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City of Falcon Heights Planning Commission Minutes January 22, 2008 PRESENT: Commissioners Anderson, Hasegawa, Noble, Rodich, Salzberg, Watkins, City Council Liaison Kuettel. Also present were Mayor Peter Lindstrom and Staff Liaison Deb Jones. ABSENT: Commissioner Lukermann (with notice) The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. by 2007 Chair Rich Rodich. Introduction of Mayor Peter Lindstrom Mayor Lindstrom came to the podium to introduce himself to the Planning Commission. He welcomed the new commissioners and spoke of his years as Council liaison to the Commission. He directed the commissioners' attention to the goals adopted for 2008 by the City Council and the strategies to support the goals. He encouraged the commission to keep the second goal ("To sustain and promote the assets of the city's unique neighborhoods and tax base including commercial, residential and open space uses for present and future generations. ") specifically in mind as they move forward and to think creatively. He concluded by thanking the commissioners for their service to the City of Falcon Heights. • Election of Commission Chair for 2008 Commissioner Eric Watkins was elected Chair of the Commission for 2008. Introduction of New Commissioners The new planning commissioners introduced themselves. Duane Hasegawa of 1750 Albert Street said his main interest in being on the Commission is to maintain the quality of our city. The minutes of the November 23, 2006 meeting were approved. Meredith Anderson of 2280 Folwell Avenue said her interests as a commissioner are the new Bell Museum and the economic well being of the city. At the request of staff, the returning commissioners also introduced themselves briefly. Review of Planning Commission Standing Rules and Policies. The Planning Commission is requested to review and approve it standing rules, with any needed changes. These are part of the City's administrative manual which is in the process of being updated by the City Administrator. Commissioners received a copy of the standing rules and also the Planning Commission policy document, which is based on Minnesota Statute 462.354 and the city code. In the staff introduction Ms. Jones said that, although these rules (dated March 26, 1990) have not been reviewed by the commission in recent years, the procedures are generally followed, • although some have been simplified in practice. Some items stated to be the responsibility of the Chair are, in practice, taken care of by staff. Unlike the Council, the Planning Commission does not have separate consent and action agendas because there are usually so City of Falcon Heights -Planning Commission Meeting of January 22, 2008 -Page 1 of 3