Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1975/02/24PROCEEDINGS 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 Johnson at 8:04 p.m., February 24, 1975, at the Pinewood Elementary School, 5500 Quincy Street, Mounds View, Minnesota 55112 Present: Mayor Johnson Councilman Hodges Councilman Baumgartner Councilman Pickar Councilman Shelquist Also Present: Clerk- Administrator Achen Attorney Meyers Engineer Bearden MSP (Hodges Baumgartner) to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 10, 1975,as presented. MSP (Pickar Baumgartner) to approve the minutes of the special meeting of February 13, 1975, as presented. Mayor Johnson reported on his pr.sentation to the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners on the matter of a county -wide police force. There were about seven other mayors present from suburban Ramsey County communities to express their concern regarding several legislative proposals of the Board. Mayor Johnson stated that a meeting was held last Wednesday evening with legislators and senators that represent Mounds View and seven other communities in Ramsey County_ It was an opportunity to sit down and discuss different proposals currently before the Minnesota legislature. Mayor Johnson stated the meeting was very successful. Mayor Johnson asked what the timetable for completion of Project 1973 -4 is. Engineer Bearden stated Orfie and Sons will be plowing snow and dewatering this week. The contractor wants to see how the dewatering goes before he makes any comments on a timetable. He will have a better idea in two or three weeks. Mayor Johnson asked about the traffic signals on Highway 10 at County Road H2 and County Road I. Administrator Achen stated the State is anxious to get going but he has not contacted the County about paying more of the operating expenses. Mayor Johnson stated Representative Howard Neisen met with the Council at the last agenda meeting. It was a good opportunity for the Council to exchange thoughts with the Representative regarding changes that will affect our community. Administrator Achen responded to a question on requiring a plat or survey for minor subdivision. He noted there is a need to clarify the sequence of events involved in both major and minor subdivisions. He will have a report for Council at its next meeting. Councilman Shelquist stated Barbara Haake plans to rewrite the subdivision procedure. He said he compared the procedure presently used and that written in the code and found some confusion between the two. He said the subdivision booklets should be updated to agree with the code. 5 Ayes 5 Ayes -2- February 24, 1975 Administrator Achen stated Council could hire a recording secretary for th. Planning Commission on either an hourly or flat rate basis. If the secre- tary hired is already a city employee, that person could be paid on an hourly basis or a flat rate. If the latter, it should be less than $20.00 because the employee could transcribe and type the minutes at work. Council directed the administrator to ask the present office staff whether any were interested in this position. Attorney Meyers commented on damage claims. He stated there are only about two a year, but the problem is that the insurance company usually will deny claims such as arising from sewer back -ups. The party involved then seeks help from the city, but there is no policy on how to handle s claims. He suggests a subcommittee of the Council be established that could meet quarterly to examine claims and determine whether there is a valid claim against the city and what the payment should be. Attorney Meyers stated an ordinance could be written to set guidelines for the claim committee. Mayor Johnson read the dog report for January 1975. Administrator Achen's Report MSP (Hodges- Baumgartner) to approve the following bills: General account checks No. 10001 through 10040, Payroll account checks No. 1150 and 1151, Payroll checks No. 1720 through 1761, and Transfer check No. 10028 trans- ferring from General $12,093.08, Water $1,039.84, Sewer $1,569.41 to pay gross pay of February 28, 1975, total disbursements $36,495.49. Ma Johnson asked Attorney Meyers if his increased fee was due to the new court system. Attorney Meyers said a large portion represented prosecutions at municipal court. Administrator Achen presented a proposed agreement with Ramsey County for participation in the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act. The agreement will provide funding for a clerk typist in the city office. The agreement is effective through February 9, 1976. MSP (Baumgartner Pickar) to adopt Resolution No. 662 authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with Ramsey County for participation in the Compre- hensive Employment and Training Act of 1973. MSP (Johnson- Baumgartner) to adopt Resolution No. 664 reapportioning the assessments on Division No. 49384 for Lamont C. Bolduc, Lot 75 Spring Lake Park Hillview Addition. Adm:,nis.rator Achen presented the results of bidding on the new police vehicle. The staff recommendation is to accept Barnett Plymouth's bid mainly because of the leaded gas engine this car has. At present the city can store only leaded gas; a vehicle requiring unleaded gas would necessitate buying gas at commercial outlets. The Barnett gross bid is the lowest. 5 Ayes 5 Ayes MSP (Johnson- Hodges) to adopt Resolution No. 663 designating Marc}: 9, 1975, Minnesota Shares for Hunger Day to help the needy and hungry throughout the world. 5 Ayes 5 Ayes -3- February 24, 1975 MSP (Johnson- Baumgartner) to accept Barnett Chrysler Plymouth's low gross bid of $4,558.20. 5 Ayes Councilman Hodges' Report Councilman Hodges commented on the proposals of the Metropolitan Signifi- cance Advisory Committee regarding Metro Council approval of local comprehensive plans. Council discussed at length this subject. Mrs. Huhne, 8406 Red Oak Drive, felt that it is not good to give too much power to the Metro Council. It takes away democratic process. Mayor Johnson asked the Council to study this proposal and be ready for a decision next Monday evening at the agenda session. MSP (Johnson Shelquist) to call a special Council meeting March 3rd for the purpose of considering the metropolitan significance draft regulations to be considered by the Metro Council. 5 Ayes Councilman Baumgartner's Report Councilman Baumgartner stated the Park and Recreation Meeting will be held Thursday, March 6, 1975, at Pinewood Elementary School. Councilman Pickar's Report Councilman Pickar stated the Silver Skates Competition was held Sunday, February 23, 1975. Approximately 250 people were in attendance, 24 trophies were awarded, 110 entries and 300 cups of hot chocolate were given away. Councilman Pickar asked Attorney Meyers how bad checks are handled in the new court system. Attorney Meyers stated that under the justice of the peace system businessmen could file a bad check complaint directly with the justice of the peace, a warrant issued and the person required to make restitution with minimal cost to the city. Under the new system the court is less concerned with restitution than with prosecution. This court operates much more formally and adheres to strict rules of evidence which require the merchant to make positive identification of the accused. In addition the merchant must file a formal complaint through the city attorney and personally appear in court. This procedure is much more expensive than a five dollar bounced check, and often businessmen do not consider it worth their time unless the check is for a substantial amount. Attorney Meyers has prepared suggested check cashing policies he encourages businessmen to adopt to minimize bad checks. D'arcy Bosell, 2601 Ridge Lane, stated because she operates a business herself, she is concerned with restitution but more concerned that this person is not able to keep on passing bad checks. Councilman Pickar stated the snowmobile club has requested that the City register snowmobiles for a ready identification of any snowmobile in the City. Attorney Meyers stated at present municipalities have no authority to chat €e a registration fee and even if it were free, he did not know if we could enforce such registration making it mandatory for all snowmobiles. He will investigate this matter. Councilman Shelquist's Report Councilman Shelquist announced on Wednesday, February 26, 1975, the regular meeting of the Planning commission will be held at Pinewood Elementary School. -4- February 24, 1975 Attorney Meyers' Report Attorney Meyers reported that he had met with the police department last week to review the new court system. It is a much more formal forum than the justice of the peace system and our police have been informed of the strict evidence procedures the court will use. Condemnation hearings on 1973 -4 have been concluded. Commissioners should file awards by February 27, 1975. Both property owners and the City have a right to appeal these awards. The Dailey Homes case is set for trial April 9, 1975 and the Red Oak Estates case will be tried the first part of Mey. Attorney Meyers recommended Council decide whether to abate the assess- ments of approximately $16,000 on the new park site or to pay them in annual installments. The Mayer directed the administrator to look into this matter. Chapter 424, 1974 legislature states 6% interest must be paid on water meter deposits in excess of $20.00. Attorney Meyers suggested city code be revised to require prepayment of water bills which would be exempt from this interest requirement. Mayor Johnson directed the administrator to prepare such an ordinance for Council consideration. Engineer Bearden's Report Engineer Bearden reported on the problem of liquidated damages against H S Asphalt, the contractor on Project 1972 -3. The City assessed damages of $3587.22 for failure to meet specification deadlines. H S Asphalt concedes that liquidated damages are due but objects to this amoTint. They are offering to accept $2400.00 in damages. Engineer Bearden recom- mended the Council accept this offer. MSP (Hodges Pickar) to accept recommendation of Engineer Bearden to with- hold $2,400.00 liquidated damages against the H F, S Asphalt Company for contract work on Project 1972 -3. Engineer Bearden reported on a traffic control device inventory study to determine whether there are any signs in the city that need repair, replacement or relocation. The state will pay 100% of the inventory study costs not to exceed $20 per mile. Mayor Johnson directed Engineer Bearden to investigate whether state funds would be available to take the necessary corrective measures after the study is completed. Mayor Johnson acknowledged receipt of the Spring Lake Park, Blaine and Mounds View Fire Department 1974 financial statement. He said the mayors of Spring Lake Park and Blaine have requested a meeting to discuss fire department operations. Mayor Johnson reminded everyone of the Annual City Appreciation dinner being held March 1st. 5 Ayes -5- February 24, 1975 Mayor Johnson commented on an editorial in the Sunday St. Paul Press regarding a "City of Ramsey He noted this is another example of the tremendous pressure being applied to generate public support for abolishing all suburban municipalities. MSP (Baumgartner Shelquist) to adjourn at 10:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Mark Achen, Clerk- Administrator 5 Ayes