HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-08-2015CITTOF COLUMBIA HEIGHT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 89 2015 1
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL HELD AT 7:00 PM ON
MONDAY JUNE 8, 2014 IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 590 40TH AVENUE N.E., COLUMBIA
HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA
1.CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Peterson called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
2.ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Peterson, Councilmembers Nawrocki, Schmitt, Williams and Murzyn, Jr.
Also Present: Walt Fehst, City Manager; Jim Hoeft, City Attorney; Kelli Bourgeois, HR Director/
Assistant to the City Manager; Scott Nadeau, Chief of Police; Gary Gorman, Fire Chief; Kevin
Hansen, Director of Public Works; Katie Bruno, City Clerk/Council Secretary
1INVOCATION
Invocation provided by Bob Lyndes, Crest View Senior Community
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.)
6.PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS
1. Presentation of Humanitarian of the Year Award to Jim Fowler.
Mayor Peterson read the certificate and presented the award to Jim Fowler. Councilmember Nawrocki
expressed his appreciation to Jim, describing him as a great citizen and a great friend to the
community.
2. Update from Columbia Heights High School Staff and Students.
Principal Dan Wrobleski and Art Teacher Diane Scully reported on the recent student trip to New York
City. Students Luis Carchi and Justin Larkin reported on their experience while on the trip. Principal
Wrobleski thanked the council for the City's partnership and support, and presented a certificate of
appreciation to the council on behalf of Columbia Heights High School.
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 May 26, 2015.
MOTION: Move to approve the work session minutes of June 1, 2015
Minutes of June 8, 2015
Council Meeting
Page 2 of 5
B. Approve Transfer of Public Safety Building Range Rental Fees /Proceeds from Sale of
Recycled Brass Shell Casings.
MOTION: Move to transfer $7,845 of monies received in Public Safety Building Range rental
fees to the Police Department's Minor Equipment line item 101.42100.2010. These funds will be
used to purchase six X26P Tasers with battery packs and extended warranties.
MOTION: Move to transfer $1,400 of monies received in Public Safety Building Range rental
fees ($455) and recycled brass proceeds ($945) to the Police Department's General Supplies line
item 101.42100.2171. These funds will be used to purchase supplies such as Taser cartridges.
C. Approve Transfer of Funds for TZD Grant reimbursement Detox transports Details at
CHHS, and AHDTF OT from General Fund to Police Department OT Line Item 1020
*Removed for discussion
D. Solar Power for City Buildings.
*Removed for discussion
E. Existing City Building_
*Removed for discussion
F. Labelle Park Project: Change Order No. 1.
*Removed for discussion
G. Horwitz NS /I Contract Extension.
*Removed for discussion
H. Approve Funding Agreement with RCWD in the amount Of $50,000.
*Removed for discussion
I. Approve Funding Agreement With MWMO in the amount Of $600,000.
*Removed for discussion
J. Adopt letter of support for the 2014 Fire Department Staffing for Adequate Fire and
Emergency Response (SAFER) application.
*Removed for discussion
K. Approve Business License Applications
MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for June 8, 2015 as
presented.
L. 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 156936 through 157088 in the amount
of $ 749,271.97.
Councilmember Nawrocki requested that the following items be removed from the Consent Agenda
for Discussion: D, E, F, G, H, 1, and J.
Motion by Councilmember Nawrocki, seconded by Councilmember Williams to approve Consent
Agenda items A, B, C, K and L. All Ayes, Motion Carried.
Councilmember Nawrocki requested that the following items be removed from the Consent Agenda
for Discussion:
Minutes of June 8, 2015
Council Meeting
Page 3 of 5
D. Solar Power for City Buildings.
Director of Public Works Kevin Hansen reported that Facilities Maintenance Supervisor Eric
Hanson has been researching the options of solar power for city buildings.
Director Hansen reported that legislative changes have made solar powering more attractive to
cities. Three options are available; Made in Minnesota, Roof Top Solar Program and Solar
Garden program. Director Hansen gave an overview of each of the available programs. Tax
credits are being offered through 2016. Hansen stated the recommended next steps would be to
order an Engineer's Study, at a cost of about $10,000. If the study is done, and we proceed with
the project, the cost for the study would be included in the contract, resulting in no cost to the
city.
Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. to authorize
preparation of an Engineering Report that would analyze the feasibility of adding solar power
at: Top Valu 1, the Public Safety Building, Public Works, and the new Library. All Ayes, Motion
carried.
E. Existing City Library Building.
Director of Public Works Kevin Hansen suggested the council develop a plan for the existing
library including completion of a market analysis, consideration of possible uses and order a
facilities condition analysis. Councilmember Nawrocki suggested putting up a "For Sale" sign.
It was recommended to wait until a market analysis is complete, and council makes a decision
regarding any city use of the building.
Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Schmitt to direct staff to
prepare: 1. A market analysis for the existing library building at 820 40`" Street; 2. A condition
analysis of the existing facility. 4 Ayes, 1 Nay, Motion carried. Ayes: Mayor Peterson,
Councilmember Williams, Schmitt, Murzyn, Jr. Nay: Councilmember Nawrocki.
F. Labelle Park Project: Change Order No. 1.
Director of Public Works Kevin Hansen gave an overview of the lower overlook proposed plan,
explaining that the project bids received in February were exceptionally good. We are now able
to afford the proposed changes.
The Park & Recreation Commission has unanimously recommended council approve the
changes.
Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Nawrocki to authorize
Contract Change Order No. 1 for City Project No. 1306 to Odesa II, LLC of Sauk Rapids,
Minnesota in the amount of $37, 487 for a new contract amount of $416,441. All Ayes, Motion
carried.
G. Horwitz NS /I Contract Extension.
Director of Public Works Kevin Hansen explained this request would authorize a one year
extension to our current contract with Horwitz NS /I, with a 2% increase. Hansen explained the
City will seek RFPs for 2016.
Motion by Councilmember Nawrocki, seconded by Councilmember Williams to approve a one -
year contract extension with Horwitz NS11 for HVAC Preventative Maintenance Services for City
facilities effective November 23, 2015 - November 23, 2016 at a 2% adjustment; and to authorize
the Mayor and City Manager to enter into a contract for the same. All Ayes, Motion Carried.
Minutes of June 8, 2015
Council Meeting
Page 4 of 5
H. Approve Funding Agreement with RCWD in the amount Of $50 000
Director of Public Works Kevin Hansen reported A Total Maximum Daily Load, or TMDL, was
approved by both the State and Federal EPA in 2010 for Silver Lake. Cities, counties and other
public entities, such as the Three Rivers Park district, contribute surface water runoff to the lake.
Contributors are required to implement pollution reduction measures in accordance with the
TMDL, identified in the Implementation Plan of the TMDL. The targeted pollutant for Silver
Lake is phosphorus. Staff applied and was approved for a grant from the Rice Creek Watershed
District in the amount of $50,000 to replace the pond at the Silver Lake boat landing. The project
is estimated to cost $225,000. Staff intends to also apply for additional funding to the State of
Minnesota under the Legacy Program, which also supports improvements with an approved
TMDL. Councilmember Schmitt questioned if residential rain gardens would benefit he project.
Director Hansen stated that we would receive credit for any size rain garden.
Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Murzvn, Jr. to enter into a
funding agreement with Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD),for reconstruction of the
stormwater pond at Silver Lake boat landing for an approved amount of $50, 000; and
furthermore, to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into an agreement for the same.
All Ayes, Motion Carried.
I. Approve Funding Agreement With MWMO in the amount Of $600,000.
Director of Public Works Kevin Hansen reported City staff worked with the MWMO to identify
potential projects for funding through the MWMO CIP. One of the projects the board approved
funding for was stormwater improvements for the new Library in the amount of $600,000. The
MWMO has authorized the funding as a 2015 Capital Improvement Project. Councilmember
Nawrocki questioned the estimated total cost. Director Hansen reported that information will be
available later in the month, estimated to be about $900,000.00
Motion by Councilmember Schmitt, seconded by Councilmember Williams. to enter into a
funding agreement with the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) for the
new City Library for an approved amount not to exceed $600, 000; and, furthermore, to authorize
the Mayor and City Manager to enter into an agreement for the same. All Ayes, Motion Carried.
J. Adopt letter of support for the 2014 Fire Department Staffing for Adequate Fire and
Emergency Response (SAFER) grant application.
Fire Chief Gary Gorman explained that The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response
(SAFER) grant program is provided through the US Department of Homeland Security and
FEMA. The program provides funding directly to local governments to hire full time firefighters
to meet minimum staffing requirements. Chief Gorman indicated that even with daytime auto aid
from neighboring departments we do not meet the minimum standards on a regular basis. The
grant allows for two full -time firefighters for 24 months from time of hire and there is no
requirement to maintain employment after the 24 months.
There are a number of firefighters nearing retirement; this program could provide qualified
trained candidates to fill those vacancies as they occur. Chief Gorman reported that the number
of rental property inspections are in the increase, and it has been difficult to keep current.
Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Schmitt to adopt letter of
support for the 2014 Fire Department Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response
(SAFER) grant application. All Ayes, Motion Carried.
Minutes of June 8, 2015
Council Meeting
Page 5 of 5
S.. PUBLIC HEARINGS -None
9. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
A. Other Ordinances and Resolutions
B. Bid Considerations
C. New Business and Reports
1. Stinson Boulevard Reconstruction Agreement with the City of St. Anthony
Mayor Peterson announced that this item will be tabled until the June 22 council meeting.
Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn Jr. to table the item
until the June 22, 2015 council meeting. All Ayes, Motion Carried.
10. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
City Manager Walt Fehst reported that the Auditor's report will be in the council's Friday packet
materials, and the Auditors will be presenting their findings at the June 22nd meeting.
Councilmember Nawrocki asked for an update regarding the drainage concerns at 4860 Monroe St.
Director of Public Works Kevin Hansen reported the City will be taking some survey photos, and
will use them to work with the resident to provide a solution.
Councilmember Nawrocki commented that the recent library board meeting adjourned into closed
session in order to discuss a personnel matter. Nawrocki asked why the agenda did not include the
closed session portion of the meeting. City Manager Fehst was unaware of this action, and will look
into it.
Councilmember Nawrocki questioned why the library cannot make copies of the Anoka County
Record available to the public.
11. CITIZENS FORUM
Diane Meyer, 4218 2nd St NE raised concerns with the following on -going issues in her
neighborhood:
• The commercial building at 40th and University is an eyesore.
• 3rd Street between 42nd and 43rd is often impassable in the evening hours, due to people in the
street as well as vehicles.
• The 200 block of 42nd Avenue, there were two basketball hoops in the street; it was noted that
the police have removed them.
• it was reported that emergency vehicles have been unable to get through at times.
• There is a large amount of trash and debris at the entrance to Gauvitte Park.
City Manager Fehst said he would relay the concerns to Chief Nadeau. Manger Fehst also suggested
Ms. Meyer connect with neighbors to suggest forming an "adopt a park' group.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m.
Respectively Submitted
Katie Bruno, City Clerk