HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMIN_11_DecPage 1 of 7
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
Regular Meeting of the City Council
City Hall
2077 West Larpenteur Avenue
AGENDA
December 11, 2019 at 7:00 P.M.
A. CALL TO ORDER:
B. ROLL CALL: Vacant ___ LEEHY__X__ HARRIS__X__
MIAZGA _X__ GUSTAFSON_X__
STAFF PRESENT: THONGVANH_X___
C. PRESENTATION
1. Appointment of Yakasah Wehyee to the Vacant City Council Seat and Oath of Office
Ceremony
City Administrator Thongvanh
On March 6, 2019, Mayor Peter Lindstrom submitted a letter of resignation due to his appointment by
Governor Tim Walz to the Metropolitan Council. On March 27th, 2019, the City Council voted to
appoint Council Member Randy Gustafson as the Mayor to complete Peter Lindstrom’s term. In
addition, the City Council decided to delay the appointment of the open seat until after the
November 2019 election and appoint the candidate that received the most votes. Yakasah Wehyee
received the most votes and will be appointed today.
Council Member Harris Moved, Approved 4-0
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. November 13, 2019 City Council Meeting Minutes
Approved 5-0
E. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. 2020 Truth in Taxation and Budget Presentation
City Administrator Thongvanh
City Administrator Thongvanh presented the factors that go into the taxes: Changes in the tax levy
(or spending decision) made by the city, county, school, or special taxing authority, changes in the
market value or your property, legislative changes, and new taxes approved by referendum are
applied to market value (not tax capacity).
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Taxable market value is what is used to calculate each property’s taxes. The median value home in
Falcon Heights is $281,100 for 2019 and increased to $303,450 for 2020. It is an 8% change. The 2020
property tax allocation goes towards county (37.4%), school district (36.3%), the City (24.3%), and the
special district (2.0%). The Ramsey County Tax Rates in 2019 was 37.27% and the proposed tax rate
for 2020 is 36.457%. There is a decrease of 1% tax rate.
Overall levy has increased by $1,263,186 since 2004 with a $329,150 increase for 2018, a $395,529
increase for 2019, and a $156,606 increase for 2020. The increase was due to the increase in police
service costs and increases to the debt levy portion for street projects. In addition, there has not been
any transfer from Reserve to General Fund since 2014. However, in 2017 there was a $150,000.00
transfer to lower the debt levy for 2018. Since 2014 to 2017, the average city portion tax increase on a
median value home was $22 per year. However, for 2018, the increase on a median value home was
$177, for 2019 the increase was $198, and the increase for 2020 is $67; primarily due to increased costs
of police services and debt service levy increase due to street projects.
The Property Tax Impacts for 2020 is $1,070 and it is a $67 increase from 2019’s taxes. In addition, the
2020, proposed budget the Police Service budge increased by $15,327. The renewal rate estimated for
health insurant through PEIP is 4.2%. The TIES building (Buhl Investors) will be turned to an
apartment complex and will bring in more revenue to the city in terms of building permit fees. There
will be no transfer of Reserve for General Operating Budget. The LGA receipts from the State of MN
increased $75,732. The Fiscal Disparities increased $85,091. Overall, general fund expenditures and
revenues are $2,857,675, or 7.1%, higher than the 2019 operating budget.
Rice’ Davis (California Ave)
What percentage of people take advantage of the senior citizen tax deferral program and the disabled
veteran program?
City Administrator Thongvanh unfortunately does not have the report in front of him and residents
can obtain the percentage numbers at Ramsey County.
Council Member Leehy Moved, Approved 5-0
F. CONSENT AGENDA:
1. General Disbursements through: 12/04/19 $206,634.23
Payroll through 11/30/19 $38,560.11
2. Approval of City License(s)
3. Appointment of Prosecuting Attorney
4. Appointment of City Attorney
5. Appointment of City Engineer
6. Appointment of City Auditor
7. Designation of Official Newspaper
8. 2020 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)
9. Statutory Tort Limits Liability Coverage for the City in 2020
10. Appointment of Jim Bykowski to the Board of Water Commissioners for Saint Paul
Regional Water Services
11. Close Fund 427 GO Street Improvement Capital Fund to Debt Service Fund 316 GO
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Improvement Bonds Series 2017A
12. Approve DEED Grant Resolution
13. Budget Amendment(s)
14. Donation for Human Rights Day
Council Member Harris Moved, Approved 5-0
G: POLICY ITEMS:
1. Approve Quote for Sanitary Sewer Main Repair
Jesse Freihammer, City Engineer
The City of Falcon Heights will be doing a project in conjunction with City of Roseville next
year. This process involves essentially installing a new resin pipe inside the original clay tile
sewer main without digging up City streets, which results in minimal disruption to residents
during construction. The city’s budget for 2020 sanitary sewer lining project is $200,000;
therefore, we decided to go with M&B Services. The proposed cost of the repair will be
$17,485.00, and sewer lining bids came in at $169,000, for a total of $186,485. The location of the
sewer repairs is on Larpenteur Ave and West of Snelling Ave. The project is anticipated to be
completed before the Minnesota State Fair.
Council Member Miazga Moved, Approved 5-0
2. MnDOT Lighting for Snelling and Roselawn
Jesse Freihammer, City Engineer
The Minnesota Department of Transportation has been working on the design for the
replacement of signal systems and associated work at the intersection of Snelling Avenue (TH
51) and Roselawn Avenue. The project is set to accept bids next spring for construction next
year. The project will replace the existing signal. The signal system will be upgraded with
Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) and updated curb ramps. The signal will be updated to
include flashing yellow arrows for the east – west legs of the intersection.
According to the Agreement, the City of Falcon Heights is responsible for 25% of the cost of the
signal at Roselawn Avenue. The cost split is determined by the amount of signal legs in the
intersection. Falcon Heights will be responsible for the ongoing electrical costs and lighting
costs on the Roselawn signal system. The overall energy costs should be lower as all of the new
signal indications as well as all new lighting will use LED technology.
The total estimated cost to the City, including an 8% add on for contract administration and
inspection costs for the City elements, is $95,487.67. City staff recommends using Municipal
State Aid funds to cover this cost, which we are allowed to spend on Trunk Highway projects.
City Administrator Thongvanh
Resolution attached is 19-47 not 19-37.
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Council Member Harris
What is the purpose of the flashing yellow arrow and what should be done by them?
Jesse Freihammer has stated the flashing yellow arrow replaces the left turn yield on a green
light during certain hours of the day. The flashing yellow arrow will prevent cars from turning
during peak hours but during off-peak hours the green light will replace the flashing yellow
arrow which enables flexibility for turning.
Council Member Weyhee
How long will it take to complete the project?
Jesse Freihammer stated MnDOT plans to bid this project in February. Ordering the steel for the
traffic signals is backlogged as there is only one manufacturer. The project will take 6-8 weeks to
complete which will include the curb work associated with upgrading the sidewalk and
pedestrian ramps to ADA compliance. Installation of signals will happen quickly. MnDOT does
not plan to have any detours. The project will be similar to the project that occurred earlier at
Hoyt Ave.
Council Member Harris Moved, Approved 5-0
3. Professional Service Agreement for Fire Service Administrative Direction and
Command Services from the City of Roseville
City Administrator Thongvanh
The City of Falcon Heights has explored and pursued different service models to continue to
provide fire services for our City and the City of Lauderdale. With the termination of our Fire
Chief, the City pursued internal and external candidates without success. All of the individuals
that were interested in becoming our Interim Fire Chief reluctantly declined at a later
date. During this process we also had individual meetings with each Firefighter and the
common theme from almost all the Firefighters was the need to have a Fire Chief. We also
received feedback to explore contract services with the City of St. Paul and Roseville.
After multiple discussions with the Roseville Fire Department, it was very clear that Roseville
wanted to assist the City of Falcon Heights maintain the current local paid on call department
model. The hope for the next year is to have Roseville Fire help with the day to day operations,
while at the same time assist the City to find its next Fire Chief.
Roseville will also conduct an Audit of the Department that will include, but not limited to
training (which will now be conducted by Roseville Fire), leadership structure, right people in
the right place, meetings & trainings, dispatch work, internal communications, reports & report
writing, uniform, gear, helmets assessments, annual performance checks & inspections, annual
medical examinations, SOP/SOG, personnel assessments, officer development and inspections.
Budget impact has been allocated in the 2020 budget. Staff recommends approving the
Professional Service Agreement for Administrative Direction and Command Services for Fire
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Service from the City of Roseville and eliminate the position of Assistant Fire Chief and
Training Officer as a result would terminate the employment of Anton Fehrenbach and Bryan
Sullivan effective December 11, 2019.
Council Member Harris
Is this a contract where Roseville comes in and acts as the Chief Administrator other than Sack,
audits are not the only thing they will do, correct?
City Administrator Thongvanh
City Administrator Thongvanh responded by stating that there are a number of things that will
provided such as Roseville acting as the Fire Chief and Assistant Fire Chief to the department
and will also provide incident command services to the City. They will also respond to calls
during the gap hours during the day in reference to the incident that occurred on HWY 280
during the State Fair.
Mayor Gustafson
The intent and hope for the direction is to be able to make a sustainable local community based
paid on-call fire department model. We found this summer that we didn’t have the training in
place to take charge to provide leadership to the department. There has not been succession
planning in the past and part of this is to make sure that we can have a fire department that can
meet the needs of the city and an effective community based model. That is our intent. This will
be the best approach for the long term survival of our fire department.
City Administrator Thongvanh
This will bring needs of the Fire Department in terms of Capital needs. Past expenditures have
been brought into question on what was the priority of the department. One example, under
Sack’s allocation has been on detoxification unit under $5,000. In turn the need for helmets was
brought up and this should have been prioritized over detoxification unit. The term of the
agreement will be December 11, 2019 until December 11, 2020.
Council Member Weyhee
With respect to the compensation for the services can there be further detail on how the figure
was determined?
City Administrator Thongvanh responds by stating the City of Roseville looked at our call
volume (over 100) and our administrative services that would be proficient enough for the
operation of our department which came to about $80 an hour (500 hours). Heavy coverage
initially and coverage will be minimized as the departments get use to one another.
Bryan Sullivan (former firefighter)
Why did he receive letter about eliminating his position (letter states he is a training officer)?
Where in the contract does it state there is the need to eliminate positions? How does this fix
daytime response?
Mayor Gustafson
The two positions have been eliminated for the betterment of the department. City of Roseville
will be filling the roles that were eliminated. These eliminations were not a response of
discipline.
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Denny Larson (Hamline Ave)
Why don’t we have a backup instead of getting rid of our fire department?
City Administrator Thongvanh
Roseville will provide administrative services and we will continue to operate the way we are.
Mutual aid cities will provide services. Closest unit response will be dispatched first depending
on location of incident.
Rice’ Davis (California Ave)
How many fire stations does Roseville have?
Who does Lauderdale use? Are they part of the restructuring?
Will Roseville Fire Dept. reconsider the changes after their audit has been completed?
Mayor Gustafson
Roseville has consolidated their fire stations to their one new facility. Fire protection services
have been provided to Lauderdale for a number of years. Lauderdale is included under the
agreement with Roseville.
City Administrator Thongvanh
Roseville might provide a recommendation but it is up to the Council for a final determination.
Mayor Gustafson Moved, Approved 5-0
H. INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Council Member Miazga
• Northeast Youth and Family services have an Executive Committee meeting on
December 12. They are planning a strategic planning and need a new board member
that works in the area.
• Environment commission met Monday night. Kay Andrews will be the liaison in 2020.
Council Member Wehyee
Council Member Leehy
Council Member Harris
Mayor Gustafson
• Community Engagement will hold a meeting on Monday. Human Rights Day was
cancelled but may be rescheduled.
• Sheriff’s office is offering a citizen’s academy Wednesdays in January and February for 8
weeks. The academy will provide an in depth view of what goes on in the Sheriff’s
office.
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City Administrator Thongvanh
• Contracted with Huelife for Strategic Planning.
• Snow shoveling has been good this year.
I. COMMUNITY FORUM:
Esha Seth- (1231 Ray Pl)
• Native Landscaping from Environment commission is available online for community
feedback.
• Ramsey County is considering food scrap collection from homes and is conducting a
survey.
Rice’ Davis (California Ave)
• Positive feedback on snow plowing and street sweeping.
Chuck Long (1717 Albert St)
• Shared letter with Council about working with Pam Harris.
Denny Larson (Hamline Ave)
• Homestead credit is taking a long time.
J. ADJOURNMENT: 8:15 P.M.
________________________________
Randy Gustafson, Mayor
Dated this 11th day of December, 2019
_________________________________
Sack Thongvanh, City Administrator