Loading...
06/26/2000 - 00008647THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL OF JUNE 26, 2000 The Regular Meeting of the Fridley City Council was called to order by Mayor Jorgenson at 7:30 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Jorgenson led the Council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. ROLL CALL: MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor 7orgenson, Councilmember Barnette, Councilmember Billings, and Councilmember Bolkcom MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilmember Wolfe. STATEMENT OF MEETING CONDUCT: Please be reminded that those present at today's meeting may hold a variety of views and opinions regarding the business to be conducted. The exercise of democracy through representative local government requires that ALL points of view be accommodated at these proceedings. It is further expected that a standard of mutual courtesy and respectfulness be exercised by all in attendance, through our individual expression, manner of speaking, and conduct. Therefore, please receive the views of others with the same degree of courtesy and respect which you desire to be given your views and opinions. Any departures from this standard will be addressed by the Presiding Officer through whatever means are deemed appropriate. Thank you for your attendance at today's meeting, and your agreement to abide by these standards of personal conduct. PRESENTATION OF TRAFFIC SAFETY AWARD: Ms. Rosie Griep, Public Safety Projects Coordinator for the Fridley Police Department, stated that one of the reports compiled on an annual basis deals with the traffic accidents in Fridley. The Minnesota Safety Council considers the number of accidents in relation to the population and looks at the number of traffic accidents, fatalities, and injuries involved in those accidents. They also look at the results from the past three years. This year, Fridley was selected as one of two Outstanding Achievement Award winners. The number of traffic accidents in the City of Fridley has had a significant reduction over the past three years. In 1997, there were a total of 603 traffic accidents. In 1998, there were 555 traffic accidents, and in 1999, there were 375. This is quite an accomplishment and one that the City can be very proud of. Ms. Griep presented the award to the City Council. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 26, 2000 PAGE 2 Mayor Jorgenson stated that Safety Camp will be held this week and that National Night Out will take place in August. Ms. Griep stated that National Night Out is always the first Tuesday in August. This year it happens to be Tuesday, August 1. It is not too late for neighborhoods to register. Residents can contact the Police Department at 572-3638 for information. There will be door prizes for the registered neighborhoods. Mayor Jorgenson stated that Fridley will be receiving national awards for the National Night Out event. Ms. Griep stated that Fridley has placed in the top ten nationally for the population category since 1992. Mayor Jorgenson asked how many second and third graders will be attending safety camp. Ms. Griep stated that there are 160 second and third graders attending. Councilmember Bolkcom stated that the City could not do this without all of the volunteers. Ms. Griep agreed. She said the City has wonderful volunteers, especially the senior volunteers who help with coordinating activities. APPROVAL OF PROPOSED CONSENT AGENDA: Mayor Jorgenson stated that she would like to have the approval of the City Council meeting minutes of May 22, 2000, removed from the proposed consent agenda and placed after Item No. 17 of New Business. MOTION by Councilmember Billings to approve the proposed consent agenda with the exception of the approval of the City Council meeting minutes of May 22, 2000. Seconded by Councilmember Barnette. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR JORGENSON DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JUNE 5, 2000. APPROVED. NEW BUSINESS: 1. ORDINANCE NO. 1140 RECODIFYING THE FRIDLEY CITY CODE BY AMENDING APPENDIX F TO PROVIDE FOR THE ADJUSTMENT OF FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 26, 2000 PAGE 3 SALARIES FOR THE MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2.07 OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF FRIDLEY: Mr. Burns, City Manager, stated that the ordinance raises Council employee salaries by three percent (3%) for the year 2001. Staffrecommended Council's approval. WAIVE THE SECOND READING AND ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 1140 ON THE SECOND READING AND ORDERED PUBLICATION. 2. ORDINANCE NO. 1141 AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF THE FRIDLEY CITY CHARTER (VACANCIES IN THE COUNCIL): Mr. Burns, City Manager, stated that the ordinance provides new language regarding City Council vacancies. The only substantive change is the striking of language relative to the failure of Council members to perform their duties for a period of three months. Council heard and approved the ordinance after the first reading at the 7une 5 meeting. Staff recommended Council's approval. WAIVED THE SECOND READING AND ADOPTED ORDINANCE NO. 1141 ON THE SECOND READING AND ORDERED PUBLICATION. 3. ORDINANCE NO. 1142 AMENDING CHAPTER 5 OF THE FRIDLEY CITY CHARTER (INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM AND RECALL): Mr. Burns, City Manager, stated that the changes are mainly changes in wording rather than substantive changes. They relate to initiative, referendum and recall. The intent of the Charter Commission has been to clarify e�sting language and to bring the Charter provisions into conformity with State law. Council approved the ordinance after first reading on June 5. Staff recommended Council's approval. WAIVED THE SECOND READING AND ADOPTED ORDINANACE NO. 1142 ON THE SECOND READING AND ORDERED PUBLICATION. NEW BUSINESS: 4. APPROVE RICE CREEK BOULEVARD EAST WATERMAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT NO. 334 AND AUTHORIZE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS: Mr. Burns, City Manager, stated that the motion would authorize advertisement for bids for replacement of a 400 foot section of water main on Rice Creek Boulevard, south of 69th Avenue. This is a section of pipe that has experienced a long history of water main breaks due to the presence of cast iron pipe in highly acidic clay soils. The estimated cost for this work is $60,000. Staffrecommended Council's approval. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 26, 2000 PAGE 4 APPROVED RICE CREEK BOULEVARD EAST WATERMAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT NO. 334 AND AUTHORIZED ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS. 5. APPROVE TOWER SITE LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF FRIDLEY AND METROCOM, INC., FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTING A COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY, GENERALLY LOCATED AT THE CITY OF FRIDLEY HIGHWAY 65 WATER TOWER FACILITY (WARD 1): Mr. Burns, City Manager, stated that this lease is similar to other leases of this kind. It authorizes Metrocom to place three antenna arrays with up to three antennas in each array on the Highway 65 water tower. It also authorizes the storage of Metrocom's equipment on a mezzanine platform in the base of the tower. Metrocom agrees to lease the City's facilities for $1,200 per month. Staffrecommended Council's approval. APPROVED TOWER SITE LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF FRIDLEY AND METROCOM, INC.,. 6. APPROVE CHANGE ORDER NO. 2 FOR STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. ST. 2000-1: Mr. Burns, City Manager, stated that the change order is for the relocation of a fire hydrant on the Symphony Street cul-de-sac. Cost for the work was $5,400. The hydrant was moved from a location near the entrance to the driveway of Ms. Barbara Tangren at 7368 Symphony Street to a location near a neighbor's side yard. Ms. Tangren agreed to share the cost of the hydrant relocation with the City. Each party will assume $2,700 of the cost. Staffrecommended Council's approval. APPROVED CHANGE ORDER NO. 2 FOR STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. ST. 2000-1. 7. RESOLUTION NO. 48-2000 ORDERING PRELIMINARY PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS AND ESTIMATES OF THE COSTS THEREOF: MOORE LAKE HILLS NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECT NO. ST. 2001-1: Mr. Burns, City Manager, stated the 2001 street improvement project would consist of replacement of asphalt curbs and gutters, as well as the milling and overlay of Woody Lane, Hillcrest Drive, Gardena Lane and Tennison Drive. Staff recommended Council's approval. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 48-2000. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 26, 2000 PAGE 5 8. RESOLUTION NO. 49-2000 AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE TRUNK HIGHWAY CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. ST. 2000-6: Mr. Burns, City Manager, stated that the project provides for the installation of a culvert in the University Avenue drainage ditches between Rice Creek and 83rd Avenue. To facilitate mowing of the University Avenue corridor. The resolution authorizes the City to seek bids for the installation of the culvert, together with related earthwork, seeding and sodding. The estimated cost of the work is $100,000. Mr. Burns stated that "Off System State Aid Funds" would be used to cover one hundred percent (100%) of the cost of this project. Staffrecommended Council's approval. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 49-2000. 9. RESOLUTION NO. 50-2000 REQUESTING OFF SYSTEM STATE AID FUNDS FOR TRUNK HIGHWAY 47 CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. ST. 2000-6: Mr. Burns, City Manager, stated that this was consideration of a resolution requesting "Off System State Aid Funds" for the University Avenue drainage improvement project. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 50-2000. 10. RESOLUTION NO. 51-2000 AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF FRIDLEY AND THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY IN CONNECTION WITH THE FRIDLEY PROJECT IMPACT PROGRAM: Mr. Burns, City Manager, stated that this was consideration of a resolution authorizing the execution of an agreement between the City of Fridley and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety in connection with the Fridley Project Impact Program. The resolution authorizes the Public Safety Director to sign agreements related to receipt of grant funding for "Project Impact." The City expects to receive $75,000 in FEMA grant funding for programs that include disaster awareness education, the planting of wind resistant demonstration, trees and the establishment of neighborhood emergency teams. Staff recommended Council's approval. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 51-2000. 11. RESOLUTION NO. 52-2000 REGARDING NORHTSTAR CORRIDOR STATION AREA LAND USE PLANS: Mr. Burns, City Manager, stated that the City has been asked by the North Star Corridor Development Authority and the Metropolitan Council to conduct a station area planning process. That process would identify issues, impacts and opportunities associated with the establishment of a commuter rail station in Fridley. If Council approves the FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 26, 2000 PAGE 6 resolution, the process would be used to determine if Fridley should have a station and area park and ride site. In order to make this determination, a neighborhood meeting would be held with residents and representatives of businesses in the first week in August. Those invited to the meeting would include the area that is bounded by the Mississippi River on the west, University Avenue on the east, Mississippi Street on the north and I-694 on the south. Mr. Burns stated that the Planning Commission would consider station area planning proposals at a public hearing on August 16, 2000. It is also possible that Council may choose to hold a second public hearing in late August or early September. Staff recommended Council's approval. ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 52-2000. 12. MOTION TO WAIVE RIGHT-OF-WAY USER FEE FOR INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 13: Mr. Burns, City Manager, that Independent School District No. 13 has informed the City that it intends to replace a fiber optic cable between Columbia Heights High School and North Park Elementary School. The City's right-of-way management ordinance would require them to pay a$1.00 per foot user fee, or an amount that is estimated at $4,200. Since it is staff's position that the right-of-way management ordinance was not intended to apply to public schools, but to private organizations that make a profit by using City right-of-way for their equipment, pipes, cables, poles, etc., staff recommended that the user fee be waived. However, staff asked the District to comply with other applicable provisions of the ordinance. Staff recommended Council's approval. WAIVED RIGHT-OF-WAY USER FEE FOR INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 13. 13. APPOINTMENTS (CITY EMPLOYEES): Mr. Burns, City Manager, stated that staff recommended the appointment of John Berg for the position of Assistant Chief/Operations. John has served the Fridley Fire Department for the last thirteen years. In the last six of these years, he has been a full- time firefighter. He is certified as a Hazardous Materials Specialist and an Emergency Medical Technician. John is also one of five members on the City's Chemical Assessment Team and a Fire Instructor. As Assistant Chief, John will be an incident commander at fire emergencies. He will also be responsible for fire planning, firefighter training, and fire fighter performance evaluation. Mr. Burns stated that staff also recommended the appointment of Ralph Messer as the new Fire Marshal. Ralph has served the Fridley Fire Department since June of 1968. Since 1994, he has served as the part-time defacto manager of the City's rental inspection program. Ralph has had many years of Fire Department training and experience. His training has included special courses on housing inspection and fire inspection. As Fire FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 26, 2000 PAGE 7 Marshal, he will coordinate the Department's inspection programs. He will also be responsible for review of building plans and will serve on the City's Development Review Committee. Mr. Burns stated that in addition to the two Fire Department appointments, staff recommended the appointment of Greg Kottsick as Sewer Supervisor. Greg has served the City during the last twelve years in sewer maintenance. He has also served as acting Sewer Supervisor during periods of absence by the current Sewer Supervisor. He has a degree in Waste Water Management from St. Cloud Technical College. APPOINTED JOHN BERG TO ASSISTANT CHIEF/OPERATIONS, RALPH MESSER TO FIRE MARSHAL, AND GREG KOTTSICK TO SEWER SUPERVISOR. 14. CLAIMS: APPROVED CLAIM NOS. 93746 THROUGH 94136 15. LICENSES: APPROVED THE LICENSES AS SUBMITTED AND AS ON FILE WITH THE LICENSE CLERK. 16. ESTIMATES: APPROVED ESTIMATES AS FOLLOWS: Newquist & Ekstrum, Chartered 301 Fridley Plaza Office Building 6401 University Avenue N.E. Fridley, MN 55432-4381 Services Rendered as City Prosecuting Attorney for the Month of March, 2000 $ 19,520.00 Ron Kassa Construction 6005 - 250th Street East Elko, MN 55020 Miscellaneous Concrete Curb and Gutter and Sidewalk Repair Project No. 330 Estimate No. 3 $ 5,957.97 FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 26, 2000 PAGE 8 W.B. Miller, Inc. 6701 Norris Lake Road Elk River, NIN 55330 Street Improvement Project No. ST. 2000-1 Estimate No. 1 $ 99,651.44 ADOPTION OF AGENDA: MOTION by Councilmember Bolkcom to adopt the agenda with the addition of the approval of the City Council meeting minutes of May 22, 2000 placed after Item No. 17 of New Business. Seconded by Councilmember Billings. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR JORGENSON DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. OPEN FORUM,VISITORS: No persons in the audience spoke. NEW BUSINESS: 17. APPOINTMENTS TO CITY OF FRIDLEY COMMISSIONS: Mayor Jorgenson stated that there are a number of openings on the City Commissions. MOTION by Councilmember Barnette to appoint the following people to the Commissions: Susan Jackson to the Appeals Commission. Barbara Kovacic to the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission. Dr. Ellen Raker to the Human Resources Commission. Brad Sielaff to the Cable Television Commission. Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR JORGENSON DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Mayor Jorgenson stated that there are still a couple of other commissions with vacancies. The Environmental Quality and Energy Commission and the Human Resources Commission have an additional position to be filled. There are five openings on the Charter Commission. The members of the Charter Commission are not appointed by the City Council, but appointed by a District Judge. The Charter Commission takes a look at the constitution for the City of Fridley and makes recommendations for any changes to it. If any individuals are interested in serving on FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 26, 2000 PAGE 9 the Charter Commission please send a letter to the City Manager in care of the Charter Commission Chair, Suzanne Alvite Warren. Ms. Alvite Warren stated that the Charter Commission moves slowly and takes a long time to consider the Charter. The changes presented this evening represent about two years of work. The Charter Commission meets eight times per year. The first meeting is in September. They do not meet in December. The last meeting is in May. If anybody is interested please contact the City. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: City Council meetin o'°� f May 22, 2000. Mayor Jorgenson stated that after the Legislative update, she made two points. The first is that she thanked the legislators for eliminating the levy limits for the City and supporting that. The second point is that she also reminded them that the City currently pays sales tax and would not be enjoying the rebate of the sales tax paid to the State of Minnesota. She encouraged the legislators to look at that at the ne� legislative session. MOTION by Councilmember Barnette to approve the changes made to the minutes of the May 22, 2000, City Council meeting. Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR JORGENSON DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 18. INFORMAL STATUS REPORTS: Councilmember Bolkcom asked Ms. Dacy, Community Development Director, if they had all the dates set up for the neighborhood meetings about the commuter rail. Ms. Dacy stated that the date would be Wednesday, August 2 and will be held in the gymnasium at Fridley High School. Councilmember Bolkcom asked Mr. Flora, Public Works Director, if there was any further information about the Riverview Heights project. Mr. Flora stated that they are trying to find a contractor who can jack in a new drain into Springbrook Creek. Mayor Jorgenson stated that there are a couple of other projects that are ongoing. She asked if there is an action with MnDOT for the University Avenue noise wall project. Mr. Flora stated that MnDOT has had some problems designing the noise wall between University Avenue and 43rd Avenue. They will be advertising this for a late fall award and ne�t spring construction. FRIDLEY CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 26, 2000 PAGE 10 Mayor Jorgenson asked if MnDOT was going to notify the residents. Mr. Flora stated that MnDOT will notify all the residents abutting that section. Councilmember Bolkcom asked if the bikeway/walkway crossing on Mississippi Street would be completed soon. Mr. Flora stated that the bridge will have a redesigned fence on it to protect people from falling off and should be done within the ne�t couple of weeks. ADJOURN: MOTION by Councilmember Barnette to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Councilmember Bolkcom. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, MAYOR JORGENSON DECLARED THE JUNE 26, 2000, CITY COUNCIL MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:58 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Signe L. Johnson Nancy J. Jorgenson Recording Secretary Mayor