HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 22, 2000OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 22, 2000 7:00 P.M.
Present: Mayor Peterson, Councilmember Jolly, Councilmember Wyckoff, Councilmember Hunter
Absent: Councilmember Szurek absent
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. 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.)
Fehst added item 7A1, Other Ordinance and Resolutions: the Intent to Bond for Zone 4 Street Rehabilitation.
4. 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.)
Harold Hoium requested Consent Agenda item #9 be pulled for discussion.
Harold Hoium requested Consent Agenda item #10 be pulled for discussion.
MOTION
A. by Hunter, second by Wyckoff, to approve Consent Agenda items as follows:
1)Minutes for Approval
MOTION: Move to approve the minutes of the May 8, 2000, Regular Council Meeting
as presented.
2)Establish Work Session Meeting Dates for June, 2000
MOTION: Move to establish Work Session meeting dates of Monday, June 5, 2000 at
7:00 p.m. and Monday, June 19, 2000 at 7:00 p.m.
3)Authorize Landing of Air National Guard Helicopter at Huset Park for Safety Camp
MOTION: Move to approve the landing/taking-off of an Air National Guard Military
Helicopter during Safety Camp on August 16, 2000 between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. at
Huset Park
4)Award bid on Refinishing Wood Floor in Murzyn Hall
MOTION: Move to authorize Mayor and City Manager to enter into an agreement with
Anderson Ladd of 450 Industrial Blvd., Minneapolis, MN, and to award the bid for
refinishing the wood floor in Murzyn Hall for the total amount of $2,183.00, with funds
being appropriated from the Murzyn Hall budget.
5)Authorize Participation in Metropolitan Council Taxi and Passenger Services Task Force
MOTION: Move to adopt the attached Memorandum of Understanding to participate in
a task force for the purpose of improving, coordinating, and standardizing the regulation
of taxicab and small vehicle passenger service in the metropolitan area.
Fehst indicated this is an effort toward standardization of taxi licensing.
6)Authorization to Attend Out of Town National Law Enforcement Explorer Conference
City Council Minutes
May 22, 2000
Page 2
MOTION: Move to approve the attendance of Officer Joe Sturdevant and a yet to be
named second person as advisors to the Columbia Heights Police Explorers to attend the
National Explorer Conference along with four Police Explorers, July 24-29, 2000, in
Atlanta, Georgia, with costs to be covered partially out of the 2000 Police Department
budget and partially by donations received.
7)Accept McKnight Foundation Grant for $16,000
MOTION: Move to increase appropriations by $16,000, the total amount of money
received from the McKnight Foundation as a grant for the “Accountability Through
Family Values” program, from the General Fund to the Police Department 2000 budget.
This would be done to cover the cost of running the Accountability Through Family
Values program.
Fehst acknowledged the efforts by our Police Department and Sgt. John Rogers in obtaining various grants.
8)Adopt Resolution No. 2000-47 to obtain Grant for Access to Records from Police Cars
MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution No. 2000-47, there being ample
copies available to the public.
MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution No. 2000-47, supporting the ongoing efforts of the
Anoka County Joint Law Enforcement Council to obtain grant money to improve access
to information from our records management system.
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
RESOLUTION #2000-47
WHEREAS
, the Anoka County Joint Law Enforcement Council has been instrumental in the
development of a shared police records system used by all law enforcement agencies in Anoka County;
WHEREAS
, the first phase of the project has allowed for the sharing of data between police
departments over a wide area network;
WHEREAS
, the police records system will be made far more effective if law enforcement officers may
access the records from their police cars;
WHEREAS
, the Anoka County Joint Law Enforcement Council is applying to the National
Telecommunications and Information System for a grant to provide access to police records from police cars;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED
that the Columbia Heights City Council supports the
application of the Anoka County Joint Law Enforcement Council for a grant to provide access to police records
from squad cars.
nd
Passed this 22 day of May, 2000.
Offered by:Wyckoff
Seconded by:Hunter
Roll Call:All ayes
______________________________
______________________________ Gary L. Peterson, Mayor
Patricia Muscovitz, Deputy City Clerk
City Council Minutes
May 22, 2000
Page 3
9)Adopt Resolution No. 2000-46 being a resolution adopting a penalty for not having a
Radio Read Meter Installed
MOTION: Move to waive the reading of the resolution, there being ample copies
available to the public.
MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution No. 2000-46, being a Resolution adopting a
(Pulled for discussion)
penalty for not having a radio read meter installed.
10)Approval of Resolution and Award of 2000 Miscellaneous Concrete Repairs Project
#2000-00
MOTION: Move to waive the reading of the resolution, there being ample copies
available to the public.
MOTION: Move to approve and adopt Resolution No. 2000-45 accepting bids and
award of the 2000 Miscellaneous Concrete Repairs and Installations, Municipal Project
#2000-00, to Ti-Zack Concrete Inc. of Le Center, Minnesota, based upon their low,
qualified responsible total bid in the amount of $38,600.70 with funds to be appropriated
from Fund 401-50000-4000; and, furthermore, to authorize the Mayor and City Manager
(Pulled for discussion)
to enter into a contract for the same.
11)Award of Bituminous Surface Milling
MOTION: Move to award the project to Mill Bituminous Surface to Midwest Asphalt
Corp. of Hopkins, Minnesota, based upon their low, qualified responsible quote in the
amount of $12,000.00 to be appropriated from Fund 415-50001-5130; and, furthermore,
to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into an agreement for the same.
12)Approve attendance at the MN Municipal Clerks Institute
MOTION: Move to authorize Patty Muscovitz, Deputy City Clerk, to attend the
Minnesota Municipal Clerks Institute from July 10 - 14, 2000, with all related expenses
to come from 101-41110-3105.
13)Approve Rental Housing License Applications
MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the rental housing license agenda for
May 22, 2000.
14)Approve License Applications
MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for May
22, 2000.
Fehst indicated this does approve the carnival license for the Columbia Heights Jamboree.
15)Payment of Bills
MOTION: Move to pay the bills as listed out of proper funds.
Motion carried.
All ayes.
4.A.9)Adopt Resolution No. 2000-46 being a resolution adopting a penalty for not having a
Radio Read Meter Installed
th
Harold Hoium, 4315 5 Street, asked why the new water meters cannot be installed outside of the house so city
employees don’t snoop in residents’ homes. Jolly stated the meter is the transmitter, and could not be
City Council Minutes
May 22, 2000
Page 4
sufficiently insulated for placement outside of the home. He also stated that if residents are not satisfied with
this contractor or city employees, that after contacting the City, they could work with someone of their choice
who is qualified to get this done. Jolly stated we have installed close to 5,800 remote read water meters to this
point, with only about 200 left to install. Hoium suggested the meters be placed by the water shut off valve.
Jolly stated one selling point of this meter is the privacy issue. Bill Elrite, Finance Director, indicated the
battery lasts for ten years, but the City would start a battery replacement program in eight years. Elrite
explained the way the battery is replaced. Hoium indicated he has a new meter, but it is not a radio read meter.
Jolly stated that we don’t want to collect any funds from this penalty, and would prefer all the meters would be
installed. Peterson stated this reading system is working well for residents.
Wyckoff was troubled that older residents may be required to call a plumber for unnecessary related repairs.
She suggested giving these people a grace period, and felt to impose this penalty tonight would be harsh.
Peterson stated residents have already received five or six letters regarding the necessity to call and schedule a
time for the radio read water meter installation. Peterson felt non-compliant residents have been given a
sufficient grace period, and reminded these residents to contact the City offices and staff would be very willing
to work with them. Elrite indicated his intent, if approved, would be to send a notice out the first of June and
another letter the middle of June before the first penalty billing in July. Jolly felt this is necessary to get the
attention of those who have not switched over before the contract runs out and our City work force has to
complete the rest of the installations. He stated it would not be fair to pass this additional cost of installation
on to all tax payers. Elrite stated a few hundred homes were recommended to contact plumbers because they
had no shut off valve or the valves were dysfunctional, and all homes should have a water shut off valve in case
there is ever a water problem. Hunter stated that State Code requires a shut off valve, so this would also bring
them into compliance with code. Jolly stated that older valves may also not be conducive to water flow.
MOTION
by Hunter, second by Jolly, to waive the reading of the resolution, there being
ample copies available to the public. Roll call vote: Jolly, yes; Wyckoff, no; Hunter, yes;
Motion carried.
Peterson, yes.
MOTION
by Hunter, second by Jolly, to adopt Resolution No. 2000-46, being a
Resolution adopting a penalty for not having a radio read meter installed. Roll call vote:
Motion carried.
Jolly, yes; Wyckoff, no; Hunter, yes; Peterson, yes.
RESOLUTION NO. 2000-46
ADOPTING A PENALTY FOR NOT HAVING A RADIO READ METER INSTALLED
WHEREAS
, the City Council of the City of Columb Heights has determined, that all single and two-unit
ia
residential property in the City of Columbia Heights shall be serviced by a radio read meter; and
WHEREAS,
on February 22, 1999 the City Council entered into a contract to have radio read meters installed;
and
WHEREAS,
there still remains approximately 200 residential properties that have not had a radio meter
installed; and
WHEREAS,
these residential properties have been sent a minimum of five requests to make an appointment to
have a radio read meter installed:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY ESTABLISHED
that all meters installed after July 1, 2000 will have
City Council Minutes
May 22, 2000
Page 5
a flat installation charge of $50, and the following penalties will be implemented for failure to have a radio read
meter installed.
PENALTY AMOUNTEFFECTIVE DATE
$ 50.00July 1, 2000
$ 100.00December 1, 2000
$ 150.00June 1, 2001
The above penalties will be effective on all bills rendered after the effective date for properties that do not have a
radio read meter installed.
nd
Passed this 22 day of May, 2000
Offered by:Hunter
Seconded by:Jolly
Roll Call:3 Ayes- 1 Nay
___________________________________
__________________________________Mayor Gary L. Peterson
Patricia Muscovitz, Deputy City Clerk
4.A.10 Approval of Resolution and Award of 2000 Miscellaneous Concrete Repairs Project
#2000-00
Hoium spoke on the need for more curb cuts and sidewalks in the City, for Americans with Disabilities and
children. Jolly asked Kathy Young, Assistant City Engineer, if residents would be able to get additionally
requested work done by this contractor. Young indicated this contractor will give any property owner an
estimate for private work they want done. The price for additional work was included in their proposal, and are
available by calling the city offices. Peterson asked what City policy is on adding a handicapped ramp. Young
stated that if a curb is disturbed we are required to add ramps. Hunter questioned how many feet of lineal
sidewalk we have, and how much is left to complete the system. Peterson indicated that putting in a sidewalk is
assessed to the property owner, so many residents don’t want to pay for them and, be responsible for shoveling
them in winter. Residents who want a sidewalk can file a petition for placement with the City.
MOTION
by Jolly, second by Hunter, to waive the reading of the resolution, there being
Motion carried.
ample copies available to the public. All ayes.
MOTION
by Jolly, second by Hunter, to approve and adopt Resolution No. 2000-45
accepting bids and award of the 2000 Miscellaneous Concrete Repairs and Installations,
Municipal Project #2000-00, to Ti-Zack Concrete Inc. of Le Center, Minnesota, based
upon their low, qualified responsible total bid in the amount of $38,600.70 with funds to
be appropriated from Fund 401-50000-4000; and, furthermore, to authorize the Mayor
Motion carried.
and City Manager to enter into a contract for the same. All ayes.
RESOLUTION NO. 2000-45
RESOLUTION ACCEPTING BID AND AWARDING CONTRACT FOR 2000 MISCELLANEOUS
CONCRETE REPAIRS AND INSTALLATIONS, ITY PROJECT No. 2000-00TO TI-ZACK
City Council Minutes
May 22, 2000
Page 6
CONCRETE INC. OF LE CENTER, MINNESOTA
WHEREAS City Project No. 2000-00, Miscellaneous Concrete
, pursuant to an advertisement for bids for
Repairs and Installations
, bids were received, opened and tabulated according to law. The following bids
were received complying with the advertisement:
Bidder Base Bid
Ti-Zack Concrete Inc.$38,600.70
Ron Kassa Construction Inc.$41,358.30
Task Masters Construction$46,028.00
Scandy Concrete, Inc.$46,251.65
Nadeau Utility Inc.$48,544.30
Gunderson Brothers$60,759.40
WHEREAS
, it appears that Ti-Zack Concrete Inc., Rt. 2, Box 182, Le Center, Minnesota 56057 is the lowest
responsible bidder.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS,
MINNESOTA:
1.The Mayor and Clerk are hereby authorized and directed to enter into a contract with
2000 Miscellaneous Concrete
Ti-Zack Concrete, Inc. in the name of the City of Columbia Heights, for
Repairs and Installations, City Project No. 2000-00
, according to plans and specifications therefore
approved by the Council.
2.The City Engineer is hereby authorized and directed to return, forthwith, to all bidders, the deposits made
with their bids except the deposit of the successful bidder and the next lowest bidder shall be retained
until the contract has been signed.
3.City Project #2000-00 shall be funded with State Aid Maintenance Fund, General Fund, Park Fund,
Street Fund, Sewer and Water Fund.
Dated this 22nd day of May, 2000.
Offered by:WyckoffCITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
Seconded by:Hunter
Roll Call:All ayes
Gary Peterson, Mayor
_______________________________
Patricia Muscovitz, Deputy City Clerk
5. PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND GUESTS
A.Proclamations
B.Presentations
1.Explorers Award from the Breezy Point Explorers Conference
Chief Johnson introduced Officer Joe Sturdevant, who took the Police Explorers to the state conference. Officer
Joe Sturdevant introduced Amber Meyers, Christine Okerstrom, and Christine Small. Ms. Small is a seven-year
veteran of the program. These Explorers received the White Collar Crime third place award at the conference.
City Council Minutes
May 22, 2000
Page 7
Sturdevant indicated this third place award (out of 35 teams) is very admirable, as it is a very tough
competition. Sturdevant stated at the Recognition Banquet, the group received the Quality Unit Award, which is
the highest award given to Explorers, and we were the only Anoka County Post to receive it. Sturdevant stated
the group’s appreciation of support received from the City. Peterson thanked the Explorers for their service
and their award.
2.Awards from the MN Chiefs Conference.
a.Dale Sorenson, Officer of the Year
b.John Rogers, Meritorious Service
Chief Johnson introduced Officer Dale Sorenson and Sgt. John Rogers. Officer Sorenson presented the Mayor
with his award for Officer of the Year from the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association. He received the award
for apprehending a strong-armed robbery suspect, and another incident involving a suicide attempt. Sgt.
Rogers presented the Mayor with his Meritorious Service award, which he received for successful grants in the
amount of $60,000 for equipment purchases and $80,000 in over-time funds. Peterson stated everyone is very
proud of these officers, and that we will need to get a big trophy case. Jolly indicated he attended the awards
banquet and was very proud that two of the eleven awards given were to Columbia Heights officers. Peterson,
who also attended, stated that through our officers, Columbia Heights is well known and well respected, state
wide. He thanked them again.
C.Introduction of New Employees
D.Recognition
1.Ruth Graham, Telecommunications Commission
Recognition for completion of volunteer service on the Telecommunications Commission
from 1993 to the year 2000.
Peterson awarded Ruth Graham an engraved clock for her service on the Telecommunications Commission
from 1993 to 2000. Ms. Graham thanked everyone. Wyckoff stated that as liaison to this commission, it was a
pleasure to see Ms. Graham’s always smiling face, and that the commission would miss her. Wyckoff stated
there is now one opening on the Telecommunications Commission and encouraged anyone interested to apply.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
7. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
A. Other Ordinances and Resolutions
ADDITION
: 1.Intent to Bond for Zone 4 Street Rehabilitation Projects.
Kathy Young, Assistant City Engineer, described why we must declare to have the ability to bond for the Zone 4
Street Rehabilitation project, if necessary. Wyckoff questioned how many bonds the City has out now. Elrite
stated presently, there are two; a general improvements bond and a sanitary sewer bond. Elrite stated that this
resolution just keeps the option open, but doesn’t mean the City will need to do this. Elrite stated that some
funds for this project will come from the water fund. Wyckoff asked if this has been done before and was the
bond necessary? Elrite stated the Resolution has been passed in previous years, but the need to obtain the
bonds was not necessary. If the need to obtain bonds would be necessary, then it would need to be brought
back to Council before any such action was taken.
MOTION
by Hunter, second by Jolly, to waive the reading of the resolution, there being
Motion carried.
ample copies available to the public. All ayes.
City Council Minutes
May 22, 2000
Page 8
MOTION
by Jolly, second by Hunter, to approve the declaration for the official intent of
the City of Columbia Heights to Bond for Zone 4 Street Rehabilitation Project. All ayes.
Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 2000-48
DECLARING THE OFFICIAL INTENT OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS TO REIMBURSE
CERTAIN EXPENDITURES FROM THE PROCEEDS OF BONDS TO BE ISSUED BY THE CITY
WHEREAS
, Internal Revenue Service has issued Tres. Reg. 1.140-2 providing that proceeds of tax exempt
bonds used to reimburse prior expenditures will not be deemed spent unless certain requirements are met; and,
WHEREAS
, the City of Columbia Heights (the “City”) expects to incur certain expenditures which may be
financed temporarily from sources other than bonds, and reimbursed from the proceeds of a bond;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBIA
HEIGHTS AS FOLLOWS:
1.The City reasonably intends to make expenditures for a project consisting of Street
Rehabilitation and Utility work identified as the Zone 4 Street Rehabilitation Project, and
reasonably intends to reimburse itself for such expenditures from the proceeds of debt to be
issued by the City in one or more series in the maximum principal amount of $ 805,000.
2. This resolution is intended to constitute a declaration of official intent for purposes of Tres. Reg.
1.150-2 and any successor law, regulation, or ruling.
Dated this 22nd day of May, 2000.
Offered by:JollyCITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
Seconded by:Hunter
Roll Call:All ayes
Gary Peterson, Mayor
_________________________________
Patricia Muscovitz, Deputy City Clerk
B. Bid Considerations
5.Adopt Resolution 2000-44 Accepting Bids and awarding contract for Zone 4 Street
Rehabilitation Projects
MOTION
by Hunter, second by Wyckoff, to waive the reading of the Resolution, there
Motion carried.
being ample copies available to the public. All ayes.
MOTION
by Hunter, second by Wyckoff, to approve and adopt Resolution No. 2000-
44 accepting bids and awarding the 2000 Street Rehabilitation projects in Zone 4, Project
No. 0002 to Hardrives Inc., of Rogers, Minnesota in the amount of $809,806.63 based
upon their low qualified bid and accepting Alternate 2 for HDPE storm sewer pipe for a
deduct resulting in a revised base bid of $805,806.63, and accepting Alternate 3 (unit
price basis) for residential driveway construction; and, furthermore to authorize the
Motion
Mayor and City Manager to enter into an agreement for the same. All ayes.
carried.
City Council Minutes
May 22, 2000
Page 9
C. Other Business
8. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
A. Report of the City Manager
Fehst acknowledged the Minnesota Workforce Award given to Crest View Corporation (Shirley Barnes) for
being an exemplarily employer. He read the qualifications to receive the award and congratulated them.
B. Report of the City Attorney
C.Report of the Building Official
Mel Collova, Building Official, addressed the City Council to answer general questions. He stated there are
not many vacant lots left in town, and if residents have vacant land next to them and they don’t want it built on
then they better buy it. Collova listed construction and renovation items happening in town: the Olive Tree is
about ready to open, Bobby and Steve’s Auto World (on both sides of Central Avenue) is operating, the Mall is
almost at full capacity, Subway has been redone, a fine dining restaurant is being worked on, Jerusalem Market
is not open, the pet store has moved across the street, and inquiries have been received on the vacated Boston
Market from a fast food company. He stated that in 1992 permits values were $2.32 million and last year
permit values exceeded $20 million dollars. Collova encouraged people to call if they have legitimate
complaints, but suggested people talk to their neighbors to work out their problems. He stated that we are
already in the busy construction season. Currently, he has eight building plans waiting to be issued.
Jolly stated that the City Council asked Mr. Collova to attend these meetings more often to keep them abreast of
happenings within the City. Hunter agreed with Collova, stating that it would be best if neighbors would sit
down and work together to resolve issues.
Wyckoff informed everyone that the City of Columbia Heights Web Site is now available to the public. The web
site has information on City departments, historical information, e-mail addresses and many other things. She
thanked Jean Kuehn for her work on this project, and stated she is very proud of it.
9.GENERAL COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
A.Minutes of Boards and Commissions
1)Meeting of the March 21, 2000, Housing and Redevelopment Authority
2)Meeting of the April 11, 2000, Economic Development Authority
3)Meeting of the April 18, 2000, Economic Development Authority
4)Meeting of the May 2, 2000, Public Library Board of Trustees
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.)
Peterson reminded residents that Memorial Day is Monday, May 29, and that Post 230 will hold their annual
Memorial Day Service at 11:30 a.m. by the City Hall flag. The Mayor encouraged everyone to attend.
Jolly asked Young about the time line for the Central Avenue construction project. She indicated she had not
been involved in this. Peterson stated he thought it would begin in 2001.
City Council Minutes
May 22, 2000
Page 10
11.ADJOURNMENT
MOTIONMotion
by Wyckoff, second by Hunter, to adjourn the meeting. All ayes.
carried.
Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
12.EXECUTIVE SESSION - closed
A.4101 Central Avenue NE - litigation
______________________________
Patricia Muscovitz, Deputy City Clerk