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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_03Apr09 CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS COUNCIL MINUTES April 9, 2003 Mayor Gehrz called the regular City Council meeting to order at 7:00 PM. PRESENT: Mayor Sue Gehrz, Council members Laura Kuettel, Robert Lamb, Peter Lindstrom and Richard Talbot. Also present: City Administrator Heather Worthington and Deputy Clerk Mary Shea Kodluboy. COMMUNITY FORUM: There was no commentary from the audience. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Council minutes dated March 26, 2003 were unanimously approved as presented. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None scheduled CONSENT AGENDA: Kuettel moved approval of the Consent Agenda, as presented and outlined below. The motion was unanimously approved. General Disbursements through April 3, 2003 in the Amount of: $ 48,943.71 Payroll (3/17/03-3/31/03) $ 11,585.86 License Renewals for 2003 – The Council, to encourage residents to patronize local businesses, read aloud the names of the most current businesses renewing their licenses for 2003. Award Streetsweeping Contract for 2003 to Mike McPhillips, Inc. Bids were received from: Allied Blacktop - $15,990 Mike McPhillips - $15,600 Appointment of Al Hernandez as a Captain for the Falcon Heights Fire Department POLICY AGENDA: No Items FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -2- April 9, 2003 PRESENTATIONS: Saint Anthony Police Department – Report About 2002 Crime Statistics Mayor Gehrz said that each year, the Saint Anthony Police Department does a presentation to the Falcon Heights City Council about the previous year’s crime statistics, enforcement, and other calls and incidents. Lt. Jeff Scholl, Saint Anthony Police Department, introduced himself and said he is a night supervisor for the Department. He explained that he was substituting for Lt. Cotroneo, who could not be here this evening. Lt. Scholl gave a brief, oral review of the written report that had been provided earlier. He reviewed patrol statistics, investigations, crime prevention activities, domestic terrorism, police officer education and training, the reserve officer program and 2002 accomplishments. Lt. Schull said that the Department couldn’t do its job without the help of the citizens of Falcon Heights. The City’s numbers are low because of the citizens of Falcon Heights. Mayor Gehrz asked for comments and questions from the Council and the audience. Council member Lamb asked how many additional hours are scheduled during the State Fair. Lt. Scholl said their hours are doubled. All vacations and training are cancelled that may come up during the State Fair. The reserve units are also called in. About 20%-25% of the fair attendees take the bus, which helps greatly with traffic management and control. Mayor Gehrz said the City has been working with the State Fair and the hope is that an agreement will be reached that will reimburse Saint Anthony for all their efforts. Council member Kuettel asked what the biggest challenge is for the police department in Falcon Heights. Lt. Scholl said the biggest challenge is to keep the training at a high level. There are concerns about budget cuts and a fear that training might disappear. Council member Kuettel asked what the City Council can do to help the police department do their job. Lt. Scholl said that public awareness and public responsiveness are key. Council member Talbot asked if there is a profile of who steals and robs. He also complimented the Department on their community policing approach. The officers make a point of being involved in the community and letting people get to know them. Lt. Scholl said that crime is mobile and looking for opportunity. Burglaries occur around 5:00 PM, during rush hour. He doesn’t see bikes out as much in Falcon Heights and garage doors are down. Neighbors know one another in Falcon Heights. The community policing approach gives people the opportunity to become comfortable with the officers and more willing to contact them if situations warrant it. FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -3- April 9, 2003 PRESENTATIONS: Saint Anthony Police Department – Report About 2002 Crime Statistics (continued) Council member Lindstrom asked if the police and fire personnel could talk to one another during a fire. Lt. Scholl said that Ramsey County doesn’t have the 800 frequency yet. Hennepin County does and it helps everyone—they need to be able to talk to one another. Council member Lindstrom said that right now, because of this, the patrol cars have to carry two radios. Mr. Frank Meah, 1597 Hollywood Court, said that during hot rod days at the State Fair, people park on their street and there are times when the residents can’t get out. Lt. Scholl said that the Department is not in charge of that intersection. That is taken care of by the University of Minnesota and the City of Saint Paul. He would like to hear from Mr. Meah as to when this is occurring. Administrator Worthington said the residents on Hollywood Court could all get parking passes. Parking could be restricted on that street during specific events. A gentleman commented that he has a terrible time crossing Larpenteur. Lt. Scholl recommended contacting Ramsey County. There are some major County streets running through the City. Mayor Gehrz said that she wanted to pass on her appreciation for the excellent work that the Saint Anthony Police Department does. They maintain a high visibility in the community. Police cars patrol through our town all the time. There is an active police presence here. The City cares about the safety of the community and cares enough to have a patrol car in the City seven days a week. Recognition of the City’s Planning, Parks and Recreation, Human Rights, Neighborhood and Solid Waste Commissioners. Presentations about the Respective Commission Activities During 2002 and Projected Goals for 2003 Mayor Gehrz said the Commissioners and Chairpersons for the City’s Planning, Parks and Recreation, Human Rights, Neighborhood and Solid Waste Commissions had been invited to attend this evening to update everyone regarding Commission activities during 2002 and projected goals for 2003. The Council also wanted to recognize them for their volunteer services to the community. FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -4- April 9, 2003 PRESENTATIONS: Recognition of the City’s Planning, Parks and Recreation, Human Rights, Neighborhood and Solid Waste Commissioners. Presentations about the Respective Commission Activities During 2002 and Projected Goals for 2003 (continued) Planning Commission – Chairperson Thomas Lageson said there were four major areas of focus in 2002. Lot coverage, SE Corner redevelopment, the First Ring Suburbs Working Group, and several variance requests—mostly garages. The big goal in 2003 will continue to be the SE Corner redevelopment. He complimented his Commissioners and said they are a good group that likes what they’re doing. He introduced two Planning Commissioners who were in attendance: Melissa Maher and Jim DeLeo. Parks and Recreation Commission – Chairperson Chuck Long said that in 2002, they spent a great deal of time on the SE Corner, particularly the design improvements for Curtiss Field, a recreational area and stormwater retention area. They spent a great deal of time with design architects and met with the public to get their input. He mentioned the design concept is posted on the City’s web site for those who are interested. A new swing set was installed at Grove Park and a new picnic shelter was installed at Community Park, with assistance from the Lions. The Commission wants to develop a cohesive look and feel for all of the City parks. The Commission held two activities in 2002: The ice cream social and the Dead of Winter event. The summer and fall recreational programs were very successful. The Falcon Heights Friends of the Parks Fund allows people to make tax-deductible donations. A grant was applied for and received from the DNR to have a consultant check the parks regarding accessibility compliance. In 2003, the Commission will continue with the Curtiss Field project and will hold preliminary discussions regarding upgrading the Folwell corridor. They have reviewed the policies regarding reservations for fields and facilities and are recommending cost increases. They are reviewing the different recreational programs the City offers and looking at making them more self-sufficient. The Commission welcomes everyone in the community with concerns and ideas to attend the Commission meetings at City Hall on the second Monday of each month. He introduced two Parks and Recreation Commissioners who were in attendance: Donna Daykin and Jim Evans. Neighborhood Commission – Chairperson Kris Grangaard said this is a new Commission that was formed about a year and a half ago, partly in response to 9/11. Some of their concerns are the quality of life in the community and emergency preparedness. To date, about 65 people have signed up to be neighborhood liaisons and the Commission is still recruiting. The Commission has prepared a handbook that is on the City’s website. They have held first aid and traffic management trainings. On April 29, there will be a training for liaisons on how to plan a great block party. In May, there will be a course on personal safety, which will be done by the Saint Anthony Police Department, as well as an online first aid course. She introduced two Neighborhood Commissioners who were in attendance: Tom Brace and Joe LeTourneau. FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -5- April 9, 2003 PRESENTATIONS: Recognition of the City’s Planning, Parks and Recreation, Human Rights, Neighborhood and Solid Waste Commissioners. Presentations about the Respective Commission Activities During 2002 and Projected Goals for 2003 (continued) Solid Waste Commission - Chairperson Barb Leary said the Commission was reinstated in 2001 after a hiatus since 1998. They have seven members and meet on the last Thursday of each month. Deb Jones is their staff liaison and she is so helpful and energetic. Bob Lamb is their Council liaison. They are really in a learning mode. A new item is the recycling of clothing and textiles. They will be looking at City wide solid waste collection. She gave a brief review of the Commission’s mission statement and introduced two Solid Waste Commissioners who were in attendance: Frank Meah and Michael Marany. Mayor Gehrz said the Human Rights Commission is an on-call Commission. It was decided several years ago to have them on an on-call basis. They have not had any human rights issues to deal with. Mayor Gehrz said the Commissioners volunteer their time and immense talents to the community out of caring and concern. She said that on behalf of the City Council, she wanted to express their appreciation to the Commissioners for all that they have done and will be doing in the coming year. The regular City Council meeting was adjourned at 8:20 PM. Respectfully submitted, Mary Shea Kodluboy Deputy Clerk