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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_03May14 CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS COUNCIL MINUTES MAY 14, 2003 Mayor Sue Gehrz convened the regular City Council meeting 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, Finance Director Roland Olson, Parks and Public Works Director William Maertz and Deputy Clerk Mary Shea Kodluboy COMMUNITY FORUM: There was no commentary from the audience. PRESENTATION: Presentation of City’s 2002 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report by Jennifer Thienes and Matt Mayer, Kern DeWenter, Viere, Ltd. City auditors Matt Mayer and Jennifer Thienes, Kern DeWenter, Viere, Ltd., presented the City’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for 2002 and the Memorandum on Financial Analysis, Accounting Policies and Procedures and Internal Control. Mr. Mayer explained that the City, for the twelfth year in a row, has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its comprehensive annual financial report from the National Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. The City is also being recognized for its second year of participation under GASB Statement 34. Only five units of government in Minnesota, and 260 units of government in the nation have achieved this level with GASB 34. A brief question and answer period followed. Mayor Gehrz presented the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to Roland Olson, the City’s Finance Director, and commented that the certificate is a real monument to the outstanding job that Roland does. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Council minutes dated April 23, 2003 were unanimously approved as presented. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None Scheduled FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -2- May 14, 2003 CONSENT AGENDA: Kuettel moved approval of the Consent Agenda, as outlined below. The motion was unanimously approved. General Disbursements through May 6, 2003 in the Amount of: $ 29,784.33 Payroll (4/15/03-4/30/03) $ 11,200.35 2. Licenses – The Council, to encourage residents to patronize local businesses, read aloud the names of the most current businesses renewing their licenses for 2003 3. City Administrator Compensation Increase (continued from the April 23, 2003 Council meeting) Proclamation of June 20-22 as “MSRA’s 31st Annual Back to the 50’s Weekend” for the Minnesota Street Rod Association’s 31st Annual Back to the 50’s Weekend POLICY AGENDA: Consideration of the SE Corner Planned Unit Development (PUD) (continued from the April 23, 2003 Council meeting) Administrator Worthington explained that this item had been continued from the April 23, 2003 Council meeting because the Capitol Region Watershed District wanted to review the proposal in more detail. They submitted a positive report earlier in the day, with some suggestions about the on-site retention pond. She said that the Planning Commission, at its meeting on March 25, voted unanimously to recommend approval of the Planned Unit Development for the SE Corner. This project contains three components: Multi-family apartments, senior apartments, and townhomes. The Commissioners noted minor questions about some of the plan details that staff will address through the planning process. The City held a public meeting in February to discuss the plans with the community, and approximately 50 residents attended that meeting. Attendees were generally very pleased with the plans, and there was strong support for the project. Representatives for the developer, the engineering firm, the City’s planning consultant, Dan Cornejo, and members of the city staff were present to answer questions. FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -3- May 14, 2003 Consideration of the SE Corner Planned Unit Development (PUD) (continued) Council member Lamb asked about soil conditions at the site. Administrator Worthington said that soil borings will be done. The purpose of the pond will be hold water and then drain, via pipe, to Curtiss Field. It will be a dry pond most of the time, more of a landscaping pond. In response to a question from Council member Lindstrom about republication of the zoning map, Administrator Worthington said that republication is expensive and there may be some additional changes on the zoning map within the next year that will require that it be redrawn. The City can now print its own zoning maps in-house and the information is also available electronically. Council member Lindstrom asked what the B3 District is. Administrator Worthington said it is mixed use but does not include housing. Classification of the SE Corner as a Planned Unit Development (PUD) will permit housing. Lindstrom moved approval of the SE Corner as a Planned Unit Development (PUD) and adoption of Ordinance #03-04 amending Chapter 9 of the City Code to permit the rezoning of the SE Corner to a Planned Unit Development (PUD). The motion was unanimously approved. Resolution of Support for Sherman and Associates to Seek Funding from the State of Minnesota Tax Base Revitalization Account Administrator Worthington explained that Sherman and Associates is applying to Ramsey County for funds to offset costs related to asbestos abatement and soil contamination on the SE Corner. This funding is available from the Department of Trade and Economic Development, and the project is eligible to make application because the City is a participant in the Livable Communities Act Housing Incentives Program through the Metropolitan Council. There is potential petroleum soil contamination in the area around Dino’s. In response to a question from Council member Lindstrom, Administrator Worthington said the City is the pass through, much like it is with the Metropolitan Council grants. RESOLUTION 2003-07 Kuettel moved adoption of Resolution 2003-07 authorizing Sherman and Associates, on behalf of the City of Falcon Heights, to apply to the Metropolitan Council for funds from the tax base revitalization account, and to such agreements as are necessary to implement the project on behalf of the applicant. The motion was unanimously approved. FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -4- May 14, 2003 Request for Authorization to Use a Portion of the City’s Population Allocation Funds from the Minnesota State Aid Account for the Repair of Sheldon Street, and Curb Replacement from Ruggles Avenue to Roselawn Avenue Administrator Worthington said that Falcon Heights is currently one of two cities in the State that has a fully certified local street system. Because of this, the City is allowed to use a portion of its MSA funds to cover the repair of local streets not on the State aid system. The resolution being proposed authorizes City staff to go forward with a request to MN DOT for those funds, which will be used to pay for repairs to Sheldon Street, and curb replacement from Ruggles to Roselawn. Council member Talbot said that he was amazed that Falcon Heights is one of two cities in the State that can participate in this program. It lets residents avoid being assessed for repairs. Administrator Worthington said that Hamline Avenue is the one street left to be rebuilt. There will be ongoing maintenance over the years. The City has made a very significant investment in its streets and wants to make sure they are maintained. The 88 in the pavement management plan is quite high for a City of our age. RESOLUTION 2003-08 Talbot moved adoption of Resolution 2003-08 authorizing the City to use a portion of the Minnesota State Aid System Construction Funds allocated for non-State Aid System local street repair of Sheldon Street (S.A.P. 124-050-02) mill, overlay and curb replacement, from Ruggles Avenue to Roselawn Avenue. The motion was unanimously approved. Consider Approval of the City’s General Storm Water Permit Application for Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems Parks and Public Works Director Bill Maertz said that in compliance with the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1251), Minnesota Statutes Chapter 115 and 116, and Minnesota Rules Chapter 7001, the City of Falcon Heights is applying for certification of the Falcon Heights Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP). This application is required for discharges of storm water from small municipal separate storm sewer systems. As required by State and Federal statute, the City of Falcon Heights has developed a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP). This plan must demonstrate how Falcon Heights will implement and enforce prevention of storm water pollution over the course of the next five years. There are six minimum control measures required by statute. FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -5- May 14, 2003 Consider Approval of the City’s General Storm Water Permit Application for Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (continued) Six Minimum Control Measures Public Education and Outreach Public Involvement and Participation Illicit Discharge, Detection and Elimination Construction Site Runoff Control Post Construction Runoff Control Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping The Falcon Heights Storm Water Management Plan, adopted in 2000, already addresses the construction site and post construction site issues and is referenced in the SWPPP. The primary focus of the Falcon Heights SWPPP is on public education and pollution prevention through good housekeeping measures and staff training. Budget Implications The estimated budget for implementing this plan is $47,620. Approximately $40,000 of this budget involves measures that are already part of the Public Works operations. Storm drain cleaning, street sweeping, sanitary sewer cleaning, and training are examples of existing procedures that have been incorporated into the Falcon Heights SWPPP. Staff is applying to the Capitol Region Watershed District for a $5,000 grant to fund a community sponsored rain barrel program to reduce storm water runoff. The construction site and post construction site measures addressed in the existing Falcon Heights Storm Water Management Plan recover costs by charging fees for plan review and requiring a performance bond. Printing educational materials and staff time for program administration will cost approximately $2,600. Mayor Gehrz thanked Parks and Public Works Director Maertz and the rest of the staff for saving the City about $40,000 by doing the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program permit application in-house rather than the City having to contract out the permit application for about $50,000. Council member Talbot said the City has had a lot of good luck with grant applications and he asked about the status of the rain barrel grant proposal. Parks and Public Works Director Maertz said the grant application is being written right now. FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -6- May 14, 2003 Consider Approval of the City’s General Storm Water Permit Application for Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (continued) Council member Lamb asked if the mandate for this program isn’t coming from the Feds. Parks and Public Works Director Maertz said it is being required by the Feds but is being coordinated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Administrator Worthington explained that legal action forced the EPA to delegate responsibility for implementation to the states. Minnesota passed it on as an unfunded mandate. Council member Lamb commented that the City is virtually in compliance and that is good to know. He asked about the rain barrels and Parks and Public Works Director Maertz gave a brief description of how the rain barrels would work. A brief discussion followed. Mayor Gehrz asked if the City was going to be responsible for the University of Minnesota/Saint Paul campus and the State Fair. Parks and Public Works Director Maertz said that the University and the State Fair will be required to submit their own plans. Mayor Gehrz asked if they have asked to see the City plan. Administrator Worthington said they have not but the City will share it with them. Parks and Public Works Director Maertz said that preparation of the SWPPP has been a team effort and everyone worked hard on it. Lamb moved approval of the Falcon Heights Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program. The motion was unanimously approved. REPORTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: Mayor Gehrz said that she attended the Ramsey County League of Local Governments follow-up workshop. Suggestions made at the initial workshop were divided into different categories and Joel Hanson, the City Administrator for Little Canada, will be convening meetings with various entities. She and Administrator Worthington attended the dedication of the Genomics Building on the Saint Paul campus. They toured the new building, the first of what will be a number of buildings. On Saturday, May 3, the largest ever emergency preparedness exercise was held at the State Fairgrounds and the Falcon Heights City Hall was used as a gathering place and teaching location. Everyone learned a great deal and she thanked the staff who assisted at City Hall and/or the State Fairgrounds. Three Falcon Heights residents have completed the three-day CERT train the trainer program: Kris Grangaard, Tim Knautz and Dan Johnson-Powers. FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -7- May 14, 2003 INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor Gehrz said the Neighborhood Commission is sponsoring a personal safety training on Thursday evening, May 15, 2003, 7 PM, at City Hall and she invited those in attendance or viewing the meeting via cable television to attend. Administrator Worthington said the City will be sponsoring a block party meeting with the Sheldon Street residents on Thursday evening, May 29, 7 PM, to discuss the upcoming mill and overlay and curb replacement project for that area. There will be two public hearings before the Planning Commission on May 27: Dino’s resiting request and a request for permit parking on Garden Avenue. On Tuesday, May 20, she will be giving a presentation to the residents at 1666 Coffman about the City’s emergency preparedness planning. She and Mayor Gehrz attended a Ramsey County Board of Commissioners policy meeting about the 800-megahertz communications system and encouraged the County’s purchase and implementation of that system as soon as possible. Mayor Gehrz said there is a family of foxes living in the City (two adults and seven kits). She recommended that people who have cats with mobility issues consider not letting their cats roam about outside for the time being. The regular City Council meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM. Respectfully submitted, Mary Shea Kodluboy Deputy Clerk