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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDec 8, 1980OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL DECEMBER 8, 1980 The regular meeting of the Columbia Heights City Council was called to order by Mayor Nawrocki at 8:10 pm. 1. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg, Nawrocki--present Hentges--absent 2. Invocation The Invocation was given by Councilman Norberg. 3. Minutes of Previous Meetings Motion by Logacz, second by Heintz to approve the minutes of the November 24th City Council Meeting; the November 25th Board of Trustees Volunteer Firefighter Relief Association; and the November 26th Special City Council Meeting as presented in writing, and that the reading be dispensed with. Also, to amend the minutes of the June 25, 1980 meeting to read: Resolution 80-34 a resolution calling for a public hearing on .a proposal to under- take and finance an industrial development project to be corrected to read: 2. The City Manager is hereby authorized to cause the Notice, or a notice in substantially the same form as the Notice, to be published not more than thirty (30) nor less than fifteen (15) days before the date fixed in the Notice as the date of the hearing, in the official newspaper and a newspaper of general circulation of the City of Columbia Heights. Resolution No.80-35 a resolution calling for a public hearing on a proposal to under- take and finance an industrial development project to be corrected to read: 2. The City Manager is hereby authorized to cause the Notice, or a notice in substantially the same form as the Notice, to be published not more than thirty (30) nor less than fifteen (15) days before the date fixed in the Notice as the date of the hearing, in the official newspaper and a newspa- per of general circulation of the City of Columbia Heights. Also, to amend the minutes of the October 14, 1980 meeting to read: Resolution 80-62, page 6, Article III, Electrical Permit Fees, Fee Schedule. Fees shall be paid according to the following schedule: 4MCAR 11.004. Roll Call: All ayes Ms. Pat Jindra, representing the "Friends of the Library" gave the Council a packet containing materials concerning this organization, its activities and its annual report. She spoke briefly about the organization and what it has ac- complished in its first year. Councilman Norberg spoke of the countless hours members of this organization have donated toward the benefit and operation of the library. The Mayor requested Ms. Jindra to express the Council's thanks to the Friends of the Library for the work they have done. 4. Oral Petitions Mr. Lawrence Bever, 3961 Van Buren St.N.E., appeared before the Council to speak about a problem he is having with the Anoka County parking lot that abuts his property. He had addressed the Traffic Commission at their last meeting regarding this problem and was advised it would be considered by the City Council. The Police Chief told the Council that the County Board had been made aware of Mr. Bever's problem, which deals with enforcement of the no parking restriction in the lot. The Chief can take no action as far as enforcement is concerned until he receives a formal request to do so from the County. He will notify Mr. Bever when he is so instructed by the County. Also, this item will be included on the Council agenda when it is acted upon. Council Meeting December 8, 1980 page 2. 5. Ordinances and Petitions a. Second Reading of Ordinance No.941 being an ordinance amending Ordinance No.853, City Code of 1977, pertaining to garbage and rubbish regulations The purpose of this ordinance is to reinstate the original language in Section 8.301 (4) that was never intended to be changed under Ordinance No.933. If the language is not reinstated it would affect the agreement the City has with the refuse contra- ctor. Ordinance No.941 will reinstate the original language for the placement of the "special items only", "... shall be placed on pick-up day next to the garbage cans where alley pick-up is available or at the curb line in areas where no alleys exist." Motion by Norberg, second by Heintz to waive the reading of the ordinance there being ample copies available to the public. Roll Call: All ayes Councilman Norberg still holds the opinion that tree limbs and branches should not be limited to the size they are in bundles and feels the January deadline for pick up of Christmas trees should be extended. ORDINANCE NO. 941 BEING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 853, CITY CODE OF 1977, PERTAINING TO GAKBAGE AND RUBBISH REGULATION The City Council o~ the City of Columbia Meights does ordain: Section 1: Section 8.301(4) of Ordinance No. 853, City Code of 1977, passed June 21, 1977, which reads as follows, to-wit: "A]] accumulations of garbage and rubbish must be deposited and contained within the containers as provided in this section, except t%at: (a) tree limbs with dia~eters of less than four inches (&") and lengths of less than four feet (&') tied into bundles, said bundles not e-xceedtn~ eighteen inches (18") in diameter; (b) leaves, grass or rubbish in water-proof containers (no larger than per~itted 30 gallon garbage can liner size), not e~ceeding thirty five pounds (35 lbs) in weight; (c) bundles of newspapers and magazines tied securely and weighing less than thirty five (35) pounds; (d) Christmas trees up to six feet (6') in length (during January); mhd (e) small household ite~ including snail appliances, tools, and articles ef furniture weighing less than thirty five (35) pounds shall be allowed on pick-up day to be placed immediately adjacent to the location permitted for garbage can placement pursuant to Section J8.301(5). is herewith &mended to read as follows, to-wit: "Ail accumulations of garbage and rubbish must be deposited and contained vithin the containers as provided in this section, except fhat: tree limbs with diameters of less than four inches (i") and lengths of less than four feet (4') tied into bundles, said bundles not exceedinF eighteen inches (18") in diameter: Council Meeting Oecember 8, 1980 ~age 3. (b) (c) (d) (e) leaves, grass or rubbish tn water-proof containers (no larger thaa permitted 30 gallon garbage can l~er size), aot e~caediag tbixty five pounds (35 lbs) tn weight; bundles of nevspapers and~gazines tied securely and vei~htn~ /ess than thirty five (35) ponds; Christmas trees up to six feet (6') in length (dur/ng 3anuatT); and small household items Including' small appliances, tools, and articles of furniture veigbing less than thirty five (35) pounds Sect/on 2: shall be placed on pick-up day next to the garbage cans vhere alley pick-up is available or at the curb line in areas where no alleys exist," ~nzu urdinance shall be in full force and affect from and after thirty (30) days after its passage. First reading: Second reading: Date of passage: November 24, 1980 December 8, 1980 December 8, 1980 Offered by: Heintz Seconded by: Logacz Roll Call: All'ayes Bruce G. Nawrocki, Mayor Jo-Anne Student, Secretary to the Council b. Resolution Establishing Attorneys' Fees Effective January 1, 1981 Motion by Heintz~ second by Norberg to table this matter for further consideration until iater i.n this meeting. Roll Call: AI1 ayes 6. Communications a. Planning and Zoning Commission minutes were included in the Council packet for informational purposes; no action was required.. b. Traffic Commission 1.q6th Avenue, Jefferson Street to Honroe Street Motion by Norberg, second by Logacz, upon recommendation of the Traffic Commission, that the City staff be directed to place "No Parking" signs on the south side of ~6th Avenue from the hydrant to Monroe Street. Norman Melcher, q559 Jefferson St., voiced support for the motion. Roll Call: All ayes Council Meeting December 8, 1980 page 4. 2. Traffic Direction at 50th and Columbia Court The Traffic Commission had asked that no action be taken on this item until more information is gotten. The Mayor referred to a past Council meeting that had add- resse~ this matter in some detail and felt staff should have reviewed this material and been prepared to take some action. The Council, in the past, had given direction as to what it wanted done and to date there had been nothing done. The City Manager explained staff had tried to find mention of this item in meeting minutes from some time back and found nothing. The Mayor reminded staff this traffic plan had been firmed up some time ago so as to avoid problems when this area is developed. Fred Salsbury, Public Works Director, said he has viewed drawings for this area. Motion by Norberg, second by Heintz to direct the City staff to place a "one-way" sign at the intersection of the frontage road east of Central and 50th Avenues directing traffic north. Some discussion followed concerning the islands that were to have been built by the developer in this area. Councilman Norberg feels that the details of this construction included these islands and that the project is not considered complete until they are constructed. He suggested the next time the developer comes before the Council he should be advised these islands should be constructed. Roll Call: All ayes 3. Stinson Boulevard Traffic Control--Fairway Drive to Argonne The City Manager explained the Traffic Commission's recommendation, which was to remove the stop sign at Innsbruck Parkway and Stinson Boulevard stopping south- bound traffic. The City Manager referred to a letter received from the New Brighton City Council objecting to this stop sign and also objecting to a three- way stop sign being considered by the Columbia Heights City Council for the inter- section of Fairway Drive and Stinson Boulevard and to yield signs being consid- ered for Chalet Drive, North Upland Crest and Innsbruck Parkway. Mr. Joseph Fetter, representing the East Innsbruck Homeowners Association, said the membership of the Association feels the stop sign at Innsbruck Parkway and Stinson represents a tremendous safety hazard. He personally viewed traffic there for an hour recently and feels people either do not stop or are put in a dangerous position trying to stop. Casimir Burzynski, a resident near this intersection, concurs with this opinion and felt the sign causes more problems than it solves. Mr. Jerry Baxter, who represents the Innsbruck Homeowners Association, inquired what prompted the erection of this sign initially. He was advised that some resi- dents on the west side of Stinson Boulevard had tremendous difficulty backing out of their driveways and hoped a sign may slow traffic down enough to accommodate them. Also, there has been noted numerous instances where motorists speed. In the opinion of Mr. Baxter this stop sign has the potential for causing considerable problems in the winter time when the roadways are slippery. Councilman Logacz suggested the Council make this a "seasonal" sign; erected in the spring and removed in the winter. Councilman Norberg inquired whether the City could have any liability for possible accidents if the sign were removed. The City Attorney said the City would not. Councilman Norberg asked the residents in attendance it the organizations they represent would be as active in helping to solve the speeding problem and acces- sibility problem for those directly affected, as they have been in getting this particular stop sign removed. They said they would and would appear before the New Brighton City Council to present this position and plead the case for speeding on Stinson Boulevard. Motion by Norberg, second by Logacz to concur with the Traffic Commission recommen- dation to remove the stop sign on Stinson Boulevar~ and Innsbruck Parkway, and to review this action at the first regular Council me,ting in April 1981 to determine if the problems of speed and safety have been solve~ by its removal. ~11. ~!1 ayes Cbuncil Meeting December 8, 1980 page 5. RECESS: 9:50 pm ~ECONVENE: 10:10 pm c. Energy Awareness, Science and Technology Commission The Commission sent a memo to the Council defining some of the areas the members are interested in for evaluation. They are as follows: (1) assist in the evaluation of proposals and specs submitted to the Cable TV Commission. (2) help to determine the cause of the deterioration of the floor in the City garage (3) study and recommend changes to the Zoning Code to accommodate rational and productive uses of solar energy (4) start compiling a list of technical advisors by sending letters to tech- nical and professional organizations soliciting volunteers (5) review municipal buildings for energy waste and conservation and make sug- gestions for improvements of the same (6) seek out volunteer data processing professionals to assist the City in auto- mating its administrative functions. Councilman Norberg expanded on the memo as he is a member of the Commission. He also felt the Commission could review possible plans for recycling materials in conjunction with our garbage ordinance as suggested by the City Manager. The Mayor felt before any permission for activity of this Commission is granted it should prioritize these six items and submit to the Council a timeframe as to how they plan to proceed. Councilman Norberg is quite confident that the energies of all of the members of the Commission can tolerate working on all six items simultaneously. Councilmen Heintz and Logacz want the efforts of the Commission to be coordinated with City staff and through the City Manager. The Mayor feels Councilman Norberg should review the Council's feelings as expressed at this meeting with the Commission and come back to the Council with a timeframe and a plan for action before any Council action is taken. Motion by Norberg, second by Heintz to direct the Commission to operate in the six areas they have designated plus a recycling program and return a plan of action to the Council. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg--aye Nawrocki--nay d. Housing Element of the Hennepin County Comprehensive Plan This plan was received and will be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission. The City Manager said he will bring in all of the Hennepin County Comprehensive Plan at one time for consideration and not seek approval of each element separately. e. Retirement of Volunteer Fireman Ralph Volkman This was an informational item. No action needed. f. Policies and Legislative Proposals for 1981-1982 Council members and staff received a copy of the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities' "Policies and Legislative Proposals for 1981-1982". This was an informational item. 'Council Meeting December 8, 1980 page 6. 7. Old and New Business a. Old Business 1. Performance Adjustments for Judy Guindon, Recreation Department Secretary, and John Tiggas, Assistant Recreation Director Councilman Norberg made clear this increase is for only one year and is not an on-going thing. Discussion followed as to how these persons qualified for these bonuses. It was the recommendation of the Recreation and Community Services Commission that Judy Guindon receive a 5% merit adjustment and John Tiggas receive a 4% merit adjustment. Discussion followed as to what justifications were considered for achieving goals that were previously set by these two individuals. Councilman Heintz felt these percentages were too high in that he wasn't convinced these goals were entirely original concepts and that the dollars saved were actual. Motion by Norberg, second by Logacz to concur with the recommended merit adjust- ments. Motion to amend by Heintz, second by Norberg to set the merit adjustments for both people at 3%. Roll Call on amendment: Heintz, Nawrocki--aye Norberg, Logacz-- nay Motion fails Motion to amend by Norberg, second by Logacz to set the merit adjustment at 4% for Judy Guindon and John Tiggas. Motion to amend the amendment by Heintz to set the merit adjustment at 3%. Motion dies for lack of a second. Roll Call on amendment: Logacz, Norberg, Nawrocki--aye Heintz--nay Roll Call on main motion as amended: Logacz, Norberg, Nawrocki--aye Heintz--nay 2. Employee Health/Life Insurance The City Manager presented all of the information he has received on the health plans from Hennepin and Anoka Counties. He gave details of the plan available through Anoka County, some of those being; there is not a fee-for-service plan offered by them, but the fees for other sections of the plan are significantly lower than those included in the Hennenpin County plan. The contract with Anoka County will have to be rebid in August 1981. Since the fees with Anoka County were so much less than Hennepin County, Councilman Norberg suggested the City go with this plan and make special arrangements for coverage for those employees who wished to continue with a fee-for-service plan. He also suggested that the City pay the difference in premiums for a period of one year. The City Manager advised there were twenty employees who presently subscribe to a fee-for-service plan. Of those twenty, eighteen attended a meeting that dealt with their choices for continuing health insurance. Thirteen people expressed their intention to change coverage that would be included in the Anoka County plan, three did not care to change, and two were undecided. The City Finance Director was directed to explore other options that could offer plans to those who may not choose to join the plan eventually selected for the majority of the City employees. He was also advised to inquire if the Anoka County plan requires 100% participation by the employees of the City. Western Life Insurance will continue to cover the City employees if the health insurance carrier were to change. Motion by Norberg, second by Logacz that the City go into the Anoka County plan with the reservation of the identified employees who prefer the fee-for-service plan and that the City Manager be directed to investigate the possibility of an alternative plan which may cover their fee-for-service which is cheaper and the City pick up the difference between what the Hennepin County bid is for a fee-for-service for one year and the actual cost in these people's cases. Failing to be able to except these people from the plan with Anoka County that the City Council Meeting December 8, 1980 page 7. go with the Hennepin County plan. Roll Call: All ayes b. New Business 1. Establishing Wages Motion by Heintz, second by Logacz to establish wages for the following individuals: a. Lowell DeMars, Fire Captain 1, effective December 13, 1980, at $1,729 per month. b. Stephen Kolosky, Recruit Firefighter,1, effective January 3, 1981 at $1,298 per month. Roll Call: All ayes 2. Establish Date for Public Hearing Regarding 1981 Assessment Projects Motion by Heintz, second by Norberg, upon recommendation of the City Manager, to establish a public hearing on March 16, 1981 at 7:30 pm to consider the following assessment projects; a. Seal Coating--southwest section of town, south of 45th and west of Central (also including City streets bordering on Hilltop) b. Drainage--4Oth to 43rd avenues, Reservoir to Tyler; reconstruction of storm drainage system, catch basins, intakes and grading c. Alley--south of 41st avenue, west of Reservoir and east of Circle Terrace; re- construction, curb on west side Roll Call: All ayes The City Manager asked if the Council wanted streets that are being considered for reconstruction in 1982 or 1983 to be included in the seal coat project for 1981. The Council advised him that the seal coat should be done and if the streets are actually reconstructed in 1982 or 1983 the cost of the seal coating could be deducted from the major project. It was a consensus of the Council that the condition of some of these streets was so poor at this time that seal coating was warranted. Two items for consideration have been eliminated from the list of assessible projects by the Council at a previous meeting; Hilltop 11 Subdivision-- curb and gutter reconstruction, drainage and utilities and Fifth street, 40th to 44th avenues--curb and gutter, reconstruction, utilities. A post card survey of residents in these two areas is still a consideration. 3. Columbia Heights' Queen and Float Budget Motion by Heintz, second by Logacz that the City Manager inform Ms. Olynyk that $1,500 has been authorized as expenditures for the Columbia Heights' Queen Program and the City will not reimburse for any expenditures which may exceed the $1,500. Roll Call: All ayes 4. Police Chief Salary Review The Mayor brought to the attention of the Council this item which was schedule~ for review in the spring of this year. At that time the City was in the midst of reviewing the new salary plan for the entire City and this item was not acted on. Motion by Heintz, second by Logacz, upon recommendation of the Mayor, that a performance adjustment be made on the monthly salary of the Police Chief and it be increased from $2,512 to $2,612 per month, effective on the anniversary date of his employment, April 1, 1980. Roll Call: All ayes 5. Authorization to Purchase Remote Controls and Extender Controls for Fire, Police and Public Works' Radio Communications Councilman Heintz asked if this item had been budgeted and was advised that it was. Council Meetin December 8~ 19~0 page 8. Motion by Heintz, second by Logacz to authorize the City Manager to purchase radio remote control stations from Capital Electronics,Inc., 836 No. Prior Avenue, St. Paul, in the amount of $2,240 based upon low, informal quotations. Councilman Norberg questioned the manner in which the specs for this item were written and suggested in the future they should be written by staff and not with the assistance of someone who may have a vested interest. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Nawrocki--aye Norberg--nay 6. Establishing Attorneys Fees Originally this item was tabled to be discussed later in this meeting. The City Manager requested it be considered at the next regular Council meeting when additional information can be provided. 8 Reports a. City Manager's Report This report was presented in written form. The City Manager spoke to a number of items in the report: the DNR designation of public waters and wetlands; the non- union employees pay plan; visibility problems at various intersections; and Hilltop Public Hearing on Cable TV. Councilman Norberg requested that the pay plan would be the subject of a work session before it became a City Manager's recommendation. b. City Attorney's Report The City Attorney advised the Council of two items: an agreement has been reached between MCS and Dick's Sanitary Service,Inc. and the N.D.H. arbi- tration has been rescheduled for February 16 through February 19, 1981. The Mayor referred the Council to the Block Grant Application for Anoka County, c6pies of which were received by all of the Council members and expressed a hope they would review it and be prepared to comment. 9. Licenses Motion by Heintz, second by Norberg that licenses be approved as listed upon proper payment of fees. Roll Call: All ayes 10. Payment of Bills Motion by Heintz, second by Norberg to pay the bills as presented in writing out of their p~oper funds and include a payment of $4,000 to the City Attorney for services rendered. Roll Call: All ayes Motion by Heintz, second by Norberg Adjournment: 1:20 am. /9/~Anne~Stude~t-, Co~l Secretary to adjourn the meeting./) Br'~ce G. Nawrocki, Mayor