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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_99Jul14• CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 14 July 1999 The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Mayor Gehrz. PRESENT: Gehrz, Gibson Talbot, Hustad, Kuettel, Administrator Hoyt ABSENT: Jacobs COMMUNITY FORUM: There was no one wishing to take advantage of the community forum. MINUTES OF JUNE 30, 1999 Minutes were approved by unanimous consent. CONSENT AGENDA • Councilmember Gibson Talbot moved approval of the following consent agenda. 1. General disbursements and payroll 2. Acceptance of North Suburban Cable Commission Special Programming Grant 3. Request to approve sealcoating bid for Allied Blacktop 4. Consideration of resolution 99-17 regarding a variance from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) for Garden Avenue 5. Schedule for upcoming city council meetings 6. Awarding of contract for the 1999 sidewalk repairs POLICY Consideration of resolution 99-16 regarding the zoning on the area north of Lindig Street Administrator Hoyt briefed the city council on the planning commission's recommendation regarding the development of the area north of Lindig Street. After two meetings and a survey of property owners, the planning commission recommended that the R-1 zoning be retained but that the council resolution adopted in February, 1999 be modified slightly. The resolution stated that the • area north of Lindig Street as diagrammed would not be developed unless the entire area was addressed (not necessarily included in) the development and . Page 2 that public access, storm drainage and sanitary sewer be provided. Hoyt explained that this effectively eliminates any single or small lot development of the area. Councilmember Hustad moved approval of resolution 99-16. The motion passed unanimously. Request to work with citizens to approach the Minnesota State Fair regarding an off-leash dog walking area. Mr. Steve Wikstrom of 1987 Garden Avenue explained that he was interested in having State Fair officials consider an off leash dog walking area in the Buffalo parking lot. Mr. Wikstrom asked the council to facilitate the request to the State Fair. Ms. Roxanne Wigen, a co-chair of ROMP, a Ramsey County group that promotes off-leash areas, described the work done with Ramsey County parks in developing two off leash sites. She provided resource ideas on how to deal with clean-up and dog fights, etc. Ms. Vera Wong, 1521 Asbury, explained that she currently let her dogs off-leash in the area north of Hoyt on the State Fairgrounds and found that the State Fair did not actively enforce its off-leash ordinance in this area. Ms. Sjostedt, 1860 North Snelling Drive, expressed her frustration over the city's policy of not permitting dogs in the city parks. She said that the agricultural field roads and public pathways were not a reasonable alternative. She supported the proposal for an off-leash area at the State Fair. Ms. Theresa • Stead of Twin Cities REGAP (retired greyhounds as pets) described the special needs of caring for retired racing greyhounds. The council discussed the concept of off leash areas. Mayor Gehrz pointed out that the city had no control over the State Fairgrounds but could facilitate the discussion. The council directed the city administrator to start with an informal discussion between Mr. Wikstrom and State Fair officials. Update on the rescue service (EMS) fund. Mayor Gehrz explained that the city council was reviewing the city's options related to its BLS (basic life support) service because of the financial condition of the rescue (EMS) fund, which is designed to be supported by user fees. She said that the city currently had a dual response approach with the Falcon Heights BLS EMT's responding to those emergency medical calls that did not require the response of a St. Paul ALS (advanced life support) paramedic unit. Because the rescue service is losing money and has been over time, she said that the council needed to consider the alternative of having St. Paul ALS paramedics respond to all calls for service and charge the users rather than risk having the city use tax dollars to support the service. However, prior to making any determination on the future of the Falcon Heights BLS service, the council requested that the auditor do a thorough analysis of the current status of the fund and anticipate the :7 • • • Page 3 future and report back at a workshop with the city council, fire department, and staff. Administrator Hoyt explained that the auditor was proceeding with the analysis following the council's direction at the June 30, 1999 workshop. The additional cost is estimated at $500 to $1,000, which will be covered from the city's general fund, not out of the rescue (EMS) fund. Hoyt said that the auditor expected the report to be done in early August. A workshop would be scheduled once the report was completed. Mayor Gehrz also brought up a letter that she received from First Assistant Fire Chief Sheltie Marvin asking that a task force be established to discuss the future of the rescue (EMS) fund. Mayor Gehrz and councilmembers agreed that since this was not an issue surrounding the quality of either the Falcon Heights BLS or the St. Paul ALS EMS service and it was a financial decision, that it was the council's responsibility to make a decision on the financial ability of the city to continue the BLS service. Mr. Jim Stock, 1818 West Larpenteur Avenue, asked if the Assistant Fire Chief could receive copies of the information provided to the auditor. Administrator Hoyt explained that the auditor got the information from the actual revenue and expenditure records of the city as well as directly from Transmedic and the auditor would independently do the analysis. Mr. Stock also said that he believed the city should look at using general fund dollars to support the Falcon Heights BLS service if it was necessary to do so. He explained that a number of people were calling him and asking about the future of the BLS service. Mayor Gehrz thanked him for his comments. Announcements Councilmember Kuettel announced the annual 50th birthday party Ice Cream Social on July 28 at Community Park. Mayor Gehrz announced a job opening for Director of Community Relations at the University of Minnesota because of the significance of the job to our community. She also said that she gave a tour of the city to our new Metropolitan Council Representative Lee Pao Xiong. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM. Respectfully submitted, Susan Hoyt City Administrator _ .~ Susan L. Gehrz Mayor