HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMIN_25_Sept1 | Page
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
Regular Meeting of the City Council
City Hall
2077 West Larpenteur Avenue
AGENDA
September 25, 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
Mayor Gustafson
I would like to amend tonight’s agenda. We have a presentation from the University of Minnesota
President Joan T.A. Gabel.
1. University of Minnesota President Joan T.A. Gabel - Introduction
Joan T.A. Gabel
We love being your neighbor and resident in Falcon Heights. I spent the last few weeks doing thematic
engagement at the university where it highlighted food, engagement, and community service. On
behalf of the entire community, we appreciate how the U of M and Falcon Heights work together in
safety, infrastructure, and creating a positive impact on the community and students. Thank you for
having me here, and I look forward to working together.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. September 11, 2019 City Council Meeting Minutes
Councilmember Leehy asked about a fire term and City Administrator Thongvanh clarified it.
Approved 4-0
E. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
F. CONSENT AGENDA:
1. General Disbursements through: 9/18/19 $64,459.74
Payroll through: 9/15/19 $20,780.91
2. Website Redesign Proposal
3. Designation of Polling Places for 2020 Elections
Council Member Leehy
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We are excited to have the city’s new website redesign. It will come from the Inclusion Fund, because
we see this as a value for inclusivity in our city, make it ADA compliant, and easier navigation for our
residents and guests.
Councilmember Harris stated that it would be easier to read and find city events and resources.
Council Member Leehy 1st Moved
Council Member Miazga 2nd Moved
Approved 4-0
G: POLICY ITEMS:
1. Adoption and Certification of the 2020 Proposed Preliminary Levy
City Administrator Thongvanh
Each year the city is required to adopt a premiere levy by the end of September. The final adoption will
be in December. The City Council must set a maximum levy, and it cannot go above the limit. They can
reduce it but cannot increase the levy limit for the city. In terms of Local Government Aid (LGA) that
the city receives from the state, the percentage of the budget revenue was over 50%. The increase from
2019 to 2020 was $75,732, which shows a good year for the city. The LGA will increase from $603,532 to
$679,264 in 2020.
Fiscal Disparities is based on the needs of the community. From 2017 - 2018, the city had a 24%
increase, then another 24% increase in 2019. The distribution dollars for 2020 increased by $85,091 over
the 2019 level. My goal is to reduce the levy to single digits and right now, we are sitting at a 7.9%
increase this year.
In 2019, the median value homes had a tax allotment from the city of $1,003, and the proposal for 2020
is $1,068. It is a $65 increase, which means a $5.42 per month increase. The budget hearing is scheduled
for Wednesday, December 11th, 2019, at 7pm at Falcon Heights City Hall.
Council Member Miazga
There is an error on page 31. It states 2018 when it should be 2020.
City Administrator Thongvanh will correct before the city council signs the resolution.
Council Member Harris Moved, Approved 4-0
H. INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Council Member Miazga
• NYFS “A Taste of Northeast” event is on Thursday, October 10, at 5:30 pm.
• I have been serving on the Improving Service Delivery Committee for the League of Minnesota
Cities. We are ready to make our recommendations, and they should be delivered in
November.
Council Member Leehy
• Falcon Heights Youth Commissioners have openings in Parks and Recreation, Community
Engagement, and Environment Commission. It is open to Falcon Heights high school
students.
• Parks and Recreation Commission meeting is on Monday, October 7 at 6:30pm. We will meet at
the Community Park Building on Roselawn Avenue and Cleveland Avenue.
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• Falcon Heights Fire Department Open House is on Saturday, October 5. They will have fire
demos, activities and more. I encourage everyone to attend the event.
Council Member Harris
• Planning Commission met on Tuesday, and we had a presentation from the Environment Commission about native landscaping and changes to some ordinances.
• The Planning Commission discussed having a vacant property ordinance where you can register
a vacant house if you own one. We asked city staff to do more research on it. We will follow up at the next meeting.
Mayor Gustafson
• Community Engagement Commission met last week and are still in the process of finding a
theme for Human Rights Day. The next meeting is on Monday, October 21 at 7pm.
• November 18, is the third Cultivating a Caring Community event. The theme is Gray Area
Thinking by Elli Krug. The event starts at 6pm-8:30pm. I encourage everyone to attend the
event.
• Wednesday, October 2, is National Coffee with a Cop day. Ramsey County Sheriff's Office will
host the event at Caribou Coffee, 3673 Lexington Avenue North, Arden Hills
• Falcon Heights Fire Department Open House is on Saturday, October 5. All are welcome to
attend. It will be a fun event.
City Administrator Thongvanh
• Strategic Planning is on December 6th and 7th, from 9am-3:30pm.
• The Basketball Court is delayed again due to the rain. We hope to have it installed this fall.
• We cannot apply for the Minnesota DNR grant for the Community Park building because we do not own the land that hosts our Community Park. Nalisha will continue to look at other grant options for the park.
• Larpenteur street construction should be finishing soon. We sent a request to the county for an
end date and have not heard back.
I. COMMUNITY FORUM:
J. ADJOURNMENT: 8:01 P.M.
________________________________
Randy Gustafson, Mayor
Dated this 25th day of September, 2019
_________________________________
Sack Thongvanh, City Administrator