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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_95Jan25CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING ., MINUTES OF JANUARY 25, 1995 ~ ~~ Mayor Baldwin convened the meeting at 7:10 p.m. PRESENT Baldwin, Gehrz, Gibson Talbot, Hustad, and Jacobs. Also present were Hoyt, Asleson, Treeful, Bachman, and Sampson. COMMUNITY FORUM There were no comments from the floor. MINUTES OF JANUARY 11, 1995 Minutes were approved unanimously as presented. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVED Mayor Baldwin noted the removal of the capital transfers item from the consent agenda. Motion was made by Councilmember Jacobs to approve the following consent agenda, with the deletion as noted above. Motion passed unanimously. 1. Disbursements a. General disbursements through 1 /20/95: 549,950.10 b. General disbursements through 1 /20/95: 515,239.81 c. Payroll, 1 /1 /95 to 1 /15/95, 512,447.30 d. Payroll dated 1 /12/95: 5809.76 e. Payroll dated 1 /1 1 /95: 5528.50 2. Licenses 3. Commission appointments and resignations 4. 1995 commission liaison assignments 5. Approval of Resolution No. 95-03, approving a transfer of funds 6. Approval of the hiring of Lisa Lovedahl as playroom attendant POLICY AGENDA Mayor Baldwin noted that item P - 1 had been tabled due to the fact that Solid Waste Commission Chair Marty McCleery had been unexpectedly called out of town. The commission's presentation will be rescheduled to a later date. AUTHORIZATION FOR STAFF TO APPLY FOR THE SMALL .BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA) & MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES TREE PLANTING GRANT City Forester Treeful explained that she would like to apply for a grant to plant additional trees in the city parks. The grant would require a 50% match from the city - 35% of which will be a cash match and 15% in-kind labor contributions. With the grant funds, five trees would be planted at Curtiss Field, five at the Grove Park, and 24 trees at Community Park. Motion was made by Councilmember Hustad to authorize staff to apply for the Small Business Administration, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Tree Planting Grant FFY 1995. Motion passed unanimously. City Council Minutes January 25, 1995 . Page 2 ~~ j ~ REPORT OF THE CITY FORESTER City Forester Treeful reported on the 1994 Tree Program activities and the program work plan for 1995. 1994 activities included: tree trimming of the Northeast quadrant and a portion of the Northome neighborhood, designation as a 1993 Tree City, receiving a 1993 Tree Growth award, inspection of boulevard and private trees for tree diseases, working with residents on tree-related issues, and maintaining trees on city lands. In 1995, Treeful plans to continue many of the same activities, as well as expanding boulevard tree planting, supervising tree planting along Cleveland Avenue, and trimming the remaining trees in the Northome neighborhood. Councilmember Gehrz noted that designation as a Tree City requires that the city spend at least S2 per capita on its tree program. She asked if the city receives grants due to its Tree City status. Treeful replied that most grant applications do inquire as to whether the city is a Tree City or planning to become one. Gehrz commented that, during budget time, the council should remember that by spending the money required to become a Tree City, Falcon Heights is able to receive additional grant funding. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE 95-03, RELATING TO PLANTING OF TREES IN CITY BOULEVARDS Administrator Hoyt explained that she and Forester Treeful had discussed a number of revisions to the city's tree policies. Rather than simply planting trees in areas where a tree has died, staff proposes to proactively plant trees in the city's boulevards. This policy requires a change to the city code. In 1995, there are budgeted funds for 17 trees to fill in parcels that have no boulevard tree. The planting would be done in locations where it is known that trees were removed and not replaced, specifically on Hoyt and Folwell Avenues. The city forester would have final authority over where these trees would be placed. After 1995, staff proposes to expand boulevard tree planting to the Falcon Woods III and Maple Knoll/Garden/St. Mary's/Fry neighborhoods where there is currently no established boulevard tree program. The City Forester would work with a landscape architect to establish a boulevard tree program in a fashion similar to a street project where plans are drawn and neighborhood input solicited. This plan would also be reviewed by the city council. Forester Treeful recommends that at least two different species of tree be planted on each street as a precaution against disease destroying an entire street of trees. Motion was made by Councilmember Jacobs as to the following: • Adoption of Ordinance 95-03 relating to planting of trees in city boulevards; • Authorization for the City Forester to develop a boulevard tree planting plan for two neighborhoods, Falcon Woods III and Maple Knoll/Garden/St. Mary's/Fry, to bring back to the council for discussion as capital improvement projects; and • Authorization for the City Forester to plan and implement planting a minimum of two, similarly formed and sized tree types on each street. Motion passed unanimously. City Council Minutes January 25, 1995 Page 3 ~ ~- ~ e~ CITY INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Baldwin announced that City Attorney Bachman would be leaving his law practice with Leonard, Street and Deinard to become the Executive Director of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy. Bachman commented that he'd enjoyed working with the city council and with Administrator Hoyt and thanked everyone involved for their professionalism. Bachman recommended that Ellen Sampson, a colleague from his firm, take over his role as the city's civil attorney. Ms. Sampson, a partner with Leonard, Street and Deinard, has worked with the city on personnel issues and was welcomed by the mayor and council. Councilmember Hustad reminded the viewing audience of the opening of the Indoor Playroom on February 4th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Councilmember Gehrz requested that the council be updated on the activities of the Cable Commission and Internet opportunities at an upcoming work session. Mayor Baldwin congratulated resident Brad Lasser on his award from Northwest Youth and Family Services. Administrator Hoyt announced that a police open house has been tentatively scheduled for late April/early May. She also reminded the council and the viewing audience of the Dead of Winter Inspirational Event on February 5th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Community Park. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m. Tom Baldwin, Mayor Carla Asleson Recording Secretary