HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_02Feb27City of Falcon Heights
City Council Minutes
February 27, 2002
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Gehrz at 7 p.m.
PRESENT: Gehrz, Lamb, Lindstrom, Talbot. Also present was Administrator
Worthington, Deputy Clerk Phillips
ABSENT: Kuettel
COMMUNITY FORUM: There was no one wishing to speak before the council.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of February 13, 2002 were approved as written.
PRESENTATION
Deborah Jones, Zoning and Planning Coordinator, updated council about the city’s website and how its been improved and added to over the past few months. Jones encouraged residents
and other interested parties to use this method of information and communication. Jones then advised council of the goals she has set for her work on the website. Councilmember Lamb
suggested Jones
post a timeline on website as to when some capabilities will be available to make it more
interactive.
John Reik, District Roseville area school board representative, spoke about (1) the district’s budget, (2) an alternative program at the middle school, (3) the trimester scheduling system
at the high school and (4) demographic information.
CONSENT
Councilmember Lamb moved to approve the following consent agenda. The motion passed unanimously.
General disbursements and payroll
Licenses
POLICY
Re-establishment of the Solid Waste Commission and authorization of staff to advertise openings and begin collecting applications for commissioners
Mayor Gehrz talked about the history of the Solid Waste Commission and how useful that commission was to the city. After completing their goals and finding it unnecessary to meet any
longer, the commission was discontinued in 1998. When Ramsey County began a dialogue with local units of government regarding “public” or “organized” collection of waste and recyclables
on a county-wide basis, the council
Page 2
Council Minutes
February 27, 2002
is now being asked to re-establish the Solid Waste Commission. After brief questions and comments, councilmember Lindstrom made a motion to re-establish the Solid Waste Commission and
authorize staff to advertise openings and collect applications for commission seats. The motion passed unanimously.
Consideration of the 2003/2004 contract with St. Anthony Village for Police Services
Administrator Worthington said the contract was reviewed by council at an earlier meeting and nothing has been changed. There have been no adverse comments received from residents about
the police service and councilmember Talbot said the people in his area that he talked to had nothing but positive things to say. Councilmember Talbot made a motion to approve the 2003-2004
contract for police services. The motion passed unanimously.
Update on Homeland Security activities and recruitment of Neighborhood Liaisons and Firefighters
Mayor Gehrz reminded the council and viewing audience about an insert on Household Emergency Preparedness in the recent city newsletter. She encouraged people to read this guide and
keep it in a handy place for future referral. Gehrz also mentioned the article recruiting neighborhood liaisons and fire department members. Gehrz also said applications will be accepted
through the end of March for ten members for the Neighborhood Security Commission.
Gehrz said that the Security Tool Kit had been emailed to 60 Minnesota cities and 12 Minnesota counties to date.
Authorize the purchase and installation of a new picnic shelter for Community Park
Administrator Worthington said the Parks Commission researched several options and recommends replacement of the existing shelter with a larger masonry and steel shelter. The existing
shelter is over twenty years old with wooden roof beams that are rotting. The Falcon Heights/Lauderdale Lions Club generously donated $6,500 towards the replacement of the old shelter
at a previous council meeting. The balance will come from the Parks Capital Fund and a small portion from some funds budgeted for Community Park site furnishings. After brief discussion,
councilmember Lamb moved to approve the purchase and installation of a new picnic shelter at Community Park. The motion passed unanimously.
Purchase of new computer for Fire Department training and general use
Administrator Worthington said the fire department’s computer is no longer operable and a new one is badly needed. Fire department staff researched different systems and recommended
one which will take advantage of new training software that will make it more cost effective. After
Page 3
Council Minutes
February 27, 2002
brief questions, councilmember Lindstrom made a motion to authorize staff to purchase a computer for the Fire Department. The motion passed unanimously.
INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Talbot encouraged residents to serve the community in a variety of ways. The need right now is for Solid Waste and Neighborhood Security Commissioners.
Councilmember Lindstrom said that Barb Heideman was elected as chairperson of the Planning Commission for 2002.
Mayor Gehrz said the Neal Kwong Youth Citizenship Award application deadline had been extended to March 1st.
Gehrz thanked the staff and volunteers for their work in putting together the “Dead of Winter” event at the park on February 17.
Gehrz said she is a member of the Mayor’s Regional Housing Task Force which has been meeting monthly to discuss, among other things, what resources may be available to us and the challenges
of creating some affordable housing and increasing diversity of housing stock that affects the Metro area.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 8:57 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia Phillips
Deputy Clerk