Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-03-82 Council Special MinutesMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEk;T1NG CJ.TY COUiVC1L LITTLE CANADA~ MINNLSOTA Agenda idems _~_~_?_ Pursuant to due caJ.l and notice thereoi' a special meeting of the Council o£ the City of Little Canada, Minrzesota was held on the 3rd day oY April~ t982 in the Council Chambers oi' the City Center located at 515 l.ittle Canada Road in said City. April 3, ~.982 Acting Mayor Beverly Sca.l.ze called the meeti,ng to order at 3:15 Y.M. and the following were present at roll call: M~;MBERS YRESENT: Councilman Councilman Councilwoman Councilwoman Mr. MichaeJ, F'ahey Nlr. Dennis Forsberg Mrs, iKugs Nardini Mrs. Beverly Scalze MEMBENS ABSI:NT: ALSO P1~SENT: Mayor City Clerk Recording Secretary Mr. Raymond Hanson Mr. Joseph Chlebeck Mrs, Kath.leen Glanzer Councilpersons present at the meeti.ng expressed their disappointment that ~iayor IIanson was not present at the meeting. Building Mrs. Nardini reported that Mr< Locke has informed her that he has lnspector an o£fer from the City of Oakdale Yor a i'ull-time building inspection Yosition position. Mrs. Nardini reported that this information was received verbally from Mr. Locke and the City has nothing in writing. (Agenda ) (idem ) Mr, F'ahey suggested that the City Clerk should contact the City of (-3- ) Oakdale on Monday morning to confirm that such an ofYer has been made. The City Clerk informed the Council that Mr. Locke ha.s informed ham that the City of Oakda.l.e has of'f'ered him $24'S00 per year and this would be in addition to receiving a city car and benefits. Mr. Locke has offered to work for Little Canada on a full-time basis £or ;~2z,500 per year plus benefits, The Clerk reported that Vadnais Heights has a full..time build9.ng inspector who receives $1,2500 per month. Mr, Forsberg asked why Mr. Locke would work for Little Canada £or ~29000 ~.ess than he was of£ered from Oakdale and without a City car. Mrs, Scalze commented that the City of' Oakda.le is a tough City to work for, Mr, Forsberg commented that after Mr. Locke got into the bookkeeping £unctions he really did not make any changes in procedures. Mrs. Nardini commented that he did set up a card filing system. k'age ..1.. M1NUT~S City Council April 3, 1~82 ~uilding Mr. Forsberg stated that without the fire inspection duties~ Mr. Locke lnspector really has not done much, Position (Cont,) The City Clerk reported that Mr. ~ocke is currently receiving $1,000 per month from the City for building inspection~ $150 per month for fire inspections and $115 per month for insurance, Mrs. Scalze stated that the Council has to figure out if there are enough other things that Mr. Locke can do to warrant being paid approximately ~700 more per month, Mr. Forsberg stated that he does not feel the Council is doing its job if it creates things for Mr. Locke to do in order to hixe him fullAtime, Mr< I'orsberg commented that the City has gone from a building inspector putting in a half day per week in the City to a building inspector putting in three days per week, The Council had an agreement with Mr, Locke to revieo~ the position in six months, Forsberg commented that the Counail really does not know if it needs a full-time building inspector at this point. F'orsberg stated that he does not like being forced into the position of creating a full-time building inspection position and then having the person sit with nothing to do. Mr. Fahey stated that the only way the City can create the full-time positzon would be to add the heating and plumbing inspections, Nir. E~'orsberg commented that he did not feel it was good to have one person doing all the inspectzng. Mrs. Nardini commented that she disagreed, Nardini £elt the overall picture was better vrith one inspector. Mrs. Nardini stated that she was not sure there was the money coming in to justify a full-time inspector. Mr. Fahey stated that the problem with having part-time inspectors who work for other cities is that Little Canada people have to wait £or their inspections, Mrs. Scalze stated that if there is no building going on the plumbing and heating inspections will not generate an additzoxial $700 per month, Mr, Forsberg stated that Mr. Locke does not have much fire inspection experience, Mrs, Nardini stated that the City is paying him $150 per month and there is no comparison with the fire inspections the City ~aas making previously, P4r, Fahey informed the Council that he previously told Mr, Locke that if he received a firm of£er from someone else to notify the City so that the Council could determine what their feelings were with regard to a full-time inspector. ~ahey in£ormed the Council that Mr. Locke will be informing the City of Oakdale on Monday with regard to their of£er. Page -2w MINUTES CITY COUNC:[L April 3~ 1982 Building Mr. Forsberg commented that his £eelings are that the City should inspector continue the building inspection position as it is noUr. Forsberg Position stated that tnere isn~t tihe work co warranL a Y w.y-time inspector. (Cont.) Nirs. Scalze asked what other duties could be added to the position, Nir. Fahey asked how much money was paid to tine heaaing ana plumbing inspectors, The Clerk replied that they receive 80% of the £ees collected ~:q they have been paid very little so far tnis year. rirs. ~caize corrunented tnati tnere wi:ll be homes on Payne Asenue bua.lt this year, The Clerk stated that there are azso compa.aincs tnat are being handled by the current building inspector that were never handled in the past, Mr. F'orsberg commented that he likes the fact tnat tne l:ity nas a i'.~re marsnail i'rom outsiae the City, r'orsberg feat tinat tinls ~nade iti ea5ler Yor an outsider to come in and handle this area. mr. r'ahey stated cnaro ccae rire Chief feels Mr. Locxe is aoing a good job in tne fire znspecti.on area a~~a ~ie lakes cnis system, F'a,hey commented that if rir, Locke leaves the City, the City wi1.~ have to replace both the r'ire riarsnai.~. and tne Bulr.d~ng inspector. Mr, Forsberg stated that the City had a gentlemen~s agreement with Mr. Locke that he would work six months, Forsberg commented that Mr, Locke worked quietly for two months and now the City is being pressured £or a£ull-time job. Forsberg asked what S4r. Locke wil.l be asking for in another couple of months, The City C1erk informed the Council that there are license inspections that Mr. Locke should be doing. These inspections should be done when the licenses for service stations, restaurants~ liquor stores, barber and beauty shops are up for renewal, These inspections would be £ire inspections, This is the only po].icing tool the City has £or these establishments, Mrs. Nardini stated that the City is currently talking about licensing its businesses, Mr. Fahey stated that Mr. Locke could be spending a lot b£ time on fire inspections. NZr. Forsberg asked how touchy the City wants to get with fire inspections, f4rs. Nardini replied that the City should be very touchy with regard to £ire inspections, Mx, Forsberg informed the Counc9.1 that he was questioned on hoT~r the City can go into a building and demand structural changes, when the building has been sitting the way it is for many yea.rs. Forsberg commented that under the Fire Code the City does have the right to do this. Page _3_ MINUTES City Counci:L Apri1 3~ 1982 Building .Lnspector Yosition (Cont,) iKr.Forsberg commented that every fire inspector walks into a building and sees dif£erent things. Nlrs. Naxdini commented that it is unfortunate tha.t things have gone as long as they have in the City. Mr, Fahey stated that the City has let things go a long time in terms of building inspection and fire inspection, PQrs.Nardini informed the Council that Mr. Locke has sta$ed that if the City had been charging the proper fees, last year a lot more money would have been generated. Mrs. Nardini reported that the plan check fees were not being charged, hlr. F'orsberg commented that he feels the City is being treated un£airly because the Council must make a decision on fu1l..time building inspection in three months, l~rs. Scalze sCated that the City knows what kind of job Mx,l;ocke is doing. The Council has to decide if there is enough for the Buileling Inspector to do £ull-time, Mx, E'ahey stated that he does not feel the City should 1'acense every buuiness, Fahey asked hot~ much money the C9.ty generated last year in plumbing and hea.ting fees, The Clerk reported tha.t in 1981 the heating ins~ector was paid ~;2~62L~9 the plumbing inspector was paid ~ti3~252 and the building inspector was paia ~8,551. Mr. ~''ox'sberg stated that he does not believe the C}.ty has grown so much that it needs a£ul1-time inspector. Forsberg stated that he believes the City shou~d advertise for new peop]e if Mx, Locke resigns, Forsberg commented that he does not like to lose Mr. Locke as Fire i~arshall, Mrs. Sca].ze commented that the City Clerk is o£ the opinion that the Gity needed a fu].1-time build9.ng inspector years ago. ~r> F'orsberg commented that there is no building going on in the City. I'orsberg stated that the City cannot justify a£ull-time inspector. The Clerlc reported that in 1981 the City took in :u1~,86f1 in building permit fees~ $1~,864 in plan check fees~ $2~281 in heating £ees and $2,9lt6 in plumbing £ees. Forsberg pointed out that last year the City had St, Jude~s and Yorktori. The Clerk stated that St> Jude+s builda.ng permi,t fee was $1,l~15. Page _!tA I~INUTES City Council Apral 3~ ].982 Building The Clerk reported that ~he City takes in about $300 or $400 on a Inspector buil.ding permit for a home, Mrs. Nardini stated that Mx, Locke Yosition feels this figure is ~.0U1s (Cont.) The Clerk anticapates that building wil]. begin because the City has received quite a few assessment searches in the last £ew days. Mrs. Scalze commented that Yark Street is going in and there will be development beginning on that street, Mr.l'ahey commented that he does not think the Council will be zn any better position in June to tell Mr. Locke whether the City w9.11 need a full-time inspector. Mr. Forsberg commented that the City had an inspector spending 1t hours per week in the City and on January 1 it went to an inspector spending 2t~ hours a week in the City. F'orsberg stated that 9.f the Council goes with a fullbtime inspector~ it should be prepared to justi£y it to the people, Mrs.Scalze asked where the money would come from to pay the building inspector~s salary. 'Phe Clerk commented that the money would come from the permit fees and if this was not enough to cover it' the contingenc,y fund could be x~educed. Mr. Fahey stated that the permit fees also cover the Clerk~s time and off9.co time, not just the Building Tnspector~s time. iKr. Fahef stated that he would like to add Mr. Locke on full«time and also give him the hea.ting and plumbing znspections to do. NTxs. Scalze commented that she is worried about paying unemp].oyment if the ~~.$y had to let someone go. ~ir, I'.~hey commented that the City currently has a qualified person to do fire inspections for $150 per month and he doubted that the City could replace Mr, liocke at that £igure. F'ahey stated that he does not want to see someone from the Fire llepartsnent doin~ these inspections> Fahey felt it was terrible for the citizens and the City not to get this job done, and it will cost the City a lot more money to get the job done i£ the C~ty has to replace NTr. Locke, Mr. Chlebeck stated that he is not looking at the individual being considered, he is considering the position itself. i+Ir, I'ahey suggested that iKx. Locke be put on full-time effective June 1 and the Council will review the position at the end of the year to see 9.£ a£ull-~time position can be justi£ied. Mrs. Sca7-ze felt that the 29sa.tion should be considered at budget time. Scalze felt the Council shou7.d have a. good idea by then that the position would work, Scalze stated that she feels that tkto Council is convinced that the Building Inspector is needed 2~t hours pex week. Yage .»5-~ NiINU'PL:S City Cowxci]. April 3~ ].9g2 f3uilding Fahey commented that the building inspector should also do code Inspector en£orcement work. Fahey sta.ted that he a:s willing to try this £or Yosition the end of the year and inr. Locke would have to liv e caith this, (Cont,) Fahey commented that he does not believe anyone has a handle oxi what vrork is really involved, l+ahey a].so commented that he would like the Czty to be up-to-date on fire inspections, Mr. F'oz•sberg stated that with t2~e curren t economic situation the City should not be adding staff, but staying the same or decreasing. Mrs, Scalze commented that a fu11-time person could get out and help the City get cleaned up. Mr, Forsberg stated that Mr. Locke could have another of£er in two months~and the City would sti11 be in the same position. Mrs. Scalze commented that the City should see something concrete in the form of an offer from Oakdale to Mr. Locke before the City makes its o£fer to'Mr. Lock~. Mr, Fahey suggested that the City Clerk contact Oakdale on Monday morning to confirm the o£fer. Mr. Fahey stated that he is not convinced that the City should not go to a full-time inspectox and he h&s some reluctance in doing it, but £eels 'it will work out for the City. Mrs.Scalze reported that the other part-time City sta£f has expressed concern that Mr. Locke is p.resently being paid for holidays that fall on his working days while they are not, Scalze stated that she does not £eel this is fair and the other part~time staf£ should not be treated differently. Mr, Fahey stated that unless the City~s tri.es the full..time position it could convince itsel£ that full-time is not needed and things will continue not to get done. Fahey stated that Mr, liocke should also be informed to submit monthly reports. Fahey also stated that all possible work should be sent to the building inspector rather than the klanner. Mrs. Scalze commented that this is currently being done and the building inspector reviews things before they are sent to the Planner. Council discuesed the possibility that charges that a.re levied to projeots when the Plannex is 3nvolved, should be levied when the building inspector is involved to cover some of these costs. Mr. k~ahey ~oannzEazted that the City should not be subsidizing developers by picking up the costs of the building inspector. Fahey stated that he sees a less and ].ess need for the Ylanner and a greater need for services of the building inspector. Yage -6- NIINUTLS City Council APxii 3, i982 Building Nir. Forsberg stated that the building inspector should not be Inspector recommending any contractors £or work in the City as the City could Yosition potentially be involved in a lawsuit because of this. Mr. F'ahey (Gont.) agreed with this. Mrs, Nardini asked if the building inspector knows a contractor is poor, should he inform a citizen of this, Mr. Forsberg replied that even in a case like this~ the building inspector should not make a recommendat:ion. Forsberg stated that the building inspector could have inaccurate information on which he is basing his opinion. Forsberg stated that the building inspector can just inform the citizen that he is.not allowed to answer these types of questions. Gouncil adjourned at this point for a short recess, Acting l~iayor Scalze reconvened the meeting after a 20 minute recess, Mrs. Nardini asked if the Council shoul.d put Mr, Locl~ on fu1l..time ef£ective May 15, P'ahey replied that it should be June 1, Fahey also stated that if Mr, Locke disagrees with tYze June 1 date or requests a commitment on the part of the City £or 1983, the City should withdraw the offer. Mrs. Nardini introduced the following resolution and moved its adoptions RESOLUTION N0. 82_~..172 - DECLARING THAT THE CITY HIRE MR. ED LOCKE ON A 0 HOUR kER WEliK $ASIS AT A MONTHLY SALARY OF $1~875.00 FOR THE BALNNCE OF 19H2 EFP'~CTNL JUNE 1~ 1982 AND DECLAkZING THAT TI{E POSITION 'vJILL INCLUDE THE F'OLLOWING DUTIES: BUILDING OF'FICIAL~ YLUMBING AND HEATING IVSPGCTIONS, FIRE MARSHALL~ LICENSING INSPliCTOR, CODE liNFORCEMENT AND RELATEll DUTIES THAT MIGHT BE ASSIGNED BY THE C1TY COUNCIL AND ~riITH TI~E UNDERSTANDING THAT THL' CONTINUATION OF THIS FULL-TIME POSITION W]:LL BG N~VIliG~rED f3Y THL CITY COUNCIL IN SEYTEMBER OF 1982 WITH RE:C;AE?ll TO TI3E YEAR 1983 The £oregoing resolution was duly seconded by Mr, Fahey, Ayes (~) Nardini~Fahey~ Scalze, Nayes (1) Forsberg. Hesolution declared adopted, This resolution appears in Reso].ution 13ook No, 8, Page 119. Mr, Fa1~ey introduced the follor~ing resolution and moved ats adoptian: RESOLUTION N0. 82-4-173 - INSTFtUCTING THE CITY CLEItK TO CONF'IFtM THE JOB OFF'ER TO MR, ED LOCK~ ON MONDAY AND IF' HE ACCEY`PS THE OFFER TU IMMNSIIATELY SENll AN APPHOPRIATE LLTTGR TO TAE CITY~S CURRtiNT PLUMBINU AND AEATING INSYECTORS INFORMING THEM THAT DUE TO THE CITY~S HIRING OF A FULL-TIML; INSPECTOR ON JUNE l9 1982 THEIR SERVICES 6JILL NO LONGliR BE NE~I'sDED AS OF MAY 31~ 1982 AND THANKING TI3EP4 F'OR THLIR SliRVICLS ANU OFF~RING TkIE CITY~S EtEGNETS Yage »7.. MINUTES City Council April 39 19a2 Bui~3ing The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Mrs. Scalze, Inspector Ayes (~) Fa~ey9 Scalze~ Nardini, Forsberg. Position Nayes (0). (Cont.) Resolution declared adopted, This resolution appears in Resolution Book No. 89 Page 120. Adjourn Mr. Fehey introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RF~:SOLUTION N0. 82-~-17~ - ADJOUHNING (A~enda) (Idem ) The £oregoing resolution was duly secanded by Mrs. Scalze, (_k- ) Ayes (~) Fahey, Scalze, Nardini~ Forsberg. Nayes (0). Resolution declared adopted< This resolution appears in Resolution Book No. 8, Page 121. There being no further business~ the meeting was adjourned ~t 5:10 P.M. Respectfully submitted9 ~ / ~~ V)~~ , i`1l'c _-~:f~ ,~' ~~~ ,~ ~ ~! 1-~' .~ . ~ ~ -z !l_~ ~ Kathleen Glanzer ~ ~~~- Recording Seeretary Page -8_