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Home My WebLink AboutAugust 8, 2005 OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL AUGUST 8, 2005 The following are the minutes for the regular meeting ofthe City Council held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 8,2005 in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 590 40th Avenue N.E., Columbia Heights, MN. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL/INVOCATION Present: Mayor Peterson, Councilmember Nawrocki, Councilmember Williams, Councilmember Ericson Diehm, Councilmember Kelzenberg Pastor Peter Law, Community United Methodist Church, gave the invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - recited ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO MEETING AGENDA - none PROCLAMATIONS. PRESENTATIONS. RECOGNITIONS AND GUESTS Introduction of New Employees 1) New Assistant Fire Chief - promotion of Captain John Larkin Fire Chief Gary Gonnan introduced the new Assistant Fire Chief, John Larkin and listed his service and accomplishments as a Firefighter for the City of Columbia Heights. Larkin thanked everyone and indicated he is looking forward to this opportunity. 2) New Fire Captain - promotion of Full-time Firefighter Dan O'Brien Fire Chief Gary Gorman introduced the new Captain Dan O'Brien and listed his service and accomplishments as a Firefighter for the City of Columbia Heights. O'Brien thanked the City Council for this opportunity. Recognition 3) Scott Linder - Retired On-Call Firefighter Fire Chief Gary Gorman introduced retired Firefighter Scott Linder. He stated that Linder has been a r1",r1;,",,,,t,,,rI fi...",fiCTht",... -FA'" AU"''' ')(\ Y"''''''''' "'....rll;.,t"'rI h;" '"'A....f1.;hllt;A....., "'hA~I'" "'....r1 h"'UA....r1 thP ,",!OIll n-F rllltU '-I-""........I.V\.l.L""'...... .1..1..1.""'.....1.6.1..1.".......... .LV.L V V "".I. ~\.J "",-".LU "-".1..1....... .I..I.UL_,-," .I..LLU VV.I..I.L.I..I.Il.J'\,.J.L.l.V.L.l.U '-".....v,. V u..I..J....... ""'VJ V..L.I.,-," ...1..1...... ...........1..1. V.L ...........LJ. He presented Linder with a plaque. Linder stated he would only miss the midnight fire calls in 30 below zero weather. Mayor Peterson stated that the Council and cOlmnunity appreciated his service. Miscellaneous Councilmember Kelzenberg referred to the third annual softball game on Wednesday night between the Police/Fire Departments and the Post Office. The final score was 14 to 10, in favor ofthe Post Office. Si~~CA was the big winner, as the event raised $240 and many donated non-perishable food items. Kelzenberg presented Gonnan with the "Losers" trophy. Gonnan stated this was a fun event and his hope that it continues for many years to come. CONSENT AGENDA City Manager took the Councilmembers through the Consent Agenda. 1) Approve City Council Meeting Minutes for July 25, 2005 regular City Council meeting Motion to approve the minutes ofthe July 25, 2005, regular City Council meeting as presented. 2) Accept Boards and Commissions 2005 Meeting Minutes a) Motion to accept the April 26 minutes ofthe Housing/Redevelopment Authority. City Council Minutes August 8, 2005 Page 2 of 5 b) Motion to accept the June 28 minutes of the Economic Development Authority. c) Motion to accept the July 12 minutes of the Library Board of Trustees. Nawrocki referenced donations requiring Council approval and the assumption that donated funds would be held in escrow until recognized by the City Council. d) Motion to accept the July 21 minutes of the Charter Commission. e) Motion to accept the July 27 minutes of the Park & Recreation Commission. 3) Establish Work Session meeting date for Tuesday, August 16,2005, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Conference Room 1. Motion to establish a Work Session meeting date for Tuesday, August 16,2005 beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Conference Room 1. Fehst listed the Work Session agenda items: Budget/Levy review, Police Department reimbursement of overtime, and Huset Park items from the Public Works Department. Nawrocki questioned ifthe budget would be available at the work session. Fehst stated he anticipated it would be available. 4) Establish a Hearing Date of August 22,2005 for revocation or suspension of rental property license at 113 L 40th Ave, 1336-1338 43 ~ Ave, 3731 Pierce S1, 3726 3rd Street, 543 40th Ave., 600 51 st Ave. Motion to Establish a Hearing Date of August 22, 2005 for Revocation or Suspension of a License to Operate a Rental Property within the City of Columbia Heights against 1131 40th Avenue. Motion Establish a Hearing Date of August 22, 2005 for Revocation or Suspension of a License to Operate a Rental Property within the City of Columbia Heights against 1336-1338 43 ~ Avenue. Motion to Establish a Hearing Date of August 22, 2005 for Revocation or Suspension of a License to Operate a Rental Property within the City of Columbia Heights against 3731 Pierce Street. Motion to Establish a Hearing Date of August 22, 2005 for Revocation or Suspension of a License to Operate a Rental Property within the City of Columbia Heights against 3726 3rd Street. Motion to Establish a Hearing Date of August 22, 2005 for Revocation or Suspension of a License to Operate a Rental Property within the City of Columbia Heights against 543 40th Avenue. Motion to Establish a Hearing Date of August 22, 2005 for Revocation or Suspension of a License to Operate a Rental Property within the City of Columbia Heights against 600 51 st Avenue. 5) Approve Business License Applications Motion to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for August 8, 2005 as presented. 6) Approve Payment of Bills Motion to approve payment of the bills out of the proper funds as listed in the attached check register coveling Check Number 113759 through 113917 in the amount of$I,031,551.13. Nawrocki question check #113838 Bonestroo Rosene for grass seeding at Prestemon Park; check #113875 to the League ofMN Cities Insurance for two deductibles; check #113902 to Rapid Graphics for a consumer report insert. Fehst indicated the inserts were for the water report and he would get the other infonnation requested. City Council Minutes August 8, 2005 Page 3 of5 Motion by Nawrocki, second by Williams, to approve the Consent Agenda items. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion carried. PUBLIC HEARINGS Close Public Hearing called for Revocation/Suspension of Rental Housing License at 1026 40th Ave. Mayor Peterson closed the Public Hearing regarding the revocation or suspension of the Rental License regarding rental property at 1026 40th Avenue, in that the property now complies with the Residential Maintenance Code. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION Other Ordinances and Resolutions First reading of Ordinance No. 1492, a proposed change to the City Charter, Chapter 7, Section 72, Bonded Debt and Debt Limit Nawrocki asked City Attorney Jim Hoeft ifthe proposed language change was for the balance of bonds and would not allow an increase in the amount being refinanced. Hoeft stated that was true. Motion by Ericson Diehm, second by Williams, to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 1492 there being ample copies available to the public. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Ericson Diehm, second by Williams, to schedule the second reading of Ordinance No. 1492 for September 12, 2005, at approximately 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion carried. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS Report of the City Manager . Referred to letter from MHF A regarding application by Salvation Army for property at 4600 Polk Street. This has been reviewed and does not qualify for zoning in that area. We would welcome the application for a different address. . Met with Anderson Builders and Associates regarding 49th and Central- NW comer, regarding redevelopment of the area. The proposal was a predevelopment agreement for the entire block. . National Night Out last Tuesday - there were 36 paIiies held. Two parties were cancelled because ofthe heat Neighborhood issues were discussed. Councilmembers each attended several parties. . We continue to meet on the budget with Division Heads. Our state aid should be a little more than we anticipated. . We will begin the water main cleaning and lining project by next week. . Met with Walker staff members regarding operations. Weare pleased with management, but there are some questions on day-to-day management issues. 1\.T l::Jl'lTrr\ralr-i l....\,.&.vv~vv.n..~ . Walker's perfonnance at the high-rise fails is the area oftenant relationships. . Signs along Central Avenue - questioned why sidewalk signs are not allowed but pointed out several of them. He said the City Manager indicated they would be cited. The sign at the donut shop is still there, along with a big truck left as a portable sign. Other cities are not as lenient as we are on sidewalk signs. Fehst stated letters were sent to those violating the sign ordinance. This ordinance will be reviewed when the new Planner comes on at the end of the month. The Jelly and Bean's sign is in violation of the Code and has 72 hours to be removed. Is there a time limit on saIldwich bOaIods? Fehst stated there was a time limit on tempormy signs. Size is limited to two feet by four feet. B) Report ofthe City Attorney - nothing to repOli. City Council Minutes August 8, 2005 Page 4 of 5 Nawrocki . By state law, fees charged for pennits are not to exceed the cost, particularly building pennits. The Attorney stated previously that as long as fees are within the State limit, it is appropriate. They no longer have a building pennit fee list. Fees are not to raise revenue. Hoeft stated that when the State no longer issued a fee scale, cities worked off the last fee list, and if not increased that list would be allowed. If cities have applied a cost of living increase to the fee schedule, it may not be proper. Some cities have found that that list may not be adequate to cover costs. Where does it state it is acceptable to use the State's last schedule? Hoeft stated that it is a test of approval by the State and were fine for the years they were set for and are acceptable because they have not been increased. CITIZENS FORUM Tim Bradach, 4400 Stinson Boulevard and owner oflots adjacent to Silver Lake Beach, requested combining two lots. He was told he would not be allowed to refinance because the City has it in another category. Hoeft stated this would need to be addressed by the COlmnunity Development Department. Motion by Nawrocki to direct the City Manager to address property concerns at 4400 Stinson Boulevard and report back to the City Council. Second by Ericson Diehm. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion carried. COUNCIL CORNER Nawrocki . Serves on the LMC Fiscal Finance Committee, which met last week. Copies available of 2005 city policies. The State has revised LGA amounts, allowing Columbia Heights a smaller reduction this year but will be more again in the future. We will receive homestead credits for the next two years. Fehst stated this information could be placed in the Green Sheet. . The Legislature passed changes in the law regarding retirement fund contributions for employer and employee. Listed the increase amounts that will take place in January of next year. . The Library had a SUlmner theater program on Wednesday featuring youth of the community. On Thursday, the MoonShoe Players, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade local youth, presented a mystery dinner theater. There was a full house at Murzyn Hall. Donations were made by Taste Pizza and Jeff's Bobby and Steve's Auto World. A highlight ofthe program was the participation of our Mayor. . Next Sunday, August 14,2:00 p.m. at Kordiak Park there will be a Memorial dedicated to Anoka County Men and Women that participated in WWII. Gil Mros has lead this project. Ericson Diehm . Thanked the Police and Fire Depmiments for their hard work on National Night Out (NNO). They visited and answered many neighborhood questions on projects in the community and on wanting to participate in the cOlmnunity. Williams ~ .M.et with Kordiak, Na'.vrocld, and the Heights J\1anor administration, as an adviso!"'} board, on parking concerns. Nawrocld requested iriformation on fence heights for them. People should not be afraid to call 911 to repOli problems. Nawrocki suggested spending addition money for the Police to get the word out to call 911. . Thanked the Police and Fire Departments for NNO - everyone was very positive and he received no complaints. This is encouraging. . Grid 8 - he listed police activities in this area for four specific days. . Happy to see us working on the water lines on Jefferson and Polk Streets. Residents have been very patient. Remember we will have the cleanest water in the nation. . Pray for one another and the health of our citizens. . Referred to the passing of a.Mr. Dearing from Columbia Heights. City Council Minutes August 8, 2005 Page 5 of 5 Kelzenberg . NNO cOlmnents were mostly positive; only a few negatives. Heard that Minneapolis charges $75 for each barricade used. We do not charge for barricades. . Mentioned the many spectators at the Police-Fire versus Post Office softball game. SACA was the real beneficiary. Peterson . NNO was a huge success, and thanked all of the hosts for their hard work. . Along with his wife, attended the Moonshoe Players dinner theater. It was perfonned by local youth, with youth serving the meal. Some ofthe table waiters were from the girl's softball team. Never before enjoyed a dinner theater as much as this. Everyone left with a smile. Murzyn Hall was decorated like an Italian bistro. We have up and coming teenagers in our community. Thank you to Liz Bray, the Director. . On NNO did not hear many negatives, except speeding in residential neighborhoods. Use our speed monitor more and be more aggressive in tagging. Please be aware of your speed. Regarding motorized scooters now allowed on our streets, there was a young person hit in another cOlmnunity - so you must be very cautious. . Last night on T.V. saw there is another Minnesota group of soldiers leaving for Iraq. No matter what your stand on the war, show appreciation for our service men and women. It is close to home, as our Secretary Patty Muscovitz's son is now in the Anny in training and will serve our country. Keep her and her family in your prayers. Nawrocki -Regarding motor scooters, there are regulations. He gave an example and indicated this is another area that citizens need to be infonned of the regulations. . Don't take ourselves too seriously, and do a random act of kindness. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Peterson adjourned the meeting at 8:17 p.m. ~ J--r-. (\ f\ " -f! v-;dJLL.-( ~\ V \_ iA~~Lr~~ J J ~n+.';c~n l\"-nnn~.v~i-~ r'l\/fr' 7 ".1 aUl la lY.lu.:l.....v .llLl, ,--,1Y1,--, J Deputy City Clerk/Council Secreta! ~.-