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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_68Oct24 i~ Meeting of October 24, 1968 The regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 P. M. with the following members present: Mayor Warkentien, Councilmen Ecklund, Stone and Black. Absent: Clerk Strandquist. Also present were attorney Seed, Treasurer Olsen and Engineer Lemberg. Application for Having met the requirements, it was moved by Warkentien, Sewer Installer seconded by Ecklund that Neihart Plumbing and Heating License: Company be issued Sewer Installer's license. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion was carried. Correspondence KSTP Series Letter from KSTP Radio & Television over signature of Garfield on Law Clark, Manager, was regarding series entitled "Reflections Enforcement: from theShield" which are recorded comments of local law enforcement officers which will be broadcast. State Pollution Notice of Hearing in the matter of the Establishment of Water Control Classifications and Standards of Water andEffluent Quality and ~ency: Purity; Proposed Regulations WPC 23 was read. Same was over ~ signature of john P. Badalich, Executive Director State of ~~ Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Board of Memorandum from Independent School District 623 advised of Education actions of School Board. School Dist. #623 Actions: Proposed Pizza Building plans and site plan were submitted by Baumeister Hut -Larpenteur Construction Company for construction of Pizza Hut on the lot and Snelling immediately adjacent to and west of Applebaum's Market at SE Corner: 1558 W. Larpenteur Avenue. Engineer Lemberg has reviewed same and recommends approval of plans for which Plagens McGee Sigvertsen, Inc. are architect and engineers and which are dated March 20, 1968, Reg. No. 8528. Fire Reports: Howard Morris 15 8 7 Burton Fire Dept. Proposal: Black moved that the application of the Baumeister Construction Company for a Pizza Hut on the shopping center lot at the southeast corner of Larpenteur and Snelling be approved subject to the plans which they have submitted for this construction, and also subject to their complying with all provisions of Section 11 of Ordinance 64 together with their compliance with Section 14, having reference to signs.Further subject to parking lot area being tarvia surfaced, and sidewalks and curbing as indicated on the plot plan. Motion was duly seconded by Stone and upon a vote, motion was unanimously carried. Ecklund reviewed Fire reports 754 and 755,. and 756. Howard Morris, 1587 Burton, was present and discussed briefly with councilmen some aspects of proposal to change fire department. ,~ ~ ,~, Swimming Pool Al Troyer, Custom Pools, was present to request that council 1436 West grant permission to him to start construction of swimming pool Larpenteur: at 1436 West Larpenteur without a building permit inasmuch as building inspector is out of town and he cannot obtain a permit. Black moved, seconded by Stone that building permit be granted to Al Troyer of Custom Pools to build swimming pool at 1436 W . Larpenteur. The bond in amount of $4 , 500 showing completion date of December 1, 1968 (which completion date includes fence) has been received, and is on file in the office of the village clerk. Variance has ~ been approved regarding side lot lines. Council hereby grants permission to start construction. Ayes: All, Nays: None. Motion was carried. Master Gas Installer Having met the requirements, it was moved by Stone, seconded License: by Ecklund that Advanced Heating and Air Conditioning Co. (Donald C. Hodsdon) be granted Master Gas Installer's License. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion was carried. Plumber Authorized Having met the requirements, Ecklund moved, seconded to work in Village: by Stone that T.J. Reilly, 600 North Dale Street, St. Paul be authorized to do plumbing work in the Village of Falcon Heights. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion was carried. Hamline Avenue The Hearing on Hamline Avenue Watermain Reconstruction Watermain had been continued until this evening and Mayor Warkentien Reconstruction called same to order at 8:00 P. M. Hearing Continued: Mr. Rustad, 1723 Hamline Ave.: Last week I had question of costs. It is generally felt that the work should be done and I think that we are ready to go on it. We will pass this with the understanding that we get the work done with the best possible bid on the thing. There has been some question with the St. Paul Water Department and the work I have been told can be done cheaper by them. Engineer Lemberg then read letter from Mr. Hamblin dated January 18, 1968, and stated he did not include costs of making connections or replacing the street or boulevards or wherever the main happens to be. He said that today if we wanted to work it another way and could get 100% signers from people involved, they could put main in and not be assessed and the eleven property owners could be assessed on the costs, however, the village would have to pay for the streets. Rustad: He made rough estimate of $8 a running foot and we are talking about $13.34. He has agreed to do it at Water Department cost. Your opinion is that $8 is not ample? Lemberg: Our cost is based on what it would cost village to do it. If we get it done we would recommend that it be done the least expensive way. Our estimates are based on previous jobs that we have done. Rustad asked if it wasn't right that we could get estimate on just exactly what we want done and Brad Lemberg answered ~ ~OH o~ that was true that village can get estimate fromthem, whereupon Rustad said it was worth a gamble. Lemberg: ~ They give us an estimate. We would have to argue them out of owning the line -they would partially own the line by putting it in. By their ordinances they cannot assess any of their residents more than $5 for water main. This is set up by ordinance. I would recommend the most economical way. Rustad: If the Water Department had lower estimate, would you recommend it? Lemberg: It really is not too economical to do it for $8 foot job to a contractor. Rustad: This $8 that is a rough figure -depending on kind of driveways , a s far as I know there are no concrete driveways - there are a couple blacktopped ones -would that be true with private contractor? Lemberg answered -more or less true. Rustad: More expense with concrete driveways. I should think it would be good enough for us. Couldn't that be worked through the village on an assessment basis? Brad Lemberg agreed it could. Ecklund: The real question is in the ownership of the main. Lemberg: Yes, if they could agree that the main is owned by the Village of Falcon Heights. Rustad: Why is that so important? Lemberg: It is important point in that if Falcon Heights does not own it, ' and St. Paul refuses to service anyone outside the city of Saint Paul that means Falcon Heights would have to put that line in again (if something goes wrong). Stone:. Could we advertise for bids and also consider whatever estimates we get from St. Paul Water Dept. ? Lemberg answered 'des." Peter Seed: In considering a bid, but we could negotiate with them so you know what their offer would be. Best bet would be to advertise for bids and at the same time try to get firm estimate as to cost so you have some figures to compare. Lemberg: It is Falcon Heights' policy to maintain its sewers - it may not be the same in St. Paul. Question: If our main broke, Falcon Heights would stand the expense? If we put in the 6" one? Lemberg answered that was true. Question: If we get the St. Paul Water Department to do the work, would they own it? Lemberg answered that there would be an arrangement whereby the village would pay for their putting it in, but that we want the village to own the main. Warkentien then asked if anyone present were opposed and it was brought out that six homeowners of the eleven ~rivo~yed.~ v~ere pre ent `and were in favor of installing the main and three not present were also in favor. Resolution Ordering WaterMain Improvement: Warkentien moved, seconded by Black that the following resolution be adopted: WHEREAS, after due Notice of Public Hearing on the construction of a Water Main Improvement for the Village of Falcon Heights, Minnesota, hearings on said improvement were duly held and the Council has heard all persons desiring to be heard on the matter and has fully considered the same, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Village Council of the Village of Falcon Heights, Minnesota as follows: 1. That it is advisable, expedient and necessary that the Village of Falcon Heights, construct said improvement in conjunction with the Village of Roseville as described in the Notice of Hearing thereof, and hereby orders the same. 2. That the cost of said improvement be shared equally between the Village of Falcon Heights and the Village of Roseville except for service costs which shall be borne separately by each village. 3. The improvement described in said Notice of Hearing is hereby designated, and shall be known as Water Main Improvement of 1968. 4. The Village engineer is hereby directed to prepare final plans and specifications for said Water Main Improvement, and present the same to this Council for approval . Upon a vote being taken, the following voted for same: Warkentien, Black, Stone and Ecklund, and the following voted against same: None. Whereupon said resolution was declared passed and adopted. Fire Department Ecklund reported that in the past few days they have run some Proposed change: time trials on the men working in the village . They are very encouraging from the standpoint of time. Also they have taken a survey of the members of the Fire Department as to how many would be willing to be sleepers. The number is 21 out of 24 men. He also asked how many would answer day calls and stated that of 24 men 12 stated they could answer day calls. This is not counting weekends and also two additional men who would answer special alarms. 1 1 Resolution -Use of Ecklund introduced the following resolution and moved its Full Time Firemen to be adoption: Discontinued : WHEREAS, the Village Council has exhaustively studied the operations of the Falcon Heights Fire Department and has carefully weighed the various ways of improving these operations with a lesser cost to the Village of Falcon Heights, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that as of January 1, 1969 the use of full-time firemen to supplement the volunteer force in the Fire Department shall be discontinued. i ~~~ -~., ,: Motion was duly seconded by Stone. Attorney Jerome Beardsley then said, in part, - You,are aware that there would be some requests for further discussion. You are also aware that last week I submitted a petition with approximately 400 names on it of people who were. opposed to this. I think there are many people here who would like to express their opinions . (There were about 55 people present regarding this matter. ) The people are not asking for this change. The reasons you have given are not valid. I don't see how you can be considering the needs of the village. The reasons you stated - I don't think they are valid. To save a few dollars and' to abolish- the full time men = I think you should give emphasis to the will of the people and am asking again that you do not pass this wit~iout a referendum. These tests are not as exhaustive as claimed. These drills were advance warned. I question the availability of these volunteer firemen. The people should be heard and the council should listen to them. Warkentien: We had a great lengthy hearing and I do not agree that we should have a further hearing. Beardsley: At the previous meeting, the majority of people were against this proposal. When this proposal was first made, I understand there was one councilman who asked for a referendum - there was wasn't there ? Ecklund answered "no " . Seed: I have reviewed the law and I re-affirm that it is clear that there is no authority to spend public monies for this purpose, and- this would make it an illegal use of public monies. Referendum would not be proper. Warkentien: I know that I will have very good protection when we adopt this program. Beardsley: This proposal is very weak for people who are used to having good fire protection. Warkentien: I think we are very well provided. Norm Ecklund has spent more than 80 hours on this and we have looked at every facet of this proposal. Beardsley: What does the Fire Underwriters say? Black read the letter from the Fire Underwriters Bureau dated October 9 , 1968 regarding insurance rates and classification if proposal were adopted to eliminate paid men. Citizen: Why don't you leave well enough alone? Beardsley: Is there-some ulterior motive behind this? Warkentien: We have gone into this in good faith. Beardsley: We are here in good faith, too. You don't give full credit to the intelligence of the people. Ecklund: ~ One of the most compelling xeasons to go through with this ' motion - of the many who have called me and others I have talked to, I have not had one word say the change is not good. I just can't see why we shouldn't go through with it. ~,g ir~, Beardsley: What is your basic criticism of the Fire Department? Ecklund: It is much too expensive .. to fund the fire relief assoc- iation, the need for improvements. I maintain that this will be as efficient, if not more efficient. Beardsley:q Regarding the trial runs, is it true that these men were forewarned ? Helbig: I did call Bob Luey and told him that some time during the morning there would be a trial run. Beardsley: Is it true that about 50% live outside the Village? Helbig: 50 to 75% do live in the village. Arun down of men available during the day was requested and Ecklund thumbed through questionnaires that had been passed out to volunteers and stated the following: Dowdell - occasionally Eicher yes, for a large fire Fangl available most week days Helbig will be available Hermes will be available G. Nelson only on special calls Pantzar with some delay am available Renchin yes , if second alarm Luikonen available Lindig " Luey " Siewert " Woehrle " Ecklund: Whoever is not qualified -they soon will be. Helbig: Of the men who were mentioned for days , Mike Fangel is the only one who has not had any actual driving. All we need is a truck driver -the rest of them I would count on. Beardsley: Right here you are revealing the uncertainty of the whole thing. How many. are property owners in this village ? Ecklund: Sometimes you get a dran good man who works in the village but lives outside. Beardsley: The service is not going to be maintained in the same fashion as a full time firemen, having one man on hand all the time. With this proposal - it is a vague proposition. Warkentien: I can't see why this one paid man should make such a difference . Beardsley: You are making one great play for economy but is it not true that you could 'have economized by connecting up with other areas? you could have taken Lauderdale protection? Warkentien: It is true that we lost because of the bigger buildings over there Ecklund: The contract Lauderdale has with Minneapolis is not a just and reasonable contract. We could probably get by with a lot less money if we took St. Paul's offer. We discussed with Roseville, too, and they are not interested' in a merger. I don't think I am interested in absolving our department to go in with Roseville. i 1 1 ~~~~~ ~ I Beardsley: Isn't it true that the trend is away from volunteer set up in Ecklund: these populated areas ? It may be true with places like Roseville with highly industrialized businesses. Roseville has added many men and more equipment. That area is high fire risk. Black: I would be favorable to combining with Roseville. The smaller it is the less efficient it could be. This is not efficient from an economic standpoint. It could be if combined with Roseville. Ecklund: I talked with Mike Borgelt of the Metropolitan Council about or Stone. c=lanning for county wide fire departments. They ame very much in favor of that action but there has been no serious discussion. on this yet and in view of the technical questions - so far they have to go on sewer and water problems. They would like a letter regarding this. Roll Call vote A roll call vote of the motion before the council was taken and on Motion the following was recorded: Warkentien -Yes, Stone -Yes, Taken: Black -No, Ecklund -Yes. Resolution was then declared duly passed this 24th day of October 1968. Black explained that he feels that due to lack of sufficient support of the citizens, the council should seek some interim solution. He thinks that the plan as outlined has many very good points but there is not enough public support for it. ~, Beardsley earnestly requested that the councilmen reconsider. Police Depar tment: In answer to question about present cost for law enforcement services, Ecklund and Warkentien advised citizens about services the village now receives. BUDGET 1968 Stone introduced the following resolution and moved its Levy for Year adoption: 1968 Collectible BE IT RESOLVED by the Village Council of the Village of in Year 1969: Falcon Heights that the following sume be and they are hereby levied upon the taxable property of the Village of Falcon Heights for the year 1968 collectible in the year 1969. GENERAL FUND $83 , 480.58 FIREMEN'S RELIEF 5,572.42 P.E.R.A. 5,628.08 FU'RT~RRESOLVED that the County Auditor is hereby authorized to levy for the following: WaterMain Improvement of 1960 No. 1 $ 2,000.00 Larp. Ave. Watermain ~ Pumping Sta. on Improve .Bonds , Serial "A" 19 59 3 , 500.00 Sanitary Sewer System Imp. No. 1 19, 591.25 Storm Sewer Imp. Bonds of 1966 2, 000.00 Motion was duly seconded by Ecklund and upon a vote being taken, the following voted for same: Warkentien, Ecklund, Black and Stone and the following voted in Opposition: None. Whereupon resolution was declared passed and adopted. ~~ i~ Deputy Clerk- Tina Vavoulis, Deputy Clerk-Deputy Treasurer Deputy Treasurer submitted resignation to be effective at 4:30 P. M. Submits November 6, 1968. Stone moved, seconded by Resignation: Black that the resignation be accepted. Ayes: All. Nays: None . -Motion was carried . Volunteer Fire Dept. - Advertise for Bids for Ecklund moved, seconded by Stone that the Village Monitors and ~ of Falcon Heights advertise for bids for communicatins Radios: system comprising of 25 alert monitors, and 2 two-way solid state radios for the fire trucks plus atwo-call encoder. Bids are to be opened at 8:00 P. M. November 14, 1968. Engineer is hereby authorized to write specifications for the above, with stipulation that advertisement state that it is to be delivered on or before December 20, 1968. Ayes: All. Nays: None. Motion was carried. Falcon Oil Company: Attorney Seed reported on status of suit brought against Suit against village by-Falcon Oi1,Company regarding installing a Village car wash at 1350 Hamline Avenue. Clerk was instructed to notify all persons who signed petition against same that discussion will be held on November 14, at 8:15 P. M. and ever~rone is invited to attend. House at 1870 West A telephone communication from Mrs. Schreier Roselawn Avenue - who lives next door to empty house at 1870 W. Request to Board Roselawn revealed that the empty house has caused windows and doors: her many an;~ious hours because persons have been known to gain entrance and cause disturbances and Mrs . Schreier has also reported that persons have tried to get into her house. Stone moved, seconded by Black that this matter be referred to the village attorney for handling and submitting to the proper authorities. Ayes: All . Nays: None . Motion was carried . Bills: Stone moved, seconded by Ecklund that the following bills be paid. Ayes: Warkentien, Stone, Black and Ecklund. Nays: None. Motion was carried. Hamline Harch~are 5.28 NW Bell Telephone Co. 59.50 Pure Oil Co. ~ 15.6. Minn. Fire Extinguisher Co. 615.50 St. Paul Overall Laundry 15.10 Penning Asphalt 11.G .1~.0 Minn. Hospital Service Assn 57.01 Federal Reserve Bank 133.50 Commissioner of Taxation 103.80 - State Treasurer -Social Security 299.6. r ~t _. ~~ I i Adjournment: Upon motion, the meeting was adjourned at 10:50 P. M. Approved: Mayor ~---, 1