Community & Human Services Cte Minutes 10-05-1988 ' } • ,
MINUTES
Community and Human Services Committee
• October 5, 1988
1:30 P.M.
Council Chambers
The meeting was called to order by Janice Rettman, Chair, at 1:30 p.m.
The following were in attendance: Janice Rettman, Chair; Bob Long, Councilmember;
Bill Wilson, Councilmember; Roger Goswitz, Councilmember; Kiki Sonnen, Councilmember;
Terry Sullivan, City Attorney's Office; Phil Byrne, City Attorney's Office;
Jospeh Collins, Legislative Aide; Jim Murphy, Program Analyst; and Barbara Benson,
Secretary.
A motion was made to approve the minutes of the September 1, 1988 Community and Human
Services Committee meeting. This was seconded and passed unanimously.
Janice Rettman noted that two items were being laid over:
1. Letter from Sharon Voyda, District 6 Planning Council, dated September 12, 1988,
requesting the opportunity to make a presentation to the City Council: Rettman
explained that Sharon Voyda was unable to be present due to illness. This item
will be laid over until she is available to attend to address her concern.
2. City Council Agenda 9/20/88, Item No. 8: Resolution - 88-1515 - Foregoing any and
all interest in developing a first class park on property described as Blocks l, 2,
• 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of Saint Paul Park Acre �ots in Newport, Minnesota, conveyed
by Gordon and May Bailey, and agreeing with Washington County that Newport, Minnesota
should be the owner of said property. (FOR ACTION.) This was laid over to
October 19, 1988 at the request of the Division of Parks and Recreation.
The first item of business concerned City Council Agenda 5/3/88, Item No. 16: Third
Reading - 88-500 - An ordinance amending chapter 409.21(b) of the Legislative Code
pertaining to pulltabs and tipboards in bars by deleting the reference to charitable
gambling organizations that support youth athletic activities. (Community and Human
Services Committee recommends approval.) (Sent back per request by Ms. Sonnen in regard
to national associations having pulltabs.) Phil Byrne's combination of two ordinances
will be presented. (Laid over from July 6, 1988 meeting.) (This was laid over to August 3,
1988, as both Bill Wilson and Kiki Sonnen were absent.) (Laid over to August 17, 1988.)
(Laid over to August 31, 1988 for language stipulation--five permits versus striking
youth athletics.) (Phil Byrne will make final drafts, which will be submitted to the
Committee for final revisions of ordinances.) Phil Byrne stated he has prepared a
draft representing the requests of the Committee on August 31, 1988, which include:
1) An on-sale licensee (intoxicating liquor) can now seek a gambling endorsement to license
for any charitable organization licensed by the State, not just those serving youth
athletic programs; 2) Subject to one exception--not more than seven nationally chartered
organizations may operate in bars at any one time. If eight or more wish to operate,
selection will be by lot. This exception "sunsets" on December 31, 1990 to reinforce
policy and deflect possible challenges; 3) An on-sale license holder which terminates
its relationship with a small charitable group for a larger organization, or which
forces a charitable organization out, is not permitted to have another charitable
organization for one year thereafter; 4) A provision has been added which restricts an
• organization from operating in more than one licensed establishment; 5) The purpose of
the Fund for groups not organized enough to do their own gambling has been expanded to
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Community and Human Services Committee
• October 5, 1988
Page Two
include all youth programs and organizations, not just athletics. Language has been
added to clarify that "501(c)(3)" status is not a prerequisite for receipt of funds,
but is evidence that it qualifies as a charitable organization; 6) The pull-tab and tip
board activities of private clubs under Chapter 404 are put on a par with those in
licensed establishments. Numbers were discussed relative to bars and organizations.
Christine Rozek, Licensing, stated there presently are two organizations which are �
operating in one bar, and there are some pending applications for operation in up to
three bars. She noted that fourteen establishments now have operations and there have
been no problems. Concerns of the members were voiced: Language of seven organizations
versus five; youth programs versus youth athletics; better definition of "national".
Jim Murphy will begin the task of defining "national"; he will have this ready for the
third reading. Bob Long made a mot-ion that the substitute ordinance be recommended
for approval with amendments of caps on the numbers involved and legislation to be
worked on by Phil Byrne; this passed on a 4-1 vote.
The next item concerned City Council Agenda 9/6/88, Item No. 1: First Reading - 88-1450 -
An ordinance amending Chapter 45 of the Legislative Code pertaining to nuisance
abatements. (FOR REFERRAL TO THE COMMUNITY AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE.) Murphy
addressed thiG ordinance, stating this will amend Chapter 45 by adding a sentence which
will allow the City Council to close off an appeal if the party appealing fails to
appear at the hearing and the enforcement officer states that the nuisance has been
• abated. Presently, if a property owner is issued•orders to clean up the property and
fails to do so, the City will clean up the property, and the owner is billed for the
cleanup service. The owner of the property may appeal the orders issued, in which
case the City cannot clean up the property. In some cases, the owner of the property
cleans up the nuisance to the satisfaction of the enforcement �fficer before the appeal
is heard. Because the nuisance has been removed, the hearing is not necessary and many
times the owners do not appear. The nuisance case is closed from the perspective of
the property owner and the City, but the appeal is still on the Council agenda. This
amendment would allow the Council to strike the appeal and no further action would be
necessary. Frank Staffenson, Division of Public Health, stated that his division has
no objection to this, that the division could expedite a number of cases with the
passage of this ordinance which are presently "muddled" in paper work. Bill Wilson
made a motion that this ordinance be recommended for approval. Goswitz noted a
typographical error--"been" which should be "being". This was recommended for
approval on a 4-0 vote, as amended.
The next item concerned City Council Agenda 8/9/88, Item No. 32: Resolution - 88-1323 -
Ratifying assessment for Summary Abatements property clean-up through the month of May,
1988, and boarding up of vacant property through April, 1988. (Summary abatement for
property at 940 Selby Avenue.) StPVe Roy, Division of Public Health, stated that in
March of 1988 there was a cleanup at 940 Selby Avenue inside and outside the house.
An extension was granted per a telephone conversation. The work was not completed.
The Parks Division performed the cleanup. The costs assessed to the premises were
$1,099.50. Roxanne Flinch, Valuations and Assessments, stated that a payment schedule
could be entered into for five, ten, fifteen or twenty years. Alice Ellis, the owner
• of the property, was present with her niece, Renee Higellman. Renee stated that
someone was supppsed to have contacted her to discuss alternative options. Wilson
apologized for the oversight. Flinch, Ellis, Hilellman and Roy left at this point to
discuss the situation. NOTE: At a Iater point in the meeting, Steve Roy reappeared
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. Community and Human Services Committee
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before the Committee, stating discussion ensued among the particulars, but no one
was able to agree on the issue. Rettman observed that the reason this isssue came to
this committee was to provide an opportunity for the payments to be spread out. Roy
noted that short of no payment, twenty years was discussed and was the one leaned
toward. Wilson made a motion that this resolution be recommended for approval, with
a twenty-year payback. This passed on a 4-0 vote.
The next item concerned a letter from Ramsey Action Programs, dated August 24,,1988,
requesting the opportunity to make a presentation to the City Council. This item was
addressed by Sandra Meicher, Executive Director of Ramsey Action Programs, Inc.
She stated that Jerry Burnquist, Chair of the Board of Directors,was unable to bc present
so she was appearing in his absence. She stated that RAP's committees have been
restructured: there is now an external committee, an operations committee, and a planning
and evaluations committee. She noted that RAP received large funding cuts from the
Federal Government last year; thus, intake and outreach sites for energy assistance
programs will be reduced during the co�ing year. Annual energy costs reimbursement
have been cut from $850 per household vearly to $350. Rettman noted that she serves
on the Target Area Advisory Committee's groups and lauded their efforts. Wilson praised
the Headstart program and discussed the lack of benefits for the workers involved.
• The next issue dealt with a request from Joy Donovan, a lobbyist for animal rights, to
make presentation to the City council regarding Pound adoption policies. (Laid over to
October 5, 1988 at Joy Donovan's request.) Donovan voiced her concern over the brevity
of hours during which a person may redeem or purchase.a pet, the amount of the charge,
and the policy of using Pound animals for research. Steve Putnam, Assistant Director
of Animal Control in Minneapolis, outlined Minneapolis' program, indicating Minneapolis
employs 20 Animal Control Officers with a budget of $750,000+. The Minneapolis Pound is
open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on weekends and holidays from 10 a.m.
to 6 p.m. Minneapolis handles domestic animals only. Rita Rnutson appeared with
pictures of dogs she has found homes for. Judy Barr, Division of Public Health, noted
that a contract is being prepared between the City of Saint Paul and the Humane Society,
whereby the Humane Society will be tak�ng many of the animals from the Dog Pound to be
adopted out. The Humane Society will shortly be opening up a new addition to its
facility so it may house more animals. Bob Long requested that this subject be brought
back before this Committee at some point. Barr observed that it will be coming before
the entire City Council when the contr�ct is introduced between the City of Saint Paul
and the Humane Society. Bernie Fritz, Animal Control Officer, observed that the contract
with the Humane Society will enable maay animals to find homes, and added that Saint Paul's
Animal Control program has been workin; well. Rettman commended Fritz on his efforts at
Saint Paul's Pound. Donovan requested that she be notified when this issue appears again
before the Council. Rettman answered in the affirmative.
The next item concerned City Council Agenda 9/22/88, Item No. 15: Resolution - 88-1533 -
Amending the 1988 budget by adding $7,146 to the Financing and Spending Plans for
Community Services General Fund. Lloyc Burkholder, Division of Parks and Recreation,
addressed this item, stating that this resolution will amend the 1988 budget and transfer
• $30,000 from Building Repair Services to Full Time Certified. For the past two years,
the City has contracted out for painti�g services. The .9 FTE which would be added
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• Community and Human Services Committee
October 5, 1988
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would be filled by two part-time painters working approxiaately five months a year. The
$7,146 would be the benefits pfovision for these part-time employees. Burkholder noted
that with this resolution, there would be better control over the work being done and
better quality work will be done. Bob Long made a motion that this resolution be
recou�ended for approval. This passed on a 4-0 vote.
The next item presented was City Council Agenda 8/16/88, Item No. 27: Resolution - 88-1347
Adopting the Child Care Policy for the City of Saint Paul. (Continued discussion on
September 23, 1988.) (Laid over to October 5, 1988 for Jerry Segal to work with
Committee staff.) Rettman noted her appreciation of Jerry Segal's efforts in
incorporating Bi11 Wilson's and Bob Long's concerns into this resolution. Jerry
Serfling, representing AFSCME Council No. 14, stated that bargaining units will have
to sit down with employers to sort out the specifics in each contract. He stated this
should be done individually by each bargaining unit. Rettman noted it is her intent to
involve all bargaining representatives, and that Jim Murphy will contact them for input.
Irene 0'Ryan, Division of Public Health, introduced herself as the Public Health Nurse
Supervisor in charge of the day care inspections, and indicated her concern regarding
the day care inspection issue. Dolores Dinzeo discussed the status of the Child Care
Council, indicating that this organization has not been legally dissolved. Wilson and
Long discussed their concerns. A motion was made by Goswitz to withdraw the resolution,
. and recommend a substitute ordinance for approval. This was passed on a 4-0 vote.
Jerry Segal will make the requested changes. '
The next item concerned City Council Agenda 8/25/88, Item No. 30: Resolution - 88-1408 -
Requesting the Administration to review the report and recommendations of the Governor's
Blue Ribbon Commission and anv information available through the Attorney General's Task
Force on Violence Against Women. (FOR REFERRAL TO THE COMMUNITY AND HUMAN SERVICES
COMMITTEE.) Rettman noted that Alice Rainville, from the Minneapolis City Council,
has been very active with this issue and has been contacted for input. The Blue Ribbon
Commission was established by the Governor, with assistance from business and government
leaders from Saint Paul and Minneapolis, to address parking ramp safety. The Commission
prepared a report regarding parking ramp crimes, current efforts to parking ramp safety
and includes recommendations to improve parking ramp safety. Councilmember Scheibel has
drafted a rPSOlution requesting the administration to review the report and evaluate the
Commission's recommendations as to how they affect Saint Paul, and report to the Council
on the areas of safety features in existing and planned parking ramps, safety features in
surface parking lots, requesting public information and participation. Ora Lee Patterson,
Mayor's Office, stated that appropriate staff have been requested to review the
recommendations and are to report back to the Mayor by December 31st. The Mayor has
requested input from Jan Gasterland (regarding code violations), Ken Johnson, and
Lieutenant Larry McDonald. Findings will be shared with this Committee. Rettman
inquired of Patterson if it would be possible for Jim Murphy to work with the staff in
the Mayor's Office on this issue. Patterson answered she was unable to answer that; she
would have to discuss this with someone in the Mayor's Office. Rettman distributed copies
of an ordinance passed by the Council of the City of Pittsburgh. She had received this
from Carolyn Brookter, of KSTP-TV. Rettman requested assistance from the City Attorney's
• office on this issue. A preliminary standard draft is to be prepared within one month.
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MINUTES
Community and Human Services Committee
• October 5, 1988
Page Five
The final item discussed was City Council Agenda 9/22/88, Item No. 17: Resolution - 88-1535
Amending the 1988 budget by adding $5,956 to the Financing and Spending Plans for
Community Services General Fund. (FOR REFERRAL TO TfiE COMMUNITY AND HUMAN SERVICES
COMMITTEE.) Jean Baumgartner, Division of Parks and Recreation, stated that the
position being addressed is a Rec Center Cirector. This position works with the
remaining part-time rec centers through supervision of recreation leaders, program
activities, encouragement of neighborhood participation, etc. These duties have been
performed since February, 1988. Because of lateness and lack of clear communication,
it was never correctly put into the budget. This resolut.ion will correct this mistake,
take the position off contract, and make it a full-time certified position. Bob Long
made a motion that this be reco�ended for approval. This passed on a 3-0 vote.
A motion was made that the meeting be adjourned; this was seconded and passed unanimously,
3-0. The meeting adjourned at 4:10 p.m.
Note: The next scheduled meeting of the Community and Human Services Committee will
be on Wednesday, October 19, 1988, at 1:00 p.m.
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