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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFeb 25, 1980OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF COLUHBIA HEIGHTS, HINNESOTA FEBRUARY 25, 1980 The meeting was called to order at 8:05 p.m. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg, Hentges, Nawrocki - Present INVOCATION The invocation was given by Councilman Norberg. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS Motion by Hentges, seconded by Heintz, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February ll, 1980 as presented in writing and reading be dispensed with. Roll Call: All Ayes ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: 1. Ordinance Regarding Science, Energy and Technology Committee Councilman Norberg suggested the Council defer the first reading of this proposed ordinance until after the break as the Council just received their copy and needs time to read it. 2. Ordinance Conveying Land to Daniel W. Beaman This ordinance would convey the property at 43½ Avenue, behind the post office, to Daniel W. Beaman as the high bidder on the parcel. Motion by Heintz, seconded by Norberg, to dispense with the reading as sufficient copies were available to the public. Roll Call: All Ayes 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: Lot Thirty-three (33), Block Two (2), (Except South 5I) (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. February 25, 1980 Page 2 Section 2: The conveyance shall be made by (~uit Claim Deed. Section 3: The purchase price of said property is twelve thousand dollars ($12,000.O0). 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. The second reading will take place at the next regular Council meeting and will constitute a public hearing. Resolution Regarding City Council Endorsement of HRA's Agreement Regarding the Downtown Development Project This resolution will endorse offers for exclusive negotiations between the HRA and Watson Centers, Inc; P. J. gaughan, Inc.; and the Columbia Heights Office Center (CHOC) regarding the Downtown Development Project. Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, that the reading of the resolution be waived as sufficient copies were available for the public. Roll Call: All Ayes RESOLUTION 80-12 ENDORSING OFFERS FOR EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE HOUSING REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND WATSON CENTERS, INC., P. J. GAUGHAN, INC. AND THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS OFFICE CENTER WHEREAS, it has been the intent and desire of the City of Columbia Heights to improve conditions in the "Central Business District" of the community, and WHEREAS, the Housing & Redevelopment Authority and the Downtown Development Council have prepared a p]an for a revitalization program in the Central Business District, said plan being formally adopted by the City Council at a public hearing on August 3, 1977, and WHEREAS, Watson Centers, Inc., P. J. Gaughan, Inc. and the Columbia Heights Office Center, a partnership consisting of Watson Centers, Inc.; Barna, Guzy, Terpstra, Merrill & Giancola Ltd. and Walter Rasmussen have submitted offers to negotiate exclusively as the primary developers within that area designated and approved as the Development District under the provisions of MN Statute Q62.52], and WHEREAS, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, after review and consideration of said '~offers", at a special meeting on February 25, 1980 approved the offers by their Resolutions, contingent upon approval by the Downtown Development Council and City Council (a copy of said resolutions are attached and made reference to herein), and February 25, 1980 Page 3 WHEREAS, the "offers" were duly reviewed and approved by the Downtown Development Council at their regular meeting on February 20, 1980 by Resolution 80-1, finding that the offers are consistent with the goals and objectives of the approved "Revitalization Plan'l (a copy of which is attached and made reference to herein), and WHEREAS, the City Council has been apprised of the actions by the Authority and the Downtown Development Council and has reviewed the "offersI' NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights that: The actions by the Housing & Redevelopment Authority and Downtown Development Council approving offers for exclusive negotiations between the HRA and Watson Centers, Inc.; P. J. Gaughan, Inc.; and the Columbia Heights Office Center are hereby endorsed. Passed this 25th day of February, 1980. Offered by: Hentges Seconded by: Logacz Roger Jensen, HRA Director, read the following addition to the agreements: "If the terms and conditions of this agreement are not fulfilled by the Developer, the Developer shall reimburse the Authority for all costs associated with the Commercial project from the date of this agreement not to exceed $5,000. These costs represent necessary appraisal work, legal fees and other costs attributable directly to determining the feasibility of the development." Councilman Norberg asked whether the addition will be accepted by the developers. Roger Jensen answered that he doesn't feel this one item will make or break the deal. He added the proposed development is one floor of commercial space from 40th Ave. to 41st Ave. as the developer feels this is the best use for the site. The bank and offices will be constructed with the parking ramp from Gould Ave. to 4Oth and will be from five to seven stories. This would involve the taking of up to nine homes, Coast to Coast, and Sir Waxer. The seventeen unit apartment building which was planned to be moved into this area will now have to be moved to one of several other potential sites. Mayor Nawrocki noted that this resolution gives Watson Centers 180 days to develop a proposal. The Council will have the option of accepting or rejecting the proposal at the end of that time. Discussion continued on the use of tax increment funding and the number of years the City would have to pay off the bonds. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Hentges, Nawrocki - Aye Norberg - Nay 4. Resolution Regarding the Para-Transit Program The State requires this resolution authorizing the Mayor and City Manager to execute the agreement between the State and the City for the para-transit program. February 25, 1980 Page 4 Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, to dispense with the reading as sufficient copies were available to the public. Roll Call: All Ayes RESOLUTION 80-13 SHARED. RIDE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Columbia Heights enter into an agreement with the State of Minnesota, Department of Transportation, to provide a para-transit service in the City of Colunbia Heights. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Columbia Heights agrees to provide 33.33 percent of the total deficit of the para-transit project from local funds not to exceed $9,500 from the General Fund. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that authorization to execute the aforementioned agreement is hereby given to the Mayor and the City Manager. BE IT ALSO FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Manager are hereby authorized to execute requests for reimbursement from the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Passed this 25th day of February, 1980. Offered by: Heintz Seconded by: Logacz Roll Call: All Ayes 5. Resolution Regarding City Attorney Retainer The City Manager is recommending the increase in the retainer as requested by the City Attorney because of the increase in the number of complaints. The City Attorney is asking an additional $2,500 clerical fee which is a new item. The City Attorney explained the processing of a formal complaint which makes up the increase in the clerical time. The Mayor asked whether it was reasonable to expect this number of tickets, generated by the new parking ban from 2 to 6 a.m., to continue. Police Chief Anderson stated that his department is still issuing approximately 15 parking tickets per night. The Mayor also feels that the number of people not paying their tickets will also be reduced lowering the number of formal complaints, also during the summer of 1980 the ordinance will not be enforced. The City Attorney noted the increase in tickets in other areas and stated he doesn't expect a decline in the coming year. Discussion continued on how much the City Attorney was paid last year, the number of hours charged to the City last year, and the amount budgeted for this year. February 25, 1980 Page 5 Councilman Norberg asked whether people could pay the City directly for their fines. The Mayor agreed there ought to be a way to handle the ticketing through the City. The City Attorney pointed out that there is almost as much time spent in typing and sending out formal notices as there would be for an informal letter. RESOLUTION 80-14 BEING A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING ATTORNEYS' FEES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 1980 BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS that remuneration for the City Attorney be established effective January 1, 1980 as follows: Retainer Excess Prosecution Clerical Fee Prosecution (650 hours maximum) Court Cases, Bonding Fees and Other Extraordinary Non-Retainer Services $14,700.OO 2,5100.00 42.50 per hour 42.50 per hour Passed this 25th day of February, 1980. Offered by: Hentges Seconded by: Logacz Roll Call: All Ayes LETTER REGARDING SALE OF LIQUOR ESTABLISHMENTS A letter was received from Sterling Investments, Inc. offering their services if the City wished to sell its liquor establishments. This was for the Council's general information. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Sullivan Lake Park Motion by Hentges, seconded by Heintz, to authorize the City Manager to prepare plans and specifications and to call for and accept formal bids on a dual water system to be constructed in conjunction with the Sullivan Lake sprinkler system; and furthermore, that bids be opened on April 23, 1980 with a report to the following regular Council meeting. The primary source of water would be from the lake and the secondary source would be from the City supply. Fred Salsbury, Public Works Director, will have a cost estimate at the end of March. The Mayor stated he will not vote for a call for bids without an estimate of the cost. Councilman Norberg agreed. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Hentges - Aye Norberg, Nawrocki - Nay February 25, 1980 Page 6 2. Other Old Business Councilman Norberg stated that he (lid not get a report on the hill for the stop watch the City purchased from Hitch DeMars. The City Manager stated he would get an answer to the Councilman. NEW BUSINESS: l. Uniform Fine Schedule Motion by Hentges to table this matter until the next regular Council meeting. The Mayor asked the Council to discuss the proposal. Councilman Hentges withdrew his motion. The City Attorney pointed out that this schedule pertains to vio]ations such as various forms of public nuisance, specific traffic violations, and other miscellaneous violations. The County is already using the system for speeding tickets and the judges thought it wou]d be a good idea to extend this practice to other areas. They are looking for uniformity in the hope that people will be able to put a check for the fine in an envelope and mail it in instead of having to appear in court. Councilman Heintz stated he would like a work session to look at the proposed fines so Colunbia Heights can set up its own proposals. Mayor Nawrocki stated that he doesn't go along with the judges' feelings that there should be a uniform fine schedule. He feels a community should have the right to set its own fines on the basis of what is important to that community and doesn't like the County forcing this on the cities. Councilman Norberg asked if the City could still set its own fines if the other cities adopted the schedule. The City Attorney answered that the City will probably have to go along with the County's decision. Councilman Norberg stated that he thinks it is silly to make it so easy to plead guilty and pay a fine but he feels that this is going to be adopted by the County and the City probab]y should have some input. Hotion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, to defer further consideration of this matter at this time. Ro11 Call: All Ayes A work session was set for Monday, Hatch 3 at 7:30 p.m. to further discuss the plan. RECESS at 9:42 p.m. RECONVENE at 10:00 p.m. 2. Budget Change/Intern Position The City Hanager is requesting an additional expenditure of funds for the purpose of retaining an intern to work a six month program to aid in the preparation of the City's comprehensive plan. February 25, 1980 Page 7 Motion by Logacz, seconded by Heintz, to authorize the City Manager to hire an intern for six months at a pay rate of $700 per month to assist the City Planner in the preparation of the City's comprehensive plan; and furthermore, that $2,200 be expended from the General Fund Unallocated Fund Balance. Mayor Nawrocki asked what the sources for this internship were. The City Manager listed the colleges which were contacted about the intern program. The Mayor stated that part of the reason the City went to a full time planner was because of the comprehensive plan which had to be prepared. He doesn't understand how the City can have a full time planner now and still need another part time one to help with the comprehensive plan. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Nawrocki - Aye Norberg, Hentges - Nay 3. Schools and Conferences Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, to authorize attendance and expenses for Sergeant Jendro to the Risk Reduction School from April 28 30. Roll Call: All Ayes Motion by Heintz, seconded by Hentges, to authorize attendance and expenses for Sergeant Marchiniak to the Police Civil Liability School from June 23 - 25. Roll Call: All Ayes Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, to authorize attendance and expenses for John Schedler, City Clerk, to the City Clerk's Conference from March 26 28. Roll Call: All Ayes Motion by Logacz, seconded by Hentges, to authorize attendance and expenses for Don Jolly, Water Superintendent, to the Annual Water Pollution Control Federation Conference from September 28 - October 3. Councilman Norberg stated he doesn't understand the Superintendent's being asked to submit a paper for reviewal at the conference and feels this is just a way of getting approval to attend. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Hentges, Nawrocki - Aye Norberg Nay 4. Wage Adjustments There are five employees who are being recommended for merit increases. Councilman Norberg asked for written justification on one of the employees. He repeated that he wants more than just an evaluation, he expects justification on what the City gets back from the employee in the form of cost or time savings. He was provided with the information. The adjustments will go into effect administratively. February 25, 1980 Page 8 Other New Business Councilman Logacz asked what happened to the sign ordinance the City was working on some time ago. Councilman Heintz stated that the Planning and Zoning Commiss' sent the proposed ordinance to the Council for review and the Council never gave any direction. Mayor Nawrocki stated that this could be discussed during the Council's work session on Monday night. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ORDINANCE Councilman Norberg stated he doesn't feel the City Attorney included everything he had asked for in the proposed ordinance and he would like some things exempted. He stated that his idea was to make resource people available to the staff to help with advice on any item without having to go through the Council with a referral to the whole committee. Mayor Nawrocki noted that it will probably be difficult to get members together for meetings and this fact will cause many time delays.. He added that because this would be a commission, they would be subject to the: open meeting law. Councilman Norberg explained that the technical advisers are resources and are not making policy decisions; they would only be helping the staff to formulate ideas. Motion by Hentges, seconded by Heintz, to table this until the next regular meeting. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Hentges, Nawrocki -Aye Norberg - Nay Discussion was held on the possibility of having a recognition dinner for members of the commissions and boards. The matter will be discussed further at the Monday work session. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT The City Manager asked what the Council's direction was to him on revising the employee pay plan. Mayor Nawrocki answered that everyone is still covered by the old pay plan. The City Manager was directed to develop a new pay plan and come to the Council with some alternatives for the plan they have been working on. LICENSES Motion by Heintz, seconded by Norberg, to grant the licenses as listed, except for the taxi driver license which will be rejected based on the recommendation of the Police Department, upon payment of proper fees. Roll Call: All Ayes PAYMENT OF BILLS Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, to pay bills as listed out of their proper funds. Roll Call: All Ayes February 25, 1980 Page 9 ADJOURNMENT Motion by Logacz, seconded by Heintz, to adjourn at ]]:00 p.m. Roll Call: All Ayes Bru-"~e G. Nawrocki, Mayor ~---~unc i 1 Secretary