Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/12/1976 Council MinutesApril 12, 1976 The regular meeting of the Lino Lakes City Council was called to order at 8:05 P.M., April 12, 1976 by Mayor Bohjanen. Council members present; Karth, Schneider. Absent; McLean, Zelinka. Mr. Locher and Mr. Gotwald were present. Mr. Karth moved to approve the minutes of March 22, 1976 as presented. Sec- onded by Mr. Schneider. Motion carried unanmously. Mr. Karth moved to approve the minutes of March 23, 1976 as presented. Sec- onded by Mr. Schneider. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Karth moved to approve the minutes of March 25, 1976 as presented. Sec- onded by Mr. Schneider. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Karth moved to approve the minutes of April 5, 1976 as presented. Second- ed by Mr. Schneider. Motion carried unanimously. The Clerk reported on the following items: ..Read a letter of appreciation from Representative Howard Neison. Also, reminding the Council he is available if needed. ..Read a letter from the Metropolitan Council in reference to an application by the White Bear School Board for Federal Funding in conjunction with the school transportation program. This letter was referred to the Attorney. ..Received payment for Police Service to the MMTC in the amount of $558.95. ..Received a copy of the remittance of the insurance endorsement as requested by the Union. ..Application from Northwestern Bell Telephone to interset poles with Northern States Power poles on 62nd street. Mr. Gotwald had checked this application and recommended approval. Mr. Karth so moved. Seconded by Mr. Schneider. Motion carried unanimously. ..Read a letter from the PCA informing the Council the entire City is included in the ban on open burning. There are some allowable instances where burn- ing permits may be issued. This does not include the burning of brush in residential areas. The Clerk asked for some guidance in this area. Mr. Schneider moved to have the Clerk contact the PCA for application forms which allow this type of burning with special permission. Seconded by Mr. Karth. Motion carried unanimously. ..The 1975 Audit Report had been delivered to the office. All Council members have a copy. The CLerk was instructed to contact the Auditor and ask that he attend the April 26, 1976 Council meeting for discussion of this report. ..The Lino Lakes Athletic Association had requested the use of the Hall on April 28, 1976 at 8:00 P.M. for a meeting. Mr. Schneider so moved. Seconded by Mr. Karth. Motion carried unanimously. ..The DFL Party had requested the use of the Hall for the first Monday of the Month beginning in May. They had also requested the use of the Hall on April 13, 1976. After consulting the calendar and finding the first Mondays of the months are open, Mr. Karth moved to approve this request. Seconded by Mr. Schneider. Motion carried unanimously. ..Read a letter from Mr. Tom Creager of the Metropolitan Waste Control Comm- ission in reference to the user charges of the sewer system. Mr. Creager felt the current charges can be justified for the present but the Ordinance will have to be revised in June 1976. The Council asked this matter be put on the agenda for the last meeting in May for consideration. Mayor Bohjanen presented Mr. John Houle who owns land on the East side of the City and needs some advice as to the accessiability of his land. April 12, 1976 Mr. Houle said he had approximately 11 acres on the North side of 80th Street and on the East side of 135E. The construction of the bridge for the overpass has made his land inaccessiable. Mr. Houle asked the City to assist him in the construction of a driveway in order for him to be able to use the land. Mr. Gotwald said the construction of the bridge puts about a 15' embankment in the front of his property. Mr. Houle had talked with Mr. Gotwald and Mr. Gotwald had suggested he appear at the Council meeting for information. Mayor Bohjanen thought this matter would have to go before the Planning and Zoning Board for their recommendations. Mr. Houle had some hand drawn maps of the area for Council inspection. He is- requesting the City to assume a portion of the cost for construction of a driveway onto this property. Mr. Gotwald pointed out the City Ordinances requires the cost of this type of construction to be assessed against the affected properties. There was discussion on how this situati-on was created with the general con- sensus the State Highway Department was responsible for the grade of 80th Street in the area of the bridge. Mr. Locher asked if there had been condemnation at the time of construction? Mr. Houle said, Yes, he was paid a small amount for a small parcel of land taken by the State Highway Department in construction of 135E. Mr. Locher felt it would be necessary to see the document Mr. Houle had signed before any decision could be made. Mr. Gotwald suggested Mr. Houle contact Mr. Kermit McCrea at the State High- way Maintenance Department. Mr. Bill Houle gave a report for the Bi- Centennial Commission. They are look- ing for old family records and would appreciate any information. The Commiss- ion will be publishing a booklet on the history of the area and in order to pay for this booklet, they are selling Bi- Centennial buttons. Mr. Houle asked for the use of the Hall on April 20, 1976 for a meeting of a Committee to 'Restore the Constitution'. This is in conflict with a request from the Boy Scouts. Mr. Houle felt something could be worked out. This comm- ittee could meet after the Boy Scouts. Mayor Bohjanen asked Mr. Backlin, Fire Marshall, for his report. Mr. Backlin had no report. He reiterated the problems with the no burning ruling by the PCA. The problem of the partially burned home on Birch Street was discussed. Mr. Karth asked if the City could clean up the area and assess the owner? Mr. Locher felt the most efficient manner would be to have the Police issue a nuisance tag. This matter would then come before a Judge and the cleaning up of the area would be a part of the ruling. Mr. Karth moved to authorize the Chief to issue a tag to the owner for having a nuisance. Seconded by Mr. Schneider. Motion carried unanimously. 61 April 12, 1976 There are some lots in the Lakeview area that should be burned off. Mr. Backlin suggested contacting the Fire Department and have them burn the lots for practice. Mr. Zelinka arrived at 8:50 P.M. Mr. Backlin then presented the Council with a petition for water, sewers, and storm sewers in the Lexington Park Lakeview Area. Mayor Bohjanen accepted the petition and turned it over to Mr. Gotwald for study. Mr. Gotwald said he would have a report ready for the next Council meeting. Mr. Schneider asked Mr. Gotwald the cost of a feasibility study and Mr. Gotwald saidthis depends on the size of the project. The Engineering fees are20% of the estimated cost of the project and the feasibility study is a percentage of that cost. Mr. Gotwald said these costs are computed into the overall costs so they are eventually charged to the costs of the system. Mr. Gotwald said he would have the necessary work completed on the Highway #49 request ready for the next Council meeting so public hearings can be set. He will check the Lexington Park Lakeview petition, but could forsee no problems since an interceptor for hook -up is available. Mayor Bohjanen reported Scout Troop #136 had requested the City Trucks to be outside the City Hall on April 24, 1976. The Troop will be cleaning the ditches along the City streets on that date and need a place to collect the trash bags. The Troop had also requested the City to furnish the plastic bags to be used in the collection. Mayor Bohjanen had thought these could be furnished by one of the service orginazations within the City. Mr. Schneider felt that furnishing the bags would not cost that much - he asked approximately how many would be needed. Mayor Bohjanen said around 400 had been used last year. Mr. Zelinka suggested allocating up to $25.00 for the purchase of these bags. Mr. Schneider so moved, also the use of the trucks. Seconded by Mr. Karth. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Bohjanen asked the Council to consider changing all the locks at the City Hall. These locks have not been changed since the building was constr- usted and there are many keys out that are not known about. Mayor Bohjanen felt that anyone who has a key to any of the doors should have to sign for them. Mr. Schneider asked if there was any evidence of someone entering? Mr. Zelinka said it had been reported to him of doors being left open, desks unlocked, and file cabinets unlocked. Mr. Schneider suggested ascertaining the cost. Mr. Zelinka so moved. Seconded by Mr. Karth. Motion carried unanimously. (This is for the doors to the Clerkrs office only.) Mayor Bohjanen said there is an application for the transfer of a business. He asked Mr. Locher to report on the application. Mr. Locher said this is for the transfer of the licenses at the Blue Heron and the applications are in order. This is for the transfer of an existing license and a new application will have to be filed for issuance on July 1, 1976. Mr. Donald Moore, the new owner, sid he understood this. He was asked about a resident owner and said his son will be living on the premises until a rental unit can be found in the City. His son is a partner in the corporation, and 62 April 12, 1976 presently resides in Columbia Heights. Mr. Zelinka moved to approve the transfer of the license providing residency is established. Seconded by Mr. Schneider. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Karth showed the Council a tire from one of the Squad cars that had been worn down to the cord on one side while the other edge had many miles left. This uneven wear is caused by the need for front end alignment. An alignment rack is available for $500.00. This piece of equipment has been checked and is in good condition. It can be used in changing oil, grease jobs and any front end work that needs to be done on the vehicles. Mr. Zelinka asked if there is money in the budget and Mr. Schneider said the flexiability is there. Mr. Zelinka asked how much would this unit save in tires and Chief Myhre said approximately 2 sets per year. He said the cars are aligned once a month now - if this rack is available the alignment can be done as part of the normal maintenance of the vehicles. Mr. Karth felt the unit would pay for itself in two years in just tires alone. Mr. Karth moved to purchase the alignment rack. Seconded by Mr. Schneider. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Karth reported, due to the heavy breadup on the roads and the problems on West Shadow Lake Drive, more had been spent on the roads than had been pl- anned. Also, he had presented a quotation of $477.00 to repair the pick up. There is a requisition for two tires for that truck and he would ask the Council to consider repairing that truck or consider the purchase of anew one. Mr. Schneider said there would not be money available for the purchase of a new truck until sometime in July or August. Mr. Karth asked the procedure and Mr. Zelinka said set the specifications and advertise for bids. Mr. Karth will work up the specs. Mr. Schneider had made a copy of the cash flow report as worked out by Mrs. Anderson. The Auditor's office had been contacted for the amounts of the deliquent taxes that would be remitted in April and the information that only approximately $1948.00 will be sent. This is due to the fiscal disparity act. Mr. Schneider said he had not had time to analyze this cash flow report but will report more at the next Council meeting. Mr. Schneider reported he had attended a meeting at the MMTC on April 3, 1976. The Advisory Council is being organized and it is hoped the people will be more involved. He will have more on that next month. Mr. Zelinka reported on the power Fine site proposals and read a letter from the Council reporting on the progress. There are several proposals for the corridor of the proposed power line. A meeting will be held in White Bear Lake on Thursday evening at 7:30 P.M. in the City Hall. Since one of the cor- ridors affect the property owners on either side of 135E, the Clerk was asked to contact the property owners in that area and inform them of this meeting. Mr. Zelinka reported on the Personnel Commission meeting held on April 2, 1976. A job description for the office of Clerk- Treasurer had been revised. Mr. April 12, 1976 Zelinka read this. The Personnel Commission had also recommended to the Council the present Clerk obtain training in handling financial records. This could be through the League of Municipalities. Mr. Schneider said he had considered splitting the duties of the Clerk and the bookkeeper but the Clerk- Treasurer would still be required to keep a set of books. Mr. Zelinka moved to direct the Clerk to determine what courses are available and make a recommendation to the Council. Seconded by Mr. Schneider. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Zelinka felt the salary should be handled at this time. All employees had received an 8% increase and he moved to grant an 8% increase to the Clerk - Treasurer retroactive to March 15, 1976. Mr. Schneider said he had checked with various Cities and all have different job descriptions and the duties vary. In the area of the office administration, Mr. Schneider felt that it is the Clerk's duty to handle the matters and she had not done so. In the area of bookkeeping, he felt the Auditor was lax and the Council had overlooked the financial area. Mr. Schneider said he would back up Mr. Zelinka's motion with a 4% increase now and 4% when a financial course is completed. Mr. Zelinka's motion died for lack of a second. Mr. Zelinka then moved to increase the Clerk's salary 4% effective March 15, 1976, with a 4% increase on completion of a financial course. Seconded by Mr. Schneider. Motion carr- ied unanimously. The salary range had been included in the job description and Mr. Karth felt this should not be a part of a job description. The Council agreed. Mr. Gotwald had reviewed a request from Northwestern Bell Telephone for the placement of buried cable on 24th avenue North and recommended approval. Mr. Zelinka so moved. Seconded by Mr. Karth. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Gotwald reported on the feasibility study ordered by the Council for the proposed improvements on North Road. For curbs and sidewalks, the cost would be approximately $8.00 per front foot. Mr. Gotwald recommended approval Of the feasibility report. Mr. Zelinka asked if these costs would be assessed against the property owners and Mr. Gotwald said, Yes. Mr. Zelinka moved to approved the feasibility report. Seconded by Mr. Schneider. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Zelinka suggested the property owners be contacted for their thoughts on this project. Mr. Gotwald said, because of the possibility of sanitary sewers in that area, maybe this work should be delayed to avoid tearing up the street. Mr. Gotwald will contact the County Engineer and ask if the City can enter into an agree- ment after the bids are taken. Mr. Karth moved that a decision on this project be postponed because of the unkown costs and the possibility of sewer installation in that area. Seconded by Mr. Zelinka. Motion carried unanimously. April 12, 1976 Mr. Gotwald will contact the County Engineer and explain the situation and contact the Clerk with the answer. Mr. Gotwald said in doing the feasibility report for the Highway #49 petition, he had discovered the interceptor is planned for the East side of the highway. Since gas lines and such are on the East side of the highway, he will contact the Metropolitan Waste Control with a request for a revision of the installation of the interceptor moving it to the West side of the highway. Mr. Locher had reveived a copy of the Police contract from the Union. He had made a copy for each Council member. There had been some changes the Council questioned, particularly Article XXI. Mr. Zelinka moved to have Mr. Locher contact the Union for an explanation of these changes and send the information to the Clerk. She is to forward this information to the Council members. Seconded by Mr. Karth. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Locher had checked the application of the White Bear School Board for Federal Funding and could not determine the meaning of this application. He suggested the Clerk contact the School Board for the answer. Mr. Locher reported on a problem on Andall Street with a rental unit. The system is being pumped and Mr. Locher felt as there is some work being done, the matter could be continued. Mr. Locher presented the Council with Copies of a new draft of the Dog Ordinance with the proposed changes included. Mr. Schneider moved to table a decision on this matter until the April 26, 1976 meeting. This will give the Council time to study the Ordinance. Seconded by Mr. Karth. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Zelinka suggested the impounding and boarding fees be the same as the fees being charged to the City. Mr. Locher reported he had reveived a request from the County for an easement for road purposes on the land taken by the Park Department for Open Space purposes. This easement is for the widening of County Road #14 at a future date. The high- way department needs the easement before the land goes to condemnation for park purposes. Mr. Zelinka moved to authorize the Attorney to handle this matter. Seconded by Mr. Schneider. Motion carried unanimously. Under Old Business, Mr. Schneider said he had talked to a few people in reference to the insurance. There is possibly some better coverage in the Forest Lake sub- mission, but there is also a cash flow problem. A new policy would cost $4,000.00 to $5,000.00 which is not budgeted for at this time. Since the current policies expire in August, Mr. Schneider felt a decision on this should be postponed until that time. Mr. Schneider so moved. Seconded by Mr. Karth. Motion carried unanim- ously. Mr. Ray is to be asked to submit a more detailed porposal. Mr. Karth suggested the coverage for 'Errors and Ommissions' be considered. He moved that a rider for this coverage be checked. Seconded by Mr. Schneider. Motion carried unanimously. A gentleman from the audience said he has a problem with the Baldwin Lake Trailer 1 1 6 5 April 12, 1976 Court. A trailer blew into his house last summer in the storm.The shell has been removed to the park property, but it is still there and presents , a nazard to the children of the area who play on it. Chief Myhre was instructed to contact the owner of the trailer park for removal of this material. The gentleman said he has a problem with the people who live in the Court running all over his property. He has put us signs and they are pulled down. The man he bought the property from had told him the Council had instructed the Court to put up a fence or a hedge to establish the dividing line between the properties. He was asked if he knew approximately when these instructions were issued and he said he would find out and get the information to the Clerk. She will research the back minutes for these instructions. Chief Myhre presented his recommendations for hiring men to be on duty at public dances. Chief Myhre had suggested a badge for these men to wear. Mr. Zelinka sugg- ested an arm band. There was general discussion on the requirements. Mr. Karth moved to accept these recommendations, changing the badge requirement to an arm band. Seconded by Mr. Schneider. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Zelinka requested the Chief to present a design for the arm band and estimated cost figures. Mr. Karth moved to approve requisitions #663 through and including #667. Seconded by Mr. Zelinka. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Karth moved to approve checks #6956 - 6073 through and including #7001. Seconded by Mr. Schneider. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Zelinka moved to approve payroll chaecks #3460 through and including #3478. Seconded by Mr. Schneider. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Karth moved to adjourn at 11:20 P.M. Seconded by Mr. Zelinka. Aye. CLER TREASU43 Thes- minutes were approved, with corrections on ,,�- Al /7 / ,