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• FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -2- <br />January 12, 2005 <br />PRESENTATION: Gretel Keene (continued) <br />Ms. Keene said one community had been standing for 35 years without a hurricane affecting them. <br />They had survived Hurricane Frederick 35 years ago so, "What's the problem?" they said. Then <br />Hurricane Ivan struck with 120-155 MPH winds, 55-foot waves with 12 feet of shore surge. It <br />destroyed everything in its path. One person after another asked, "What can FEMA do for me?" <br />People didn't know who to contact or what to ask for. <br />Her conclusion: It is dangerous to be complacent and unable to help anyone. So far, Falcon Heights <br />has trained 0.09% or 1/111 of Falcon Heights population (5,572/50) or 1/24 single family households <br />(1,199/50). That does not include any businesses along Snelling, Larpenteur or Hamline. At that <br />rate, Falcon Heights can barely help itself, let alone anyone else. The CERT program needs to be <br />continued in the Falcon Heights area and the percentages of CERT members increased so the <br />community can be adequately serviced. <br />Council member Kuettel asked if there were police and fire personnel in the first community or did <br />the disaster response team take control? Ms. Keene said there were no police and fire personnel so <br />the team took over. <br />• In response to a question from Council member Talbot, Mayor Gehrz said that FEMA developed the <br />CERT program in Los Angeles. There are 600 trained CERT people in Minnesota. Initially, there <br />was Federal money available for grant purposes but it has been slashed so there is little or no money <br />for the program. Meetings are being held to determine what the priorities should be with the little <br />money that is available. Can partnerships be formed with businesses in the community, i.e. one of <br />the vest manufacturers is 3M. The CERT bag contents can be reduced and simplified, which will cut <br />the cost of the CERT kits dramatically. Another training is planned for March or April. Mayor <br />Gehrz thanked Ms. Keene for her selfless contribution to the community. <br />APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Council minutes dated December 6 and December 8, 2004 <br />were unanimously approved as submitted. <br />PUBLIC HEARINGS: None Scheduled <br />CONSENT AGENDA: <br />Kuettel moved approval of the Consent Agenda, as outlined below. The motion was unanimously <br />approved. <br />1. General Disbursements through December 31, 2004: $138,703.74 <br />General Disbursements through January 7, 2005: $ 24,060.73 <br />• Payroll (12/01/04-12/15/04) $ 11,687.68 <br />Payroll (12/15/04-12/30/04) $ 13,796.79 <br />a <br />