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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_04Feb11CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS COUNCIL MINUTES February 11, 2004 Mayor 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 Bill Maertz, newly hired Recreation Coordinator Ann Davy, and Deputy Clerk Mary Shea Kodluboy COMMUNITY FORUM: There was no commentary from the audience. PRESENTATION: Introduction of Ann Davy, Recreation Coordinator Parks and Public Works Director Bill Maertz introduced Ann Davy, the newly hired Recreation Coordinator. He gave a brief description of Ann’s work experience and educational background. Ann said that she is very excited to be working for Falcon Heights. Mayor Gehrz said that Ann worked very hard at the Dead of Winter event on Sunday and she asked for her perspective on the event. Ann said there was a steady flow of people all afternoon and a very good turnout. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mayor Gehrz asked that an addition be made on page 4, paragraph 6, third sentence, to read: “When will the City get all of the trash trucks off the street?” Council member Kuettel asked that an apostrophe s (‘s) be added, on page 7, to the two references to the Metropolitan Council(‘s) Metropolitan Livable Communities Act, TBRA Funds. Kuettel moved approval of the City Council minutes dated January 28, 2004, as amended. The motion was unanimously approved. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None Scheduled CONSENT AGENDA: Kuettel moved approval of the Consent Agenda, as outlined below. The motion was unanimously approved. 1. General Disbursements through February 6, 2004: $ 34,187.96 Payroll (01/15/04-01/30/04): $ 14,179.57 2. Approval of Metropolitan Livable Communities Act Tax Base Revitalization Account Grant Agreement between the Metropolitan Council and the City - $74,773.00 Employee compensation recommendation – Colin Callahan and David Tretsven FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -2- February 11, 2004 POLICY AGENDA: Consideration of contract with Housing Resource Center (HRC) Administrator Worthington said that in late 2003, Mayor Gehrz, Council member Lamb, Deb Jones, Planning/Zoning/Code Enforcement Coordinator, and she visited the Housing Resource Center in Shoreview at their North Metro location. The HRC provides services to Arden Hills, Circle Pines, Coon Rapids, Roseville, Shoreview, Columbia Heights, St. Anthony Village, Brooklyn Center, Crystal, New Hope, Robbinsdale and Minneapolis through contract. HRC’s mission is to provide free housing services to all residents in their contract cities. They provide the following services: Information on home maintenance, safety, and improvement financing. MHFA Fix-up Fund Loan Program dollars Various home improvement and home purchase program funds Free construction consultations, including information on construction, building codes and permits Assistance in reviewing contractor bids, proposals and estimates Construction assistance during construction Site visits with homeowners regarding home improvements First time Homebuyer classes Rental information Mortgage foreclosure prevention programs Energy assistance programs The contract also includes services to specific income groups, and age groups, including: Senior Housing Regeneration Program The Rehab Incentive Program Falcon Heights can become a contract city of the HRC for an annual fee of $5,000. With the City’s small staff, and the City’s commitment to high service at a reasonable cost, the HRC contract will be beneficial for residents, and assist staff in providing a broader range of services. Mayor Gehrz, for the benefit of the viewing audience, explained that the Council has discussed the Housing Resource Center and its programs in a number of workshop sessions. Council member Lamb said that he is very impressed with the Housing Resource Center, but has three questions: Is the $5,000 pro-rated? Are we going to develop a highly professional publicity campaign? Tracking? There needs to be some sort of tracking mechanism to track how many people utilize the Housing Resource Center. It would be nice to get a monthly report. FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -3- February 11, 2004 Consideration of contract with Housing Resource Center (HRC) (continued) Council member Lamb said there is a lot of aging housing in Falcon Heights. The City’s Building Official should get a good orientation to HRC and its programs. Administrator Worthington said that she will check with HRC regarding proration of the $5,000. The City will use its monthly flyer drops, its web site and quarterly newsletter to publicize HRC. The reports can be monthly or quarterly, depending upon the wishes of the City. The report can be broken down by particular program or programmatic area. It will be helpful if the City tracks how many referrals are made to HRC. Council member Talbot said the demand is there. It is more affordable to remodel than to buy a different house. HRC does lots of things for the community. He endorses them wholeheartedly. Council member Kuettel asked about cost and Administrator Worthington said that all of HRC’s services are free. There are income restrictions on some of the program funds that they offer. Council member Lindstrom said this is a good deal. When will this go into effect? Administrator Worthington said she believed this could go into effect within the next month, but wants to make sure to coordinate this with a flyer drop, web-site and cable channel publicity. Mayor Gehrz said that she has talked to the mayors of some of the other communities that contract with HRC and they speak highly of the organization. Talbot moved approval of an annual contract with the Housing Resource Center, in the amount of $5,000, for the provision of housing-related services to the residents of Falcon Heights. The motion was unanimously approved. Consideration of a contract with Equipment Supply to install an exhaust fan in the Fire Department Administrator Worthington said that when City Hall was built in 1981, the Public Works barn was equipped with an exhaust fan system to draw diesel fumes out of the barn when equipment was being operated indoors. The Fire Department barn was not similarly equipped. The fire trucks produce diesel exhaust fumes when they are started, and this is entering the administrative side of the city hall, as well as accumulating in the fire barn. The installation of an exhaust fan in the Fire Department barn will enable firefighters to activate the fan and completely cycle out the air in the barn within five minutes. The fan will be on a timer switch, and will automatically turn off after the five-minute cycle. This exhaust fan is required under OSHA standards for air quality, and will be paid for out of the General Capital Improvements fund, which has a projected 2004 balance of $82,541. FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -4- February 11, 2004 Consideration of a contract with Equipment Supply to install an exhaust fan in the Fire Department (continued) Council member Lamb asked if the City will have to pay sales tax on this purchase and Administrator Worthington told him yes. Council member Lamb said the City is putting a fan in a public building with public tax dollars. Exempting government entities from paying sales tax would eliminate one of the most egregious sales taxes in the state. Mayor Gehrz, for the benefit of the viewing audience, said that last Wednesday evening the Council met with its two legislative representatives for Falcon Heights. Representative Hausman told them there is a lot more impact if individual citizens contact legislative representatives rather than the City on their behalf. It is so ridiculous that all cities have to pay 6.5% sales tax on most purchases. If this sounds ridiculous to you, the viewing audience, contact your legislative representative. Kuettel moved approval of the bid from ES Equipment Supply, Inc., in the amount of $9,285.00, for the installation of an exhaust fan in the Fire Department. The motion was unanimously approved. REPORTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: Council member Talbot reminded the viewing audience to check on their elderly neighbors. Ring their doorbells, say hello, and see if they need help clearing snow. He said that each year the North Suburban Communications Commission offers scholarship money to college students in increments of $1,000, $3,000 and $5,000. This year the Commission has about $30,000 available. He gave a brief review of the eligibility information and the application process. Interested parties can contact the Commission’s office at 651-792-7500 or go on their website at www.CTV15.ORG/NSCC. Or, contact area city halls, libraries, high school counseling and college financial aid offices. The submission deadline is April 16, 2004. Council member Lamb suggested that this item be promoted at every Council meeting until the submission deadline. Mayor Gehrz said that at last Wednesday’s workshop, the Council met with State Representative Alice Hausman and State Senator Ellen Anderson. She reminded the Council and viewing audience that applications are being accepted for the annual Neal Kwong award. Young people between the ages of 12 and 19 are eligible. Candidates must either be Falcon Heights residents or have volunteered in Falcon Heights. The winner will be announced at the City Council meeting on March 10 and their name engraved on a plaque that is kept at City Hall. The City will be sponsoring a third round of CERT training beginning March 18 and continuing for seven weeks. The classes will be three hours in length, from 6:30-9:30 PM. Participants need to be at least 12 years of age. The City will be getting information out to the public via its web site, flyer drops and the newsletter. She thanked the Parks and Recreation Commission, staff and the Girl Scouts for the successful completion of another Dead of Winter event on February 8. FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -5- February 11, 2004 The regular City Council meeting was adjourned at 7:40 PM. Respectfully submitted, Mary Shea Kodluboy Deputy Clerk