HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-04-2016 WS
Mayor
Gary L. Peterson
Councilmembers
Robert A. Williams
Bruce Nawrocki
Donna Schmitt
John Murzyn, Jr.
City Manager
Walter R. Fehst
City of Columbia Heights
590 40th Avenue NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421-3878 (763) 706-3600 TDD (763) 706-3692
Visit our website at: www.columbiaheightsmn.gov
The City of Columbia Heights does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or
employment in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodation will be provided to allow individuals with
disabilities to participate in all City of Columbia Heights' services, programs, and activities. Auxiliary aids for disabled persons are
available upon request when the request is made at least 96 ho urs in advance. Please call the City Clerk at 763-706-3611 to
make arrangements. (TDD/763-706-3692 for deaf or hearing impaired only.)
NOTICE OF
WORK SESSION
Meeting of: Columbia Heights City Council
Date of Meeting: January 4, 2016
Time of Meeting: 7:00 PM (Following the EDA Meeting)
Location of Meeting: City Hall-Conference Room No. 1
Purpose of Meeting: Worksession
1. New Library Change Orders
2. Discussion regarding partnering with the Mayor’s Activity Fund to sell city-themed
merchandise
3. Discussion of the 2016 Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Application, which will center around a new park and recreation facility on Circle
Terrace Boulevard
4. Discuss Recommendations for Appointment to the Columbia Heights Volunteer
Firefighters Relief Association Board of Trustees for 2016
5. Discussion regarding increase in Rental License fees
6. Discuss Nomination of Council President for 2016
7. Discuss Various Appointments of Council Liaisons and Staff Assignments to City Boards
& Commissions and External Boards
8. Discuss Designation of Legal Newspaper
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AGENDA SECTION WORK SESSION
ITEM NO.
MEETING DATE JANUARY 4, 2016
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS - COUNCIL LETTER
City Themed Merchandise Sales
ITEM: City Themed Merchandise Sales
DEPARTMENT: Community Development CITY MANAGER’S APPROVAL:
BY/DATE: Elizabeth Holmbeck, 12/28/15 BY/DATE:
BACKGROUND:
In the spring of 2014, the City hired a communications consultant to assist in re-branding and updating the
City’s logo and various forms of communication tools. A task force made up of City staff, helped to reformat
and streamline City documents such as memos, staff reports, and business cards to include the new logo. The
City is gradually working on incorporating the new updated logo on City infrastructure such as street signs,
public buildings, and City vehicles. These changes are occurring at the time of regularly planned infrastructure
updates.
In the meantime, another inexpensive way to showcase the City’s new brand is through themed product sales.
Many other Cities participate in this type of promotion, where items such as coffee mugs, pens or t-shirts are
available for people from the public to purchase. We believe this could be a great way to promote the City and
our new brand.
One of the most popular items produced for the City during the re-branding process, were 8 posters depicting
various locations throughout the City. We are working on incorporating the posters for display at all the City
buildings. The Recreation Department is displaying the posters currently, and a number of residents have
asked how they can purchase a poster for their own use.
In early December, staff met to discuss the logistics of themed merchandise sales. It was suggested that the
Mayor’s Activity Fund could help fund the start-up costs to purchase the initial merchandise. Once the fund is
established, the Community Development Department would be in charge of ordering products. The hope is
to have the merchandise available for purchase at Public Safety, City Hall, Murzyn Hall, and the new City
Library. A number of ideas were discussed at the meeting for possible items to sell including the popular
posters, t-shirts, coffee mugs, pens, key chains, pins and calendars. Staff believes that City themed
merchandise would be a positive way to promote the City, and seeks direction from the City Council on
possible funding sources and as to what items the City Council prefers to sell.
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AGENDA SECTION WORK SESSION
ITEM NO.
MEETING DATE JANUARY 4, 2016
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS - COUNCIL LETTER
ITEM: 2016 Community Development Block Grant Application
DEPARTMENT: Community Development CITY MANAGER’S APPROVAL:
BY/DATE: Joe Hogeboom, 12/28/15 BY/DATE:
BACKGROUND:
Each year, Anoka County manages the distribution of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
funds. Anoka County has established a list of priority projects, which receive first consideration from the
County Board. For 2016, staff would like to apply for funding related to the construction of a park building to
be located in the east section of LaBelle Park, on Circle Terrace Boulevard.
Over the past several years, staff in the Police Department, the Public Works Department and the Community
Development Department have been working in tandem to assemble property along Circle Terrace Boulevard
to expand the existing play lot and accommodate improvements to the site, which includes constructing a
park building. Earlier this year, the City Council approved an amendment to the LaBelle Park Master Plan,
which includes the plan for a building. That site plan is attached for your reference.
The proposed park building would be used for a number of different activities. The building could be used for
recreation programming, school events and tutoring sessions, police outreach, neighborhood events, voting,
and other activities. The Police Department’s outreach to the Circle Terrace neighborhood over the past
several years has shown that the neighborhood strongly desires a central meeting place. Providing an
opportunity to enhance neighborhood outreach will help facilitate the goals and principals of the highly
successful Community Oriented Policing (COP) model currently in place in Columbia Heights.
Staff would like to request $300,000 in CDBG funding for this project, which is the maximum amount that the
County will allocate to any one project. Staff believes that construction of the proposed building, as well as
other improvements to the park, will be accommodated within that budget.
Staff met with the Anoka County Community Development Department, and was told that this project would
be considered a high priority and would likely be considered for funding. The Police Department has been
conducting outreach to various stakeholders, including the office of Congressman Keith Ellison, asking for
support for the project. A letter of support from Congressman Ellison is attached.
The 2016 CDBG application is due on Friday, January 15th. Therefore, staff must bring the application for
formal consideration to the City Council at its January 11th meeting. Staff will be present at the Work Session
to discuss this proposed project, and address Council’s questions and concerns.
Attachments
1.Letter from Congressman Keith Ellison, dated December 23, 2015 (1 page)
2.LaBelle Park Site Plan, dated July, 2015 (1 page)
C: Scott Nadeau, Chief of Police
2016 Community Development Block Grant Application
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AGENDA SECTION WORK SESSION
ITEM NO.
MEETING DATE JANUARY 4, 2016
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS - COUNCIL LETTER
aPPOINTEMNTS TO fIRE rELIEF bOARDS OF TRUSTEES
ITEM: Appointments to Fire Relief Association Board of Trustees
DEPARTMENT: Fire CITY MANAGER’S APPROVAL:
BY/DATE: BY/DATE:
BACKGROUND:
State Statute 424a.04 mandates that the City Council annually appoint two trustees to the Columbia Heights
Volunteer Firefighters Relief Association board of trustees. Under the Statute one of the trustees must be an
elected official and the other can be an elected or appointed official.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
To follow State Statute the Columbia Heights Volunteer Firefighters Relief Association is requesting the City
Council appoint Councilmember John Murzyn, Jr. and City Manager Walt Fehst to the board of trustees.
RECOMMENDED MOTION(S):
Move to appoint Councilmember John Murzyn, Jr. and City Manager Walt Fehst to the Columbia Heights
Volunteer Firefighters Relief Association Board of Trustees for 2015.
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Item 5
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AGENDA SECTION WORK SESSION
ITEM NO.
MEETING DATE JANUARY 4, 2016
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS - COUNCIL LETTER
ITEM: Appointment of Council President
DEPARTMENT: Administration CITY MANAGER’S APPROVAL:
BY/DATE: BY/DATE:
BACKGROUND:
Section 10 of the City Charter states that a council president shall be chosen who shall serve as president in
the mayor’s absence.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Discuss the appointment of a council president for 2016.
RECOMMENDED MOTION(S):
ATTACHMENTS:
None
G:\Admin\Council\Worksessions\2016\Appointment of Council President 2016.docx
Katie Bruno
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AGENDA SECTION WORK SESSION
ITEM NO.
MEETING DATE JANUARY 4, 2016
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS - COUNCIL LETTER
ITEM: Appointment of Council Liaisons and Staff Assignments to City Boards & Commissions and External
Boards
DEPARTMENT: Administration CITY MANAGER’S APPROVAL:
BY/DATE: Katie Bruno BY/DATE:
BACKGROUND:
Annually the Council appoints liaisons to City Boards & Commissions as well as assigning delegates to External
Boards.
City Boards and Commissions include; Library Board, Park & Recreation Commission, Planning & Zoning
Commission, Traffic Commission and Charter Commission.
External Boards include; The League of Minnesota Cities, Mississippi Water Management Organization, Rice
Creek Watershed Advisory Board, North Star Corridor Development Authority and The Anoka County Joint Law
Enforcement Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
RECOMMENDED MOTION(S):
To discuss and make recommendations for appointments to various boards and commissions for the 2016
calendar year.
ATTACHMENTS:
Listing of current appointments
G:\Admin\Council\Worksessions\2016\Appoinment of Liaisons.docx
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COUNCIL LIAISONS AND STAFF ASSIGNMENTS TO
CITY BOARDS & COMMISSIONS AND EXTERNAL BOARDS
City Boards and Commissions:
Library Board Council Liaison __________________
Park & Recreation Commission Council Liaison __________________
Planning & Zoning Commission Council Liaison __________________
Traffic Commission and Charter Commission Council Liaison __________________
External Boards:
The League of Minnesota Cities Delegate ________________________
Alternate ________________________
Mississippi Water Management Organization Delegate ________________________
Alternate ________________________
Rice Creek Watershed Advisory Board Delegate ________________________
Alternate ________________________
North Star Corridor Development Authority Delegate ________________________
Alternate ________________________
The Anoka County Joint Law Enforcement Council Delegate ________________________
Alternate ________________________
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2015 COUNCIL LIAISONS AND STAFF
ASSIGNMENTS TO
CITY BOARDS & COMMISSIONS AND
EXTERNAL BOARDS
City Boards and Commissions:
Library Board Council Liaison Mayor Peterson
Park & Recreation Commission Council Liaison Mayor Peterson
Planning & Zoning Commission Council Liaison Councilmember Murzyn
Traffic Commission Council Liaison Councilmember Schmitt
Charter Commission Council Liaison Councilmember Nawrocki
(Alternate) Councilmember Williams
External Boards:
The League of Minnesota Cities Delegate Councilmember Nawrocki
Alternate City Manager Fehst
Mississippi Water Management Organization Delegate Councilmember Schmitt
Alternate Linda Johnson
(City of Hilltop)
Rice Creek Watershed Advisory Board Delegate Councilmember Williams
Alternate Kevin Hansen
North Star Corridor Development Authority Delegate Councilmember Nawrocki
Alternate Fehst
The Anoka County Joint Law Enforcement Council Delegate Mayor Peterson
Alternate Scott Nadeau
Anoka County Fire Protection Council Delegate Councilmember Murzyn
Alternate Gary Gorman
Columbia Heights School District Liaison Delegate Councilmember Schmitt
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AGENDA SECTION WORK SESSION
ITEM NO.
MEETING DATE JANUARY 4, 2016
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS - COUNCIL LETTER
ITEM: Designation of Legal Newspaper
DEPARTMENT: Administration CITY MANAGER’S APPROVAL:
BY/DATE: Katie Bruno BY/DATE:
BACKGROUND:
Annually the City Council designates an official newspaper for publishing of legal notices and other required
publications. State Statute 331A addresses the requirements of a legal newspaper, some of the requirements
include that the newspaper:
•Be published at least twice a month
•Be registered with the Secretary of State’s office
•Be circulated in the political subdivision which it purports to serve
•Have its known office of issue established in either the county in which it lies, or the political
subdivision which the newspaper purports to serve
•File a copy of each issue immediately with the State Historical Society
•Submit to the secretary of state by December 31 a filing containing the newspaper’s name,
address of its known office of issue, telephone number, and a statement that it has complied
with all of the requirements of this section and paid the fee.
RECOMMENDED MOTION(S):
Motion to designate the Sun Focus News as the City of Columbia Heights official legal newspaper for 2016.
ATTACHMENTS:
Bid Letter from Sun Media
Designation of Legal Newspaper
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The Sun Focus submitted a letter of interest for 2016. The Sun Focus fees are $11.50 (a .20
increase from last year’s quote) per column inch for first insertion and $6.25 (a .55 increase
from last year’s quote) per column inch, for each subsequent insertion. Most of the legal
notices we submit are subsequent insertions. The Star Tribune charges $5.60 per inch wide
line. The Star Tribune is approximately four times more expensive than the Sun Focus.
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