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CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
COUNCIL MINUTES
April 14, 2004
Mayor Gehrz called the regular Council meeting to order.
PRESENT: Mayor Sue Gehrz, Council members Laura Kuettel, Robert Lamb,
Peter Lindstrom and Richard Talbot
Also present: City Administrator Heather Worthington, City Engineers
Terry Maurer and Greg Robinson/H.R. Green, Parks and Public Works Director Bill Maertz, Park Commission Chairperson
Chuck Long and Deputy Clerk Mary Shea Kodluboy
COMMUNITY FORUM: There was no commentary from the audience.
PRESENTATION: None Scheduled
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Council member Kuettel asked that the word to be added
on page 9, first paragraph, ninth sentence, with the sentence to read: Now the City is going
to walk in and say that all of those customers, all of those clients, have to be turned over to them. Mayor Gehrz asked that a number be changed on page 16, first paragraph, sixth sentence,
with the sentence to read: One truck is the equivalent of 857 cars. The Council minutes
dated March 24, 2004 were unanimously approved as amended.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None Scheduled
CONSENT AGENDA:
Kuettel moved approval of the Consent Agenda, as outlined below. The motion was unanimously approved.
General Disbursements through April 9, 2004: $ 180,566.71
Payroll (03/15/04-03/30/04): $ 11,335.35
2. Formally adopt 2003 special revenue fund budgets for CAFR presentation
3. Award street sweeping contract for 2004 to low bidder, Mike McPhillips, Inc.
in the amount of $15,600
Mike McPhillips, Inc. $15,600
ASTECH Corp. $15,700
Allied Blacktop $18,490
FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -2-
April 14, 2004
POLICY AGENDA:
Approval of Curtiss Field improvements and authorization to solicit bids
Parks and Public Works Director Bill Maertz and Park Commission Chairperson Chuck Long utilized the LCD projector to make a presentation about Curtiss Field, its current condition, and
the final design concept that the Park Commission is recommending for approval by the City Council. A summary of their presentation is outlined below.
In 1989, the City commissioned a study to develop a comprehensive park plan and an assessment of City facilities. At that time it was determined that the storm system at Curtiss Field
needed immediate attention and the pond area was top priority. In recent years Curtiss Field has been prone to flooding. In 2001, the Park Commission began exploring options to reduce
the flooding and enhance recreation opportunities. In 2002, the City hired the engineering firm SEH
to conduct a feasibility study. This study indicated the pond was clogged with sediment and undersized. Three design options were developed and three neighborhood meetings were held
to solicit feedback that was used to help refine the plans. The plans were reviewed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation as part of the Municipal Agreement Program.
The Capitol Region Watershed District also reviewed the plans and made suggestions. In
March 2004, the Park Commission voted unanimously to recommend the final design concept for Council consideration. The Council is being asked to approve the plans for Curtiss Field
and to authorize staff to solicit bids.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Close Snelling Drive and enlarge pond
Excavate pond and remove organic sediment
Remove Cottonwood and Siberian elm trees adjacent to pond
Plant trees along Snelling to create visual barrier
Path around pond area and link to neighborhood through existing sidewalk
Gazebo overlooking pond area
Remove old chain link fence and install ornamental fence around tot lot, and new fence between neighbors to the East and the park
Replace cracked and settled concrete near warming house
Replace determinate storm sewer pipes adjacent to Curtiss Field
PROJECT COSTS
Storm Sewer and Pond
Removals ------------------------------------- $ 75,980
Storm sewer----------------------------------- $ 36,810
Water main ----------------------------------- $ 9,385
Grading and pavements----------------------$118,465
FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -3-
April 14, 2004
Approval of Curtiss Field improvements and authorization to solicit bids (continued)
PROJECT COSTS
Park Improvements
Park Appurtenances--------------------------$ 42,040
Landscaping-----------------------------------$ 72,745
10% Contingency--------------------------------------$ 35,542
________________________________________________
TOTAL $ 390,967
ENGINEERING COSTS
Inspection--------------------------------$15,000
Surveying and staking----------------- $11,000
Project Administration---------------- $ 7,500
_____________________________________________
TOTAL $33,500
FUNDING SOURCES
Sherman & Associates------------------$150,000
MN DOT Cooperative Agreement --- $ 39,986
Municipal State Aid-------------------- $ 66,398
City of Falcon Heights----------------- $168,083*
_____________________________________________
TOTAL $424,468
* Storm Sewer Enterprise Fund has $200,000 Budgeted for Curtiss Field in 2004
PROJECT BENEFITS
Reduced flooding
Increases recreation opportunities
Pond area will be dry much of the time
Visually enhances neighborhood
Creates pedestrian link to SE corner redevelopment
Saves the cost of reconstructing this portion of Snelling Drive ($56,845)
Reduces cut through traffic
Park Commission Chair Long said the improvements being proposed will help accomplish the Park Commission’s goal to provide a variety of activities for both active and passive recreation,
in close proximity to the residents. It will help accomplish the City’s goals to provide parks that serve and are accessible to community residents of all ages, now and in the future;
and to use the parks to enhance the neighborhood and the City.
FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -4-
April 14, 2004
Approval of Curtiss Field improvements and authorization to solicit bids (continued)
Park Commission Chair Long said the final design concept will help accomplish two of the City’s 2004 budget goals: To sustain and promote the City’s unique neighborhoods; and
to expand opportunities for the interaction and involvement of citizens of all ages in their neighborhoods and community.
Council member Lamb said that if the final cost of the improvements is less than the
$424,000 being projected, will the City’s portion, projected to be $168,000, decrease, or will there be proportional adjustments in the contributions from all of the funding sources?
Parks
and Public Works Director Maertz said the City’s portion will decrease. Council member Lamb asked what the cost would be if the City only replaced the corroded pipe. Parks and Public
Works Director Maertz said the utility work will cost $240,000. The corrugated metal pipes are badly deteriorated and will be replaced with concrete. One pipe has been pierced by
utility borings and the concrete connecting structures are crumbling. Council member Lamb asked about the timetable for the project. Parks and Public Works Director Maertz said it
is slated to begin in mid-May. The pond will be graded in late June and the plantings will be done later in the summer. Council member Lamb said that he understands and supports the
project. Is the usable recreational space in the park going to be increased? Parks and Public Works Director Maertz said it will be increased quite a bit. A path will be constructed
around the park. It will be ADA compliant. The pond will be dry most of the time.
Council member Kuettel said that she noticed Curtiss Field isn’t scheduled for any recreational programs this summer. At what point will it be available? Parks and Public Works Director
Maertz said the tot lot will be available by mid-summer and the rest of the park will be available by hockey season. Council member Kuettel commented on the smells that emanate from
the park at certain times of the year. She asked about the fencing and Parks and Public Works Director Maertz said that it will be black coated vinyl.
Council member Lindstrom commented on the garbage and smell. He commended everyone
for sticking with this for the last couple of years. The reports go back to the late 1980’s. He lives a block away and sees it every day. In response to his question about construction
disruptions, Parks and Public Works Director Maertz said a weekly newsletter will distributed so that residents will know when they will be affected. Staff will work with the residents
to help them find alternatives. Council member Lindstrom recommended having a community neighborhood walk through in the next couple of weeks.
Administrator Worthington said there will be inspectors from H. R. Green on-site. They will be available for neighborhood services.
FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -5-
April 14, 2004
Approval of Curtiss Field improvements and authorization to solicit bids (continued)
Council member Talbot thanked everyone who has volunteered their time. He commented that he won’t be able to swim around second base anymore! In response to his questions about the
pond’s incline along the western edge, vegetation, trees, path location, people and vehicular traffic at State Fair time, Parks and Public Works Director Maertz said the incline around
the pond will be gradual. The trees and bushes, particularly along the western edge, will be quite dense. The trees will be very large and will have a two-three year warranty. The
path will loop around the pond and run along Snelling Drive. Idaho Avenue will be posted as a dead end street, but the only option for the apartment building tenants will be via Idaho.
Council member Talbot asked if it would be possible to flood the pond and use it for skating. Parks and Public Works Director Maertz said the pond could be flooded and groomed, but
until the actual pond contours are in place, he would not want to commit to that. Council member Talbot asked if any of the four funding sources are in jeopardy because of budgetary
cuts and Administrator Worthington told him no.
Mayor Gehrz thanked everyone, particularly the Park Commissioners and Council Liaisons,
past and present, who contributed their time and energy toward this project: Patrick Dolan,
Denise Deen, John Rothlisberger, Chuck Long, Jim Evans, David Duckler, Donna Daykin,
and Council Liaisons Bob Lamb and Laura Kuettel. She said that Curtiss Field is the only park that the City owns and it is a wonderful amenity for the community. She asked how the
Park Commission will celebrate this park and what the implications are regarding maintenance and staff time. Parks and Public Works Director Maertz said that a special ribbon cutting
ceremony might be held. H. R. Green is putting together a maintenance schedule, which will include vacuuming of the leaves every fall. Mayor Gehrz recommended the planting of native
plants and asked if the City will be able to get anything donated. Parks and Public Works Director Maertz said there have been some conversations about that.
Council member Kuettel said that it is important to have trees that will be hardy and appropriate for this climate. Parks and Public Works Director Maertz said the trees will be tolerant
for this zone, plus they will be salt tolerant.
RESOLUTION 2004-08
Kuettel moved adoption of Resolution 2004-08 accepting the plans and specifications for Curtiss Field and authorizing advertisement for bids. The motion was unanimously approved.
FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -6-
April 14, 2004
REPORTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Council member Lamb said the City received a thank you letter from Keystone Community Services, the local community food shelf. He read it aloud to the viewing audience and asked that
it be included as a part of the permanent record, as outlined below.
“Thank you so much for your generous collection of $1,000.00 and 3,000 pounds of food to Keystone Community Services’ Food Shelf Program through your City-wide food drive. As you may
already know, Keystone Community Services resulted from the merger of Merriam Park Community Services and Neighbor to Neighbor, two community-based agencies with similar services, missions,
values and a long history of working together. Keystone provides a range
of quality human services for children and youth, individuals and families, and seniors. We appreciate your donation and your choosing Keystone to meet human service needs and help
make life in our community better for all our neighbors. With your help and the help of more than 60 dedicated volunteers, we expect to distribute over 500,000 pounds of food through
10,000 food shelf visits in 2004. With the merger we now run four food shelves. Our Midway food shelf alone saw as many as 500 visits a month in 2003. We always like to hear from
you. We value your input as well as your support. Again, thank you.”
Council member Lamb thanked the viewing audience for their generosity. He said that for
every $1.00 cash donation, the food shelf is able to purchase $7.00 worth of goods. It is his understanding that this is the only City-wide food drive that has been done and he believes
the City Council is planning to make this an annual event. He thanked the Lions for their pickup and delivery services, the sponsors, and the people who volunteered their homes as drop-off
sites. It is important for the community to give and important for the residents of the community to go and get what they need. The phone number for Keystone Community Services is
651-645-0349. The food shelf is located at the Fairview Community Center, Fairview Avenue and County Road B.
Council member Kuettel said the students at Falcon Heights Elementary School brought in 2,000 pieces of food. She said she also wanted to add that Thursday, April 16, will be a big
day in Falcon Heights because the new Dino’s restaurant will be opening. The building is absolutely beautiful and she recommended that residents go to Dino’s.
Council member Lindstrom said the City has a Friends of the Park Fund. All donations are tax deductible and the donations are used to help fund park improvements and provide scholarships
for children who are in financial need so they can participate in the summer recreational programs. For more information, call the City at 651-917-1287.
Council member Talbot recommended that residents support all of the City’s restaurants and cafes: Chin’s Kitchen, Ciatti’s, Coffee House, Dino’s Gyros and the Garden View Café.
FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -7-
April 14, 2004
REPORTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS (continued)
Mayor Gehrz reminded everyone that effective April 3, Ramsey County residents can dispose
of their wood waste (no stumps or treated wood) at four compost sites. The closest compost site for Falcon Heights residents is located in the Midway at Pierce Butler and Fairview.
She said that at the last Council meeting in March, there were questions raised about whether the regeneration plant is actually ready to take care of wood. County Commissioner Rettman
did research and found there had been some glitches. There wasn’t enough wood, initially, to give them the level of burn that they needed. They think they have that problem solved.
She showed the viewing audience the “Best in Real Estate” award from The Business Journal that the City and George Sherman were given at a presentation held on Thursday, April 1, at
the Minneapolis Hilton. The award is symbolic that everyone helped create a vision and a plan for SE Corner. The panel of judges was made up of people who are very knowledgeable.
Everyone can be very, very proud.
INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Administrator Worthington reminded the viewing audience that it is extremely dry and there is a very, very high fire danger. She asked that no one have any recreational fires and said
the City is not allowing any prescribed burns at this time either.
The regular City Council meeting was adjourned at 8:10 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Shea Kodluboy
Deputy Clerk