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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_010411City of Falcon Heights City Council Minutes April 11, 2001 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Gehrz at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Gehrz, Hustad, Kuettel, Lindstrom, Talbot. Also present, Heather Worthington, City Administrator, Pat Phillips, Deputy Clerk, Terry Maurer, City Engineer COMMUNITY FORUM: There was no one present wishing to speak PRESENTATION: Capt. John Ohl of the St. Anthony Police Department presented an overview of the crime statistics affecting Falcon Heights for the year 2000. Captain Ohl then addressed some questions that councilmembers had. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of March 28, 2001 were approved. CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Kuettel moved to approve the following consent agenda. The motion passed unanimously. General disbursements and payroll Licenses Authorize staff to award street sweeping contract for 2001 PUBLIC HEARING Administrator Worthington explained that modifications to the Development Program for the Development District No. 1 and the Tax Increment Financing Plans for District Nos. 1-2 and 2-1 were recommended by the state auditor's office. The city's financial consultant, Shelly Eldridge of Ehlers & Associates, made the modifications to the TIF budgets. Jim Prosser of Ehlers & Associates was introduced to answer any questions. Mayor Gehrz opened the hearing at 7:35 p.m. There being no one present, the hearing was closed at 7:36 p.m. POLICY AGENDA Consideration and recommendation of council resolution 01-06, regarding modification of TIF Districts 1-2 and 2-1 to bring them into compliance with the State Auditor's recommendations on budget, and their compliance with the City's Comprehensive Plan Page 2 Council Minutes 4/11/01 Administrator Worthington said the change will modify the two TIF budgets so that any tax increments generated from TIF District Nos. 1-2 and 2-1 may be used in either district for land acquisition, public improvements and other qualified redevelopment costs. Councilmember Lindstrom said the Planning Commission had reviewed and passed a resolution finding that the modifications conform to the general plans for the development and redevelopment of the city as contained in the city's comprehensive plan. After brief questions addressed to and answered by Jim Prosser, councilmember Talbot moved to approve resolution 01-06. The motion passed unanimously. Authorization of staff to send out Request for Proposals to engineering firms for the purpose of conducting a qualification inspection of the Southeast Corner of Snelling and Larpenteur Administrator Worthington explained that the purpose of these inspections is to determine if the proposed redevelopment district meets the qualifications for establishment of a redevelopment district under Minnesota State Statutes. Proposals would be returned to the city by April 23 and would appear before council for approval at the April 25 or May 16 meeting. Councilmember Kuettel moved to approve the mailing of requests for proposals to engineering firms in the metro area. The motion passed unanimously. Consideration of resolution 01-08 approving the bid for one triple combination pumper apparatus to be built on a Freightliner FL80 4-door chassis cab per specifications issued by the city on March 15, 2001 Administrator Worthington indicated that the low bid for the new fire pumper was received by Custom Fire Apparatus Inc. at a total cost of $205,890. This pumper will replace one that is 30 years old and failed its pump test. Delivery will be made within 180 days of the city signing a contract for purchase. After brief questioning, councilmember Hustad made a motion to approve resolution 01-08. The motion passed unanimously. Requested approval of a not-to-exceed agreement with Short Elliott Hendrickson for planning services and consulting Administrator Worthington told council they are being asked to approve this agreement in the amount of $5,000 for consulting and planning services on the SE corner redevelopment. It will include the completion of design guidelines, consultations and attendance at future meetings with developers. Councilmember Lindstrom made a motion to approve the agreement. The motion passed unanimously. Page 3 Council Minutes 4/11/01 Variance request from Gibbs Farm for a one-foot variance for a privacy fence on the west side of the property. Administrator Worthington said Gibbs Farm is requesting a one-foot variance in order to build a 7 foot fence along the western edge of their property. The taller fence will hopefully prevent more golf balls from landing on their property from the University of Minnesota golf course with whom they share a property line. Councilmember Lindstrom said the planning commission had discussed this request at their meeting and were in approval of the variance. After brief discussion, councilmember Hustad moved to approve resolution 01-07 granting a one foot variance for a privacy fence. The motion passed unanimously. Consideration of Resolution 01-09 approving plans and specifications and ordering advertisement for bids for the 2001 alley improvement project Engineer Maurer said the council is being asked to approve resolution 01-09 approving plans and specifications as prepared by H.R. Green and ordering advertisement for bids on the 2001 alley improvement project. Councilmember Kuettel made a motion to approve resolution 01-09. The motion passed unanimously. Consideration of Resolutions 01-10, declaring cost to be assessed and ordering preparation of proposed assessment; and 01-11, setting hearing on the proposed assessment for the 2001 alley improvement project. Engineer Maurer stated that council is being asked to approve resolutions 01-10, declaring cost to be assessed and ordering preparation of proposed assessment; and resolution 01-11, setting hearing on the proposed assessment. After brief discussion, the assessment hearing was set for May 23rd. Councilmember Hustad moved to approve resolutions 01-10 and 01-11. The motion passed unanimously. Request for authorization to contract with ReSpec to conduct a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment Administrator Worthington informed council that the consultant Ehlers and Associates has recommended that the city conduct a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment of the property located on the southeast corner of Snelling and Larpenteur. The cost will be a one-time fee of $1,500 and will largely involve research of the site through city, county, and state documents regarding the ownership and use of the property over time. After brief discussion, councilmember Talbot made a motion to authorize approval of such a contract. The motion passed unanimously. Page 4 Council Minutes 4/11/01 DISCUSSION ON STORMWATER MANAGEMENT Administrator Worthington mentioned that copies of the draft Stormwater Management Plan was given to councilmembers and recommended for use by the Metropolitan Council. Worthington said there were two items of particular importance to Falcon Heights and that was Section 6 which underlines the process to follow in the event of a new or large re-development. The other deals with the restricted use of fertilizer and establishes a limit to the amount of phosphorous used in fertilizer. Councilmember Lindstrom had earlier questioned what type of fertilizer the city uses on its parks and lawns and was advised that it uses a nitrogen fertilizer. Administrator Worthington said she would like this to be included on the next council agenda and also in the comprehensive plan update. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Councilmember Lindstrom announced that according to the latest census, Falcon Heights' population increased to 5,572 from 5,480. Councilmember Kuettel said that the St. Anthony Police Department conducted their alcohol compliance check in the city and all five of our businesses that serve alcohol passed this test. Mayor Gehrz reminded those who may be interested in applying for the council seat vacated by John Hustad to get the application back to the city by 4:30 p.m. on April 20. Administrator Worthington mentioned there will be another alley walk on May 1st beginning at 6:00 p.m. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. to a brief workshop. Respectfully submitted, Pat Phillips Deputy Clerk