Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 23, 2009OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 23, 2009 The following are the minutes for the regular meeting of the City Council held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 23, 2009 in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 590 40th Avenue N.E., Columbia Heights, MN. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL/INVOCATION Rev. Dan Thompson, Senior Pastor, Columbia Heights Assembly of God gave the invocation. Present: Mayor Peterson, Councilmember Williams, Councilmember Nawrocki, Councilmember Diehm, Councilmember Kelzenberg PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE -recited ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO MEETING AGENDA Nawrocki requested to remove items A, E, H, and L from the Consent Agenda. He requested to add discussion of Congressman Ellison, 4416-22 Tyler Street, 4100 Washington Street, Bonestroo Comprehensive Plan contract, Suburban Rate Authority rate hearings, refuse contract, update on the public safety building, update on budget changes, and Resolution 2008-303. Peterson stated there is an error in the last minutes regarding the job description eliminated in the Community Development department. The title of Clerk should be Community Development Secretary II. PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS A. Recognition -Charter Commission term fulfillment -Lori Ritzko Peterson. read the certificate of appreciation for Ms. Ritzko's service on the Charter Commission and thanked her for her service. B. Proclamation -School Board recognition Mayor Peterson read the proclamation. Missy Lee, School Board Chair, was present to accept the proclamation. Lee accepted the proclamation on behalf of the School Board members and thanked the City Council for this proclamation. This School Board is all about concern for children. Fehst stated that it has been a pleasure to work with the School Board and the Superintendent of School. The Councilmembers agreed. Nawrocki mentioned that there is a School Financing Basics: Minnesota's System of School Funding meeting on February 26`h at the School District Center. CONSENT AGENDA City Manager Walt Fehst took Councilmembers through the consent agenda items: A. Approve minutes of the February 9, 2009 City Council meeting -removed B. Accept minutes of the Columbia Heights Boards and Commissions Motion to accept the January 16, 2009 minutes of the Charter Commission. C. Approve Raffle Little Voya~eurs' Montessori School, St. Timothy's Church Motion to direct the City Manager to forward a letter to the State Charitable Gambling Control Board indicating that the City of Columbia Heights has no objection to a raffle event to be canducted by Little Voyageurs' Montessori School at St. Timothy's Lutheran Church, 825 51st City Council Minutes Monday, February 23, 2609 Page 2 of 6 Avenue, Columbia Heights, on Apri124, 2009; and furthermore, that the City of Columbia Heights hereby waives the remainder of the thirty-day notice to the local governing body. D. Approve Raffle, SACA, to be held at Murzyn Hall Motion to direct the City Manager to forward a letter to the State Charitable Gambling Control Board indicating that the City of Columbia Heights has no objection to bingo activities to be conducted by Southern Anoka Community Assistance (SACA) at Murzyn Hall, 530 Mill Street, Columbia Heights, Minnesota, on March 24, 2009 and September 12, 2009. Also, that the investigation fee of $25 be waived; and furthermore, that the City of Columbia Heights hereby waives the remainder of the thirty-day notice to the local governing body. E. Approve Sale of CERT Radios; Proceeds to be used for Purchase of In-Car Recording Devices - removed F. Request Approval for Landing of MN National Guard Helicopter on March 19, 2009 Motion to approve the landing and take-off of a Minnesota National Guard helicopter as part of the DARE program on March 19, 2009 at Highland Elementary School, 1500 49th Avenue, at 10:00 am, and at Immaculate Conception School, 4030 3ackson Street, at 1:00 pm. G. Authorize payment of $20,203.25 to Anoka County for administering the 2008 Tax Increment Financing Laws of Minnesota, Truth in Taxation, and Special Assessments Motion to authorize payment of $20,203.25 to Anoka County for administering the 2008 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. Fehst stated this is a yearly expense that was recently renegotiated. H. Adopt Resolution No. 2009-27, being a Resolution accepting a certain donation -removed I. Approval of the attached list of rental housing license applications. Motion to approve the items listed for rental housing license applications for February 23, 2009. J. Approve license to operate a rental property at 3947 Arthur Street N.E. as requirements of the Property Maintenance Code has been resolved Motion to issue arental-housing license to Ramon Segundo to operate the rental property located at 3947 Arthur Street N.E. in that the provisions of the Property Maintenance Code have been complied with. K. Approve Business License Applications Motion to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for February 23, 2009 as presented. L. Approve payment of the bills -removed otion by Nawrocki, second by Kelzenberg, to approve the Consent Agenda items with the exception of items A, E, H, and L. Upon vote: All Ayes. Motion carried. Items removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion: A. Approve minutes of the February 9, 2009 City Council meeting. City Council Minutes Monday, February 23, 2009 Page 3 of 6 Nawrocki stated that his comment asking how many times the Mayor and City Manager interrupted him was not included. Nawrocki again read his statement first given at the January 12, 2009 City Council meeting thanking the public for their vote and listing his concerns regarding expenditures and staff information given and asked that it be included in the minutes of February 9th, as he also read it at that meeting. Fehst called for point of order. Roberts Rules of Order were discussed. Diehm suggested noting Nawrocki's dissatisfaction. The suggestion of Rules of Decorum from another community was mentioned. The term clerk, in reference to the Community Development position, should have stated Secretary II. Motion by Diehm and second by Kelzenberg to approve the minutes of the February 9, 2009 City Council meeting as corrected. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion carried. E. Approve Sale of CERT Radios; Proceeds to be used for Purchase of In-Car Recording Devices Nawrocki asked if the CERT program has ended. Fehst stated that due to lack of funds, it has been suspended. Nawrocki pointed out that this is in addition to the budget. Motion by Diehm, second by Williams, to approve the sale of eight radios and a charger purchased by the Columbia Heights Police Department to North Memorial for $8,000, with the proceeds of the sale directed to the Police Department for the purchase of in-car recording devices for squad cars. Upon vote: All Ayes. Motion carried. H. Adopt Resolution No. 2009-27, being a Resolution accepting a certain donation Nawrocki read the council letter attached to the resolution. State Statute requires donations be accepted by the City Council. He indicated his Lang ties with the Library and his wish to donate $388.44 to the Library for replacement of carpet in the children's area. Nawrocki read resolution No. 2009-27. He has made the first $100 contribution for the public safety statue. Councilmembers discussed motivations for participating in the salary return and donations. Motion by Nawrocki, second by Diehm, to adopt Resolution No. 2009-27, being a Resolution accepting a certain donation received by the City of Columbia Heights. Discussion continued. Upon vote: Kelzenberg, aye; Williams, aye; Diehrn, aye; Nawrocki, aye; Peterson, abstain. 4 ayes - 1 abstention. Motion carried. Peterson indicated that he abstained as this was a grandstand play and could have been handled quietly. L. Approve payment of the bills -removed Diehm asked the City Attorney if Councilmember Williams needed to abstain from the vote on the bill list because of the Auto World payment, understanding that he cauld not vote on the contract. City Attorney Jim Hoeft stated that Cauncilmember Williams would not be prohibited from this vote. City Council Minutes Monday, February 23, 2009 Page 4 of 6 Motion by Diehm, second by Kelzenberg, to approve the payment of the bills out of the proper fund as listed in the attached register covering Check Number 129228 through Check Number 129377 in the amount of $654,548.87. Nawrocki stated that his conversation with the League of Minnesota Cities indicated their disagreement and asked for a clarification from the Auditor. Williams indicated that he, personally, had nothing to do with this contract. Upon vote: All Ayes. Motion carried. PT1~I,IC I~AItINGS ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION -none ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS Report of the City Manager Nawrocki gave a follow up on his contact with Representative Ellison's office to obtain funding for the p>>Lilie Safety build?ng. The federal ct2m»l»g package brill not be helpful for this tn,rn~er~t, Nawrocki. relayed resident concerns regarding conduct of residents at 4616-4622 Tyler. Fehst stated that staff will bring forward information on repeat nuisance call service fees for Council review. Hoeft stated that would not include domestic abuse calls or medical calls. Nawrocki questioned if there was consideration for a halfway house at 4100 Washington. Staff will research this. Nawrocki questioned the Bonestroo payment above the contract amount. Fehst stated that he approved the payment. Nawrocki indicated that the Suburban Rate Authority rate hearings are underway and referred to concerns about power outages in communities. Nawrocki requested a copy of the refuse contract and any addendums to it, Fehst gave an update on budget changes and referred to a very good article in Sunday's Star Tribune on our budget reductions. Nawrocki requested revised budget documents. Fehst indicated that the list was distributed at the last meeting. Discussion carried on. Diehm called Point of Order. Nawrocki indicated he did not receive the expenses for the Council members attendance at last year's National League of Cities Conference. He stated his concerns regarding the TIF expansion legislation bill. Fehst stated that it was a consensus of the EDA that this is a worthwhile endeavor. Nawrocki requested a copy of the bill. Nawrocki stated that Resolution 2008-303, salary increases for part time employees, was not put into effect. It should be brought back to Council for reconsideration. Fehst indicated the 8:00 p.m., March 2 work session items: Art sculpture at the new gymnasium, bike /pedestrian mobility plan, public safety grant for 800 mhz radio system for public works, changes to property maintenance inspections, fire department service charges, repeat nuisance call service fees, fire fighters contract, and board and commission appointments. There are three public improvement City Council Minutes Monday, February 23, 2009 Page 5 of 6 hearings at 6:30, '7:00, and 7:30 p.m. Diehm requested that the rules of decorum sent by our neighboring community be considered at an upcoming work session. Report of the City Attorney -nothing to report CITIZENS FORUM Jeff Diehm, 5125 St. Moritz, stated that he was stunned by the way things deteriorated during this meeting. We have more important things to focus on than interruption accusations. We need to be proactive rather than throwing pot shots. Diehm applauded council members that support our employees. Donna Schmitt, 4260 Tyler Street, presented a four page list of possible ideas for budget cuts in 2009. Peterson thanked her and asked for a copy to discuss at an upcoming work session. Schmitt indicated that she would have liked to have been more exact, but the budget is not available on-line. COUNCIL CORNER iielzet3'oerg • Read a letter from the City of St. Anthony to our fire department -thanking them for their help in an emergency call. Williams • Feels bad about the layoff of Cher Bakken, a nine year employee. Thankful for the great police department we have. • The Mayor held a news conference for the police and fire bronze tribute statue to be paid for without tax dollars. Described the commemorative coin, brick and cornerstone sale. Encouraged everyone to get involved. Peterson stated that this is a tribute to the past, present, and future public service officers. Diehm • Commended the Mayor for putting this fund raiser together. People outside of the community are commenting positively on this. The community needs something to rally around. The new gym would be a good way to volunteer and become involved in the community. • Attended the SAGA fundraising spaghetti dinner. It was well attended. People rely on our food shelf and we need to help our neighbors. Nawrocki • Appreciates the budget information changes made in the newsletter. • Requested copies of the last two utility rate changes, as their impact is under estimated. • The Columbia Heights VFW Post #230 collects Sunday newspaper coupons to send overseas to our military personnel. They get an extra six months to redeem them at places like their commissaries and on their bases. The Post has distributed over 2 million coupons. Regarding Mr. Diehm's camments -appreciates that he takes his time to express himself. Diehm • At the last meeting a 9`" grade student left before being introduced. The teacher is encouraging students to attend. We need to be careful because we want them to be leaders and they should be able to follow by example. City Council Minutes Monday, February 23, 2009 Page 6 of 6 Peterson • We will enforce the rule that if anything is added to the agenda, it must be voted on by the council. Additional items should be placed on the agenda prior to the meeting. • Stated his opinion that there should be respect shown by all at these meetings. • March 21St is the fundraiser for the "Always On Guard" tribute statue. This will be completed with all donations and volunteer work. • Don't take ourselves too seriously and do a random act of kindness. ADJOURNIV~NT Mayor Peterson adjourned the meeting at 8:57 p.m. atricia Muscovitz CMC City Clerk RESOLUTION N0.2009-27 ACCEPT CERTAIN DONATION RECEIVED BY THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS WHEREAS, the City of Columbia Heights Library has need to replace badly deteriorated carpeting in the activity room of its facility, which can no longer be cleaned, and therefore presents a potential health hazard to patrons using the room; and WHEREAS, the library has received a bid for replacement of said carpet in the amount of $333.00; and WHEREAS, Councilmember Bruce Nawrocki has expressed his desire to pledge the amount of $388.44 to the City to pay for this carpet replacement in accordance with Minnesota Statute 465.03; and WHEREAS, the City of Columbia Heights acknowledges this pledged donation; BE IT HEEREBY RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Colwnbia Heights that the City of Columbia Heights accepts this donation.