HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_01Nov28City of Falcon Heights
City Council Minutes
November 28, 2001
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Gehrz at 7 p.m.
PRESENT: Gehrz, Lamb, Lindstrom, Talbot. Also present was Heather
Worthington, City Administrator
ABSENT: Councilmember Kuettel, Deputy Clerk Phillips
COMMUNITY FORUM: Virginia Allen, 1490 W. Idaho Ave. stepped forward to say she would like the city council to explore the possibility of participating in the construction of a community
center in Roseville. She indicated it would be a good way to attract and retain young families in Falcon Heights. She currently drives to
Shoreview Community Center. Mayor Gehrz said she'd contact Roseville to determine where they are in the planning process for a community center. Gehrz said perhaps a task force would
need to be formed to study the pros and cons of such an arrangement and a survey would most likely have to be taken of the residents of the city. Gehrz told Ms. Allen that she would
be getting back with her on the subject.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of November 14, 2001 were approved with a minor correction.
CONSENT
Councilmember Talbot requested clarification of two items and after receiving such,
Councilmember Lamb made a motion to approve the following consent agenda. The motion passed unanimously.
General disbursments and payroll
Licenses
Fund transfers from the General Fund to selected other funds
Authorize the replacement of two existing rooftop heating and cooling units at city hall
POLICY
Approval of changes to the city's personnel policies having to do with sick leave, vacation, tuition reimbursement, part-time benefits and performance reviews.
Administrator Worthington said (1) the current cap on accrual of sick leave is 960 hours and staff recommended that employees with 10 years or more of service be capped at 1,260 hours.
Compensation for sick leave is at 50% upon leaving employment with the city. Worthington then said (2) staff recommends vacation benefits be simplified so
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Council Minutes
November 28, 2001
accrual is based at 8 hours per month for full time employees, with a pro-rated amount for part-time employees based on their work hours per month. Present vacation benefits are accrued
at 6.7 hours per month. Worthington also said (3) staff recommends an
increase in tuition benefits from $1,800 per year/ per employee, to $2,000 per year/per employee. Worthington said (4) the next staff recommendation was part-time regular employees
with variable schedules accrue vacation and sick leave on a pro-rated basis depending on hours worked each month, rather than hours worked each pay period.
The final recommendation was (5) the city's policy regarding performance reviews be changed to say that employees will be eligible for reviews at their anniversary date of hire each
year rather than all having reviews at the same time each year. After brief discussion, councilmember Talbot made a motion to approve the changes to the Personnel Policy. The motion
passed unanimously.
Close the Fiduciary Recreation Trust Fund 802 and transfer the fund balance in this fund to the Special Revenue Park and Recreation Fund 201 effective as of January 1, 2001. In addition,
label this amount as "Designated for Scholarships".
Administrator Worthington said the Recreation Trust Fund 802 was originally set up to account for assets held for recreation scholarships. With GASB 34, this fund would not be reported
and should be closed. Worthington said staff recommendation is that the Special Revenue Park and Recreation Fund 201 receive these funds, with the stipulation that they be designated
for scholarships. After brief discussion, councilmember Lindstrom made a motion to close Trust Fund 802 retroactive to January 1, 2001, and transfer the assets of the fund to Special
Revenue Park and Recreation Fund 201 labeling the amount transferred as "Designated for Scholarships" and adjust the appropriate budget line items associated with the transfer. The
motion passed unanimously.
Accept tree trimming proposal from Rainbow Tree Care, 2239 Edgewood Ave. S., St. Louis Park, MN 55426 and authorize additional trimming up to the budgeted amount.
Administrator Worthington said three bids were received for the trimming of trees on city hall grounds and three city parks. Rainbow Tree Care was well under the budgeted amount and
staff is recommending that additional trees be trimmed in the Falcon Woods area, up to the budgeted amount. After brief discussion, councilmember Lamb made the motion to accept the
tree trimming proposal from Rainbow Tree Care and authorize staff to contract with Rainbow Tree Care to do additional trimming up to the budgeted amount. The motion passed unanimously.
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Council Minutes
11/28/01
INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Councilmember Lindstrom introduced a "special guest", the dog who appeared to be lost and ended up at city hall. Lindstrom said staff had tried everything to find its owner and hopes
to resolve the situation. Lindstrom said the dog is a female yellow lab and has been on Channel 45 news as the lost dog living at city hall.
Mayor Gehrz mentioned Heather Worthington's recent presentation before the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners encouraging a survey be done of resources in the cities throughout Ramsey
County with respect to emergency management. It would not only
cover fire, police and public works equipment, but also hospital, health care and specially trained personnel.
Gehrz also mentioned an editorial in the Star Trib recently entitled "Safe at Home Involves Citizens and Security" in which Falcon Heights' meeting on October 29th was mentioned. Gehrz
also encouraged residents to become block captains as there is still a need for them.
Gehrz thanked the public safety professionals for their part in the November 15th Town Hall meeting on safety issues.
Administrator Worthington reminded every resident of the 2" snow emergency policy in Falcon Heights and secondly, sidewalks must be shoveled within 24 hours after a snowfall, including
salting or sanding, if icy conditions warrant. Thirdly, a reminder to shovel around fire hydrants.
Worthington also reminded everyone to attend the December 4th meeting at city hall at 7 p.m. on the SE corner redevelopment. Some of the things discussed will be traffic flow, access
and building design.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, (via videotape)
Pat Phillips