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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_55Nov9624 REGULAR MEETING, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER. 9, 1955 Meeting called to order at 7:~5 P.M., the f ollorring council members being present: Robert E. Stenzinger, Mayor; George J. Shavor, Trustee; Andrei Hustrulid, Trustee; David P. Cartwright, Trustee; Clyde J. Steuart, Clerk. Also present: William E. Olsen, Treasurer, and Frank N. Graham, Attorney Minutes of the council's October 26, 1955 meeting xere heard and approved as read. Xmas Application from Mr. Melvin Hendrickson, 1332 Webber Street, tree White Bar Bake, Minnesota, to operate a Christmas tree lot licenses at theN/corner of Hemline and Larpenteur, Dec. 1 thru Dec. 21t, 1955, together xith check for X10.00 covering license fee, was presented to the council. Hustrulid moved approval, seconded by Cartwright and so ordered. A similar application from Ray Norrgard, 1831 Graydon Ave., Brainerd, Minnesota, to operate a Christmas tree lot at 1670 North Snelling, Dec. 1 thru December 2l~, 1955, together with license fee check for $10.00, was considered. Cartwright moved approval, seconded by Hustrulid and so ordered. Regn. #67 covering Fire department supplies, xas approved on motion by Hustrulid, secondedby Cartwright. Fuel Oil The Clerk presented two bids received covering fuel oil V.H. & Fire requirements at the tillage Hall and Fire Station for the Station. 1955-1956 heating season, on a keep-fill basis, one from Thorne Coaicl & Oil Company, St Paul at .117 cen is per gallon, the other from Nelson Oil Company, Inc., St Paul, at .1199 cents per gallon. After discussion, Cartwright moved that the Village continue to purchase fuel oil from Thorne Coal & Oil Company on a keep-fill basis for the period mentioned. Seconded by Hustrulid and carried unanimously. Fire hose Letter of November 2, 1955, from the Falcon Heights Commercial plate require- Club, xas read, asking that any commercial building xith merit for concrete floor and basement and one means of egress from the commercial basement, be required to have on its first floor afire hose bldgs. plate in the opposite end of the basement from bhe egress. Cartwright moved to refer the letter to our building inspector with instructions to see that all puch plans provide for this kind of construction before the building permit is issued, and to report back on xhether or not this is a part of the St Paul building code, also to make sure that the fire hose plate requirement is provided for in the proposed new shopping center construction. Seconded by Stewart and carried unanimously. Fire Dept. Operational. A letter from the Fire Department's Operational Board xas read, Board letter the Clerk reporting that the Operational Board members indicated they wished a xritten reply to questi~s stated in their letter as follows: (1) Why had no official notification of the changes in Ordinance No. 31 bee~made to the Board of Operational Officers. (2) Why were said ordinance changes made without the Board being notified. After discussion, Hustrulid moved that the requested letter be xritten to said Board. Seconded by Shavor and carried unanimously. 625 Election On motion by Shavor, seconded by Cartwright, it was voted Judges unanimously to appoint the following to serve as election judges at the annual Village election, December 6, 1955: Precinct No. 1 - Janet B. Otis, Ann Hustrulid and Ruth Martin. Precinct No. 2 - E.B. Rowley, Rhodie Arndt and Ethel White. Bills: On motion by Hustrulid, seconded by Cartwright, the following bills Were ordered paid: Don Arndt, expenses, Oct., PS Supvr., X10.00 Henry J. Dachtera, policing & mileage, Oct., $127.47 Earl Smith, 1 policing & mileage,Oct., $117.11 Kenneth Schmidt, policing & mileage, Oct., X205.38 State Treas., PERA deductions, Oct., $61.05 American Linen Supply Co., linen service, $6.55 Baden's Pure Oil, gasoline to Oct. 24, $7.09 Falcon Heights Hardware, supplies, Oct. 21, X18.45 Minn. Fire Extinguisher Co., CO 2 recharge, 11-3, $3.50 Geo. Swanson, inspecting mileage, Oct., X3.15 B.J. Slama, inspection mileage, Oct., $1.05 Vol. firmmen payroll, Oct., $84.00 Advance Stamp Works, rubber stamp for Clk., $1.25 Rrlrac f;~"~-- - , -, '' ~~n fl. r~ Fay+uk, ~ legal services, Oct., X177.00 David P. Cartwright, reimbursement for padlock, 90¢ Northwestern Bell Tel. Co., Mi 4-5050, 11-1, X18.50 Farmers Un. Grain Terminal, water consumed to 11-1, ~4.5~ McClain & Hedman, supplies, CLsrk, 11-3, ffi4.10 Sperry Office Supply Co., storage cabinet, X50.00 Wager Office Equipment, repair Clerk's typewriter, X8.50 Nor. States Power Co., street lighting, 11-12, $90.00 " " " " water heater elec., 11-12, X4.30 " " " " electric service, 11-12, X21.95 Fire Chief The following resolution was introduced and its adoption moved dismissed - by Stewart, seconded by Cartwright: resolution WHF~tEAS, during the past few years it has come to the attention of the Council that there has been increasing disharmony within the Falcon Heights Volunteer Fire Department, resulting in a break-down of morale, the resignation and discharge of members, lack of attendance at drills and misunderstandings aid lack of cooperation between the Council and the Department; and WHEREAS, the various steps taken by the council to improve these conditions and relations have not improved the situation and they have been getting steadily worse; and WHEREAS, the council believes that these situations are largely the result of the conduct and actions of Fire Chief George E. Swanson in his relations with the paid men, the volunteers, the council and in the performance of his duties; and WHEREAS, in the judgment of the council the public welfare rill be promoted by the removal of George E. Swanson as Fire Chief. NOYP, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: 1. That the employment of George E. Swanson as Fire 626 Fire Chief Chief of the Village of Falcon Heights be and it hereby is terminated dismissal- as of ffiidnight November 15, 1955. resolution (cont'd) 2. That George E. Sxanson be paid termination pay equal to one half of his monthly salary. 3. That George E. Sxanson also be paid vacation pay equal to one half of his monthly salary as accrued vacation pay. Discussion After a full discussion of the matter, during xhich Hal Newell xas heard regarding the. council's action ~ eliminating provisions of the ordinance calling for a hearingN~aoe~ referr~y to the Fire Department Operational Board's letter of Nov. 2, 1955, asking for reinstatement of said provisions. Previous Shavor then moved the previous question, seconded by Hustrulid, question .and motion passed by afour-fifths vote, Stenzinger recorded as noting no. Resolution Roll call vote on the resolution xas called for and xas recorded passed as folloxs: Ayes: Cartxright, Hustrulid, Shavor and Stewart. Nayss Stenzinger. The resolution xas declared passed by a vote of four to one. Provides for Question of appointing someone to stand xatch at ire fire station fireman to after November 15, 1955, effective date of the Chief's dismissal, stand xatch was discussed. Cartxright moved that xe appoint Kenneth Barthel after Nov.15 as a paid fireman on a temporary basis, commencing Nov. 16, 1955, at $275.00 per month. Seconded by Stewart and motion carried unanimously. Acting Chief On advice of the Village attorney that the council has the poxer appointed to head up the department, Cartwright moved that xe ask the volunteer firemen to suggest the name of a temporary chief from among their ranks to operate the department until the question of a temporary or acting chief has been settled, and that Earl Grumke be appointed acting chief until the recommendations of the volunteer firemen can be acted upon. Seconded by Shavor and carried unanimously. Advise Cartxright moved that a letter be sent to the Fire Department Operational Operational Board on said actions taken regarding the Fire Depart- Board went, indicating the council's desire to meet xith them to discuss the entire situation at their convenience. Hustrulid seconded -and motion carried unanimously. Roselaxn Don Arndt, Public Safety Supervisor, reported that no 30-mile speed limits speed limit signs had been posted as yet on Roselaxn betxeen the village limits on said street. The Clerk xas asked to write the County again regarding installing of the signs. School parking Letter of November 3, 1955 from the Superintendent of Schools, signs relative to his error in not pointing out that the signs should ~~ have been installed on the south side of Garden instead of on the aide of the road next to the school. Also that boys on Halloxeen night had pulled up the "no parking" signs and ~.lef'~ them on the lawn where they were picked up and stored by the school. The County Engineer's office has been advised of this the letter ~ .le. stated. The Clerk xas asked to keep the letter on f 627 Klatt's Conrad R. Klatt appeared before the council to inquire if the Addition repairs on Ruggle street nearHamline had been completed to (bond), the council's s atie$action so that bond could be released covering the contract for asphaltic stabilization of Albert Sheet from Ruggles to Roselawn Avenue and Ruggles Ave. from Hemline to Holton Ave. After discussion, Cartwright moved that we ask Village Engineer Carley to attend our next meeting to settle the question of Ruggles street. Seconded by Stewart and motion carried unanimously. The Clerk was also asked to inform Mr. Carley that the council wished to discuss the proposed street program with him further. Skating rink After discussion, Cartwright moved that the<Village authorize Warming house wiring of the warming house at the Falonn Heights grade school to be wired. for electric service. Seconded by Hustrulid and carried unanimously. Ad3ournment: On motion, the meeting adjourned at 10:20 P.M. ~_ ~. Approved: Clerk 0~ Mayor SPECIAL MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1955 The Mayor declared the hearing open at 7:lt0 P.M., the following council members being present: Robert E. Stenzinger, Mayor; George J. Shavor, Trustee; Andrew Hustrulid, Trustee; David P. Cartwright, Trustee; and Clyde J. Stewar t, Clerk. Also present: William E. Olsen, Treasurer, and Frank N. Graham, Attorney. The audience included about 200 persons. Some 25 teen agars were in the crowd according to Police Officer Earl Smith xho.was on duty. Nov. 9, 1955 The Clerk read a copy of the resolution adopted/by a four to one vote of the council, removing George E. Stiranson as Fire Chief effective as of November 15, 1955 as of midnight. He also read a copy of the notice of special meeting and public hearing called for November 15, 1955 to discuss the reasons for the actions taken at the Council's meeting of November 9, 1955, pertaining to the removal. f George E. Swanson as Fire Chief. The Clerk stated the notice had been postede Village's three posting places and at .the fire station. Charges presented were that the Fire Chief did not cooperate with or follrnr the orders of the council. Trustee Hustrulid presented a documented case, referring to pages of the minute book, Nos. 552, 595, 607 and 611. s u~id s the Chief Failed to prepare a work sc~~d~ ~~o~rs~Ce~~~aid fi emen th d il ~ r re u s e e counc an that he did not pu to effect as directed. Other charges pertained to leadership and management of the department,