HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/24/2014 RegularOFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2014
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE 1MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL HELD AT 7:00 PM ON
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2014 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 7:06 PM.
Members Present: Mayor Peterson, Councilmember Williams, Councilmember Schmitt, and
Councilmember Nawrocki.
Members Absent: Councilmember Diehm
Staff Present: City Manager Walt Fehst, Community Development Director Scott Clark, City Attorney
Jim Hoeft, and City Clerk/Council Secretary Tori Leonhardt.
Rev. Bob Lyndes of Crest View Lutheran Homes gave the invocation.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Recited
3. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO MEETING AGENDA
City Manager Fehst reported he wanted to recognize our Public Works Department for doing such a
remarkable job on our city streets. He realizes that there is still some work that needs to be completed
on some of the alleys (which are being worked on) but wanted to thank everyone who had gone out and
plowed, indicating they really did a wonderful job.
Nawrocki stated he agreed with Fehst on the excellent job city staff has done on plowing the roads. He
asked if public works was continuing to put down salt on the roads. Fehst indicated that the Public
Works Supervisor goes out every day and does an assessment of which intersections still require salt.
They have been putting down between 12 — 14 tons of salt each time they go out and then go back to
make sure adequate amounts are in areas such as intersections that tend to be more slippery. Fehst
indicated that the city purchases their salt from the state and the state has run out, causing the city to
purchase approximately 30 tons of salt from other vendors.
Fehst asked that a discussion on problems resulting from frozen water lines be added to the end of the
agenda.
4. PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS —
There were none.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
Councilmember Nawrocki asked that items A and F be removed from the consent agenda for further
discussion.
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Councilmember Schmitt asked that item C be removed for further discussion.
City Manager Fehst took the council through the remaining items on the agenda.
A. Approve City Council Meeting Minutes of February 10, 2014 - Removed
B. Accept Boards and Commission Meeting Minutes
MOTION: Move to accept the Library Board Meeting Minutes of January 8, 2014.
C. Appoint Public Art Commission Members - Removed
D. Approval of attached list of rental housing applications
MOTION: Move to approve the items listed for rental housing license applications for February 24,
2014 in that they have met the requirements of the Property Maintenance Code.
E. Approve Business License Applications
MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for February 24, 2014
as presented.
F. Payment of Bills - Removed
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 151249 through 151406 in the amount of $
874,332.63.
Motion by Nawrocki, seconded by Schmitt, to approve the Consent Agenda items with the exception
of items A, C, and F, that were removed for further discussion. Upon Vote: All ayes. Motion
Carried.
Items Removed for Discussion:
Item A: Approve City Council Meeting Minutes of February 10, 2014
Councilmember Nawrocki stated on page 2 of the minutes from February 10, 2014 it lists the
address incorrectly under "Discussion on Business located at 332 Central Avenue N.E. — Urban
Shesha ". The correct address should be 332 40th Avenue N.E.
Motion by Nawrocki, seconded by Williams to Approve City Council Meeting Minutes of February
10, 2014. Upon Vote: All ayes. Motion Carried.
Item C: Appoint Public Art Commission Members:
Schmitt requested to make the appointments by two separate motions.
Motion by Schmitt, seconded by Nawrocki to approve the Mayor's appointment of Gretchen Nelson
to the Public Arts Commission. Upon Vote: All ayes. Motion Carried.
Motion by Williams, seconded by Schmitt, to approve the Mayor's appointment of Keith Roberts to
the Public Arts Commission.
Schmitt stated her concern was Roberts is too busy and would recommend that he be a liaison to the
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Monday, February 24, 2014
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commission at this time. Mayor Peterson stated Roberts coaches on Monday evenings and that is
why he could not be here tonight. Peterson expressed Roberts extreme interest in the Arts
Commission.
Upon Vote: Ayes: Williams, Nawrocki, Peterson Nays: Schmitt. Motion Carried.
Item F: Payment of Bills
Councilmember Nawrocki stated in the list of claims paid, the item that was paid to Advance
Companies of MN, indicates it was for an abatement to 4820 Central and should be for 4811 Central
Avenue.
Motion by Nawrocki, seconded by Williams, that in accordance with Minnesota Statute 412.271,
subd. 8, the City Council has received the list of claims paid covering check number 151249 through
151406 in the amount of $ 874, 332.63. Upon Vote: All ayes. Motion Carried.
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS -None
7. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
A. Other Ordinances and Resolutions — None to report
B. Bid Considerations - None to report
C. New Business and Reports
Zoning Code Text Amendment
Community Development Director, Scott Clark informed the council that he has received a number
of inquiries about charter schools in Columbia Heights. Last week staff met with the Mayor, and
representatives from a charter school that is interested in locating within the city.
Clark stated the definition of schools has radically changed, especially over the last 10 years. We
would like to see if any of these would fit within a business area. We felt it would be appropriate to
come to you for direction to study the definition of schools.
Nawrocki stated we have the one in the shopping center between 40th and 41St and when the buses
come, they give the businesses trouble when they are getting kids in and out. Parking is always a
concern.
Fehst indicated the Global Academy approached the city, and they already have people interested in
attending here in Columbia Heights. There are a lot of different issues, one in particular is whether it
is appropriate to have schools in a common area or not.
Clark feels we need to look at it from the school part of it, and should it remain in a limited business
district, should it go to conditional use, and should we have development standards? There are a
number of issues that we need to look at it.
Peterson stated that a number of the students would come from our own community. Schmitt stated
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she likes the idea of a conditional use permit being required.
Clark stated from a staff's standpoint, we are saying let's put this on the table for discussion and
decide if we need to amend our zoning code.
Motion by Schmitt, seconded by Williams, to initiate a zoning code text amendment process and
direct the Planning and Zoning Commission to study and make a recommendation to the City
Council regarding whether or not the definition of schools and educational institutions should be
broadened in definition and scope, and determine the same as to whether or not schools should be a
permitted and /or conditional use in the Central Business District and the General Business District.
Upon Vote: Ayes: Schmitt, Williams, Peterson. Nays: Nawrocki. Motion Carried.
8. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Report of the City Manager –
The City mailed out a letter to property owners, residents, and business owners in the city regarding
frozen water services lines. Property owners are responsible for the water service line from the meter in
the house to the main out in the street. Approximately 25 water service lines have frozen in the city.
The frost is down seven to eight feet in his neighborhood. Thawing frozen service lines and plumbing
can be costly to property owners.
Residents should check the water closest to the meter, use a thermometer and if it is under 40 degrees,
the frost is getting near to your line. It is recommended that you turn on your water on at least the width
of a pencil. This may be for a month or longer. This may cost you around $40 - $60 to do this. But this
outweighs the cost of a frozen water line if that happens.
It is important to let people know they can try and prevent this freeze from happening by leaving your
water running. Mayor Peterson stated he has received several emails around all of Minnesota regarding
the same thing. He has received them from Moose Lake, Little Falls, and Wadena.
Nawrocki asked if these lines that have frozen up have been in the public right of way. Fehst stated it
has been on the other side of the street, between the stop box and the main. Nawrocki asked who is
responsible if it is in the street portion? Fehst stated that the private property owner is responsible from
the property to the main.
Nawrocki expressed his concern having the meeting on the first Monday in February. He stated there is
an information meeting on the concrete alley this Thursday at 6:30PM. Nawrocki asked who is going to
Washington. Fehst, Mayor, Clark, and Hogeboom are planning to go. Nawrocki felt that one staff
person is appropriate. Regarding the cost of remodeling the Community Development Department—
what were the city labor costs and where was the work shown in budget? He also asked for attendance
at library for the past two years.
Fehst announced that tomorrow from 3 -6 PM at the Heights Theatre they are having a special
remembrance celebration for Kerry Ashmore. Fehst also reported that staff is conducting the first
interviews for the Community Development Director position.
Schmitt attended the MN Scholastic Art Awards on Saturday and was very impressed with the CH
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students. She complimented the job that Diane Scully did as part of the organizational committee.
Report of the City Attorney — nothing to report at this time.
9. CITIZENS FORUM
Malcolm Watson invited everyone to attend the Irish celebration on March 17th at 7565 Old Central with
music and a sing- a- long starting at noon. Watson told the story about the bombing of Hiroshima and
what he experienced.
Harold Hoium indicated the steps and deck of the bridge over Central are full of ice and needs to have
some salt put on them. He also asked if the building on 40th and University if they were going to
continue to build it or is the city going to tear it down.
Peterson responded by saying our crews are doing the best they can, adding it has been a terrible year for
ice and snow.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Peterson asked that we keep our service men and woman in our thoughts and
prayers and do a random act of kindness. Peterson adjourned the meeting at 7.47 PM.
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