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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_02Jul25City of Falcon Heights City Council Minutes July 25, 2001 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Gehrz at 7 p.m. PRESENT: Gehrz, Kuettel, Lamb, Lindstrom, Talbot. Also present was Heather Worthington, City Administrator, Pat Phillips, Deputy Clerk. COMMUNITY FORUM: There was no one present wishing to speak. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of July 11, 2001 were approved. CONSENT AGENDA: Councilmember Kuettel moved to approve the following consent agenda. The motion passed unanimously. General disbursements and payroll Licenses Adoption of Resolution 01-18 amending Chapter VI of the City Administrative Manual concerning personnel POLICY AGENDA Approval of a preliminary development agreement with Sherman Associates, Inc. for the redevelopment of the Southeast corner of Snelling and Larpenteur Avenues, the Northome Shopping Center Administrator Worthington explained that council is now being asked to approve a preliminary development agreement with Sherman Associates that will be in effect for 10 months from the date of adoption. There were some minor changes made to the agreement and Jim Prosser, the city's financial consultant, said that the main purpose of the preliminary development agreement is to clarify the timeline of 10 months for the developer to complete a development agreement. Prosser said it is the development agreement that will provide a more detailed schedule of dates regarding land use approvals, financing, etc. After brief discussion, councilmember Lamb made a motion to approve the preliminary development agreement with changes discussed. The motion passed unanimously. Page 2 City Council Minutes July 25, 2001 Resolution calling for a public hearing by the city council on the proposed establishment of a tax increment financing district Administrator Worthington said a date needs to be set for a public hearing to discuss the possible establishment of a tax increment financing district for the redevelopment of the SE corner of Snelling and Larpenteur Avenues. Worthington said that while the developer has not asked for this type of assistance yet, it is prudent to begin the process for a hearing in order to stay on schedule with the redevelopment in the event that such assistance is needed. Resolution 01-17 establishes the date of the public hearing to be September 12, 2001 and is used as the time for the public to ask questions regarding establishment of a TIF district, etc. After detailed discussion and questions answered by Jim Prosser, councilmember Talbot moved to adopt Resolution 01-17 setting the public hearing date for September 12, 2001 on or about 7 p.m. The motion passed unanimously. Update on website working group recommendations Administrator Worthington reported on the first meeting of the working group comprising Deborah Jones, planning/zoning coordinator, councilmembers Robert Lamb and Richard Talbot and herself. The four areas it was felt the city should focus on were (1) capacity and vendor selection; (2) security and privacy; (3) the top 4 transactions residents use; and (5) a link policy. Deborah Jones said a decision would have to be made about what we want to have on the web, the impact on the city budget, and how the city wants to interact with residents and businesses. Jones spoke about the need for privacy, access and legal issues. Jones also said the website would have to be moved to an outside server. Councilmember Lamb spoke of being an electronically responsive government and what that entails. Mayor Gehrz said a Technology Task Force should be formed with experts from diverse backgrounds and from all age groups. She encouraged councilmembers to be thinking of persons they may know that would be interested in serving on the task force and email those names and addresses to the city. An article recruiting for the task force will be published in the next newsletter which will be coming out in late September. Councilmember Lamb said he would facilitate the discussion at the first meeting which is tentatively set for mid to late October. Appointment of Patrick Ryan to the Planning Commission Mayor Gehrz is recommending Patrick Ryan to replace Lyle Wray on the Planning Commission. Mr. Wray is unable to continue his term due to his international travel schedule. Gehrz said with the redevelopment of the SE corner, it would be well served to have another planning commissioner who lives in the Northome neighborhood. Page 3 City Council Minutes July 25, 2001 Councilmember Kuettel moved to approve the appointment of Patrick Ryan to end of the term which is 12/31/03 at which time Mr. Ryan would have the option of serving three additional years. The motion passed unanimously. Consideration of a request for a two-foot variance in height for a privacy fence at 1720 St. Mary's Street. Administrator Worthington said the residents of the above address are requesting a variance in the height requirement for a privacy fence at the rear of their property. The variance is requested due to the existence of a busy parking lot and shopping center at the rear of their lot. Three other neighbors on that block have received variances due to similar concerns about the noise, light and screening from adjacent commercial uses. The Planning Commission approved the request at their July 24th meeting. Councilmember Kuettel moved to approve the variance request. The motion passed unanimously. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Councilmember Talbot thanked all those responsible for having the picnic earlier in the week at Gibbs Farm Museum. Councilmember Lindstrom thanked the people from the Bell Museum for their presentation last week and to the residents who came to the meeting. Councilmember Kuettel reminded everyone of the Ice Cream Social on July 26th. Mayor Gehrz mentioned that the city hosted a Ramsey County Board budget meeting at city hall on July 24th. Gehrz also urged people that if they call 911 from a cell phone about an incident in Falcon Heights, ask to be connected to Ramsey County Dispatch and the response time will be much quicker. Administrator Worthington reminded everyone of the community meetings on July 30 and 31, 7 p.m., city hall, with the developer of the SE corner of Snelling and Larpenteur. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Pat Phillips Deputy Clerk