HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/25/2013 Regular OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY,FEBRUARY 25,2013
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL HELD AT 7:00 P.M.
ON MONDAY,FEBRUARY 25,2013 IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS,CITY HALL, 590 40TH AVENUE
N.E.,COLUMBIA HEIGHTS,MINNESOTA.
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL/INVOCATION
Council President Diehm called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM
Members Present: Councilmember Nawrocki, Councilmember Williams, Council President Diehm
and Councilmember Schmitt.
Members Absent: Mayor Peterson
Staff Present: City Manager Walt Fehst, Fire Chief Gary Gorman, City Attorney Jim Hoeft and City
Clerk/Council Secretary Tori Leonhardt.
City Manager, Walt Fehst gave the invocation.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Recited
3. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO MEETING AGENDA
None
4. PROCLAMATIONS,PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION,ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS
None
5. CONSENT AGENDA
Councilmember Nawrocki asked that item F be removed from the Consent Agenda for further
discussion.
City Manager Fehst took the councilmembers through the remaining items of the agenda.
A. Approve the minutes of the February 11, 2013 City Council Meeting
B. Accept Board and Commission Meeting Minutes
C. Re-Appointments to Boards and Commissions
D. Approve Raffle, Little Voyageurs' Montessori School, St. Timothy's Lutheran Church
E. Approve Business License Applications
F. Accept the Restated Bylaws, Appendix A, and Appendix D of the Columbia Heights Volunteer
Firefighters Relief Association and place on file with the City of Columbia Heights -
REMOVED
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G. Approval of the attached list of rental housing licenses
H. Review Payment of Bills
Motion by Williams, seconded by Schmitt, move to approve the Consent Agenda items with the
acception of item F, which was removed for further discussion. Upon Vote: All ayes. Motion
carried.
Discussion on items removed from the Consent Agenda:
Item F,Accept the Restated Bylaws, Appendix A, and Appendix D of the Columbia Heights
Volunteer Firefighters Relief Association and place on file with the City of Columbia Heights.
City Manager Fehst indicated these are re-writes of the Bylaws and if there are major re-writes
the Relief Association asks the council take a look at them and accept to place them on file with
the City. Council's position is to review items only and does not have any control over the
changes in the Bylaws. Gorman explained the Relief Association has a Board of Trustees and it
is their job to keep these Bylaws up to State Statue and make any changes required. In the past
five years the Relief Association has hired a company called the MN Firefighter Pension
Consultants,to maintain the Bylaws. Every year they snake changes and these are updated by
their own legislative body that then makes sure they are within the state statues. Normally, these
minor changes are done at the Board of Trustee's level. This is a larger re-write of the Bylaws
and a major rewrite of Appendix D, since they updated several versions. There are no changes in
investing levels, it is strictly language changes.Nawrocki stated it was pretty difficult to follow
and asked if there were any significant changes. Troy Neuratuer, President of the Relief
Association, stated all of the changes are mandated by state law. The state auditors accept and
bring them forward to legislation. These changes are from the last 3 years of legislative changes.
Nawrocki asked if there are any benefit changes to the fire fighters. Neuratuer stated there are no
changes in benefits for the fire fighters and there are no costs incurred by the City.
Motion by Nawrocki, seconded by Williams, move to accept the Restated Bylaws, Appendix A,
and Appendix D of the Columbia Heights Volunteer Firefighters Relief Association and place on
file with the City of Columbia Heights. Upon Vote: All ayes. Motion carried.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Second reading of Ordinance 1611, Vacation of Drainage and Utility Easements over Outlot B,
Grand Central Lofts Second Addition.
Motion by Williams, seconded by Schmitt, move to waive the reading of Ordinance 1611, there
being ample copies available to the public. Upon Vote: All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Williams, seconded by Schmitt, move to adopt Ordinance 1611, being an Ordinance
Vacating Drainage and Utility Easements over Outlot B, Grand Central Lofts Second Addition.
Upon Vote: All ayes. Motion carried.
Nawrocki asked that the Public Works Director review the ponding issues that were brought up
at the last meeting in regards to this addition. Fehst stated that Hansen indicated that he would
be looking at it in the spring during the development stage. The developer may also need to look
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at this as there may be maintenance issues that are causing the problems. Nawrocki asked who is
going to maintain the pond. Fehst stated the Homeowner's Association should be maintaining it.
7. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
A. Other Ordinances and Resolutions - none
B. Bid Considerations -none
C. New Business and Reports -none
8. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Report of the City Manager
Fehst mentioned at the next work session the first item will be an update on the Northeast
Building project. The Library Task Force has submitted their recommendation and they are
excited about a new library. They feel if the council chooses to further pursue that location they
will go along with it, but they are open to a new site also. They all strongly agree a new library is
needed and the location is up to the council. The other items on the agenda include; an update on
the Emerald Ash Borer Beetle and taking a look at a management plan for 2014, Wading Pool
Issues regarding the City's three public pools (the federal mandate is to have some type of
handicap accessibility), a Central Avenue Transit Study update—what the City of Minneapolis is
planning,the City-wide Bike Loop Study and the need to replace the Public Work's vactor. Fehst
also stated there is a public meeting tomorrow night here in the council chambers. This is an
informational meeting for residents on the Innsbruck project. The fish fry at Murzyn Hall went
very well. We had approximately 200-300 people. There were three ladies that played
instruments and entertained the crowd throughout the evening. Unconfirmed amounts raised were
approximately $700 for food after all costs were deducted and approximately $3000 for silent
auction items. Schmitt wanted to mention, Liz Bray informed her that it was just outstanding
with the amount of city staff that was there on hand and volunteered their time. Nawrocki added
that former Council member Kenny Hentges also donated $10,000 to the cause. Williams
indicated that he had never met Kenny Hentges before and he was really impressed by him and
the fact that he was willing to donate $10,000.
Nawrocki questioned the top three salaries being published for the public and indicated that the
League of MN Cities has a higher salary listed for the City Manager. Fehst stated he has taken a
month of unpaid furlough for the past three years. Diehm stated what is required is the base
salary be listed and we are in compliance with that.
Report of the City Attorney—none at this time
9. CITIZENS FORUM
John Brigtow, 4716 Jackson Street NE, was concerned with the commercial properties in
Columbia Heights that do not follow the ordinance with shoveling snow. He indicated this is a
continual annoyance. Commercial properties, in general, do not shovel their snow. Is this a
requirement in Columbia Heights? Diehm stated the commercial properties are required to
remove snow. Fehst stated what generally happens is the city goes in at the beginning of the year
and hits the streets hard,then throughout the year, Public Works personnel goes out and polices
the snow removal. The violators receive one notice and if they do not comply after that, the City
will go in and take care of it and bill the property owner. Brigtow stated it seems that Central
Avenue has the majority of commercial properties that are not shoveling. As someone who
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walks, he feels the enforcement is minimal. Fehst stated that it is the property owner's
responsibility to maintain the sidewalks. Diehm stated if there are specific properties that people
see, to let city staff know. Nawrocki asked Brigtow if he noticed any other areas that were a
problem. Brigtow indicated that in front of White Castle it is extremely bad. Fehst will have the
Public Work's Supervisor give them notice. Fehst wondered if the consequences are significant
enough to make them pay attention. Hoeft stated the consequences are in fact significant and do
include receiving a court ordered notice if they fail to comply with the City ordinance. Fehst
stated we will go up and down Central Avenue and see which commercial properties are in
violation.
Diehm reminded everyone that there will be another fundraiser for the Heritage Tower on April
6t". It will be a pancake breakfast at Applebee's in Fridley from 7:00 AM— 10:00 AM.
Information will be forth coming on event. Diehm closed the meeting by asking everyone to
remember our service men and women and keep them in our thoughts and prayers and to do a
random act of kindness.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Council President Diehm adjourned the meeting at7:49 PM.
Tor i eon a dt, City Clerk/Council Secretary
ORDINANCE NO. 1611
BEING AN ORDINANCE VACATING DRAINAGE AND UTILITY EASEMENTS
OVER OUTLOT B GRAND CENTRAL LOFTS SECOND ADDITION
The City of Columbia Heights does ordain:
Section 1: The City of Columbia Heights hereby vacates a portion of Outlot B Grand Central
Lofts Second Addition over, across, and under the following described property,
to wit:
That part of the drainage and utility easements dedicated in the plat of
Grand Central Lofts Second Addition,Anoka County, Minnesota, lying
within that part of Outlot B, said Grand Central Lofts Second Addition
lying north of a line parallel with and distant 5.10 feet north of the most
southerly line of said Outlot B, lying south of a line parallel and distant
70.64 feet west of the most easterly line of said Outlot B and lying east of
a line parallel with a distant 160.64 feet west of said most easterly line
and that part of said Outlot B, lying north of a line parallel with and distant
320.10 feet north of most southerly line of said Outlot B, lying south of a
line parallel with and distant 70.46 feet west of the most easterly line of
said Outlot B and lying east of the west line of Lot 1, Block 4, said Grand
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Central Lofts Second Addition and the northerly and southerly extensions
of said west line.
Section 2: The vacation of Outlot B described above shall be subject to the following
Condition:
[None at this point]
Section 3: This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after 30 days after its
passage.
First Reading: February 11, 2013
Second Reading: February 25, 2013
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