Loading...
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 MINUTES 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 MINUTES . Community and Human Services Committee October 5, 1988 Page Three 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 MINUTES • Community and Human Services Committee October 5, 1988 Page Four 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. � ' !. M 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. • � .