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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-24-2014 RegularOFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOVEMBER 24, i THE FOLLOWING ARE THE MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL HELD AT 7:00 PM ON MONDAY NOVEMBER 24, 2014 IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 590 40TH AVENUE N.E., COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA l.CALL TO ORDER Mayor Peterson called the meeting to order at 7:07 pm. 2.ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Peterson, Councilmembers Nawrocki, Schmitt and Williams, Also Present: Walt Fehst, City Manager; Jim Hoeft, City Attorney; Gary Gorman, Fire Chief; Renee Dougherty, Library Director; Joe Kloiber, Finance Director; Katie Bruno, Council Secretary. 1INVOCATION Invocation provided by Pastor Dan Thompson, Heights Church 4.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Recited 5.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.) City Manager Walt Fehst acknowledged Pastor Dan Thompson, noting that he along with other city church leaders met earlier with Congressman Keith Ellison at Crestview Senior Community. The meeting provided a time for conversation regarding some of the at -risk youth in our community. Funding was requested to construct a small community /youth center in the Circle Terrace neighborhood. Mayor Peterson reported that A Taste of Heights; held on Friday November 21" was a success. 6.PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS A. Introduction of new full -time library employee Renee Rewitzer (Clerk Typist II — Adult Services). Renee Dougherty, Library Director introduced Renee Rewitzer. Director Dougherty reported Ms. Rewitzer has been employed with the City since 2008, and recently was hired as the full time Clerk Typist II. Ms. Rewitzer stated that she is very happy working at the library. Councilmember Nawrocki introduced recently elected Councilmember John Murzyn Jr. Mr. Murzyn expressed his gratitude to the citizens, and indicated he is looking forward to serving on the Council. Page 2 of 6 7.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.) A. Approve Minutes of the City Council MOTION: Move to approve the minutes of the City Council meeting of November 10, 2014. B. Accept Board and Commission Meeting Minutes MOTION: Move to accept the Library Board minutes of October 1, 2014. MOTION: Move to accept the Charter Commission minutes of October 16, 2014. C. Approval of the attached list of rental housing licenses MOTION: Move to approve the items listed for rental housing license applications for July 28, 2014 in that they have met the requirements of the Property Maintenance Code. D. Reissue rental license *Removed for Discussion. MOTION: Move to reissue a rental - housing license to John Bartels to operate the rental property located at 4427 -4429 Main Street N.E. in that the provisions of the Property Maintenance Code have been complied with. E. Adopt Resolution 2014 -86 approving Mutual Aid Agreement between Fire Department and Minnesota DNR *Removed for Discussion. MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution No. 2014 -86, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution No. 2014 -86, being a Resolution authorizing a Fire Department mutual aid agreement with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. F. Transfer of funds for reimbursements from General Fund to Fire Department Budget. MOTION: Move to transfer from the General Fund, $5849.60 from the MBFTE and $1100.00 from the EMSRB to line item #3105, $5400.00 from the Centennial Fire District to line item #3050, $3200.00 from the Centennial Fire District and $2500.00 from CenterPoint Energy to line item #2173, of the Fire Department 2014 budget. G. Establish John P. Murzyn Hall rental rates for 2016. MOTION: Move to adopt the 2016 John P. Murzyn Hall rental rates, as outlined by the Park and Recreation Commission at their meeting of October 22, 2014. H. Approve Business License Applications MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for March 24, 2014, as presented. I. Consideration of Resolution 2014 -85, being a resolution establishing eligibility standards for senior citizen utility rates. *Removed for Discussion. MOTION.- Move to waive the reading of Resolution 2014 -85, there being ample copies available to the public. MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution 2014 -85, being a resolution establishing eligibility standards for senior citizen utility rates. Page 3 of 6 J. 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 154605 through 154781 in the amount of $ 718,671.70. Councilmember Nawrocki requested that the following items be removed from the Consent Agenda for Discussion: D, E and I. Motion by Councilmember Williams, , seconded by Councilmember Schmitt to approve Consent Agenda items A,B, CF, G,H,J All Ayes, Motion Carried. Councilmember Nawrocki requested that the following items be removed from the Consent Agenda for Discussion: Councilmember Nawrocki asked why there are five Sam's Club membership cards. Director of Parks & Recreation Keith Windschitl explained that the Parks Department has three membership cards; all of which are used for different programs. It has been determined that it works best to have separate membership cards. Councilmember Nawrocki stated he thinks that is costly. D. Reissue rental license Councilmember Nawrocki questioned the problems that were corrected. Fire Chief Gary Gorman explained there were many items that were brought into compliance following the revocation. Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Schmitt to reissue a rental - housing license to John Bartels to operate the rental property located at 4427 -4429 Main Street N.E. in that the provisions of the Property Maintenance Code have been complied with. All Ayes, Motion Carried. E. Adopt Resolution 2014 -86 approving Mutual Aid Agreement between Fire Department and Minnesota DNR Councilmember Nawrocki asked for clarification regarding the agreement. Chief Gorman explained that the original agreement dates back to 2009, allowing mutual aid according to an agreed upon fee schedule. Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Schmitt to waive the reading of Resolution No. 2014 -86, there being ample copies available to the public. All Ayes, Motion Carried. Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Schmitt to adopt Resolution No. 2014 -86, being a Resolution authorizing a Fire Department mutual aid agreement with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. All Ayes, Motion Carried. I. Consideration of Resolution 2014 -85, being a resolution establishing eligibility standards for senior citizen utility rates. Page 4 of 6 Councilmember Nawrocki asked what the dollar amount is of the benefit. Finance Director Joe Kloiber explained that the reduced fee is applied to the fixed /flat rate only, not the usage fee. The benefit is available to residents over 62 years old, and meeting a certain income threshold. The current eligibility income threshold is $33,000 the proposed 2015 income threshold is $33,300. Kloiber stated he can provide the dollar amount in the future, noting tonight's item is to adjust the eligibility threshold. Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Schmitt to waive the reading of Resolution 2014 -85, there being ample copies available to the public. All Ayes, Motion Carried. Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Schmitt to to adopt Resolution 2014 -85, being resolution establishing eligibility standards for senior citizen utility rates. All Ayes, Motion Carried. 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS 9. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION A. Other Ordinances and Resolutions B. Bid Considerations Request authorization to purchase Fire Department pumper. Fire Chief Gorman gave an overview of the process that was involved in the selection of the proposed unit. The International brand chassis was picked for many reasons. The International is one of the top brands being used for fire apparatus and has an excellent history as a general truck chassis and as a fire pumper. Councilmember Williams asked what the City will do with the old truck. Chief Gorman stated we will likely sell it for an estimated $15,000420,000. Councilmember Schmitt expressed concern with the size of the transmission, and suggested looking at a larger one. Chief Gorman responded stating he did look at various combinations of horsepower /engine size, and it was determined that this was appropriately sized. Councilmember Nawrocki asked how much was budgeted for the pumper. Chief Gorman explained that the estimated final cost is $488,920.00, while $600,000. 00 was budgeted. Motion by Councilmember Nawrocki, seconded by Councilmember Williams to authorize the purchase of one new International 7400 4 -door truck chassis in the amount of $96,800. 00 and one Rosenbauer Leavy Duty EXT Pumper body with equipment and equipment mounting in the amount of $392,120.00 from Rosenbauer Minnesota LLC of Wyoming, Minnesota and that the Mayor and City Manager are authorized to enter into a contract for same. All Ayes, Motion Carried. C. New Business and Reports 10. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS Councilmember Nawrocki referred to a letter received from the Community Development Department indicating there was an excess increment in the Sheffield TIF District. Nawrocki asked if the refund can be used to reduce the 2015 levy. Manager Fehst commented that it will be put in the Fund Balance, and the budget will remain as presented. Page 5 of 6 Councilmember Nawrocki stated that he sees this as one way to reduce the proposed levy, citing many properties where taxes have increased up to 35 %. City Manager Fehst clarified that many property values have increased this year, citing that as a contributor in the increase in taxes. It was reported that the City has requested 3.25 % more than in 2014 to run the City. Mayor Peterson suggested looking at these questions closer at the December 1St scheduled Budget Meeting. Councilmember Nawrocki requested that staff look into using Direct TV instead of Comcast for the City's broadcasting purposes. Councilmember Schmitt asked for an update regarding the Library Task Force. Manager Fehst reported that the application process has just begun. Fehst stated that he will provide the council with a preliminary construction schedule for the library, noting the site will likely be selected at the December 81h meeting. There may be a possibility for up to $600,000 in funding from the MWMO Partnership for Education Resources, if the Burger King site is selected. Councilmember Nawrocki suggested the council discuss the expectations of the task force. Mayor Peterson reported that he has been in contact with Earl Bakken's secretary, and has received permission to name the library the "Earl Bakken Public Library of Columbia Heights." Councilmember Nawrocki has also contacted Mr. Bakken, as he was his Sunday school teacher at First Lutheran Church. Mayor Peterson reminded all to keep our servicemen and women in their prayer, and to consider doing a random act of kindness. 11. CITIZENS FORUM There were no citizen's desiring to speak. Meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m. v Respectively Submitted Katie Bruno, City Clerk 2014-85 ESTABLISH ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS SENIOR CITIZEN UTILITY RATES WHEREAS, the City Council has previously established eligibility standards for senior citizen rates for refuse service, sewage disposal, and water supply; and WHEREAS, it has been the City's practice to maintain uniform eligibility standards whenever possible: Page 6 of 6 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City of Columbia Heights as follows: That anyone over 62 years of age with a household income of $33,300 or less will be eligible for reduced utility rates. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the above eligibility standard is effective January 1, 2015. 2014 -86 BEING A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A JOINT COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT FOR USE OF PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT WITH THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES WHEREAS, The State of Minnesota, as authorized by M. S. 88.04 subd. 4; 88.11 subd. 1; and 89.01 subd. 4, allows the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to enter into cooperative agreements with Municipalities, and; WHEREAS, The Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources is requesting a Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement with Anoka County fire departments to provide assistance only when requested, when resources are available, and can be committed without diminishing either party's ability to protect its own jurisdiction. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Columbia Heights enter into a cooperative agreement with the State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources in the prevention and suppression of wildland fires as authorized under M.S. 88.04 and hereby authorize the Mayor to sign such an agreement.