Minutes - 1974/10/28 - Laserfiche WebLink

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okay October 28, 1974 Page 3 Mayor Neisen stated that the inquiry into the Compassion Christian Center began after he received calls about a school operating at the Center and asking whether it was authorized. The administrator noted that as yet no report has been received from the Mounds View School District on certification of the Center's educational program and teachers. Fire Chief Ron Fagerstrom said he notified the Center of various fire code violations and that he had withheld action on the violations pending the Council's decision. Attorney Meyers stated that the zoning code requires a special use permit for operation of a parochial school in "R" districts. Rev. W. G. Bauman, pastor of the church, stated that the center contacted both the fire department and the Mounds View school district superinten- dent previously and that it was his impression the Center needed to do nothing further. However he was at this meeting to assure the Council the Center would comply with all legal requirements. Mayor Neisen stated that the Center was operating illegally in terms of both the fire code and the zoning code. Rev. Bauman stated he did not realize these violations existed and he is willing to do whatever necessary to comply with city code. In response to questioning by Councilman Baumgartner, Rev. Bauman stated that the Center received verbal approval last August of its school program from the Mounds View District and that live -in janitors were an effective security measure discouraging vandalism and asked that the Council permit this practice to continue. Councilman Baumgartner felt that the safety of school children should be held utmost and that the Center should institute complete fire safety measures immediately. Councilman Johnson stated that the recent incident of three youths burned by flammable solvents in St. Louis Park emphasized the need for safety measures especially around the printing operations. He asked whether the materials being hinted at the Center were for sale. Rev. Bauman responded that all materials were dis emiiated free of charge. Councilman Hodges stated that students attending Center's school should be assured of proper accreditation in case they transfer to a public school. Councilman Pickar felt there must be some temporary solution that would allow the Center to operate until a hearing on a special use permit. Chief Fagerstrom stated that the minimum safety measures required would be to stop the printing operation, initiate a fire alarm and detection system, and implement a fire drill plan.