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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_04Jun09 CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS COUNCIL MINUTES June 9, 2004 Acting Mayor Laura Kuettel called the regular Council meeting to order and explained to the viewing audience that she was chairing this evening’s meeting because Mayor Gehrz was on vacation. PRESENT: Council members Laura Kuettel, Robert Lamb, Peter Lindstrom and Richard Talbot Also present: City Administrator Heather Worthington and Deputy Clerk Mary Shea Kodluboy ABSENT: Mayor Sue Gehrz, with prior notice COMMUNITY FORUM: There was no commentary from the audience. PRESENTATIONS: John Zanmiller, St. Paul Regional Water Services Board of Water Commissioners Mr. John Zanmiller said that he wanted to thank the City Council for reappointing him as this area’s representative on the Board of Water Commissioners. In January, 2004, he was elected as Vice President of the seven member Board and this was the first time in one hundred years that someone from outside Saint Paul was appointed to an officer position. The Board consists of three representatives from the St. Paul City Council--Pat Harris, Dave Thune and Debbie Montgomery; two Saint Paul residents—Matt Anfang and Gregory Kleindl; and two suburban representatives—Bob Cardinal/Maplewood and John Zanmiller/Falcon Heights. Steve Schneider was appointed General Manager in December, 2003, succeeding Bernie Bullert, who retired after 35 years with the utility. In 1992, the utility had 324 employees. In 2004, there are 248 employees. The utility is a publicly owned corporation operating as a self-supporting non-profit entity, financed solely by the sale of water and fees for other services. It receives no other outside financial support or tax subsidy. He gave a brief description of the rate structure and said that historically the utility has been able to keep its rates and increases low, i.e. for 2003, the increase was 2.5%. Their rates are 31% lower than Minneapolis, and in an overall study of comparable sized cities, the utility’s water rates were 20th. The preliminary budget for 2005 is being prepared and any rate increases will be communicated to all of the member cities. The increases have always been very reasonable and understandable, falling within the 2%-3% range. Before the end of 2004, most of the utility’s facilities will be located on one campus at the McCarron’s water treatment plant site. A large percentage of the utility’s water is drawn from the Mississippi River through a chain of lakes before reaching the treatment plant. Groundwater from four deep wells provides a small percentage of the utility’s supply. The utility is striving to improve the water’s taste and odor, particularly during the summer months. FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -2- June 9, 2004 John Zanmiller, St. Paul Regional Water Services Board of Water Commissioners (continued) Mr. Zanmiller said that nutrients in the lake reservoir system are being reduced by placing four aerators in two of the lakes, restoring four wetlands and installing a ferric chloride feed system. The next phase, in spring, 2006, will be to install granular activated carbon (GAC) filters, which, due to adsorptive capacity, are highly effective at removing taste and odor compounds. The utility is also having conversations with the City of Minneapolis about an interconnect between the two utilities. Council member Lindstrom commented that this morning power was lost in much of the City and the tower that provides water to the City. What about plans for a simple electrical outage? Mr. Zanmiller said that duplicity of systems is important in being able to reroute. The utility plant is staffed 24 hours a day. Mr. Zanmiller said that if people wish to contact him they may leave a message at 651-552-4100 and he will return the call as quickly as possible. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Council minutes dated May 19, 2004 were unanimously approved, as submitted. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None Scheduled CONSENT AGENDA: 1. General Disbursements through June 3, 2004: $ 27,321.47 Payroll (05/15/04-05/31/04): $ 13,183.45 2. Appointment of Michael Poeschl to the Fire Department 3. Partial Pay Estimate #1, Curtiss Field Pond Improvement Project, in the amount of $32,538.83, with a retainage of $1,712.57 POLICY AGENDA: None REPORTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: Council member Talbot gave a brief oral review of the City’s crime prevention alert flyer that had been distributed to parts of the community the previous week. Acting Mayor Kuettel said that on Monday, June 7, she joined members of the Parks Commission in dedicating the new playground structures at Community Park. FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -3- June 9, 2004 REPORTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: Acting Mayor Kuettel gave a big thank you to the Falcon Heights/Lauderdale Lions Club for their financial contribution toward the purchase of the equipment and their ongoing support of the City’s parks and recreation programs. She reminded the viewing audience that the Lions Club holds fundraising events, particularly a Christmas tree sale every year at Community Park, and encouraged people to buy from them. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: Administrator Worthington said that Bill Maertz, Parks and Public Works Director, is leaving to accept the Parks Director position at Elk River. He has been on staff for seven years and will be missed. The position will be advertised with the League of Minnesota Cities and the St. Paul Pioneer Press. She has been in contact with the St. Paul Water Utility about the power outage that occurred overnight. This is the second time in two months that this has occurred. It is a power issue with Xcel Energy. The City will be working with the respective utilities to make sure they address the problem. There had been just a little over two hours of water in the tank. The problem was compounded by the tank at the State Fairgrounds having been drained for maintenance. Council member Talbot said that on Thursday evening, June 3, the North Suburban Communication Commission gave away $62,000 in scholarships to college students in the ten city viewing district. There were many appreciative parents. The regular City Council meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM. Respectfully submitted, Mary Shea Kodluboy Deputy Clerk