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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDec 22, 1980OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 22, 1980 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Nawrocki at 8:05 pm. 1. Roll Call: Logacz, Norberg, Hentges, Nawrocki--present Heintz--absent 2. I~vocation The Invocation was offered by Councilman Norberg. Counci)man Heintz arrived at the meeting at 8:o7 pm. 3. Minutes of Previous Meetings Motion by Hentges, second by Logacz to approve the minutes of the November 26th Assessment Hearing; and the December 8th City Council meeting as presented in writing, and the reading be dispensed with. Roll Call: All ayes 4. Oral Petitions - None 5. Ordinances and Resolutions a. Resolution of the City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota presenting the opinion of the Planning and Zoning Commission on the review of the Hennepin County Comprehensive Plan This resolution deals with Hennepin County's Solid Waste and Transportation Plan review. A1 Carlson,City Planner, gave the details of the Hennepin County Plan for solid waste disposal. He told the Council that Hennepin County has a lack of waste disposal sites and that 16% of Anoka County's waste comes from the City of Min- neapolis. He summarized the Transportation Plan and commented that Hennepin County basically wanted to adopt the Metropolitan Council Plan. Councilman Hentges made comment about NSP's plan to use rubbish disposal for energy from disposal sites. He referred to the adverse affects NSP's Riverside plant would have on the City if it were used for burnable materials. He felt this concern should be spoken to in this resolution. Motion by Heintz, second by Logacz to waive the reading of the resolution there being ample copies available to the public. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg, Nawrocki-- aye Hentges--nay Motion fails. The resolution was read by the City Manager. The Mayor asked the City Planner what the time structure was for this reviewal and was told it could be done any time within six months. The Mayor also wanted to know why elements of this Plan were considered separately. He was advised that this would enable Hennepin County to consider alterations before the entire Plan was submitted to the Metropolitan Council for approval. The resolution was offered by Heintz, second by Logacz. Councilman Norberg felt the resolution should be amended to show that the Council thinks that the City of Columbia Heights will be adversely affected if solid waste is burned at the Riverside plant. The Mayor suggested an opinion on this Plan should be delayed until the next meeting until more information is gotten as to the impact the Riverside plant may have on the City of Columbia Heights. He advised the City Manager to check with the PCA for air quality standards for our area. Motion by Hentges, second by Norberg to table this matter until the next regular meeting pending further information. Roll Call: All ayes b. Resolution 80-77 - Resolution of the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota, presenting the opinion of the City Council on the review of Anoka County's Comprehensive Plan ~aoe ! Regular Council Meeting December 22, 1980 page 2 This resolution indicated that Anoka County recognizes Columbia Height's autonomy regarding local planning issues and is reasonable, consistene and compatible with our goals and policies so as not to cause adverse impacts upon our City. Motion by Norberg, second by Heintz to waive the reading of the resolution there being ample copies available to the public. Roll Call: All ayes Councilman Hentges questioned whether Anoka County is concurring with the metropolita plan for disposal of waste; one dump site for hazardous waste and two dump sites for solid waste. The City Planner told the Council that r'~oka County is not committing itself to a hazardous waste site but is encouraging businesses that have this type of waste to dispose of it themselves in the most economical manner. Anoka County further indicated in its policy statement on waste disposal that recycling could better be handled on a local leve] rather than on a county level. RESOLUTION 80-77 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA PRESENTING THE OPINION OF THE CITY COUNCIL ON THE REVIEW OF ANOKA COUNTY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WHEREAS, Anoka County has prepared a draft Comprehensive Plan w~ich Includes the elements of a Land Use-Housing Plan, Transportation Plan, Parks and Open Space Plan and Solid Waste Management Plan pursuant to the Metropolitan Land Planning Act, and WHEREAS, Anoka County, pursuant to Hinnesota Statutes 473.858, Subdivision 2, has submitted said draft Comprehensive Plan to the City of Columbia Heights for review and comment, and WHEREAS, the Planning and Zoning Co~ission and City Council has reviewed the draft Comprehensive Plan of Anoka County in regards to its i~koact upon Columbia Heights, and NOW, THEREFORE, BEFIT RESOLVED, the City Council of Columbia Heights forwards its comments to the Board of Co~nlssioners of Anoka County that the ~d~oka County Comprehensive Plan recognizes Columbia Heights' autonomy regarding local planning issues and that Anoka County's Comprehensive Plan is reasonable, consistent and compatible with Columbia Heights' goals and policies so as not to cause adverse Impacts upon Columbia Heights by the l~olementatlon of sald olan. Passed this 22nd day of December , 198o. Offered by: Hentges Seconded by: Helntz Roll Call: Logacz, Norberg, Heintz, Nawrocki--Ayes j~ I//~ / 14ayor Regular Council Meeting December 22, 1980 page 3 c. Resolution 80-78 being a resolution establishing attorneys' fee effective danuary 1, 1981 Motion by Hentges, second by Norberg to waive the reading of the resolution there being ample copies available to the public. Roll Call: All ayes The City Manager reviewed the itemized list of expenses for the City Attorney. Copies of this list were received by the Council prior to this meeting. He also reviewed the proposed rate changes and advised they were in conformance with the budget as adopted. The Council received, "Estimated Costs for an In-House Legal Service for Columbia Heights", a document prepared by the Finance Oirector. This report included the 1977-1979 costs, projected 1980 costs and the 1981 budget for legal fees. This document was prepared so a comparison between the fees of an in- house attorney and the arrangement the City presently has could be made. The Mayor felt the comparison was not totally objective. Considerable discussion followed on actual hours spent on city legal work in a year. Councilman Logacz felt that since this item was projected in the budget all of it should have been settled in a work session. Councilman Neintz suggested the City Manager have all of the information for the legal fees prepared at budget time in August of each year so as to avoid a lengthy discussion this late in the year again. P,~SOLUTION 80- 78 BEING A ILESOL1/TION ESTABLISHING'ATTORNEYS~ FEES ~l~ J~Y 1~ 1981 ~at ~em~erat~ for the C~ty Atto~e~ be establXshed effectXve Janua~ [, [98~ as follovs: Reta~er ($[~0.00 per a~th) $~,600.00 pet 7ear Prosecution (650 hours ~~) ~5,~ per hour .. ~urt cases~ ~dinl Fees ~d Other Extraordi~ Non-~tafner Se~ices 65.00 per hour Passed this 22nd day of December , 1980, Offered by: Hentges Seconded by: Norberg Roll Call: Ail Ayes Bruce G. Nawrocki~ llayor Regular Council Meeting December 22, 1980 page 4 RECESS: 10:15 pm RECONVENE: 10:30 pm d. Resolution 80-79 being a resolution of the City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota adopting changes in non-union group salary ranges, establishing salaries, and adjusting employer's contribution for health and life insurance for non- unionized City positions. The City Council received a packet containing a schedule of salary ranges or "market ranges" per position or grouping of positions. The City Manager explained the formula employed to arrive at the salary ranges. He also explained the changes in market ranges and recommended 10.5% being applied to the market mean for clerical and technical employees, and 9.5~ being applied to the market mean for supervisory employees. Councilman Logacz supported the recommendations of the City Manager. The City Manager said this pay plan has merit in that it compares favor- ably with market in surrounding communities. Councilman Hentges said that the City Councils set the market and feels Columbia Heights City Council should be the first to hold the line on increases. Motion by Norberg, second by Logacz to adopt the salary plan as recommended by the City Manager. Motion to amend by Norberg, second by Logacz to include in the main motion the waiving of the reading of the resolution there being ample copies available to the public. Original motion to adopt the resolution was withdrawn by Councilman Norberg. Motion by Logacz, second by Norberg to waive the reading of the resolution there being ample copies available to the public. Roll Call: Logacz, Norberg, Nawrocki-- aye Heintz, Hentges--nay Motion fails. The resolution was read by the City Manager. Motion to amend by Heintz, second by Hentges that the resolution should read; 10.0% being applied to the market mean for clerical/technical employees, and 7.0% being applied to the market mean for supervisory employees Councilman Norberg felt the difference between the two percentages is too great. Discussion followed as to how'the actual percentages adopted by the Council would appear in the resolution as they were not included in the resolution as presented. The City Attorney advised the Council they could amend the resolution to include this language. Motion to amend the amendment by Norberg second by Heintz that the resolution would read; , 9.0% being applied to the market mean for clerical/technical employees, and 7.0% being applied to the market mean for supervisory employees Roll call on the motion to amend the amendment: Heintz, Norberg, Hentges--aye Logacz, Nawrocki--nay Motion carries Councilman Hentges offered a suggestion as to how increases could be considered. Employees whose salaries are , $15,000 and under ~ould receive 11.0% increase $15,000 to $20,000 would receive 10.5% increase $20,001 to $25,000 would receive 8.5% increase $25,000 and over would receive 6.5% increase Councilman Hentges felt that supervisory employees should not have the same cost of living raise as the non-supervisory employees. He thinks a precedent for this should be set by the Council of Columbia Heights, with the hope that other councils who set the mean would follow the City's example. The Mayor felt the method for determining the mean is not a very exact science and a lengthy discussion such as this one would be sure to take place on this sub.i., again next year. Notion by Hentges to amend the original motion ~ ~, ~ge the salary ranges for those employees who earn $18,000 or less to rec~' fi~ increase, and to table the matter of the supervisory salaries to a late- ~t.t,. F.~,~ .... :i,~-~- ~- lack of a second. ~o{i call on amendment: Heintz Regular Council Meeting December 22, 1980 page 5 Roll call on resolution as amended: Heintz, Norberg, Nawrocki--aye Logacz,Hentges-- nay Motion by Norberg, second by Heintz to move the question and cut off debate Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg, Nawrocki--aye Hentges--nay RESOLUTION 80-79 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA ADOPTING CHANGES IN NON-UNION GROUP SALARY RANGES, ESTABLISHING SALARIES FOR NON-UNIONIZED CITY POSITION5 AND CHANGING EMPLOYER'S LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUM COST ~IEREAS, the City of Columbla Heights has adopted a Wage Compensation Program for non-unionized City employees effective January I, 1980, and, WHEREAS, the Wage Compensation Program Indicated that on an annual basis changes wlll be adopted in Group Salary Ranges based upon reliable survey data; and, WHEREAS, the City of Columbia Heights annually reviews the employer's share of life and health Insurance monthly premiums for its non-unionlzed employees to compare what Is paid for other employee groups In the City, and, NOV, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Columbia Heights establishes salary ranges for groups of non-unlonized City positions as indicated on the attached schedule, which is on file in the office of the City Manager, effectlve January !, 1981, increasing salary ranges by 9.0~ to be applied to the earket mean for non-supervisory employees and 7.0~ to be applied to the aarket man for supervisory employees, and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Columbia Heights establishes the salary for each specific non-unionized CitY employee position to be effective as per the attached schedule upon such affected City employee fulfilling the requlre- ments specified in the Wage Compensation Program for a salary change, for such employee, and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Columbia Heights establishes the employer's share of life and health Insurance premium for 1981 at $95.00 per month. Passed this 22nd day of December, 1980 Offered by: Logacz Seconded by: Norberg Roll Call: Helntz, Norberg, Nawrocki--aye Logacz, Hentges--nay Jo-Anne Student, Council Secretary Bruce G. Nawrocki, Mayor Regular Council Meeting December 22, 1980 page 6 e. Resolution 80-80 being a resolution adjusting the 1980 budget to projected annual as recorded in 1981 budget document. Motion by Norberg, second by Heintz to waive the reading of the resolution there being ample copies available to the public. Roll Call: All ayes The City Manager spoke to the recommended resolution. Much discussion followed as how a balanced budget can be maintained. RESOLUTION 80 - 80 ADJUST 1980 BUDGET TO PROJECTED ANNUAL AS RECORDED IN 1981 BUDGET DOCUMENT I~tEREAS, the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights has reviewed projected annual 1980 expenses In conjunction with the 1981 Budget, and 1~4EREA5, the City Treasurer has reviewed each General Fund object classification after passing of the bills approved by Council on November 24, 1980 and a11owlng for year-end accruals, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights that the following departmental budgets be increased or (decreased) with a balance to the General Fund Contingency: Mayor-Council $ 1,585 City Manager 3,925 Finance-Clerk 13,O00 Assessing 12,485 Planning 4,630 Police (6,200) Fi re (33,095) Engineering 9,310 Streets !1,900 Street Lighting (6,600) Traffic Signs 2,865 Tree Trim & Dutch Elm (41,000) Refuse Collection 7,575 Library 22,750 Parks 32,630 Insurance 12t110 Decrease Contingency $(47,870) Regular Council Meeting December 22, 1980 page 7 AND, the City's 1980 share for Funding the Recreation Fund be transferred from the General Fund to Fund 205 in the amount of $70,980. Passed this 22nd day of December, 1980 Offered by: Norberg Seconded by: Logacz Roll Call: Ali Ayes Bruce G. Nawrocki, Mayor ///S-ec~etary to the Council 6. Old and New Business a. Old Business 1. Ratify Action of the City Manager With Regard to Conversion of Health and Life Insurance Contracts and to Authorize the Mayor and City Manager To Enter into Contracts With Share and Western Life Insurance Company Motion by Norberg, second by Heintz to ratify the action of the City Manager in regard to conversion of the City's health and life insurance contracts for employee coverage from Hennepin County to Anoka County effective January !, 1981; and to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter Into a contract with Share to pro- vide health coverage for participating City employees, based upon their contract dated January 1, 1981; and, to enter into a contract with Western Llfe Insurance Company to provide life insurance to City employees based upon their proposal dated December 1, 1980. Roll Call: All ayes 2. Report With Regard to Sprinkler Systems and Sprinkler Ordinances This item deals with special legislation to be prepared authorizing the City to ordain sprinkler system requirements and Installation with buildings located in the City of Columbia Heights. Motion by Hentges, second by Norberg to table this item for further consideration at a work session. Roll Ca11: All ayes b. New Business I. Salary Increase for Doordinators of Civil Defense Police and Fire Reserve Units Motion by Heintz, second by Norberg to increase the salaries for coordinators of the Civil Oefense Police and Fira ~eserve Un'ts from $50 to $75 per month effective Regular Council Meeting December 22, 1980 page 8 January l, 1981. Roll Call: All ayes 2. Anoka County Convey County-Owned Parking Lot Located at 39th and Van Buren to the City of Columbia Heights Based upon a request of the HRA Director, HRA Board, and the Downtown Development Council, the City Council is being asked to consider requesting Anoka County to convey the parking lot on 39th avenue behind the bank/license bureau to the City of Columbia Heights at no cost. Mr. Lawrence Bever, 3961 Van Buren street came to speak to this item. He has previously spoken to the Council and the Traffic Commission. His home is next to this parking lot. His concern is with enforcement of the 10:00 pm to 7:00 am parking ban in the lot as it isn't being observed. He was advised again the City police department cannot enforce this ban until it is authorized to do so by the County as it is not yet city owned. The police department requested this authori- zation from the County a number of weeks ago. Discussion followed concerning the City's request for the County to give this parking lot to the City. The request was made on the basis of the eventual need for muni- cipal parking for businesses that are presently in the area and for those soon to be built in the Downtown Development Project. This land would be the only available property for this use. Since the County is considering selling the building that houses the bank and the license bureau it was felt the lot should be conveyed before the sale. The conveyance of the property would be made by the County based on the following conditions set by the County: 1. Formal request from the Columbia Heights Council 2. Establishment of the condition of per petual agreement for County employee or leaseholder parking 3. The Columbia Heights HRA would assume all responsibility for maintenance, improvements and operation of current County parking lot The Mayor feels these conditions should be subject for negotiation. Councilman Norberg feels the City should buy the land and not have any conditions. He also feels the taxpayers of Anoka County paid for this parking lot and the County should not be giving it away at no cost. Councilman Heintz inquired of staff as to how much maintenance would cost and what would need doing. Motion by Hentges, second by Heintz to authorize a request to the County Board to turn over this paFkinq lot to the City and that the Mayor and City Manager be be authorized to enter into an agreement for same. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Hentges, Nawrocki--aye Norberg--nay 3. Non-Financial Agreement With CETA This non-financial agreement is necessary if the City is to participate with Anoka County CETA Center in their outstation program. Motion by Hentges, second by Heintz to authorize the City Manager to enter into a non-financial agreement with Anoka County for their outstation program for the City of Columbia Heights to participate. Roll Call: All ayes 4. Mutual Aid Agreement For Emergency Medical Services This agreement would supply mutual aid services to the City of Columbia Heights by Health Central Emergency Medical Services. This would be a back,up emergency service if and when our emergency medical units were responding to other medical assistance calls. Much discussion followed the Council members and the Fire Chief as to how often this situation has occurred and the potential for it to occur. Ch Johnson advised the Council this agreement has been mandated by the state. Council- man Heintz felt if this situation occurs that the resident who required the care should not have to pay for a service that normally would have been supplied by the City's emergency service free of charge. He feels this charge should be made to the City. Co~m-~lman Looacz supported this idea and asked where these funds would Regular Council Meeting December 22, 1980 page 9 come from. The Finance Director said the funding would come from the fire departmentJs budget. Councilman Norberg feels this service has the appearance of being a franchise and other companies who supply this type of service should be considered. Motion by Logacz, second by Helntz to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to execute the mutual aid agreement with Health Central Emergency Medical Services and that the City Manager return to the Council at the next regular meeting with an additional contract with another Emergency Medical Service company. Roll Call: All ayes 5. Bids and Authorizations to Purchase a. Authorization to Expend Funds for Typewriters at Recreation and Community Services The City Manager explained why the recommendation did not choose the low bid on these items. He was asked which machines were being used for trade-ins. Councilman Hentges told the Council he saw an electric typewriter in the Recreation Department when he was last in the building. The City Manager was unaware that it was there. He thought their inventory included only two manual machines and said he would check further. Motion by Hentges, second by Norberg to table this item until the next special meeting. Ro11 Call: All ayes b. Authorization to Expend Funds for T-Shirts for Seasonal Programs of Recreation and Community Services Motion by Logacz, second by Hentges to authorize the City Manager to expend funds for the purchase of 1,250 T-shirts at $1.99 each, totalling $2,537.25, from Sharp Shop, Inc. based upon low informal quotation received. This item is being funded from the Recreation Department 1981 budget. Roll Call: All ayes c. Authorization to Expend Funds for Sanding Units Motion by Hentges, second by Heintz to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to expend funds for the purchase of two sanding units and one set of storage legs from Truck Outfitters, Inc. of Manchester, Iowa, in the amount of $9,075.00 based upon low quotation received. Roll Call: All ayes d. Award of Bid for Custodial Services Contract 1981 Motion by Norberg, second by Hentges to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to award the Cityls 1981 custodial services to Maintenance Experts, Inc., in the amount of $1,607.50 a month. This item is within the budget. Roll Call: All ayes 7. Final Payment for Arterial Striping to Twin City Striping This work has been performed in conformance with the bid specifications and contract. Motion by Heintz, second by Hentges to authorize the final payment to Twin City Striping in the amount of $869.23 for arterial striping. Roll Call: All ayes 8. Liquor Fund--Write Off of NSF and Other Bad Checks for 1980 The Finance Director has recommended a total of $2,455.10 be written off as uncollectible. Discussion followed as to the procedure employed to collect bad checks. Councilman Heintz felt if pictures were taken when checks were cashed or taken there would be fewer bad checks. He felt the expense of buying a camera for this purpose would be off set by fewer bad checks having to be written off. He requested the Finance Director to check on the purchase price of one of these cameras. Regular Council Meeting December 22, 1980 page l0 Motion by Logacz, second by Heintz authorizing the write-off of these bad checks. Councilman Hentges feels the City should get out of the liquor business since $1,400 of these bad checks comes from the bar. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg, Nawrocki--aye Hentges--abstain 9. Conferences and Seminars This is a request for the City Manager and the Public Works Director to attend a conference sponsored by the American Public Works' Association. Rather than the City Manager attending Councilman Hentges felt a supervisor in the Public Works Department would be a more likely choice. Motion by Heintz, second by Hentges to authorize the Public Works Director to attend the American Public Works' Association seminar regarding supervision of public works-managing productivity to be held in Chicago, Illinois on February 3-4. Furthermore, that the City reimburse expenses incurred in conjunction with this seminar. The City Manager told the Council there are two meetings in this conference that deal with productivity improvement that could benefit not only Public Works but the whole City. Motion to amend by Norberg, second by Logacz to include the City Manager's at- tendance at this conference. Roll Call: Logacz, Norberg--aye Heintz, Hentges, Nawrocki--nay Motion to amend fails. Roll call on main motion: All ayes 10. Establishing Salaries Motion by Norberg, second by Logacz to establish these rates of pay for the fol- lowing individuals; Community Education Coordinator, Robert Murray, at the rate of $1,309 per month, effective January 5, 1981 Payroll/Accounting Clerk, Barbara Sandburg, at the rate of $918 per month, effective mid-January Roll Call: All ayes 11. Jackson Pond Dredging Material that has collected on the bottom of Jackson Pond must be removed. Some proposals have been received to correct this problem. The City Manager and Public Works Director discussed them with the Council. Motion by Hentges, second by Norberg to authorize the City Manager to contract with Julian Johnson Construction Corporation to dredge and remove materials from Jackson Pond, not to exceed costs of $3,000. Roll Call: All ayes 7. Reports a. Report of the City Manager This report was presented in written form. b. Report of the City Attorney There were no items for discussion at this meeting. 8. Licenses M~*ion bv ~entges, second by Logacz to approve the license applications as '~o and that the general contract fee for the Anoka County Regular Council Meeting December 22, 1980 page ll Community Action Program be waived on the basis that this is a governmental agency providing improvements to homes based upon the HRA application. Roll Call: All ayes 9. P~.yment of Bills Motion by Logacz, second by Hentges to pay the bills out of their proper funds as listed. Roll Call: All ayes Motion by Logacz, second by Hentges to adjourn the meeting. Roll Call: All ayes Adjournment: 1:05 am ~lru~e G. Nawrocki, Mayor /~o-An~e Studb-nt, C6~-~1- Secretary