HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_02Jul10City of Falcon Heights
City Council Minutes
July 10, 2002
Acting Mayor Laura Kuettel opened the meeting at 7 p.m.
PRESENT: Kuettel, Lamb, Lindstrom, Talbot. Also present was city administrator, Heather
Worthington
ABSENT: Gehrz, Phillips
COMMUNITY FORUM: There was no one present wishing to speak before council.
MINUTES: The minutes of June 26, 2002 were approved as written.
CONSENT:
Councilmember Lindstrom made a motion to approve the following consent agenda.
General disbursements and payroll
Licenses
Approval of capital expenditure for sidewalk replacement
Approval of contract amount with Kern DeWenter Viere Ltd. for 2001 audit expenses
related to the GASB-34 conversion
POLICY
2002 Sealcoat and Crackseal Improvements Project
Administrator Worthington said the city originally budgeted $32,000 for the sealcoating/cracksealing project. Two bids were received for this project and both were higher than anticipated
but the reason is that staff researched some new material and found that a granite chip will have more durability, better adherence to the tar, and a better appearance overall than the
traditional pea gravel used in past years. The granite chip is about $1,000 more in cost than pea gravel, but typically lasts about two years longer,. Worthington said the other additional
expenses are in the form of labor and fuel costs. City engineers anticipate a cost savings over time despite the higher material cost. Worthington also recommended that later this year,
council should approve a budget amendment that will put sealcoating into a infrastructure capital expenditure amount. At that time, council can make an addition to the budget to cover
additional amount of bid over $32,000. Councilmember Lamb questioned whether it was too premature to work together with Lauderdale on this particular street project. Worthington responded
in the affirmative but said she had talked to staff at Lauderdale and they are interested in combining future projects if it will save both cities some money. Councilmember Lindstrom
asked if it would be a cost savings in doing all the city streets at the same time. Worthington said she would do some research on that. After brief discussion, Councilmember Lindstrom
made a
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July 10, 2002
Council Minutes
motion to authorize staff to contract with Pearson Brothers, Inc. for the NE Quadrant project at a cost of $44,762.60.
Adoption of a legal fireworks ordinance
Administrator Worthington said the legislature legalized certain types of fireworks that were sold in Minnesota this past year. The city’s draft ordinance basically re-states the state
statute that legal fireworks may not be used on public property or on private property without the consent of the private property owner. Worthington said council may or may not wish
to adopt the ordinance at this time. Councilmember Lamb said he did not think the city should incorporate an ordinance that is already covered by a state statute. Councilmembers Lindstrom
and Kuettel said a part of the city’s proposed noise ordinance could be made specific to cover fireworks. Councilmember Lamb recommended not to approve the draft ordinance. The ordinance
discussion was tabled.
Adoption of Resolution 02-14, authorizing application for the Livable Communities Demonstration Program
Administrator Worthington said the city is required to pass a resolution of support for funding applications to the Metropolitan Council in the Livable Communities Demonstration Account
funding. This grant application for funding for the SE Corner Redevelopment Project will cover the construction of a transit shelter, the relocation of utilities, streetscaping, pedestrian
links, and underground parking on the site. Councilmember Talbot made a motion to adopt Resolution 02-14 authorizing application for the Livable Communities Demonstration Program.
The motion passed unanimously.
Hiring of temporary fire inspector
Administrator Worthington said the city is currently negotiating with the City of Little Canada
to finalize an arrangement to share a fire inspector. Until the agreement is finalized, staff is recommending the hiring of Jerry Maleitzke on a temporary basis to do fire inspections
for Falcon Heights and Lauderdale. Mr. Maleitzke is a licensed fire inspector currently working part-time for Little Canada. Staff recommends he be an “at-will” employee, and his term
of employment will not exceed 90 days. Staff expects to have a draft agreement prepared with the City of Little Canada sometime in late August and will present it for council review.
After brief
discussion, councilmember Lamb made a motion to approve the hiring of Jerry Maleitzke to serve as fire inspector for a period not to exceed 90 days. The motion passed unanimously.
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Council Minutes
INFORMATION
Review of proposed Noise Ordinance 02-03.
Administrator Worthington said the city has had numerous complaints and police have responded to 30 calls regarding excessive noise. The present city noise ordinance is very vague and
Worthington felt a review and discussion of the proposed noise ordinance was
needed at this time. A lengthy discussion ensued with councilmember Lamb bringing several points to the attention of everyone that he felt should be examined more thoroughly. Lamb
said council needs to be careful to balance the need to be specific without creating unintended consequences. Lamb also said some of the language was discriminatory. After considerable
discussion, Acting Mayor Kuettel recommended further review and discussion of this ordinance at a mini-workshop in September.
INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Lamb said he and Administrator Worthington had attended a Suburban Ramsey
County Housing and Redevelopment Authority meeting. Lamb said it was basically a fact-finding
and exploratory type of meeting with future meetings to be scheduled.
Councilmember Talbot reminded everyone of the meetings at city hall on July 18th, which is the
second meeting with the developer on the progress of the SE corner redevelopment. Also, a
meeting will be held on Monday, July 22nd, regarding Curtiss Field pond.
Acting Mayor Kuettel reminded all of the 3rd Annual Agricultural Open House at the St. Paul
Campus of the U of M on Saturday, July 27, from 9 to 1 p.m. Also invited everyone to the Ice
Cream Social at Community Park on July 25th from 6 to 8 p.m.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, (via video)
Pat Phillips
Deputy Clerk