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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOct 22, 1979OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS REGULAR MEETING OF THE C~TY COUNCIL CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, H~NNESOTA OCTOBER 22, I979 The meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg, Hentges, Nawrocki - Present INVOCATION The invocation was given by Reverend Walter Wahl of First Lutheran Church. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS Motion by Heintz, seconded by Hentges, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 9 and the October 10 continuation as presented in writing and reading be dispensed with. Roll Call: All Ayes ORAL PETITIONS Mrs. Linda Roy, 1OO1 42½ Ave., stated her belief that the fines for violations of the animal ordinance are not sufficient and explained her opinion with an example from her neighborhood. Mayor Nawrocki asked the Acting City Manager to check the matter and respond to Mrs. Roy. SECOND READING OF PARKING ORDINANCE Mayor Nawrocki noted that the last meeting dealing with this subject was well attended. He subsequently established a citizens committee to study and make a recommendation on the proposed ordinance. At the last meeting, the committee made its recommendation to the Council and the Council had a first reading of the ordinance banning parking from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. on a year round basis, with the exception of next summer, to allow people to provide for the off street parking. The Council had previously had a first reading on an ordinance banning on street parking only during the winter months. Mr. Jay Dowdle, 4904 5th St., asked that the ordinance be limited to winter months. Mrs. Shellito, 403 Summit St., asked whether there were enough police on duty during these hours to enforce the ordinance effectively. She agreed that the ordinance should be in effect only during winter months. George Haluska, 4233 Quincy St., asked how the streets would be plowed with vehicles on the street because of a finding of hardship and who would decide hardship. The Mayor answered that the Police Department would decide hardship and the allowed parking would be on the boulevard not the street. Bob Taillefer, 4725 5th St., stated that the ban on parking during the winter months is something that the people could probably live with but no one should have to abide by the ordinance year round. October 22, 1979 Page 2_ Bob Davidson, a025 4th St., asked what the present law is. The Mayor explained the present law which bans on street parking for more than six hours at a time 24 hours a day. Mr. Davidson added that he believes this is a good ordinance for the winter months but not for summer. Mr. Dowdle asked that this be put to the people with a referendum. Mayor Nawrocki reported that he had sent out a questionnaire to 500 residents selected at random which included several questions on the proposed parking ordinance and that about half of those surveyed responded. Of those resp~n!ing approximately 60% of the people favored the ordinance be adopted banning parking from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. on a year round basis. Other residents questioned who they should complain to when their alley doesn't get p]lowed, where they are supposed to park when they have too many vehicles for the driveway, why the people who are for the ordinance do not speak up at the meetings, and several additional residents expressed their support for the parking ban during the winter months only. Mrs. /\nders, 1035 Peters Place, stated the problem renters have when the apartment owners only furnish one parking space per apartment. Councilman Norberg noted that the two proposed ordinances are identical for the first year and a half. The ordinance would be in effect during the winter months and suspended in the summer of 1980. The Council could put it to a referendum in the fall of 1980. Either ordinance could be passed now. Councilman Logacz stated he would be happy to go with this proposal. Heintz also stated his support. Councilman City Attorney Kalina stated that the people would have to submit a petition for this to go to a referendum. The process was explained which the people would have to follow to initiate a referendum. Councilman Norberg suggested an amendment be passed tonight and the people could take the initiative later and stated his bel ief that this should come to a referendum. Councilman Hentges offered ordinance 905 and Councilman Norberg seconded it. Councilman Heintz stated he still has a problem with the method for obtaining permit;s from the Police Department to park in the street between 2 and 6 a.m. He stated that people unexpectedly staying after 2 a.m. should be allowed some wat of: obtaining a permit at that time. Discussion continued on the use of permits and alternatives to the proposed method included in the ordinance. Mayor Nawrocki stated that the citizens committee contained a cross section of people with views from in favor to strongly opposed before they had a first meeting. The committee met several times and came back with a unanimous recommendation for the ordinance as proposed with the exception that the summer months of 1980 be excluded. The Mayor added that he must give some credence to October 22, 1979 Page 3 the recommendation of that committee. He proposed that in lieu of ordinance 905, which did not have a second reading, the amendment as proposed by the committee be adopted with the addition that the ordinance be subject to a review at the first regular meeting of August, 1980. The result would be to put the ordinance into effect during these winter months and suspend the ordinance next May 16. It would give a specified time to review the working of the ordinance to determine if it is livable or if problems would continue to exist. Motion by Nawrocki, seconded by Logacz, to add the following language in ordinance 907: This ordinance shall be subject to review at the first regular meeting of August, 1980. Councilman Norberg stated he believes that the Mayor is asking the Council to respect the work of the committee. Discussion continued on why these ordinances came about, the suggestion of giving the ordinance a chance and reviewing it in August, and the enforcement of the present parking ordinance. The Mayor noted that he voted against the original ordinance, but he has to listen to the committee and the results of the questionnaire. Councilman Norberg stated he will do everything he can to force a referendum on this issue in the fall election of 1980. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Nawrocki - Aye Norberg, Hentges - Nay ORDINANCE 9O7 BEING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 853, CITY CODE OF 1977, RELATING TO OVERTIME PARKING The City Council of the City of Columbia Heights does ordain: Section l: Section 7.205(14) of Ordinance No. 853, City Code of 1977, passed June 21, 1977, currently reserved, shall hereafter read as follows, to-wit: "Section 7.205(13) of Ordinance No. 853, City Code of 1977, shall not be effective between the dates of May 16, 1980 and October 31, 1980, inclusive." Section 2: This Ordinance shall be subject to review at the first regular meeting of August, 1980. Section 3: This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after thirty (30) days after its passage. Offered by: Seconded by: Roll Call: Nawrocki Logacz Logacz, Heintz, Norberg, Nawrocki - Aye Hentges - Nay RECESS at 10:55 p.m. RECONVENE at 11:10 p.m. October 22, 1979 Page ~ ORDINANCE VACATING AN ALLEY Acting City Manager Anderson stated that a petition was received From three property owners requesting the vacating of the alley north of 40th Ave. between Jefferson and Washington. The owners of the apartment on the east side of the alley have expressed concern about what effect this would have relative to access to parking for their building. The petitioners '.stated they are not concerned with the east side of the alley, only the west side. Motion by Norberg, seconded by Heintz, to delete section 2 of the ordinance as proposed which would have the effect of only vacating the west side of the alley.. Roll (:all: All Ayes ORDINANCE 906 BEING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 853, CITY (;ODE OF 1977, PERTAINING TO VACATING AN ALLEY The C'ity Council of the City of Columbia Heights does ordain: Section 1: That part of the East-West A1]ey lying within Block 55, Columbia Heights Annex to Hinneapo]is, lying between the East line of Washington Street Northeast and the Northerly projection of Lot 18 of said Block 55, Columbia Heights Annex to Minneapolis, according to the recorded plat thereof on file and of record in the office of the County Recorder in and for Anoka County, Minnesota, is hereby vacated. Section 2: The Hayor and City Manager are hereby authorized to execute any documents necessary to effectuate the intent of this Ordinance. Section 3: This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after thirty (30) days after its passage. Offered by: Norberg Seconded by: Heintz Roll Call: All Ayes COMPUTER ASSISTED APPRAISING gayle Leone, County Assessor, and Gordon Harvey, Data Processor for Anoka County, were present to explain the system they are presenting to the County Board to be purchased which would assist the assessors in the work and administration of their departments. It will eliminate the routine computation work which the assessors are now doing and the County wou]d save a number of dollars and eliminate the hiring] of more peop]e to handle the load. Discussion followed on the potential of the proposal. October 22, 1979 Page 5 Councilman Norberg asked the cost of the system the County is currently using, the cost of the proposed system, and the continuing need for an assessor on a City level. He asked whether the City couldn't get its own computer and keep its files here instead of at the County. He stated his concern with the security of this type of system, and pointed out that this puts the private individual at a disadvantage with respect to who controls its use. He feels there is a danger of abuse without terribly good security. Motion by Logacz, seconded by Hentges, to encourage the County to explore the matter of computerizing their records and to get additional information. Councilman Norberg suggested that it might be better for the City to do this type of service on its own and the data base could be kept here where it would be more accessable and the machine could be used for other things. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Hentges, Nawrocki - Aye Norberg Nay Motion by Norberg, seconded by Hentges, to direct the City Manager to develop some alternative proposals. Roll Call: Logacz, Norberg, Hentges Heintz, Nawrocki - Nay Aye Motion by Hentges, seconded by Logacz, to continue the meeting to pay the bills, grant the licenses, pass the resolution regarding polling places and the resolution canvassing municipal primary election returns. Roll Call: All Ayes RESOLUTION REGARDING POLLING PLACES RESOLUTION 79-42 ESTABLISHING POLLING PLACES BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, that the following locations are designated as Polling Places for the City of Columbia Heights: Precinct One Precinct Two Precinct Three Precinct Four Precinct Five Precinct Six Precinct Seven Precinct Eight Precinct Nine - John P. Murzyn Hall - Columbia Junior High - Parkview 'Villa - Silver Lake School ~ Prestemon Park Building - Highland Elementary School Highland Elementary School Valley View Elementary School Nelson School Passed this 22nd day of October, 1979 Offered by: Logacz Seconded by: Norberg Roll Call: All Ayes October 22, 1979 Page i' D RESOLUTION CANVASSING MUNICIPAL PRIMARY ELECTION RETURNS RESOLUTION 79-43 CANVASSING MUNICIPAL PRIMARY ELECTION RETURNS WHEREAS, the City of Columbia Heights, did on the 16th day of October, 1979 conduct and hold a Primary Municipal Election for the purpose of nominating candidates for office of Mayor to be voted on at a General Municipal Election November 6, 1979, and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights at a meeting of said Councii] held on the 22nd day of October, 1979 did canvass the returns and results of said Primary Municipal Election; and WHEREAS, the following results were determined by said canvass of said Primary Municipal Election, to-wit: Total Ballots cast in election 1,83~ Valid votes cast for Mayor 1,770 Non-voted ballots for Mayor 6~ 1,834 VOTES FOR MAYOR Stanley G. Stachel Frank J. Pastuazak Bruce G. Nawrocki Malcolm O. Watson 176 103 768 723 ],770 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights that Bruce G. Nawrocki and Malcolm O. Watson are hereby declared to be the candidates for Hayor at the General Municipal Election to be held November 6, 1979. Passed this 22nd day of October, 1979. Offered by: Logacz Seconded by: Hentges Roll Call: All Ayes LICENSES Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, to grant the licenses as listed upon payment of the proper fees and waive the fee for the VFW license. Discussion was held on the possible waiving of the VFW fee for a gambling license. Mayor Nawrock[ stated his support of the motion because the VFW is strong on community service. Roll Call: All Ayes October 22, 1979 Page 7 Mayor Nawrocki indicated that Mr. Robert Jensen called him to state he couldn't be present at the meeting tonight but was in opposition to the year round parking ban. PAYMENT OF BILLS Motion by Heintz, seconded by Hentges, to pay the bills out of their proper funds. Councilman Norberg will abstain because he hasn't had time to look over the bills. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Hentges, Nawrocki - Aye Norberg Abstain At 12:20 a.m. Mayor Nawrocki declared the meeting recessed until Tuesday, October 23 at 7:30 p.m. uncil Secretary