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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 11, 2007OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 11, 2007 The following are the minutes of the regular meeting of the City Council held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 11, 2007 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 Williams, Councilmember Nawrocki, Councilmember Diehm, Councilmember Kelzenberg Rev. Dan Thompson, Columbia Heights Assembly of God Church gave the Invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE -recited ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO MEETING AGENDA Mayor Peterson removed item 6B as the property has been brought into compliance and added to the Consent Agenda consideration of a special work session on Monday, June 25, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. in Conference Room 1 to review Liquor Store bids. Nawrocki asked for a report on June 4th work session items: activity center and proposal on police/fire service center. Peterson placed this under item 7C. PROCLAMATIONS PRESENTATION RECOGNITION GUESTS Presentation - 2007 Humanitarian of the Year -Clarice Martin Mayor Peterson announced that Clarice Martin was chosen as the 2007 Humanitarian of the Year. He read a biography on her volunteer activities in Columbia Heights and for her church. Peterson also read a letter submitted by Malcolm Watson highlighting Clarice's life. The Mayor presented Clarice Martin with the 2007 Humanitarian of the Year Proclamation and plaque, a Columbia Heights pen and pencil set, and a key to the City of Columbia Heights. Clarice thanked everyone that made this event possible for her. Nawrocki indicated his background with Clarice and her husband Don relative to his involvement in city government. Peterson stated his pride in Ms. Martin and her volunteerism, and stated that we will all see her in the Jamboree parade. Proclamation -Fire Department Centennial Peterson read the Proclamation to honor the 100th Anniversary of the Columbia Heights Fire Department. It recognized all past and present firefighters and. indicated there would be a celebration in conjunction with the 2007 Jamboree on Saturday, June 22 with events anal a street dance at the Fire Station. Fire Chief Gary Garman spoke of the 75th anniversary of the Fire Department and the number of members that are still current members of the department. He spoke of the department team work and their joy to serve the community. Gorman stated that Captain Dan O'Brien and a committee organized the celebration. O'Brien thanked the other members of the committee. He stated they have already held two open. houses; one for employees and one for Fire Department Alumni. The Fire Department will be in the Jamboree Parade, followed by serving hot dogs to the public. On Saturday afternoon there will be an open house, with a live band/street dance in the evening. City Council Minutes June 11, 2007 Page 2 of 7 Peterson thanked the Fire Fighters for their service. Proclamation -Values First Stand for Children Day -June 23, 2007 Peterson read the Proclamation Stand for Children Day sponsored by Values First. He presented the Proclamation to Liz Bray, Recreation Coordinator. He called on all citizens to prevent child abuse and neglect. Liz Bray, Recreation Program Coordinator, accepted the Proclamation on behalf of Values First. This event will be part of our Jamboree celebration. She thanked Medtronic for sponsoring this event. Bray listed other Jamboree events; Children's fishing clinic, 3 on 3 Basketball Jain, Heights Challenge events for children, and the Heights Idol competition. Fehst stated there was concern on the timing with the Fire Department dance and the Idol competition, but indicated that the street dance will still be going on after the competition. Bray stated that there is still time to sign up for youth summer activities. Mi~cellanenus Nawrocki stated that in the meeting with the Fridley City Council the Project Safety Net program was discussed, but he has heard nothing more. Diehm stated that she talked to our Police Chief on this and the City of Fridley is not interested, so the Police Chief will speak to other cities to guage their interest. Nawrocki stated that one Fridley Councilmetnber he spoke to was interested in the program. Fehst stated that the problem may be in the financing, but he could talk to them further. Nawrocki stated that this is a great program. CONSENT AGENDA City Manager Walt Fehst took Council Members through the Consent Agenda items. A. Approve City Council meeting minutes for May 29, 2007. Motion to approve the minutes of the May 29, 2007 regular City Council meeting as presented. Nawrocki stated there was a lot of discussion on the sign ordinance, and Jeff Bahe asked if he had gone past their business to see their signs. He indicated there are now only seven signs up. B. Accept Boards and Commission meeting minutes. Accept the Park and Recreation Commission meeting minutes of Apri125, 2007. C. Adopt Resolution 2007-83 establishing a Public Improvement and Assessment Hearing for alley lighting in Grid 8. Fehst stated that about nine inid block lights are scheduled to be placed and have been ordered from Xcel Energy. There will be a public assessment hearing to place lights in the alleys. Nawrocki stated that in the alley between Tyler and Polk, 46`" to 47`"one light needs a bulb. Fehst stated they have been natified of that. Motion to adopt Resolution 2007-83, being a Resolution establishing Monday, July 16, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. as a Public Improvement and Assessment Hearing for alley lighting in Grid 8. D. Approve request for funding of Fire Department Centennial celebration. Fehst stated that this is for backup money. The Fire Department raises funds for their events. We City Council Minutes T~,ne 7 7 ~Q(~;7 Page 3 of 7 may not have to use any funds for the events. Motion to authorize up to $3,000.00 to cover casts of the Fire Department centennial celebration not covered by donations. E. Approve Rental Housing Licenses for June 11, 2007. Motion to approve the items listed for rental housing license applications for June 11, 2007. F. Approve Business License Applications Motion to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for June 11, 2007, as presented. G. Approve payment of the bills Motion to approve payment of the bills out of the proper funds as listed in the attached check register covering Check Number 121659 through 121812 in the amount of $569,404.29. H. Approve June 25, 6:00 p.m. work session to review liquor store bids Motion to approve the June 25, 6:00 p.m. work session to review liquor store bids. Nawrocki stated there is a bill for $111,600 for the liquor store architect. Fehst stated that the overage was for items added such as the elevator and the basement. Nawrocki questioned the architectural cost for removal of the mezzanine floor and putting offices in the basement, because of prior work completed. They should have brought the problem forward earlier. Nawrocki stated that the alley parallel to 47`'' between Central and Tyler needs patching. The building at 4633 Central has a lot of graffiti on the back of the building. At 4657 Tyler there are couches and junk sitting outside. 4544 Fillmore has a pile of brush on the back of the property. Motion by Nawrocki, second by Williams, to approve the Consent Agenda items. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion carried. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Adapt Resolution No. 2007-81 for revocation of the rental license held by Walter Caughey re~ardin rg ental property at 3959-3961 Polk Street N.E. Fire Chief Gary Gorman stated the owner was in today to submit the application and fee, but did not schedule an inspection. They would be given two weeks prior to posting the building. Motion by Dielun, second by Williams, to close the public hearing and to waive the reading of Resolution No.2007-81, there being ample copies available to the public. Upon vote: All. ayes. Motion carried. Motion by Diehm, second by Williams, to adopt Resolution No. 2007-81, Resolution of the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights approving revocation pursuant to City Code, Chapter SA, Article IV, Section SA.408(A) of the rental license held by Walter Caughey regarding rental property at 3959-3961 Polk Street N.E. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion carried. Gorman stated that the property brought before Council two weeks ago scheduled two inspections and the items were still not complete, so the building was pasted today. RESOLUTION 2007-81 Resolution of the City Council far the City of Columbia Heights approving revoeatian pursuant to City Code, City Council Minutes June 11, 2007 Page 4 of 7 Chapter SA, Article IV, Section SA.408(A) of that certain residential rental license held by Walter Caughey (Hereinafter "License Holder"). Whereas, license holder is the legal owner of the real property located at 3959-3961 Polk Street N.E., Columbia Heights, Minnesota, Whereas, pursuant to City Code, Chapter SA, Article IV, Section SA.408(B), written notice setting forth the causes and reasons for the proposed Council action contained herein was given to the License Holder on May 21, 2007 of an public hearing to be held on Junel 1, 2007. Now, therefore, in accordance with the foregoing, and all ordinances and regulations of the City of Columbia Heights, the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights makes the following: FINDINGS OF FACT 1. That on April 18, 2007, inspection office staff sent a letter requesting the new owner of the property to license the rental property. The letter was mailed by regular mail to the owner at the address listed in the property ~a~ reCvi u~. 2. That on May 21, 2007, inspection office staff reviewed the property file and noted that the property remained unlicensed. A Statement of Cause was mailed by regular mail to the owner at the address listed in the property records. 3. That based upon said records of the Enforcement Office, the following conditions and violations of the City's Residential Maintenance Code were found to exist, to-wit: Failure to submit a rental license application, failure to schedule a rental license inspection. 4. That all parties, including the License Holder and any occupants or tenants, have been given the appropriate notice of this hearing according to the provisions of the City Code, Chapter SA, Article III SA.306 and SA.303(A). ORDER OF COUNCIL 1. The rental license belonging to the License Holder described herein and identified by license number U3959 is hereby revoked; 2. The City will post for the purpose of preventing occupancy a copy of this order on the buildings covered by the license held by License Holder; 3. All tenants shall remove themselves from the premises within 60 days from the first day of posting of this Order revoking the license as held by License Holder. B. Adopt Resolution No. 2007-82 for the revocation of the rental license held by Mohsen Dessouki regardin rg ental property at 4610-4612 Fillmore Street N.E. -removed Agenda additions Activity Center -Pabst stated that the open house will be July 10t1i at First Lutheran Church from 6:30 p.tn. to 8:30 p.m. This is the second open house held. The first was in February with three alternatives presented. Since then the camtnittee has proposed a fourth alternative. Fehst referred to the corrm~iittee process followed to bring forth a community activity center recommendation. Nawrocki stated the meeting information brochure should have been part of the regular city newsletter. The brochure talks about attendees at the first open house showing support for the center, which was only about 100 people. He indicated. that we have an activity center in Murzyn Hall and this would be an additional facility. He listed the four options and the estimated costs. Nawrocki referred to the $3.9 million in city funds available for the project, and stated that they came from other funds. This takes away from the liquor fund and will require more to be borrowed for building the liquor stores. He referred to interest casts, yearly family fees and individual use fees, and operating costs. There would be costs needed to be picked up by the tax payer. Nawrocki indicated that the survey does not have a "na" option. This process has not done justice to working with the School Board to add two gyms onto the school. The beginning of this process was for two additional gyms. Nawrocki referred to the YMCA survey, indicating he has not seen a list of the survey questions. It would be most cost effective for the community to work with the school. When City Council Minutes June 1 ? , 2007 Page 5 of 7 talking about bonding, remember that we have $8.8 million outstanding in bonds, with $1.5 million in interest due over the next few years. The hope is that assessments for streets and revenue from water and sewer will pay for that interest. These are all Columbia Heights taxpayer dollars. We have $3.2 million in internal borrowing. We need to look for better alternatives. Fehst stated that we can borrow two percent of assessed market value. The special assessment money and special services are not backed up by full. faith and credit, but if it comes to that we would take care of them. Fehst referred to the fourth alternative to contribute to the schools for a second gym. The committee has stated that this alternative would serve the needs of both groups. He indicated his desire that the July 10 meeting have a lot of input. Williams stated that sending individual information letters is very important, as the information may not have been noticed in the city newsletter. He has kept neutral to let the citizen committee get others involved: however. he does have his own opinions. Williams stated he would wait for information from the community meeting and the survey and then the Council will decide. Public facility in the Heritage Hei htg~ s neighborhood - Fehst indicated that he was asked to see what it would cost to build a police and fire station in the Heritage Heights neighborhood. The neighborhood has indicated that they need help there. Our Police and Fire departments are in need of more room. Information was presented at the work session for a possible station on Central Avenue. A space study completed in 1999 recommended 30,000 square feet. Council discussed buying up less land or buying land to include a future library. Site consideration is 47`h to 46`E' on Central Avenue. The cost is not cheap. Fehst stated that the Council seemed committed, but questioned how we would come up with the funds. Total project cost for a police station is estimated at $12 million and $21 million for police/fire station. To the average property tax payer the estimate would be $18 a month fora $194,900 valued home. It was suggested to bring this to a vote of the people, Diehm stated that a Council subcommittee of herself, the Mayor, Police Chief, and Fire Chief would meet to discuss this and report back to the City Council. She encouraged residents to contact them with comments and spoke of concerns presented by that neighborhood. Nawrocki stated that he volunteered to be on the committee, but was not appointed. He requested to be advised along the way regarding what takes place. He stated that there is some merit in locating a police station in that area. The current police space could provide additional fire space. He stated his pleasure to hear it should go to a vote of the public; so should the activity center. Peterson stated that the Council or citizens don't think these things will be free. The community is priority number one. We need to invest in our community. It costs money. Citizens want a nice place to live and are willing to pay more taxes. Peterson stated his excitement about something positive happening in the Heritage Heights area. It could happen within a year and would make a big difference in that area. We would have to do some financing, but the value of our community would rise. Williams stated in 2006 our value was $1,200,000,000. We are a city and a council on the move. It is important to keep costs in perspective. ITEMS FOR CONSIDE TION -none ADMINISTItATI EPO TS Report of the City Manager City Council Minutes June 11, 2QQ? Page 6 of 7 Fehst stated that at the June 18th work session, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., discussion will include: liquor store update, renewal of the League of Minnesota Cities insurance, 2007 park improvements, and repairs to University Avenue service road from 45th to 53rd Avenue. Our staff would mill and overlay the road using City of Fridley equipment. The repair would last four to five years. Seal coating would not be an option. This road work would cost about $37,000. Fehst stated that from 40th to 45th major work is required, which would be addressed in 2008. Fehst asked if the Council wished to consider the Crest View bond administrative fee reduction. Diehm suggested it be discussed at the work session. Nawrocki stated that he does not want to discuss it further. Nawrocki • 4644 Washington -junk in the back yard, overflowing barrels, and wood. Fehst stated that the Building Official was to check on the property. • 666 and 668 47th -the duplex is under the abatement process, but the grass does not get cut. Fah et etatarl hic accmm~tinn that the Fire T~Ptiartment hail teen this and notified the owner. .....,..,-..-_._ _._.. --~~-----r--~-- ----- ---- - --- - -r----------- ----- He indicated the good job they have done on uncut grass issues, and many less complaints are received. Non-compliant owners receive five days notice and then the property is cut. Report of the City Attorney -nothing to report. CITIZENS FORUM Deb Johnson, 4626 Pierce Street, Heritage Heights neighborhood, stated she would love to see a police/fire station there as the area has been deteriorating for a long time. She stated support for a joint station to save money by consolidating showers, locker rooms, etc. Johnson also pointed out that the city hall wiring is hopelessly outdated for technology needs and major repairs would have to be done here. Johnson stated that Nawrocki volunteered to be part of the subcommittee, but there is a law where only two councilmembers can be at an informal meeting, so he was not kicked off the committee. Johnson stated tl'~^ut ghe had nn np~n~nn ~n the a~rt~;~ity e„antarr a~~en tlZni„ah the ig ~ier~~ npininnated, Cite nClinte(j nut ~ ~ b.. ~ r that whether school district taxes or city taxes are used, the homeowner pays both. COUNCIL CORNER Kelzenberg • Read from the Green Sheet regarding positive police action. • Join us at the Jamboree - we will have a good time. • In favor of a police station in this area, that is where mast of the crime is. The value of our properties would go up. Williams • Encouraged the planning subcommittee. We can start with a police building, keep the firing range at city hall, and do a step by step plan. • We will make decisions this fall that will affect our city. Glad to be serving the City at this time. Diehm • Check out the Library -there are wonderful summer programs for kids. Maintain a heightened awareness for children that are out and about. • Get out and get to know your neighbors. Participate in the 3amboree. Nawrocki • Property values don't put money in your pocket unless you sell your house. • On the subcommittee of two, he made the offer before it was chosen. Has developed a City Council Minutes June 11, 2007 Page 7 of 7 background on the finances of the city, so he volunteered to serve. Not the first time he was left out of conversations. + Of the $3.9 million designated for an activity center, $500,000 came from the Park Capital Improvement Fund. There is a difference in Columbia Heights and School District tax dollars. School District taxes include a part of Fridley. The $3.9 million is from reserves. Taxes increased because of State cuts, but reserves were not discussed. • There was an article in the Focus regarding expansion of the TIF district at cost of $16 million that would have you believe it died because of the Governor's veto of the tax bill. It was not part of the final tax bill that was vetoed. • Received the MNDOT information on the 49`h and Central Avenue pedestrian bridge. MNDot will not take any financial responsibility to replace it, even though it is their bridge. The bridge is in the City of Hilltop and they have not given support for replacement or purchase of land. Patarcnn This is an exciting time for Columbia Heights and it will just get better. Make sure we honor our service men and women, as they are doing a tough and great job for us. If you see a service man or women -thank them. Live goes by so fast it is never too soon to attempt to enjoy life. Don't take ourselves too seriously, and do a random act of kindness. 11. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Peterson adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m. '~ r ~. F`4 z F ~_._... `mot-S--~'---{Y~IJ atricia Muscovitz CMC t C ity C icrit