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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_04Nov24 CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS MINUTES November 24, 2004 Mayor Gehrz called the regular Council meeting to order. PRESENT: Mayor Sue Gehrz, Council members Laura Kuettel, Robert Lamb, Peter Lindstrom and Richard Talbot Also present: City Administrator Heather Worthington and Deputy Clerk Mary Shea Kodluboy COMMUNITY FORUM: Mr. Bryan Olson, 1592 Roselawn Avenue, said he was pleased the city was not declaring this week Bible Week. He thanked the Deputy Clerk for giving him complete election information. He said the press has been given this information too and he urged them to publish it in its entirety. He said the newsletter was dated October-December but he did not receive it until November 15. Did everyone in Falcon Heights have the same problem? At least half of the information is dated. Is there an explanation for that? Administrator Worthington said the newsletter went out late. The post office can choose to delay delivery of bulk rate materials. City staff was also working on the Solid Waste Commission report and both went out in the same week. Mr. Olson said that people have until December 30 to get their opinions to the City about organized refuse collection. He received the refuse newsletter on November 18, only giving people five weeks to respond. Anyone who comes to City Hall can get a copy. He would like to see all of the members of the commissions listed on the web site, as well as the agendas for all of the Commissions and the work session agendas. PRESENTATIONS: None Scheduled APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Council minutes dated October 27, 2004 were unanimously approved as presented. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None Scheduled CONSENT AGENDA: Kuettel moved approval of the Consent Agenda, as outlined below. The motion was unanimously approved. General Disbursements through November 19, 2004: $ 56,926.88 Payroll (11/01/04-11/15/04 $ 12,588.59 2. Approval of sixth partial pay estimate to Jay Brothers, Inc., in the amount of $14,758.25, for the 2004 Curtiss Field Pond Improvements FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -2- November 24, 2004 Discussion on ordinance change relating to Bus Bench Signs Mayor Gehrz introduced Messrs. Rollie and Scott Danielson, the owners/operators of U.S. Bench Company and thanked them for being in attendance. Administrator Worthington said that in early April, staff notified U.S. Bench they were in violation of a city ordinance that prohibits advertising signs in the right of way. This enforcement action was the result of a citizen complaint about the location of a bus bench adjacent to the resident’s property. At the May 5, 2004 meeting, the Council enacted a six month moratorium on the installation of any new bus bench signs in the city to give staff time to research the issue and come back to the Council with a recommendation. At the September 22nd meeting, staff requested an extension of this moratorium to November 24th. Staff researched the approaches other cities take with this issue, and their recommendation is outlined below. Ordinance Recommendations: Definition: A courtesy or bus bench sign is a waiting bench for the convenience of the public waiting for a regularly scheduled public transportation at a scheduled Metro Transit Bus Stop in the city. Location: Courtesy or bus bench signs may be located on public property when adjacent to commercial or business property (B-1, B-2, B-3), and may be placed on private property in commercial or business property (B-1, B-2, B-3) when permission is obtained from the owner of the land, and a license is granted by the city in accordance with this section. No courtesy or bench signs may be located in residential areas (R-1, R-2, R-3 or R-4 zoning districts). Specifications: Each bench location must be approved by the city zoning administrator. Benches must be installed parallel with the curb. A bench must have displayed thereon, in a conspicuous place, the license number assigned to it. The licensee must maintain the bench at the location designated in the license and keep the bench in good repair, painted, the sign face maintained in good condition, and the bench structure kept in usable condition. Optional provisions: Several cities limit the size and height of benches—for instance, the City of Crystal, limits them to no more than 42 inches high, 30 inches wide or seven feet long. Several cities regulate the advertising to not allow the words “STOP”, “LOOK”, “DRIVE-IN”, “DANGER” or “any other word, phrase or symbol which might interfere with, mislead or distract traffic”. (Minneapolis, Brooklyn Center). FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -3- November 24, 2004 Discussion on ordinance change relating to Bus Bench Signs (continued) Licensing: Staff recommends an annual fee of $25.00 per bench to cover costs related to staff time in establishing allowed locations, licensing paperwork, and enforcement activities or response to complaints. General discussion followed. Council member Lamb recommended that with regard to being specific about types of advertising, the City of Roseville challenged a gentleman with a flag and they lost big. Rely on the common sense and reasonableness of U.S. Bench. It reflects on their business as well. The general consensus of the Council was that the following modifications be made to the proposed ordinance outlined previously: Limit to print advertising only. The new owner of a property must give written permission if the bench is on private property. Use the City of Roseville’s ordinance language regarding removal. Size: 42 inches high, 30 inches wide, seven feet long, and advertising on street side only. Location: If a bench is proposed to be located in the R-3 or R-4 zoning districts, make it a conditional use, with the consent of the adjacent property owner. 6. Add a provision that deals with removal of the bench or benches for street improvements or if the City deems them to be safety hazards. 7. Include the optional provisions and the licensing provision. In response to questions about placement of these benches adjacent to MTC bus shelters, the installation and removal of concrete pads the benches rest on, and graffiti removal, Mr. Scott Danielson said that one of the MTC bus shelters on Snelling doesn’t have benches and MTC does this because some people do not like to sit in a bus shelter with other people. Mr. Rollie Danielson said the MTC encourages his company to put their benches near the bus shelters so that the shelters become a mini transit station. People are hesitant to sit in a bus shelter with a stranger. Mr. Rollie Danielson said that with regard to the concrete pads they use, they have perfected a special pad that can be moved very quickly. As soon as they receive a call to remove a bench and pad they do so very quickly. He said that with regard to graffiti removal, they have all kinds of chemicals available and respond very quickly to any calls they receive about this. He commented that they do not allow any politics or legal advertising on their benches. Staff and the City Attorney will draft an ordinance for consideration at a future Council meeting. FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -4- November 24, 2004 Draft Subscriber Agreement for Ramsey County Public Safety Radio Communications Subsystem Mayor Gehrz said she believed the Ramsey County Board acted on this document earlier in the day. It authorizes the County Manager to begin negotiations with the subscribing units. The Ramsey County user groups want their own radios rather than leasing them and will pay for their own repair costs. There is no anticipated fee, although one may be proposed in the future. Council member Talbot asked if the City can join with other entities. Mayor Gehrz said the City will be purchasing its radios through the County. Administrator Worthington said that three contracts have been let. Council member Talbot asked about the approximate cost per unit and the number the City will purchase. Administrator Worthington said the City will purchase 17-20 of the Motorola 2500 unit that costs $2,500. There will be one encrypted radio that cannot be monitored on a scanner and it will cost $5,000. There is a subsidy of $1,900 per unit. Mayor Gehrz commented that the City’s cost will be about $600 per radio. Council member Talbot asked about the potential difficulty of having everyone speak at once on a particular channel. Administrator Worthington said the radios will be programmed so that does not happen. The agreement covers the following provisions: Use of the Ramsey County Subsystem to the Region wide Public Safety Radio Communications System; Purchase, Maintenance and Repair of Subscriber Radios; and Administrative and Operational Support of the Subscriber Radio Fleet Mayor Gehrz recommended two changes in the document. One is on page 30, Section 2.4. Change Subscriber Fleet Support Fee to Future Fee. The second is on page 32, Section 3.7, first sentence. Insert the word and between training and instructional materials. A brief discussion followed. Lindstrom moved approval of the draft agreement in form, with a change on page 30, Section 2.4, from the term Subscriber Fleet Support Fee to Future Fee, and a change on page 32, Section 3.7, first sentence. Insert the word and between training and instructional materials. The motion was unanimously approved. Election Results Information Deputy Clerk Kodluboy told the viewing audience that election results for any municipality or township can be obtained on-line via the Secretary of State’s office, www.sos.state.mn.us. Anyone who does not have a computer or internet access can either call or stop in to City Hall and staff will provide the information, or they can go to their local library. FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -5- November 24, 2004 Preliminary Tax Statements Mayor Gehrz said that most residents have received their preliminary tax notice and may see that the city portion increased a little bit. If you see an increase, the City did not increase taxes; the City decreased taxes by $10,000. There will be a Truth in Taxation Hearing on Monday, December 6, 7:00 PM, at City Hall, with final approval of the budget and levy at the regular Council meeting on Wednesday, December 8, 7:00 PM, at City Hall. REPORTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: None INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: Council member Talbot said that at Thanksgiving, one of his blessings is being allowed to sit on the City council and make decisions on behalf of his neighbors. It’s wonderful and one of the things he is grateful for. He told the viewing audience to have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Council member Lindstrom said that he was at the Coffee Grounds the other day and talked to the owner. They will be having an art show shortly. The business is located on the corner of Hamline and Hoyt. Council member Kuettel wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Council member Lamb said that he hopes everyone has received the Solid Waste Commission mailing. He asked the viewing audience to read it thoroughly and write a letter, fax or email City Hall giving your opinion. Mayor Gehrz said that she and Administrator Worthington participated in the Governor’s Symposium on Homeland Security and it covered everything from agriculture, meat inspection, public health and transportation. There were many questions from the audience. Administrator Worthington said that two documents were distributed to the City Council prior tonight’s meeting: A final copy of the Solid Waste Commission Report and the proposed budget for 2005. She asked the Council to let her know if there are any problems with the proposed budget or if they would like changes. The regular City Council meeting was adjourned at 8:20 PM. Respectfully submitted, Mary Shea Kodluboy Deputy Clerk