07/24/2006 - 00027588CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF FRIDLEY
JULY 24, 2006
The City Council meeting for the City of Fridley was called to order by Mayor Lund at 7:35 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Lund led Council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL:
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Lund
Councilmember-at-Large Barnette
Councilmember Billings
Councilmember Wolfe
Councilmember Bolkcom
OTHERS PRESENT: William Burns, City Manager
Fritz Knaak, City Attorney
Don Abbott, Public Safety Director
Layne Otteson, Assistant Public Works Director
Myra Harris, Special Projects Coordinator
Bruce Nelson, 168 - 71st Way NE
PROCLAMATION
National Night Out: Tuesday August 1, 2006
Mayor Lund read and presented a proclamation regarding National Night Out.
Myra Harris, Special Projects Coordinator, thanked everyone for their support. This is an
exciting time of year. National Night Out is led by block captains and people have been calling
to host a block party. This is a great opportunity to get to know your neighbors and create a safe
neighborhood. If anyone is interested in having a block party, call 763-572-3638 and a package
will be mailed to your residence.
Mayor Lund questioned if it was too late to sign up to host a block party.
Ms. Harris stated that people interested in hosting a block party can call up to July 31, 2006.
Generally over 100 block parties are held around the City, and City staff will do their best to
have representatives from the community stop by at various block parties. If a City
representative is not able to make an appearance at your block party, call and you will be the first
on the list for a representative to visit ne� year.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 24, 2006 PAGE 2
APPROVAL OF PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
City Council Meeting of July 10, 2006.
APPROVED.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Second reading of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 214 Related to Definitions,
Institutional Signs (Churches and Schools), Political Signs, Temporary Sign
Requirements, and Signage for Industries and Businesses along Interstate 694; and
Adopt Official Title and Summary Ordinance.
William Burns, City Manager, stated that this ordinance includes a comprehensive list of sign
ordinance changes. Items include changes in signage requirements as they relate to the
following:
1. Church signage
2. I-694 signage
3. Temporary signs
4. Political signs
5. R-3 multi-family signage
6. Signs for non-conforming uses
7. Others
Mr. Burns stated that Council approved the first reading of the ordinance at their July 10, 2006,
meeting. Staff recommends Council's approval of the second and final reading, as well as
approval of the official title and summary ordinance.
WAIVED THE READING OF THE ORDINANCE AND ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO.
1233 ON SECOND READING. ADOPTED OFFICIAL TITLE AND SUMMARY
ORDINANCE AND ORDERED PUBLICATION.
2. First Reading of an Ordinance Recodifying the Fridley City Code by Amending
Appendix F to Provide for the Adjustment of Salaries for the Mayor and
Councilmembers in Accordance with Section 2.07 of the Charger of the City of
Fridley.
William Burns, City Manager, stated that staff is recommending a 3% increase in salaries for
the Mayor and Council for 2007. This is consistent with the increase for employees contained in
the proposed budget for 2007. The increase will provide for the following salaries:
A Mayor $10,233.85
B. Councilmember-at-Large $ 8,397.75
C. Councilmember $ 7,424.42
Staff recommends Council's approval.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 24, 2006 PAGE 3
WAIVED THE READING OF THE ORDINANCE AND APPROVED THE ORDINANCE
ON FIRST READING.
3. Resolution Appointing Election Judges for the 2006 Primary and General Elections.
William Burns, City Manager, stated the resolution appoints election judges for 2006. The
names are listed without precinct assignment in a manner that is consistent with a recent Charter
change. Staff recommends Council's approval.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 2006-44.
4. Approval of Change Order No. 2 for the Locke Park Water Treatment Plant
Improvements.
William Burns, City Manager, stated that the change order reflects the City's reimbursement
for additional expenditures associated with the contractor's failure to control concrete dust
during replacement of concrete flooring. The amount of the credit is $1,963.25. Staff
recommends Council's approval.
THIS ITEM WAS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND PLACED ON
THE REGULAR AGENDA.
5. Receive Bids and Award Contract for the 2006 Mill and Overlay Project No. ST.
2006-2.
William Burns, City Manager, stated four bids for work on portions of Matterhorn Drive and
73rd Avenue were opened on July 20. The lowest bid was received from Midwest Asphalt
Corporation of Hopkins, Minnesota, in the amount of $246,814. Staff recommends that Council
receive the bids and award the contract to the low bidder.
CONTRACT AWARDED TO MIDWEST ASPHALT CORPORATION OF HOPKINS,
MINNESOTA, IN THE AMOUNT OF $246,814.
6. Claims ( 127401-127619).
APPROVED.
7. Licenses.
THIS ITEM WAS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND PLACED ON
THE REGULAR AGENDA
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 24, 2006 PAGE 4
8. Estimates
APPROVED THE FOLLOWING ESTIMATES:
Concrete Idea
13961 44th Lane NE
St. Michael, MN 55376
Miscellaneous Concrete Project No. 365
Estimate No. 1 $ 8,711.50
Dave Perkins Contracting, Inc.
14230 Basalt Street NW
Ramsey, MN 55303
73 '/z Avenue Street Improvement Project No ST-2005-3
Estimate No.2 $23,178.39
Councilmember Bolkcom asked that Items 4 and 7 be removed from the consent agenda.
MOTION by Councilmember Barnette to approve the consent agenda with the removal of Items
4 and 7. Seconded by Councilmember Wolfe
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA:
MOTION by Councilmember Bolkcom to adopt the consent agenda as presented with the
addition of Items 4 and 7. Seconded by Councilmember Wolfe.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
OPEN FORUM (VISITORS):
NONE.
NEW BUSINESS:
4. Approve Change Order No. 2 for the Locke Park Water Treatment Plant
Improvements.
Councilmember Bolkcom questioned if staff was comfortable with the remaining items that are
left to be repaired and foresee no additional expenditures needed to complete the project.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 24, 2006 PAGE 5
Mr. Otteson answered that staff felt confident that no additional expenditures would be needed
to complete the project. With the change order, what the City is owed and the warranties from
the contractor, most issues should be resolved.
Councilmember Bolkcom asked if there would be anything outstanding after completion.
Mr. Otteson said that at this time, he does not foresee anything to be outstanding; however,
sometimes things come up with construction.
MOTION by Councilmember Bolkcom to approve Change Order No. 2 for the Locke Park
Water Treatment Plant improvements. Seconded by Councilmember Wolfe.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
7. Licenses.
Councilmember Bolkcom asked why the person's last name was not listed on the rental licenses
for the property located at 1556 South Oberlin Circle.
William Burns, City Manager, said he would check into the matter and make sure it was listed
properly.
Councilmember Bolkcom asked why the property at 5901 - 2'/z Street NE, was not inspected
every four years.
Dr. Burns said he would research the properties listed and report back to the Council.
Councilmember Bolkcom questioned if the property was inspected at all.
Dr. Burns replied that in this past year, the City has changed to a standard rental inspection
policy. He said he would research this item and report back to Council.
MOTION by Councilmember Bolkcom to approve the licenses as submitted and as on file.
Seconded by Councilmember Barnette.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
NEW BUSINESS:
9. Informal Status Reports.
Councilmember Bolkcom stated that she has received several e-mails regarding the train
whistles being a constant disturbance. There was to have been an informal meeting, but it has
been delayed until more information is collected. She asked if there was any new information.
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 24, 2006 PAGE 6
Don Abbott, Public Safety Director, replied that they are working with Federal entities and
researching the possibility of having a quiet zone in the City of Fridley. The Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA), a branch of the US DOT, is the entity that enforces the rules, and it is
Federal Law that requires the engineers to sound their whistle as they approach every crossing.
It is the FRA that would enforce the quiet zone which is then an order to the local engineers not
to sound their whistles in quiet zone areas. A quiet zone also involves MnDOT and the
coordination of many other organizations. All the groups are required to send updated
information to the City to allow the crossings to be evaluated and determine what other safety
measures are needed for the crossings in order to qualify for a quiet zone. There is a Federal
formula that breaks down the qualifications into what measures do or do not meet the criteria for
a quiet zone. Coordination of the efforts of the Federal, State and County Government takes
time and the process for a quiet zone in the City of Fridley is in progress. A meeting is
scheduled with all the interested persons and a discussion and review of the crossings will be
necessary to determine what needs to be done. Cost figures will be tallied. Hopefully,
information will be available to present back to Council in August.
Councilmember Bolkcom commented that she thought the cost of a quiet zone is several
hundred thousand dollars.
Mr. Abbot agreed that it is very expensive. They have received estimates as high as $400,000
for this project.
Councilmember Barnette stated that persons interested in a quiet zone may want to drive by the
quiet zones in Coon Rapids. They are located on Hanson Boulevard off of Coon Rapids
Boulevard going east and off of Egret.
Councilmember Bolkcom stated that one of the reasons the quiet zone is of interest is because
of the rail system that is being proposed which will create more traffic on the railroads.
Mayor Lund asked for an update on the water situation in the City.
Layne Otteson, Assistant Public Works Director, replied that as of last week a possible
problem was identified with some valves that were open which caused some pressure issues.
This may solve the problem.
Mayor Lund questioned if they have received any calls or e-mails regarding the water
discoloration problem.
William Burns, City Manager, stated that Mr. Haukaas reported in the staff ineeting last week
that the number of calls regarding the water discoloration has dropped significantly last week.
To fix this problem, the entire system needs to be flushed, but with the drought and demand for
water, they have not been able to flush the system.
Mayor Lund stated that some outside agencies have been hired to help resolve this problem.
Hopefully citizens will understand that the City is working diligently to solve the problem. Call
if you have a problem as it does help identify where the problem is located. Due to the length of
FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JULY 24, 2006 PAGE 7
hot weather and demand for water, it is delaying flushing the system. We are trying to reach
100% satisfaction.
Councilmember Bolkcom asked for an update on the street project and how citizens can check
on the progress.
Mr. Otteson stated that the project is moving along quite well. At the beginning of the project
south of Community Park, they ran into some storm sewer problems which held up the project.
Since then, the project is moving along and asphalt is down in that area. At the end of this week,
the area south of Community Park will be curbed, asphalted and driveways completed.
Boulevards are not complete but will be started in the ne�t few weeks. The area of Pandora,
Overton and Oakley have seen asphalt and curbing but some areas are not completed due to
storm sewer problems. We hope to have everything paved by the end of the week The Gateway
West project will start ne�t Monday. The progress of these areas can be checked on the website.
Councilmember Bolkcom questioned the Harris Pond area and the grass situation. The grass
does not look good at Jade Park, where the rain garden project is located.
Mr. Otteson stated that the grass is in tough shape because of the e�treme drought. They will
look at the grass this fall and decided if they need to reseed. The Rice Creek Watershed may
have some advice as to what to do with this area. They have been trying to water the area, but it
is hard to keep up with the drought and the e�tremely warm weather.
ADJOURN:
MOTION by Councilmember Barnette to adjourn. Seconded by Councilmember Wolfe.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR LUND DECLARED THE
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:03 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted by,
Krista J. Monsrud Scott Lund
Recording Secretary Mayor