HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMIN_28 Sept1 | P a g e
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
Regular Meeting of the City Council
City Hall
2077 West Larpenteur Avenue
MINUTES
September 28, 2016 at 7:00 P.M.
A. CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 pm
B. ROLL CALL: LINDSTROM _X__ HARRIS ____ BROWN THUNDER _X__
FISCHER _X__ GUSTAFSON_X__
STAFF PRESENT: THONGVANH_X__
C. PRESENTATIONS:
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. August 24, 2016 City Council Meeting Minutes Approved
2. September 7, 2016 City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes Approved
E. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
F. CONSENT AGENDA:
1. General Disbursements through: 9/20/16 $177,364.74
Payroll through: 9/15/16 $41,126.07
2. SCORE Grant
3. MN Historical Grant-Interpreted Sign at Curtiss Field for $2,500
4. Administration Coordinator (Katie Thrasher) 18 Month Employee Step Adjustment
5. Community Development Coordinator (Paul Moretto) 18 Month Employee Step
Adjustment
Council Member Fischer Moved, Approved 4-0
G: POLICY ITEMS:
1. Adopt 2017 Preliminary Levy
City Administrator Sack Thongvanh stated that each year the city must set a preliminary
levy by September 30.
There are no levy limits imposed by the legislature for the 2017 budget
The amount of local government aid that the city received this year increased by
$4,200. LGA increased from $540,617 to 544,817.
Fiscal disparity distribution dollars for 2017 increased by $56,779.
This year city staff looked at the long-term fiscal stability. The proposal for 2017
is to set aside $20,000 for capital replacement. Currently the city uses vehicle
certificates to bond for the vehicles and debt service for street projects. The
purpose is to set aside on a regular basis going forward so that there aren’t
2 | P a g e
spikes in impacts to the residents in terms of improvements or large equipment
purchases.
The dollar amount increase is similar from last year. Last year was a $40-$50
increase annually for a median-value home, and this year it will be $26 annually
for a median-value home. The total taxable market value has increased in the city
in part due to the introduction of The Good Acre.
The preliminary 2017 tax levy is 1,278,231. Staff recommends a budget hearing
meeting for Wednesday, December 14 at 7pm.
Council Member Gustafson agreed that it makes sense to build up a reserve again.
Council Member Gustafson Moved, Approved 4-0
2. SolSmart Program
Mayor Lindstrom states that this is a national program through the Department of
Energy. If the city signs up for SolSmart, we will get free technical advice from a local
representative on how to become more of a solar-friendly community. The city would be
certified at bronze, silver, or gold level based on a set of criteria. SolSmart is hoping for a
dozen or more cities to be involved in this program. This is the first year.
Council Member Fischer Moved, Approved 4-0
3. Minnesota Local Government Project for Energy Planning (LoGoPEP) Application
This application is a recommendation coming out of the Environment Commission,
similar to the SolSmart Program. This is an initiative of the University of Minnesota and
the Energy Transition Lab, partnering with the Great Plains Institute, the Department of
Energy, and other experts. The purpose is to utilize the expertise of the University, Great
Plains Institute, and other energy experts. The Environment Commission and city will
be presented with case studies and best practices on energy reduction from similar-sized
cities. LoGoPEP will take a close look the city’s energy usage and create easily digestible
baseline data on energy and greenhouse gas emissions. LoGoPEP would do a wedge
analysis to help bridge the gap between our goals and the state’s goals.
Council Member Brown Thunder Moved, Approved 4-0
H. INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Council Member Fischer:
Thank you to the Environment Commission for all the work they’ve been doing.
Council Member Brown Thunder:
Northeast Youth and Family Services is doing their “Taste of Northeast” fundraiser on
Thursday, October 6 at 5:30-8:30pm at the Vadnais Heights Commons. Tickets are $30 in
advance and $40 at the door. He also welcomes a new business to the City of Falcon Heights. Fit
Lab recently opened off Hamline and Iowa.
Council Member Gustafson:
Saturday, October 1 is the 3rd Annual Fire Department Open House and Chili Cook-Off. It costs
$5 for adults to eat chili and $3 for children under 12. Saturday, October 7 is National Coffee
3 | P a g e
with a Cop day. The events on October 7 are taking place at the Rosedale Caribou from 10-11am
and at the North Oaks Brueggers Bagels from 9-10:30am.
City Administrator Sack Thongvanh:
The Falcon Heights Fall Fete is on Thursday, October 13 from 5-7pm. One thing to keep in mind
for the winter months is keeping the fire hydrants clear. Please adopt a fire hydrant, keep it
clear, and help out the Falcon Heights Fire Department for emergency situations.
The application process went live this morning for both the Tri-City Work Group and Falcon
Heights Task Force. For the e-form, download the application first, fill it out, and then click
submit for an email to be sent to the City Administrator. The application deadline will be
October 12, 2016. He and the Mayor will also be looking into the option of having facilitators for
the group.
Mayor Lindstrom:
No updates.
I. COMMUNITY FORUM:
Paula Mielke- 1868 Arona St:
She wants to know if the 2017 budget will show a lower dollar amount for court fines for
revenue. Something they have asked is to seriously reduce ticketing in Falcon Heights. She is
assuming the court fines budget line item includes police ticketing. It is currently at $73,000 and
she is hoping that it will be less.
Chuck Laszewski- 1713 St. Mary’s St:
He is thrilled that the city is doing the SolSmart program and LoGoPEP application. Has the
budget been released on the website yet?
City Administrator Sack Thongvanh:
The actual budget won’t be compiled until the truth in taxation hearing. What’s in front of us
today is an amount for the levy. The Council has the opportunity to lower the levy in between
now and December 14.
Chuck Laszewski- 1713 St. Mary’s St:
As a way to show our seriousness about the death of Philando Castile, the Council should
seriously consider making the traffic stop fees a zero for revenue. We do not want the police
collecting fees on our behalf. Is anyone on the Council thinking about doing that?
Mayor Lindstrom:
Due to recent work on solidifying the roles of the task force, rolling out the application,
reading through the recommendations on the 21st Century Policing Report, along with
many other tasks, he has not solidified his views on that particular subject matter. The
topic is certainly on the table. He would be interested in knowing what the makeup of
those fees is.
Council Member Gustafson:
He echoes the Mayors comments. He would like to see where these fees are specifically
coming from.
4 | P a g e
City Administrator Sack Thongvanh:
The city does not depend on the dollar amount given. Those fines are automatically
issued to the city from the state. We receive about 25% of all tickets, and when we
receive the money from the state they do not break it down into categories. In terms of
impact to the budget, for every $10,000 decline that equates to a 1% increase. This would
mean a 7-8% increase on top of the current levy or cutting services to offset the cost.
Council Member Fischer:
Our policing strategy is not being driven by fines. He believes it is a result of our
policing strategy. He believes that what is in the budget reflects expectations, but that
could change in the next six to eight months.
Council Member Brown Thunder:
He would like more information on what we are collecting on and how we would
replace that money. He is open to looking into that.
Melissa Harrel- Sullew- 1588 Vincent St:
She is hopeful that it would be possible through the task force to direct our police not to make
traffic stops for things that seem mostly exploratory. If there is no incentive for ticketing that
could reduce the amount of fines the city is taking in. Is there a way to request that the state
break down the type of fine when they are distributing to us? Speaking as a tax payer in an
above median-value home, she would be willing to pay more taxes.
J. ADJOURNMENT: 7:29 pm
_____________________________
Peter Lindstrom, Mayor
Dated this 28th day of September, 2016
__________________________________
Sack Thongvanh, City Administrator