HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMIN_05.26.21CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
Regular Meeting of the City Council
City Hall
2077 West Larpenteur Avenue
MINUTES
May 26, 2021 at 7:00 P.M.
A. CALL TO ORDER: 7:02 PM
B. ROLL CALL: ANDREWS GUSTAFSON X LEEHY X
MIAZGA -X WEHYEE X
STAFF PRESENT: THONGVANH X
C. PRESENTATION
1. Neal Kwong Youth Citizen Award - Zane Johnson
Mayor Gustafson
Neal was a youth leader and eagle scout, he was the same age as my son. This award was established to
recognize outstanding young leaders. Gary and Chris Kwong, the parents of Neal are here to present the
award.
Zane Johnson
I want to thank everyone who helped me get to this point. It's an honor to receive this award.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. April 28, 2021 City Council Regular Minutes
Motion to approve the minutes by Council Member Leehy;
Approved, 3-0.
Council Member Wehyee was absent at the time of the vote.
E. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. Amber Union Project - Vacation
Mayer Gustafson
The developer has requested the City vacate a portion of the Snelling Avenue Right of Way. Staff have
reviewed the request and determined the ROW is no longer needed once the building is developed with
the Amber Union project. Staff received a few questions but no opinions were received by staff for or
against the vacation.
Stephanie Smith, Assistant City Engineer
The existing location of the easement was part of a right of way turnback by MnDOT but was turned back
to the City. With the Amber Union development, that area would be turned into a parking lot, there is not
a need for a turnaround any longer. The property owner has requested the vacation in an effort to clear
the encumbrance as part of their financing. A condition of the resolution is that an appropriate easement
would be dedicated as part of this vacation. Staff s recommendation is to hold the public hearing and
then to approve the resolution as presented.
Mayor Gustafson
The public hearing is now open. Second call for comment. Third and final call for comment. I'll now close
the public hearing.
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Council Member Leehy
I appreciate the clarity that we're not losing a turnaround, there's still space to do that.
Council Member Wehyee
Is this going to impact the property owners' ability to access their homes?
Administrator Thongvanh
The property owners have routinely used private property to access Larpenteur Avenue, but Peter
Deanovic of Buhl Investors has said it is ok if they continue to do that.
Council Member Wehyee
Is that going to be allowed indefinitely? How consistent is that policy? Would residents have to worry
about that changing sometime in the future?
Peter Deanovic, Buhl Investors
Our intention through this process is to minimize the disruption, in terms of traffic. My commitment to
the City has been to take this one step at a time. There's a desire to maintain the functionality of the site.
Motion to adopt Resolution 21-23 approving the vacation of Right of Way and provide the Administrator
and Mayor the authority to execute the necessary documents by Council Member Wehyee;
Approved, 4-0.
F. CONSENT AGENDA:
1. General Disbursements through: 5/20/21 $35,570.33
Payroll through: 5/15/21 $18,130.46
Motion to approve the consent agenda by Council Member Leehy;
Approved, 4-0.
G: POLICY ITEMS:
1. Amber Union Project - Encroachment Agreements and Easement
Andrea McDowell Poehler, Ci Attorne
There is a green space encroachment agreement as well as a parking encroachment agreement, Quitclaim
deed, and an easement that would be included in the resolution.
Motion to approve Resolution 21-24 by Council Member Miazga;
Approved, 4-0.
2. Amber Union Project - Accept Metropolitan Livable Communities Act Grant Agreement for
the Tax Base Revitalization Account Contamination Cleanup Grant Program (TBRA), Adopt
Fair Housing Policy, and TBRA Loan to Buhl GTA, LP, Limited Partnership
Administrator Thon anh
In 2020, the City submitted an application on behalf of Buhl Investors to the Contamination Cleanup
Grant Program. The City was awarded funds and the grant will expire in 2023. Buhl has requested that
the grant be converted to a loan instead of a grant. When the City gets payment, the City has a right to
request to the Met Council to keep those funds and apply them to the property in the future to keep the
units affordable. Staff recommend approving the resolution the Fair Housing Policy and authorizing the
mayor and City Administrator to execute all necessary documents.
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Motion by Council Member Leehy;
Approved, 4-0.
3. Alley Improvements - Accept Feasibility Report & Order Plans and Specifications
Administrator Thongvanh
This was brought to our attention by one of the property owners. There was a drainage problem in the
alley and during the winter, the alley would become icy. The property owner approached the city with a
petition and we received just over 50 percent of the property owners signing. Our assessment policy for
alleys states that the property owner is responsible for 90 percent and the City is responsible for 10
percent.
Stephanie Smith, Assistant Ci!y Engineer
The drainage improvements that we were proposing to eliminate the issues in the alleyway may require
additional work in the street. This could involve putting an additional catch basin in Pascal. The
improvements would be estimated at $27,000 in addition to the work we proposed in the alleyway.
Including this project as part of the alleyway improvements may result in high costs for materials.
The assessment hearing would take place after construction. Property owners could at that point pay the
assessment all up front or interest free in the first 30 days. They can also add to property taxes, typically
over 5 years with a 2% interest rate.
There are three options to move forward: delaying the entire project until a later date, approve only the
alleyway improvements, or approve both the alleyway improvements and storm sewer improvements.
Staff are recommending to delay the project. If it were to be added this year, we would recommend
moving forward with the improvement hearing on June 9, and would prepare plans and specs for June
23.
Council Member Miazga
Would we know the assessment costs at the June 9 public hearing?
Stephanie Smith, Assistant City Engineer
We would not have those numbers yet because we would need to obtain bids for the materials.
Administrator Thongvanh
The petition doesn't obligate the City to do the project. By delaying the project, we could review the
larger scope of the project and make alleyway improvements on a broader scale. Authorizing plans and
specifications does not mean the Council will have to decide to do the work.
Motion to accept the feasibility report and order plans and specifications for the alleyway improvements
by Council Member Wehyee;
Approved, 4-0.
H. INFORMATION/ ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1. COMMUNITY FORUM:
Please limit comments to 3 minutes per person. Items brought before the Council will be referred for
consideration. Council may ask questions for clarification, but no council action or discussion will be held
on these items.
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Felicia Busch 1804 Lindig Street
This is in regard to the street improvement project that will be starting this year. Apparently a citizen
complained about the flooding that happens on Lindig in front of our house and our neighbor's yard. The
flooding is temporary and lasts only a couple hours, it sinks into our yard. We received notice about the
project from the City, stating that we need to notify Roseville of sprinklers or invisible fences prior to the
project beginning so they are not damaged during the construction. I spoke to Stephanie Smith and she
coordinated an informational meeting with my neighbors. There is a huge amount of miscommunication
regarding the project.
ADJOURNMENT: 8:54 PMz�Ry
ndall C. G fson, Mayor
Dated this a i day of May, 2021
I�w•f
Sack Thongvanh, LAv Administrator
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