Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSept 24, 1979OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS REGULAR HEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF COLUHBIA HEIGHTS, HINNESOTA SEPTEHBER 24, 1979 The meeting was called to order at 8:10 p.m. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg, Hentges - Present It was noted that Mayor Nawrocki was out of town. INVOCATION The invocation was given by Councilman Norberg. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS Motion by Hentges, seconded by Logacz, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September lO and the special meetings of September 18 and 19 as presented in writing and reading be dispensed with. Councilman Norberg stated he thought the minutes of September 18 were sparse regarding his questions on the City's temporary loan to the HRA. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Hentges - Aye Norberg - Nay ORAL PETITIONS Mr. John Commers, Commers Soft Water Company, 3801 California St., asked to have a sanitary sewer installed to serve his buildings. Motion by Logacz, seconded by Norberg, to refer this request to the City Manager for information and research and report back to the next regular Council meeting. Roll Call: All Ayes Councilman Norberg noted that Mrs. Velin, who was on the agenda to discuss a change in the pet control ordinance, would not be present tonight but expressed her continuing interest in the matter. ORDINANCE VACATING ALLEY Three proposed ordinances were submitted for Council consideration. that the following ordinance have a first reading. ORDINANCE 9O6 BEING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 853, CITY CODE OF 1977, PERTAINING TO VACATING AN ALLEY The City Council of the City of Columbia Heights does ordain: It was decided September 2Lt, 1979 Page 2 Section 1: That part of the East-West Alley lying within Block 55, Columbia Heights Annex to Hinneapolis, 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: That part of the East-West Alley in Block 55, Columbia Heights Annex to Minneapolis, lying between the West line of Jefferson Street Northeast and the Northerly projection of the West line of Lot 17 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 3: The Mayor and City Manager are hereby authorized to execute any documents necessary to effectuate the intent of this ordinance. Section 4: This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after thirty (30) days after its passage. The second reading will take place at the next regular meeting and will constitute a public hearing. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Columbia Heights Cab Company The City Manager stated he had reviewed the accounting records and income tax statements of the Columbia Heights Cab Company. These statements indicate a loss for the company last year and for several prior years. Mr. LaMont, owner of the cab company, is requesting an increase to 85¢ for flag drop, 90~ per mile, and $10.00 per hour waiting fee. The City Manager briefly summarized rates charged by other cab companies in the area and recommended that the Council consider this request. Councilman Heintz stated he would agree to the request if the cabs were kept up better. Discussion followed on the rates charged and what the drivers are paid. It was suggested that Mr. LaMont be required to report to the Chief of Police on certain items to give the City some data on which the Council could make its decisions in the future. Motion by Norberg, seconded by Hentges, that the Columbia Heights Cab Company rates be set as follows and with the listed stipulations: 85~ on flag drop, ~0¢ per mile, and S8.00 per hour waiting fee. That the company be required to report the following statistics by the 10th of the month on the previous month's operation: total number of pick ups an(] trips the company had in that month, list of all cities to which pick ups occurred, how many pick ups there were in each city, and that the Council be empowered to revoke the license if the reports are not made. September 24, 1979 Page 3 Mr. LaMont stated he will give the records required for Columbia Heights but he doesn't want to supply information on his business outside the City. Councilman Norberg stated he only wants the information to determine whether the cab company is getting fair rates and the reports will be made or the license will be revoked. Roll Call: All Ayes NEW BUSINESS: 1. Personnel Matters The City Manager read a list of proposed employee merit increases. Councilman Hentges questioned the proposed increase for Tim Yantos, Administrative Assistant, because many of the programs he is working on will be finished soon and asked whether there will then be an increase in his responsibilities. Councilman Heintz suggested that the City Manager's recommendation is not based on future performance but on past performance. RESOLUTION 79-34 BEING A RESOLUTION FIXING SALARIES BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS: The following employee salaries shall be fixed as listed below: NAME MONTHLY SALARY EFFECTIVE DATE Mitch DeMars 1,777 4/ 4/79 Donald Jolly 1,787 7/ 1/79 Thomas Madigan 1,404 7/ 8/79 Barbara Sandberg 923 2/17/79 Mary Glauner 942 9/ 5/79 Wendy Halverson 998 9/19/79 Tim Yantos 1,672 7/ 1/79 JoAnne Scudder 1,077 8/22/79 Offered by: Logacz Seconded by: Norberg Roll Call: All Ayes The City Manager had an addition to the list of recommended salary levels for new employees. Councilman Hentges questioned the purpose of the Fire Department secretary and whether the Council had authorized this position. The City Manager answered that the Council authorized this and it was budgeted. Motion by Logacz, seconded by Norberg, to incorporate these positions: clerk/ typist, Recreation Department $747/month, range 10; part time secretary, City Manager's office $4.70/hour, range 12; part time secretary, Fire Department $4.70/hour, range 12; sewer and water maintenance person, Sewer and Water Depart- ment $6.84/hour; light equipment operator, Street Department $6.75/hour. Motion by Norberg, seconded by Hentges, to amend the motion to extract the two part time secretarial positions, allow the City Manager to expend monies to keep the positions going, refer this back to the next Council meeting, and allow the other three positions to be filled. September 24, 1979 Page 4 Roll Call: Heintz, Norberg, Hentges - Aye Logacz, Nay Roll Call on amended motion: All Ayes Motion by Norberg, seconded by Logacz, to authorize the City Manager to set range 12 for the part time secretary for the City Manager's office at S4.70/hour. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg - Aye Hentges - Nay The City Manager stated that he has selected Fred Salsbury to be the new Public Works Director. He is recommending a salary of $26,500 and up to Sl,O00 for moving allowance. This employment is contingent upon Mr. Salsbury's moving into the City, or at least School District ~13, the completing of a six month probation period, that a reference check be made, and that he pass a physica]. Motion by Logacz, seconded by Hentges, to authorize the City Manager to hire a Public Works Director at the starting salary of S26,500 and authorize up to $1,000 for moving expenses. Motion by Hentges to amend the motion that Mr. Salsbury will move into Columbia Heights City limits and that the moving expenses be paid back after the six month probation period. Motion dies for tack of a second. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg - Aye Hentges - Nay RECESS at 9:50 p.m. RECONVENE at 10:45 p.m. 2. Findings of Braun Engineering The City Manager recommended that the Council hold any action on the Braun report on 42~ and 44~ Avenues. He received the report late today and hasn't as yet had time to discuss this with the Council. He asked for a special meeting at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, September 27 to consider the recommendations of the testing engineer and to take formal action on what has been recommended. He also asked that the Council consider taking separate action on the NDH contract as regards a payment. Motion by Logacz, seconded by Hentges, to authorize payment to NDH of $20,000 for work completed on street projects. Roll Call: All Ayes 3. Authorization to Advertise and Hire Park Keeper Motion by Logacz, seconded by Norberg, to authorize the City Manager to advertise and hire a park keeper for the Park Department. Roll Call: All Ayes September 24, 1979 Page 5 4. Authorization to Purchase Camera Motion by Logacz, seconded by Hentges, to authorize the purchase of a camera, laminator, and punch from Seal In Plastics, Inc. for $755 plus shipping costs. Councilman Norberg stated he will go along with the request if the Police Chief will check with Fridley to see if they would be interested in a cost sharing arrangement. Roll Call: All Ayes 5. Annual Recognition Dinner for Fire and Police Reserves Motion by Logacz, seconded by Norberg, to authorize an expenditure of up to $2,500 for the annual recognition dinner for Fire and Police Reserves. Roll Call: All Ayes 6. Computer Assisted Appraisal The County is considering a computer assisted appraisal for the Assessing Depart- ments in Anoka County municipalities. The County Administrator will be presenting this proposal to the Board of Commissioners soon. The City Manager is asking the Council to give support to this effort. Councilman Norberg stated he believes this is a commitment on the part of the City and not just a show of support. He added he would in no way sit still for this type of operation because of the excessive cost. The City Manager stated what he felt were the advantages of the proposed system. Councilman Norberg stated again that he cannot support a system without any evidence of what the City will get back in money saved. The City Manager suggested having someone present at the next meeting to explain the system. Motion by Logacz, seconded by Norberg, to table this request until the next regular meeting. Roll Call: All Ayes 7. Other New Business Motion by Logacz, seconded by Hentges, to authorize the expenditure of up to $5,650 for the purchase of 7,000 I'Welcome to Columbia HeightsI' manuals, money to come from the budgeted newsletter monies. Roll Call: All Ayes CITY MANAGERIS REPORT The City Manager commented briefly on the items in his written report to the Council. September 24, 1929 Page 6 Motion by Logacz, seconded by Hentges, to authorize the City Manager to acquire easement for a cul-de-sac at Stinson Boulevard by the City Park for the portion which may be on the church property. Roll Call: All Ayes L I CENSES Motion by Norbercj, seconded by Logacz, to grant the licenses as listed upon payment of the proper fees. Roll Call: All Ayes PAYMENT OF BILLS Motion, by Logacz, seconded by Hentges, to pay the bills as listed out of their proper funds with the exception of :/}2779 which ~.~ill be withheld for further deta i 1. Councilman Norberg requested this bill, for expenses incurred during a recent conference attended by the City Planner, be withheld. He also questioned a check for miscellaneous office supplies and asked the City Manager to determine whether the City is in fact getting a good deal on these items. Roll ¢a11: All Ayes ADJOURNMENT Motion by Norberg, seconded by Logacz, to adjourn at 11 :}0 p.m. Roll Call: All Ayes Council Secretary 'E. Se'~e Heintz,¥'Cou~cil ~resident