HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/25/2013 Regular OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY,MARCH 25,2013
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL HELD AT 7:00 P.M.
ON MONDAY,MARCH 25,2013 IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS,CITY HALL,590 40TH AVENUE N.E.,
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS,MINNESOTA.
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL/INVOCATION
Mayor Peterson called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM
Members Present: Mayor Peterson, Councilmember Schmitt, Councilmember Williams and
Councilmembers Nawrocki
Members Absent: Councilmember Diehm
Rev. Bob Lynes of Crest View gave the invocation.
Rev. Lynes extended an invitation to all to attend the Good Friday mass at St. Timothy's Lutheran
Church located at 53rd and Central from 12:00 PM—3:00 PM. The mass will feature the seven last
words of Christ.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Recited
3. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO MEETING AGENDA
None
4. PROCLAMATIONS,PRESENTATIONS,RECOGNITION,ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS
Mayor Peterson informed the council and members of the audience that the Senior Center is offering
an AARP 8-hour Defensive Driving Course on Saturday April 27th from 9:00 AM—5:00 PM.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
City Manager Fehst took the council through the items on the Consent Agenda
A. Approve the minutes of the March 11, 2013 City Council Meeting
MOTION: Move to approve the minutes of the March 11, 2013 City Council Meeting.
B. Approve the minutes of the March 4, 2013 Public Improvement Hearing
MOTION: Move to approve the minutes of the March 4, 2013 Public Improvement Hearing with
the attached amendment of list of attendees.
C. Approval of attached list of Rental Housing Applications.
MOTION: Move to approve the items listed for rental housing license applications for March 25,
2013 in that they have met the requirements of the Property Maintenance Code.
D. Approve Business License Applications
MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for March 25,
2013 as presented.
City Council Minutes
Monday,March 25,2013
Page 2 of 3
E. Review Payment of Bills
MOTION: Move that in accordance with Minnesota Statute 412.271, subd. 8 the City Council
has received the list of claims paid covering check number 147195 through 147357 in the
amount of$702,198.46.
Motion by Nawrocki, seconded by Williams, approve the Consent Agenda items as presented.
Upon Vote: All ayes. Motion Carried,
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
7. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
A. Other Ordinances and Resolutions -None
B. Bid Considerations-None
C. New Business and Reports—
Council Member Nawrocki stated the property tax statements were recently mailed to residents
from the County. There have been some changes in the way they calculate the taxes and with
this, a significant increase to our residents in the northeast quadrant. Anoka County webpage has
a tax calculator and of the twenty one given communities, four communities have a higher tax
rate than the City of Columbia Heights, one has about the same and the sixteen remaining
communities have a lower tax rate than Columbia Heights. We should be making every effort to
keep our taxes lower. Nawrocki also indicated in the Annual Report that was distributed, it talks
about cable and the number of cable subscribers in 2012 as being 3,921,but he would like to
know many have we had in the past four years. He has received complaints about the provider
and would like to know if the number of subscribers as decreased. He also stated a resident
contacted him that lives in the LaBelle Buildings and indicated they can only subscribe to
Comcast and could not use any other provider. City Attorney Hoeft indicated this may be
restricted by their homeowner's association. Nawrocki asked Fehst if he could check into this
matter. The third item Nawrocki brought forward was again in the Annual Report that he
received, it indicates that the City owned liquor stores have had an increase in sales,but does not
indicate what has happened to the profitability and asked for this information be provided for
him.
8. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Report of the City Manager
Fehst indicated there will be an EDA meeting at 6:30 PM on Monday night and a Work session at
7:00 PM. Items included on the work session agenda will be the Capital Equipment Replacement of
Unit 110, which is a combination sewer cleaning machine and the Commercial Meter Replacement
Program. Both these items are being reported by Public Works Director Kevin Hansen.
Fehst mentioned at the upcoming April 8t'Council Meeting,the Library Task Force would like to
present their recommendations for three to four different sites they have looked at for a new library.
Fehst announced they made an offer today to Renee Dougherty for the position of Library Director.
They feel that she has the knowledge,honesty and integrity to perform the job. There were five
finalists and four went through the interview process. After the interviews were completed,they felt
City Council Minutes
Monday,March 25,2013
Page 3 of 3
only one candidate would be recommend for the job and that was Dougherty. She has been great in
recommending changes in the Library and will continue to do a fantastic job.
Report of the City Attorney-None at this time
9. CITIZENS FORUM
Mayor Peterson asked if there was anyone in the audience that would like to approach the council.
10.ADJOURNMENT
Peterson announced Sgt. Rogers retired from the Columbia Heights Police Department last Friday.
Sgt. Rogers excelled in writing grants for the City,both for police equipment and grants for different
programs. Fehst stated Sgt. Rogers wasn't appreciated to the extent that he could have been under
the previous administration and since the new chief took over, he has blossomed and excelled in his
job. He is very camera shy and does not want any pats on the back for doing his job. Peterson
thanked him for all his hard work and wished him well in his retirement. Don't forget your service
men and women, especially with it being Easter time. Peterson stated he was reading an article that
sometime in the 1990's, Ed Carbo started a project to get a Veterans monument down by the river.
Carbo has since passed away and they are now going to be building an LED lit globe in honor of the
Veterans and dedicate it to peace. Peterson asked that we remember to do a random act of kindness
and wished everyone a Happy Easter!
Mayor Peterson adjourned the meeting at 7:32PM
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Tori Leo d , City Clerk/Council Secretary