HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_02Dec18City of Falcon Heights
Council Minutes
December 18, 2002
Mayor Gehrz opened the meeting at 7 p.m.
PRESENT: Gehrz, Kuettel, Lamb, Lindstrom, Talbot. Also present: Heather Worthington,
City Administrator, Pat Phillips, Deputy Clerk
COMMUNITY FORUM: Lynnanne Warren of 1426 W. California Ave. stepped forward to
express concern about the size (particularly height) of some of the garages that have been built in her neighborhood. She presented a letter addressing this concern and was told by
Mayor Gehrz that the lot coverage issue would be given to the Planning Commission and discussed at their January meeting. Gehrz encouraged Ms. Warren
to attend.
MINUTES: The minutes of November 27, 2002 were approved with one correction.
The minutes of Decemer 9, 2002 were approved as written.
At this point, Mayor Gehrz asked Administrator Worthington to introduce Mary Shea Kodluboy who was present in the audience. Worthington asked the council to welcome her as the new deputy
clerk who will be starting work on December 30, 2002.
CONSENT
After brief questions from councilmembers to Administrator Worthington on some of the consent items, Councilmember Kuettel made a motion to approve the following consent agenda:
General disbursements and payroll
Licenses
Step pay increase to Colin Callahan, Public Works Maintenance Worker
Variance request for a 15 foot encroachment into rear setback for an addition to the
residence at 2190 Folwell Ave.
POLICY
Increase in Storm Sewer Rates for 2003
Administrator Worthington explained that the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) Phase II permit is an unfunded mandate from the federal government requiring cities to
file the permit in 2003 and conduct certain activities, monitoring and education to residents about storm water in the five years of the permit, through 2008. The approximate cost of
the Phase II permit will be $50,000 in 2003 and $10,000 to $15,000 each year thereafter. Worthington asked the Council to approve a rate increase of 15% per billing cycle for 2003 and
for each year thereafter, through the end of 2008.
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Council Minutes
December 18, 2002
The rate increase would be communicated to residents in their January billing statement from
St. Paul Water Utility. The increase would amount to $.49 per quarter for residents, a $4.88 quarterly increase for apartment buildings and a $9.75 quarterly increase for commercial
property. Councilmember Lamb questioned the right of council to approve an increase through 2008 since that is beyond the term of this council. Lamb also brought up the possibility
of using some of the reserves in the storm sewer fund to cover this expense. Mayor Gehrz said anything the council approves now can be changed by any future council but after brief
discussion with other councilmembers, it was decided that this should be looked at on a year by year basis. A motion was then made by Councilmember Lamb to approve the 15% per quarter
rate increase only for the year 2003. The motion passed unanimously.
INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Lamb said the Curtiss Field Development Plan is nearing completion.
Councilmember Lindstrom reminded everyone to get the survey in that was included with the last newsletter.
Councilmember Talbot said there were Christmas trees still available at the Lion’s Club lot on Roselawn and Cleveland.
The mayor and councilmembers had very kind words to say to the retiring deputy clerk and Mayor Gehrz invited everyone to the December 30th open house being held in Pat’s honor. It
will be at city hall from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Pat Phillips, Deputy Clerk