HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-22-2016FEBRUARY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
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The following are the minutes for the regular meeting of the City Council held at 7:00 PM on Monday
February 22, 2016 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 7:08 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Peterson, Councilmembers Nawrocki, Schmitt, Williams and Murzyn, Jr.
Also Present: Kelli Bourgeois Human Resource Director /Assistant to the City Manager, Jim Hoeft; City
Attorney, Kevin Hansen; Public Works Director, Scott Nadeau; Chief of Police, Lenny Austin; Police Captain,
Gary Gorman; Fire Chief, and Katie Bruno; City Clerk /Council Secretary
3. INVOCATION
Invocation provided by Dan Thompson, Heights Church
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
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
A. Update from SACA
Dave Rudolph representing SACA (Southern Anoka County Assistance) reported on the recent Fire & Ice
Polar Plunge. The event had about 129 jumpers, bringing a profit of $10,326; the equivalent of 88,000
pounds of food. Numerous sponsors and volunteers were thanked. Boy Scouts from Troop 119;
Immaculate Conception Church had the most jumpers, and were presented with a check for $1,000 from
Northeast Bank. Mayor Peterson asked the Scouts to introduce themselves.
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 February 8, 2016
MOTION: Move to approve the minutes of the City Council Public Improvement Hearings of February 1,
2016
B. Solar Gardens Subscriptions
Director of Public Works Kevin Hansen stated that in January the council approved solar contracts for four
City buildings; Top Valu I, Public Safety, Public Works, and the new Library. In July of 2015 a consortium
formed a lottery for solar garden subscriptions led by the Metropolitan Council, Hennepin County, Ramsey
County, and the City of Minneapolis. The City of Columbia Heights was awarded (4) 200kW subscriptions
with two different developers, 400kW with US Solar and 400kw with Geronimo Energy. Both subscriptions
are for 25 years with no renewal and require a Letter of Intent signed by February 29, 2016.
Staff recommends signing a Letter of Intent for entering into a contract with US Solar. Hansen noted this
gives the City an opportunity to save hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Councilmember Schmitt questioned if community members can buy into the solar gardens as well.
Director Hansen suggested interested parties contact Xcel Energy,
MOTION: Move to sign a Letter of Intent for entering into a 25 year contract with US Solar Corporation of
Minneapolis, MN for a flat rate subscription and authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into an
agreement for the same.
C. Approve Gambling Permit, First Lutheran Church, Bingo Event on March 18, 2016
MOTION: Move to waive the $25 permit fee for the First Lutheran Church one -time charitable gambling
permit.
MOTION: Move to direct the City Manager to forward a letter to the State Charitable Gambling Control
Board indicating that the City of Columbia Heights has no objection to a gambling permit for First Lutheran
Church to conduct bingo at their event being held March 18, 2016 at 1555 40th Avenue NE, Columbia
Heights; and furthermore, that the City of Columbia Heights hereby waives the remainder of the thirty -day
notice to the local governing body.
D. Consideration of approval of attached list of rental housing applications.
MOTION: Move to approve the items listed for rental housing license applications for February 22, 2016,
in that they have met the requirements of the Property Maintenance Code.
E. Adopt Resolution 2016 -20, Authorizing Fire Department Mutual Aid Agreement with Minnesota DNR.
Councilmember Nawrocki questioned what the "minor changes" in the agreement are referring to. Fire
Chief Gary Gorman explained that would be to address changes in our equipment.
MOTION: Move to waive the reading of Resolution No. 2016 -20, there being ample copies available to the
public.
MOTION: Move to adopt Resolution No. 2016 -20, being a Resolution authorizing a Fire Department mutual
aid agreement with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
F. Approve Business License Applications
MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for February 22, 2016,
G. Payment of Bills
Councilmember Nawrocki questioned a payment to Aid Electric. Director Hansen explained that was to
replace exterior lighting at the Public Safety Building, as the ballast was broken in many of them.
Nawrocki requested council be made aware of these types of expenditures prior to having the repairs
made.
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 160101 through 160274 in the amount of $ 643,069.85.
Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. to approve the Consent
Agenda as presented. All Ayes, Motion Carried.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Repeat Nuisance Call Service Fee Appeal — 4927 University Avenue NE
Scott Nadeau, Chief of Police gave some background on the request. It was noted that the applicant, Bill
Cullen was not present at the meeting. City Attorney Jim Hoeft explained that the ordinance states the
appeal rights are waived if the applicant is not present at the meeting.
Councilmember Nawrocki expressed concern with the fairness of the ordinance; in this case it was three
separate parties, in three separate units that contributed to the nuisance calls. Captain Austin clarified that
the ordinance basis the number of violations on the property, not the tenants. Councilmember Nawrocki
suggested it may be difficult for a landlord to know the integrity of an applicant. Chief Nadeau
commented that the ordinance puts the onus on the landlord /managers to bring in good tenants for the
safety of the building as well as the community.
Motion by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., seconded by Councilmember Williams to uphold the $250 Nuisance
Call for Service Fee imposed on Bill Cullen, owner of 4927 University Avenue NE. All Ayes, Motion Carried.
9. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
None
10. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Mayor Peterson expressed condolences to City Manager Fehst on the passing of his mother.
Councilmember Nawrocki stated the property at 40th and University is in need of attention. There are
several cars in the lot, and the sidewalk has not been shoveled.
Councilmember Nawrocki commented that he has not received information on the March 7th Public
Improvement Hearings, noting there could be an EDA meeting scheduled for the same evening. Director
Hansen explained the notices will be mailed this week. Hansen explained the meeting will be concurrent
with the EDA meeting, so there will not be a conflict.
11. CITIZENS FORUM
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Mayor Peterson announced the upcoming Mayor's Music Night and Chili feed on March 9th at Murzyn Hall.
Mayor Peterson reminded us to remember our service men and women, and our police officers and fire
fighters, and to keep them in our thoughts and prayers.
Meeting adjourned at g7:�4�0. p.m.
Respectively Submitted,
Katie Bruno, Council Secretary /City Clerk
2016 -20
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA,
AUTHORIZING A JOINT COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT 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, in accordance with the foregoing, and all ordinances and regulations of the City of Columbia
Heights, the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights authorizes the Columbia Heights Fire Department to 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 and Fire Chief to sign
such an agreement.