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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDec 8, 1986 (2)OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING DECEMBER 8, 1956 Mayor Nawrocki called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.. I. Roll Call Pauison, Petkoff, Carlson, Peterson, Nawrocki - present 2. Invocation The invocation was offered by Pastor Richard Mork of First Lutheran Church. 3. Minutes of Previous Meetings Motion by Petkoff, second by Paulson to approve the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of November 24th and the Special Assessment Hearing of November 25th and that the reading be dispensed with. Ro11 call: All ayes There were no corrections. 4. Oral Petitions A member of First Lutheran Church inquired why signs have been posted on the ~lst Avenue side of the Church prohibiting any parking or stopping during certain hours of each day. She thinks this has proven to be an inconvenience. She also noted that there are no other churches in the community which have such signs adjacent to them. The Mayor advised her that these signs were recommended by the Traffic Commission who had held public hearings on the matter. He suggested she should attend the next Traffic Commission meeting and state her views. The' Pastor of First Lutheran Church felt any action to change the signs perhaps should come from residents in the area have been inconvenienced as well. The "No Stopping" portion of the siQns_will checked out by the staff. A resident who had recently received a ticket for parking her car on the street during the times the parking ban is in force felt the ban should not apply when there is no snow on the ground. She was advised by the Mayer that this parking ordinance was put into effect after extensive public hearings and discussion. He also noted that slngle occasion permits were available. The resident commented that the City must be making considerable money from these types of tickets. The Mayor responded that no money was made. A resident requested the Council to consider a conditional use permit for her garment lettering business which is to be located at 700 40th Avenue, She was unaware that this type of request must be made with an application and be considered by the Planning and Zoning Commission. She hopes to sign a lease for the building by the end of the week. Discussion followed regarding a speclal meeting for this item of the Planning and Zoning Commission. It was decided this special meeting could be held at 6:30 on Monday, December 22nd. The City Manager was requested to contact all members of the Commission regarding their attendance at the meeting. Ordinances and Resolutions There were no ordinances or resolutions 6. Communications a. Planning and Zoning Commission · Special PUrpose Fence, II01 Pierce Terrace, Bruce Nedegaard A decision on this request had been delayed pending resolutlon of some concerns of neighbors .in the area. The Mayor noted that the property owner of 1101 Pierce Terrace installed the drain line today. He inquired of the Public Works Oirector Regular Council Meeting December 8, 1 page 2 in his opinion this drain would avoid any drainage problems. The Public Works Oirector responded that adequate provisions have been made to handle any water and felt that the entire area was in better condition than it was previously regarding water drainage. Motion by Petkoff, second by Peterson to grant the special purpose privacy fence to the property owner of !101 Pierce Terrace as recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Roll call: All ayes The property owner of 1060 Polk Place advised the Council that there is yet to be installed a cover on the pipe and that the landscaplng is not complete. The Public Works Director advised the Council that there will be a cover on the catch basin and on the pipe. He noted that the landscaping will probably be completed In the spring as the weather is too cold at this time. As this matter had been the topic of numerous discussions and meetings over a long period of time, the property owner at 1060 Polk Place thanked the Councilmembers for their time and cooperation. He noted that a different type of fence had been approved which did not require consent of the neighbors and he'also commented on' the fact he is not convinced that there will be no water problems and is consider- ing selling his home. 2. Sign Variance, 4457 Central Avenue, Car X Muffler Shop This firm is requesting a variance to install five wall signs totaling I00 square feet facing Central Avenue. Discussion followed regarding the signage already.on the site. Mayor Nawrocki noted that there are large signs in the windows of the building. These signs had not been observed by the staff. ~mm~Otion by Peterson, second by Paulson to approve the variance request provided the xisting freestanding sign is reduced to 75 square feet as permitted by ordinance prior to the building permit being issued to allow the .installation of the wall signs as recommended by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Roll call: Paulson, Petkoff, Carlson, Peterson - aye Nawrocki - nay 3. Revised Site Plan/Non-Conforming Conditional Use Permit 3701 Central Avenue, Steve Anderson, Mobil Station This request is to allow the removal of a portion of the screening fence located on the north side of the property and to allow access to the alley. The City Manager recommended denial of this request as he said there would not :be enough parking area. Mr..Anderson said he had reviewed the site plan with the Building Inspector and it was determined that there would be the required parking spaces. He stated that this request stems from an assessment he received for an alley he is unable to use. The Mayor said the assessment is to the property not to the present use by the owner. Use may be made available to a future owner of the property and that is the reason for the assessment. The Mayor also noted that the fence was Constructed for aesthetic purposes for the residences in the area. Mr. Anderson suggested he could put gates in the fence so he would have access. He stated the gates would be closed 99% of the time but it would facilitate snow removal. He offered to plow the alley. Councilmember Peterson felt the gate would be a compromise. Motion by Peterson, second by Carlson to allow Mr. Anderson to have a special gate to allow for snow removal and the moving of vehicles and the gate shall be kept closed unless these activities are occuring. Mayor Nawrocki felt this item should be tabled until more information is available Odregarding the fence and the gate and some on-going maintenance requirements were etermlned. Councilmember Peterson suggested that the gate could have two eight feet sections and that the fence ordinance would address repairs and maintenance. Councilmember Petkoff made a frlendly amendment by requiring the Building Inspec- tor to approve the fence and to require a maintenance agreement. The City At- torney advised the Council that what Mr. Anderson is seeking is approval of Regular Council Meeting December 8, 1986 page 3 ~ revised site plan and cited the Council's options for dealing with the issue. ;ouncilmember Peterson withdrew his motion as did the seconder. Motion by Carlson, second by Nawrocki to refer this matter back to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Roll call: Carlson, Nawrocki - aye Paulson, Petkoff, Peterson- nay Motion fails Motion by Petkoff, second by Paulson to table this item pending more information. Ro11 call: All ayes Councilmember Petkoff requested that a letter be sent to property owners In the area advising them that this matter will be discussed at the next Council meeting. b. Traffic Commission The Council received minutes of the last Traffic Commission meeting. This was for informational purposes. c. Other Communications There were no other communications. 7. Old and New Business a. Old Business I. Ratify the Action of the City Manager Regarding Purchase of Circulation Desk - Public Library Motion by Petkoff, second by Paulson to ratify the action of the City Manager In purchasing a circulation desk for the Columbia Heights Library from Country labinets, Inc. of Foley, Minnesota, such award being made on the basis of low, ormal quotation received, in the amount of $2,547; and, furthermore, that the Mayor and City Manager be authorized to execute a contract for same. Roll call: All ayes 2. Re-Evaluation of Administrative Assistant - Public Works Position - Estab- lishing Salary Range Motion by Peterson, second by Carlson to establish the position description dated 11-10-86 for the position of Administrative Assistant - Public Works; and, furthermore, to establish the salary range for this position as follows: Entry Six Months One Year Two Years Three Years Monthly tjZ-,',',',',',','~6 $1,661 ~i,715 $1,770 $1',825 Annual $19,272 $19,929 $20,586 $21,243 $21,900 Roll call: All ayes 3. Police and Emergency Medical Service Contract - City of Hilltop Various items in the contract were discussed. Motion by Petkoff, second by Paulson to authorize the Mayor and City Manager.to enter into a five year contract between the City of Columbia Heights and the City of Hilltop for police and emergency medical services. Roll call: All ayes Mayor Nawrocki requested that the Council reinstate the position of Community. Service Worker which had been deleted from the budget. He noted that money received from the Hilltop contract would provide the funding for this position. Also, some of this money can be used for the neighborhood .crime watch program. Councilmember Paulson requested that the Finance Director prepare all costs and figures for this position and make this information available at the next Councll meeting. Regular Council Meeting December 8, 1986 page 4 New Business !. Award of Bid - Four Wheel Drive, One Ton Dump Truck None of the bids received would be able to meet the gross vehicle weight require- ments. It was the opinion of the Public Works Director that staff in the City shop could increase the weight capabilities of the truck. Motion by Peterson, second by Carlson to award the bid for purchase of a new four wheel drive, one ton truck with dump body and snowplow to Superlor Ford in the amount of $21,828 with a waiver of the specification for gross vehicle weight to be 12,000 pounds, such bid being based upon Iow, competitive bid; and furthermore, that the Mayor and City Manager be authorized to execute a contract for same. Ro11 call: All ayes The low bid on this truck was over the budgeted amount by $4,828. The Public Works Director advised the Council by memo that the source of funding for the exceeded budget amount is $4,$00 will be available in Account #707-4841-1358 Chemicals and $328 in Account #707-4841-1360 General Supplies. Councilmember Paulson comp- limented the staff for indicating to the Council the source of funding. 2. Liquor Operations - Advertisements Motion by Peterson, second by Carlson to authorfze the placement of holiday advertisements for Top Valu liquor operation with Minneapolis Star and Trib- une, however, at a cost not to exceed $4,500; and, furthermore, that the Mayor and City Manager be authorized to execute a contract for same. Roll call: All ayes · Offer for Exclusive Negotiations - Sullivan Lake Site An offer for exclusive negotiations was received from the Rottlund Company, Inc.. The City Manager'reviewed the entire project. He inquired if the City Council wanted to pursue an agreement with a developer or does. the Council want this done by the City's Housing.and Redevelopment Authority. Discussion followed regarding the proposal received from the Rottlund Company. Mayor Nawrocki commented on the poor quality of construction he has viewed in projects built by the Rottlund Company and suggested this be a consideration in the nego- tiations. Motion by Petkoff, second by Peterson to authorize the City's Housing and Rede- velopment Authority to execute exclusive negotiations with the Rottlund Company. Councilmember Petkoff stated that she hoped the Sullivan Lake Plan by Rottlund would not exceed sixty units. Roll call: Ail ayes The Mayor requested that the City Manager notify by letter the residents on Wash; ington Street who may be affected by this project and explain the proceedings. It was noted that this matter will require a public hearing. 4. Letter From Cable Counsel Gary Matz, the City's cable counsel, advised the Chief Operating Officer and General Manager of Group W Cable that he has serious concerns regarding some of the company's proposed plans for the system. The City Manager advised the Council that a special council meeting should be scheduled in the near future to discuss this matter. The Council established Monday, December 15th at 3:30 as the time and date for a special council meeting. The City Manager also requested that another item be discussed at the special Ocouncil meeting. That being, the conditions included in the resolution with the City of Fridley regarding a storm drain line between the two cities. 5. Other New Business Mayor Nawrocki suggested that the Council review the income requir~nts for :~e~ular Council Meeting December 8, 1986 page 5 Ohe senior citizen reduced utility rates. he Mayor also noted that there are four parking spaces marked for use by City vehicles in the parking lot west of City Hall. Presently, only one space is needed. The City Manager will have the signs for the other three spaces removed. 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. 3728 Hayes Street: This home has been the concern of many of the neighbors in the area for some time. The Building Inspector has made many attempts to inspect the property but has been unsuccessful. He advised the Council that he could enter the premises with a policeman if the door is open. If it is not open he cannot enter. He will get a court order for entrance via the City Attorney. Lions Club - Club Liquor License: A memo was received from the Police Chief advising the Council that his investigation of the Lions Club liquor appli- cation has indicated no reason for denial of the license. The licensing department is still awaiting a copy of the Lions Club's dram shop liability insurance certificate. 3. Contract Negotiations - AFSCME, Local q95: The City Manager advised that this item will be a work session item. 4. Carryover of 1986 Appropriations: There will be list of items which are com- mitted in the 1986 budget but not expected to be delivered or received until 1987. The Council will receive a copy of this list. Councilmember Paulson inquired if this list will include any items for cable equipment. The City Manager responded that it did oot include any cable items at this time but the list can be amended. b. Report of the City Attorney The City Attorney had nothing to report at this .time. Gregg Woods, a new member of the law firm of Kalina and Wills introduced himself and gave a brie~ sketch of his background. 9. Licenses Motion by Carlson, second by Peterson to grant the licenses as listed upon payment of proper fees and that the fee for the Multiple Dwelling License for Parkview Villa applied for by the City's Housing and Redevelopment Authority be waived. Roll call: All ayes 10. Payment of Bills Motion by Petkoff, second by Paulson to pay the bills as listed out of proper funds. Roll call: All ayes Adjournment ion by Paulson, second ayes Roll call: