HomeMy WebLinkAboutAug 28, 1979OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
RECESSED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA
AUGUST 28, 1979
The meeting was reconvened at 9:30 p.m.
Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg, Hentges, Nawrocki - Present
Hayor Nawrocki noted that this was a continuation of the August 27 meeting
of the City Council.
AUTHORIZATION FOR JOINT BARGAINING
Motion by Heintz, seconded by Hentges, to concur with the City Manager to
authorize joint bargaining by MAMA on behalf of the City of Columbia Heights
for the purpose of negotiating a labor contract with Local 49 of the
International Operating Engineers Union.
Roll Call: All Ayes
FIRE CODE INSPECTIONS
The Fire Chief is requesting that all full time Fire Department employees be
trained, at no cost to the City, in accordance with the State Fire Marshall's
Enforcement Inspection Program. This would include seven men.
Discussion was held on the number of manhours this would tal~e away from
regular duties and the resulting expense to the City. Councilman Norberg
stated that he expects that from now on time lost should be considered when
a proposal such as this is brought to the Council.
Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, to authorize the Mayor and City Manager
to enter into a contract with the State of Minnesota to inspect hotels
located within the City of Columbia Heights.
Councilman Norberg proposed sending a couple of men to the school and paying
their way and the City not getting involved in the responsibility of doing
all inspections in place of the State doing them. Mayor Nawrocki mentioned
that the men will be trained not only in hotel inspections but in other fire
codes as well.
Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, to limit debate.
Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz - Aye
Norberg, Hentges, Nawrocki - Nay
Roll Call on main motion: Logacz, Heintz, Nawrocki - Aye
Norberg, Hentges - Nay
Hotion by Norberg, seconded by Hentges, to restrict the Fire Chief from sending
more than two persons per year' to the previously discussed fire training school.
August 28, 1979
Page 2
Councilman Norberg stated that the objective is to spread the cost over a
wider' range of time.
Roll Call:
Norberg, Hentges - Aye
Logacz, Heintz, Nawrocki - Nay
HIRING PUBLIC WORKS SECRETARY
Motion by Logacz, seconded by Hentges, to hire Ardelle Burr as the Public
Works Secretary at a range 13, step A, S882/mont:h.
Roll Call: All Ayes
HIRING OF CITY PLANNER
The City Manager stated that a salary range of 18 had been established for this
position previously. It is not high enough and asked that a range 24 be
established.
Discussion Followed on the applicants' salary requirements and whether the
City would get a better qualified person if they paid the going wage.
Motion by Logacz, seconded by Heintz, to establish the salary for the position
of City Planner at a range 24.
Discussion continued on whether a new employee should start at entry step A
or whether their qualifications might merit their being given a step C level
to start.
Arden Hovland, Building Inspector, stated that he would like to drop the position
of Services Director and proposed that he be moved down several ranges and that
a qualified planner be hired to take over this cirectorship. Discussion was
held on whether or not the position of Services Director was necessary.
Motion by Heintz, seconded by Hentges, to table the matter until the City Manager
talks to Mr. Hovland and has further information.
Roll Call: Heintz, Hentges - Aye
Logacz, Norberg, Nawrocki - Nay
The City Manager stated that he would like to keep the three positions of City
Planner, Building Inspector, and City Assessor and at some time in the future
fill the position of Services Director.
Motion by Norberg, seconded by Hentges, to amend the motion to establish the
City Planner position at a range 23 instead of 24.
Councilman Norberg stated his reason is that that range allows the City Manager
room with which to hire a person and leaves the City the opportunity to redraw
job descriptions and possibly change the range to reflect the added responsibilities.
August 28, i979
Pa ge 3
Motion by Nawrocki, seconded by Heintz, to table this matter until the next
regular meeting.
Roll Call: Nawrocki - Aye
Logacz, Heintz, Norberg, Hentges
Nay
Roll Cail on motion to amend: Norberg, Hentges, Nawrocki - Aye
Logacz, Heintz - Nay
RECESS at 10:50 p.m.
RECONVENE at 11:15 p.m.
Roll Call on amended motion: .All Ayes
OTHER NEW BUSINESS
Police Tech - Motion by Heintz, seconded by Hentges, to approve the hiring of
a police tech at a range 12, step A at $8OT/month.
Roll Call: All Ayes
Back Up Ambulance - The Fire Department is requesting the purchase of a back up
ambulance to replace the department's 1964 model. The asking price is $9,500.
Fire Chief Johnson briefly outlined the reason for purchasing this vehicle,
the advantages of this vehicle for future use, and some of the problems with
the present vehicle. He recommended that the present back up vehicle be used
in some form by the City.
Councilman Norberg stated that he feels some bargaining should be done on the
~sking price with the use of the present vehicle as a trade in.
Motion by Logacz, seconded by Heintz, to authorize the City Manager to proceed
with the negotiations of this vehicle, not to expend more than $9,500.
Motion by Norberg to substitute the amount of $6,000 for the $9,500.
Councilman Norberg stated that his intention is that the department will use
the difference as a trade in.
Motion dies for lack of a second.
Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Hentges, Nawrocki - Aye
Norberg Nay
Merit Increases - The merit increases for the Water Superintendent and the Street
Superintendent will go into effect administratively.
Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, to waive the ll:30 rule until 12:O0 to
finish the agenda.
Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Hentges, Nawrocki - Aye
Norberg - Nay
August 28, 1979
Page 4
Payme:nt to Contractors The City Manager asked that the Council authorize
payment to NDH in the amount of $]27,6~8.55. The Mayor declared that the
agenda will be finished and if there is time the Council will come back to this.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Councilman Norberg asked about the rat situation on 6th Street. Tim Yantos,
Administrative Assistant, answered that the neighborhood had been checked and
the Sewer Department had baited the area last week.
CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT
On August 14 the Council authorized the City Attorney to negotiate a payment
to Mr. Alain and Mr. Chi on the 45~ condemnation proceedings. A settlement
of $900 has been agreed on.
Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, to approw~ the payment of $900 as a
settlement of attorney s fees to Mr. Alain and Mr. Chi.
Roll Call:
Logacz, He ntz, Nawrocki - Aye
Hentges - Abstain
Norberg - Nay
The matter of a certain dog which has been biting people has been taken care of
this week.
NDH Payment - This is for five different projects in the City. Discussion was
held on the fact that some money was being withheld on the ~2~ and ~ Ave.
project.
Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, to pay the bill to NDH in the amount of
$127,648.55.
Roll Ca]]: All Ayes
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, to adjourn at 12:00.
Roll Call: Al1 Ayes
,
Bruce g. Nawrocki, Mayor