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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Workshop Agenda Packet 6-07-17 (2)Falcon Heights City Council Workshop City Hall 2077 W Larpenteur Ave. 6:30 P.M. AGENDA Wednesday, June 7, 2017 1) The Hendrickson - Proposed Senior (55+) Housing Development 2) Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office – Policing Services 3) Task Force Inclusion Recommendations If you have a disability and need accommodation in order to attend this meeting, please notify City Hall 48 hours in advance between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 651-792-7600. We will be happy to help. REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Families, Fields and Fair __________________________ The City That Soars! Item The Hendrickson– Proposed Senior (55+) Housing Development Description Please see the attached Planning Commission Packet. A representative from the Kelly Brothers, Ltd is provide a presentation of the proposed senior (55+) housing development next to The Good Acre. Budget Impact N/A Attachment(s) · Planning Commission Packet from May 23, 2017 Public Hearing · Kelly Brothers, Ltd PowerPoint Presentation Action(s) Requested This action item will be placed on the June 14th City Council for action on the text amendment as outlined in the attached Planning Commission Packet. The three items to amend in the Planned Unit Development (PUB) at 1750 Larpenteur Ave W (The Good Acre) to allow for a revised land-use, density, and parking. Meeting Date June 7, 2017 Agenda Item Item #1 Attachment Planning Commission Packet & Presentation Slides Submitted By Sack Thongvanh Good Acre –Phase II Lot #2 The Hendrickson uDeveloper/Sponsor uHistory of the Site uWhy Senior Housing uThe Project uQuestions Developer/Sponsor u Kelly Brothers, Ltd u A St. Paul based commercial real estate firm established in 1988 u Currently own and manage a 11-building, 1,048 unit apartment building portfolio, 782,266 SF of downtown St. Paul multi-tenant retail and office space in 3 buildings and a 650-stall parking ramp. Kelly Brothers, Ltd has developed 3 housing projects: Ashwood Apts. (North Branch) 56 Units (completed in 2000) Westview Apts. Phase II (Forest Lake) 32 Units (completed in 2004) Highlands at River Road (Highland Park) 69 Units (completed in 2016) This will be our fifth independent senior housing project under management.They are: •Westview Phase I –32 Units (16-units senior housing) •The Boulders of White Bear Lake –93 Units •Redwood Terrace (Coon Rapids) –54 Units •Highlands on Graham (Highland Park) –72 Units History of the Site (Prior to Foundation’s Purchase) Project Site –With old buildings gone Good Acre Facility (Completed) The Hendrickson (Current Site View) Why Senior Housing? u The number of Minnesotans turning 65 in this decade (about 285,000) will be greater than the past four decades combined. u Around 2020, Minnesota's 65+ population is expected to eclipse the 5-17 K-12 population, for the first time in history. u The total number of older adults (65+) is anticipated to double between 2010 and 2030, according to our projections. By then, more than 1 in 5 Minnesotans will be an older adult, including all the Baby Boomers. Proposed Rendering Proposed Site Plan Why “The Hendrickson” ? u 1849 The property was in an area called Rose Township u That area was divided into what we know as Roseville, Lauderdale and Falcon Heights u One of the early elected officials was William G. Hendrickson u The Hendrickson’s 112-acre farm was in the southwest corner of Larpenteur and Snelling Proposed Building u 4-Story Building (68-units –1 & 2 bedrooms) u Underground Garage (54-parking stalls) u Exterior Surface Parking (13-15 stalls) u Total Parking for 68 cars Building Amenities u Covered Entry Canopy u On-Site Management Office u Community Room with Kitchen u Wellness Center (Exercise Equipment & Group Classes) u Library u Back Porch (overlooking farm fields to the southwest) u Resident Storage u Landscaped Grounds (including pollinator garden) City of Falcon Heights Planning Commission City Hall 2077 W. Larpenteur Avenue Tuesday, May 23, 2017 7:00 p.m. A G E N D A A. CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 p.m. B. ROLL CALL: Chair Larkin ____ Samatar ____ Murphy ____ Stemper ____ Williams ____ Kotelnicki ____ Sunderland ____ Council Liaison Harris ____ Staff Liaison Moretto ____ C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES for April 25, 2017 D. AGENDA 1. Hearing Good Acre Phase II E. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS F. ADJOURN If you have a disability and need accommodation in order to attend this meeting, please notify City Hall 48 hours in advance between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 651-792-7600. We will be happy to help. City of Falcon Heights Planning Commission Minutes April 25, 2017 PRESENT: Commissioners Williams, Larkin, Murphy, Stemper, Kotelnicki, Liaison Harris ABSENT: Commissioners Samatar, Murphy The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Chair Larkin. The minutes of the March 28th, 2017 meeting of the Planning Commission were approved. AGENDA 1. Welcome New Commissioners – New Commissioner Sunderland was introduced to the commission. A brief introduction was made to them by other members of the commission. 2. Thank Previous Commissioners – Commissioners Schafer, Alexander, and Bellemare were publicly recognized for their contribution to the Planning Commission. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: Community Forum: None ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned to workshop at 7:30 p.m. WORKSHOP The workshop included a presentation from Kelly Brothers, a potential developer for the Good Acre Phase II. The presentation included design concepts and a desire for 68 dwelling units, 68 parking spaces and to change the use from affordable housing to senior housing. Commissioners had concerns about too few parking spaces, the increase in density, and site layout. Staff was asked to look into other examples of senior or similar housing for parking and density. Respectfully submitted, _______________________________ ______________________________ Paul Moretto John Larkin Community Development Coordinator Chair – Planning Commission REQUEST FOR PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION Families, Fields and Fair __________________________ The City That Soars! Description Amendment to the Planned Unit Development (PUD) at 1750 Larpenteur Ave W to allow for a revised land-use, density, and parking. Background In the spring of 2013, the subject property and the adjacent property to the east were acquired by the Carl and Eloise Pohlad Family Foundation in partnership with CommonBond Communities for the purpose of developing an urban farm and a 47-unit multi-family residence. The proposal required several zoning approvals including a rezoning to PUD, comprehensive plan amendment, and preliminary subdivision, which were all granted by the City Council. On the subject property, the Foundation proposed to re-use existing structures on the site for the purpose of growing and distributing healthy food for local use. The 47- unit multi-family residence was to be located on the property to the east at 1750 Larpenteur Ave W and was to be developed as affordable housing. Another change since the time of the previous approval is that CommonBond has withdrawn its plans to build the 47-unit multi-family housing residence at 1750 Larpenteur Ave W. The Foundation is in agreement with Kelly Brothers, Ltd a buyer to develop the parcel for a similar and complimentary use to the original plan. This PUD amendment addresses the first of two phases for changing the PUD. This portion would change the density from 47-units to 68-units with a parking requirement of 68 stalls. Additionally, the land-use of the site would change from affordable housing to senior housing. The second phase would include a review of updated plans. Analysis Section 113-35 (e.) states that no amendment to this chapter shall be adopted which is in conflict with the City’s Comprehensive Plan. As part of the previous approval, the Comprehensive Plan was amended by modifying the definition of Mixed Use Residential to allow for mixed uses within the same site and not require that they be within the same building. The Comprehensive Plan was also amended to specifically include urban farming as a Meeting Date May 23, 2017 Agenda Item 1 Title Urban Farm PUD Amendment at 1750 Larpenteur Ave W Submitted By Paul Moretto, Community Development Coordinator type of use that can be mixed with the residential uses on land guided as Mixed Use Residential. As such, the use of the property will remain as an urban farm and staff finds that the request is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. The request is simply to allow for the new building to increase in density with updating parking and senior housing. Because the previous approval of the PUD was associated with the previous plans submitted, an amendment is required to incorporate the new plans at a later date. Preliminary designs call for a four story building containing 68-units of residential space and 68 parking lots. A majority, 54 or more, will be located underground. In addition, there will be a shared uses agreement for ingress and egress for the two sites. Site plan, grading, drainage, utility plan, and landscaping plan will be reviewed at a later date. Budget Impact None Attachment(s)  Application for an amendment to the PUD at 1750 Larpenteur Ave W, including narrative letter, conditional on new, future, design review.  Location Maps  PUD rezoning ordinance draft  Hearing notice published in the Roseville Review and mailed to owners of properties within 500 feet.  Parking Analysis Actions Requested  Hold a public hearing on the requested amendment to the PUD at 1750 Larpenteur Ave W  Make a recommendation for APPROVAL of the CODE TEXT AMENDMENT (PUD) to the City Council ORDINANCE NO. 17-XX CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 113-209 OF THE FALCON HEIGHTS CITY CODE THE CITY COUNCIL OF FALCON HEIGHTS ORDAINS: SECTION 1. Section 113-209 of the Falcon Heights City Code is amended as follows. Additions are shown with an underline and deletions are shown with a strikethrough. 113-209 URBAN FARM PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT (b) PURPOSE. The purpose of the urban farm PUD district is to provide for the mixed uses of an urban farm and an affordable apartment building. (d) PERMITTED USES. The following uses are permitted subject to the Development Plan for the PUD, Section 113-209(f), and the standards and requirements of the R-5M zoning district, except as modified herein: (1) On lot 1, block 1 an urban farm. At least 21 paved parking spaces must be maintained next to the main building adjacent to Larpenteur Avenue, as well as at least 24 overflow parking stalls. The urban farm may have up to: 976 square feet of retail space; 2,201 square feet of office/training/kitchen space; 8,580 square feet of distribution/warehouse space; 849 square feet of greenhouse space; and 576 square feet of yard storage building space. (2) On lot 2, block 1, a 68 47-unit affordable apartment building with at least 68 77 parking spaces. At least 54 40 of the required parking spaces must be below grade and integrated into the apartment building. The site many have up to: 60,537 square feet of residential living space; Four (4) stories with underground parking; and Private access easement between lot 1 and lot 2 to be recorded into the property record of both parcels. (f) DEVELOPMENT PLAN. The PUD must be maintained in accordance with the following development plan which is on file with the City and which is incorporated herein by reference. (1) Urban Farm Project Addition Plat; (2) Topographic Survey and Grading, Drainage and Utility Plan prepared by Jacobson Engineers & Surveyors dated July 28, 2014; (3) The following prepared by LHB for Lot 1, Block 1: Architectural Site Plan w/ Landscape Layout dated August 18, 2014, First Floor Plan dated August 18, 2014; Yard Storage Building – Color Option 1 dated July 28, 2014 or Yard Storage Building – Color Option 2 dated August 18, 2014; Exterior Elevations – Color Option 1 dated August 18, 2014 or Exterior Elevations – Color Option 2 dated July ***. (4) The following plans prepared by Kelly Brothers, Ltd for lot 2, block 1: Architectural Site Plan w/Landscape Layout dated - TBD Exterior Elevations – TBD Complete Floor Plan date - TBD SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall be effective upon adoption and publication according to law. ADOPTED this XXth day of June, 2017, by the City Council of the City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota. CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS BY: ___________________________________ Peter Lindstrom, Mayor ATTEST: __________________________________________ Sack Thongvanh, City Administrator/City Clerk CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Falcon Heights Planning Commission, at its regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. on May 23, 2017, in the City Hall Council Chambers, 2077 W. Larpenteur Ave, will hold a public hearing to consider a text amendment to the Planned Unit Development at 1750 Larpenteur Ave W. PIN# 212923120017. The proposed text amendment will include, but not limited to, a density change, parking requirement change, and a change from affordable housing to senior housing. The proposed amendment will be available at City Hall, and online at the City of Falcon Heights’ website. All are welcomed to attend. Paul Moretto Community Development Coordinator To be published in the Roseville Review on May 9 and 16, 2017 May 9, 2017 PID: You are cordially invited to a public hearing before the Falcon Heights Planning Commission for the purpose of taking public comment on a requested amendment to a Planned Unit Development (PUD) for property located at 1750 Larpenteur Avenue, Falcon Heights. Tuesday, May 23, 2017 7:00 p.m. Falcon Heights City Hall In 2013 the subject property was part of a larger preliminary subdivision and rezoning to PUD for the purpose of creating an organic food growing operation (“urban farming”) in existing buildings on site. The PUD was approved by the City Council based an affordable housing development. That project will no longer take place. In its place a new plan has been proposed for higher density and a senior hosing component. This PUD change will only focus on the text amendment to allow higher density, a change in parking requirement, and the inclusion of senior housing. New site design plans including: development plans and other planning documents will be reviewed by the Planning Commission and Council at a future date. A copy the text amendment will be online and at City Hall. If you have questions or comments before the hearing, you may contact me at 651-792-7913 or by email at paul.moretto@falconheights.org Sincerely, Paul Moretto mcrp, mpa Community Development Coordinator City of Falcon Heights This map is a user generated static output from an Internet mapping site and is for reference only. Data layers that appear on this map may or may not be accurate, current, or otherwise reliable. © Ramsey County Enterprise GIS Division 600.0 THIS MAP IS NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION NAD_1983_HARN_Adj_MN_Ramsey_Feet Feet600.00300.00 Notes Area map of subject property. LegendGood Acre Phase II - 1750 Larpenteur Ave W City Halls Schools Hospitals Fire Stations Police Stations Recreational Centers Parcel Points Parcel Boundaries Airports General Staff Report Families, Fields and Fair __________________________ The City That Soars! Description The Kelly Brothers, Ltd is requesting a parking requirement of one parking stall to one dwelling unit. This is in line with the parking requirement set for the only other senior housing apartment at 1530 Larpenteur. Background The City of Falcon Heights is a first-ring suburb bordered by Saint Paul, Roseville, and Lauderdale, and is in close proximity to Minneapolis. It is also the location of the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Fair. The subject property at 1750 Larpenteur is located on a major county corridor (Larpenteur Ave. W) and is mid-block between two major roads, Fairview Ave. and Snelling Ave. In 2016 the Bus Rapid Transit Line (A-Line) was completed connecting Falcon Heights to Roseville, Saint Paul, and Minneapolis. The subject property is located 1/3 of a mile from the closest A-Line stops. A bus stop is also located one block from the subject property, Routes 61 and 87. Route 61 connects Minneapolis and Saint Paul via Larpenteur Ave. and Hennepin Ave. and Route 87 connects Falcon Heights to Roseville via Fairview Ave. The proposed development is also located near multiple major bike routes. Falcon Heights has two other senior housing facilities, 1666 Coffman and 1530 Larpenteur. 1666 Coffman is a 93-unit condo built on University of Minnesota land in the Grove neighborhood and is designed for former employees of the University. The total number of beds is 105 with 100 covered parking stalls and 40 uncovered on 6.5 acres. This is a ratio of 1.5 parking stalls per unit. The spatial distribution (stall/acre) is 21.5 stalls per acre. 1530 Larpenteur is a part of a larger PUD for senior housing apartments located on the southeast corner of Larpenteur and Snelling near Arona St. The building has 56-units, 87-beds, and 55 total parking spaces, a majority underground. The ratio of units to parking spaces is less than 1 on 1.32 acres. The spatial distribution (stall/acre) is 41.7. The proposed subject property located at 1750 Larpenteur is located near the intersection of Fairview Ave. and Larpenteur Ave. The proposal is for a building with 68-units and 68 parking stalls, a majority of them underground. The ratio of units to parking spaces is 1 on 1.25 acres. The spatial distribution of (stall/acre) is 54.4. A ratio of one to one for parking stalls to units at the proposed development is in line with a similar PUD for senior housing in Falcon Heights. The proposal is the greatest parking to surface area in the City for this use. Date 5/3/2017 Agenda Item 1 Title Parking Analysis- 1750 Larpenteur Submitted By Paul Moretto, Community Development Coordinator Other Analysis  Recommend one to one parking requirement for the proposed development at 1750 Larpenteur Ave. Budget Impact N/A Attachment(s) Actions Requested  Recommend APPROVAL of PUD Text Amendment Ta t u m S t Larpenteur Ave W Fr y S t Fa i r v i e w A v e N Li n d i g S t Roselawn Ave W St M a r y ' s S t Ho w e l l S t Garden Ave Maple Knoll Dr U n d e r w o o d S t Questwood Dr Pr i o r A v e N U n d e r w o o d S t N H o w e l l S t Li n d i g S t Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS UserCommunity Parking Conditions Near 1750 Larpenteur ± Key 1750 Larpenteur No orLimitedParking Permit Parking Only Citations 0 0.1 0.20.05 Miles 1 Paul Moretto From:Wojchik, Eric <Eric.Wojchik@metc.state.mn.us> Sent:Friday, April 28, 2017 12:34 PM To:Paul Moretto Subject:Hermes/Pohlad Site - Falcon Heights Hi Paul,    It was great speaking with you yesterday. Given the fact that the PUD governs both the Good Acre and the 1.25 acre  parcel at 1750 Larpenteur Ave West, this whole area would be considered one site in terms of your zoning regulations.  The City passed an amendment to the Mixed Use Residential land use category in 2013, to allow flexibility in separating  the residential and nonresidential sues in different buildings within a coordinated plan for a whole site. The other  purpose of the text amendment is to explicitly include urban farming as a type of use that can be mixed with residential  uses on land used as Mixed Use Residential.     Both the Good Acre parcel and 1750 Larpenteur Ave West fall under the Mixed Use Residential land use category,  regulated by a single PUD for the whole site. Given this fact, and the definition & density range (28‐50 dua) of the Mixed  Use Residential land use category, the proposed multi‐family project at 1750 Larpenteur Ave West (net residential  density of 48 units per acre) does not require a comprehensive plan amendment.     As I stated previously, there are discrepancies in the current 2030 Plan that need to be addressed for this current  planning cycle. For instance, the Mixed Use Residential land use category doesn’t include the % of residential use, which  is more typical of Mixed Use categories. Moreover, the Multi‐family Residential category has inconsistencies in the  density ranges detailed. These discrepancies can be addressed in the 2040 Update.       All the best,           Eric     Eric Wojchik, MRTPI Senior Planner | Sector Representative | Local Planning Assistance eric.wojchik@metc.state.mn.us 651.602.1330 390 Robert Street North | St. Paul, Minn. 55101-1805 | metrocouncil.org     From: Wojchik, Eric   Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2017 12:44 PM  To: Paul Moretto <paul.moretto@falconheights.org>  Subject: Hermes/Pohlad Site ‐ Falcon Heights    REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Families, Fields and Fair __________________________ The City That Soars! Item Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office – Policing Services Description In April during a special meeting, the City Council authorized the City Administrator to issue a Request for Interest (RFI) to surrounding law enforcement agency for policing services. Budget Impact N/A Attachment(s) ·Request of Interest Letter – Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office Action(s) Requested The next steps would be to authorize the City Administrator to work with the Sheriff's Office. Meeting Date June 7, 2017 Agenda Item Item #2 Attachment Letter of Interest Submitted By Sack Thongvanh REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Families, Fields and Fair __________________________ The City That Soars! Item Falcon Heights Task Force Inclusion Recommendations Description See attached recommendations by the Falcon Heights Task Force on Policing and Inclusion. Budget Impact N/A Attachment(s) ·Inclusion Recommendations Action(s) Requested The action on the Falcon Heights Task Force Inclusion Recommendations will be placed on the June 14th City Council regular agenda. Meeting Date June 7, 2017 Agenda Item Item #3 Attachment Inclusion Recommendations Submitted By Sack Thongvanh 1 Values and Recommendations for Strengthening Inclusion in our Community Recommendations from Falcon Heights Task Force on Policing & Inclusion to City Council for discussion at 6/7/17 Council Work Session and action at 6/14/17 Council meeting Background This Task Force was charged by the City Council to articulate community values, identify community needs, and recommend programming and policies to be an inclusive and welcoming place for residents and guests of Falcon Heights. These recommendations are a set of principles and concrete ideas for transforming our community to continually combat stereotyping and prejudice and to advance mutually respectful relationships and the inclusion of all. The foundation of all of these recommendations is that fundamental issues of inclusion and exclusion have left many people feeling that they do not fully belong in our community. As we pursue specific implementation actions, we need to sustain an all-encompassing commitment to fight racism and other kinds of discrimination and exclusion. We need to do relational, financial, legal, and occupational development work to address inequity and build trust so that everyone is included in our community. To create these recommendations, we began by articulating the following Statement of Community Values, which we then translated into implementation recommendations. We generated these statements and recommendations by listening to community members’ ideas, as expressed in listening sessions hosted by the City Council, a series of four Community Conversations held in conjunction with the Task Force, and in other community meetings and public forums. We also familiarized ourselves with programs and policies (from our region and beyond), which we learned about through sharing our own experiences, reading about efforts other communities are making, and dialoguing with 10 subject matter experts who participated in four guest panels with the Task Force. And, as a Task Force comprised of 11 committed individuals with diverse experiences and perspectives, we deliberated thoughtfully over 13 regular task force meetings as well as in our individual dialogues with other residents and guests of Falcon Heights. Statement of Community Values We assert and uphold these values for our community, including residents and guests, in our relationships with one another and in city government services, leadership, and policies. Leadership. We aspire to become known for our leadership in creating community relationships of mutual respect and welcome, for equity in service to the community, and for working to recognize and heal historic patterns of disparity and exclusion. Trust, transparency, and accountability. We believe that mutual well-being is created through mutual trust. We value relationships of mutual respect, learning, and honesty in communication among community members and city government. We value transparency, communication, and respecting diverse perspectives in governance. 2 Equity, justice, and anti-discrimination. We value protecting and treating all residents and visitors equally and fairly under the law. We value equity in the provision of public services and in the city’s response to concerns. We recognize the persistent work we must do, individually and collectively, to reject and remedy prejudice, bias, and discrimination within individuals, the community, and in our government and policing. Welcome and inclusion. We value diversity, welcoming all people with respect and dignity, and creating authentic relationships that honor our shared humanity despite our differences. We aspire to harmonize the needs of all while understanding varied individual needs, across generations, across racial or ethnic or religious groups, and across other aspects of our rich identities. We recognize the need to work together to heal and overcome divisions in our community. We commit to work continuously to forge strong relationships and to be a place where everyone is recognized and welcomed as part of our community. Awareness: We value seeking diverse perspectives, listening with an open mind, and taking time to learn from others. We commit to recognizing and working to address our individual and collective biases. Courageous Action. We value taking individual and collective responsibility to uphold these values, including having the courage to name and confront problems and to pursue solutions and healing when these values are not upheld. We recognize that everyone has the responsibility for being engaged and challenge others when we see or hear hurtful actions or comments. Safety: We value safety, including protecting residents and guests from personal harm and protecting groups from prejudice, discrimination, and hostility. Respect for life and minimizing harm to all are our highest priorities in public safety and policing. We believe that mutual safety is built through mutual trust. Implementation Recommendations Premises Address the sources of exclusion. Again, the context and premise of these recommendations is that fundamental issues of inclusion and exclusion have left many people feeling that they do not fully belong in our community. As we pursue specific implementation actions, we need to sustain an all- encompassing commitment to fight racism and other kinds of discrimination and exclusion. The following implementation suggestions are starting points for comprehensive work that needs to be done to build relationships across difference, to build trust in the community among those who have felt left out, and to work on building the financial, legal, and occupational resources of excluded groups. Across all of the following recommendations, these principles should be applied: Create two special resources to mobilize implementation and accountability of these recommendations. Specifically, the Task Force strongly recommends that the City Council make a commitment to create and sustain these two structures, for at least 3-5 years. It is critical that the city make this commitment now to sustain the work over this period, to make sure that this work lifts off and is sustained. 3 1) Create a dedicated Truth, Racial Reconciliation, and Healing committee of some kind to have responsibility for sustaining attention and accountability for these recommendations. 2) Dedicate city staff time (through reassigning existing staff time or expanding capacity through consulting or new staffing) to forge partnerships, find grants, and recruit and support volunteers to accomplish all of these efforts. Make continuous efforts. Inclusion is never done. We need to be continually attentive to how accessible and inclusive we, as a city, are being, and keep recommitting ourselves to improvement. Use what we have. Whenever possible, we recommend integrating these ideas into structures that are already in place. For example, we recommend enhancing the welcome packet for new residents to include resources for building connections across differences. Inclusion is community-based work. City government and leaders have a key role to play, but the City is not the only source of leadership and action for community healing and reconciliation. We recognize and value the work of other community organizations and volunteers, and ask that the City Council commit city staff effort (through a reassignment or an expansion of staffing capacity) to build its own capacity to participate and to support these efforts. Invest resources. In some cases, we are simply recommending that successful, existing programs and systems be sustained or reframed. In other cases, we recommend new investments to leverage new opportunities. For example, the city could amplify the work of community organizations and volunteers by enhancing the city website, providing training or other support for community volunteers, or a writing grants to expand partnerships with community institutions that have skill and passion for this work. Provide a variety of options and avenues for people to get involved. Inclusion means providing variety in the types of activities to appeal to different people’s styles, skills, and availability. Varying the times and locations, providing childcare, and minimizing cost will make opportunities more accessible. Recommendation: Invest significantly to address persistent sources of disparities and exclusion. · Provide workshops to support people to build their knowledge and resources for legal, financial, and occupational opportunities and rights. This is an important step to address inequity. · Build up career pathways program for low-income or minority youth. Other communities have had success with a variety of models for summer employment, internships, apprenticeship, and small enterprise development programs through partnerships among local high schools, businesses, business associations, and city government. · Invest in continuously sustaining and expanding affordable housing options. 4 Recommendation: Promote reconciliation, healing, and inclusion through connecting Falcon Heights with community partners doing excellent work in these areas. For example: ·Partner with the Science Museum of Minnesota, to expand Falcon Heights participation in their programming on race and our shared humanity. ·Work with the Minnesota Historical Society, Ramsey County Recorder’s Office and Registrar of Titles Office, or The Historyapolis Project at Augsburg College to support documentation and research to make visible historic policies and patterns, such as redlining and racially restrictive property covenants, that continue to shape our community. ·Partner with Ramsey County Libraries to launch a “book of the year” or ongoing book clubs for people interested in expanding their knowledge of diverse cultures and history. ·Recognize and promote the potential of local businesses to support this work. For example, encourage residents to hold community gatherings in their spaces, advertise that guests driving through the city can provide feedback on the community by stopping in local businesses, or involve local employers in youth development programs. ·Expand partnerships with the University of Minnesota to bring more attention specifically to these areas of work. The Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, the Art of Hosting community of practice, and Center for integrative Leadership have already supported this work, but there are many other options for partnership. ·Work with foundations that are committed to improving diversity and inclusion, restorative justice, police-community relationships, or related issues, to secure funding or direct technical assistance for the programming, training, or events listed here. The Task Force’s research suggests that the Wilder Foundation, Bush Foundation, Kellogg Foundation, JAMS Foundation and the St. Paul or Minneapolis Foundations may be interested. The National Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice has resources and toolkits. ·Work with existing organizations to provide support and training on how to build relationships across differences. Living Room Conversations provides tools and resources to allow people to connect and hear different perspectives in small group conversations. There are a number of training programs operating nationwide that have resources, including: Hope in the Cities; Sustained Dialogue; Alaska Native Dialogues on Racial Equity Toolkit; Training for Change; and Race Forward – Racial Equity Impact Assessment. Arts can be a way for people to connect; Intermedia Arts in the Twin Cities or Laundromat Art Project out of New York City do this kind of work. Build commitment and capacity through reframing existing resources ·Use the city website and newsletter to emphasize the importance of this work and make it accessible. On the city website, ensure that information about our values, resources for community work on inclusion, and opportunities to participate are accessible, timely, and easy to find. Expand the newsletter to consistently include highlights on diversity and inclusion and push people to new opportunities and resources on the website. 5 ·Expand the city’s information packets for block parties to include resources on how to build relationships across differences, from having courageous conversations to knowing where to turn for help with neighbor disputes. ·Use the newsletter and website to support the related work that other community groups are doing, for example to promote events in the schools. ·Use the neighborhood welcome packet to emphasize that all are welcome, and provide resources to new community members. Find a way to partner with landlords so they have the most up to date packets to share with new tenants. ·Sustain and expand city trainings on implicit bias and de-escalation. We suggest that these be open not only to city staff, but sometimes also to residents and others who are interested. Other communities have very successfully strengthened their commitments and capacities by having diverse groups of people go through the training together. This could be an exciting programming opportunity to explore with foundations. ·Embed diversity and inclusion awareness and skill development into the summer camps offered through the city. ·Use the park and recreation event structure that is already in place to advertise opportunities to participate and to hire temporary employees support learning circles, book or movie clubs, or trainings on how to have courageous conversations. Support and sponsor events within the community to foster inclusion. ·Continue to host the events currently in place (ice cream socials, block parties), but enhance them by having special activities, resource people, or information to engage people in building relationships across difference. ·Keep the community conversations going, to intentionally bring people together but also allowing for organic relationship building. Foundation support may be available to support this. ·Host book and/or movie clubs and discussions relevant to racial inequity and inclusion topics. ·Connect events with the work the Community Engagement Commission is already doing.