HomeMy WebLinkAboutJul 6, 1981Official Proceedings
Columbia Heights City Council Special Meeting
July 6, 1981
meeting was called to order by Mayor Nawrocki at 8:20 pm.
1. Roll call
Logacz, Norberg, Hentges, Nawrocki--present Heintz--absent
It was noted that Councilman Heintz was out of town.
2. Purpose of Meeting
a) Review job descriptions and establish salaries for the Assistant Building Inspector
and the Building Inspector
b) Community Center update to seek out Council's direction
c) City Hall air conditioning system
1. Assistant Building Inspector
The Council reviewed with the City Manager the job description and salary range that had
appeared in the paper advertisement and the job posting. What typing requirements would
be expected was discussed, as well as, the need for certification. It was the consensus
of the Council that the Assistant Building Inspector need not be a Certified Minnesota
Building Inspector and that this requirement be deleted from the job description. The
typing requirement is to be left as it reads as is the salary range. The history of this
position was discussed and the Building Inspector was comfortable with the amended job
description. At this point in time, the City Manager said there have been seven to ten
applications received for this position.
2. Building Inspector
The City Manager reviewed the job description and the salary range with the comparative
study of other suburbs salary ranges attached. There were two errors on the Entry and
6-Months levels. The correct range is as follows:
$1,878/mo (or $22,536 yr) Entry
$1,942/mo (or $23.304 yr) 6-Months
$2,006/mo (or $24,072 yr) 1 Year
$2,O70/mo (or $24,840 yr) 2 Years
$2,134/mo (or $25,608 yr) 3 Years
The corrected range is within the advertised mid-twenties range.
Councilman Norberg suggested investigating the possibility of having a joint powers agre-
ement with the City of Fridley ~hat may result in a better combination for staffing the
Building Inspection Department than the present arrangement. Councilmen Hentges and
Logacz felt the City needs a full time building inspector, but the Mayor felt this sug-
gestion could be explored for the position of Assistant Building Inspector.
Motion by Norberg, second by Hentges to direct the City Manager to examine the suggestion
of having a joint powers agreement with Fridley, and all other contiguous communities
to Columbia Heights, except the City of Minneapolis. Roll call: All ayes
It was noted that the responsibilities of heating inspections was contained in the job
description for the Building Inspector. There is no separate Heating Inspector for the
City of Columbia Heights.
Motion by Hentges, second by Logacz be it hereby resolved that the salary range for the
Building Inspector for the City of Columbia Heights be as follows: Entry level, $1,878
per month; 6-Months, $1,942 per month; 1 Year, $2,006 per month; 2 Years, $2,070 per
month and 3 Years, $2,134 per month. Roll call: All ayes
3. Community Center
The City Manager explained that he and the staff is presently going through plans being
submitted by architects for the design and ultimate selection of the Community Center.
This action was taken based on the instruction received from the Council at the last
meeting. At this point in time seven architectural firms have been interviewed and the
City Manager presently is requesting how the Council desires the selection process to
'I ' ~ ~Special Council Meeting
July 6, 1981
page 2
proceed. Lengthy discussion followed concerning what was wanted in an addition to the
High School. It was generally felt that the staff could review all of the architectural
proposals and make a selection of two or three ~o present to the Council on the regular
Council meeting July 13th. These proposals will also be discussed and reviewed at,the
special meeting scheduled for Tuesday, July 14th.
The City Manager told the Council that the School Board for District # 13 requested the
School Superintendent to confer with the City Manager to clarify what the Council wishes
to do in regard to acquiring school properties and the fall recreation program. The Mayor
felt the concern for the recreation program should extend for an entire season not just
for the fall. A lengthy discussion followed regarding acquisitions, costs, programs and
policy. The proposal the Council wishes the City Manager to present to the School Board
and the Superintendert is as follows; transfer of title to the site next to the Senior
High School and trans~fer of the University property, Columbia Junior High School and
Nelson Elementary School. Councilman Norberg explored with the Council an optional
proposal dealing with operating costs of the Recreation program and changes or contin-
ued ownership of certain properties or buildings. The Mayor had six suggestions regar-
ding the Community Center;
1. City take title to Columbia Junior High School building and property
2. City enter into an agreement with the School District for the recreation program
for one season tlone year) on a 50/50 basis for costs of the recreation program
operation at Columbia Junior High School
3. City will have a lease arrangement with the School District for gym spaces at
Columbia Junior High School for athletic programs.
4. An engineer or consultant will be hired to evaluate building needs of Columbia
to determine what would need to be done in the way of renovating or remodeling.
Costs of this e~aluation would be paid by the City.
5. Prospects for rental opportunities would be explored. Examples of potential
renters were cited by the Mayor; Cable TV, Anoka County, Library, etc..
6. City would accept other properties from the School District (Nelson, University
property and High School site) on the condition that a new building may be built.
The Mayor requested the exact dollar amount it would cost to remodel Columbia Junior
High School so it could be used, whether on a temporary basis or on a permanent basis.
Councilman Hentges said many of the expenditures had already been received by the
Council but feels it is necessary to employ a consultant to get all of the figures
necessary to get a fairly close estimate.
Motion by Hentges, second by Nawrocki to direct the City Manager to expend funds
on finding out exactly what it would cost the City to modify and update Columbia
Junior High School if it were to be used as a Community Center on a long or short
term basis and any other functions that the City may desire for its use, these funds
have been set aside in the budget~
Motion to amend by Hentges, second by Logacz to transfer the funds for this feasibility
study out of the General Unallocated Funds. The motion was ruled out of order by the
Chair in that it takes a resolution to transfer funds out of the General Unallocated
Fund.
Motion by Norberg, second by Hentges to table this matter. Roll call: All ayes Discus-
sion followed as to what was tabled, the amendment or the main motion. It was decided
by the Chair that the amendment was tabled.
Motion by Norberg, second by Hentges to table the main motion. Roll call: Logacz, Norberg,
Hentges--aye Nawrocki--nay
The motion that had been tabled at the meeting of June 22, 1981 was as follows;
Motion by Norberg, second by Hentges that the City Manager be authorized to draw from
the Unallocated General Expense up to $150,000 for the purpose of funding the ~rchi-
tectural and engineering administrative costs necessary to develop the plans and cost
estimates for the cc~nstruction of a Community Center facility at Columbia Senior High
School and for the renovation of Murzyn Hall to accommodate the needs of Senior Citizen
Programs. This motic~n was tabled on June 22nd for additional information and break-
down of costs.
Motion by Norberg, second by Logacz to table the general subject until the next regular
· ..-Special Council Meeting
July 6, 1981
page 3
Council meeting. Roll call: Logacz, Norberg--aye Nawrocki--nay Councilman Hentges was
absent at the time oF the vote.
4. Air Conditioning System--City Hall
The City Manager briefly reviewed the problems that have been experienced with the air
conditioning in City Hall. He is recommending that a consultant be hired to determine
the problems, evaluate the system and suggest solutions. He hoped someone with know-
ledge of general heating, air conditioning and vent systems could be hired. Council-
man Norberg felt a mechanical engineer or consultant should not be hired. He thinks
all the system needs is to be balanced and this can be done by a tradesman.
Motion by Logacz, second by Hentges to authorize the City Manager to expend up to $2,000
for work on the City Hall air conditioning system to be evaluated. Roll call: Logacz,
Hentges, Nawrocki--aye Norberg--nay
5. Informational Items
A resident of 51st Avenue had contacted a Council member regarding the walkway planned
around Sullivan Lake. She was interested in knowing if any change had been made for not
having the walkway all the way around the lake. Councilman Norberg commented that he is
not convinced that it is needed to extend all the way around the lake and dislikes the
width of it. He feels that he would like to see the walkway interrupted at specific
intervals so as to discourage bicycle traffic.
The Mayor reviewed what boards and commissions have vacancies. They are the Traffic
Commission, Planning and Zoning Commission, Science, Technology and Energy Commission,
and the Human Services Commission. Councilman Norberg offered the name of a person
who had expressed interest on serving on the Science, Technology and Energy Commission
and requested that the Council Secretary send him an application.
The Mayor reviewed with the Council the proposed Police and Fire Contract that he had
given to the Mayor of Hilltop.
Motion by Logacz, second by Norberg to adjourn the meeting at
ayes
//J~-Anne Student, Cou~c ~ 1
Secretary
Bruc~ G. Nawrocki, Mayor