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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-10-2016OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 10, 2016 The following are the minutes for the regular meeting of the City Council held at 7:00 PM on Monday October 10, 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 7:02 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, Keith Dahl; Economic Development Manager and Katie Bruno; City Clerk /Council Secretary 3. INVOCATION Invocation provided by Bob Lyndes, Crest View Senior Community 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 Mayor Peterson announced the second annual Heights Art Fest will take place on October 26th from 6:00 -9:00 PM at Murzyn Hall. A. Polish American Month proclamation Mayor Peterson read the proclamation in its entirety, and presented it to Gloria Bergstrom. John Bieniek, a member of Sister Cities presented the City with two police caps received from the Lomianke Police Department. The caps are to be given to the Columbia Heights Police Department and the Anoka County Sherriff's office. 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 September 26, 2016 MOTION: Move to approve the minutes of the City Council Assessment Hearing of October 3, 2016 B. Accept Board and Commission Meeting Minutes MOTION: Move to accept the minutes of the Planning Commission meeting of September 6, 2016 MOTION: Move to accept the minutes of the EDA Commission meeting of September 6, 2016 City Council Minutes October 10, 2016 Page 2 of 4 MOTION: Move to accept the minutes of the Traffic Commission meeting of August 1, 2016 MOTION: Move to accept the minutes of the Library Board meeting of September 7, 2016 C. Approve Business License Applications MOTION: Move to approve the items as listed on the business license agenda for October 10, 2016. D. Payment of Bills. *Removed for discussion Councilmember Schmitt requested item D be removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion: Motion by Councilmember Nawrocki, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. to approve the consent agenda items A, 8, and C. All Ayes, Motion Carried. Councilmember Schmitt requested the following item be removed from the Consent Agenda for discussion: D. Payment of Bills Councilmember Schmitt questioned a payment of $15,159.78 to the Westin Hotel in Denver, CO related to the All America City trip, noting the item was not presented to the council for prior approval as required for payments exceeding $15,000.00. Mayor Peterson explained the payment was reimbursed by the Columbia Heights Activity Fund. Councilmember Schmitt requested the City Attorney explain the policy. City Attorney James Hoeft stated he would look into the issue to determine if a violation to the City Charter occurred. Hoeft stated the council can ratify the action of the City Manager authorizing the check in excess of 15,000. Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. to ratify the expenditure of $15,159. 78 and approve the payment. Councilmember Schmitt suggested the City Manager could have called an emergency meeting to approve the expenditure. City Manager Fehst explained the hotel invoice was paid by the City because of our tax exempt status, with the intent to be reimbursed from the Activity Fund; noting this saved the community approximately $2,500.00. Manager Fehst clarified there were a number of reductions to that initial amount of $15,159.78, the actual cost was $14,234.00. Councilmember Schmitt noted there were additional costs including shirts, flags, window clings and banners. Manager Fehst clarified these expenses occurred after the award was received and will likely continue in order to promote the good things happening in the City. Manager Fehst commented on the recent Columbia Heights High School newspaper, with a front page story showcasing the All America City Award. Councilmember Schmitt indicated that her objection is the council did not have the opportunity to vote on the item, as it was never brought to a meeting for consideration. Mayor Peterson indicated that this was brought up at many meeting and worksessions, and it seemed that the council as well as the community was supportive. Councilmember Nawrocki indicated that the All America City award has benefited the community, and called the question, seconded by Councilmember Williams. All Ayes, Motion Carried. City Council Minutes October 10, 2016 Page 3 of 4 Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. to ratify the expenditure of $15,159. 78 and approve the payment. 4 Ayes, 1 Nay, Motion Carried. Ayes, Peterson, Williams, Nawrocki, Murzyn, Jr. Nay; Schmitt. Motion by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. seconded by Councilmember Williams to move that in accordance with Minnesota Statute 412.271, subd. 8, the City Council has received the list of claims paid covering check number 162044 through 163179 in the amount of $1,073,510.83. All Ayes, Motion Carried. 8. PUBLIC HEARINGS 9. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION A. Other Ordinances and Resolutions a. Accepting Bids and Awarding a Contract for the Abatement and Demolition of the Property Located at 666 40th Avenue Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. to waive the reading of Resolution 2016 -89, there being ample copies available to the public. All Ayes, Motion Carried. Economic Development Director Keith Dahl reported the property was donated to the City, a pre - demolition survey indicated contamination. Staff received two quotes from abatement contractors, and recommends awarding the contract to Veit & Co. Inc. Councilmember Nawrocki asked what will be done with the property once the structure is removed. Dahl indicated it will be an entrance to Huset Park. Steve Iserman - 662 401h Ave NE had questions regarding the retaining wall and chain link fence. City Attorney Hoeft suggested Mr. Iserman talk with Kevin Hansen for clarification. Motion by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Murzyn, Jr. to approve Resolution 2016 -89, being a resolution authorizing execution of a Work Agreement for the abatement and demolition of the commercial structure by and between Veit & Company, Inc. All Ayes, Motion Carried. A. Bid Considerations B. New Business and Reports 10. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS City Manager Walt Fehst reported there will be a Groundbreaking ceremony at the Legends of Columbia Heights on Friday October 14th at 3:30 PM. Councilmember Nawrocki questioned a letter received offering coverage for sewer line cleaning. Manager Fehst reported he would confirm coverage with Pubic Works Director Kevin Hansen. 11. CITIZENS FORUM Malcom Watson -1717 49th Ave NE shared some historical information from 1965. Frost Simula -1700 49th Ave NE requested the Council consider climate change as they work on the upcoming Comprehensive Plan. City Council Minutes October 10, 2016 Page 4 of 4 William Morrell - 4212 Reservoir Blvd. indicated that the area of 39th Ave NE, west of Central Ave is overcrowded with vehicles. Mr. Morrell suggested the City reduce the frequency in sending the water /sewer line insurance offerings. Mr. Morrell noted the yard waste containers could be purchased for little more than the annual rental fee charged by the City, and suggested the City consider selling the containers. Mayor Peterson encouraged remembrance of our servicemen and women, police and firefighters. 12. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjour d at 8:18 p.m. law w/* P Respectively Submitted, Katie Bruno, Council Secretary /City Clerk Resolution No. 2016 -89 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A WORK AGREEMENT FOR THE ABATEMENT AND DEMOLITION OF THE COMMERCIAL STRUCTURE BY AND BETWEEN VEIT & COMPANY, INC. BE IT RESOLVED BY the City Council (Council) for the City of Columbia Heights, Minnesota (City) as follows: WHEREAS, On June 8, 2016 the City was donated the real property located at 666 40th Avenue Northeast, in the City of Columbia Heights, County of Anoka, State of Minnesota (Subject Property), which is legally described as follows: Lots 45 and 46, Block 65, Columbia Heights Annex to Minneapolis, County of Anoka, State of Minnesota, according to the recorded plat thereof; and WHEREAS, the City intends to demolish the structure located on the Subject Property, which was classified to be hazardous and substandard pursuant to Minnesota Statues Sections 463.15 to 463.26; and WHEREAS, the City has determined that the removal of the structure on the Subject Property as described in this resolution is in the best interest of the City and its residents; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Minnesota State Statue Section 471.345 Uniform Municipal Contracting Law, the City solicited sealed bids to numerous contractors for quotes related to the abatement and demolition of the structure on the Subject Property as detailed in the Scope of Work and Specifications (Services); and WHEREAS, Veit & Company, Inc. submitted the lowest responsible bid for the specific Services requested by the City. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council that the Work Agreement is awarded to Veit & Company, Inc. in the amount not to exceed $36,500.00 and that the Mayor and City Manager are herewith authorized to execute said Work Agreement. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED this resolution shall be effective immediately upon its enactment by the City Council.