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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_94Jun22 0 CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 22, 1994 Mayor Baldwin convened the meeting at 7:06 p.m. PRESENT Baldwin, Gibson Talbot, Hustad, and Jacobs. Also present were Hoyt, Asleson, and Rachman. ABSENT Gehrz. COMliUNITY FORUIYi There were no comments from the floor. MINUTES OF MAY 25, 1994 1.2 Councilmember Hustad requested that more detail regarding the questions asked by Councilmembers to Representative Mc Guire be included. Council approved minutes as amended above. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVED Council approved the following Consent Agenda by unanimous consent: 1. Disbursements a-1. General disbursements through 6/2/94, $64,201.55 a-2. General disbursements through 6/16/94, $82,357.77 a-3. Payroll, 5/16/94 to 5/31/94, $11,261.01 a-4. Payroll, 6/1/94 to 6/15/94, $12,269.03 2. Licenses (license for The Best Books and Gifts store granted contingent upon issuance of a Conditional Use Permit for the used book portion of the store) 3. Hiring of summer recreation staff 4. Approval of appointments to Human Rights and Parks and Recreation Commissions 5. Formal hiring of Mr. Lawrence Klingenberg as Public Works and Parks Superintendent 6. Community "garage" reception for retiring Mr. Vincent Wright POLICY AGENDA CONSIDERATION OF A PROPOSAL FOR LANDSCAPE PLANNING SERVICES FOR THE LARPENTEUR AVENUE CORRIDOR Administrator Hoyt explained that Ramsey County is planning to reconstruct Larpenteur Avenue from Eustis Street to Dale street beginning in late 1996. She further explained that this recon- struction gives the city the opportunity to consider possible Page 2 City Council Minutes June 22, 1994 1.2 i landscaping alternatives to be completed at the same time as the reconstruction. Toward this end, the planning firm of Hoisington and Koegler Group (HKG) was asked to submit a proposal for developing a streetscape plan for the Larpenteur corridor. Mr. Fred Hoisington of HKG explained to the Council that his firm's assumption in developing their streetscape proposal was to plan to the "edges" of Larpenteur and not just along the center of the street corridor. In this way, people will know exactly where the boundaries of Falcon Heights are located. Also, Mr. Hoisington stated that his firm is assuming that there will continue to be a great deal of public involvement in the landscape planning process. Mr. Hoisington then passed out a worksheet detailing the proposed timeline for completion of the planning process. Mr. Michael Schroeder, a Landscape Architect with HKG, gave a brief overview of corridor projects in Chanhassen and Hopkins that are currently in progress under the guidance of HKG. Mayor Baldwin mentioned that he is serving on a U of M planning group that is doing extensive long range planning on the future of the University. The group is investigating the future use of the agricultural fields in Falcon Heights. Perhaps this information will be of use to HKG. Mayor Baldwin further stated that he feels that this planning process would be time and money well invested in the future of the community. Councilmember Gibson Talbot asked if the planning approach would be to blend the different landscape areas of the city or to make them very distinct from one another. Mr. Schroeder replied that this issue will require further study to determine what approach would be best. It would be his opinion that a balance is necessary but that continuity be emphasized in some way in order that people know where Falcon Heights begins and ends. Motion by Councilmember Hustad to approve the preparation of a streetscape plan for Larpenteur Avenue with the Hoisington Koegler Group for an hourly rate at a sum not to exceed $9,750. Motion passed unanimously. CONSIDERATION OF THE POLICE AGREEFIENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF ST. ANTHONY AND THE CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS Mayor Baldwin stated that City Attorney. Bachman has represented the city in these contract negotiations and that the councilmembers had been briefed individually by Mr. Bachman regarding the contents of this contract. Mayor Baldwin expressed satisfaction with the contract and its provision for a joint advisory committee. Motion was made by Councilmember Jacobs to approve the police contract with the City of St. Anthony. Page 3 City Council Minutes c~ June 22 , 1994 1.2 ~} Councilmember Hustad asked if St. Anthony had approved the contract. Administrator Hoyt answered that they had not, as they were waiting for Falcon Heights to approve it first. Motion to approve police contract passed unanimously. CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTION CHANGING POLLING PLACE OF PRECINCT NO. 2 TO THE FALCON HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AT 1393 GARDEN AVENUE, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 1995 Administrator Hoyt updated the Council on their directive to relocate the location of Precinct No. 2 to Falcon Heights Elementary School. Due to continuing construction, the school will not be available for the 1994 primary election. Staff has discussed the issue with school officials and it was determined that it would be best to delay the polling place change until the 1995 elections. By 1995, all construction will be completed and the students will be better acclimated to their new building. Motion by Councilmember Gibson Talbot to approve Resolution No. 94-18, changing the precinct polling place for Precinct No. 2 of the City of Falcon Heights. Motion passed unanimously. CONSIDERATION OF THE ADOPTION OF A RECORDS RETENTION POLICY Administrator Hoyt explained that the adoption of a records retention schedule would allow the city to dispose of records after a minimum time length has passed. Records could be kept longer, if necessary. She also mentioned that a data practices policy would be coming before the council in the near future. Attorney Bachman explained that a data practices policy identifies city data as public, private, or confidential and also designates a staff member in charge of overseeing data practices. Motion by Councilmember Jacobs to adopt the records retention schedule as presented. Motion passed unanimously. CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED TIMETABLE FOR PREPARATION OF THE 1995 BUDGET Administrator Hoyt outlined the process for preparation of the 1995 budget and suggested several possible workshop dates. After consulting with the councilmembers in attendance, the following dates were tentatively set, pending consent from Councilmember Gehrz: July 13, August 3, August 17, August 24, and September 14. Administrator Hoyt also recommended that the council consider conducting a "group think and talk" session apart from the budget process. Mayor Baldwin endorsed this idea, stressing the importance of the council and staff sharing the same goals and ideas. He suggested a retreat in the fall for the council and department head staff. Page 4 City Council Minutes ~ ~ J June 22, 1994 COMMITTEE APPOIN'i'~IENTS TO THE RAMSEY COUNTY STRATEGIC PLANNING PROJECT Ramsey County is beginning a six month strategic planning effort and has requested representatives for 16 planning committees. The following people have requested appointment: Paul Martinez, a Human Right Commissioner, has requested appointment to the Human Service Delivery and Public Health committees; Susan Hoyt to the integrated Law Enforcement Systems committee; and a member of the fire/rescue department to the Emergency Services System committee. Motion by Councilmember Hustad to approve the committee appointments as listed above. Motion passed unanimously. ANNOUNCEMENTS Councilmember Hustad asked about sealcoating of streets in the northeast quadrants and when the rocks would be swept. Administrator Hoyt replied that sweeping was planned for the following week. Councilmember Hustad also noted that many people are moving in and out of the city. He suggested that the council consider ways to formally welcome these new residents, possibly with receptions. Mayor Baldwin suggested that this duty might be shared with the Neighborhood Watch captains or other community volunteers. The topic of violence prevention was also initiated by Councilmember Hustad. He noted that this topic is being investigated by Councilmember Gehrz and the Human Rights Commission. Councilmember Hustad and Administrator Hoyt noted that Ramsey County may have small grants available for city initiatives into violence prevention. Mayor Baldwin encouraged the Human Rights Commission and other commissions to further expand their roles in the city. Mayor Baldwin noted that the Ramsey County League of Local Governments recently finished its plan for initiatives in local governments. The written copy should be available within a week. Administrator Hoyt updated the Council on the speeding problem in Falcon Woods. while the average speed recorded was about 21 m.p.h., there were seven trips where a vehicle was exceeding 60 m.p.h. These high speeds were especially apparent over the noon hour and between five and six in the evening. Staff will be delivering a letter to the residents of the area, asking them to report license plate numbers of speeders to the police. In this instance, erecting a "please slow down for children" sign will probably not be effective. An unidentified resident of the Falcon Woods neighborhood asked the Council if a "No Through Street" sign could be erected. Page 5 City Council Minutes June 22, 1994 ~~V Mayor Baldwin noted that the data show that the speeder is probably a neighbor rather than someone passing through. It will be more effective for neighborhood watch groups and individuals to report the offender than to post an officer in the neighborhood. Mayor Baldwin also asked that staff investigate the cost of a "No Outlet" sign for the area. Administrator Hoyt also made the following announcements: • Former Falcon Heights recreation coach Eric Lovdahl is now a pitcher with the Minneapolis Millers baseball team. • The A.M.M. has asked for volunteers from city councils to serve on its various committees. Councilmembers should see Susan Hoyt for further information. • Vince Wright, Public Works Foreman, will be retiring June 30. A garage reception will be held for Vince on June 23. • National Night Out has been scheduled for August 2, 1994, • There will be a city newsletter published in July. Anyone wishing to submit articles should contact Carla Asleson. ~:\~~~iIi1;7`.I~1~~ The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. 1 Carla Asleson Recording Secretary C~ .--~/~ om Baldwin, Mayor