HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-13-2015e ,. 111011
1
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JULY F
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL HELD AT 7:00 PM ON
MONDAY JULY 13, 2015 IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 590 40'" AVENUE N.E.,
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA
LCALL TO ORDER
Mayor Peterson called the meeting to order at 7:06 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; Kevin Hansen, Director of Public
Works; Katie Bruno, City Clerk/Council Secretary
1INVOCATION
Invocation provided by 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.)
6.PROCLAMATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITION, ANNOUNCEMENTS, GUESTS
Mayor Peterson announced that three long -time City employees recently retired; Carole Blowers, Carol
Femling and Steve Kolosky.
A. National Night Out proclamation.
Mayor Peterson read the proclamation in its entirety. Sergeant Justin Pletcher reported that Columbia
Heights has seen a steady decrease in crime in the recent years, at the same time community outreach
has been on the increase. In 2014 there were 53 National Night Out parties, with 1,260 residents
participating. Sergeant Pletcher announced other upcoming community outreach events, as well as
effort towards becoming a "Heart-Safe Community."
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 June 22, 2015.
B. Accept Board and Commission Meeting Minutes
MOTION: Move to accept the Park & Recreation minutes of February 25, 2015.
MOTION: Move to accept the Library Board minutes of June 3, 2015.
MOTION: Move to accept the Public Arts Commission minutes of June 10, 2015.
Minutes of July 13, 2015
Council Meeting
Page 2 of 4
MOTION: Move to accept the EDA minutes of May 4, 2015.
MOTION: Move to accept the Traffic Commission minutes of May 4, 2015.
MOTION: Move to accept the Traffic Commission minutes of June 1, 2015.
C. Establish a Public Hearing to consider alley lighting (petition)
MOTION: Move to establish August 10, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. as a Public Hearing for consideration
of alley lighting between 4140 and 4146 Reservoir Boulevard.
Director of Public Works, Kevin Hansen reported that the City received a petition from four of
six property owners to install a mid -block street light. Hansen explained there are six parcels,
seven properties, as one is a duplex.
D. Installation Of 2 -Way Stop Signs on Quincy Street and 43rd Avenue Stopping Traffic On
Quincy Street
MOTION: Move to install two -way "STOP" signs at the intersection of Quincy Street and 43rd
Avenue, stopping north and south bound traffic on Quincy Street, as recommended by the Traffic
Commission.
E. Approve Business License Applications
MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for July 13, 2015
as presented.
F. 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 157257 through 157498 in the amount
of $ 1,109,276.10.
Councilmember Nawrocki requested that item A be removed from the Consent Agenda for
Discussion.
Motion by Councilmember Nawrocki, seconded by Councilmember Williams to approve Consent
Agenda items B, C, D, E and F All Ayes, Motion Carried.
Councilmember Nawrocki requested that the following items be removed from the Consent Agenda
A. Approve Minutes of the City Council
Councilmember Nawrocki stated that item 913-2 did not have the votes listed in the minutes. City
Clerk Katie Bruno will verify the votes and amend the minutes.
Motion by Councilmember Nawrocki, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. to approve the
minutes of the City Council meeting of June 22, 2015 with the amendment as noted.
All Ayes, Motion Carried.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
9. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
A. Other Ordinances and Resolutions
B. Bid Considerations
1. Accepting Bids And Awarding A Contract For The 49th Avenue Turn Lane Construction, City
Project 1415
Minutes of July 13, 2015
Council Meeting
Page 3 of 4
Director of Public Works, Kevin Hansen gave an overview of the proposed project. The project
is to be done on the west side of Central Ave; the existing median will be moved slightly north to
allow the turn lane. The project is scheduled to be completed prior to school opening in
September. The City has received a MNDOT Grant in the amount of $180,000.
Staff recommends the additional funding of $18,000 come from the state aid construction
account.
Councilmember Nawrocki asked what the original project estimate was. Director Hansen
reported it was $180,000. Hansen reported the cost on this project is impacted by the tight time
fame, as we are completing it before the start of the school year.
Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Schmitt to accept bids and
award the 49`h Avenue Turn Lane Construction, City Project No. 1500, to Hardrives , Inc., based
upon their low, qualified, responsible bid in the amount of $198, 003.60 from Fund 415- 51415-
5185; and, furthermore, to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into a contract for the
same. All Ayes, Motion Carried.
C. New Business and Reports
1. Authorization to seek bids for Library Bid Packaize #2 for the new City Library
Director of Public Works, Kevin Hansen reported that bid package #1 has been awarded and Veit
Construction will begin excavation Monday July 20t"
Bid package #2 consist of four separate contracts; general construction, mechanical, electrical
and fire protection.
The project team has been updating the project estimate on a continuous basis. It was determined
that costs need to be reduced. This has involved a "value engineering" process to reduce
$380,000 of costs from the final design. A summary of those modifications was reviewed with
the council. A list of alternates was also reviewed.
Councilmember Nawrocki asked what the original bond issue was. Director Hansen stated it was
$6.89 million. Nawrocki asked where the remainder of the money will come from. Hansen
responded that the city council authorized an additional $2.3 million in additional funding
sources. There is a grant from MWMO for $600,000 to pay for storm sewer improvements.
Councilmember Nawrocki asked if the $381,000 includes the under estimated amount of
$287,000 from Bid package No. 1. Director Hansen explained it would be reflected in
contingencies. Hansen explained the value engineering process was done to bring the project in
line with the expected revenue.
Councilmember Schmitt suggested that many of the items listed on the schedule of alternates
could possibly be covered by a donor. Director Hansen responded that a meeting is planned
with the Library Foundation in order to identify fundraising for specific items, and more
information will be available the beginning of August.
Councilmember Schmitt asked if there are any library board members experienced in grant
writing. Director Hansen reported two grants have been received so far; totaling $900,000.
Mayor Peterson stated we will want to stay within the goal of $9.3 million, while constructing a
quality building.
Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Schmitt to authorize staff to
seek bids for Bid Package #2 for the Library: General Construction, Mechanical, Electrical, and
Fire Protection. All Ayes, Motion Carried.
Minutes of July 13, 2015
Council Meeting
Page 4 of 4
10. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
City Manager Walt Fehst thanked firefighter Steve Kolosky for his years of dedicated service.
Manager Fehst congratulated Gary Gorman and the fire department for being awarded a SAFER
grant to allow for the hiring of two full -time daytime firefighters for two years.
Councilmember Nawrocki suggested the library board gain a better understanding of the open
meeting law. Manger Fehst stated that the chairperson has been reminded of the open meeting law.
Councilmember Nawrocki questioned if anything has been done related to the predatory remolding
situation that occurred at the residence on 49th Ave. Manager Fehst stated this will be discussed at
the August worksession.
11. CITIZENS FORUM
There were not any residents wishing to speak.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Peterson reminded us not to take ourselves too seriously and to try to do a random act of
kindness.
Meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m.
Respectively Submitted
Katie Bruno, City Clerk