HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-23-2016OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 23, 2016
The following are the minutes for the regular meeting of the City Council held at 7:00 PM on Monday May 23,
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 7:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Peterson, Councilmembers Nawrocki, Williams, Schmitt and Murzyn, Jr.
Also Present: Walt Fehst; City Manager, Jim Hoeft; City Attorney, Steve Synowczynski; Shop Foreman, Lauren
Letsche; Engineering Tech, Terry Nightingale; Police Officer, John Larkin; Assistant Fire Chief and Katie Bruno;
City Clerk /Council Secretary
3. INVOCATION
Invocation provided by Bob Lyndes, Crest View
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. Announcement of Community Picnic /Splash Pad Ribbon Cutting June 1st.
Terry Nightingale provided information about the upcoming combined event.
B. Announcement for Memorial Day Service
Gerald Wegscheid announced a Memorial Day service will take place on Monday May 30th, 11:00 AM outside
of City Hall.
Mayor Peterson reported the recent All America City Fundraiser was a big success, raising over $5,500.
Mayor Peterson announced the Royalty program is seeking applicants for the 2016 -2017 season.
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 9, 2016
B. Approve Permits for the 2016 Jamboree. * Removed for Discussion
C. Authorize Capital Equipment Replacement Of Unit #104, Tractor Backhoe Loader, and Attachment, Unit
#167, Hydraulic Hammer. * Removed for Discussion
D. Minor Amendment to Solar Agreement with Apex Efficiency Solutions for 4950 Central Avenue.
* Removed for Discussion
E. Consideration of approval of attached list of rental housing applications
MOTION: Move to approve the items listed for rental housing license applications for May 23, 2016, in that
they have met the requirements of the Property Maintenance Code.
F. Approve Business License Applications
MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for May 23, 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 161193 through 161361 in the amount of
$653,150.40.
Councilmember Nawrocki requested items B and C be removed for discussion. Councilmember Schmitt
requested items D be removed for discussion.
Motion by Councilmember Nawrocki, seconded by Councilmember Williams to approve the consent agenda
items A, E, F and G. All Ayes, Motion Carried.
The following items were removed for discussion:
B. Approve Permits for the 2016 Jamboree
Councilmember Nawrocki asked the City Manager to give an overview of the Jamboree events. City Manager
Walt Fehst announced the parade starts at 6:00 PM, and will travel the same route as in the past; south on
Central Ave, then west on 40th Ave. The carnival will run until 10:00 PM on Friday and Saturday night.
Manager Fehst commented that a complete schedule will be in the local paper.
Motion by Councilmember Nawrocki, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. to close Huset Parkway for the
time period from Tuesday afternoon, June 21, through Sunday, June 26, 2016. All Ayes, Motion Carried.
Motion by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., seconded by Councilmember Williams to authorize the Police
Department to issue a parade permit for the Jamboree Parade to be held on Friday, June 24, 2016 beginning at
6:00 p.m. for the following streets: Central Avenue from 45th Avenue to 40th Avenue, west on 40th Avenue to
5th Street and 5th Street to Mill Street. All Ayes, Motion Carried.
Motion by Councilmember Nawrocki, seconded by Councilmember Williams to authorize fireworks at dusk on
Saturday, June 25, 2016 and to waive the Fire Department fireworks display permit fee. All Ayes, Motion
Carried.
C. Authorize Capital Equipment Replacement Of Unit #104, Tractor Backhoe Loader, and Attachment, Unit
#167, Hydraulic Hammer
Steve Synowczynski, Shop Foreman reported the JCB unit is up for replacement, and indicated they would like
to replace it with a new Caterpillar backhoe. Synowczynski indicated the Caterpillar is preferred for a variety of
reasons including availability of parts, ease of operation, cabin room and it is quieter than others.
City Manager Walt Fehst asked if other units were looked at. Synowczynski reported that recently a
Caterpillar product was loaned to us, and everyone really liked it. Staff did have the opportunity to demo
other units from Case, John Deere and Ford in 2000.
Councilmember Schmitt indicated she had sent an email out earlier, regarding a discussion forum comparing
Caterpillar and Case equipment.
Councilmember Schmitt asked if a comparison was done between the Caterpillar and Case similar models.
Synowczynski explained it was not, because he caterpillar is the preferred item, noting there are pros and cons
to both. Councilmember Schmitt stated she would like to see a comparison before making a decision.
Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. commented that in his experience, the Case had poor visibility, and he would
recommend the Caterpillar, noting it is more reliable. Councilmember Nawrocki questioned how much we will
receive on trading in the old equipment. Synowczynski reported we will get $8,800 for the JCB Unit and $1,500
for the breaker /hammer.
Motion by Councilmember Nawrocki, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. to authorize the replacement of
Unit #104 and attachment Unit #167 with the purchase of one (1) new Caterpillar model 430F21 T tractor
backhoe loader and (1) new Caterpillar model H75ES hydraulic hammer off the Minnesota State Purchasing
contract from Ziegler CAT of Minneapolis, MN in the amount of $125,460. Funding shall come from the Capital
Equipment Fund. All Ayes, Motion Carried
D. Minor Amendment to Solar Agreement with Apex Efficiency Solutions for 4950 Central Avenue.
Councilmember Schmitt expressed concern with what seems like cosigning the loan for Apex. Eric Hanson,
Facilities Maintenance Manager reported Apex had intended to finance the liquor store project internally.
They were unable to do so, and will be obtaining a loan from Community Pride Bank. Hanson reported if the
Apex was to go bankrupt, the bank would take over on the PPA.
City Attorney Jim Hoeft explained the city is not subject to any financial risk, and explained the liquor store
project is a smaller project and more difficult to get interested investors. Community Pride Bank wants to
assure that if Apex in unable to perform, they could step in as PPA.
Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Nawrocki to approve the minor amendment
to the Solar Power Purchase Agreement dated November 17, 2015 with Apex Efficiency Solutions. All Ayes,
Motion Carried.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Adopt Resolution Number 2016 -47, being declarations of nuisance and emergency abatement of
violations within the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights regarding property 4744 4th Street N.E.
Assistant Fire Chief John Larkin gave an explanation of the various abatements used in the City. This item is an
Emergency Abatement; meaning the property has already been secured, and staff is now seeking council's
approval. This is done in instances where the property needs to be corrected right away. Councilmember
Nawrocki questioned how the City is paid for the work done. Larkin reported the abatement fee is assessed to
the property if not paid by the owner.
Motion by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., seconded by Councilmember Nawrocki to close the public hearing and to
waive the reading of Resolution 2016 -47, there being ample copies available to the public. All Ayes, Motion
Carried.
Motion by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr., seconded by Councilmember Nawrocki to adopt Resolution Number
2016 -47, being resolution of the City Council of the City of Columbia Heights declaring the property listed a
nuisance and approving the emergency abatement of violations from the property pursuant to City Code section
8.206. All Ayes, Motion Carried.
9. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
A. Other Ordinances and Resolutions
B. Bid Considerations
C. New Business and Reports
10. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
City Manager Walt Fehst reported the council will be discussing their position on the Met Council reform at
their scheduled June worksession.
Manager Fehst shared with the Council the tentative plans for the delegation's trip to Denver for the All
America City event in June.
Councilmember Nawrocki questioned why so many people are attending, if the presentation is limited to ten
minutes. Fehst reported that many groups are included in the City's success including Senior Citizens, Students,
Library Volunteers and others.
Councilmember Nawrocki suggested a donation box from the Lion's group for eye glasses be located at the new
library. Mayor Peterson said he will talk to the Lions.
11. CITIZENS FORUM
Frost Simula -1700 49th Ave NE asked for an update on the fundraising efforts for the All America city trip.
City Manager Walt Fehst reported fundraising efforts have gone very well, however we still have more to raise.
It is anticipated that about 25 delegates will go, and while many of the adults are paying their own way,
students and school staff will need assistance.
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 7:58 p.m.
espectively Submitted,
Katie Bruno, Council Secretary /City Clerk
Resolution No. 2016 -47
Resolution of the City Council for the City of Columbia Heights declaring the property a nuisance and approving
emergency abatement of ordinance violations pursuant to Chapter 8, Article II, of City Code, of the property owned
by Kenneth Pritchett Jr. (Hereinafter "Owner of Record ").
Whereas, the owner of record is the legal owner of the real property located at 4744 4th Street N.E. Columbia
Heights, Minnesota.
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 Makes the following:
FINDINGS OF FACT
1. That on May 4, 2016 the Fire Department responded to a complaint at the address listed above.
Inspectors noted that the structure was open and unsecured.
2. That on May 4, 2016 the Fire Chief ordered that Advance Companies secure the vacant structure.
3. That based upon said records of the Fire Department, the following conditions and violations of City
Codes(s) were found to exist and have been abated, to wit:
A. Approve the emergency abatement of the hazardous situation located at 4744 4th Street N.E.
CONCLUSIONS OF COUNCIL
1. That the property located at 4744 4th Street N.E. is in violation of the provisions of the Columbia Heights
City Code as set forth in the Notice of Abatement.
2. That the emergency abatement of the hazardous situation located at 4744 4th Street N.E. is hereby
approved.