Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMar 10, 1980OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA MARCH ]O, ]980 The meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg, Hentges Present It was noted by Council President Heintz 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 February 25 as presented in writing and reading be dispensed with. Roll Call: All Ayes ORAL PETITIONS Lawrence Bever, 3961 Van Buren Street, stated that he would like something done about the parking situation in the parking lot next to his house which is owned by the County and N. E. State Bank. The City Manager was directed to talk to representatives from the County and the Bank and send a letter to the Council and Mr. Bever stating what action is decided on. Mr. Sy was present to discuss the apartment he owns at 4200 3rd St. A neighbor has been complaining about the garbage container placement for the apartment because refuse is blowing into his yard. Mr. Sy admitted that a proper job of keeping the area clean has not been done because the manager isn't keeping the top down on the container and the pick up service is not always coming as scheduled. He asked the Council to please give him another chance to improve the condition of the area. Tim Yantos, Administrative Assistant, had pictures of the container showing the problem. Councilman Heintz asked whether the container could be placed on the apartment property instead of on City owned property where it is presently. Mr. Yantos responded that it could but this would eliminate one needed parking space. Council President Heintz stated that Mr. Sy has the responsibility not to infringe on his neighbor's rights and suggested the staff and Mr. Sy meet to discuss the matter and come up with alternative proposals for the next Council meeting. In the meantime, the area should be cleaned up and kept clean. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: 1. First Reading of Ordinance Regarding Energy Awareness, Science and Technology Commission Motion by Logacz, seconded by Norberg, to dispense with the reading as sufficient copies were available to the public. Roll Call: All Ayes March 10, 1980 Page 2 ORDINANCE 9O8 BEING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 853, CITY CODE OF 1977 PERTAINING TO THE CREATION OF AN ENERGY AWARENESS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION The City Council of the City of Columbia Heights does ordain: Section 1: Section 3.314 of Ordinance No. 853, City Code of 1977, passed June 2l, 1977, which is currently reserved, shall hereafter read as follows, to-wit: "SECTION 14 - ENERGY AWARENESS, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION An Energy Awareness, Science and Technology Comnission is hereby established which shall consist of seven (7) permanent members to be appointed by the Council for terms of three (3) years each. Permanent members shall be residents of the City and shall include one member of the Council. At least four (4) permanent members shall possess technical expertise by virtue of education, training, or experience in the physical sciences, engineering, or mathematics and shall possess at least a baccalaureate degree therein. No person may be reappointed to the Commission unless such person has demonstrated increased education, training or experience since the time of the person's last appointment such that the member's technical perspective has been braodened. No person may be appointed to more than two (2) consecutive three (3) year terms. 3.314(2) The Energy Awareness, Science and Technology Commission shall establish and appoint its own ex officio members of such numbers and identity as it shall deem appropriate. Terms of ex officio members shall be of such duration as is necessary and expedient to the topics being considered by the Energy Awareness, Science and Tech- nology Commission. The Energy Awareness, Science and Technology Commission shall continue thereafter to prepare and maintain a current list of persons who may agree to donate technical expertise helpful to the topics which may be studied by the Commission. Ex officio members need not be residents of the City and their expertise need not be limited to physical sciences, engineering or mathematics. Each ex officio member shall possess the title of Technical Advisor. 3.314(3) The Energy Awareness, Science and Technology Commission shall: (a) evaluate and advise the Council on highly technological proposals such as the use of computer services by the City Administrative Service (as requested by the Council). (b) analyze, devise and recomraend to the Planning and Zoning Commission and Council such changes in the Zoning Code as may be necessary and desirable to both permit and closely regulate energy conservation enhancement in structures; March 10, 1980 Page 3 (c) provide analysis and advice to the Planning and Zoning Commission, Council, Administrative. Service or other Boards and Commissions on technical subjects referred to it from time to time; (d) advise the Council and aid the Administrative Service in the preparation of technical specifications for the purchase of technical equipment or services; (e) review the City Code to determine areas of obsolescence or impending obsolescence and recommend changes to the City Council before such problems become acute; (f) conduct such studies as are necessary to advise the City Council about the development of a City energy policy and energy action statement; (g) inform the residential, commercial and industrial citizens of the City of the importance of energy conservation and motivate the public to conserve energy as the City Council shall direct; and (h) evaluate its effectiveness in achieving the City Council's objectives. 3.314(4) Notwithstanding the foregoing list of duties, the Energy Awareness, Science and Technology Commission shall undertake none of the tasks provided in this section unless the City Council specifically directs it to perform such a particular duty. Section 2: This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after thirty (30) days after its passage. The second reading at the Council's next regular meeting will constitute a public hearing. 2. Second Reading of Ordinance Regarding Conveyance of Land ORDINANCE 912 BEING AN ORDINANCE CONVEYING CERTAIN REAL ESTATE TO DANIEL W. BEAMAN The City Council of the City of Columbia Heights does ordain: Section 1: The City of Columbia Heights shall convey its interest in the real estate described as follows: March 10, 1980 Page 4 Lot Thirty-three (33), Block Two (2), (Except South 5') (Except East 45') (Except South 137-1/2'), subject to public road and utility easement over the north 30 feet to the City of Columbia Heights, Reservoir Hills, Anoka County, Minnesota to Daniel W. Beaman. Section 2: The conveyance shall be made ty Quit Claim Deed. Section 3: The purchase price of said property is twelve thousand (St2,OO0). Section 4: The Mayor and City Manager are herewith authorized to execute the documents necessary to make such conveyance. Section 5: This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect From and after thirty (30) days after its passage. Offered by: Seconded by: Roll Call: Hentges Logacz Logacz, Heintz, Hentges - Aye Norberg - Nay Resolution Regarding Wage Adjustments for All Non-Union Employees Motion by Norberg, seconded by Logacz, to waive the reading as ample copies were available to the public. Councilman Hentges asked that the resolution be read. RESOLUTION 80-15 REGARDING SALARIES FOR 1980 CLERICAL AND TECHNICAL EMPLOYEES, Excluding Other Employees covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, that: WHEREAS, it is necessary to make salary adjustments as of January 1, 1980, to give recognition to cost increases in our area, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that all employees listed in Appendix A receive an increase of eight percent, established effective January l, 1980, on the monthly salaries of all full time employees, excluding employees covered by a col]ective bargaining agreement. Also, said personnel shall be granted up to $80 per month including dependent coverage for hospitalization and $5,000 term life insurance. The across the board increase also applies to the range and step chart used for performance evaluations. BE IT FURTHER resolved that the salary range for part-time non-union liquor employees be set at $3.30 per hour to $4.40 per hour. Offered by: Logacz Seconded by: Norberg March 10, 1980 Page 5 A brief discussion was held on the wages paid the 1 quor employees. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg - Aye Hentges - Nay PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. Terrance Cullen, 2436 Garfield Ave. So. Request for Variance (Property at 4131 Polk St. Mr. Cullen is requesting the renewal of a variance previously given him in 1976 and 1978 for a one foot lot width variance and a 13 foot rear yard variance to allow the construction of a house. However, if the house is not built during the time the variance is in effect, there will not be any additional extensions. Motion by Logacz, seconded by Hentges, to concur with the Planning and Zoning Commission and grant the extension of the two variances for a one year time frame only, upon the condition that the Cullens obtain their building permit within two weeks. Roll Call: All Ayes 2. St. Matthew's Church, 4101 Washington St. Request for Variance Motion by Hentges, seconded by.Logacz, to concur with the Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation to waive the fence requirements pursuant to the City Code upon the following conditions: 1. That the nursery class size does not exceed twenty children. 2. That the entire weekly program shall not exceed a total of two and one half hours per day and two days per week. 3. That all exercise and play activities occur within the building of St. Matthew's Church. Councilman Heintz stated that the neighbors have objected to a fence and the Church does not want the fence either. A1 Carlson, City Planner, reported that the class size was limited to twenty because it was felt that if the class size was more than twenty children, it would be too difficult to handle without a fence. Roll Call: All Ayes BIDS ON SHARED RIDE PROGRAM The City Manager stated that bids were opened on the shared ride program and the low bidder was Town Taxi at $19.20/hour. The other bid was from White Bear Cab at $23.55/hour. Motion by Logacz, seconded by Hentges, that Town Taxi Company, Inc. be awarded the bid for the Shared Ride Para-Transit Program in an amount of $19.20 per hour and that the Mayor and City Manager be authorized to enter into contract for same. March 10, 1980 Page 6 Mr. Larry Case, 5251 Pierce, Fridley, business agent for White Bear Cab, asked to present information to the Council on how they came up with the 923.55 bid. City Attorney Kalina stated that by law the City is required to accept the low responsible bidder. Roll Call: All Ayes USE OF FUNDS ALLOCATED FOR DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT These requested funds are for appraisals of five homes, two businesses, and fixtures for a total cost of $1,950.O0. Motion by Hentges, seconded by Logacz, to grant the HRA permission to expend $1,950.00 for the listed appraisals, money to be taken from the Development II fund. Councilman Norberg stated his disagreement with the idea of using capital funds For appraisals. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Hentges - Aye Norberg - Nay HILLTOP'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Motion by Norberg, seconded by Logacz, that the City Hanager be directed to prepare a letter embodying the concerns of the Planning and Zoning Commission on the Hilltop Comprehensiw~ Plan For transmission to the City of Hilltop and the Metropolitan Council. Roll Call: All Ayes FIRE DEPARTMENT PARKING Motion by Logacz, seconded by Hentges, to concur with the Traffic Commission's recommendation that 11 parking spaces immediately south of the Fire Department be reserved for firefighters only. The City Manager stated his concern that these 11 spaces will be unused most of the time. He recommended that the number of spaces be 5 or 6 and the firefighters could double park or reserve the 11 spaces for firefighters and employees only with the understanding that the firemen would double park behind all 11 spaces during a fire call. Discussion continued on the alternatives to the Fire Department's request. Councilman Norberg stated that the City Manager's suggestion of keeping 5 or 6 spaces for the firefighters where they can double park makes sense to him. Motion by Norberg, seconded by Heintz, to amend the number of parking spaces to the westerly five. Roll Call on amendment: Logacz, tteintz, Norberg Hentges - Nay Aye March IO, 1980 Page 7 Motion by Norberg, seconded by Logacz, to amend that volunteer firefighters be permitted to stack behind all ll spaces in the area in question during fire calls. Roll Call on amendment: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg - Aye Hentges - Nay Roll Call on amended motion: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg Hentges - Nay Aye RECESS at 9:32 p.m. RECONVENE at 9:52 p.m. UNIFORM FINE SCHEDULE City Attorney Kalina stated that the Council should decide whether or not they wish to participate in the County program of uniform fines. If they decide to, they should discuss the suggestions made and adopt the ones they agree with. Councilman Heintz asked whether a decision could be postponed until the next meeting when a full Council would be present. Councilman Norberg stated he doesn't believe the City has any choice but to participate. Motion by Hentges, seconded by Logacz, to direct the City Manager and City Attorney Kalina to send a letter to the judges stating the City would like to participate in the fine schedule plan and would like to have some input into the program but need some time to work out the fines. Roll Call: All Ayes RECOGNITION PROGRAM The estimated costs of the employee and commission/board recognition program was presented. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Bids on Removal of Trees Motion by Hentges, seconded by Norberg, to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into a contract with Clark Landscaping for removal of trees and stumps on public and private property, based on low responsible bid at the cost of $4.85/inch diameter. Roll Call: All Ayes 2. Informal Quotations on Sod Motion by Norberg, seconded by Hentges, to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into contract with Glen Rehbein Farms for sod to be purchased by the Park Department in 1980, based on low informal quotation received. Roll Call: All Ayes March 10, 1980 Page 8 3. Setting Date for Board of Review Meeting Motion by Norberg, seconded by Logacz, that the date of Monday, May 5 at 7:30 p.m. be set as the Board of Review meeting for Columbia Heights. Roll Call: All Ayes 4. Wage Adjustments Six employees were recommended for merit adjustments. These recommendations will go into effect administratively. 5. Purchase of Sanafoanl Vaporooter Motion by Hentges, seconded by Logacz, to authorize the purchase of ]35 gallons of Sanafoam Yaporooter from LeeMar Distributors at $34.75 per gallon for a total of S4,691.25, based on low informa] quotation received. This is a prop[etary item and therefore the need for competitive bids was not necessary. Roll Call: All Ayes 6. Purchase of Sound Level Meter for Police Department Motion by Logacz, seconded by Norberg, to authorize the purchase of a Sound Level Meter model 3220 ($700) and one calibrator (S135) from 3M for a total price of 5835. This model is the only one which met the City's specifications. Roll Call: All Ayes 7. Purchase of Varda Security System for Liquor Store Motion by Logacz, seconded by Norberg, to authorize the purchase of a Varda security system for liquor store C2, cost of such system not to exceed $1,500. Roll Call: All Ayes 8. Other New Business Motion by Logacz, seconded by Hentges, to authorize the City Manager to expend $660.64 for repair of the Chatham Road lift station pump~ and furthermore, that the Council recognizes that this item is a proprietary item with Waldor Pump and Equipment Co. having an exclusive distributorship for Chicago pumps. Roll Call: All Ayes There will be an Anoka County Industrial Development Day sponsored by several local Chambers of Commerce. Motion by Hentges, seconded by Logacz, to concur with the recommendation to spend $100 to rent one space at the Anoka County Industrial Development Day. March 10, 1980 Page 9 Councilman Norberg asked what would be done there. The City Manager answered that the City is proposing to display some publicity about the community so interested developers or parties could get information including the proposed downtown development. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Hentges - Aye Norberg - Abstain CITY MANAGER'S REPORT The City Manager is asking staff people to give some feedback on the personnel policy manual. There had been several questions raised by employees on some of the items. He will be asking the Council for an additional employee holiday. The City Manager will have a proposed policy revision for the Council at the next regular meeting. Don Aker has been appointed as the new Captain in the Fire Department. He is recruiting a replacement firefighter. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT Senate File #1693 is a bill relating to volunteer firemen's pensions. It seems to be dead in the Senate but may still be alive in the House. The City Attorney will keep an eye on it as it affects Columbia Heights. LICENSES Motion by Norberg, seconded by Hentges, that licenses as listed be approved upon payment of proper fees. Roll Call: All Ayes PAYMENT OF BILLS Motion by Logacz, seconded by Hentges, to pay bills as listed out of their proper funds. Roll Call: All Ayes Motion by Logacz, seconded by Norberg, to adjourn at 10:30 p.m. Roll Call: All Ayes E. "Sebe" Heint~~ C~Council Secre~ry