HomeMy WebLinkAboutApr 25, 1978OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
RECESSED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA
APRIL 25, 1978
The meeting was called to order at 9:30 p.m.
Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg, Hentges, Nawrocki - present
Mayor Nawrocki stated that a certificate of appreciation had been given to Stu
Anderson, Police Chief, the night before for his outstanding work as Interim
City Manager. At that time the cooperation he had received from certain
staff people was alluded to. The Mayor stated that Tim Yantos, Administrative
Assistant, in particular had done an excellent job in terms of time and effort
to help during this period and expressed his and the Council's appreciation.
PAYMENT OF BILLS
Motion by Heintz, seconded by Hentges, that all bills be paid out of the proper
funds.
Roll Call: All Ayes
ORDINANCE 867
The City Attorney stated that he didn't see any problem with the meaning of
the language in section 3.311(4), paragraph 2, which had been discussed
previously.
Motion by Heintz, to remove the first sentence of paragraph 2, section
3.311 (4).
Motion dies for lack of a second.
Ordinance 867 was Offered by: Hentges
Seconded by: Logacz
Roll Call: Logacz, Hentges, Nawrocki - Aye
Heintz, Norberg - Nay
Ordinance 867 is adopted.
ORDINANCE NO. 867
BEING AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 309
AND AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 853, CITY CODE OF 1977
The City of Columbia Heights does ordain:
SECTION 1:
ORDINANCE No. 309, BEING AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A PUBLIC RECREATION
COMMISSION, PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 233, LAWS OF 1937, AS AMENDED, passed
April 28, 1953, is herewith repealed.
April 25, 1978
Page 2
SECTION 2:
3.311(1)
3.311 (2)
3.311 ,[3)
Section 3.311 of Ordinance 853 of the City Code of 1977, which is
currently reserved, is amended to read as follows:
The Columbia Heights and District #13 Recreation and Community
Services Commission is hereby established pursuant to agreement
between the City and Independent School District #13. The
Commission may be known in this Code by the short title,
"Recreation Commission"
The Recreation Commission shall consist of six (6) members who
shall each serve terms of three (3) years. The School shall appoint
one (1) member of the Commission from amongst the members of the Board
of Education, one (1) member of the Commission from the Community
Education Advisory Council, and one (1) member of the Commission at
large from amongst the residents of the School District. At least one
of the members appointed by the School shall be a resident of the City
of Columbia Heights. The City shall appoint one (1) member of the
Commission from amongst the membership of the City Council, one (1)
member from amongst the membership of the Park Board, and one
member at large from amongst the residents of the City. Any member
of the Recreation Commission may be removed with or without cause
by the appointing authority, and the appointing authority may appoint
another eligible person to fill the unexpired term of any member who
has resigned or been removed prior to completion of his term. The
appointing authority may set the commencement date of each memberls
term; provided, however, that the appointing authority must set
terms so that the expiration date of each term shall be in three
consecutive one year intervals. The School Board and the City
Council may appoint persons from amongst their membership to serve
less than a full three year term so long as a successor is named
by the appointing authority to fill the unexpired portion of any
term after an appointment has lapsed. Provided, further, that the
appointing authority may fix the terms of its first appointees at
terms of less than three years so long as the terms expire in three
consecutive one year intervals. The Recreation Commission shall
promptly inform the parties to the agreement when a commission
member's term has expired or when a resignation has taken place so
that a new member might be promptly appointed by the proper party.
All programs shall be in accordance with the policies approved by the
School and City, and jointly amended from time to time. The Recreation
Commission shall have broad programming latitude in the implementation
of those policies, including programming ideas, development, and func-
tions. Program policy shall not be set by one party to the agreement
to the exclusion of the other.
The said Recreation Commission shall conduct and supervise recreation
services and programs for public recreation in its broadest sense,
including playgrounds, parks, playfields, swimming pools, beaches,
camps, indoor recreation centers, and any and all other recreation
April 25, 1978
Page 3
3.311 (4)
3.311 (5)
activities. Said Commission shall have power to conduct activities
and to pay for the necessary supervision incidental thereto on the
grounds and properties owned, leased or controlled by the City of
Columbia Heights and the Board of Education or their departments,
or on other properties with the consent of the owner or authorities
who control the property. Nothing in this act shall be construed
to abridge or delegate those powers and authorities reserved to
the Board of Education by law and reserved to the City Council by
Minnesota statute, charter, or other provisions of this Code,
specifically including but not limited to expenditures of money
and establishment of salaries. The Recreation Commission shall
operate the Community Service program which shall direct and
coordinate community education programs and services.
Said Commission shall have the power to employ a person trained and
qualified in the field of recreation as Recreation Director and such
other expert assistants, supervisors, directors, play leaders and
other employees as may be here necessary in its judgement for the
efficient administration of programs, and provided for in the budgets
of the City of Columbia Heights and the Board of Education and the
various departments and divisions of the municipal administration
brought at any time within its operations as aforesaid and provided.
Said Recreation Director shall serve said Commission as its executive
officer, and may act as its secretary, in a relation similar to that
of the Superintendent of Schools to the Board of Education.
The Recreation Director shall be selected by joint agreement of the
City and School, which parties shall consider the recommendations of
the Recreation Commission. The salary of the Recreation Director
shall be established by joint agreement of the School and City,
evidenced by resolution of the City Council and affirmative vote of
the members of the School Board. In establishing said salary, the
recommendations of the Recreation Commission shall be considered.
Other employees of the Recreation Commission shall be subordinate to
the Recreation Director. Salaries of subordinate officers and
employees shall be set by the Recreation Commission, subject to
approval by the School and City.
Said Commission shall render annually a full report to the Columbia
Heights City Council, the Board of Education and the Park Board
covering its operations for the year closing, together with a
detailed account of its recommendations and estimated funds required
for its work for the ensuing year. Said Commission shall also, at
its discretion, report advisory recommendations and estimates
covering the whole field of its operations and responsibilities, as
regards related divisions and departments of said City, to the
respective departments or boards concerned, as indicated. It shall
render also such other regular and special reports and make such
investigations as may be required by the City Council and the Board
of Education and the Park Board and such reports and investigations
in addition as it may itself deem necessary or expedient.
April 25, 1978
Page 4
3.311 (6)
3.311 (7)
Said Commission is hereby authorized and empowered to use without
charge such public buildings, grounds and facilities as may be
available and adaptable to the purpose of this Commission with
the consent of the authorities controlling these facilities.
The necessary expenses and operational budget for the purposes of
this Commission shall be provided from the funds of the City of
Columbia Heights and Independent School District #13. Participation
in such budget shall be equal as between the City and the School
District.
3.31l(8)
Said Commission is empowered and authorized to solicit and receive
gifts, bequests, or endowments of money or property as donations
or grants from persons, firms or corporations including governmental
agencies and to administer their funds for public recreation
purposes.
3.311(9)
Should any of the provisions of this section be in conflict with
the agreement referred to in Section 3.311(1), the provisions of
the said agreement shall prevail.
SECTION 3: This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after
thirty (30) days after its passage.
NEW BUSIf]ESS:
4. Plaque for LaBelle Park
The Park Department has recommended the purchase of a plaque honoring Pvt.
James LaBel]e, Medal of Honor winner, to be installed in LaBelle Park. Mayor
Nawrocki stated the V.F.W. posts in Anoka County have put up a monument honoring
the three Anoka County Medal of Honor winners at the Bunker Prairie Park but
added that LaBelle Park would be a proper place for a memorial to Pvt. LaBelle.
Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, to authorize the request of the Park
Department, the money to come from the general surplus.
The City Manager asked that this be tabled until the next regular meeting as more
than the plaque itself is involved; a flagpole, mounting for the plaque, and
general beautification of the area should also be considered.
Motion by Hentges, seconded by Norberg, to table this matter until the next
regular Council meeting.
Roll Call: All Ayes
5. Offer to Purchase Sullivan Lake Property
Discussion followed on the property around Sullivan Lake and what would be a
fair market value as an offer had been made on the property by Wahlberg and
Associates.
April 25, 1978
Page 5
Motion by Hentges, seconded by Logacz, to direct the City Manager to get two
appraisals on the property on the northwest corner of Sullivan Lake.
The City Manager suggested not rejecting Wahlberg and Associates' offer but to
seek appraisals and then contact Wahlberg with a counter offer.
Councilman Norberg suggested the counter offer not include the possibility of
R-4 zoning.
Roll Call: All Ayes
6. Other Old and New Business
The City Manager stated that a merit increase for Dean Otterson, City Planner/
HRA Director, is being recommended.
Motion by Norberg, that the Council deny the request of the City Manager and
not take any action on the merit raise at this time.
Motion dies for lack of a second.
Motion by Hentges, seconded by Logacz, that the Council concur with the City
Manager's recommendation to give the City Planner/HRA Director the 2½% merit
raise as proposed.
Councilman Norberg stated that his reason for not supporting this motion is that
he doesn't feel there is any merit involved. Discussion followed on the areas
of Mr. Otterson's work that should be considered.
Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Hentges, Nawrocki - Aye
Norberg - Nay
CITY MANAGER REPORTS:
Wage Adjustment - 49ers Contract - The City Manager stated that this covers only
the CETA employees who belong to the union. He is granting an adjustment based
upon the percentage increase in the light equipment operators classification. The
total cost for the remainder of the CETA program is $1,021 for 17 employees.
Burlington Northern Agreement - The City Manager stated that he had gotten together
with Burlington Northern representatives. They have agreed to have a landscape
plan submitted for Council approval. The area to be landscaped is from 37th Avenue
to 40th Avenue on the railroad berm.
Street Lighting at Gould - The City Manager reported that NSP will be installing an
experimental 150 watt sodium vapor fixture for a period of one month after which
a 250 watt sodium vapor fixture will be tried for one month.
Para-Transit - The Mayor noted that Fridley is still discussing the para-transit
program. He added that he feels it would be an error to drop the discussions
of para-transit. The legislature has provided money for the demonstration type
projects. The opportunity is here to try the project and it should be tried.
The Mayor urged the Council not to let the matter die but to continue to work to
find out if this kind of system will provide transportation services for the people
of our area and help reduce some of the dependence on the auto.
April 25, 1978
Page 6
Motion by Nawrocki, seconded by Logacz, that the City Manager be directed to
continue to work on the para-transit program.
Roll Ca]]: Logacz, Hentges, Nawrocki
Heintz, Norberg Nay
Aye
Demolition of House at 545 Mill Street - Two bids were received for the
demolition of the Johnson house at 545 Mill Street so the lot can be used for
additional parking. The bids received were for $16OO and $2800.
Motion by Heintz, seconded by Hentges, that the Mayor and City Manager be
authorized to enter into an agreement to demolish the house, not to exceed
$I600.
Roll Call: All Ayes
ARBOR DAY
Mayor Nawrocki read the following proclamation:
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, GREETING
WHEREAS, our city is proud of the beautiful shade trees which line our
streets and arch over our homes, and
WHEREAS, our city's trees have been a gift to us from those whose foresight
and concern for the future motivated them to plant shade trees for our benefit
and pleasure, and
WHEREAS, the shade tree diseases such as Dutch Elm Disease and Oak Wilt Disease
may threaten many of our city's shade trees with rapid destruction, unless we
take immediate action of a vigorous manner to control these natural disasters, and
WHEREAS, citizens all around the State of Minnesota are uniting to "Plant Their
Future" in 1978 and reforest the cities of our state, and this is a commendable
effort that the citizens of this city would do well to join, and
WHEREAS, Arbor Day, April 28, 1978, and Arbor Celebration, May, 1978, are times
that are to appreciate the contributions made by shade trees to our city and
to undertake a spirited effort to increase their numbers in our neighborhoods,
NOW, THEREFORE, I, The Mayor of the City of Columbia Heights, do hereby proclaim
April 28, 1978, as "Arbor Day" in the City of Columbia Heights, and do further
proclaim the month of May as "Arbor Month" and I call upon the public spirited
and foresighted citizens of our City to plant trees NOW for the enjoyment of us
and future generations
April 25, 1978
Page 7
PUBLIC HEARINGS
The City Manager stated that he had been asked by Earl Gustafson, Public Works
Director, to set a date for a public hearing to review the hazardous sidewalk
replacement program. May 22 at 7:00 p.m. was selected for the hearing.
City Manager Bocwinski stated that Mrs. Jon Niemi has requested a public
hearing to review the denial of her license application for "Mother Tuckers".
He has set the hearing for the next regular meeting which is May 8.
LICENSES
Motion by Hentges, seconded by Heintz, that licenses be approved upon payment of
proper fees, that the fee for the Hilltop Chamber of Commerce and Richard
Bierch licenses be waived,and that "Mother Tuckersu license be removed from
the list based on previous Council action.
Motion by Norberg, seconded by Hentges, to amend the motion under consideration
to delete the waiving of the fee for Richard Bierch.
Roll Call on motion to amend: Norberg, Hentges - Aye
Logacz, Heintz, Nawrocki - Nay
Motion fails
Roll Call on original motion: Logacz, Heintz, Hentges, Nawrocki - Aye
Norberg - Nay
Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, to adjourn at 11:25 p.m.
Roll Call: All Ayes
Bruce~G Nawrocki, Mayor
Secretary