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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-11-2016OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MEETING APRIL 11, 2016 The following are the minutes for the regular meeting of the City Council held at 7:00 PM on Monday April 11, 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 7:05 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Peterson, Councilmembers Nawrocki, Williams and Murzyn, Jr. Also Present: Walt Fehst; City Manager, Jim Hoeft; City Attorney, Lauren McClanahan; Public Works Supervisor, Gary Gorman; Fire Chief, John Larkin; Assistant Fire Chief, Keith Dahl; Economic Development Manager, and Katie Bruno; City Clerk /Council Secretary 3. INVOCATION Invocation provided by Max Richter, Community United Methodist Church 4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE S. 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. Fire Department S.A.F.E.R. Grant Update John Larkin, Assistant Fire Chief reported the S.A.F.E.R. Grant has proven to be very beneficial to the Fire Department. Improvements include meeting OHSA and NFPA standards, Preparation & Prevention and Public Education. The Department will be partnering with the Red Cross to distribute free smoke detectors to interested residents. Larkin reported the Fire Department averages more than 5,000 inspection actives annually, with $180,000 revenue generated. The additional staff provides the ability for the department to meet responsibilities, while limiting overtime costs. City Manager Walt Fehst explained the grant is for two years, and council may want to consider the continued support for programs following the grant period. Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. announced Columbia Heights High School will be performing the musical, Grease. B. Arbor Day Proclamation Mayor Peterson read the proclamation. Lauren McClanahan; Public Works Supervisor accepted the proclamation, and invited to the public to an Arbor Day event April 29th at Lomianki Park. . C. Mayor's Prayer Breakfast Proclamation Mayor Peterson read the proclamation, and announced this is the 17th Prayer Breakfast in the City. Loaves and Fishes will be assisting with the food. D. Terchen Taksham Rinpoche Proclamation Mayor Peterson read the proclamation. 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 March 28, 2016 MOTION: Move to approve the minutes of the City Council worksession of April 4, 2016 B. Accept Board and Commission Minutes MOTION: Move to accept the EDA minutes of March 7, 2016 MOTION: Move to accept the EDA goal- setting meeting minutes of March 15, 2016 C. Ratification of Huset Park Second Amended and Restated Development Contract. *Removed for Discussion D. Accept Bids And Award 2016 -2017 Tree Removal Contract. *Removed for Discussion E. Being an Ordinance Authorizing the Conveyance of Certain Real Property by the City of Columbia Heights to the Columbia Heights Economic Development Authority located at 4618 Polk Street. *Removed for Discussion F. Approve Business License Applications MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for April 11, 2016 G. 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 160703 through 160848 in the amount of $ 364,826.97. City Manager Walt Fehst suggested removing item C for discussion. Councilmember Nawrocki requested removing items D and E for discussion. Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Nawrocki to approve the consent agenda items A, 8, F and G. All Ayes, Motion Carried. The following items were removed for discussion: C. Ratification of Huset Park Second Amended and Restated Development Contract. Martha Ingram; Kennedy & Graven clarified that the EDA adopted a resolution ratifying the second amended and restated development contract, the City will also need to adopt the resolution. Ms. Ingram reported during negotiations the City, the EDA and Dominium discussed the possibility of refunding the EDA's Bonds, which were originally issued to finance the public infrastructure for the Huset Park development. At the beginning of 2016, however, the Redeveloper expressed renewed interest in the refunding. The parties have negotiated a new Section 3.5(b) to the contract adding the following; The EDA will issue refunding bonds to achieve debt service savings, the Redeveloper will pay all costs associated with the issuance of the refunding bonds and the Redeveloper will pay an administrative fee of $100,000 to the EDA, to be deposited into a redevelopment fund designated by the EDA and the City. Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. to waive the reading of Resolution 2016 -37, there being ample copies available to the public. All Ayes, Motion Carried. Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. to adopt Resolution 2016 -37, Resolution Ratifying the Approval of a Second Amended and Restated Contract for Private Redevelopment between the Columbia Heights Economic Development Authority, the City of Columbia Heights, and Columbia Heights Leased Housing Associates 1, LLLP for the "Redeveloper Parcels" at Huset Park Senior Living. All Ayes, Motion Carried. D. Accept Bids and Award 2016 -2017 Tree Removal Contract City Manager Walt Fehst reported the cost will decrease by $2 per inch diameter as a result of rebidding the contract. Councilmember Nawrocki questioned the difference between the tree only and stump only quote. Lauren McClanahan, Public Works Supervisor explained typically the tree and stumps are removed, occasionally that is not the case. Councilmember Nawrocki questioned the policy for removing trees on private property. McClanahan stated diseased tress need to be removed, and the City will pay up to 25% of the cost. Motion by Councilmember Nawrocki, seconded by Councilmember Williams to award the 2016 -2017 Removal of Trees, Trees and Stumps or Stumps Only on Public and Private Property contract to Nick's Tree Service Inc. of Corcoran, MN, based upon their low, qualified, responsible total bid for tree and stump removal, tree removal only, or stump removal only; and furthermore, to authorize the Mayor and City Manager to enter into a contract for the same. All Ayes, Motion Carried. E. Being an Ordinance Authorizing the Conveyance of Certain Real Property by the City of Columbia Heights to the Columbia Heights Economic Development Authority located at 4618 Polk Street. Councilmember Nawrocki questioned why we need to transfer the title to the EDA. Keith Dahl; Economic Development Manager explained the lot at 4618 Polk St was not transferred to the EDA, however the buyer has purchased the property from the EDA, along with five other properties. The costs to transfer are minimal. City Attorney Jim Hoeft explained the EDA has entered into a legal obligation with the developer, it was unknown that the lot had not been transferred back to the EDA from the City. Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. to waive the reading of Ordinance No. 1627, there being ample copies available to the public. All Ayes, Motion Carried. Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. to set the second reading of Ordinance No. 1627, being an ordinance authorizing the conveyance of certain real property located at 4618 Polk Street, for April 25, 2016 at approximately 7:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers. All Ayes, Motion Carried. 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS 9. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION A. Other Ordinances and Resolutions B. Bid Considerations C. New Business and Reports 10. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS City Manager Walt Fehst announced he City is a finalist for the All America City Award. Fehst stated he thinks the City has a good chance of winning. Councilmember Nawrocki reported he attended the Anoka County quarterly meeting, Flood Plain Insurance, Public Safety Data system, Zayo, Rental Rooms in private homes, and medical marijuana were discussed. Councilmember Nawrocki questioned if residents of Heights Manor will have access from the building, the recent Greensheet indicated Stinson Boulevard is closed. City Manager Walt Fehst stated he will check with the Public Works Director. Councilmember Nawrocki asked for an update on 39`" Ave between Quincy and Jefferson. Fehst reported staff continues to follow -up with property owners. Councilmember Nawrocki commented the dumpsters at the 4111 Central Building are overfull. Nawrocki also reported that an unlicensed vehicle has been parked at the property. Manager Fehst reported the vehicle is no longer there. Councilmember Nawrocki asked for an update regarding the cleaning of the plaque honoring James LaBelle. Mayor Peterson reported he is waiting to hear back from Mr. Mros, who cleaned it in the past. Manager Fehst reported the Police Department may have a contractor as well. Mayor Paterson suggested the City take responsibility to get the LaBelle plaque, and the Clock Tower plaque cleaned. 11. CITIZENS FORUM Olufola Ogundare, 4660 Heights Dr. reported he trimmed branches from a dangerous tree on his property. A letter was received from the City requiring the branches to be removed. Mr. Ogundare moved the branches to his backyard, assuming that would be acceptable. Because the branches were not removed from the property, the City removed the branches, and an $1,875 fine was assessed. Mr. Ogundare requested the council would reconsider the fine. City Manager Fehst stated he would look into the issue, and took Mr. Ogundare's contact information. 12. ADJOURNMENT 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 8:29 p.m. Respectively Submitted, Katie Bruno, Council Secretary /City Clerk RESOLUTION NO. 2016 -37 RESOLUTION RATIFYING APPROVAL OF A SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CONTRACT FOR PRIVATE REDEVELOPMENT BETWEEN THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS AND COLUMBIA HEIGHTS LEASED HOUSING ASSOCIATES I, LLLP BE IT RESOLVED By the City Council ( "Council ") of the City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota ( "City ") as follows: Section 1. Recitals. 1.01. The City, the Columbia Heights Economic Development Authority (the "Authority "), and Columbia Heights Leased Housing Associates I, LLLP (the "Developer ") have negotiated a Second Amended and Restated Contract for Private Redevelopment (the "Contract ") to allow for the redevelopment of certain Richardson dated as of October 25, 2004, as previously amended and restated (the "Prior Contract "), regarding redevelopment of certain property within the City located in the area known as Huset Park (the 1.02. The City previously approved the Contract on October 12, 2015, subject to modifications that do not alter the substance of the transaction, and the Redeveloper has acquired the Redevelopment Property, but the Contract has not been fully executed. 1.03. The Authority, the City and the Redeveloper have proposed to modify Section 3.5 of the Contract to allow for the refunding of the Authority's outstanding Tax Increment Revenue Bonds, Series 2007, to achieve debt service savings. This revision constitutes a modification that alters the substance of the transaction, and as such requires the approval of the Authority and City. 1.04. The Council has reviewed the Contract as proposed to be revised and finds that the execution thereof and performance of the City's obligations thereunder are in the best interest of the City and its residents. Section 2. City Ratification of Approval; Further Proceedings. 2.01. The Contract as presented to the Council is hereby in all respects approved, subject to modifications that do not alter the substance of the transaction and that are approved by the Mayor and City Manager, provided that execution of the documents by such officials shall be conclusive evidence of approval. 2.02. The Mayor and City Manager are hereby authorized to execute on behalf of the City the Contract and any documents referenced therein requiring execution by the City, and to carry out, on behalf of the City, its obligations thereunder. Ordinance 1627 (First Reading) BEING AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CONVEYANCE OF CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY BY THE CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS TO THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY LOCATED AT 4618 POLK STREET NE. The City of Columbia Heights does ordain: SECTION 1: The City of Columbia Heights, a Minnesota municipal corporation, may convey unto the Columbia Heights Economic Development Authority, the real property described as follows, to wit: 4618 Polk Street NE: Sheffields Second Subdivision, City of Columbia Heights Lot 11 and North 10 feet of Lot 12, Block 2, Sheffields 2nd Subdivision SECTION 2: The Mayor and the City Manager are herewith authorized to execute a deed to effectuate the conveyance of said real property.