Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 1975/08/25Present: Mayor Johnson Councilman Hodges Councilman Baumgartner Councilman Pickar Councilman Shelquist PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA A regular meeting of Mounds View City Council was called to order by Mayor Johnson on August 25, 1975, at 8:02 p.m., at Mounds View City Hall, 2401 Highway 10, Mounds View, Minnesota 55112 Also Present: Clerk- Administrator Achen Attorney Meyers Engineer Comstock MSP (Baumgartner Hodges) to approve the minutes of August 11, 1975 as per the following amendments Fage 2, paragraph 7, should read Councilman Baumgartner said that Subdivision 2.8 should read "Erection of any lot line fences or fences within two feet of a lot line regardless of the valuation of the work Page 2, paragraph 10, MSP (Hodges Pickar) to approve Ordinance 232 amending the municipal code of Mounds view by repealing Chapter 59 entitled "Building Permits and Fees and amending the permit fee schedule from $6.00 to $21.00. (4 Ayes). Page 3, paragraph 4, Resolution number should be 685. Page 4, paragraph 7, second sentence should read Random agreed to deed "four" lots to the City. Page 5, paragraph 2, should read Mayor Johnson directed the administrator and attorney to sit down with Walijarvi's Insurance Company and discuss the whole problem "of" arbitration. Page 7, paragraph 1, second sentence should read "He said the City should find out if Paster will do the work and provide the plans in accordance with the city engineer's report." (4 Ayes, Shelquist Abstained). Mayor Johnson asked about the claim against well House #2. Attorney Meyers said it was determined that we do have a claim against the company that installed the pump. Resident's Requests and Comments from the Floor Mr. Gary Watson, 5527 St. Michael Street, asked why the fence permit fee was increased to such a high fee. He had conducted a survey of nearby communities and Mounds View had the highest fee of any of the communities, in fact St. Paul and Columbia Heights were the only communities that required permits. Mayor Johnson explained the reason Council had set the fee at this amount was to help recover some of the cost for time spent by the inspection department assisting people determining where their lot lines are. He said many homeowners do not have surveys, however, the City can generally determine where the pins are with the aid of a dip needle. The inspection department spends a large amount of time assisting people finding their lot lines and in order for the City to recover out of pocket costs it was necessary to raise the fee. Mr. Watson thought the fee should be less for those persons who know where their survey stakes are. Mayor Johnson agreed that homeowners should be responsible for locating survey stakes but he said that it did not work out that way. The inspection department and city ultimately become involved in fence disputes. Page 2 August 25, 1975 Mayor Johnson announced that the City would be interviewing engineering firms this Tuesday evening to be hired to conduct the storm water drainage study. Mr. John Bluhm, 7132 Bona Road, stated he was very much opposed to holding ponds. He said he would bring in petitions a mile long protesting holding ponds. Mayor Johnson said that whatever the firm decided, the City would have to try to accommodate. Mayor Johnson reviewed the situation at Mounds View Square shopping center. He said the City had received a letter from Paster Enterprises which was considered as a formal petition for the City to do the improvement. Paster Enterprises then indicated they could do the work themselves at a lower cost. The City wrote a letter to Paster asking for their plans and specifications and time schedule and received no response. Mayor Johnson said the City has no alternative but to proceed with the project. Council discussed the length of the assessment. It was decided that a one year assessment would be procedurally better than to have to raise funds to pay for the improvement by selling bonds, etc. MSP (Baumgartner Shelquist) to call for preparation of final plans and specifications and bids for storm drainage improvement Project 1975 -4 Mounds View Square Shopping Center as discussed at the July 28, 1975 meeting. Engineer Bearden commented that the plans and permit for the improvement must be approved by the State highway department. Mayor Johnson said the problem affecting the people to the north of the shopping center was water running across County Road I. The County said as soon as the culvert was lowered they would come in and grade the ditch. Mayor Johnson directed the City engineer to contact the County to tell them the City is proceeding with final plans for drainage along County Road I and Highway 10 and coordinate that with the County so that this gets done before another spring. Meeting recessed at 8:35 p.m. Mayor Johnson called to order the public hearing on proposed assessment for storm water improvement Project 1974 -1. Engineer Bearden reported the storm water drainage along Mustang Road benefitted one parcel, Smith Transfer Corporation. Mr. Gale Liljengren, Smith Transfer terminal manage said he understood they were responsible for installing certain connection to the sewer and that they already paid for the connection. 5 Ayes Page 3 August 25, 1975 Engineer Bearden said the sewer for this project is constructed up to the S.E. corner of the property and Smith paid for the connection within the property. Mr. Liljengren asked if some of the cost would be taken off Smith Transfer as the area down the road develops. Engineer Bearden said this stor- •sewer was just to handle run off from Smith Transfer. He said it was 100% petitioned for by the owner and there was a public hearing informing them of the assessment. Mr. Liljengren asked to have the matter brought up again at the next Council meeting to give him time to contact his home office in Stanton, Va.,to see just what assessments they have or have not paid. He said midway in the project of constructing the terminal they changed engineers and the second engineer was at a loss. Mr. Liljengren said he has not had time to research th,: records to see what agreement was made. Mayor Johnson said these assessments had to be levied against the property. Attorney Meyers said this was a one site assessment because it did not involve any other properties and the only flexibility would be a determination of how many years the assessment would be spread. Administrator Achen said the policy on this particular project was ten years. MSP (Pickar- Hodges) to continue the special hearing for Project 1974 -1 until September 8th at 8:15 p.m. Mayor Jl-hnson reconvened the regolar Council meeting. Administrator Achen presented proposed change orders No. 3, 4 and 5 to city hall addition. He commented that No. 3 .--.d 4 are for remedial work in the basement. Change order No. 5 is for installation of a roll up aervice door for the police wing. Mayor Johnson addressed Attorney Meyers for his comments on change order No. 3 Attorney Meyers said he preferred to see change order No. 3 without the notation on the bottom. Mr. Walijarvi amended change order No. 3 by eliminating qualifying words (see letter dated Aug. 11, 1975) indicating this is an unqualified change order by initialling of Mayor Johnson and Mr. Walijarvi. Attorney Meyers read the following: Owner hereby authorizes work provided for in documents identified as "c: nge order No. 3 and No. 4 'but owner does not waive any rights of claim, off -set or recovery that it presently has or may acquire against any or all parties involved in the construction of the Municipal hall addition and remodeling, including but not limited to all contractors, architects and consultants involved. The owner acknowledges the need for the work authorized, but it does not consider same as a "change order" as defined Article I2 of the contract for construction between the City of Mounds View and B -E Enterprises, Inc., dated 8/26/74, but rather as work required to provide to the owner a completed building, finished in a workmanship manner, structurally sound and complete as contracted for by said contract, and designed by and supervised by Kenneth H. Walijarvi Associates, Architects pursuant to contract dated 9/25/73. 5 Ayes Page 4 August 25, 1975 Attorney Meyers said that in order to do correction of any defect.if any, in the city hall construction the city will authorize these change order but not in the normal sense of a change order in addition or subtraction of the building that would normally be handled by Change Order. Councilman Baumgartner questioned Change Order #4. He said he recalled that the report from Twin City Testing calls for certain materials to be used around drain tiles. He did not see that in the material list. Mr. Walijarvi said the drawing that goes with it should be attached to the change order. Councilman Baumgartner said he noted that the vertical cast iron pipe is now perforated, is this part of the change? Mr. Walijarvi said it will be installed. This was part of the mechanical contractor's job and he should have completed this is the first place. Councilman Shelquist commented on change order No. 3 that in addition to the dewatering charges listed here that future change orders would probably request additional charges. He said Change Order #4, second sentence did not include additional dewatering located in the basement and questioned if it was dry enough to make changes with the amount of water flowing at the present time. Mr. Walijarvi said that B -E and Twin City Testing indicated the work called for in change orders No. 3 and 4 could be done with the existing dewatering system on the exterior of the building. He said that once the work begins they might find out otherwise but at present they don't expect any localized dewatering inside the basement. ASP (Baumgartner- Hodges) to accept change order No.3 and No. 4 and accept Attorney Meyers qualifying statements. Administrator Achen asked Engineer Bearden to talk to Orfie and Sons on the cost problem B -E has with them. Mr. Walijarvi said they had told him it would be $350 a day for one month but when they were contracted for it was $700 a month after the wells were pit in. Shelquist Aye Pickar Aye Baumgartner Aye Hodges Aye Johnson Aye Mayor Johnson asked why change order No. 5 was necessary. Administrator Achen said under specifications there is no security for the police department in the evenings when the city is open for public meetings, etc. Mayor Johnson asked if the plans called for a grill. Administrator Achen said, "No, it was contemplated but according to the architect it was removed from the plan at the city's request." Page 5 .august 25, 1975 Mr. Walijarvi said he was told there would be a 24 hour dispatcher and would be no need for a roll down grill. Councilman Baumgartner asked all of the councilmen if they knew of this. He said he knew it was definitely planned and he could not imagine who told the architect to remove the screen from the plan. No other council member knew about the roll up grill being removed from the plan. Mr. Walijarvi said he would check it out to see who ordered it. Councilman Baumgartner asked about the cost of the grill and if it would be the same as the one we have on the administrative wing. Mr. Walijarvi said it would have guide rails on the front side but otherwise it is the same. They will be painted the color of the wall. Councilman Shelquist asked if the $1689 included the cost of the motor. Mr. Walijarvi said it included the cost of the motor and the gear to run it. MSP (Johnson Pickar) to approve change order No. 5 but change order No. 5 be subject to the potential offset against the architectural fee for the project and inspection. Shelquist Aye Pickar Aye Baumgartner Aye Hodges Aye Johnson Aye Mayor Johnson told Mr. Walijarvi it was discussed in a meeting this afternoon regarding the ditch work and asked if he recommended the work be done. Mr. Walijarvi said it is a must. Mayor .bnsc.;., said to the west of the building there is a low spot where water is ponding and he felt this perhaps contributed to or accentuated the problem in the basement and perhaps the ditch could be cut out to Highway 10. Mr. Walijarvi recommended this be done posthaste. Councilman Baumgartner asked if we have elevation plans. Mayor Johnson asked if that was covered in the contract at all. Mr. Walijarvi said no. Engineer Bearden reported they took grade shots.With that information and staking out of the area the work could be completed by the city crew. Mr. Walijarvi said the swale material could be brought in to fill the low area. Engineer Bearden said maybe top soil could be obtained from Project 1973 -4. Page 6 Augaist 25, 1975 MSP (Johnson- Baumgartner) that the engineer be directed to prepare plans with grading elevations and if necessary to cut the swale wherever needed by city hall out to Highway 10 and if necessary filling in the back of the building and also cutting in a swale to drain East and West to Highway 10. Mayor Johnson instructed that work should be scheduled as quickly as possible after receipt of the plans. Administrator Achen said the dewatering equipment is in the way of the work. Engineer Bearden agreed that it may be a problem to place the fill with the equipment in the way. Mr. Walijarvi said B -E would go in as soon as possible to get the repair work completed. The regular Council meeting was recessed and Mayor Johnson called to order the public hearing at 9:23 p.m., on community development needs and Housing Community Development Act grant application. Administrator Achen explained that the grant from HUD would be to make a study of community needs as far as housing is concerned, enforcement of building codes for the repair of some of our housing and whatever else may be needed in terms of housing assistance. Administrator Achen said the purpose of the hearing is to determine community needs with input from citizens. The 1974 session of Congress passed the Housing Development Community Act. Mounds View applied for $25,000 discretionary funds and now needs to make final application. This community wide program is to consider community development and last for five years. The amount of funds increase considerably each year once the city is given a grant. The City of Mounds View's preapplication was submitted to implement the Public Health and Housing Code No. 93 of the City Ordinance to have the City survey the community and inspect dwellings and upgrade the housing standards with -ental units being the major concern. An exterior survey of all housing would be taken. Public information program regarding housing conditions would be available to try to assist citizens who desire to improve their homes. Mayor Johnson asked for comments from citizen. Mr. Ole Bacon, 2625 Highway 10, asked if the city would be required to match funds or if this would be an outright grant. Mayor Johnson said the first go around it is an outright grant. Mr. Bacon asked if the grant would pay for any of the repairs. Mayor Johnson said it would pay the city to have someone go and determine areas we have potential problems and what can be done to rectify and correct the deterioration of the apartment buildings. 5 Ayes Page 7 August 25, 1975 Mr. Bacon said he is against something like that because it would mean someone could go by his house and tell him to change it and it would cost him thousands at his expense. Administrator Achen said rental units and particularly multiple units would be inspected because they pose the most pressing problem. Mayor Johnson stressed that the program was to be applied to apartments to repair, upgrade and identify our problems in this area. A resident asked why the City could not get funds to help with the drainage problem. Ms. Grace MacDonald, 5352 Clifton Drive, said she was employed by HUD and being a citizen of Mounds View would be glad to be of whatever assistance she could in the pursuit of funds. Mr. Watson said that another area that could be investigated is the aluminum wiring being used for wiring homes. He said that this type of wiring has been the cause of many home fires. Mrs. Rowley, 2562 Ridge Lane, also acknowledged this as being a potential hazard in homes. She said it had been aired on television and reported on in the Minneapolis Star. She said there is a test that homeowners could perform to check their wiring to see if it is safe. Councilman Baumgartner sucgested the electrical inspector be asked to provide a check list detailing the proper procedure for investigating wring for homeowners to use if they so desire. Mayor Johnson stated that Council was gearing up to prepare a five year capital improvement budget and some of the items on this budget could be considered as HUD grant type projects. Some of the items to be considered are storm sewer study (currently being worked on which will probably be funded by revenue sharing), storm sewer construction, permanent park buildings, cleaning ditches, new maintenance garage for equipment storage, sidewalks, bike trails, tennis cours, park lighting, tree planting on municipal property, general park development, parking lot construction, hockey rinks, etc. A resident wondered if the city was being sprayed for mosquitos. He said he has not seen them spraying and the mosquitos are bad in his neighborhood. Councilman Hodges reported that they spray in the early morning hours and that is probably the reason he has not seen them. Councilman Pickar added that larger areas are taken care of by helicopter. Mr. Bacon asked for city encouragement of business establishments to come into the city because of the large amount of taxes they pay. MSP (Johnson- Hodges) directing Administrator Achen to submit the final application for Housing Community Development Act grant and instructing the Mayor to sign said application. Mayor Johnson reconvened the regular Council meeting. Mayor Johnson read a letter end petition from Ed Hemenway and citizens of Sunnyside Rd. south of Highway 10 on the general speed of traffic since many parents of very young children have been concerned about this and to alert Mounds View officials of the tendancy for traffic to use the street between Woodcrest and County Road H2 as a 40 MPH thoroughfare and asked the city to install the necessa_y signs. 5 Ayes Page 8• August 25, 1975 Administrator Achen said the police chief did not feel a "Caution Child" sign should be used. He recommends a temporary stop sign for a 60 to 90 day period to see if any unforeseen problems occur. Councilman Hodges reported that this same procedure was used on Irondale Road and he feels it is a very good idea. MSP (Hodges Shelquist) to install the necessary stop sign according to the police chief's recommendation. 5 Ayes Administrator Achen said the JRO Estate subdivision has been filed at the County and the County has requested that the City reapportion the assessments. The one additional new assessment would require a separate resolution. To date we have not received a letter from Mr. Beyers waiving the public hearing. Mayor Johnson deferred any action of the reapportionment of these assessments until the waiver is received. He directed Administrator Achen to contact- Mr. Beyers in this regard. Administrator Achen presented the proposed rate of pay for water meter readers, .354 per house, .254 per house for one call back, .254 per house for two call backs. This is the same rate used last year. MSP (Pickar- Hodges) to approve the meter reader rates. 5 Ayes Administrator presented a proposed transfer of funds. $16,215.12 from Construction Fund 1973 -4 to General Fund for administrative overhead costs through the second quarter of 1975 per resolution passed by Council which provides for administrative overhead to be charged to General Fund. MSP (Hodges Shelquist) to approve transfer of funds rcquested 1 y the administrator. 5 AS MSP (Pickar Baumgartner) to approve the bills: General Account checks No. 10916 11000, Payroll Account checks No. 1193 -1197, Payroll checks #2180 2218, Transfer check #10995 transferring $14,169.24 General Fund, $1,011.26 Water Fund, $1,565.74 Sewer Fund to pay gross pay of August 30, 1975. MSP (Hodges Baumgartner) to approve the licenses: General Contractor I.S. Tillges, A -Craft Construction, Lovering Assoc., Inc., Dailey Homes; Excavating Axel Newman Heating Plbg; Heating A/C Sulz -Well Inc., Suburban Heating A /C, Master Mobile Home Service; Water Proofing Rite Way Waterproofing; Sign Hanger Macey Signs, Inc, Lawrence Signs, Inc.; Kennel Nor -Dan Schnauzers, Cigarette Bayport Anchor Inn, Snyder's Drug Stores, Inc.; Non- Intoxicating Malt Liquor Snyder's Drug Stores, Inc. MSP (Hodges Pickar) to approve residential kennel license for H. Brandt. Mayor Johnson said there seems to be some question about enforcement of building code licenses and occupancy permits. He emphasized the importance of following the code. 5 Ayes 5 Ayes 5 Ayes MSP (Johnson- Baumgartner) that Mayor Johnson t directed tc write a letter to the appropriate staff that it is Council's desire that licenses, permits building codes in general are in force and are to be enforced. 5 Ayes Page 9 August 25, 1975 Mayor Johnson read a letter from Representative Neisen advising that he plans to attend a future City Council meeting to discuss land use legislation. He would like any comments from Council as soon as possible to prepare for the 76 legilative session. COUNCILMAN HODGES' REPORT Councilman Hodges reported that he had attended a meeting concerning the warning sirens for civil defense. He said that our sirens along with several other communities were controlled by the weather bureau at the airport and that they were only blown for winds over 75 MPH. They have no:other policy to go by for the City of Mounds View. Mayor Johnson asked where the wind velocity is measured. aHe said the City of New Brighton blows there own but in order for us to do that our system would have to be redone. All of this is presently under study. COUNCILMAN BAUMGARTNER'S REPORT Councilman Baumgartner reported that the Park and Recreation Commission would meet Thursday,August 28, at 6:30 p.m. at city hall. Items for discussion include 1975 capital improvement plans for the 1975 budget, and priority expenditures that may be occurring in 1975 budget. A name of "Silver View" was selected as a park name for park property at County Road H2 and Silver Lake Road out of over 300 entries. A $5 gift certificate is to be given to nine winners and $2 gift certificates to five other contestants. Doug Bryant is to take pictures of Mayor Johnson handing out the certificates at the September 8th Council meeting. Councilman Baumgartner said that a preliminary 1976 operating budget has been prepared by Doug Bryant. Cn„nci7man Baumgartner said the Park Use Policy on use of public facilities has been revised and accepted. It covers reservation of ball diamonds, softball tournaments,use of other athletic facilities (hockey and skating rinks, football fields), Use of buildings and picnic facilities. Councilman Baumgartner reported that Doug Bryant will explore the possibi- lity of obtaining money from Ramsey County to subsidize our contribution to Lakeside Park. The City does not have anything from Ramsey County Recreation at the present time and therefore we are going to Ramsey County for this. Councilman Pickar said he feels the general concensus of the Lakeside Park Commission is that they have no objections of looking for money through Ramsey County but objects to County taking over the park. MSP (Baumgartner Hodges) to direct the Park and Recreation director to pursue the efforts to obtain monies from Ramsey County for use in Lake- side Park. MSP(Pickar-Hodges) to not include in discussion of County taking over Park. Page 10 Councilman Shelquist said seve•-al years ago when he was on Lakeside Park Commission there were records that indicated there is very little use of the park from residents of Mounds View. Councilman Pickar said the park sits squarely between Mounds View and Spring Lake Park but did not agree with Councilman Shelquist. Councilman Hodges said his children use the pool occasionally but frequently ride their bikes to swim at the lake. Vote on the main motion MSP (Johnson Shelquist) to direct Councilman Pickar to obtain from Lakeside Park Commission a list of the Mounds View residents who registered for the swimming program along with lists of Spring Lake Park, Blaine, Fridley and other who are contributing .swimmers to the program so we can analyze the list before approval of Lakeside Park budget. ENGINEER BEARDEN'S REPORT Engineer Bearden reported that he would prepare a feasibility report on proposed construction of 1975 -7 Street Improvement project for an emergency exit to the Mound View Mobile Home Park at the next Council meeting. The estimated cost of the improvement is $6,800 and will include construction of a street acess to the Mounds View Mobile Home Park to Raymond Avenue just north of Bronson Drive with controlled access for drainage facilities. Engineer Bearden said there would not be enough time to legally hold the 1973 Assessment Hearing as it is scheduled. Shelquist Naye Pickar Aye Baumgartner Naye Hodges Aye Johnson Nage Shelquist Aye Pickar Aye Baumgartner Aye Hodges Aye Johnson Aye Shelquist Aye Picker Aye Baumgartner Aye Hodges Aye Johnson Aye MSP (Hodges Shelquist) to amend the assessment hearing on September 10 to September 16, at 7 p.m. 5 Ayes Engineer Bearden asked how Council would like to handle the cost of the assessment. He said that for work done to extend Ardan Avenue and 18.8% of the storm sewer work an MSA _grant of $82,000 should be received. The total cost of the improvement is $1,401,325. MSP (Baumgartner- Hodges) to hold a public meeting tomorrow afternoon at 5:30 p.m. to decide how the monies should be used. 5 Ayes Page 11 August 25, 1975 Engineer Bearden recommended issuance of Change Order No. 2 to Orfie Sons to install a valve in the middle of Pleasant View Drive because it would be an extremely long stretch of water main without a valve. Cost of the Change Order will be $720.17. L.ke th Peat Administrator Achen distributed the proposed 1976 A budget to Council MSP (Pickar- Hodges) to acknowledge receipt of proposed 1976 Lakeside Park budget. Administrator Achen said that it would be beneficial for someone from the League of Women Voters and Council to go to a nearby community such as Blaine to observe the election at the polling place and then go to Anoka County to view the computer. MSP (Hodges- Shelquist) to adjourn at 11:37 p.m. 5 Ayes Respectfully submitted, Mark Achen Clerk- Administrator 5 Ayes