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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC MINUTES 12071976CITY OF ST. ANTHONY COUNCIL MINUTES December 7, 1976 The meeting was called to order by tlayor Miedtke at 7e35 P.M. Present for roll call. Sundland, iliedtke, Stauffer and Sauer Absent: Haik Also present: Jerry Dulgar, City Manager Larry Vickrey, City Attorney Jim Fornell, Administrative Assistant Votion by Councilman Sauer and seconded by Councilman Stauffer to approve the minutes for. the November 23, 1976 Council meeting. Motion carried. unanimously. Mr. Vickrey explained that the ordinance reaulatina amusement de- vices had been revised to eliminate table tennis, billiard and pool tables as well as kiddie rides. The ordinance will also be revised to allow the transfer of a license from one machine to another. George Frisch, 1050 Builders Exchange, said he had just recently undertaken the representation of the owner of the arusement devices at Apache, Sam Nilva, who was also present, and would appreciate a few more weeks in which he might acquaint himself with the situation at Apache, where he understood complaints against the machines had been made. The attorney said however, that he understood the con- troversial foosball machines had been removed from the center of the mall and Mr. t1ilva no longer operated such machines at Apache. Other reactions to the complaints from merchants and customers had been installation of two change machines and the retention of a for- mer security guard at Apache to supervise the remaining six kiddie rides and 17 other amusement devices in the mall. "r. Frisch then speculated whether the bowling alley did not attract some of the undesirable element who police say congregate around the machines in the mall. Mr. Dulgar then reported that Councilman Haik, when she had informed himm of her inability to be present for the meeting that evening, had indicated she would not oppose delaying the vote on the ordinance. She also reported she had been surprised when two younger clerks at Apache had expressed their dissatisfaction with the operation of the devices. Motion by Councilman Sauer and seconded by Councilman Sundland to table the second reading of Ordinance 1976-019 until the next Council meeting. ORDINANCE 1976-014 AN ORDINANCE REGULATING AMUSEMENT DEVICES; AME17DING CHAPTER IV (Section 400) OF THE 1973 CODE OF ORDINANCES BY ADDING SFCTION 450 THERETO Motion carried unanimously. A memorandum from the City I:anager regarding the costs of furnishing bus transportation for the Golden F:eirs was then adopted as an addendum to the agenda. Insurance costs, purchase prices and rental rates quoted by Columbia Transit Corporation were discussed with Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Sroga, Sr., representing the senior citizens group. The PRanager then questioned where the City would find the $5,000 which might be re- quired for the project in view of an anticipated loss of from $40,000 to $50,000 in liquor revenues. He then mentioned as an al- ternative the possibility of the Kiwanis Club, on which he serves, undertaking the subsidization of the project as one of its service activities and invited 11r. Sroga or some other board member to attend the January 7th meeting of that group to discuss this eventuality. Mr. Dulgar also said he understood. that School District 282 was not too receptive to securing a bus for this purpose since they would need at least two buses for athletic events or four buses to serve all the groups who might use them and this would result in their "going into the bus business", and they didn't feel they could or should take on additional ranagement responsibilities. Councilman Stauffer wondered if it would not be more desirable for the City to find a way of subsidizing the costs of transportation for those senior citizens who could not afford to pay their share of such costs, and wanted an investigation of the availability of out- side funding for such service to low income persons. Mr. Sroga then said his group had become disturbed when no specific room had yet been designated for the senior citizens center, a de- cision which they understood might not be made until spring, and felt even though he agreed that it would be foolish to spend the amount of money necessary for a bus which would only serve the senior citizens, "the old people were getting kicked around like an old shirt". Council members and staff disagreed with this assess- ment citing the $6,000 of Community Development Block Grant Funds which were to be spent on the center and telling r"r. Sroga the de- cision as to which room was to become the center was to be rade soon by the school officials, as far as the City knew. The Mayor then opened. the Public Hearing on the 1.977 Community De- velopment Grant Program at 8-.00 P.M. Mrs. Florence Marks was the only resident to offer a suggestion for the use of these funds which Mr. Fornell said will probably amount to $29,238. She wanted some of the funds spent on a plaque for the St. Anthony Cemetery which would designate that spot on Stinson (2) Boulevard as an historical site. She also felt there should be a fense around the cemetery to protect it from trespassers and vanda- lism. Costs for this proposal could range from S50 for the least expensive plaque to $4,000 for a better plaque and a chain link fence. The Public Hearing was recessed at 8:10 P.M. until the next Council meeting December 21st. The Council then offered their opinions about the use of the funds. Councilman Sundland said he was concerned that no project should be included which might result in an ongoing expense to the City after the grant funds are no longer available. The Manager reported Councilman Haik had expressed her priorities for the use of the funds for (1) band shell at Central Park, (2) Sewer study, (3) Feasibility study re: moving fire station and (4) tree plantings. Councilman Stauffer said she strongly favored the funds being used for low income housing and felt if there is deter- iorating property in the City some of the funds should be set aside for an interest subsidy which will enable low income residents, especially the elderly to bring their properties up to standard. Tor. Fornell said a portion of the 1976 grant funds has been designat- ed to identify older and substandard properties which might qualify for the Minnesota Housing Financing Agency's interest subsidization and the Administrative Assistant also said the State Bank of St. Anthony had shown some interest in participating in such a program when the survey is completed. Mayor Miedtke wanted the senior citizen subsidy put on the list of suggested uses for the grant funds. fir. Vickrey was excused from the meeting at 8:30 P.M. Because of a conflict in dates, his firm will not be represented at the December 21st Council meeting. An employee assistance program, instituted by the State Legislature, to enable public and private organizations to obtain counseling for employees who are not performing to their capabilities because of personal problems resulting from family crisis, chemical dependency, mental illness, etc., was then presented. by Paul Barnett of Center City. Mr. Barnett represents the ffazelden Foundation. During his talk and film presentation he gave the economic and humanitarian justifications for participation by a community in such a program. To encourage such participation and provide an opportunity to test the program without a large financial investment being made, the State will provide 90% support the first year and 50£ the second which in the City's case, would result in an expenditure of only $330 for the first 18 months. The matter was tabled until the next Council meeting to enable the staff to find out whether similar coverage is already provided by the City's insurance carriers and to make their recommendations. The staff was also requested to prepare information, as reference, l for Council use when they meet with individual State Legislators and discuss with them the extent to which the levy limitations have affected the City's ability to deliver human services to its resi- dents. (3) The traffic speed surveys taken by the Police Department on 29th Avenue N.F. as well as the Police Chief's report on the number of accidents which have occurred on that street the past few years, which would seem to indicate no justification for stop signs, were discussed. Councilman Sauer asked that, in response to requests from residents on the street, additional counts be taken at busier hours before a decision is reached. Councilman Sundland said he was still concerned for the child safety at the Crestview intersection. Mayor f:iedtke suggested the Manager should contact the City of Crystal regarding_ their use of flashing amber lights on Bass Lake Road. Motion by Councilman Sundland and seconded by Councilman Sauer to table action on traffic control signage for 29th Avenue N.E. until the December 21st Council meeting for further research by the staff and the Police Department. T•Ir. Berhardt Preusser, who had requested the Council's assurance that the zoning for the 50 foot lot at 3229 P,00sevelt Street N.E. would not be changed by future City administrations, notified the "aanager that he was no longer interested in the purchase of that lot, but the Mayor suggested it night be wise to go on record re- garding the matter anyway. fiction by Councilman Sundland and seconded by Councilman Sauer to affirm the opinion stated in the December 7, 1976 Agenda regarding the impossibility of giving absolute assurance that action taken by thsi Council will never be rescinded by future City officials. taction carried unanimously. The Council (including Councilman Haik whose sentiments were con- veyer'. by Tor. Dulgar) and the Manager were sympathetic to the re- quest from tars. Helen Erickson that the City continue its support of the north Suburban Day Activity Center, but could find no justi- fication for the expenditure in face of the City's budgetary prob- lems. It was felt this was just another example of human services which have to be curtailed because of the levy limitations. Hotion by flayor Iliedtke and seconded by Councilman Sauer not to reconsider the support of the North Suburban Day Activity Center because of budgetary problems. Voting on the motion: Aye,. Sauer, faiedtke and Sundland Abstention: Stauffer MOtion carried. The shade tree disease control policy contained in the bulletin from the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities was discussed. (a) The request that he be considered for appointment to the Planning Board from Douglas Hall, 2820 Silver I:ake Road, led to the request that Mr. Fornell ascertain whether present Board members are will- ing to continue their service. The October Police Report was filed. Councilmen Sauer and Stauffer reported at length on their attendance at the National League of Cities meeting in Denver agreeing that they had derived many benefits from their attendance which they hope to use in their service on the Council. Specific reference was made to exchange of ideas with other municipalities regarding the opera- tion of police departments, "Sunshine Laws", energy conservation, availability thru computer systems of outside funding resources as well as the benefits of taking advantage of the expert advice avail- able from university sources. Councilman Stauffer was especially impressed with the report made at the women's caucus of the impact on crimes against women and children which some communities had helped combat by having women riding in squad. cars. The Mayor felt placing a podium in the front of the room might help to put those who wished to address the Council at ease. Councilman Stauffer announced her appointment of Eldon Johnson, 3620 Coolidge Street F.E., to the Human Relations Committee and asked that a letter of confirmation be sent to her appointee. pueries are also to be directed to those now serving on the Committee to ascertain their interest in full participation in that body's activities the coming year. The Council's direction to the Commit- tee to prepare an affirmative action program for the City was again discussed. Mr. Dulgar then reported on his meeting with the service organiza- tions who cooperate in the maintenance of the recycling center and told the council of the steps being taken by the Paintenance and. Police departments to cut down on the vandalism by youngsters at the center. The Council then requested that he prepare a resolution to be directed to the Metropolitan Council encouraging them to activate their water resources policies because of the problems municipalities are facing with the preservation of their water re- sources which may be endangered by a continuation of drought con- ditions in Minnesota. Motion by Councilman Sundland to approve all licenses from A 7, 1976 Agenda. Piotion carried unanimously. and seconded by Councilman Stauffer through I as listed in the December The manager said most of these had been unearthed by the City staff's investigation of licenses which had not been applied for. it was also his recommendation that all coin operated washers and dryers in apartment houses for which no supervision is provided by the vendor be licensed, feeling such fees were necessary to pay (5) the costs of the fire and police services which must now be provided in the event of fire, theft and vandalism of such machines. Motion by Councilman Stauffer and seconded by Councilman Sauer to approve the additional vending licenses recommended by the Manager. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Councilman Sauer and seconded by Councilman Sundland to approve payment of all Verified Claims listed in the December 7, 1976 Agenda. Votion carried unanimously. Councilman Stauffer thanked the City staff for the comparison of receipts before and after musical entertainment had been provided at the Stonehouse Liquor Lounge. It was felt the increase in such re- venues justified the expenditures for music. The Manager then said competition from the ever increasing number of lounges in the area was a contributing factor in the downturn in the revenues for the Apache Liquor Lounge. The Mayor then suggested that this is one of the areas of financing for which long range planning should be done early in the year long before the budget is proposed. Motion by Mayor Miedtke and seconded by Councilman Sundland to ad- journ the meeting at 10:45 P.M. Motion carried unanimously. ATTEST. V City Clerk 1-layor (6)