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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_02Sep11City of Falcon Heights Council Minutes September 11, 2002 Mayor Gehrz opened the meeting at 7 p.m. PRESENT: Gehrz, Kuettel, Lamb, Lindstrom, Talbot. Also present was Heather Worthington, City Administrator and Pat Phillips, Deputy Clerk MAYOR’S COMMENTS: Mayor Gehrz took this time to reflect on the one year anniversary of September 11 and specifically commented on what the City of Falcon Heights has done since that date and what the city needs to do next to continue their efforts on security issues. COMMUNITY FORUM: There was no one present wishing to speak. PUBLIC HEARING Administrator Worthington explained that the City is required to hold a public hearing on the issuance of bonds for the acquisition and repair of a four-bed supervised living service facility for the developmentally disabled located at 1489 W. Hoyt Avenue. Worthington said the City of Little Canada is underwriting these obligations but some of the property is located in other jurisdictions and each city hosting said property must hold a public hearing to take testimony from persons wishing to express their views. Mayor Gehrz proceeded to open the public hearing at 7:10 p.m. There being no one present to speak, Gehrz closed the public hearing at 7:10:10 p.m. After brief questions by councilmembers, Councilmember Talbot made a motion to adopt Resolution 02-17 giving host city approval to the issuance of health facilities revenue obligations for a project by Wingspan Life Resources located in the City of Minneapolis, under Minnesota Statutes, Sections 469.152 through 469.1651 and approving a Joint Powers Agreement. Councilmember Kuettel seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. PRESENTATIONS Outgoing State Representative Mary Jo McGuire was the first to step forward and said she was happy for the opportunity to serve the past fourteen years but due to redistricting, will step down at the end of this year to “pursue other adventures”. She spoke briefly on some of the larger issues of the city that she was involved in over the years and also touched on some of the issues that are currently facing the state. McGuire then introduced State Representative Alice Hausman who will be replacing McGuire as the city’s District 66 state representative. Page 2 Council Minutes September 11, 2002 2. Rep. Alice Hausman said, if re-elected, she will be very excited to represent Falcon Heights as part of the new District 66. Hausman said in light of the economic conditions, next year will be a challenge that will require close partnership and conversation, but is looking forward to working with the city. Hausman introduced Senator Ellen Anderson who will also be the city’s new senator representing District 66. 3. Senator Anderson said she has been in the senate for ten years and her focus recently has been on affordable housing, job training, unemployment, and economic development. Other areas of interest are energy and environment and of course, education. If re-elected, Senator Anderson also said she will be very happy to represent Falcon Heights which is now a part of District 66. Both Anderson and Hausman’s district will now include St. Anthony Park, Falcon Heights, Midway, Como, North End, Rice Street and the East side of St. Paul as far as Arcade. Anderson thanked the mayor for a recent tour of the city and city hall and said she will work in any way at the state level to support the proposed re-development on Snelling and Larpenteur. MINUTES: The minutes of August 28, 2002 were approved with an addition and correction. CONSENT General disbursements and payroll. Licenses Authorize the purchase and installation of new swing sets and handicap accessible safety surface at Grove Park Appointment of firefighter POLICY Variance request for a 12 foot 8 inch encroachment into front setback for expansion of an attached garage at 1941 Summer Street Administrator Worthington explained the reason for the request of this variance, the primary one being the siting of the principle structure and the fact that the lot at this address is set at a diagonal. The residents wanted to enlarge their existing attached garage to make it a two car garage and there is no option available that would meet the needs of the owners without requiring a variance. The planning commission had studied and discussed this variance according to councilmember Lindstrom. After a few brief questions, councilmember Lamb made a motion to approve Resolution 02-15 granting a variance for 1941 Summer Street. The motion passed unanimously. Page 3 Council Minutes 9/11/02 Consideration of Resolution 02-18 adopting the proposed 2003 property tax levy of $897,076 Administrator Worthington said after several budget meetings, a property tax levy of $897,076 was proposed. Worthington said this is a 2% increase over the General Fund budget expenditures. A public hearing is scheduled to be held in December, 2002. After brief discussion, councilmember Lindstrom moved to approve Resolution 02-18. The motion passed unanimously. Approval of capital funding for furniture replacement in Fire Department Ward Room Administrator Worthington said the fire department furniture was donated shortly after the city hall was built in 1981. The furniture is worn and in poor condition and staff is requesting replacement not to exceed $4,900. This will include a sofa, sleeper sofa, two chairs, and a conference table and chairs. Funds are available in the Public Safety Capital Fund. Councilmember Lamb inquired if staff had checked into the state contract to see if furniture could be purchased at a further reduced rate. Worthington said she would check into it. Councilmember Kuettel made a motion to order the replacement furniture at a cost not to exceed $4,900 but requested Worthington to check with the state contract first. The motion passed unanimously. REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS Councilmember Kuettel said this day had been an emotional day for almost everyone and wanted to send her prayers and condolences to all those who were affected by 9/11, directly or indirectly. Councilmember Lindstrom said he’s proud to live in a country where so many people get out and vote, and in a city where so many give of their time to volunteer. Councilmember Talbot said there is another way to get information from the web on city council meetings. Talbot said to go to CTV15.org, click on “webcasts”, select “cities”, and select “meetings”. Councilmember Lamb said Mayor Gehrz, Administrator Worthington and he went to a meeting dealing with the possibility of a new football stadium on the Minneapolis campus of the U of M. Discussion included the joint use of the stadium with the Minnesota Vikings. The proposed plan is due before the legislature sometime in December. Mayor Gehrz reminded everyone of a meeting to be held on September 17th sponsored by the League of Woman Voters at city hall. Time is 7 p.m. and is open to the public. Topic is “Challenges to Citizenship”. Page 4 City Council Minutes 9/11/02 Gehrz said a colorful “waterfall” brochure was created by MCAD (Mayor’s Commission Against Drugs). It contains information on issues that pertain to young people growing up safely and will be available at librarys, schools and city halls. Gehrz said MCAD will no longer exist after this year and a celebration of their accomplishments will be held sometime in November. City Administrator, Heather Worthington, said the new voting machines worked very well and the city had over 30% voter turnout in the recent primary election. Worthington thanked everyone who voted. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Pat Phillips Deputy Clerk