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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDec 15, 1986OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY' COUNCIL SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING )ECEMBER 15, 1986 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Nawrocki at 3:30 p.m.. 1. Roll Call Paulson, Petkoff, Carlson, Nawrocki - present Paterson - absent 2. Business Items a. Report and recommendation from Attorney Gary Matz regarding planned system changes by Group W Cable and North Central Cable Communications Corporation (NCCCC). Hatz reviewed his.memo of December 5, 1986 regarding the proposed changes to the cable system. Me noted that there were certain changes completed without Council approval and which violate the franchise. The first change proposed ~as the replacement of the Electronic Program Guide with a preview channel. Also, it was noted that the elimination of the 'SCommunity Trading Posts~ channel was proposed. It was the opinion of the cable counsel that the mix, quality and level of service would be affected by these changes and could not be made without approval of the City Council. Realignment of some channels and deletion of others also was proposed by NCCCC and the cable counsel stated that this can not be done without Council approval. Oiscussion continued regarding the changing of the positions, of the access channels and how this would affect the viewers. Councilmember Petkoff stated it had taken a couple of years for viewers to become familiar with the channel line up and now t is being changed. It was felt by the Council that.these changes would.not be n the best interests of the viewers. Concern was expressed regarding the .use of Channel six as something other than the Regional Interconnect channel. It was noted that the lower numbered channels appear to have the most viewers and if local access channels were moved to the higher numbered channels much local access viewing would be lost. Matz had stated in his memo that changes of local access channels must be approved by the City Council. Matz~s memo also mentioned that the position of Chief Operating Officer and Gene-' ral Manager of North Central for each of the six Group W systems had been fil!ed by John Eddy. Matz noted that this consolidation also required Council approval which had not been gotten. Members of the Cable Communications Commission In attendance noted that a cable listing which had been mailed to Group W subscribers did not include local access They also mentioned other channels they thought ~ouid be eliminated or run on another channel. Discussion continued regarding the deadlines which have not been met by the cable company. Mayor Nawrocki felt the agreement had been violated by not meeting the deadlines and that the cable company should be found in non-compliance and In default. The cable counsel felt they could not withold approval on the basis that the deadline had not been met s~nce ail of the agreement conditions were now com- pleted. Motion by'Petkoff, second by Carlson that staff be instructed to Implement those recommendations contained in Attorney Matzfs memo dated December 12, 1986 and discussed at the December 15, 1986 special council meeting. Roll call: All ayes . Counsel Matz suggested that the Council send a letter to NCCCC notifying them that Jthey had missed the deadline and were encouraged to contact the Council regarding this matter. Motion by Paulson, second by Petkoff to direct staff to compose a letter as reco- mended by Counsel Matz. Roll call: AII ayes 'S~ec.lal Council Meeting December 15, 1986 page 2 Authorization to Purchase Police Department Vehicles ~ion by Carlson, second by Paulson to authorize the purchase of two 1987 Chevrolet patrol cars from Thane Hawkins Polar Chevrolet in the amount of $22,961; based upon low bid and Hennepin County Contract #7505; and, furthekmore, that the Mayor and City Manager be authorized to execute a contract for same. Roll call: AI1 ayes The City Manager corrected the memo from the Police Chief which stated that in the 1987 budget was contained $2q,200 for the patrol cars. The correct figure is $22,800 which would put this purchase $161 over budget. c. Six Cities Watershed Management Organizatlon~s Water Management Plan This plan addresses two problems which may be corrected by the WHO. The first part of the plan addresses the high water on Tertiary Pond and Iow water on Clover Pond and the second part addresses floeding south of 52nd Avenue. In October of 1986 the Council passed a resolution stating its opposition .to the proposed solu- tions to these water problems. The Public Works Oirector was to find out if the homes built in this area affected the water problems. He was not in attendance so this information was not available. Records showing the elevatlons and the water runoff also were not available. This matter must be decided before the end of 1986 and the City Manager felt that the City of Columbia Heights may be the only dis- senting vote on this matter. Councilmember Petkoff felt the resolution passed by the Council in October stated the position of the City very well. Mayor Nawrocki felt more information was needed on this subject. d. Signage for Walser Car Dealer 'he City Manager briefed the Council regarding the sign variance request from Walser. noted they want two freestanding signs and one wall sign. It was the opinion of members of the Council that this should be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Com- mission. The City Manager stated he would be working with the City Attorney to draft an amendment to the sign ordinance. /~-Anne Student, Coun~i~l Secretary Adj ou rnment Motion by Petkoff, second by Paulson to adjourn the meeting at 5:25 p.m.. Roll call: ' Al 1 ayes Mayor Bruce G. Nawrocki