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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_92Mar25i i ~_ J 1 0 Baldwin convened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. MINUTES REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 25, 1992 MEMBERS PRESENT Baldwin, Ciernia, Gehrz and Jacobs. Maurer, Hoyt and Chenoweth. Also present were Gedde, ABSENT Gibson Talbot MINUTES OF 3/11/92 APPROVED Council approved the Minutes of March 11, 1992 by unanimous consent. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVED Council approved the following Consent Agenda by unanimous consent r~° .:. c9 1. Disbursements: a. General Disbursments through 3/18/92, $100,429.10 b. Payroll, 3/1/92 - 3/15/92, $11,407.30 2. Adoption of Resolution R-92-8 Proclaiming April 24, 1992 as Arbor Day and Month of May as Arbor Month 3. Approval of Part-time Temporary Employees Pay Scale 4. Approval of Payment of $7,697.50 to Dahn Builders for Change Order at Curtiss Field 5. Approval of Hiring Temporary Public Works Employees 6. Scheduling of Community Meetings Regarding Falcon Heights/Roseville Cooperative Study for 4/21/92 and 4/30/92 7. Licenses: Thatcher Clinic #0945, Krinkie Htg. & A/C 0946, McQuillan Bros. #0947, Rollins Htg. & A/C #0948, Able Fence #0949, and Thommes & Thomas #0950 REVISED AMBULANCE RATES AND BILLING POLICY APPROVED Accountant Tom Kelly explained that the service is an enterprise fund and the proposed increases are to ensure that the charges cover the actual costs of the service for 1992. He also explained the proposed billing procedure is an attempt to obtain prompt payment and reduce the number of uncollectible accounts. Following a brief discussion Council unanimously approved the rates and billing policy as presented. REVIEW OF "NO CHARGE" AMBULANCE POLICY FOR FIRE/RESCUE PERSONNEL Firefighter Clem Kurhajetz requested an explanation of the ~~ MINUTES MARCH 25, 1991 PAGE 2 proposal to revoke the "no charge" policy for fire/ambulance personnel and their families. Baldwin explained that the policy had been discussed several years ago because the policy had also been extended to councilmembers. At that time councilmembers were dropped due to the fact that it was a costly service, an enterprise fund that must pay for itself. Kurhajetz stressed that fire/rescue provides many services to the city for which they are not paid, such as funding some of their classes, have recently picked up another heart aid at no cost to the city, and no longer claim for travel as the system is too complicated. He indicated the department is opposed to revocation of the policy and commented on the fact that other departments in Ramsey County have this same type of policy. Baldwin felt that it was more appropriate to compensate firefighters by salary and other quantifiable means that the public can see and commented on the fact that Falcon Heights firefighters are the highest paid in Ramsey County. Jacobs suggested a compromise such as charging only for expenses without labor in order to recoup the other costs, not labor. Assistant Chief Schauffert explained that there have been only 6 such calls in 13 years and that the proposed revocation is frustrating to the department because they donate hours to the city. Baldwin replied that there is no doubt about the dedication of the department and that the change is not a reflection on their dedication to the city. He felt a bad policy should not remain in force just because it is not used. Shauffert indicated that the department objected to Item 2 of the summary regarding the possibility that the policy may lead to calling an ambulance when less dramatic assistance is necessary. He stressed that they are not doing special favors to families, that they are professionals. Gehrz questioned whether or not it would be proper to remove the policy if firefighters were hired with the understanding that the policy was in place as a fringe benefit. She indicated she would be in favor of pursuing Jacobs' proposal or a proposal from the department. Ciernia was of the opinion that no more than the few times the policy is used it was probably not worth bothering with, however if the purpose is to make the bookkeeping more up front he would suggest charging only for consumable items, the hard costs. Following the discussion Ciernia moved that the policy be amended to charge for out of pocket expenses for service to department members and their immediate families living within a two mile radius. Personnel costs would be waived by the department. Upon ~. MINUTES MARCH 25, 1992 PAGE 3 a vote being taken, the following voted in favor thereof: Ciernia and Gehrz, and the following voted against the same: Baldwin and Jacobs. Tie vote, motion failed. Jacobs moved that the policy be amended to include charges for uncollectible costs, mileage, variable costs and base rate, forgiving any personnel costs. Upon a vote being taken the following voted in favor thereof: Baldwin and Jacobs, and the following voted against the same: Ciernia and Gehrz. Tie vote, motion failed. The policy remains in effect as is until another replaces it. It was suggested that Hoyt and the department work on the matter. PROPOSDED RESOLUTION R-92-9 APPROVING PLANS AND SPECS FOR CLEVELAND AVENUE CONSTRUCTION( (LARPENTEUR TO COUNTY RD B) Maurer explained that the plans for the project are in two sections, one for the street construction and storm drainage, the other for the signals at Roselawm amd Cleveland and this proposed resolution relates to the roadway/storm drainage plan. He indicated he had met with Ramsey County and that the four concerns listed in the staff recommendation (a copy of which is on file in the city office) are being addressed. Maurer recommended approval of the plans with the four contingencies in place. Ramsey County Engineer, Dan Soler, explained no work will be done on the road project until after the State Fair, however, they anticipate completion of the project this year with the exception of the final layer of asphalt. Gehrz questioned whether or not the 5 ft. pathway should be increased to 6 ft. to accommodate two wheel chairs side by side. Soler felt it would be possible to widen the pathway to 6 ft. and reduce the boulevard to 5 ft. Maurer will check with the Minnesota Disability Council regarding regulations pertaining to the width. If the pathway is to be widened, Maurer will contact the University to ask if they would be willing to give a one foot easement for widening the walkway. Gehrz then moved adoption of Resolution R-92-9 which carried unanimously. RESOLUTION R-92-9 A RESOLUTION APPROVING PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE CLEVELAND AVENUE IMPROVEMENTS (LARPENTEUR TO COUNTY ROAD B) PROPOSED RESOLUTION R-92-9a APPROVING PLANS AND SPECS FOR SIGNAL SYSTEM AT CLEVELAND AND ROSELAWN Jacobs moved adoption of Resolution R-92-9a which carried unanimously . MINUTES 1 ,~ V~ ~.. MARCH 25, 1992 PAGE 4 RESOLUTION R-92-9a A RESOLUTION APPROVING PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYSTEM AT CLEVELAND AND ROSELAWN APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT WITH RAMSEY COUNTY FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF CLEVELAND AVENUE Maurer informed council that he has reviewed the agreement and would recommend approval, after which Ciernia moved approval of the agreement. Motion carried unanimously. CERTIFICATION OF WETLAND MITIGATION APPLICATION FOR CLEVELAND AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION Maurer recommended that the city approve certification of the wetland mitigation plans relating to the ponding area and seeding with native vegetation. Jacobs moved approval which carried unanimously. PROPOSED RESOLUTION R-92-10 ORDERING LOCAL FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR CLEVELAND AVENUE IMPROVEMENTS Maurer explained that the proposed resolution directs him to prepare a local feasibility which will allow negotiating with the University of Minnesota for payment of the Cleveland Avenue improvement costs without a public hearing. If the University does not agree it would be necessary to go through the assessment hearing procedure. Gehrz moved adoption of Resolution R-92-10 which carried unanimously. RESOLUTION R-92-10 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING MAIER, STEWART AND ASSOCIATES TO PREPARE A LOCAL FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE PROPOSED CLEVELAND AVENUE IMPROVEMENTS, LARPENTEUR TO ROSELAWN AVENUES REQUEST FOR PRAIRIE GRASS SEEDING IN A PORTION OF COMMUNITY PARK Hoyt explained that since the county will be grading and seeding the wetland area it would be appropriate for the city to seed the adjacent park property to the east so care and growth is on the same timetable as the wetland area. She also mentioned that Landscape Architect Scott Midness is recommending a special kind of seed for the park area. Maurer indicated the county is willing to include seeding for the park in the county's bid package. Ciernia moved that the county be requested to include the park seeding in the county bid which carried unanimously. .1. MINUTES MARCH 25, 1992 PAGE 5 The city will still have the right to reject the bid if so desired.. PROPOSED RESOLUTION R-92-11 DESIGNATING "NO PARKING" ON BOTH SIDES OF CLEVELAND, LARPENTEUR TO ROSELAWN Baldwin presented the proposed resolution and explained that since Cleveland will be only 48 feet wide state aid standards require designating no parking on both sides of the street Gehrz moved adoption of Resolution R-92-11 which carried unanimously. RESOLUTION R-92-11 A RESOLUTION REQUESTING RAMSEY COUNTY TO RESTRICT PARKING ALONG A PORTION OF CLEVELAND AVENUE (LARPENTEUR TO ROSELAWN) 1 r ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. /~~'~'~ /c,~~~--L=am mom Baldwin, Mayor ATTEST: ;~~~ Shirley Che oweth, City Clerk