Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMar 27, 1985OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 27, 1985 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Nawrocki at 7:30 P.M.. 1. Roll Call - Hovland, PetkOf£, Carlson, Peterson, Nawrocki - present 2. Invocation No Invocation was offered. 3. Minutes of Previous Meetings Motion by Peterson, second by Carlson to approve the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of March 13th, and the Public Improvement Hearing on March 18th, as presented in writing and that the reading be dispensed with. Roll call: All ayes 4. Oral Petitions There were no oral petitions. 4a. Proclamation Mayor Nawrocki read a proclamation officially proclaiming April 14 - 20, 1985, as National Library Week in the City of Columbia Heights. He commended members of the Library staff as well members of the Library Board for the very fine library services available to the residents of the City. 5. Ordinances and Resolutions There were no ordinances or resolutions. 6. Communications a. Planning and Zoning Commission 1. Cargill, Inc., 3701 Fifth Street, Lotsplit and Conditional Use Permit The City Development Specialist advised the Council that the Carqill Company is presently disposing of its property in Columbia Heights. A lotsplit is being requested to accommodate selling of the Cargill property. Construction Whole- salers, Inc. is interested in purchasing some land from Cargill as well as the buildings, steel tank, and truck dump to house its fly ash business. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the lotsplit for Cargill, Inc. and approval or the Conditiona! Use ~ermit for Construction Wholesalers, Inc. The Mayor and members of the Council had numerous questions regarding structural soundness of the tank, potential Dollution problems, traffic manaoement, quidelines for monitoring the capacity of the tanks, removal of underground tanks, soil and air contamination, and accessability for maintenance, repair and replacement. The Mayor felt that these concerns should be addressed before any approval or authorizations are given. Motion by Petkoff, second by Hovland to table these requests for additional infor- mation. Roll call: All ayes ~Regular Council Meeting March 27, 1985 page 2 7. Old and New Business a. Old Business 1. Comparable Worth Study - Authorization to Execute an Agreement - Hay Associates There was a len§thy discussion regarding the proposal and subsequent amendments received from:Hay Associates for the City's comparable worth study. It was noted there is legislation pending which may affect the participation of the police and fire departments in the study. Hay's consultant anticipates devoting 100 hours to the study and will bill the City based on hourly rates. Councilmember Petkoff stated she would not support an agreement with Hay Associates as she feels their rates are too costly and their projection of 100 hours is not realistic. Council- member Peterson noted one of the reasons for rejecting the Control Data Business Advisors proposat was because it was the highest bic! received by the MAMA Group. The Mayor felt that all consultant's fees would be high and observed that any costs associated with the study for those hours surpassing 100 would have to be absorbed by Hay Associates. Councilmember Petkoff also was concerned with the fact that so many other cities chose Control Data Business Advisors for their comparable worth studies and our city didn't. Motion by Carlson, second by Hovland to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to execute an agreement with Hay Management Consultants of Minneapolis, Minnesota, to undertake the City's Comparable Worth Study consistent with the Minnesota Com- parable Worth Act at a fee not to exceed $17,000. Roll call: Hovland, Carlson, Nawrocki - aye Petkoff, Peterson - nay 2. Other Old Business None b. New Business 1. Honeywell Annual Picnic Motion by Petkoff, second by Peterson to grant permission to Columbia Heights Honeywell facility for the purpose of possessing and consuming non-intoxicating malt liquor in Huset Park on either June 4th or June 5th between the hours of 3:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. and, furthermore, the activities of the affair will not interfere with league play in the park and that the attendees of the affair will clean up the area when the affair is over. Roll call: Ail ayes 2. Fire Department Request to Purchase Radio Equipment Motion by Carlson, second by Petkoff to authorize the purchase of equipment from , ,~0~ based Motorola Communications of t~innetonka, t~innesota in the amount of $4 ~ ~ upon the joint purchasing consortium contract #A5085-M. Roll call: All ayes It was noted the cost for this purchase was less than had been budgeted. Mayor Nawrocki shared with the Council some of the information he received at the recent National League of Cities Congressional Conference regarding Revenue Sharing and Community Development Block Grants. It presently appears that these two sources of funding will be experiencing a decrease as proposed by the present administration. The position of the National League and the League of Minnesota Cities is that these two programs have been very useful and effective. Mayor Nawrocki noted the City of Columbia Heights had used these funds for capital purposes and not for operating funds. Cities who had used them for operating funds, such as salaries, could anti- cipate considerable problems. ~Regular Council Meeting March 27, 1985 page 3 3. Request of N.E. Sheet Metal to Erect a Tent at 4347 Central Avenue The City Manager advised the Council that N.E. Sheet Metal intends to erect a 20I x 20' tent for the purpose of conducting a "tent sale" for liquidation of older equipment. A previous experience the City had with this business regarding non, conforming use on the property was discussed. It was decided that a deposit be required for-erection of this tent in regards to the time it must be taken down. ~: Motion by Peterson, second by Carlson to grant permission to Northeast Sheet Metal at 4347 Central Avenue to erect a 20' x 20' tent for the purpose of con- ducting a "tent sale" on April 12 13, and 14 1~5; provided, however, the tent be removed no later than April 17th, 1985; a $100 deposit be made to the City; and, the $100 deposit will be forfeited if the tent is not removed by April 17, 1985. Roll call: All ayes 4. Liquor Store Advertising The City Manager requested the City Council authorize the payment of $1,050 for radio advertising for the !iquor store President's Day Celebration. This amount exceeds the dollars that can be expended without Council approval. The City Man- ager noted this advertising was done on two radio stations and separate billings were expected. From the billing it was noted that the two stations are owned by the same company. The Mayor stated he felt the City policy was being circumvented. Motion by Hovland, second by Peterson to authorize payment of $1,050 to KEEY/WDGY radio stations for advertising services rendered on February 17-18, 1985. Roll call: All ayes 5. Cable Communications Commission Gary Matz, attorney from Herbst and Thue, is counsel to the Cable Commission. He addressed the high points of the recent rate review and performance audit of our local cable service. He discussed with the Council some items in the request for proposal that have not as yet been supplied or fulfilled by the cable service. He felt the City was in a very strong negotiating position considering the ten year franchise period and a one million dollar performance bond presently in place. The counsel continue~ to feel that the decrease in subscribers was due to the rate increase. Mark Matthews, General Manager of Group W, agreed with most of the points referred to by Gary Matz as contained in the audit and review. He stated that many of these criticisms had already been corrected or are in the process of being changed or improved. Dave Szurek, Chairman of the Commission, told the Council that members of the Commission feel that another member of the Council should sit on the Commission so the concerns and desires of the Council could be more totally communicated and represented. This suggestion was made to avoid presenting proposals to the Council which are ultimately rejected as they were not what the Council had requested. Chairman Szurek had compiled a list of items felt to be negotiable by the Commission for Council review. He requested this list not be reviewed at this time as that would compromise the list's effective- ness. Motion by Petkoff, second by Peterson that the Mayor and Councilmember Petkoff be designated 'to work with two members of the Cable Commission, to be selected by the Commission, to form a committee to develop and negotiate recommendations for changes in the cable franchise. Roll call: All ayes Chairman Szurek addressed the Annual Report of the Cable Commission. Regular Council Meeting March 27, 1985 page 4 6. Bid Award - Purchase of Various Video Equipment The City Manager reviewed all of the bids received. He noted that the specifications had been sent to twenty-two vendors. The Cable Commission recommended the lowest bidder and members of the Commission spoke to some of the equipment in the bid with which they were_acquainted. The Mayor inquired if the lowest bidder met all of the specificatio~ with no deviation and was advised it did. The Council viewed drawings for placement o~ video equipment in the Council Chambers. Motion by Petkoff, second by Peterson to award the purchase of various video equip- ment to G-Tronics Distribution of Minneapolis, Minnesota in the amount of $9,507.50 based upon low, formal bid; and, furthermore, that the Mayor and City Manager be authorized to execute an agreement for same. Roll call: All ayes RECESS: 11:50 P.M. RECONVENE: 12:10 A.M. 6. Permit Fee for Street Permits (Replacement of Sidewalk) At a recent Improvement Hearing it was noted that a resident who proposes to im- prove his sidewalk located in the City's right-of-way must acquire a $30.00 permit from the City and make a deposit when working on that right-of-way. Staff was re- quested to review this policy as well as the reasons for it. A memo from the City Engineer addressed the permit fee, breaking it down into unit costs for each pro- cedure done by the Engineering Department. The reason for the permit is to follow any street excavation or sidewalk repair be done in a timely fashion and up to City standards. The SlO0 deposit is utilized when there is .boor workmanship or the project is not completed properly by a resident or contractor and the City incurs expenses to correct the project. Members of the Council felt some of the residents whose pro- perties are included on the hazardous sidewalk project would be rwhoosing to do their own repair/replacement and the fees are too high for this type of work. The con- census of the Council was the fees for the permit and the deposit could be waived in small projects and requested the City Manager to draft a resolution or motion, which ever is appropriate, to address this type of waiver. Mayor Nawrocki also re- quested that staff survey surrounding communities in regards to their policy for this type of matter. 7. Estimated Assessment Costs - 42nd Avenue Reconstruction The Engineering Department prepared an alternate proposal for the reconstruction of 42nd Avenue as requested at the March 18th Public Hearing. The revised cost estimates were for the street width to remain at 29 feet, sidewalks to remain on both sides of the street and deletion of a portion of sidewalk proposed to go to LaBelle Park. This alternate proposal was approximately $25,000 less than the original proposal and about $5.00 less per assessable foot. It was a con- sensus of the Council that this alternate proposal is the one preferred for pre- sentation at the April 15th Public Hearing. The Mayor requested that those resi- dents who will be affected by the assessment project be notified by mail of the alternate proposal. 8. Notice of Pu6~ic Hearing - April 15, 1985 The Council received a copy of the public notice regarding the projects being proposed for consideration at the April 15th Public Hearing. P.I.R. #803, which deals with crack and joint sealing for concrete alleys in the Cit~was discussed in detail and alternative ways to assess the costs were explainedP. The majority of the Council chose to support that method of assessment whereby the costs would be spread overall. The City Engineer stated that this procedure had never been Regular Council Meeting March 27, 1985 page 5 done in our City and was preventative maintenance which would protect the investment made in these alleys. He also stated he was comfortable with having the City crews do this work. P.I.R. #803 also includes work on a specific alley located between Jefferson and Madison, 49th to 50th. The source of funding for this portion of the project was discussed and all of the Council agreed it should not be an assessable project but be paid for out of the General Fund. 9. Gambling License Application The City Manager advised the Council that an application for a gambling license has been received from Dave's Bar. It was noted that the profit realized from this gambling would be given to the National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. This was an informational item. 10. New Hire - Patrolman Motion by Petkoff, second by Hovland to approve the hiring of Terence Nightengale in the position of Patrolman effective April 1,1985 at the entry rate for a patrol- man of S1,518 per month, and as recommended by the Civil Service Commission. Roll call: All ayes ll. Columbia Park Medical Clinic Letter A copy of a letter from the Columbia Park Medical Clinic to the HRA Director was referred to by the Mayor. In the letter staff at the Clinic addressed their plans to build a facility on the northwest corner of 4Oth and Central Avenues. They noted their proposal will be ready for the HRA meeting scheduled for April 9th. 8. Reports a. Report of the City Manager The City Manager's report was submitted in written form and the following items were discussed: 1. Resolution Opposing the Sale of Wine in Grocery Stores: A resolution was received from the City of Spring Lake Park stating its opposition to the selling of wine in grocery stores and requesting that the City of Col- umbia Heights adopt a similar resolution and send it to the appropriate people in the Legislature. Councilmember Petkoff stated she did not have enough information o~ this matter to take a position. She also referred to some correspondence she had received taking an opposite point of view. Resolution No. 85-14 Motion by Carlson, second by Peterson to waive the reading of the resolution there being ample copies available to the public. Roll call: All ayes RESOLUTION NO. 85-14 A RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE SALE OF WINE IN GROCERY STORES WHEREAS, The Minnesota State Legislature created the authority for municipal liquor stores in 1934 primarily to control the sale of liquor; and. WHEREAS, The City of Columbia Heights, by vote of the citizens of the City, entered into the sale of liquor in accordance with said state law for the purpose of providing reasonable control over the sale and 'Regular Council Meeting March 27, 1985 page 6 dispensing of liquor in our community; and, WHEREAS, Not only have municipal liquor stores provided desirable control over the sale of liquor, but also have provided reduced taxes and a source of funding for other City projects; and, WHEREAS, Ai|~wing the sale of wine in grocery stores will make more difficult the control of the sale of liquor in the community; and, WHEREAS, Allowing the sale of wine in grocery stores will reduce the revenues available to the City to fund municipal services at a time when other municipal revenue sources are also facing cutbacks. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Columbia Heights City Council is absolutely against the sale of wine in grocery stores in any form. FURTHER, BE IT RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent to legislators representing the City of Columbia Heights, Governor Perpich, and the Chairperson of the House Commerce Committee. Passed this 27th day of March, 1985. Offered by: Seconded by: Roll call: Carlson Peterson Hovland, Carlson, Peterson, Nawrocki - aye Petkoff - nay Jo-Anne Student, Council Secretary Bruce G. Nawrocki, Mayor 2. Pizza On Wheels: The City Manager advised the Council that a food establishment license had been approved by Anoka County. Upon receipt of a copy of this approval the City's licensing staff will release its license to the owners of Pizza On Wheels. b. Report of the City Attorney The City Attorney referred the Council to a letter received from the City of Moundsview regarding the Anoka County airport. The City Attorney and the City Engineer discussed with the Council the lack of activity with regards to the City of Hilltop and a specific agreement. The subject of a beer license for a single event was discussed. It was noted this type of license would require an ordinance and the Mayor requested it should be drafted for presentat'ion at a Council meeting with the timeframes in mind to accommodate the dates of the Jamboree. 9. Licenses Motion by Car.' mm, second by Peterson to approve the license applications as listed upon payment of t'he proper fees. Roll call: All ayes 10. Payment of Bills Motion by Peterson, second by Hovland to approve the bills as listed and payment to be made out of proper funds. Roll call: All ayes ~Regular Council Meeting March 27, 1985 page 7 Mayor Nawrocki advised the Council that Roger densen, Director of the Housing and Redevelopment Authorit~ has submitted his resignation effective April 1, 1985. Roger has accepted a position with the Anoka County Economic Development Partner- ship. ~djournment Motion by Pet~rson, second by Carlson to adjourn the meeting at call: All ayes -Anne Student, Council Secretary