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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApr 16, 1979OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA APRIL ]6, 1979 The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Hentges, Nawrocki - Present PURPOSE OF MEETING Mayor Nawrocki stated that the purpose of this special meeting was to conduct a public hearing on a request to open the alley between Jefferson and Madison from 43rd to 44th. There were approximately 30 residents present. PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION The Engineering Department presented slides of the area described and a recent survey indicating the various property lines and location of buildings and other constructed and planted items. The map also included the City's easements. There are two parcels at the present time that do not have access to garage parking. Slides were shown of the alternative alley placements. Councilman Norberg joined the meeting at 7:15 p.m. The City Manager explained the cost breakdowns of the alternatives, the individual costs of concrete versus bituminous, and the rear assessed footage for each alternative. He pointed out that all costs are estimates. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Mr. Cal Barett presented a petition signed by seventeen property owners on the block who are opposed to the alley. Motion by Norberg, seconded by' Logacz, to place the petition on file. Roll Call: All Ayes Several residents asked questions about the per square foot assessment. DISCUSSION ON PROPOSAL Mr. Don Marko, 4329 Jefferson, stated that the majority of the people on the block weren't opposed to the alley when it was originally proposed in 1960. Mr. Bill Schuffenhauer, 4345 Jefferson, asked if he could get his easement back if it doesn't get used for an alley. Mr. John Moneta, 4312 Madison, asked if the two property owners without access to a garage couldn't cooperate on a driveway for their properties. Mrs. Borchardt, one of the two property owners, stated she wasn't interested in sharing a driveway. April 16, 1979 Page 2 The City Manager stated that in August of 1960 the Council voted to proceed with the alley project. In 1970 the alley project ~uas denied. The City did start an alley in 1960 but didn't have the proper easements and had to stop. Councilman Heintz asked the City Attorney where the City stood legally. The City Attorney responded that the City is not liable to proceed if this Council decides that the project isn't warranted. Councilman Heintz asked who is responsible for damages if over 507 of the benefited property owners wanted an alley in 1960 and it wasn't put in. The City Attorney answered that the people who were for the alley in 1960 have rescinded their approval now and no longer want the alley and nobody is liable. Councilman Logacz stated that the people evidently didn't vJant the alley too much or they would have pressed for it in 1960 and not let it ride for this many years. Mayor Nawrocki stated that this has been a controversial project. There have always been some people for and some against it. Mr. Goetz stated his involvement in the alley project is that he is the real estate agent who is selling Mr. Marko's property. It is hard to sell it without garage access. Motion by Heintz, seconded by Hentges, to continue this hearing to another date for purposes of obtaining additional information. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Hentges - Aye Norberg, Nawrocki - Nay Mayor Nawrocki called a special meeting of the Council for May 14 at 7:00 at which time this hearing will be reopened and asked that written notices be sent to all property owners on the block. Motion by Heintz, seconded by Hentges, to adjourn at 8:35 p.m. Roll Call: A11 Ayes / BruS£g. Nawrocki, Mayor Council Secretary