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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJan 28, 1980OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA JANUARY 28, 1980 The meeting was called to order at 8:00 p.m. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Norberg, Hentges - Present Mayor Nawrocki was at an MTC meeting and would join the meeting later. INVOCATION The invocation was given by Councilman Norberg. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS Motion by Logacz, seconded by Hentges, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January ]4, the recessed meeting of January 15, and the January ]4 meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Columbia Heights Fire Department Relief Association as presented in writing and reading be dispensed with. Roi] Cai]: All Ayes ORAL PETITIONS Ray Smith, 4315 6th St., stated that four or five years ago he came to the Council to discuss some houses on his block which were in very bad condition. Since then some have been removed and others have been restored. He thanked the Council and the Building Inspector for their work because he doesn't feel anything would have been done without it. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: 1. Fixing Salaries These are the salary adjustments which were approved during the last quarter. This item appeared on the last Council agenda but was not acted upon. Motion by Norberg, seconded by Logacz, to dispense with the reading as sufficient copies were available to the public. Roll Call: All Ayes RESOLUTION 80-6 FIXING SALARIES BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS: The following employee salaries shall be fixed as listed below: NAME MONTHLY SALARY EFFECTIVE DATE Mildred Carlson 1,913 7/ 1/79 Linda Hansen 1,790 lO/ 1/79 Steve Kuha 1,372 7/11/79 William Stawarski 1,474 8/21/79 Rebecca Loader 1,476 7/31/79 January 28, ]980 Page 2 Passed this 28th day of January, 1980. Offered by: Logacz Seconded by: Norberg Councilman Heintz asked how many of these same individuals are going to be recommended for a range change shortly and added he would like to hold up these increases unti] the range changes are decided. City Attorney Kalina stated that this resolution is merely for publication of raises which have already been given. These people are already receiving the increases and this has been the Council's policy for some time. Councilman Norberg stated he will vote for this because the majority of the Council had previously approved of this policy however he doesn't agree with it. Roll Call: All Ayes 2. Condemnation of ross Parking Lot Motion by Logacz, seconded by Norberg, to dispense with the reading as sufficient copies were available to the public. Roll Call: All Ayes RESOLUTION 80-7 AUTHORIZATION FOR ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY FOR PARKINg LOT WHEREAS, the following-described property: Lots 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24, Block 61, Columbia Heights Annex to Minneapolis, Anoka County, Hinnesota is located N4ithin the boundaries of a "redevelopment project" of the City of Columbia Heights and the Columbia Heights Housing and Redevelopment Authority, as that term is defined by Hinnesota Stat. 4~2.42; and WHEREAS, the above-described parcels are vacant lots presently used for motor vehicle parking; and WHEREAS, the City of Columbia Heights and the Columbia Heights Housing and Redevelopment Authority intend to redeve]op the area within the redevelopment project boundaries for the purpose of removing, preventing and reducing blight, b]ighting factors and the causes of blight; and WHEREAS, acquisition of the above-described parcels is necessary to effect the redevelopment of the area~ and WHEREAS, the City of Columbia Heights and the Columbia Heights Housing and Redevelopment Authority have complied v]ith the provisions of 42 USCA 4651 by 1) Making every reasonable effort to expeditiously acquire the parcels by negotiation; January 28, 1980 Page 3 Obtaining, before the initiation of negotiations, an appraisal of the real property wherein the personal representative of the owner was given an opportunity to accompany the appraiser during his inspection of the property; and 3) The Council and Mayor of the City of Columbia Heights did, before initiation of negotiations for the said parcels, establish an amount which they believe to be just compensation therefor and did make a prompt offer to acquire the property for the full amount so established. The said Council and Mayor did provide the personal representative of the owner of the parcels with a written state- ment of, and summary of the basis for, the amount they established as just compensation. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED That the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights hereby authorizes its attorneys to proceed to acquire the said parcels in accordance with Minnesota and United States Statutes. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That the City hereby requests the City Attorney to file the necessary petition to acquire the said parcels by eminent domain and to prosecute such action to a successful conclusion or until it is abandoned, dismissed or terminated by the City or Court. Passed this 28th day of January, 1980. Offered by: Logacz Seconded by: Hentges The resolution is seeking condemnation of the property known as the Voss parking lot, 4021 Van Buren St. so the City can redevelop the area. Mayor Nawrocki joined the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Councilman Norberg stated that he doesn't believe it is necessary to the project because no one as yet knows what the project is and that he doesn't agree with the determination of blight. Councilman Hentges stated that the City had to go to court recently to make the owners clean up the property and he feels that this constitutes blight. Mrs. Kuppe stated she just found out about this proposed condemnation proceeding and is interested in buying two of the lots. City Attorney Kalina explained that these negotiations have been in the works for some time, explained the condemnation proceedings, and stated that negotiations could proceed even though the condemnation procedure has been started. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Hentges, Nawrocki Norberg - Nay Aye 3. Suburban Police Recruitment System The City Manager stated that membership in the organization has been modified to provide for a broader base of representation. The Civil Service Commission supports this change and recommends the adoption of the resolution. January 28, 1980 Mayor Nawrocki commented that he wished the City Manager would be as diligent in pursuing matters the Council directed to him as he was in this. He added that in the matter of the City selecting members, he feels that this point has been responded to to his satisfaction. On the matter of assessments, the Mayor stated he was promised a response from one of the city managers he contacted but he hasn't received it as yet. He does feel there is ample protection for a city to get out if it doesn't approve the budget for a coming year and doesn't feel the assessment procedure is bad enough to disapprove the resolution. He is bothered by the fact that because this is a policy matter the Council should have been made aware of it. The City Manager went to the Civil Service Commission before he came to the Council and this limited the time the Council had to make their decision. Had there been a reasonable amount of time to consider, the kind of language they were interested in could have been made a part of the initial agreement. He personally thinks the concept is good and the Council should participate in the program. Councilman Heintz agreed that the concept is good but he is not sure that he is willing to go along with the requirement that the City join before February 2. feels the City is being dictated to. He Mayor Nawrocki stated that if the City doesn't get in now, the City would have to start recruiting as they did in the past because there are currently several openings in the Police Department to be filled. Councilman Norberg stated that the City could simply sign the agreement and put the organization on notice that the City will not pay dues unless the agreement is changed as proposed. The Mayor suggested designating Stuart Anderson, Police Chief, and Ken Nygaard, Civil Service Commissioner, as the City representatives. RESOLUTION 80-8 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION IN THE SUBURBAN POLICE RECRUITMENT SYSTEM WHEREAS, the City of Columbia Heights is authorized by Minnesota Statute 471.59 to enter into joint and cooperative agreements with other governmental units; and WHEREAS., this City' Council has reviewed a joint and cooperative agreement among suburban municipalities in the seven-county metropolitan area which will establish a Suburban Police Recruitment System; and WHEREAS,, the purpose of the Suburban Police Recruitment System will be to recruit candidates for entry-level police positions in the cooperating municipalities and to assist the cooperating municipalities in evaluating candidates for these positions; and WHEREAS, this City' Council has determined that it will be advantageous to the City of Columbia Heights to participate in the Suburban Police Recruitment System; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Columbia Heights, Minnesota, as follows: January 28, 1980 Page 5 The Mayor and the City Manager hereby are authorized to execute the Joint and Cooperative Agreement which establishes the Suburban Police Recruitment System and which provides for City membership in said System. ° Stuart Anderson and Ken Nygaard hereby are designated as the City's initial Director and Alternate Director in the Suburban Police Recruitment System. The City Clerk hereby is directed to file an executed copy of the Joint and Cooperative Agreement as provided therein, together with a certified copy of this Resolution. Adopted by the City Council this 28th day of January, 1980. Offered by: Norberg Seconded by: Hentges Councilman Logacz stated the City should stay in at least one year to give the organization a fair chance. Councilman Heintz asked if the Council would be willing to pull out of the organization if they did not accept the members designated by the Council. The Mayor stated he thought that this would be a breach of faith on the part of the organization and the City should not stay in under those circum- stances. The Council agreed. Roll Call: 1All Ayes Discussion continued on where the money should come from for the purchase of the property known as the Voss parking lot. The City Manager stated that the City should take it from the general fund or the Sullivan Lake fund. Mayor Nawrocki asked about using the revenue sharing fund. John Schedler, Finance Director, stated that the balance in the revenue sharing wasn't that great. Councilman Heintz thought it should come from revenue sharing because it qualified under the guidelines for this fund. Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, that monies for the purchase of the property known as the Voss parking lot come out of the revenue sharing fund. Roll Call: All Ayes 4. Seal Coating Policy The Council was given a map showing the areas which were seal coated last. Councilman Norberg stated he doesn't like the last sentence of the resolution authorizing the use of general obligation funds for selected seal coating because a future council or city'manager could misread it. He stated he wouldn't vote for the resolution before because of this sentence and he still won't. He added he not only disagrees with the language of the resolution but he also disagrees with what the City Manager wants to do. Discussion continued on which streets were seal coated and when, the cost as estimated at $1.30 per front foot, and how this was broken down on materials. January 28, 1980 Page 6 Councilman Heintz stated he agrees with the proposal of seal coating when needed instead of having a public hearing every time. He added the capital improvement program should be established first and then the seal coating proposal should be considered. The Mayor stated he doesn't believe the resolution is necessary. The Council should follow the policy which they followed in the past. He believes that authorization should be given for seal coating in the northwest corner of the City for the summer and the advertising for a hearing should be authorized. Motion by Norberg to authorize the City Manager to advertise for a public hearing to seal coat the area from University Ave. to Central Ave., flSth to 5Brd. Discussion followed on how long it would take to prepare the assessment rolls. The City Manager stated it would take approximately until April. The Council felt that this was too long. The City Manager stated he will put this on the agenda for the next regular meeting to have a more definite date for the public hearing. Councilman Norberg withdrew his motion. 5. Local /:7]7 Contract The City Manager noted the changes in the contract including wages, fringe benefits, probationary period, etc. Councilman Norberg noted that Article IX, section 9.4 should be rewritten to read: "Full time senior employees will be given preference within the bargaining unit with regard to transfer when the job relevant qualifications of employees are equal. Full time senior employees will be considered for transfer to other job classifications within the City, provided they are qualified to perform the duties and accountabilities of the new job classification" which reflects the addition of the words "within the bargaining unit" Discussion followed on the sa]aries paid bartenders and waitresses outside the City. Councilman Norberg also noted that the word ~employees~should be added to the section guaranteeing rights. The Council agreed to the additional words in Article IX, section ~.4 but did not agree to add the word "employees" to the section on rights. RESOLUTION 80-9 REGARDING SALARIES AND BENEFITS FOR MEMBERS OF LOCAL /17 (LIQUOR EMPLOYEES) BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, THAT: WHEREAS, negotiations have proceeded between the Hotel and Restaurant Employee and Bartender's Union, Local /]7, representing employees of the City's liquor operation, and members of the City negotiation team, and said negotiations have resulted in a mutually acceptable contract, for the calendar year 1980, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the contract agreements as negotiated be and are hereby established as the salary and fringe benefit program for 1980 for members of the Columbia Heights Liquor Department. January 28, 1980 Page 7 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Manager be authorized to execute this agreement. Passed this 28th day of January, 1980. Offered by: Hentges Seconded by: Heintz Roll Call: All Ayes 6. Commending Knights of Columbus RESOLUTION 80-10 COMMENDING KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, BLESSED VIRGIN MARY COUNCIL #4381 WHEREAS, the Knights of Columbus have always been community service oriented, and WHEREAS, one of their programs in recent years has been to recognize service of law enforcement officers on an annual basis. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights takes this means to express its appreciation for their recognition of law enforcement efforts by members of the Columbia Heights Police Department. Passed this 28th day of January, 1980. Offered by: Heintz Seconded by: Logacz Roll Call: All Ayes RECESS at 10:15 p.m. RECONVENE at 10:35 p.m. COMMUNICATIONS: 1. State of the Region Meeting The Metropolitan Council is sponsoring The State of the Region 1980 on February 12. This was for the Council's information. 2. Metropolitan Council Review The School District Capital Improvement Program has been submitted to the Metropolitan Council for review. The Planning and Zoning Commission will be reviewing this Capital Improvement Program as well as New Brighton's Comprehensive Plan at their regular meeting of February 5. 1980 MTC SHELTER PROGRAM The MTC will only consider one site for installation of a bus shelter during 1980. Councilman Norberg doesn't feel the 10+ riders per day at either suggested location of 965 4Oth Ave. or 44th and Jefferson justifies a shelter. The majority of the Council agreed to recommending the site of 44th and Jefferson to the HTC. January 28, 1980 Page 8 OTHER OLD BUSINESS Councilman Heintz stated that the Council had authorized monies to Pat 01ynyk for the Miss Columbia Heights activities and she hasn't received payment as yet. The City Manager will take care of this. Councilman Norberg again brought up the subject of the timing of the walk lights on Central Ave. They have been reset recently to a reasonable length of time and he is concerned that in several months the State will come through, retime the lights, and change them back to what they were. He would like to make sure that this doesn't happen. Fred Salsbury, Public Works Director, stated he will check the situation. Councilman Hentges asked again about installation of the proposed semaphore for 50th and Central. The Mayor reminded him that the City is scheduled for this light during either 1980 or 1981. NEW BUSINESS: 1. North American Snow Conference Motion by Hentges, seconded by Norberg, to authorize attendance and expenses for Tom Hosch and Fred Salsbury to the North American Snow Conference to be held April i4, 15, and 16 in Toronto, Canada. Motion by Heintz to table until the next regular meeting for Fred Salsbury to determine whether this would fit into his schedule. Motion dies for lack of a second. Roll Call: Logacz, Norberg, Hentges Heintz, Nawrocki Nay Aye 2. Informal O~uotations on Typewriter The City Manager stated that the new typewriter will go to his secretary and her used one will go to the Park Bepartment. Councilman Norberg stated that if the City Hanager's department needed a new typewriter they should budget for one. He added that he doesn't see any justification for the specs stating that the parts must be interchangeable with IBM typewriters already in use. He feels this keeps other companies from bidding. Councilman Heintz stated that he feels the difference in cost between the new typewriter and the present one should be transferred from the Administration Department to Park Department. Motion by Nawrocki, seconded by Norberg, to deny the request. Roll Call: All Ayes 3. 1980 Park Budget Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, to approve the use of revenue sharing funds to finance $12,200 of miscellaneous maintenance Park Department expenditures. Such funds to be used in coniunction with the 1980 budget. January 28, 1980 Page 9 Mayor Nawrocki asked if there still was money left for this purpose in the revenue sharing fund. The City Manager answered that there was. Councilman Norberg stated he is sympathetic with the oversight which resulted in this amount not being budgeted, but doesn't feel the money should come from the revenue sharing fund. He believes the budget should be amended. The Mayor pointed out that this motion is in effect amending the budget. Councilman Norberg felt the monies should come out of unallocated general funds. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Hentges, Nawrocki - Aye Norberg - Pass 4. Labor Relations Subscriber Service The City Manager stated that the amount due for the Labor Relations Subscriber Service for the period of March 15, 1980 through March 14, 1981 is $2,225. Discussion was held on the services performed in the past by the Service. Councilman Norberg stated that he is bothered by the fact that they don't recommend anything for the City to be asking for during negotiations. Motion by Logacz, seconded by Heintz, to authorize participation in the contract with the Labor Relations Subscriber Service in the amount of $2,225 to the League of Minnesota Cities for the period beginning March 15, 1980 and ending March 14, 1981. Mayor Nawrocki commented that he questions whether participation is the right decision and asked whether any other firms have ever been looked at to provide this service. The City Manager answered that he didn't know if the LMC had considered other firms. Roll Call: Logacz, Heintz, Nawrocki - Aye Norberg, Hentges - Nay 5. Park Planning Services Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into contract with Brauer and Associates, Ltd., Inc. in an amount not to exceed $4,050 for park planning services based on low', informal quotation to develop master plans for Sullivan Lake Park and Huset Park, and for the activities area immediately adjacent to the new building in Prestemon Park. Roll Call: All Ayes Motion by Heintz, seconded by Hentges, to authorize an expenditure of $945 to Mark Hurd Aerial Surveys, Inc. to provide aerial photographs showing the topography of Huset Park. They are the only firm in the metropolitan area to provide this service, thus this is a proprietary item. Roll Call: All Ayes January 28, 1980 Page 10 6. Other New Business Work is being proposed on B7th from Main St. to Central Ave. The City Manager asked whether the Council was interested in including sidewalks on the Columbia Heights side and if so would they be assessed to the homeowners. Councilmen Norberg and Heintz were in agreement to hold a public hearing for the assessment of the sidewa]k. Councilman Hentges stated that he would consider it if it came out of state aid monies. Councilman Logacz indicated that the City should look into state aid monies and if this is not available a public hearing should be held. Discussion continued on the curb and gutter replacement, whether it should be assessed or not. Mayor Nawrocki asked to see a copy of the agreement between Columbia Heights and Minneapolis. The City Manager will report back to the Council on the possibilities of state aid. CITY ATTORNEY'S REPORT City Attorney Kalina recommended making the following appointment. Motion by Hentges, seconded by Heintz, to appoint Ken Nygaard as the unpaid Police Chief's First Assistant. Roll Call: Alt Ayes This action should prevent any misunderstanding in the matter of the resolution regarding the Suburban Police Recruitment System as the Chief's First Assistant is authorized to represent the City on the Board of Directors. Mayor Nawrocki asked that the Insurance Commission's impressions on self insurance be reported back to the Council. The City Manager reported he has met with George Brown, City Engineer, and is proposing asking the Council to put 30 days of vacation in escrow up to retirement. The vacation days will be paid at the current rate and not at the rate when he retires. One half of the accumulated sick days will be added to the 30 escrowed days. He wou]d then continue to accrue sick days. The City Manager will have a definite proposal at a later meeting. Mayor Nawrocki brought up the request of Harry A]bro regarding a donation to the Beltrami Health Center. Councilman Hentges stated he has checked several sources and no one in the area uses the service because they feel it is too far to travel. The majority of the Council agreed to decline the request although the Mayor stated he doesn't feel the City could ever do too much for its senior citizens. LICENSES Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, to grant the licenses as listed upon payment of proper fees. Roll Call: All Ayes January 28, 1980 Page 11 PAYMENT OF BILLS Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, to pay bills as listed out of their proper funds. Councilman Norberg questioned #34382 to Firestone for $549.12. He stated that because this was bought on the Hennepin County bid doesn't mean the price shouldn't be checked with other places. Motion by Norberg, seconded by Hentges, to remove from the list of bills #34382. Roll Call: Norberg, Hentges - Aye Logacz, Heintz, Nawrocki - Nay Motion fails. Roll Call on main motion: Legacz, Heintz, Nawrocki Norberg, Hentges - Nay Aye ADJOURNMENT Motion by Heintz, seconded by Logacz, to adjourn at 12:05 a.m. Roll Call: All Ayes Bruce--~--G I~a~'r~c-k i , Mayor Council Sec~eta ry