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