayes RESOLUTION 78-49 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 llth day of September, 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 16th day of October, 1978, and WHEREAS, the Council determines to proceed with this local improvement, a portion of the cost being defrayed by special assessments under Charter ~rovisions. NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED: 1. That the location and extent of such improvement is as follows: The installation of storm drain for interior block drainage between Buchanan Street and Lincoln Street from 37th Avenue to 39th Avenue N.E. October 16, 1978 Page 6 2. That the materials to be used are as follows: PVC pipe and appurtenances That a careful estimate of the cost of the improvements has been ~lade by the City Manager and the several lots and parcels of land fronting upon and adjacent to such proposed improvements, which be deemed benefited thereby, were properly notified of said hearings, and estimated cost not to exceed S8,500. 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. Passed this 16th day of October, ]978. Motion by Heintz, seconded by Hentges, to approve the resolution for project 745. Roll Call: All Ayes RESOLUTION 78-50 BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Co-ncil of the City of Columbia Heights. WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights by Motion on the lith day of September, 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 ]6th day of October, 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 improvement is as follows: The installation of driveway aprons to alleviate storm drain problems at ~247 2nd Street N.E. and 4253 2nd Street N.E. 2. That the materials to be used are as follows: Concrete That a careful estimate of the cost of the improvements has been made by the City Manager and the several lots and parcels of ]and fronting upon and adjacent to such proposed improvements, which be deemed benefited thereby, were properly notified of said hearings, and the estimated cost shall be two driveways at $200.00 each or $400.00. October 16, 1978 Page 7 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. 745. Passed this 16th day of October, 1978. Motion by Heintz, seconded by Hentges, to adjourn at 11:25 p.m. Roll Call: All Ayes ,~unci i -SeCretary Bru~O~ G. Nawrocki, Mayor