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CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
Regular Meeting of the City Council
City Hall
2077 West Larpenteur Avenue
AGENDA
November 13, 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
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. October 23, 2019 City Council Meeting Minutes
Approved, 4-0
2. November 6, 2019 City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes
Council Member Leehy sent corrections to City Administrator Thongvanh.
Approved, 4-0
E. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. Proposal for a Housing Finance Program and the Issuance of Multifamily Housing
Revenue Bonds to Finance a Multifamily Housing Development
City Administrator Thongvanh
The City Council previously approved the submission of an application for volume cap allocation,
which was made to Minnesota Management and Budget (“MMB”) earlier this summer. A partial
allocation of $3,622,377 (out of the $40,000,000 requested) was received in early August, requiring
closing on the Bonds by no later than December 3rd. The budget impact is to collect ¼ of 1% for the
issuance of the bond. These bonds will be used for renovations at the Amber Union site.
Daniel Burns, Attorney - Biggs and Morgan
Buhl Investors is requesting the city to issue a conduit revenue note to help assist in the financing due
to the process and allocation of bonding. They received a portion and will try it again in 2020. In 2020,
there are a few changes to the process and will be back for additional allocation. It will need to be
approved by the state and issued again. In addition, the conduit revenue note states that it will be
held by the bank and the principal payments and interest payments will be paid solely by the
borrower. No holder of the note shall have a right to compel the city to exercise its taxing power for
the repayment of the principal urge to the note. The note also includes that it will not affect the city’s
credit in any shape.
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Mayor Gustafson asked if the city would need to hold another public hearing that will meet the
obligations for the next levels of the bond. Mr. Burns stated that it depends on the timing and will
review the previous resolutions for the limit. If it does not exceed the limit then the city does not have
to hold a public hearing. City Administrator Thongvanh clarified that the housing finance program
would not exceed $40 million. In addition to the changes for 2020, they will start looking at total
projects and not allocations.
Council Member Harris Moved, Approved 4-0
F. CONSENT AGENDA:
1. General Disbursements through: 11/04/19 $140,831.31
Payroll through 10/31/19 $18,046.65
2. Approval of City License(s)
3. Amber Union DEED Grant – Authorizing Grant Application
4. Appointment of Ryan Carlson to the Falcon Heights Fire Department
5. Appointment of Fabio Vannucci to the Falcon Heights Fire Department
Ryan Carlson
My wife and I moved to Minnesota a couple of months ago. I was looking for ways to be
involved in the community, get to know the neighborhood, volunteer and give back. The first
thing I did was join the Parks and Recreation Commission and secondly the fire department. I
am excited and passionate to help build a better community.
Fabio Vannucci
My family and I moved to Falcon Heights in April 2016. We have been working abroad, and
when we moved back I was looking for ways to give back to the community. I found that the
fire department was a good way to give back and am excited to be part of it.
Mayor Gustafson Moved, Approved 4-0
G: POLICY ITEMS:
1. Canvassing Election Results
Mayor Gustafson reads the November 5, 2019 Ramsey County election results.
Mayor
Dave Thomas - 31.9%
Randy Gustafson - 67.6%
Write In - .004%
Council Member
Yakasah Wehyee - 44.4%
Adam Sychia - 11.5%
Kay Andrews - 43.2%
Write In - .009%
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Yakasah Wehyee
I am thrilled to be elected and serve this amazing community. I will be starting in December
and finish Mr. Gustafson’s council term.
Council Member Leehy Moved, Approved 4-0
2. Consider Organics Recycling Coordination with Ramsey County
City Administrator Thongvanh
The city was approached by Ramsey County, and they are currently exploring ways to expand
organics recycling for residential use. State law requires metro counties to achieve a 75%
recycling goal by 2030, and estimates show that approximately 25% of waste streams include
food waste.
Ramsey County would oversee construction, signage, and ongoing maintenance of the site.
Hauling of the organics would be coordinated by the county. The city would be responsible for
snow removal and making sure access to the site is maintained. Additionally, the city has $1,225
to use for promotion or other costs associated with the collection site through the SCORE grant.
City Council voted to place the collection site at City Hall. Council Member Miazga Moved, Approved 4-0
3. Consider Parking Regulation on Prior Avenue
City Administrator Thongvanh
Prior staff authorized the signs between Maple Ct and the Garden Ave walkway; however, there are
no permits. We believed the signs were installed to prevent student parking and only for business
use. Staff recommends adopting the permitted parking signs and residents and businesses must
purchase permits in city hall.
Council Member Harris Moved, Approved 4-0
H. INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Council Member Miazga
• Environment Commission did not meet this month because of Veteran’s Day.
• NYFS is having a strategic planning session this month. They are going through some
transitions.
• The bonding proposal for the Community Park is still under review. Unfortunately, the
committee will not tour our park this week as a part of their Twin Cities review. I did
get a short interview with the Park Bugle about it, and it should be in December’s paper.
Please contact your representatives, districts and bonding commission because we need
to be in the top 20% to get the bonding.
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Council Member Leehy
• No updates but I want to extend my gratitude to veterans and families of
veterans. Thank you for your service to our country. I also want to wish a Happy
Thanksgiving to our community.
Council Member Harris
• I also do not have any city updates but would like to thank our veterans for their service
and Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.
Mayor Gustafson
• Community Engagement Commission will not meet in November
• Cultivating a Caring Community - “Gray Area Thinking” with Ellie Krug is on Monday,
November 18, at 6pm at the city hall. I highly recommend everyone attend the event.
• Human Rights Day is on Tuesday, December 10, 6:30pm at city hall. This year’s theme
will focus on Food Security and Child Hunger. We have speakers from the Minnesota
Department of Human Services, St. Paul Public Schools, Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, and
the Sheridan Story. There will be activities for schoolchildren while parents are in the
chambers.
• I want to thank everyone who participated and attended Fright Farm the last 23 seasons.
We learned that this year’s Fright Farm would be the last one. Ramsey County Public
Works and Property and Maintenance management have declared that the barn is
unsafe to hold events. They raised $100,000 this year, and it goes towards the Sheriff’s
Foundation, which provides youth and community programs. They will also explore
new ways to raise money that cannot come out of the regular budget of operations.
City Administrator Thongvanh
• Public Works has been street sweeping and we try to send out a 24 hours’ notice to
residents.
• The city will continue to provide helpful tips for the holiday on Weekly E-News. These
tips are coming from Ramsey County Sheriff's Office.
• We are still looking for ice rink attendants. If you know anyone who is interested, please
apply online or call city hall.
• No parking on city streets after two inches of snowfall until the streets is cleared curb to
curb. We do not declare a snow emergency.
I. COMMUNITY FORUM:
J. ADJOURNMENT: 7:55 P.M.
________________________________
Randy Gustafson, Mayor
Dated this 11th day of December, 2019
_________________________________
Sack Thongvanh, City Administrator