HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWkspMin 2-1-12Falcon Heights Council Workshop Minutes
February 1, 2012
Members present: Mayor Lindstrom, Council members Long, Harris and Gosline
Members absent: Council Member Mercer-Taylor
Others present: Administrator Bart Fischer, Assistant to the City Administrator Michelle
Tesser
Update on Hermes Site by Broker Tim Venne (Cushman/Wakefield/NorthMarq)
Mr. Venne provided an update on the Hermes site. Mr. Venne explained that market rate
housing is unlikely on the site as developers are unable to make the numbers work. An
affordable housing project would be more likely however time constraints are an issue. An
additional idea for the property is for a research/lab company associated with a University of
MN Professor. The City will continue to work with Mr. Venne on possible options/uses.
Presentation and Discussion on Information Relating to a Vacant Building Ordinance
Fischer presented research from Planner Deb Jones relating to a vacant building ordinance.
Fischer presented what other cities who have adopted similar ordinances have created to
address vacant properties. Fischer presented possible actions that could be taken such as vacant
property registration, a fee for monitoring the property (graduated fee that gets higher the
longer it is vacant or higher with more violations) and requiring inspections. After much
discussion Council directed staff to work with the City Attorney on possible options that would
work best for Falcon Heights and present these options at a future workshop for discussion.
Discussion on the Upcoming Constitutional Marriage Amendment
There was discussion regarding the fact that a couple of cities (Duluth, St. Paul and
Minneapolis) had passed resolutions supporting equality for all and support for all families in
Minnesota- i.e. supporting a “no” vote on the upcoming constitutional marriage amendment.
Council directed staff to work with the City Attorney to see if we could also adopt some type of
resolution supporting family and marriage equality for all.
The workshop concluded at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bart Fischer
City Administrator