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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 13, 2000OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 13, 2000. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Present: Com~cilmember Szurek, Cotmcilmember Jolly, Cotmcilmember Wyckoff Cotmcilmember Htmter, Mayor Peterson 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO MEETING AGENDA (The Council, upon majority vote of its members, may make additions and deletions to the agenda. These may be items brought to the attention of the Council under the Citizen Forum or items submitted after the agenda preparation deadline.) CONSENT AGENDA (These items are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be enacted as part of the Consent Agenda by one motion. Items removed from consent agenda approval will be taken up as next order of business.) Motion by Wyckoff, second by Szurek, to approve Consent Agenda items as follows: 1) Minutes for Approval MOTION: Move to approve the minutes of the February 28, 2000, Regular Council Meeting as presented. MOTION: Move to approve the minutes of the February 28, 2000, Board/Commission Interviews as presented. MOTION: Move to approve the minutes of the March 6, 2000, Board/Commission Interviews as presented. 2) Adopt Resolution No. 2000-21, accepting the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Grant MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution No. 2000-21, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution No. 2000-21, being a resolution to accept the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Grant for $10,000 to be used for overtime expenses for the period January 1, 2000, to December 31,2001. RESOLUTION 2000-21 BEING A RESOLUTION OF THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL PERTAINING TO THE STATE OF MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY FOR A GRANT ENTITLED COPS OVERTIME GRANT. WHEREAS, the Columbia Heights Police Department has been granted $10,000 in a grant from the State of Minnesota Department of Public Safety for a grant entitled COPS Overtime Grant, and, WHEREAS, the Columbia Heights Police Department has been successful in obtaining this grant for the period of January 1, 2000 to December 31,2001, NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Columbia Heights enter into a cooperative agreement with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety for the project entitled COPS Overtime Grant for the period from January 1, 2000, to December 31,2001, that the City Manager and the Mayor are hereby authorized to execute such agreements and amendments as are necessary to implement the project on behalf of the City of Columbia City Council Minutes March 13, 2000 Page 2 Heights. Passed this 13th day of March, 2000 Offered by: Wyckoff Seconded by: Szurek Roll Call: All ayes Mayor Gary L. Peterson Patricia Muscovitz, Deputy City Clerk 3) Approve Payment of Project Safety Net Billing for 2000 MOTION: Move to approve the payment of $6,000 to cover the cost of Project Safety Net for the year 2000, with the cost of the program to be covered as follows: $6,000 from the year 2000 Minnesota Department of Economic Security, Juvenile Accountability Block Grant. Fehst - This prog~'am is in cot~jzmction with the City of Fridley. 4) Declaration of Hazardous Building MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution No. 2000-16, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution No. 2000-16, declaring the detached garage on the property located at 4008 NE 6th Street as hazardous, the Structure/Building must be razed, and the garage slab is to remain as hard surface parking area. Fehst - This is a burned garage shell, and this action is to declare it a hazardous building to be demolished. RESOLUTION NO. 2000-16 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS REQUESTING REMOVAL OF HAZARDOUS DETACHED STRUCTURE LOCATED AT 4008 N.E. 6TM STREET. WHEREAS, there is a substandard building located at 4008 N.E. 6TM Street that has been damaged by fire, and unsafe for use since October 16, 1999, WHEREAS, Minnesota Statute 463.15 to 463.26 authorizes municipalities to address hazardous and substandard structures and properties, and WHEREAS, the City of Columbia Heights finds this property to be hazardous based on the following code violations as contained in the Findings of Fact: FINDINGS OF FACT Dangerous Building Definitions Chapter 3 of the 1994 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings: 302(5) Whenever any portion or member or appurtenance thereof is likely to fail, or to become dislodged, or to City Council Minutes March 13, 2000 Page 3 collapse and thereby injure persons or damage property. 302(9) Whenever, for any reason, the building or structure, or any portion thereof, is manifestly unsafe for the purpose for which it is being used. 302(12) Whenever the building or structure has been so damaged by fire, wind, earthquake or flood, or has become so dilapidated or deteriorated as to become(i) an attractive nuisance to children; (ii) a harbor for vagrants, criminals or immoral persons; or as to (iii) enable persons to resort thereto for the purpose of committing unlawful or immoral acts. 302(17) Whenever any building or structure is in such a condition as to constitute a public nuisance known to the common law or in equity jurisprudence. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED on the Building Official's conclusions that, the detached structure at 4008 N.E. 6th Street is substandard and seriously deteriorated, that it lacks minimum standards for habitable space per 1998 MN State Building Code and 1994 Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, and the Building Official is recommending the structure be removed, and the garage slab remain as hard surfaced parking area. Conclusions of Council That all relevant parties have been duly notified of this action. That the structure on the property at 4008 N.E. 6th Street is hazardous and in violation of many local, state and national code requirements. That the relevant parties having an interest in the structure have not complied with requests to rehabilitate and to bring it into compliance with local, state and national code requirements. Order 1. of Council The remaining detached garage located at 4008 N.E. 6th Street, Columbia Heights, Minnesota, is a hazardous building pursuant to Minn. Stat. 463.152, 463.616. Pursuant to the foregoing findings and in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, the City Council hereby orders the record owner of the above-hazardous building, or his heirs, to raze the building and retaining wall at the west property boundary within thirty (30) days of the date of service of this order. The existing garage slab is to remain as hard surfaced parking area. The City Council further orders that personal property or fixtures that may unreasonably interfere with the razing and removal of the structure shall be removed within thirty (30) days, and if not so removed by the owner, the City of Columbia Heights may remove and sell such personal property and fixtures at public auction in accordance with law. The City Council further orders that unless such corrective action is taken or an answer is served upon the City of Columbia Heights and filed in the office of the Court Administration of the District Court of Anoka County, Minnesota, within thirty (30) days from the date of the service of this order, a motion for summary enforcement of this order will be made to the District Court of Anoka County. 5. The City Council further orders that if the City is compelled to take any corrective action herein, all City Council Minutes March 13, 2000 Page 4 necessary costs expended by the City will be assessed against the real estate concerned, and collected in accordance with Minn. Stat. 463.22. The mayor, the clerk, city attorney and other officers and employees of the City are authorized and directed to take such action, prepare, sign and serve such papers as are necessary to comply with this order, and to assess the cost thereof against the real estate described above for collection, along with taxes. Passed this 13th day of March, 2000. Offered by: Wyckoff Seconded by: Szurek Roll Call: All ayes Mayor Gary L. Peterson Patricia Muscovitz, Deputy City Clerk 5) Authorize Payment for administering the 1999 Tax Increment Financing Laws MOTION: Move to authorize payment of $14,747.52 for administering the 1999 tax increment financing laws of Minnesota, Truth in Taxation, and Special Assessments, with expenses being charged to the TIF Debt Services Fund and the General Fund. Fehst - Anoka County charges the City to do bidding of state in paying back debt services. 6) Award of 2000 Road Aggregates MOTION: Move to award the bid for and authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into an agreement to purchase Road Aggregate Materials for the 2000 season based upon low formal bids received at the unit prices and from the vendors as stated. 7) Award of 2000 Plant Mixed Bituminous Materials MOTION: Move to award the bid for and authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into an agreement to purchase Plant Mixed Bituminous Materials for the 2000 season based upon low formal bids received at the unit prices and from the vendors as stated. 8) Authorize Bleacher Safety Retrofit/Replacement MOTION: Move to authorize retrofit of six sets of bleachers with work to be performed by Flanagan Sales, Inc., in the amount of $8,304.00; and, authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into an agreement for the same. Fehst - this will also replace bleachers which are not worth tsying to retrofit because of their condition. 9) Authorize Reappointment of Board/Commission members MOTION: Move to reappoint the following people to the various Boards and Commissions: Human Services Commission, Sean Clerkin; Library Board, Barbara Miller; Park & Recreation Commission, Bruce Magnuson; Planning & Zoning Commission, Tom Ramsdell; Police & Fire Civil Service Commission, Jack Moore; City Council Minutes March 13, 2000 Page 5 Telecommunications Commission, Kenneth Henke and Bob Buboltz 10) Establish Hearing Dates Re: License Revocation or Suspension of Rental Properties at 3718 Central Avenue, 4131 Washington Street, and 1231/1233 40th Avenue MOTION: Move to Establish a Hearing Date of March 27, 2000 for Revocation or Suspension of a License to Operate a Rental Property within the City of Columbia Heights against Heidi VonHeideman at 3718 Central Avenue. MOTION: Move to Establish a Hearing Date of March 27, 2000 for Revocation or Suspension of a License to Operate a Rental Property within the City of Columbia Heights against Carol Topel at 4131 Washington Street. MOTION: Move to Establish a Hearing Date of March 27, 2000 for Revocation or Suspension of a License to Operate a Rental Property within the City of Columbia Heights against Talmer Caraway II at 1231/1233 40th Avenue. 11) Approve License Applications MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for March 13, 2000. 12) Payment of Bills MOTION: Move to pay the bills as listed out of proper funds. 13) Resolution Supporting Application to the DNR for an Outdoor Recreation Grant for Park Improvements MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution No. 2000-22, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution No. 2000-22 being a Resolution authorizing the Public Works Director to submit an application to the Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Recreation Grant Program for eligible funds for park improvements and designating the Director of Public Works as the primary contact for the program. RESOLUTION NO. 2000-22 BEING A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING AN APPLICATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES OUTDOOR RECREATION GRANT PROGRAM FOR ELIGIBLE FUNDS FOR PARK IMPROVEMENTS AND DESIGNATING THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS AS THE CITY'S PRIMARY CONTACT WITH THE DNR WHEREAS, the City of Columbia Heights desires to work towards improving its Neighborhood Parks by facility replacements and new amenities; and WHEREAS, the City of Columbia Heights is in the process of completing and adopting a Parks Comprehensive Plan as a part of the City's overall Comprehensive Plan; and NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA that: the City Council supports the application for the Outdoor Recreation Grants for parks improvements as City Council Minutes March 13, 2000 Page 6 recommended by the City Park and Recreations Commission and that the Director of Public Works is hereby authorized to apply to the Department of Natural Resources for funding of identified projects on behalf of the City. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Columbia Heights has the institutional, managerial, and financial capability to ensure adequate construction, operation, maintenance and replacement of the proposed projects for their design life. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Columbia Heights has not incurred any costs for the proposed projects and owns the land for which the proposed projects will take place on. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Columbia Heights has not willfully violated any Federal, State, or Local laws pertaining to fraud, bribery, graft, kickbacks, collusion, conflict of interest or other unlawful or corrupt practice. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that upon approval of its application by the state, Columbia Heights may enter into an agreement with the State of Minnesota for the identified projects and that Columbia Heights certifies that it will comply with all applicable laws and regulations as stated in the grant agreement. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Director of Public Works is hereby authorized to execute such agreements as are necessary to implement those projects receiving DNR Outdoor Recreation Grant Funding on behalf of the City. Dated this 13th day of March, 2000. Offered by: Wykoff Seconded by: Szurek Roll Call: All ayes Mayor Gary L. Peterson Patricia Muscovitz, Deputy City 14) Set Public Hearing for Business Subsidy Policy MOTION: Move to set the Public Hearing on the adoption of a policy and criteria for granting business subsidies for 7:00 p.m. on March 27th, 2000; and furthermore, to authorize the City Manager to publish the required notice in the City Newspaper. Fehst - This is to keep within State law requiring a policy for u~de~writmg businesses within the City. Re-authorize purchase of workstations and office furnishings MOTION: Move to award the purchase of workstations and office furnishings to Alternative Business Furniture, Inc. and Office Depot based upon their low, qualified, responsible bid in the total mount of $7,849.14, with monies to be appropriated from the capital equipment replacement fund; and furthermore, to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into an agreement for the same. Fehst - These office fitnfishmgs will go imo the Commumty Developmere Deparm~em. City Council Minutes March 13, 2000 Page 7 Hunter asked if any City bleachers are under the 36" finlit not requiring changes? Hansen, Pubtic Works Director stated all City bleachers need to be brought illto compliallce. dolly stated the Legislature is workillg oil a bill to possibly give cities financial help with bleacher retrofitting. Hansen indicated the League of MN Cities reported oil two Bills' ill the Legislature; olle wouM possibly extelld the deadline of 2001 by six months to olle year, and the second wottM provide low interest dqnancing for this mandate. Bleacher replacement is the largest cost compollellL dolly asked for a comparison oil asphalt prices fi~om last year. Hansen indicated agg~'egate prices are up 5% to 8% fi~om last year, and bituminous costs' are ve(y close to the same as last year. Upon vote, all ayes. Motion carried. PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND GUESTS A. Proclamations B. Presentations Introduction of New Employees 1. Julie Hanson, Secretary II-Permits/Licenses, Community Development Department Ken Anderson, Community Development Director, intro&tced dMie Hallsoil, who started March 6, 2000 as the new SecretaEv II - Petalits and Licenses. Ms'. Hallsoil previously worked for the Ci~ of Coon Rapids ill pem~its, where she worked for otle year. Ms. Hallsoil thatlked the Cotttlci[ arid requested Kathy Pepin hmvy back fi'om her vacation. 2. Cindi Willprecht, Recreation Program Coordinator, Recreation Department Keith Windschit/, Recreation Director, introdttced Cindi Wi//precht, as the new Recreation Prog~'am Coordinator. She is a g~'adttate of Gustavus Ado/phus College and worked for Y3dCA. Ms'. Wi//precht thanked the Comlci/ and stated that after only a week oil the job, she has jumped right in and is excited for the summer prog~'ams to begin. 3. Dale Range, Maintenance I, Public Works Department Kevin Hallsoil, Public Works Director, intro&tced Dale Range, as the new Maintenance I employee for the Public Works Department. Mr. Range has seven years experience ill the New Jersey park system. Mr. Range thanked the Comlci/ and stated his goal is to demonstrate that he can be an asset to the City of Cohmlbia Heights'. D. Recognition Mayor Peterson stated the Council con&tcted many interviews for Board and Commission members and they were veEv impressed with the highly qualified applicants who were willing to serve our commttnity. He called each new Commission or Board member to the podlure for their appointment. Catherine Vesley, 5135 Matterhorn Drive Motion by Hunter, second by Wyckoff, to appoint Catherine Vesley, to a three year term, ending April 1, 2003, to the Library Board. Upon vote, all ayes. Motion carried. City Council Minutes March 13, 2000 Page 8 Richard Anderson, 4836 4th Street NE Motion by Wyckoff, second by Szurek, to appoint Richard Anderson, to a four year term, ending April 1, 2004, on the Traffic Commission. Upon vote, all ayes. Motion carried. Julie Wesley, 4141 3rd Street #102, Gloria Halcomb, 3919 Ulysses Street NE: Barb Hogan 3937 Ulysses Street NE: Tammy Dempsey, 1253 Circle Terrace. Motion by Jolly, second by Szurek, to appoint the following persons to the Human Services Commission: Julie Wesley, two year term ending April 1, 2002; Gloria Halcomb, two year term ending April 1, 2002; Barb Hogan, three year term ending April 1, 2003; and Tammy Dempsey, three year term ending April 1, 2003. Upon vote, all ayes. Motion carried. Bradley Peterson, 214 44th Avenue NE Motion by Szurek, second by Jolly, to appoint Bradley Peterson, to a two year term, ending April 1, 2002, on the Telecommunications Commission. Upon vote, all ayes. Motion carried. Patrick Cullen, 1345 44 ~A Avenue NE Motion by Hunter, second by Szurek, to appoint Patrick Cullen, to a two year term, ending April 1, 2002, on the Park and Recreation Commission. Upon vote, all ayes. Motion carried. Each t~ew Commissiot~ at~d Board member addressed the Cotmcil with their appreciatiot~. Mayor Petersot~ that~ked oY residet~ts who applied Applicators t~ot cu~'et~tly selected wiY be placed o~ the list for jSttttre Commissiot~ or Board opemt~gs. He that~ked those who offered their time to the City, at~d was ve~;v cot~fidem it~ the quality people choset~. Hltt~ter agreed, at~d is especially pleased with the tww Hltmat~ Service Commissiot~, at~d amicipates this Commissiot~ becomit~g it~creasit~gly active. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Federal Block Grant for Equipment Purchase Chief doht~sot~ gave the histo~3; of Cout~cil actiot~ acceptit~g a Federal Block Grater of $23,945, with a match of $2,661 to purchase equipmerit. h~ February a review committee discussed possible uses for these rituals. He wet~t through the list of suggested purchases, 2 body but~kers, 10 ballistic helmets, t~ight visiot~ bit~ocuJars, ammut~itiot~ for practice, spare magazit~es at~d clamps, simttt~itiot~ com,ersiot~ kit, 26 bhte traffic vests, prit~ter for squad room at~d rat~ge upgrade. These items will help officers be prepared for various situatiot~s. The largest expet~diture wouM be for the gut~ rat~ge upgrade, which is t~ot ot~ly esset~tial for cot~titmal officer trait~it~g, but also available for our youth safe firea~w~s program. Chief doht~sot~ has received positive feedback fi~om a compat~y that wouM like to upgrade our rat~ge at~d use it as at~ upgrade showcase. This would fall withit~ OSHA stat~dards at~d the air exchat~ge wottM be abottt 60 square feet per reitrote. Chief Joh~so~ stated the youth firea~w~s safety program is i~ its ~i~etee~th year, a~d is prese~tly ru~ by Captai~ Roddy. Youth lea~w with 22 rifles how to safely ha~dle a gu~, ca~vy it afield, a~d they go to the gu~ ravage where they are show~ how to load, u~load, fire a~d clea~ the weapons. Htt~ter questio~ed if laser beams are Chief Joh~so~ i~dicated officers are ~ot allowed to use lasers so they do ~ot become depe~da~t o~ them. He has heard there ca~ be temporary bht~v~ed visions, bttt the co~ce~w wott[d be ttse of the weapons. Some yottth ttse laser beam lights to harass ~wighbors, a~d this may soo~ be addressed at a State or Federal level. City Council Minutes March 13, 2000 Page 9 Febst indicated the advantages to having well t~ined officers, and that fimds used for this puq9ose are well spent. Bradley Peterson, 214 44th Avenue, questioned if the gun range couM be available for public use. Chief Johnson indicated liability wouM prohibit this use on our two lane range, and that there are public ranges in our area. Motion by Jolly, second by Szurek, to close the public hearing and approve the list of equipment to be purchased with this grant. Upon vote, all ayes. Motion carried. 7. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION A. Other Ordinances and Resolutions B. Bid Considerations C. Other Business 8. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS A. Report of the City Manager Fehst info~w~ed Council of the meeting on Friday, March 17, at 10:00 a.m. in Conference Room I, with the Gateway Committee regarding signage for the City and to talk about a theme for the City. He is t(yJtlg to reach Bob ?rofi to attend. Fehst refen'ed to presentation scheduled on Monday, March 20, at 2:00 p.m. in Conference Room I by Decision Resources Ltd., who do surveys of citizens regarding community needs. They previously did a cable fi~nchise survey for the City. This type of survey wouM give the City a g~'ade to see how we are doing with city services, if we are Jr! [JHe with the work and time speHt with MN Desigw Team, regarding purchase of properties, general service questions, or specific questions. This will be posted as a public meeting. B. Report of the City Attorney GENERAL COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS A. Minutes of Boards and Commissions B. Miscellaneous Mayor Peterson i,fo~w~ed residents on Saturday, March 18 three new Habitat for Humanity homes will be dedicated. Everyone in the communi~ is imqted The locations are: 4345 4'~' Street at l:30 p. m., 4034 Washington Street at 3:00 p.m., and 4343 Washington Street at 4:00 p.m. Hunter encom~ged citizens to stop by and leam~ more about this program. 10. CITIZENS FORUM (At this time, citizens have an opportunity to discuss with the Council items not on the regular agenda. The citizen is requested to limit their comments to five minutes. Please note, the public may address the Council regarding specific agenda items at the time the item is being discussed.) 11. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Wyckoff, second by Hunter to adjourn at 7:45 p.m.. Upon vote, all ayes. Motion carried. City Council Minutes March 13, 2000 Page 10 Patricia Muscovitz, Deputy City Clerk