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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1974/11/12PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA A regular meeting of the Mounds View City Council was called to order by Mayor Neisen at 8:02 p.m., on November 12, 1974 at the Mounds View City Hall, 2401 Highway #10, Mounds View, Minnesota 55112 Present: Mayor Neisen Councilman Hodges Councilman Baumgartner Councilman Johnson Councilman Pickar Also Present: Clerk- Administrator Achen Attorney Meyers Engineer Bearden MSP (Hodges Pickar) to accept the minutes of the regular meeting of October 28, 1974. MSP (Baumgartner- Hodges) to accept the minutes of the 'pecial meeting of November 6, 1974. Mayor Neisen read his letter of resignation. He expressed his sincere appreci- ation to the City of Mounds View for his opportunity to serve on the Council. He said he felt mixed emotions about leaving but that he was very happy to have a part in the growth of Mounds View. He noted that he would continue to be a spokesman for the community. Mayor Neisen stated that he had invited Linda Malvin and Gary Cox to this meeting because he wanted to discuss their campaign literature accusations. In regard to Cox' literature the Mayor stated that Mounds View has eleven, not eight full time policemen; that money is available for water meter deposit refunds and in fact a number of such refunds are among the bills for approval tonight; and that the administrator does not set employee salaries, rather all salaries are approved by a majority vote of the Council. In regard to Malvin's literatureshe stated that the administrator alone did not appoint the park director, the architect, and the planing consultant. All were appointed with Council approval. Mounds View operates under the city administrator form of government. A full time park director was determined to be in the best interest of the community rather than a part time director shared with neighboring cities. The state standard for police protection is one policeman for 1,500 residents, so Mounds View is well within the standard. The petition of Sunnyside property owners against the new street construction was not signed by a majority of the property owners. Use of escrowed sewer connection charges has been fully discussed at open Council meetings and information regarding their use has been and is available to all interested citizens. The Rice Creek property is part of the ,zlnte_cy County Open Space system and not Mounds View's own park system. Mz ur Neisen stated that he was bringing these issues up after the campaign in order not to affect the election but to give citizens full and accurate information regarding the accusations. In response to a question from Councilman Baumgartner, he state,3 that both Mr. Cox and Ms. Malvin had been invited to the meeting. 5 Ayes 5 Ayes -2- November 12, 1974 Councilman Johnson stated that the campaign: literature presented by these candidates was particularly offensive at this time when the credibility of political officials is so low in public opinion. He stated that the Mounds View Council has gone out of its way to keep citizens informed. He expressed his disappointment that anyone would think the voters of Mounds View could be swayed by such tactics. Mayor Neisen introduced Mayor Farrell of Shoreview. Councilman Hodges stated that he agreed with the Mayor's statements regarding the campaign literature of Cox and Malvin. He noted that the architect that was selected had originally been recommended by himself, not the administrator. Residents Requests and Comments from the Floor: D'Arcy Bosell, 2601 Ridge Lane, complimented the Mounds View Police Department on the high quality of emergency service they provide. Mayor Neisen's Report Mayor Neisen read the police report for Cctober. Administrator Achen's Report MSP Neisen- Hodges) to approve the bills: General Fund checks #9300 and #9307 through #9411, Payroll Account checks #1127 through #1131, Payroll checks #1457 through #1484, transfer check #9404 transferring $10,650.61 from General, $924.00 from Water, $1,334.00 from Sewer to Payroll Account to pay gross pay of November 15, 1974. Total disbursements $23,157.81. The Mayor noted that he had delsted check #9306 from his motion because of an error: the Councilmen themselves plan to pay for the flowers for Walter Skiba. MSP (Hodges Johnson) to adopt Resolution #646 reapportioning the assessments on Division No. 48898. Administrator Achen presented a summary of the bids received for purchase of the city's 1971 Ford Custom. Councilman Baumgartner stated that he presumed Mr. Petersen would work approxi- mately the same number of hours as last year -about 12 hours per week. 5 Ayes MSP(:.eisen- Johnson) to sell the vehicle to the high bidder, Mr. Robert A. Hauser, ($905.25) and to authorize purchase of the 1974 Ford Gran Torino from Midway Ford as approved at the October 28, 1974, Council meeting. 5 Ayes MSP (Johnson Pickar) to receive the bids for tree removal and to hold them pending a staff recommendation. 5 Ayes MSP (Baumgartner- Hodges) to appoint two part time recreation employees, a skating rink supervisor at $3.00 per hour and a boy's basketball supervisor at $2.75 per hour. 5 Ayes CouncilmanHodgesnoted that additional counters might be a solution to some of our election problems. He also suggested that the Council consider adoption of the Plan B, city management, form of government as was approved by Shoreview voters in the last election. Councilman Johnson requested that the administrator be sure Mr. Walijarvi is invited to the November 19 agenda meeting. Councilman Johnson thanked Mayor Neisen for the opportunity to work with him and expressed thank for all of hi-s efforts in behalf of the City of Mounds View. Councilman Baumgartner's Report Councilman Baumgartner also stated his thanks to Mayor Neisen and wished him the best of luck in his endeavors at the State legislature. Councilman Baumgartner read the Park Commission minutes of October 24, 1974. Councilman Picker's Report Councilman Pickar stated that the Lakeside Park Commission meeting of November 12 had been postponed. He asked the administrator to investigate the possibilities for using voting machines at the next city election. Councilman Picker stated that Mayor Neisen's leadership has been instrumental in making the Council such a close, hard- working group and that he appreciated the chance to serve under the Mayor. Attorney Meyers' Report -3- November 12, 1974 Attorney Meyers stated hearings on easement acquisition for Project 1973 -4 were currently underway and that he expected them to be completed in January. He read a proposed resolution to accept the Century Motor Freight project and asked for a motion authorizing the administrator to sign the security agreement for all the personal property on the MSJ Company (Century Motor Freight) premises. MSP (Neisen- Hodges) to adopt Resolution #647 as recommended by the attorney. MSP (HAges- Johnson) to authorize the administrator to sign the agreement with MFJ Compaw; Engineer Bearden's Report Engineer Bearden suggested that Council award the Project 1973 -4 bid to the low bidder subject to the successful sale of bonds. This will allow the contractor a one week head start on the project. MSP (Neisen-Pickar) to accept the low alternate bid of Orfie and Sons, Inc., of $979,430.49 for Project 1973 -4 pending the successful sale of bonds to finance the project. Steve Thompson, 7190 Silver Lake Road, asked if appointment of Mayor Neisen's replacement is governed by the open meeting law. Attorney Meyers answered 'yes'. 5 Ayes 5 Ayes 5 Ayes Nov ^mber12, 1974 In response to a question from Counciii an Johnson, he stated that the vacant maycral position must be filled by the Council and that should a vacancy occur in a Council seat, the Council must fin Councilman Hodges noted that Mayor Neisen was the best Mayor he had ever served with, including the one named Hodges. MSP (Johnson- Baumgartner) to adjourn at 9:00 p.m. Alb low Respectfully submitt -4, Mark Achen, Clerk- Administrator