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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_04Jan07CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS COUNCIL MINUTES January 7, 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, City Attorney Matthew Foli and Deputy Clerk Mary Shea Kodluboy COMMUNITY FORUM: There was no commentary from the audience. PRESENTATION: Introduction of City’s Second CERT Team Mayor Gehrz said that in the event of any kind of disaster in the community, people want to help their families, co-workers and neighbors. The Community Emergency Response Team or CERT training teaches volunteers how to help, safely and effectively, before the professional emergency responders get to the scene. The CERT training consists of seven 3-hour classes, which include fire suppression, medical triage, light search and rescue, organizing and communicating during a disaster, and a practice disaster simulation exercise. The City has been able to offer this training because of the dedication of its volunteer trainers, the support of the Fire Department, and the funds provided by the State and Federal government, supplemented by donations from participating local businesses and CERT trainees. Each graduate is given a kit containing search and rescue equipment and supplies so they are ready and able to respond when needed. In August 2003, fifteen volunteers graduated from the first Falcon Heights CERT training. This evening, the City Council is pleased to recognize 21 graduates from the second CERT training offered in Falcon Heights. The City Council would also like to show appreciation to the fantastic training team: Lead CERT Trainer, Captain Dan Johnson-Powers, Falcon Heights Fire Department, Co-CERT Trainer and Chair of the Falcon Heights Neighborhood Commission Kris Grangaard, and Andy Schippel and Brad Rezny, members of the Falcon Heights Fire Department. A short slide show was presented that highlighted the final CERT exercise held on December 8. Mayor Gehrz and Captain Dan Johnson-Powers then presented CERT pins and diplomas to the 21 graduates, as outlined below: Melissa Alfonse, Twin City Co-ops Jim Evans, Fry Street Greg Anderson, Folwell Avenue Cindy Hartley, Twin City Co-ops Roger Caspers, Moore Street Cynthia Hobbie, Folwell Avenue John DeBettignies, Twin City Co-ops Russell Hobbie, Folwell Avenue FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -2- January 7, 2004 ` Introduction of City’s Second CERT Team (continued) Joet Holmberg, Fry Street Pat Norris, Hermes Floral Mark Hove, Tatum Street Scott Pike, Roselawn Avenue Lavone Johnson, Coffman Rachel Pike, Roselawn Avenue Sherry Kangas, Twin City Co-ops Elizabeth Postigo, Arona Gretchen Kreuter, Coffman Denise Roster, Twin City Co-ops Bill Lamoreaux, Twin City Co-ops Joanne Weckwerth, Coffman Anne McGarry, Twin City Co-ops Mayor Gehrz said that the City has been awarded another training grant for 2004, so there will be a third CERT training program this spring and ongoing training opportunities for the 37 CERT members who have already completed training. Dan Johnson-Powers thanked everyone for attending the classes. He said that after 9/11, one of the first things he thought about was what he could do. The CERT graduates now have more tools and knowledge that they can take back to their workplaces, families and homes. OATH OF OFFICE The oath of office was administered to Mayor Sue Gehrz, and Council members Peter Lindstrom and Richard Talbot, who were all re-elected in November 2003, for four-year terms. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The City Council minutes for November 26, 2003, December 8, 2003, and December 10, 2003, were unanimously approved as submitted. 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 December 31, 2003: $ 198,816.33 Payroll (12/15/03-12/30/03): $ 12,140.07 2. Licenses 3. Review and adopt Council standing rules 4. Resolution designating official depositories for 2004 5. Consider Resolution 04-02 approving a 3% standard compensation increase for regular employees in 2004 6. Appointment of City Engineer for 2004 FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL AGENDA -3- January 7, 2004 CONSENT AGENDA (continued) 7. Appointment of City Attorneys for 2004 8. Designation of official newspaper for 2004 9. Final payout of $1,767.68 to Allied Blacktop for 2003 sealcoating project 10. Acceptance of 2004 SCORE Grant from Ramsey County 2004 Council liaison assignments Mayor Gehrz said that each year, Council members are assigned to serve as liaisons between the City Council and the various Commissions. She spoke with each Council member prior to this evening’s meeting and they all indicated they wanted to be reappointed to their current liaison assignments. In response to her request for a volunteer to serve on the Ramsey County League of Local Governments, Council member Talbot said that he would volunteer. Lindstrom moved approval of the Council liaison assignments for 2004, as outlined below: Planning Commission – Peter Lindstrom Parks & Recreation Commission – Laura Kuettel Solid Waste Commission – Robert Lamb Neighborhood Commission – Sue Gehrz Human Rights Commission – Laura Kuettel Cable Commission – Rick Talbot Cable Commission Alternate – Robert Lamb Northwest Youth & Family Services Joint Powers Board – Peter Lindstrom Ramsey County League of Local Governments – Richard Talbot Campus/Community Task Force – Sue Gehrz and Heather Worthington Reappointment of Commissioners and Appointment of Commissioner Kuettel moved approval of the (re)appointment of Commissioners to Parks and Recreation, Planning and Neighborhood Commissions, as outlined below. The motion was unanimously approved. Parks and Recreation Commission Planning Commission Chuck Long Pamela Harris Denise Deen Patrick Ryan Patrick Dolan Tom Lageson Jim Evans Michael Tracy Jim DeLeo Neighborhood Commission Ann Ziebarth Susan Majerus FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL AGENDA -4- January 7, 2004 Request for action on the option to waive the statutory tort limits under the LMCIT insurance plan Administrator Worthington said that the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT) is requesting that cities determine if they wish to waive the statutory tort limits of $1,000,000. Under these limits an individual can settle for no more than $300,000 for a single claim and a single claim for all parties cannot exceed $1,000,000. Under certain circumstances the LMCIT, which represents the city in these claims, may negotiate above the legal liability limit, if necessary, because some claims like employment are exempt from the cap. The general counsel from the LMCIT said that cities make different choices depending upon their circumstances. However, he perceived that maintaining the limit was prudent in many cases. The city has had no claims with settlements for several years. In 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003 the city council voted not to waive the statutory tort limits. Staff also consulted with city attorney, Roger Knutson, to determine if the situation had changed, and he recommended that the City not waive the statutory tort limit. Lindstrom moved approval of a motion not to waive the City’s statutory tort limit of $1,000,000. The motion was unanimously approved. Grant agreement between City and Sherman Associates Administrator Worthington said that in 2002 and 2003, the City received $1,450,000 in grants from the Metropolitan Council for the redevelopment of the SE Corner. These grant monies will be available to Sherman Associates for certain aspects of the redevelopment project. As such, the city has been advised by its legal counsel to enter into a grant agreement with Sherman Associates for the future release and expenditure of those funds. This will mirror the City’s agreements with the Metropolitan Council, and hold Sherman Associates responsible for meeting the requirements of the grant agreements, as well as the measurable goals and specific aspects of the redevelopment as laid out in the Redevelopment Agreement and the grant paperwork. Mr. Sherman signed the grant agreement during the closing on the Senior Apartments on December 30, 2003. A brief discussion followed. Lamb moved approval of the grant agreement with Sherman Associates regarding the future release and expenditure of $1,450,000 in grant monies received from the Metropolitan Council for redevelopment of the SE Corner. The motion was unanimously approved. FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL AGENDA -5- January 7, 2004 Consideration of amendment to the Building Official Agreement with Little Canada, and appointment of Steve Westerhaus as the Building Official Administrator Worthington said that in 2002, the City signed an agreement with Little Canada for the provision of building inspection services. In November, the two city administrators met to discuss the agreement and the performance of the building official. Both parties agreed that the arrangement was working very well and that staff was pleased with the performance of the building official. At that time both parties had some recommendations for improvements to the contract, including a specific provision that will allow for fire inspections (this had been a service included under “building inspections”); and a billing rate adjustment that will require Falcon Heights to pay 35% of the cost of the Building Official and Little Canada 65% (the previous agreement had Little Canada billing Falcon Heights at an hourly rate for those services). This will amount to $35,791.70 per year that will be billed to Falcon Heights. This is still considerably less than the private contract Falcon Heights had up until 2002. Talbot moved approval of the revised agreement with Little Canada for the provision of building inspection services. The motion was unanimously approved. Consideration of the Amended and Restated Multifamily Development Agreement Administrator Worthington said that this agreement combines the original Development Agreement and the first amendment, both effective July 18, 2003, and a new paragraph 10.10 regarding the park dedication fee into one document. The amended and restated format is easier for recording purposes than a new second amendment to the original development agreement would be. This document will be used when the developer of the SE Corner, Sherman Associates, closes on their mortgage with HUD for the multi-family building sometime next month. Lamb moved approval of the amended and restated Multifamily Development Agreement. The motion was unanimously approved. REPORTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: Council member Lindstrom said that it is a thrill to be sworn in for another four years. It was a great four years and he is looking forward to another four years. He thanked the residents of Falcon Heights for re-electing him and said it is a real honor. Council member Talbot said that over the last four years he has learned how to be a City Council member and is looking forward to the next four. He thanked the people who gave him the opportunity in the first place. FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL AGENDA -6- January 7, 2004 REPORTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS (continued) Mayor Gehrz thanked the people of the community for letting her serve them for another four years. It is an experience that provides a constant opportunity to learn. It has been a wonderful eight years and she is looking forward to the coming four years. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: Administrator Worthington reminded the viewing audience to shovel around the fire hydrants in their neighborhoods. The regular City Council meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM. Respectfully submitted, Mary Shea Kodluboy Deputy Clerk