Loading...
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. City Council Meeting Minutes Monday, February 24, 2014 Pagel of 5 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 City Council Meeting Minutes Monday, February 24, 2014 Page 2 of 5 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 City Council Meeting Minutes Monday, February 24, 2014 Page 3 of 5 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 City Council Meeting Minutes Monday, February 24, 2014 Page 4 of 5 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. City Council Meeting Minutes Monday, February 24, 2014 Page 5 of 5