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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 26, 2001OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 26, 2001 CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Present: Councilmembers: Robert Williams, Marlaine Szurek, Julienne Wyckoff, and Mayor Peterson, Absent: Councilmember Bruce Nawrocki PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO MEETING AGENDA -none CONSENT AGENDA MOTION A) by Szurek, second by Wyckoff, to approve the Consent Agenda items as follows: 1) Minutes for Approval Move to approve the minutes of the February 12, 2001, regular City Council meeting as presented. 2) Work Session Meeting Dates for March 5, 2001, Cancel the Joint Meeting with the School District on March 8. Move to establish Work Session meeting date for Monday, March 5, 2001 at 7 p.m.; and to cancel the joint meeting with the School District on March 8. Walt Fehst, City Manager indicated a new date for the Joint Meeting with the School District has not been re-established. 3) 2001-08 and 2001-09, being Resolutions calling for Zone 5 Public Improvement Hearing for Street Rehabilitation and Seal Coating Move to waive the reading of Resolutions 2001-08 and 2001-09, there being ample copies available for the public. Move to adopt Resolution No. 2001-08, being a Resolution calling for an Improvement Hearing for Zone 5 Street Rehabilitation, City Project 2001-02, on March 19, 2001. Move to adopt Resolution No. 2001-09, being a Resolution calling for an Improvement Hearing for Zone 5 Street Seal Coating, City Project 2001-01, on March 19, 2001. 4) Document imaging system upgrade Move to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into an agreement with PC Solutions for the purchase of SnapServer at a total cost not to exceed $3,700 plus sales tax. Budgeted item 5) 2001 Council Liaison to the Charter Commission Move to appoint Robert A. Williams as the 2001 Charter Commission Liaison. 6) County Payment for administration fees Move to authorize payment of $15,837.06 for administering the 2000 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. City Council Minutes February 26, 2001 Page 2 of 5 7) Bids for 2001 Miscellaneous Concrete Replacement and Installation Project Move to authorize staff to seek bids for the 2001 Miscellaneous Concrete Replacement and Installation Project. 8) Bids for 2001 Street and Parking Lane Striping Move to authorize staff to seek bids for the 2001 Street and Parking Lane Striping Contract. Fehst stated that some of this work is completed in house and larger projects are contracted out. 9) Business License Applications MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for February 26, 2001. 10) Payment of Bills MOTION: Motion to pay the bills, as listed, out of the proper fund. Motion carried. Upon Vote: All ayes. PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND GUESTS - none PUBLIC HEARINGS th A) Public Hearing for Revocation/Suspension of Rental Housing License at 1133 45 Avenue NE Mayor Peterson closed the public hearing in that the property is currently in compliance with the Residential Maintenance Code. B) Resolution No. 2001-10, being a resolution adopting a Housing Program with respect to an Assisted- Living Senior Housing Project; granting preliminary approval for the issuance of Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds to finance the project; and authorizing the reimbursement of expenditures made in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds MOTION by Szurek, second by Williams, to approve Resolution No. 2001-10, being a Resolution adopting a Housing Program with respect to an Assisted-Living Senior Housing Project; granting preliminary approval for the issuance of Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds to finance the project; and authorizing the reimbursement of expenditures made in anticipation of the issuance of such bonds. Mayor Peterson opened the Public Hearing. John Utley, Attorney for the firm of Kennedy and Graven, stated he was bond counsel regarding this financing. He indicated that State and Federal law allows cities to finance tax-exempt bonds of certain types, one of which is multi-family senior housing. Following the public hearing, Utley asked Council to consider adopting the Resolution for preliminary approval of the sale of bonds. This would constitute an indication to the Parties involved of Council intentions. Utley emphasized these are revenue bonds, whereby no assets of the city or any public property can be pledged to pay the bonds; they must be paid by revenue. These bonds do not affect the city’s ability to obtain their own bonds. Wyckoff questioned default on the bonds. Utley stated the bonds are paid with revenue from the business. If the business fails, the revenues from the facility secure the bonds, or the mortgage from the facility, or third party investors. Wyckoff questioned the time length of the bonds. Utley stated approximately 30 years. Wyckoff, questioned if approval required a supermajority vote and if these funds would only be used for the assisted living facility. Utley stated that State law indicates a simple majority is required, and State law supercedes local requirements. He clarified that these funds can only be used by a non-profit City Council Minutes February 26, 2001 Page 3 of 5 business and this is a stand-alone financing. Keith Jans, Real Estate Equities, spoke on the security for financing, and the affiliation with Crest View Corporation. There will be FHA/HUD insurance on the bonds. Building plans will be submitted tomorrow and plans are to begin building at the end of March. Wyckoff questioned if the assisted living project would continue if the affordable living facility project fell apart. Jans stated the entire project would go forward, but answered, “yes” to the question. Williams clarified that tax-exempt bonds are sold to private investors and there is no liability to the citizens. Utley stated it would be illegal to do otherwise. Szurek mentioned this action is not unusual for a city to do. Peterson asked for concerns from the public. Following no response, Mayor Peterson closed the Public Hearing and called for the vote. Motion carried. Upon Vote: All ayes. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION A) Other Ordinances and Resolutions B) Bid Considerations C) Other Business 1) Columbia Heights Transition Block LLC Amendment of Plat and Easement Establishing Overflow Drainage on NEI property nd MOTION by Szurek, second by Williams, to approve the Amended plat for Northwestern 2 Addition upon the condition that the same identifiable drainage and utility easement would be recreated in a separate easement document approved by the City. Jim Hoeft, City Attorney, indicated that item C1 & C2 are related. He stated the original plat for the Transition Block showed 100-year flood overflow storage. NEI requested the easement be removed from the plat and included through a separate document. The area or character will not change. Also, the request to amend easement document #597725 was an agreement made in the early 80’s with the School District for a traffic exit through the parking lot. The request is for the position of that easement to change. Review of the concept has been approved by the City’s Engineering Department. Upon initial review, Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director, requested this storm sewer ponding and overflow area and this easement satisfies that request. The driveway easement does allow the original concept of continuity. Wyckoff questioned what this change would mean. Hansen indicated that rather than showing the ponding area lines on the plat map, it would be represented on another recorded document. Peterson indicated this item was tabled at the last meeting upon request for further review. Hoeft stated there were minor changes and he is now comfortable with them. Motion carried. Upon Vote: All ayes. 2) Columbia Heights Transition Block amended easement Document # 597725 MOTION by Szurek, second by Williams, to approve the Amendment of Easement Agreement for Document No. 597725 as presented in writing; and furthermore, to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into an agreement for the same. Motion carried. Upon Vote: All ayes. City Council Minutes February 26, 2001 Page 4 of 5 Miscellaneous Items : Peterson asked Fehst if he polled Councilmembers regarding a replacement member to the Police and Fire Civil Service Commission. Fehst indicated that Councilmember Nawrocki requested waiting for this reappointment until the April 1 Commission term reappointments. Peterson stated that if the appointment were made now, the other applicants would remain on the available list. He stated that if we have applicants willing to fill vacancies, the appointment should not be delayed. Fehst stated that Mr. Moore, who was temporarily appointed to the Commission, wished to be replaced as soon as possible, and that this Commission will be interviewing for the Fire Captain position within the next two weeks. Wyckoff requested Mr. Moore be sent a letter thanking him for his help. Szurek spoke for the excellent qualifications of the applicant being considered. Peterson spoke for the outstanding qualifications of all the applicants. Motion by Szurek, second by Wyckoff, to appoint Dick Petkoff to the vacant term on the Police and Motion carried. Fire Civil Service Commission. Upon Vote: All ayes. Peterson requested that Mr. Petkoff be invited to the next Council meeting to be introduced. Fehst stated that expiring commission terms and vacancies will be posted on our cable TV station and City web page. Fehst listed the openings on all commissions. Wyckoff informed the public that on Sunday, March 25, at Murzyn Hall, from 4 to 8 p.m., the Human Service Commission, School District 13, and Shirley Barnes from Crest View Corporation, will host the First Annual “Taste of Heights”. The event will feature food samples from six local restaurants: Olive Tree, Cairo Grill, Sahib’s, El Tequila, Balkan Express, El Bustan’s, Jang Won. Also featured will be families chosen by the School District to exhibit their culture through crafts, dances, clothing, etc. Flyers for the event will be posted soon. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS A) Report of the City Manager Upcoming Work Session Items · McComb Group Limited Market Feasibility Study for the Downtown Redevelopment · Replacement of Melrose Bobcat #217 · New equipment purchase of milling attachment for MT Trackless · Zone 5 Feasibility Report · Continuation of review – Central Avenue Improvement Project for water service and Streetscaping · Bleacher Replacement – Huset Park, field 5 · New washing machine for Fire Department · Library development – follow up to Library Board/City Council worksession · Award T-Shirt and Recreation Equipment Bid · Resolution supporting “Building Quality Communities” th Fehst announced a meeting on Monday, March 5 at 9 a.m. at City Hall with Senator Chaudhary and Representative Goodwin, to look at effects of the State budget plan on our community. Fehst stated that depending on the formula used, we could stand to lose 2.5 million dollars. The impact on tax increment financed districts is a concern, as well as HACA, State Aid, and Homestead Credits. Wyckoff asked if residents could get help shoveling the snow from around fire hydrants. Fehst asked that if residents were able, that they please shovel around hydrants to make them accessible. However, our Fire Cadets would be out clearing snow from around fire hydrants. Residents may call City Hall with City Council Minutes February 26, 2001 Page 5 of 5 individual requests, but Cadets will try to work in an orderly sequence. Fehst also stated concern about cars parked on city streets for hardship reasons, which may cause plow truck drivers and possibly fire truck drivers to not be able to get down certain streets. Williams encouraged residents to flag their nearest fire hydrant. B) Report of the City Attorney - none GENERAL COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS Minutes of Boards and Commissions 1) Meeting of the January 16, 2001, Economic Development Authority 2) Meeting of the February 15, 2001 Telecommunications Commission 3) Meeting of the February 6, 2001 Library Board of Trustees 4) Meeting of the February 7, 2001 Library Board of Trustees/City Council Worksession Wyckoff displayed a copy of the Real Estate section from Saturday’s paper, with an article on the apartment created above the Heights Theatre. She also stated the City’s 2000 Annual Report has been released and suggested the public view this information. Peterson stated that he attended the Heights Theatre “Joyce Lamont” tribute, and was amazed by their wonderful presentation. Wyckoff mentioned the Columbia Heights reference in the Taste column of the newspaper. CITIZENS FORUM Two students from the local high school civic class introduced themselves. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Peterson adjourned the meeting at 8:05 p.m. _____________________________________ Patricia Muscovitz, Deputy City Clerk