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