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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 6, 2008 Work Sessioncu>7- c t~erer.~,,,, CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS ,~a~nr Cnuncilmembers Rnhert A. {4',lhum.c 590 40'h Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421-3878 (763)706-3600 TDD (763) 706-3692 Bruce Na,rrnck, 1 uu,n,eru Dfelrn, Visit our website at: www.ci.columbin-heights.ma.us Bruce Kelzenher/; City M14anager Wolter R. l~~hsr ADMINISTRATION NOTICE OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING to be held in the CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS as follows: Meeting of: COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL Date of Meeting: MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2008 Time of Meeting: '7:00 P.M. Location of Meeting: CONFERENCE ROOM 1 Purpose of Meeting: WORK SESSION 1. Discussion on abandoned property ordinance 2. Project update - 37`h & Central and use of 961 Gould Ave. 3. Stadium Village discussion -regarding re-skinning of office building 4. Price quotes -printing and mailing '09-' 10 city newsletter 5. Establish City Park rental fees 6. Establish City Event Wagon rental fees The City of Columbia Heights does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodation will be provided to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in all City of Columbia Heights' services, programs, and activities. Auxiliary aids for handicapped persons are available upon request when the request is made at least 96 hours in advance. Please call the City Clerk at 763-706-3611 to make arrangements. (TDD/706-3692 for deaf or hearing impaired only) COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCII. LETTER Work Session: October 6, 2008 AGENDA SECTION: ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT: CITY MANAGER'S NO: Community Development APPROVAL ITEM: Discussion of Abandoned Property BY: Sheila Cartney BY: Ordinance DATE: 9/29/08 BACKGROUND: At the August 26th City Council Work Session staff sought direction from the Council regarding future housing endeavors of the Community Development Department, which included removing the City's rental moratorium, developing programs to strengthen the community's housing stock and policies regarding purchasing blighted property. Staff suggested drafting an Abandoned Property Ordinance that would target vacant properties and Council agreed to review the same. Staff (including review by the City Attorney) has drafted such an ordinance that would declare a property abandoned by definition, and if found to be abandoned, the property's Certificate of Occupancy would be revoked. In order to get a new Certificate of Occupancy (to occupy the property) a Building Code inspection would have to be performed, based on the City's existing Codes, and then corrective actions would have to be completed (or escrowed) prior to issuance of a new Certificate of Occupancy. It is the overall goal of this Ordinance to ensure the City that severely damaged abandoned properties are put back into service at some minimum level of structural repair, so as not to become a blighting influence on neighborhoods. RECONIlVIENDATION: If the City Council is in favor of such ordinance staff will make any changes necessary and bring the ordinance forward for a first reading at a future City Council meeting. Attachments :Agenda from the August 26th City Council Worksession and Ordinance Amending the City of Columbia Hei hts Code By Addin Lan ua a Establishin Abandoned Pro e COUNCIL ACTION AGENDA Work Session Discussion 8/26/08 1. Overview of Discussion 2. Rental Housing a. Inspections b. Moratorium 3. Abandoned/Vacant Property Ordinance 4. Future Housing Strategies a. Purchasing properties b. First time home buyer program c. Financing Options 5. Other Additional Information is attached Ordinance No. 1559 AN ORDIANCE AMENDING THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CODE BY ADDING LANGUAGE ESTABLISHING ABANDONED PROPERTY Chapter 5B. Abandoned Property Article 1. Purpose and Definitions Section 1: Purpose. Abandoned buildings that are not maintained contribute to the detriment of neighborhoods, increase crime, and diminish property values of a city. For the benefit of the community, the City of Columbia Heights has deemed it necessary and appropriate to maintain, preserve and improve housing by providing an orderly and effective way to insure compliance with housing codes and provide a system to increase concerns for health, safety and protection of the community. Section 2: Intent; Relation to the Provisions of City Code. The City Council intends that the Abandoned Property Ordinance be an integral part of the City's program of health, safety, fire, building and land use regulation. It shall be a portion of the City Code, to be construed liberally in conjunction with other provisions of the City Code to give effect to the policy, purpose, and objectives in this Section, but is not to be construed to modify, amend or otherwise alter the provisions of the City Code relating to health, safety, or building and land use regulations. Section 3: Definitions. 1. Abandoned Property: The discontinued use or activity of a property for any reason, but excluding temporary interruptions during periods of building or remodeling where a valid building permit has been issued or during periods of routine seasonal closure. 2. Board of Appeals: The Columbia Heights Planning Commission 3. Building: Any roofed structure that may provide shelter. 4. Certificate of Occupancy: A document issued by the Building Official allowing for occupancy or use of a building, and certifying that the structure or use has been constructed or will be used in compliance with all the applicable codes and ordinances. 5. Code Official. The Code Official refers to the current city Building Official or designee. 6. Compliance Order. A document issued to the owner of a property after a building code inspection that requires the correction of identified deficiencies or hazardous items. 7. Immediate Hazard: A condition, structural failure, or defect that is likely to cause immediate injury to a person or property if not corrected. 8. Property: Real estate, including any improvements therein. 9. Renewal Fee: Fee paid for new Certificate of Occupancy, which includes related inspections. 10. Vandalize: To destroy or damage (property) maliciously Article 2: Determination of Abandoned Property Section 1: Investigation. The Code Official, or designee, shall be responsible for the investigation of all properties or complaints concerning vacant or abandoned property. Section 2: Declaration of Abandoned Property. The Code Official shall declare a property abandoned if the property is vacant and there is evidence of one or more of the following: a) Reoccurring City Abatement processes. b} Building has been declared uninhabitable. s~ Vandalized structures. d) Lack of exterior maintenance per Housing Maintenance Code standards. e) Repeated calls for service (police, fire, etc). f) Structural damage. g} Utility service shut off. h) Property abandoned through Section 582.032 Subdivision 2 MN State Statute. Article 3: Certificate of Occupancy Section 1: Revocation of Certificate of Occupancy.. If a property is declared abandoned as defined in Article 2 Section 2 of this ordinance, the property's Certificate of Occupancy will be revoked, and the property will be posted to prevent occupancy. Section 2: Notification of revocation of Certificate of Occupancy... The city will make every effort to notify the current property owner; Real Estate Agent; Asset Manager; or any other individual known to the City that is involved in the transaction for sale of the property of these actions by way of US Mail and by posting the same on the property. Section 3: Building Code Inspection. Once the Certificate of Occupancy has been revoked for a property, a Building Code Inspection must take place prior to a new Certificate of Occupancy being issued. 1. The Building Code Inspection may result in corrective actions. A Compliance Order may be issued to the owner when deficiencies, unsafe conditions, or hazardous items have been identified during a housing inspection as described in the Columbia Heights Property Maintenance Code Chapter S.A. and the MN State Building Code as adopted. 2. The corrective actions must be completed and pass inspection by the Code Official in order to have a new Certificate of Occupancy issued for the property. 3. If corrective actions are not warranted a new Certificate of Occupancy will be issued by the Code Official. Section 4: Issuance of New Certificate of Occupancy with Cash Escrow. For corrective actions the city may issue a new Certificate of Occupancy if the buyer, seller or other responsible person has: 1. Executed an agreement with the city to complete the correction actions in a timely manner and 2. Deposited with the city a cash escrow equivalent to 110% of the estimated cost of corrections. a. If escrowed items contain immediate hazardous items, the Certificate of Occupancy will be withheld from the new property owner until these items are satisfactorily completed and inspected by the Code Official; until that time the building may not be occupied. Article 3: Administration Section 1: Application & Inspection 1. Application Required. The owner or owner's representative is required to make application for the issuance of a new Certificate of Occupancy, which would include the inspection by the Code Official. 2. Fee. At the time of issuance, the applicant for a new Certificate of Occupancy must pay a fee appropriate for the type of building as set forth by annual City Council resolution. 3. Inspection. Upon receipt of a properly executed application and payment of the fee, the Code Official will cause a property maintenance inspection to be made of the premises to ensure the property is in compliance with applicable provisions of the City of Columbia Heights Property Maintenance Code Section 5.A. and the Minnesota State Building Code as adopted. 4. Final Inspection. Upon completion of repairs or corrections made to the property per the Compliance Order, the property owner shall request the Code Official to conduct a final inspection, which may be combined with final building permit inspection, where required. Article 4: Appeals A person aggrieved by a Declaration of Abandoned Property or Compliance Order may appeal for relief from the action of the Code Official to the City of Columbia Heights Board of Appeals. The decision and order of the Board of Appeals shall be binding to all parties. Article 5: Violations and penalty Any person, firm, or corporation who violates or refuses to comply with any of the provisions of this ordinance, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished as provided in Section 1.999. Each day that a violation exists shall constitute a separate offense. Article 6: Effective Date This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after 30 days after its passage. First Reading: Second Reading: Date of Passage: Offered by: Seconded by: Roll Call: Gary L. Peterson- Mayor Attest: Patricia Muscovitz, CMC! City Clerk CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS 590 40th Avenue N.E., Columbia Heights, MN 55421-3878 (763} 706-3600 TDD (763) 706-3692 Visit Our Website at: www.ci.columbia-heights.mn.us Ntayor: Gary L. Peterson Councilmembers: Bruce Nawrocki Bobby Williams Tammera Diehm Bruce Kelzenberg City Manager: Walter R. Fehst COLUMBIA HEIGHTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT DATE: October 3, 2008 TO: Mayor- Gary L. Peterson City Council Members Walter R. Fehst- City Manager FROM: Scott Clark, Community Development Director RE: Project Update Staff will verbally present to the Council an update on three projects: 1) 37`i' and Central Redevelopment 2) Discussions with Stadium Village (owners of the office building at the southeast corner of 40`i' and Central) regarding the reuse of 961 Gould Ave. 3) Discussions with Stadium Village regarding the "reskinning" of the office building. The purpose of these updates is primarily informational in nature and an opportunity for staff to share items that may come to the Council in November or December. THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY IN EMPLOYMENT OR THE PROVISION OF SERVICES EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER CITY COUNCIL LETTER Meeting of : October 13, 2008 AGENDA SECTION: CONSENT AGENDA ORIGINATING DEPT.: CITY MANAGER NO: Recreation APPROVAL ITEM: Authorization to obtain price quotes for BY: Keith Windschitl BY: printing and mailing the 2009-2010 City Recreation Director newsletters DATE: 9/30/08 NO: BACKGROUND: Staff is seeking authorization to obtain price quotes for printing and mailing the 2009-2010 "Heights Happenings" city newsletters. A total of 13,000 city newsletters will be printed. A total of approximately 10,050 newsletters will be mailed to all Columbia Heights residents on a quarterly basis. The remaining newsletters are distributed through the local schools. The bid specification would be consistent with the current style of the newsletter. We currently are working with Custom Business Forms located in NE Minneapolis. The price we are now paying is $5,130 per issue. The request would include a total of eight publications, four in 2009 and four in 2010. Plans are to print and distribute 2009-2010 city newsletters according to the following schedule: Spring newsletter -February; Summer newsletter -May; Fall newsletter -August; and Winter newsletter -November. A total of $26,500 has been proposed in the 2009 budget account 101-45050-3440 for editing, printing and mailing the city newsletter. RECOMMENDED MOTION: Move to authorize staff to obtain price quotes for printing and mailing the 2009-2010 "Heights Happenings" city newsletters. COUNCIL ACTION: rttsnappn~~~ -Newsietteroiaswuy CITY COUNCIL LETTER Meeting of : October 13, 2008 AGENDA SECTION: ORIGINATING DEPT.: CITY MANAGER NO: Recreation APPROVAL ITEM: Establish City Park Rental Fees BY: Keith Windschitl BY: NO: Recreation Director DATE:9/30/08 BACKGROUND The Columbia Heights Park and Recreation Commission unanimously approved the park rental rates at their meeting on June 25, 2008. The Park and Recreation Commission feels that we need to cover some of the staff cleanup costs, administrative costs and utility costs resulting from the park use. Currently, we are not charging residents to use the city parks. We are now charging a fee of $50.00 plus tax to use the parks for anon-resident. Staff surveyed other surrounding communities to see what they charge for park rental. This information was used to come up with the proposed fee structure. The new rental policy would become effective as of January 1, 2009. The Commission also feels that we need to have a higher fee for groups over 100 people due to the extra garbage left behind. The rental fees would be as follows: Resident park rental fee: $30.00 plus tag Non-resident park rental fee: $ 60.00 plus tag Rental for groups of more than 100 people: $100.00 plus tag RECONIlViENDED MOTION: Move to adopt the Park Rental Rates, as outlined by the Park and Recreation Commission at their meeting of June 25, 2008. COUNCIL ACTION: CITY COUNCIL LETTER Meeting of : October 13, 2008 AGENDA SECTION: ORIGINATING DEPT.: CITY MANAGER NO: Recreation APPROVAL ITEM: Establish City Event Wagon Rental Fees BY: Keith Windschitl BY: NO: Recreation Director DATE: 9/30/08 BACKGROUND In 1999, the Columbia Heights VFW Post #230 donated $5,500 to the City to purchase a community event wagon for the residents of Columbia Heights. This wagon consists of a trailer loaded with many accessories, such as tables, chairs, and recreational equipment such as balls and other play equipment. The trailer is used by Columbia Heights businesses and residents to assist them with family gatherings, special events, or community block parties where people can get to know their neighbors better. The Columbia Heights Park and Recreation Commission unanimously approved the event wagon rental rates at their meeting on June 25, 2008. The Park and Recreation Commission feels that we need to cover some of the gas costs, maintenance, administrative costs and equipment replacement costs resulting from the event wagon use. Currently, we are not charging residents to use the event wagon. The new fee policy would become effective as of January I, 2009. The rental fees would be as follows: Event wagon rental fee: $25.00 plus taz RECOMII~NDED MOTION: Move to adopt the Event Wagon Rental Rate, as outlined by the Park and Recreation Commission at their meeting of June 25, 2008. COUNCIL ACTION: