HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_99Apr28• CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MINUTES OF APRIL 28, 1999
Mayor Gehrz called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Gehrz, Gibson Talbot, Hustad, Jacobs, Kuettel, Administrator Hoyt,
Phillips, Engineer Maurer, Attorney Knutson
COMMUNITY FORUM:
There was no one wishing to take advantage of the community forum.
MINUTES OF APRIL 14, 1999
Minutes were approved by unanimous consent.
CONSENT AGENDA.
Councilmember Kuettel moved approval of the following consent agenda. The motion
. passed unanimously.
1. Disbursements and Payroll
2. Licenses
3. Request for authorization of purchase and installation of automatic dialer in the
sewage lift station
4. Accept a gift of ceiling fans in Community Park from the Falcon Heights/Lauderdale
Lions Club
5. Authorization to purchase trees for boulevard and pazk planting
6. Approve the purchase of planters for the westside of the community business district
on Larpenteur Avenue
PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED ASSESSMENT FOR THE 1999 STREET
PROJECT
Mayor Gehrz asked Engineer Maurer to provide information on the improvement project
and the assessments. Maurer said the full project cost is approximately $1,500,000 with
assessments at approximately $600,000. Maurer stated the bids from contractors will be
opened on May 4 and anticipates the start of the project to begin in late May. A
newsletter will be sent to affected residents advising them of the name of the contractor
selected with specific names and phone numbers to call if there aze questions or concerns
during the project.
• Page 2
Council Minutes
Apri128, 1999
Mayor Gehrz opened the public hearing at 7:06 p.m.
Katherine Elhazdt, 1841 Asbury appeazed before the council and indicated she had a
certificate of title showing the sale of the southerly 10 feet of their property to their
neighbor on the north. Elhazdt said the front footage of this property appeared as 102 feet
on the assessment roll when it should be 92 feet thereby reducing the amount of their
assessment. Engineer Maurer will check with county records to verify this change and
Attorney Knutson said legally the council can proceed with the adoption of the
assessment roll with corrections, subject to confirmation.
Richazd Kranz, 1484 Crawford asked why it was necessary for the water hydrants to be
replaced and how much extra chazge would that be to the residents. Engineer Maurer
stated there are no added chazges to the residents for new water hydrants. Kranz then
asked about the rate of interest on the unpaid balance of the assessments. Mayor Gehrz
indicated the city won't know for sure until the bonds aze sold. Kranz asked why the city
doesn't sell some of the university fazm campus land and build some houses to get more
tax money. Mayor Gehrz informed him that the city does not own this land. Kranz asked
• when the assessment had to be paid and Engineer Maurer informed him that it can be
paid by October 1, 1999 with no interest.
A member of the audience asked if there was a discount for prepaying to which Maurer
said there would not be any interest chazged but no discount.
The public heazing closed at 7:15 p.m.
POLICY AGENDA
Consideration of Resolution 99-12 adopting the assessment roll for the 1999 street
project
Engineer Maurer explained that adoption of this resolution is necessary to complete the
special assessment process for this project. The proposed assessment rate is $26.50 for
residential properties and $52.50 for non tax-paying properties. The total anticipated
assessment amount is $602,000 or 38% of the total cost to be bonded at $1,580,000.
Councilmember Jacobs moved to approve resolution 99-12, revised to reflect the Elhazdt
correction. Motion passed unanimously.
Consideration of Resolution 99-11 restricting parking on the northside of Garden
Avenue approximately 270 feet east of Holton Street
• Page 3
City Council Minutes
Apri128, 1999
Administrator Hoyt said this request is made to eliminate pazking along the azea that
school children walk on the northside of Holton directly to the school. Also, Garden
Avenue narrows as it meets Holton Street and state highway aid standazds require the
azea to be posted "no pazking" to qualify for state aid on the reconstruction project.
Motion was made by Councilmember Gibson Talbot to approve Resolution 99-11.
Motion passed unanimously.
Consideration of Resolution 99-13 calling for the sale of 1999A General Obligation
Bonds for the 1999 Street Project
Shazon Klumpp, financial advisor with Springsted Inc., reported on the anticipated sale of
$1,580,000 general obligation bonds for the reconstruction of the streets in the northeast
quadrant. Klumpp said the anticipated interest rate is 4.3% but will fluctuate and may
vary on the date of the sale which is May 26, 1999. The results of the sale will be
brought to the May 26a` council meeting. The bonds will cover the entire project costs
including engineering, financial prepazation and legal counsel. Councilmember Hustad
made the motion to approve Resolution 99-13. Motion passed unanimously.
• Consideration of an amendment to the agreement with Springsted for financial
services for arbitrage and disclosure reporting
Administrator Hoyt said the amendment to the agreement entered into in December, 1996
with Springsted would agree to have Springsted cover azbitrage and disclosure reporting
that is required by the federal government to include this bond issue. The city staff does
not have the expertise to manage these annual financial requirements and recommends
Springsted's services be used for this purpose. Councilmember Kuettel made the motion
to approve the amendment to the agreement effective only after the sale and awazd of the
1999A G.O. improvement bonds. Motion passed unanimously.
Becoming a Community of Promise
Mayor Gehrz talked about the concept of Falcon Heights becoming a "Community of
Promise". Gehrz said this is a nationwide youth development organization that is
encouraging communities to provide mentoring, safe places, service opportunities,
nurturing and teaching and leazning opportunities to its youth. Gehrz also said that a
youth summit gathering will be held at the state fairgrounds in Falcon Heights possibly in
the yeaz 2000. Mayor Gehrz asked the council to consider formally adopting a motion to
indicate that Falcon Heights be officially named a Community of Promise.
Councilmember Hustad made the motion to officially include Falcon Heights as a
• Community of Promise. Motion passed unanimously.
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City Council Minutes
April 28, 1999
INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Kuettel encouraged everyone to participate in the city's May 22°d
anniversary parade and to attend the gathering afterward at the school for hot dogs,
coke and chips. Kuettel also reminded everyone about Arbor Day celebration at Falcon
Heights School on Friday, Apri130. A tree will be planted and dedicated to two teachers
who are. retiring at the end of the school year.
Mayor Gehrz said that the playground area at Community Park will soon be upgraded.
Gehrz also received a request from two Ramsey County commissioners asking the city to
endorse the concept of light rail transit for the East Metro Area. After a briefing by
Councilmember Jacobs on light rail issues, council decided not to endorse this concept
until they have all the facts.
• Administrator Hoyt said the summer recreation program enrollment is well underway.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 P.M.
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Susan L. Gehrz, Mayor
Susan Hoyt, City Administrator
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