Community & Human Services Cte Minutes 07-20-1988 MINUTES
• Community and Human Services Committee
July 20, 1988
1:30 P.M.
Third Floor Council Chambers
The meeting was called to order by Janice Rettman, Chair, at 1:45 p.m.
The following were in attendance: Janice Rettman, Chair; Bob Long, Councilmember;
Roger Goswitz, Councilmember; John McCormick, City Attorney's Office; Phil Byrne, City
Attorney's Office; Joe Collins, Legislative Aide; Jim Murphy, Program Analyst; and
Barbara Benson, Secretary.
The minutes of the meetings at 10:45 a.n. and 1:30 p.n. on July 20, 1988 were approved
as submitted.
The first item concerned discussion on the procedures of the Division of Parks and
Recreation regarding reserving facilities; i.e., picnics, etc. (Laid over from July 6,
1988 meeting.) Lloyd Burkholder, Superintendent of Maintenance and Forestry, Division
of Parks and Recreation, stated that Parks and Recreation has responsibility for authorizing
use of picnic facilities. He stated that people may apply for permits the first working
day of January. It is on a first-come first-served basis. Up until April 1, residents
of Saint Pau� or those who have businesses in Saint Paul, have the first opportunity.
The permits are issued from May 15 through October 15. The exception to this is that
no permits are issued for Como Park on Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day
• because of the heavy family usage. He stated current procedures have been in effect
for 20 years. There was a conflict this year because of a change in the clerical staff
doing the permits. Burkholder stated that fees vary, depending on the type of facilities
required. There is a$5.00 processing fee on all permits; this would include a minimum
type shell. Pavilion types of use range from $25 per kitchen up to $S0. A$200 cleanup
deposit is required for groups in the area of 200 or more people. Permits are issued for
park pathways, some clubhouse rentals, rec center meeting facilities. The Conservatory
is available for weddings for $250. To obtain a permit, one must apply, in person,
at the Como Park office, 1224 North Lexington Parkway, corner of Horton and Lexington.
The office open at 7:00 a.m. Publicity was discussed. Joe Collins suggested information
in the community education newspapers. Burkholder noted he will do so.
The next item of business concerned City Council Agenda 6/16/88, Item No. 4: Sexual
Harassment Policy. Executive Order: E-27 - Approving Sexual Harassment Policy and
Procedures of Saint Paul. John McCormick, City Attorney's Office, explained that the
basic information originally presented to the City Council was for information only
under the Executive Order. It became apparent that the policy should be approved not
only by the Mayor, but by the City Council. The policy portion of the original packet
was separated and placed under a resolution. The procedures portion now has the cover
sheet of an Executive Order. Presently in existence is a sexual harassment policy
which was adopted by joint policy of the Council and Mayor about nine (9) years ago.
German don Alvarado, Director of Affirmative Action for the City of Saint Paul, observed
that the initial preparation was done by him; he was later joined by McCormick. A
working liaison group was also involved. Discussion ensued regarding "sexual harassment
in any form". Goswitz asked whether "unintentional" could be included. Alvarado
answered in the affirmative. Jerry Serfling, AFSCME Council 14, observed that there
� is an obvious lack of union input. He noted that at times the union is the best first
contact. Serfling stated he is concerned that persons outside the City are not
utilized, that management at times does not seem to be sensitive. He also addressed
the issue of employees "understanding" the policy and attesting to that fact.
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Community and Human Services Committee
• July 20, 1988
Page Two
Serfling capsulized his concerns, among them: Add the unions and bargaining units at
the early portion of the process; a time frame be suggested somewhere, even a time
frame for a temporary remedy; make it clear from the beginning that someone from the
outside be involved, not just internal involvement; until the investigation is completed,
the person being accused is only ALLEGED to be the harasser. Long voiced several
concerns, among them: Need to be more clear and state up front that a position is not
being taken in favor of the internal process; changes should be made in last paragraph
of the policy statement; involvement of Human Rights Department; definitions need further
clarification; clarification of "take action to stop the harasser". Rettman observed
that further discussion of this issue is obviously needed; she stated that information
will be further assimilated by Council Members and that this item will be the first
item of discussion at the August 3, 1988 Community and Human Services Committee meeting.
The next item of discussion concerned City Council Agenda 6/23/88, Item No. 4: First
Reading - 88-1017 - An ordinance amending the Legislative Code and providing for the
licensing of persons who. lease property to others for the operation of certain gambling
activities. This ordinance will provide for the licensing of persons who lease property
to others for the operation of gambling activities. Jerry Mickus, Rice Street VFW,
asked whether this would affect bingo halls. Rettman noted this concerns gambling halls
only. Mickus stated that he attended a meeting with the Gambling Board and the licensing
of bingo halls will go into effect August 1, 1988. Halls must apply for a license by that
• date. Rettman observed that she would like to see a two-mile limit explored in conjunction
with this ordinance. Phil Byrne stated that more stringent regulations may be applied to
lawful gambling, not less. A motion was made to lay this over to August 3, 1988 to
consider adding a two mile limit, and to consider whether or not the author wishes to
add "owned" buildings.
The next item of business was City Council Agenda 6/23/88, Item No. 38: Resolution -
88-1040 - Suspending On-sale Non-intoxicating Liquor LIcense held by Twin City Ford
Local 879 for the premises known as the Ford Union Hall located at 2191 Ford Parkway.
Rettman stated that Eugene Neuman, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 879 UAW, contacted Phil
Byrne stated that Local 879 UAW did not agree with the charges made, but would not contest
them. They decided not to have a hearing, which was scheduled for July 21, 1988, but
would rather appear before the City Council or the Committee which hears license matters.
All of the parties involved were notified of this issue via a copy of the agenda, but
no one was present to address the issue. Thus, this item was laid over to August 3,
1988 so involved parties could be contacted by Jim Murphy by telephone.
The next item to be discussed was 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 references to charitable
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 agenda item was again laid
over, to August 3, 1988, because neither Bill Wilson nor Kiki Sonnen were present at this
• meeting.
The last agenda item concerned Party II - Report on Gross Unsanitary Homes. (ALL
COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND.) Rettman noted that several pieces of
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Community and Human Services Committee
• July 20, 1988
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legislation have been prepared which will be introduced to the City Council in
anticipation of: 1) Making sure the vulnerable are protected; 2) Setting up early
detection or intervention system; 3) Strengthening the City`s system to accommodate
follow-up and follow-through; 4) Designating City Attorney assigned to Housing and Health
Section to make sure of compliance and tagging system; 5) Restoration of credibility of
Housing and Building Code Sections and make compliance a top priority. Rettman
distributed a proposed ordinance pertaining to notice of disconnection of utility service:
she is proposing that when a disconnection occurs, within 15 days the Health Division
will be notified. This shall include all dwellings with four or less units. An
amendment to Section 45.05 of the Legislative Code--45.05(B)--states that no permits
shall be issued for work to be done on vacant, boarded up buildings or on or in a
condemned building until the applicant applies for a certificate of occupancy. A
condition of the permit is that the applicant must deposit $2,000 with the Building Code
Office, to be held by the City Treasurer, earning no interest, until the applicant's
property is issued a certificate of compliance. This ordinance is being proposed as a
measure to insure work is completed once a permit is issued. An ordinance concerning
a Certificate of Compliance was discussed--at the time a Certificate of Compliance is
awarded, the $2,000 will be refunded. The $2,000 charge was discussed, interest versus
non-interest. Paul McCloskey will check into this. An ordinance installing an inspection
of a$25.00 inspection fee will be introduced. The $25.00 would be charged in cases where
• there has been more than one reinspection at a given site. This fee will be charged for
each inspection after the first reinspection. Discussion ensued regarding the mathematics
involved to arrive at the $25.00 figure. Flow charts were presented. Rettman explained
that compliance is the goal here, so the tags may not be lost in the Traffic Violations
system currently utilized. Frank Staffenson gave a rough outline of procedures which,
hopefully, may be implemented: An investigation will be made; is there or is there not
a violation? If violation is found, order is issued. If there is a noncompliance
situation, there are options: Discussion with the people, an extension may be granted,
a ticket may be issued if the offense is serious enough. Action which may be taken
includes summary abatement, tagging, condemnation. Rettman noted that passage of these
ordinances will get us a little closer to a solution. She is hopeful that the adoption
of them would urge the courts to go along with us. At this point, Fred Baake introduced
himself, and outlined a situation where his daughter and son-in-law moved into a home
where there were 52 violations present. No improvements had been made previously or
were being attempted to be made. When court proceedings occurred, this couple was
present plus four other families who had also experienced the same noncompliance
experience with the landlord. Rettman strongly urged support of the ordinances.
She thanked Jim Murphy for the inordinate amount of time he spent researching and
preparing them. She added that she will forward these ordinances to all Council
Members in the hopes that all will sign off on them, indicating their support and
approval.
Bob Long made a motion that the meeting adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
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