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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMar 24, 1986O~FICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 24, 1986 meeting was called to order by Mayor Nawrocki at 7:30 P.M.. 1. Roll Call Paulson, Petkoff, Carlson, Peterson, Nawrocki - present 2. Invocation No Invocation was offered. 3. Minutes of Previous Meetings Motion by Paulson, second by Carlson to approve the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of March 13th, and the Board of Trustees, Fire Relief Asso- ciation Meeting of March 13th, as presented in writing and that the reading be dispensed with. Roll call: all ayes 4. Oral Petitions There were no oral petitions. 4a. Proclamations Mayor Nawrocki mentioned five proclamations in observance of the following events: National Library Week, April 6 12 Fair Ho~Jsing Month - April, 1986 Registration Awareness Month - April, 1986 Buddy Poppy Day - May 16, 1986 Loyalty Day May 3, 1986 5. Ordinances and Resolutions There were no ordinances or resolutions. 6. Communications a. Park Board 1. Columbia Heights Jamboree The Park Board has authorized the use of the Jefferson Building by the Columbia Heights Lions for a beer garden during the Jamboree. The organization is also requesting permission for a beer license and a one-time gambling license for this event. Additional information is being sought on these license requests. Motion by Peterson, second by Petkoff to authorize the use of the Jefferson Build- ing from June 25th to June 29th, 1986 for the Jamboree. Roll call: All ayes 2. Columbia Heights Jaycees Dram Shop Insurance A representative of the Jaycees advised the Council that presently the State Jaycees are attempting to gather enough chapters to qualify for dram shop insurance. The deadline for having enlisted enough chapters for insurance coverage is April 16th. 3. Request from Honeywell Regarding Authorization to Consume Non-Intoxicating Malt Liquor in Conjunction with Employee Picnic This request has not been considered by the Park Board at this point in time. Motion by Peterson, second by Paulson to authorize the consumption of non-intoxi- cating malt liquor in conjunction with the Honeywell Employee Picnic scheduled for June 3rd or June 4th, as an alternate, during the hours of 3:00 P.M. and ap- proximately 8:00 P.M. and subject to the Park Board's concurrence. Roll call: All ayes Regular Council Meeting March 24, 1986 page 2 b. Cable Communications Commission - Columbia Heights/Hilltop 1. Transfer of Franchise/Municipal Ownership The Commission's counsel reviewed all that has taken place to date regarding the sale of Group W Cable. It was noted that Westinghouse has entered into a stock sales agreement with a consortium of five cable television companies. In the future the consortium will liquidate Group W Cable, Inc. and convey the individual cable systems to members of the consortium. The City of Columbia Heights has been in- formed that the system serving the Columbia Heights/Hilltop area will be conveyed to North Central Communications. L.P.. According to the City's Cable Code, it has the first right of refusal on the transfer of ownership. The Mayor was of the opinion that it would not be advisable for the City to be in the cable business but added that this may be a premature opinion in light of the limited amount of information received. The Chairman of the Cable Commission stated that the Commission recom- mends against municipal ownership but has also not received much information. The Commission's counsel gave to the Council a copy of all of those municipalities presently operating cable television companies. 2. Annual Report Cable Communications Commission This report was submitted to the Council in written form. c. League of Minnesota Cities - Action Alert The Action Alert addressed the urgency for the City to contact its senator and representative and those serving on the conference committees regarding the need to adopt a state tax/budget bill. The Mayor gave a status report of that legis- lation which would affect the City of Columbia Heights and the lack of action regarding local government aids. 7. Old and New Business a. Old Business 1. Request to Purchase Parcels at 4232 and 4304 Fifth Street Requests to purchase these parcels have been received from two parties. Discussion followed these offers to purchase and the appraisals received for them. The City Manager noted that he felt one of these parcels was undervalued by the appraiser. The Mayor noted that since buildable lots in the City are at a premium perhaps this should affect the valuation and add to the value of remaining lots. Council- member Peterson stated that the surrounding properties of these parcels should be taken into consideration and the value realistically should not be increased. It was noted that some of the nearby structures were not in very good condition and presented a less than pleasing appearance. Motion by Peterson, second by Carlson to to seek proposals to purchase parcels located at 4232 Fifth Street N.E. and at 4304 Fifth Street N.E. with proposals to be opened at the Council meeting scheduled for April 14th at 7:30 P.M. and that the City Manager send notices of the availability of these two lots to those contractors who build in this area. Roll call: All ayes Motion by Peterson, second by Carlson to reject the offers to purchase these parcels' already received and return the earnest money checks to the bidders. Roll call: All ayes 2. Appraisal Report - Vacant Property North of 4455 Reservoir Boulevard The appraiser's estimate of the fair market value of this piece of property is $6,600 or $1.25 per square foot. This appraisal was authorized because the pro- perty owner south of the parcel had expressed an interest in purchasing it. The Regular Council Meeting March 24, 1986 page 3 City Manager reviewed the procedure for selling City-owned land. He noted that current appraisals were required. Motion by Peterson, second by Carlson to request the City Manager to send a letter to the interested property owner regarding the appraisal and inquire if he is still interested in purchasing it. Roll call: All ayes b. New Business 1. Request to Purchase Parcel at 679 43rd Avenue N.E. An appraisal of this parcel has been received and valued the parcel at $2.50 per square foot. The appraiser recommended a 10% adjustment for foundation work, thus the adjusted value is $2.25 per square foot or $19,500. Two proposals to purchase this parcel have been received. The City Manager noted that presently the City does not have a marketable title to this parcel which is tax-forfeit. Another party in attendance at the meeting expressed an interest in purchasing the prop- erty. Discussion followed regarding how these three interested parties could fairly bid on this parcel. A time was selected when bids could be submitted. Motion by Peterson, second by Petkoff to accept a final offer from the three interested parties for the parcel located at 679 43rd Avenue N.E.. with their bids being an agenda item on the March 25th hearing agenda. Discussion followed re- garding obtaining clear title to the parcel and the persons interested in purchasing it were advised to qualify their proposals. Councilmember Peterson amended his motion so this item will appear on the agenda of the regular Council meeting tc be held on April 14, 1986. Roll call: All ayes 2. Disposition of Weapons Police Department Motion by Petkoff, second by Peterson to authorize the Chief of Police to dispose of impounded or inclaimed weapons by trade or barter to a licensed gun dealer for items of equal value usable by the Police Department; however, subject to ten days' prior notice of such disposal being published. Roll call: All ayes 3. Wage Adjustment for Police Officer Craig Johnson Motion by Peterson, second by Paulson to authorize a wage adjustment to Officer Craig Johnson effective March 23, 1986, at $1,962 per month - one year rate, based upon the 1985 labor contract with Teamsters Local No. 320. Roll call: All ayes 4. Reimbursement for Claim of Damage to Personal Property The City Attorney advised the Council that the City had no obligation to reimburse for this type of claim. The Mayor was interested in being advised of the policies of other cities regarding this type of matter. It was determined that some policy should be officially established. The City Manager briefly reviewed what the practice had been in the past. It was noted that this item had been damaged in the performance of the patrolman's duty. Motion by Paulson, second by Petkoff to reimburse Officer Steve Vaughan the amount of $60.00 for damages to personal property, such damage having been incurred while on duty. Roll call: All ayes 5. Temporary Relocation of Bus Stop Due to the construction of the medical clinic on 40th and Central Avenues, the City Engineer is requesting that the bus stop be relocated. His recommendations for the new location comes after consulting MTC officials. Motion by Petkoff, second by Paulson to authorize the temporary relocation of the bus stop presently on 40th Avenue and Central Avenue for the westbound bus to the near side of Van Buren on 40th Avenue and that approximately seventy feet be desig- nated as NO PARKING from Van Buren Street east. Roll call: All ayes Regular Council Meeting March 24, 1986 page 4 was noted that the relocation of the bus stop for the southbound bus had been done administratively. 8. Reports a. Report of the City Manager This report was submitted in written form and the following items were discussed: 1. Status report regarding parking ramp bids: This project will be rebid as the bids received were far in excess of the estimates. 2. Auction of Unclaimed and City surplus items: It was noted that the trophies appearing on the list of items for this auction have been removed from the list. 3. Public Improvement Hearing notices: The City Manager advised the Council that corrected Public Improvement Hearing notices have been hand-delivered to residents affected by the project on Johnson Street, 37th to 40th Avenues. 4. Data processing and computer equipment purchase: The Council was advised that members of the staff will be meeting next week with a computer equipment vendor. It was explained that this purchase activity has been slowed by the absence of one member of the staff. 5. Auditor's Preliminary Report: This report will be discussed at a Council work session scheduled for Monday, April 7th at 8:00 P.M. b. Report of the City Attorney The City Attorney addressed the receipt of a letter from legal counsel for the owner of the property located at 547 40th Avenue N.E.. There is a correction to the legal description of this parcel. 9. Licenses Motion by Carlson, second by Peterson to approve the licenses as listed upon payment of the proper fees. Roll call: All ayes 10. Payment of the Bills Motion by Carlson, second by Peterson to pay the bills as listed out of proper funds. Roll call: All ayes Adjournment Motion by Peterson, second by Carlson to adjourn All ayes J Student, ~ouncil Secretary the ~eeting ~ I~:~P.M.. P~I call: