Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/27/2014 Regular City Council Meeting 7:00 PM Monday,January 27, 2014 City Council Chambers City Hall 590 40th Avenue N.E. Columbia Heights, MN CALL TO ORDER Mayor Peterson called the meeting to order at 7:06 PM. APPOINTMENT OF SECRETARY PRO TEM Motion by Williams, seconded by Diehm, to appoint Carole Blowers as Secretary Pro Tem. Motion passed unanimously. ROLL CALL/INVOCATION Roll Call: Present: Councilmembers Schmitt, Williams, Diehm,Nawrocki, and Mayor Peterson Staff Present: Linda L. Magee, Acting City Manager; Jim Hoeft, City Attorney; Kevin Hansen, Public Works Directors; Gary Gorman, Fire Chief, Scott Nadeau,Police Chief The invocation was provided by Pastor John Hierlinger of St. Timothy's Lutheran Church. He also reminded everyone of their monthly community dinner held on the second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. The next dinner is February 11. Pastor Hierlinger also mentioned that the community churches along with Allina are having an event at Crestview on Saturday, March 1, at 9 a.m. regarding living and dying choices. 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. Mayor Peterson asked that item I, Approving Four Appointments (Rita Nau, Erin Rominger, Carrie Magnuson, and Catherine Vesley) to the Arts Commission be added to the agenda. At the first meeting in March, two more applicants will be interviewed, with length of terms to be decided upon later. PROCLAMATIONS,PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION,ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS Presentation: - Andy Slodka, 1206 Khyber Lane, who was scheduled to appear at this time arrived later in the meeting to show historical photos of the city. He had taken old hard copied photos of the city, and made a disk for the council, and at the end of the meeting, the pictures were put up on the screen for everyone to view. 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. City Council Minutes January 27,2014 Page 1 Councilmember Williams asked that item F, Approving Rental Housing License Applications be removed from consent. Councilmember Nawrocki asked that item B, Revising Assessing Policy for MSA Streets and item C, Ordering Preparation of a Report for State Aid Streets be removed from consent. Acting City Manager Linda Magee went over each of the remaining items on consent. Approve City Council Meeting Minutes of January 13 2014 MOTION: Move to approve City Council Meeting Minutes of January 13, 2014. Request Authorization to Purchase Police Vehicles MOTION: Move to authorize the purchase of two 2014 Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles and one 2014 Chevy Impala unmarked vehicle under the State of Minnesota bid, with funding to come from 431.42100.5150, in the amount of $77,207.27 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 and unmarked police vehicle. MOTION: Move to authorize the Police Chief to expend up to $36,730.00 to set up and outfit two marked patrol cars and the unmarked vehicle. _Approve Gambling Permit, Immaculate Conception Church Fun Fest on August 1-3 2014 MOTION: Move 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, raffles and pull-tabs at their Fun Fest event being held August 1-3, 2014 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. Approve Business License Applications MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for January 27, 2014 as presented. 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 150926 through 151106 in the amount of $732,748.33. Appoint Four Members to the Arts Commission MOTION: Move to appoint Rita Nau, Eric Rominger, Carrie Magnuson, and Catherine Vesley to the Arts Commission, with terms to be determined. Motion by Diehm, seconded by Nawrocki, to approve all the Consent Agenda items listed above. Motion passed unanimously. The following items were pulled from consent and individually voted upon: Revise Assessing Policy for MSA Streets MOTION: Move to approve a policy change that deletes the January 1976 policy amending it to include State Aid Streets in our current Street Rehabilitation Program cost share policy. City Council Minutes January 27,2014 Page 2 Councilmember Nawrocki stated that he did not think it was fair for residents who live on state aid streets to now pay for assessments. These streets get more traffic; people who live along state aid streets are inconvenienced with all the extra traffic. Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director stated that since 1997, we have stayed with the same cost share program whereby abutting property owners would pay for some of the assessments. It is proposed that people who live on state aid streets would pay the same as people who live on other streets so that all people would be treated the same. Motion by Diehm, seconded by Williams. Roll call: Ayes: Schmitt, Williams, Diehm, Peterson; Nay: Nawrocki. Motion passed. Adopt Resolution 2014-09, being a Resolution Ordering Preparation of a Report for State Aid Streets MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2014-09, there being ample copies available for the public. Motion by Diehm, seconded by Schmitt. Motion passed unanimously. Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director/City Engineer stated that preparing this report for state aid streets is a statutory requirement. The City Engineer prepares this report for the state aid/local streets as listed in the council letter. Councilmember Nawrocki asked what type of blacktop would be used, and what the requirements for blacktop are. He also voiced his concerns about this. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2014-09, being a Resolution ordering preparation of a feasibility report for state aid/local streets. Motion by Diehm, seconded by Schmitt. Ayes: Schmitt, Williams, Diehm, Peterson; Nay: Nawrocki. Motion passed. Approval of Attached List of Rental Housing License Applications MOTION: Move to approve the items listed for rental housing license applications for January 27, 2014 in that they have met the requirements of the Property Maintenance Code. Motion by Diehm, seconded by Schmitt. Ayes: Schmitt, Diehm, Nawrocki, Peterson; Abstained: Williams. Motion passed. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Adopt Resolution 2014-06, 4811 Central Avenue NE being a Declaration of Nuisance and Abatement of Violations Within the City of Columbia Heights MOTION: Move to close the public hearing and to waive the reading of Resolution 2014-06, there being ample copies available to the public. Motion by Williams, seconded by Schmitt, and passed unanimously. Fire Chief Gary Gorman spoke on the situation regarding the old Mr. BBQ Restaurant location. There was a water break, and they had to break into the building. Nawrocki stated they did not have to break in according to the Findings of Fact provided to the council. Gorman stated that was incorrect information; the building was secure and they had to break in to address the problem. City Council Minutes January 27,2014 Page 3 MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution Number 2014-06, being a resolution of the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights declaring the property listed a nuisance and approving the abatement of violations from the property pursuant to City Code section 8.206. Motion by Williams, seconded by Schmitt, and passed unanimously. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION Other Ordinances and Resolutions Adopt Resolution 2014-07, Accepting the Feasibility Report for Concrete Alley Reconstruction and Ordering the Public Improvement Hearing, City Project No. 1402 MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2014-07, there being ample copies available for the public. Motion by Williams, seconded by Schmitt, and passed unanimously. Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director/City Engineer stated the alley reconstruction would involve Van Buren Street to Central Avenue, 391h Avenue to 40th Avenue; Van Buren Street to Central Avenue, 42nd Avenue to 43rd Avenue; Monroe Street to Quincy Street, 42nd Avenue to 43rd Avenue. These are the worst three alleys. He stated that Polk Street to Buchanan Street, south of 39th Avenue needs more than alley work that needs to be done in the future. Councilmember Nawrocki felt these alleys did not need repair work. Kevin Hansen advised that they use MN/Dot rating criteria. Kevin Hansen also reviewed the assessment method and financing items. Councilmember Nawrocki asked when the preliminary hearing would be. Kevin Hansen stated February 27th, probably at 6 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. The formal hearing has been scheduled for March 3, 2014, beginning at 6:30 p.m. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2014-07, being a resolution accepting the Feasibility Report for Concrete Alley Reconstruction, City Project No. 1402, and ordering the Public Improvement Hearing beginning at 6:30 PM on March 3, 2014. Motion by Williams, seconded by Schmitt, and passed unanimously. Adopt Resolution 2014-08, Accepting the Feasibility Report for Street Rehabilitation Improvements and Ordering the Public Improvement Hearing City Project No 1405 MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2014-08,there being ample copies available for the public. Motion by Williams, seconded by Schmitt, and passed unanimously. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2014-08, being a resolution accepting the Feasibility Report for 2014 Street Rehabilitation Improvements, City Project No. 1405, and ordering the Public Improvement Hearing beginning at 7:00 PM on March 3, 2014. Motion by Williams, seconded by Schmitt, and passed unanimously. Bid Considerations -None New Business and Reports Kevin Hansen, Public Works Director, stated that garbage collection was suspended due to low temperatures today and in the past. It is their intent to catch up by Thursday. Councilmember Schmitt stated this information is posted on our website, and you can also be notified by phone or e- mail. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS Report of the Acting City Manager City Council Minutes January 27,2014 Page 4 Linda Magee, Acting City Manager, stated that the February 3rd work session is cancelled. There is an EDA meeting that night, starting at 6:30 PM. Councilmember Nawrocki stated that he had asked the City Clerk last week if there were any meetings coming up. She said no, and he made other plans. Then when he got the Green Sheet, it was listed as an upcoming meeting. Departments should let the City Clerk know. The EDA meeting is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. Councilmember Nawrocki asked if it could be earlier (5:30) or later. The Mayor stated he will be out of town. It was recommended to talk to the Community Development Director, Scott Clark. Councilmember Diehm had a problem with an earlier meeting. The Mayor will call Scott Clark. There are also two members (non-council) on the EDA who would need to be contacted regarding a time change. Councilmember Diehm indicated that regular EDA meetings are scheduled for the first Monday of each month at 6:30 PM. They were on the council calendar that was presented and approved at a recent Council meeting. Report of the City Attorney -Nothing to report. 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. A resident from 4200 3rd Street had a complaint about the use of salt on our streets and the general condition of our streets around town. He also complained about a large number of deer and other wildlife around the city, and evening shootings (which the Police Chief stated should be reported to 911). Councilmember Nawrocki expressed concerns about the broken copper lines on power poles, status of "chickens" in town, and asked for the original requirements for fencing, etc. for the property at 40th and University. He also inquired what the costs for remodeling the Community Development Department were and about our door security policy. He requested that there would be election information in the next city newsletter(what positions will be open, etc .) Councilmember Schmitt stated that the Saturday, January 25, 2014, free meeting for small businesses had about ten participants. This meeting was provided by the cities of Columbia Heights and Fridley and the Twin Cities North Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Peterson stated to remember our men and women and in the service, and don't take life too seriously. Enjoy life, even in this cold weather! At this time, Adam Davis, Cable Technician, showed the historical pictures provided earlier by Andy Slodka showing views from the top of grain elevators in the areas of 37th and 5th taken many years ago. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m. Respectfully submitted, t'. Carole J. Blow Secretary Pro Tem City Council Minutes January 27,2014 Page 5 RESOLUTION 2014-06 Resolution of the City Council for the City of Columbia Heights declaring the property a nuisance and approving abatement of ordinance violations pursuant to Chapter 8, Article II, of City Code, of the property owned by Gould Investors L P (Hereinafter "Owner of Record"). Whereas, the owner of record is the legal owner of the real property located at 4811 Central Avenue N.E., Columbia Heights, Minnesota. And whereas, pursuant to Columbia Heights Code, Chapter 8, Article II, Section 8.206, the causes and reasons for the proposed council action contained herein were made known to the owner of record via telephone call on January 21, 2014. Now, therefore, in accordance with the foregoing, and all ordinances and regulations of the City of Columbia Heights, the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights Makes the following: FINDINGS OF FACT 1. That on January 10, 2014 the Fire Department responded to a complaint at the address listed above. Inspectors noted that the structure was open and unsecured. 2. That on January 10, 2014 the Fire Chief ordered that Advance Companies secure the vacant structure. 3. That based upon said records of the Fire Department, the following conditions and violations of City Codes(s)were found to exist and have been abated, to wit: A. Approve the immediate abatement of the hazardous situation located at 4811 Central Avenue N.E. 4. That all parties, including the owner of record and any occupants or tenants, have been given the appropriate notice of this hearing according to the provisions of the City Code Section 8.206(A) and 8.206(B). CONCLUSIONS OF COUNCIL 1. That the property located at 4811 Central Avenue N.E. is in violation of the provisions of the Columbia Heights City Code as set forth in the Notice of Abatement. 2. That all relevant parties and parties in interest have been duly served notice of this hearing, and any other hearings relevant to the abatement of violations on the property listed above. 3. That all applicable rights and periods of appeal as relating to the owner of record, occupant, or tenant, as the case may be, have expired, or such rights have been exercised and completed. ORDER OF COUNCIL 1. The property located at 4811 Central Avenue N.E. constitutes a nuisance pursuant to City Code. 2. That a copy of this order shall be served upon all relevant parties and parties in interest. Passed this 27th day of January, 2014. City Council Minutes January 27,2014 Page 6 RESOLUTION 2014-07 BEING A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE FEASIBILITY REPORT FOR CONCRETE ALLEY CONSTRUCTION AND ORDERING THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT HEARING, CITY PROJECT NO. 1402 WHEREAS, the City Council has adopted an Alley Rehabilitation Program, and WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 2013-089, a report has been prepared by the City Engineer with reference to the Program, and the following alleys: Van Buren Street to Central Avenue, 39th Avenue to 40th Avenue Van Buren Street to Central Avenue, 42nd Avenue to 43`d Avenue Monroe Street to Quincy Street, 42nd Avenue to 43`d Avenue, and WHEREAS, the report provides information regarding whether the proposed project is feasible, necessary and cost-effective, and Said report is hereby received by the City Council of Columbia Heights on January 27, 2014. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA 1. The Council will consider the improvement of such streets in accordance with the report and the assessment of abutting or benefited property for all or a portion of the cost of the improvement pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 429 at an estimated total cost of the improvement of$397,440. 2. A public hearing shall be held on such proposed improvement on the 3`d day of March, 2014, in the City Council Chambers at 590 40th Avenue N.E. at 6:30 PM and the City Clerk shall give mailed and published notice of such hearing and improvement as required by law. Passed this 27th day of January, 2014. RESOLUTION 2014-08 BEING A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE FEASIBILITY REPORT FOR STATE AID AND LOCAL STREET REHABILITATION AND ORDERING THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT HEARING, CITY PROJECT NO. 1405 WHEREAS, the City Council has adopted a Street Rehabilitation Program, and WHEREAS, pursuant to Resolution No. 2014-09, a report has been prepared by the City Engineer with reference to the Street Rehabilitation Program, and the following streets: Stinson Boulevard from Fairway Drive to 325' North of North Upland Crest, 44th Avenue from Tyler Place to Reservoir Boulevard, Reservoir Blvd from 44th Avenue to 44th Avenue, 39th Avenue from Central Avenue to Reservoir Boulevard, 38th Avenue from Main Street to 3`d Street, and 3`d Street from 37th Avenue to 38th Avenue, and City Council Minutes January 27,2014 Page 7 WHEREAS, the report provides information regarding whether the proposed project is feasible, necessary and cost-effective, and Said report is hereby received by the City Council of Columbia Heights on January 27, 2014. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA 1. The Council will consider the improvement of such streets in accordance with the report and the assessment of abutting or benefited property for all or a portion of the cost of the improvement pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 429 at an estimated total cost of the improvement of$340,000. 2. A public hearing shall be held on such proposed improvement on the 3rd day of March, 2014, in the City Council Chambers at 590 401h Avenue N.E. at 7:00 PM and the City Clerk shall give mailed and published notice of such hearing and improvement as required by law. Passed this 27th day of January, 2014. RESOLUTION NO. 2014-09 BEING A RESOLUTION ORDERING PREPARATION OF A REPORT FOR 2014 STREET REHABILITATION PROGRAM CITY PROJECT NO. 1405 WHEREAS, the City Council of Columbia Heights is proposing to rehabilitate select state aid and local streets in the city that have not been rehabilitated under the street program, and; WHEREAS, the City Council intends to assess the benefitted property for all or a portion of the cost of the improvement, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 429.011 to 429.111 (Laws 1953, Chapter 398, as amended), and Section 103B.201 to 103B.251, as follows: 1405 STATE AID STREET REHABILITATION PROGRAM NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA that the proposed improvements be referred to Mr. Kevin Hansen, City Engineer, for study and that he is instructed to report to the Council with all convenient speed advising the Council in a preliminary way as to whether the proposed improvements are necessary, cost effective, and feasible and as to whether it should best be made as proposed or in connection with some other improvement, the estimated cost of the improvement as recommended and a description of the methodology used to calculate individual assessments for affected parcels. Passed this 27th day of January, 2014. City Council Minutes January 27,2014 Page 8