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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/08/2010OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF COLUMBIA IIEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2010 The following are the minutes for the regular meeting of the City Council held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 8, 2010 in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 590 40th Avenue N.E., Columbia Heights, MN. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL/INVOCATION Pastor Dan Thompson, Assembly of God Church, gave the Invocation. Present: Mayor Peterson, Councilmember Williams, Councilmember Nawrocki, Councilmember Diehm, Councilmember Kelzenberg. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE -recited ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO MEETING AGENDA Mayor Peterson removed Item SD -purchase of 4600 Polk Street. Nawrocki requested discussion on the city web site, the Focus newspaper, Hilltop storm water, and the work session. PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS Diehm stated the Empty Bowls SACA fundraiser will be held on March 1St. There will be dinner and entertainment. CONSENT AGENDA Nawrocki requested to remove items F and H for discussion. City Manager Walt Fehst took Council members through the Consent Agenda items. A. Approve minutes of the City Council meeting Motion to approve the minutes of the January 25, 2010, City Council meeting. B. Accept minutes of the Columbia Heights Boards and Commissions Motion to accept the October 27, 2009 minutes of the HRA. Motion to accept the November 9, 2009 special meeting minutes of the HRA. Motion to accept the January 21, 2010 minutes of the Telecommunications Commission. C. Approve Gambling Permit for Immaculate Conception Church event, March 20, 2010 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 gambling permit for Immaculate Conception Church to conduct bingo at an event being held Saturday, March 20, 2010, at 4030 Jackson Street NE, Columbia Heights; and furthermore, that the City of Columbia Heights hereby waives the remainder of the thirty-day notice to the local governing body. D. Adopt Resolution 2010-11, Regarding the Acquisition of 4600 Polk Street -removed E. Approve attached list of rental housing applications Motion to approve the items listed for rental housing license applications for February 8, 2010. City Council Minutes Monday, February 08, 2010 Page 2 of 4 F. Authorize Purchase of Three Replacement Police Vehicles -removed for discussion G. Approve the Business License Applications Motion to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for February 8, 2010 as presented. H. Approve payment of the bills -removed for discussion Motion by Diehm, second by Kelzenberg, to approve the Consent Agenda items with the exception of items D, F, and H. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion carried. F. Authorize Purchase of Three Replacement Police Vehicles Nawrocki pointed out that there was only $65,900 in the budget for vehicles. Fehst stated that was for the sworn officer vehicles. Nawrocki questioned where the funds to retro tit them would come from. Police Chief Scott Nadeau indicated the other areas where additional monies were budgeted. Peterson confirmed that all items were budgeted. Motioa by Williams, second by Kelzenberg, to authorize the purchase of two 2010 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor vehicles under the State of Minnesota bid, with funding to come from 43 1-42 1 00-SISO, in the amount of $45,696.64 and that the Mayor and City Manager are authorized to enter into a contract for same. These vehicles will be used as marked patrol cars. Nawrocki stated that he feels this expenditure exceeds the budget. In the past the CSO vehicle was a police car taken out of regular duty. Nawrocki stated we do not receive tax funds until next .Tune. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion carried. Peterson stated the information received on the CSO vehicle shows that purchasing a smaller vehicle will save money. Nadeau indicated that there will be less reoccurring maintenance and their needs are satisfied with a smaller engine, which will mean better fuel economy. We anticipate a savings of $10,000 in maintenance casts and when, in the future, this vehicle is passed on to the Public Works Department it will also be a savings far them. Nadeau stated this purchase was described in the budget hearings. Motion by Kelzenberg, second by Diehm, to authorize the purchase of one Chevrolet hnpala under the State of Minnesota bid, with funding to come from 431-42100-5150, in the amount of $21,584.30, and that the Mayor and City Manager are authorized to enter into a contract for same. This vehicle will be used as a CSO vehicle. Upon vote: Kelzenberg, aye; Williams, aye; Diehm, aye; Nawrocki, nay; Peterson, aye. 4ayes - 1 nay. Motion carried. Motion by Kelzenberg, second by Williams, to authorize the Police Chief to expend up to $28,000 to set up and outfit two marked patrol cars and one CSO vehicle. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion carried. H. Approve payment of the bills Nawrocki questioned the payment and value to send three staff members to a public finance seminar. Diehm stated she has attended this seminar for several years and feels it is very valuable in redevelopment efforts and is put on by companies that do work for us. Nawrocki disagreed with sending three people. Nawrocki referred to the purchase of two or three more televisions for City Council Minutes Monday, February 08, 2010 Page 3 of 4 the public safety building; another example of over spending on the building. We paid $255 per square foot and the sheriff's new building was $200 per square foot. Nadeau stated that this purchase was for LCD monitors that can be used to switch locations and watch cell blocks, the roll call room, etc. They are not set up to view TV stations. Nadeau indicated that the sheriff's office has a lot of unapproved space for the future. Motion by Williams, second by Kelzenberg, to approve the payment of bills out of the proper funds as listed in the attached register covering Check Number 133474 through Check Number 133617 in the amount of $853,225.07. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion carried. PUBLIC HEARINGS -none ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION A. Other Ordinances and Resolutions B. Bid Considerations C. Other Business Nawrocki stated that he attended the Anoka County Local Officials meeting where they reviewed the legislative packet. The County is seeking additional authority over county roads and access off of them. He indicated that he paid for his own dinner and transportation. Nawrocki stated that he attended the Anoka Hennepin Violent Crimes Task Force meeting. They do an important job and have done a great job. The MN Gang Strike Force has received bad publicity, but is a different group. Nawrocki stated that he attended the Mete Council meeting and listed the information he obtained and would share. Nawrocki stated that the League of MN Cities will hold its legislative conference on March 25`" and asked that he be registered, without meals. Nawrocki referred to our financial statement summary published in the Focus indicating total property taxes. rJnfortur~ately, the amount levied is significantly more. Nawrocki stated that he previously asked for a legal opinion on bids taken for Parkview Villa that exceeded the spending authority of $15,000. Nawrocki iiadli;ated taint lie wants to See tii% bridge bldS aS soirai aS they are a~v'aliavie, not Vv'aitir`ag uiatll they are presented to the Council for approval. Nawrocki asked if the City of Hilltop contributed to the storm sewer repairs and if their storm water goes into this line. MIST T PORTS Report of the City Manager Nawrocki referred to a resident's letter with comments on our web site. It would be snore useful if the resolutions and ordinances could be accessed separately. The City's web site is always far behind with news and calendars. Nawrocki referred to the Focus's response indicating they do not deliver to apartments. This should to be questioned, as those residents are also interested in city news. He questioned if the newspaper is delivered. to the LaBelle condos and Parkview Vi11a, Diehm indicated that Parkview Villa does not receive the Focus. Nawrocki questioned the items for the February 16 work session. The City Clerk indicated the agenda items: 1.2010 Water Main Cleaning and Lining Program and 2. Water Conservation Rate Study (review). Nawrocki indicated that other cities are meeting with their legislators and indicated that we should also do so. State Senator Chaudhary will hold a town meeting the same day as our next work session. Fehst will look into meeting with them and stated that Congressman Ellison will attend the February 22 City Council meeting. Nawrocki stated that Ellison's office contacted him regarding possible funding for a public safety building. He indicated that building was now complete and questioned funding for a library. Ellison's office indicated that a library project did not qualify for funding. Report of the City Attorney -nothing to report City Council Minutes Monday, February 08, 2010 Page 4 of 4 CITIZENS FORUM No one came forward. ADJOURNMENT Peterson indicated: Don't forget our service men and women and keep them in our prayers. Don't take ourselves too seriously and do a random act of kindness. Mayor Peterson adjourned the meeting at 7:41 p.m. Patricia Musco C C City Clerk