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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/24/2012 OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2012 The following are the minutes for the regular meeting of the City Council held at 7:00 PM on Monday, September 24, 2012 in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 590 40th Avenue N.E., Columbia Heights, MN. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL/INVOCATION/APPOINT SECRETARY Present: Mayor Peterson, Councilmember Williams, Councilmember Nawrocki, Councilmember Diehm, Councilmember Schmitt Invocation by Rev. Bob Lyndes, Crest View Communities A. Appoint City Council Secretary, Tori Leonhardt Motion: Move to appoint Tori Leonhardt as City Council Secretary Motion by Nawrocki, seconded by Williams to appoint Tori Leonhardt as City Council Secretary. Upon vote all ayes: Motion carried. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE -recited ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO MEETING AGENDA (The Council, upon majority vote of its members, may make additions and deletions to the agenda. These may be items brought to the attention of the Council under the Citizen Forum or items submitted after the agenda preparation deadline.) Peterson removed items 6B, Resolution No. 2012-118, 2012-119 and 2012-120, as the properties have been brought into compliance. Motion by Nawrocki to add council corner to the agenda. Peterson called for a second. Motion died for lack of a second. PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS,RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS A. Retirement - Patty Muscovitz, City Clerk Mayor Peterson stated the time has finally come when Patty is going to retire. City Manager Walt Fehst stated Patty is thorough and very hard working and we are going to miss her a lot. She has been a major factor in this office in the successful accomplishment of our goals. Fehst is impressed by her public demeanor and stated she was the best city clerk he has worked with in 40 years. Mayor Peterson stated that Patty has a lot of plaques on the wall as she was Employee of the Year, received the Above and Beyond award, and numerous other awards during her career. She was the spot of sunshine in everyone's life and she would be greatly missed. He thanked her for all she has done over the years. City Council Minutes Monday, September 10,2012 Page 2 of 8 Williams stated that Patty did everything we ever asked her and always did it with professionalism. She was a saint and stated he will see her again. Diehm spoke about how elected officials are usually the face of the city as they have the opportunity to speak at the meetings, when actually it is usually our staff that makes the city a great place. Patty has always been there to give her information and guidance. Diehm stated she was really going to miss her. Nawrocki indicated he was the one who nominated her for Employee of the Year and went on to say that you can always call on her to do an outstanding job. He wished her good luck. Schmitt indicated that Patty has been a great help to her in the transition of learning the job and was outstanding at answering questions and appreciates her thoroughness. Mayor Peterson presented Patty with her plaque and pen set. Muscovitz thanked the city council, staff and mayor for allowing her the honor to be a part of this community. She also thanked the Sister Cities committee members, Pastor Lyons, Pastor Briley, Pastor Thompson who have done the invocations over the years, Brian from the Fire House Gym, Board and Commission members and all her election judges whose friendship and dedication to this community have been outstanding. Muscovitz thanked Harold Hoium and Wally Logacz (rest in peace) for their dedication and commitment to the community. B. Introduction of new Accounting Clerk II-Utilities, Jill Haley Finance Director Joseph Kloiber introduced Jill Haley as the city's new lead Utility Billing Clerk. Haley stated she worked for the City of Coon Rapids for eight years and is looking forward to serving the people of Columbia Heights. Diehm announced that sometime ago there was a presentation about a street car project that the City of Minneapolis was looking at doing and they have since started a Nicollet Central Transit Committee and a committee of staff members, elected and appointed officials. The first meeting of elected officials was this afternoon. The committee has received a federal grant to study different alternatives. Diehm stated they have set up three open houses. The first being, Wednesday, September 26, from 11 am to 1:00 PM at the Minneapolis Library, the second from 5:30—7:30 PM at the 5th Precinct Police Station and the third on Thursday, September 27 from 5:30—7:30 PM at the Eastside Food Co-op. This is an opportunity for the residents of the corridor area that stretches from North East Minneapolis to the transit station here in Columbia Heights to hear what is proposed and have some input to the project. The time line for this project is in the next year to gather information and the city of Minneapolis will make a recommendation to the Met Council on its finding. Diehm stated she will provide more information as it becomes available. Nawrocki indicated he had attended some meetings a long time ago, and did not get a lot of enthusiasm about street cars running up here. There was concern through the business district along Central Avenue about losing parking spaces. Peterson thanked Diehm for volunteering her time and keeping us updated on this issue. City Council Minutes Monday, September 10,2012 Page 3 of 8 CONSENT AGENDA (These items are considered to be routine by the City Council and will be enacted as part of the Consent Agenda by one motion. Items removed from consent agenda approval will be taken up as the next order of business.) Nawrocki requested to have items C, D and E removed off the consent agenda for discussion. City Manager Walt Fehst took the Council members through the remaining consent agenda items. A. Approve minutes of the September 10, 2012 City Council meeting MOTION: Move to approve minutes of the September 10, 2012 City Council meeting. B. Accept Board and Commission meeting minutes MOTION: Move to accept the August 1, 2012 minutes of the Library Board. C. Approve HVAC Preventive Maintenance Services for City Facilities—REMOVED D. Adopt Resolution No. 2012-113, being a resolution authorizing Execution of Agreement with Independent School District#13. -REMOVED E. Adopt Resolution 2012-114 being a Resolution Establishing Amount of City Share and Amount of Special Assessments on Projects to be Levied - REMOVED F. Approval of the attached list of rental housing licenses MOTION: Move to approve the items listed for rental housing license applications for September 24, 2012 in that they have met the requirements of the Property Maintenance Code. G. Approve Business License Applications MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for September 24, 2012 as presented. H. Review payment of bills MOTION: Move that in accordance with Minnesota Statue 412.271, subd. 8 the City Council has received the list of claims paid covering check number 145048 through 145202 in the amount of $690,800.00. Motion by Councilmember Diehm, seconded by Councilmember Williams, to approve the Consent Agenda items with the exception of items C, D and E. Motion passed unanimously. Item C (Removed from consent): Discussion on Approve HVAC Preventive Maintenance Services for City Facilities. Nawrocki questioned the amount of services and why we are not taking competitive bids for contracts of that size. We should be taking competitive bids for contracts of that size. Magee stated in late 2009 when the city ended their contractual relationship with Honeywell, the city sent out proposals to eight companies and received six proposals back. After a review of the City Council Minutes Monday,September 10,2012 Page 4 of 8 proposals, staff did recommend Horwitz NSI for the city facilities, with the exception of Murzyn Hall and the Public Safety building. Murzyn Hall did come on board a year later and the Public Safety building was under contract with Master Mechanical with their contract ending in November of 2012. Magee stated city staff was happy with Horwitz NSI and did not feel it was necessary to go out for request for proposals for services for the city facilities or Murzyn Hall. The city did receive a solicited bid from another company for the Public Safety building. The proposal received from Horwitz NSI for the Public Safety building in totality was the lower responsible bid. Nawrocki stated we need to be looking at getting the best price for the tax payers and we should be doing that by bidding. He opposed giving the contract without getting competitive bids. Motion by: Williams, seconded by Diehm to approve a new three year contract with Horwitz-NSI for HVAC Preventive Maintenance Services for City Facilities effective November 24, 2012 through November 23, 2015, at a cost of$46,489 for Year 1, $47,419 for Year 2, and$48,368 for Year 3; and to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into a contract for same. Upon vote: Schmitt, aye; Williams, aye; Diehm, aye; Nawrocki, nay; Peterson, aye. 4 ayes— 1 nay. Motion carried. Item D (Removed from consent): Discussion on Adopt Resolution No. 2012-113, being a resolution authorizing Execution of Agreement with Independent School District#13. Nawrocki asked for an explanation of what is proposed to be paid for with these funds and if this is local property tax money. Fehst stated this is an agreement with the school district for the 21" Century Community Learning Center ongoing grant. The State Department of Education is now requiring a written agreement for funds. The funds are used for Culture in the Arts, Read Dogs, and summer reading programs to name a few. The city use to administer the program as an after school program called Chase. Nawrocki questioned if this money covers all the reimbursement of the program or if it is taxpayer funds. Fehst stated this is all taxpayer money when it comes through the Department of Education and does not require any matching funds from the city. Diehm stated this is a great example of what we do and how we go out and find creative ways to provide services to our residents. This program is a great opportunity for youth in the community and is proud of the history of the city participating in these programs. Motion by Diehm, seconded by Schmitt, to waive the reading of Resolution No. 2012-113, being ample copies available to the public. Motion by Diehm, seconded by Schmitt to adopt Resolution No. 2012-113,being a resolution authorizing Execution of Agreement with Independent School District#13. Upon vote Motion carried. City Council Minutes Monday, September 10,2012 Page 5 of 8 Item E (Removed from consent): Discussion on Adopt Resolution 2012-114 being a Resolution Establishing Amount of City Share and Amount of Special Assessments on Projects to be Levied. Nawrocki asked how the numbers compare to the city/assessed portion we were originally given and asked for a copy of the amounts. Fehst stated that the proportional rate is exactly the same as in the past and he would get him a copy by Friday. Motion by Williams, seconded by Diehm to waive the reading of Resolution 2012-114, there being ample copies available for the public. Motion by Williams, seconded by Diehm to adopt Resolution 2012-114 being a resolution establishing amount of City share and amount of special assessments on projects to be levied. Upon vote Motion carried. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Adopt Resolutions 2012-115, 4538 5th Street N.E., 2012-116, 4544 6th Street N.E., and 2012-117, 1102 Gould Avenue N.E. being declarations of nuisance and abatement of violations within the City of Columbia Heights. Fire Chief Gorman stated the abatements include a concrete block retaining wall falling over, repairing a retaining wall, dead tree and stump, and removal of an uprooted tree. Nawrocki asked if the tree at the Gould property was in back because he did not see it. Gorman stated that he did believe that is was. Peterson asked if anyone was present representing the properties. Motion by Williams, second by Schmitt, to close the public hearing and to waive the reading of Resolution Numbers 2012-115, 116 and 117 being ample copies available to the public. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion carried. Motion: Move to adopt Resolution Numbers 2012-115, 116, and 117 being resolutions of the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights declaring the properties listed a nuisance and approving the abatement of violations from the properties pursuant to City Code section 8.206. Motion by Williams, second by Schmitt to adopt Resolution Numbers 2012-115, 116 and 117 being Resolutions of the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights declaring the properties listed a nuisance and approving the abatement of violations from the properties pursuant to City Code section 8.206. B. Adopt Resolutions 2012-121, 4351 3rd Street N.E., 2012-122, 1301-03 Circle Terrace Boulevard N.E., and 2012-123, 939-4142-1/2 Avenue N.E., being Resolutions of the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights approving rental license revocation for failure to meet the requirements of the City Council Minutes Monday, September 10,2012 Page 6 of 8 Property Maintenance Codes. Gorman stated these properties have either not obtained the required rental license or renewed their rental licenses. Peterson asked if anyone was present representing the properties. MOTION: Move to close the public hearing and to waive the reading of Resolution Numbers 2012- 121, 122, and 123 being ample copies available to the public. Motion by Williams, second by Schmitt, to close the public hearing and to waive the reading of Resolution Numbers 2012-121,122, and 123 being ample copies available to the public. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion carried. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution Numbers 2012-121, 122, and 123 being Resolutions of the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights approving revocation pursuant to City Code, Chapter 5A, Article IV, Section 5A.408(A) of the rental licenses listed. Motion by Williams, second by Schmitt to adopt Resolution Numbers 2012-121, 122, and 123 being Resolutions of the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights approving revocation pursuant to City Code, Chapter 5A, Article IV, Section 5A.408(A) of the rental licenses listed. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion carried. C. 2nd Reading of Ordinance 1609, being a Zoning Amendment as it Relates to Temporary Signs. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 1609, being ample copies available to the public. Motion by Williams, second by Schmitt, to close the public hearing and to waive the reading of Ordinance 1609,being ample copies available to the public. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion carried. Nawrocki stated since we are not requiring a permit for these signs how are we going to be monitoring the time they are up. Peterson indicated that the zoning administrator will monitor this. Fehst stated the zoning administrator has a tickler file every week. Diehm stated she was in favor of these signs and we want to make sure we are regulating these signs. She indicated local businesses have come forward regarding some challenges they are having with people not being able to see where they are located. Motion: Move to adopt Ordinance No. 1609,being an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 1490 City Code of 2005, adopting the proposed zoning amendments outlined in Ordinance 1609. Upon vote: All ayes. Motion carried. City Council Minutes Monday, September 10,2012 Page 7 of 8 7. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION A. Other Ordinances and Resolutions - none B. Bid Considerations -none C. New Business and Reports - none Nawrocki indicated he had questions on the budget and stated a comment was made about moving ahead, and maybe the time has come on how we handle our money. Peterson feels we are doing a fine job on preparing our budgets and we have jumped two levels in our bond rating. 8. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS Report of the City Manager Fehst stated the city will be slip lining water main 38th and University. Argonne lift station is proceeding with work and is expected to be completed in about two weeks. McKenna playground equipment will be going in this week and next week. The County contractor is currently laying fiber optic lines and is supposed to be done by November. They did the general lines, but in our city they will be putting a line in our public facilities from the main line. According to IS Director, Aleksandr Chernin, it will not be operational until 2013 and stated we are going to run the course with our Comcast contract and then we will decide if we go with county or not. Nawrocki asked when the County board meeting would be. Fehst stated it is scheduled for October 9th at 9:30am here in the council chambers. Nawrocki talked to State Senator Goodwin on mandates on city budgets and is awaiting a list on mandates from staff. Fehst indicated he called Gary Carlson at the League and is waiting for mandates. Nawrocki expressed his disappointment in reading in the Green Sheet that there was a dedication of a plaque for Rita Petkoff and he was not aware of the dedication ceremony. Fehst stated he believed the family wanted the ceremony to be for family and friends. Report of the City Attorney-None 9. CITIZENS FORUM At this time, citizens have an opportunity to discuss with the Council items not on the regular agenda. Citizens are requested to limit their comments to five minutes. Anyone who would like to speak shall state his/her name and address for the record. City Council Minutes Monday, September 10,2012 Page 8 of 8 Peterson ended the meeting with asking that we do not forget our service men and women and keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Don't take ourselves too seriously and do a random act of kindness. 10. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Peterson adjourned the meeting at 7:47 PM. ity, ~✓ L Tori L nh t, City Clerk/Council Secretary