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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_05Apr13 CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS MINUTES April 13, 2005 Mayor Gehrz convened the regular City Council meeting at 7:00 PM. PRESENT: Mayor Sue Gehrz, Council members Laura Kuettel, Robert Lamb, Peter Lindstrom and Richard Talbot Also present: City Administrator Heather Worthington, Parks and Public Works Director Greg Hoag, Recreation Supervisor/Administrative Assistant Lisa Anderson and Deputy Clerk Mary Shea Kodluboy COMMUNITY FORUM: There was no commentary from the audience. PRESENTATIONS: Introduction of Lisa Anderson, Parks and Recreation Supervisor/Administrative Assistant Parks and Public Works Director Greg Hoag introduced Ms. Anderson to the City Council and the viewing audience. He said Lisa has been working for three cities: Chanhassen, Roseville and Brooklyn Park. She is working part-time for Falcon Heights while she finishes up her responsibilities at the other cities and will be coming on board full-time on May 2. Lisa said that she grew up in Brooklyn Park and began working in the recreation sports field when she was 15. She graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2003 with a degree in recreation, parks and leisure studies. She gave a brief description of her responsibilities at each of the three cities. Here at Falcon Heights she will have a lot of different roles and she will get a lot of experience. Mayor Gehrz said there is a new initiative being organized in Ramsey County called Active Living by Design. It is a multi-disciplinary effort to see how cities, schools and businesses can promote more physical activity among all ages. Blue Cross/Blue Shield will be providing funds for technical assistance. The Active Living by Design advance group will be looking at assets the City has and will be studying the populations not being reached. She told the viewing audience they may find themselves talking with Lisa about a wide range of issues because she will be helping with the phones, services for people, communication, the newsletter and the web site. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes dated March 23, 2005 were unanimously approved as submitted. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None Scheduled FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -2- April 13, 2005 CONSENT AGENDA: Kuettel moved approval of the Consent Agenda, as outlined below. The motion was unanimously approved. General Disbursements through April 7, 2005: $ 63,910.87 Payroll (3/15/05 – 3/30/05) $ 12,099.19 2. Appointment of Gene Ozasky, 2170 Folwell Avenue, to the Parks and Recreation Commission 3. Award 2005 street sweeping contract to Mike McPhillips, Inc., at a total cost of $15,600 POLICY AGENDA: Consideration of resolution adopting NIMS (National Incident Management System) as the basis for all Incident Management in Falcon Heights Administrator Worthington said that President Bush has issued Homeland Security Directive 5, which directs the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to develop and administer a National Incident Management System, which would provide a consistent, nation-wide approach for all levels of government to work together effectively and efficiently in the case of a disaster. By executive order, Governor Pawlenty designated NIMS for all state emergency and incident management in February, 2005. Cities are required to formally adopt the NIMS as their basis for all incident management. The NIMS model is very similar to the current Minnesota Incident Management System (MIMS) that our fire department personnel, law enforcement officers, emergency managers, and others are trained in. RESOLUTION 2005-03 Talbot moved adoption of Resolution 2005-03 designating the National Incident Management System (NIMS) as the Basis for all Incident Management in Falcon Heights, Minnesota. The motion was unanimously approved. Discussion of outcomes of the Joint Council-Commission Workshop held on March 23, 2005 Mayor Gehrz said the City Council and City Commissions held a joint workshop on March 23, 2005, to discuss issues related to environmental education and future programs. FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -3- April 13, 2005 Discussion of outcomes of the Joint Council-Commission Workshop held on March 23, 2005 (continued) Mayor Gehrz said there was brainstorming in a workshop format and it went extremely well. Robert Thompson, Co-Chair of the Neighborhood Commission, facilitated the workshop discussion and a lot of good ideas were generated from the commissioners present. One of the commissions will need to take a leadership role and the most logical one seems to be the Solid Waste Commission. The attendees recommended that the Solid Waste Commission be re-named the Environment Commission and that their scope of responsibility be increased to include the following: Plan and coordinate environmental workshops for city residents, using existing educational resources from other governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, research bodies, or university and academic resources. Council member Lamb, Council Liaison to the Solid Waste Commission, said the Commission is working on the recycling contract, which will be up at the end of this year. There are issues of air and water quality. Periodically, municipalities receive unfunded mandates from the Federal and State governments. Education is the major component. A lot of research will need to be done. They will be pulling together things that are existing, packaging them and creating mailers and town meetings about these issues. The people on the Commission are excited about their new charter. He invited residents who are interested in serving on the Commission to call City Hall and express their interest. Council member Lindstrom said there was a lot of energy generated that night. There are real programs that can be done, that people want to do. He suggested adding two words to the revised scope of responsibility: “and programs” after the word “workshops”. He commented that he recently read about a program in Maplewood for rain gardens. They have volunteers who identify where a rain garden would be appropriate. Maybe there could be something at the Farmer’s Market regarding plants for rain gardens. Council member Lamb said he agreed and that the Environment Commission’s definition should be broad. Lindstrom moved to rename the Solid Waste Commission the Environment Commission and add the amendment, outlined below, to their charter. The motion was unanimously approved. Plan and coordinate environmental workshops and programs for city residents, using existing educational resources from other governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, research bodies, or university and academic resources. FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -4- April 13, 2005 Workshop schedule for next five months Administrator Worthington said the budget planning workshops will begin in June. There was a brief discussion about the upcoming workshop schedule and the following represents the projected workshop schedule through September, 2005. May 4 2005 Maple Knoll Water Main Replacement Project Overview 2006 Hamline/Hoyt Project Overview 2006 Roselawn Avenue Project Overview June 1 Goal Setting—2006 Budget July 13 – Workshop to follow the regular City Council meeting Capital—2006 Budget August – Workshop(s) may follow the regularly scheduled City Council meetings on August 10 and 24 General Fund—2006 Budget September No Workshop Update on MOU with licensed garbage haulers Administrator Worthington said that in February, 2005, the City Council instructed staff to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the licensed garbage haulers in the City. The memorandum has been fully executed with signatures from the City, and all haulers who were involved in the MOU process, as represented by the National Solid Waste Association. To date, the following haulers have signed the MOU: BFI Waste Services Onyx Waste Services Gene’s Disposal Service Walter’s Recycling and Refuse Horrigan Hauling Waste Management of MN, Inc. Staff is currently in the process of determining whether the two remaining licensed haulers, Aspen Waste Services and Red Arrow, are willing to sign the MOU. If they are, their names and signatures will be added to the document accordingly. FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -5- April 13, 2005 Update on MOU with licensed garbage haulers (continued) Mayor Gehrz read the Memorandum of Understanding to the viewing audience and it is outlined below: Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Falcon Heights and Licensed Residential Solid Waste Haulers This Memorandum of Understanding is entered into on the 21st day of March, 2005, between the City of Falcon Heights (City) and the undersigned Licensed Residential Waste Haulers (Haulers). Haulers shall abide by the following provisions: Wear and Tear Haulers shall bring trucks into the city empty. Haulers shall train drivers to enter and exit alleys with left turns where practical and feasible. Haulers shall not drive on alleys where they do not have any customers. Customer Service Haulers shall provide an option for trash to be picked up every other week at a reduced rate for those customers who produce minimal amounts of trash. Residents shall have the option of temporary suspension of service. Haulers shall collect yard waste and have options providing for appliances and other large objects. Education Haulers shall provide information on how to purchase compost bins at a reduced rate through the county. Haulers shall provide information, provided by the city, in bills to customers regarding household hazardous waste and recycling. Haulers will use the Resource Recovery Facility to the extent that they have current contractual agreements with Ramsey County and/or Washington County for disposal of solid waste. The City and the Haulers will meet on an annual basis, or sooner if needs arise, to discuss any issues that may arise regarding the aforesaid commitments to ensure that all parties are satisfied that effort are being made to abide by the commitments and remedy any problems that may arise. Council member Kuettel said there were several grammatical corrections that needed to be made in the first paragraph on the MOU signature page. She recommended that the paragraph be rewritten as follows: “The City and the Haulers will meet on an annual basis, or sooner if needed, to discuss any issues that may occur regarding the aforesaid commitments to ensure that all parties are satisfied that efforts are being made to abide by the commitments and remedy any problems that may arise.” FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -6- April 13, 2005 Update on MOU with licensed garbage haulers (continued) Council member Lindstrom told the viewing audience that the City is relying on its citizens to keep an eye on the haulers. Let the City Council or City Hall know if they see haulers violating provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding. Mayor Gehrz said that one of the outcomes is that as of May 1, 2005, all of the neighborhoods in the City will be in compliance with the one day a week pick-up requirement. The University-Grove neighborhood was grandfathered in because they had one hauler who picked up twice a week. This has now changed and the University-Grove area will have once a week pick-up also. REPORTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS: None INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: Council member Talbot asked about recreational fire permits and Administrator Worthington explained this area is on the urban fire line so no fires are allowed at this time. Once the restriction is lifted by the DNR, residents can call City Hall when they plan to have a rec fire, staff will fill out a form and the information will be given to Ramsey County Dispatch, the SAPD and City Fire Department. It is best to call before 4:30 PM so these entities can be informed. Council member Talbot reminded the viewing audience about crimes of opportunity. Don’t leave your front door open/unlocked and your purse on the dining room table while you are working in the backyard. Lock your front door and play it safe. He also reminded the viewing audience that 4:00 PM, April 15, is the deadline for submitting an application to the North Suburban Communications Commission and Comcast for a scholarship for college or vocational training. Go on the NSCC website: www.nsccmn.org, to download the application forms, fill them out and drop them off at the NSCC office. Thousands of dollars are being given away again. Council member Lindstrom thanked the Falcon Heights/Lauderdale Lions Club and the Rotarians for helping out with the food drive. Six to eight Lions picked up and collected over 1,500 pounds of food stuff and the Rotarians helped unload everything. Council member Lamb said that about $600 in cash was collected as well. Cash is what helps the food shelf to fill the gaps in the food needs. Mayor Gehrz told the viewing audience that if they wanted to contribute money or food, bring it to City Hall and staff will make sure they are delivered to Keystone Community Services. Administrator Worthington said she assisted with the unloading and found it interesting to see what people donated. There was very little baby food or baby formula donated. Mayor Gehrz thanked the Lions Club, the Rotary Club and the people who contributed. She also thanked the Neighborhood Liaisons, the CERT volunteers and the businesses that were involved. This is really a great community wide project. Council member Lindstrom commented that one thing that was mentioned was that there wasn’t a lot of pick up at the residences. FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -7- April 13, 2005 INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS (continued) Council member Lindstrom said the Falcon Heights/Lauderdale Lions Club has approved a $3,000 contribution to the Falcon Heights Elementary School PTSA for new playground equipment. The PTSA is close to meeting its goal. Council member Kuettel reminded the viewing audience that the City’s summer recreational program brochure is available online at www.ci.falcon-heights.mn.us. Council member Lamb said the Environment Commission, aka Solid Waste Commission, is starting to look at the recycling contract. The initial impression is that it is among the least expensive and has the longest list of recyclable items. The Commission would like to hear from people about the quality of service, cost and the schedule. Also, the Commission would like to expand its membership. Mayor Gehrz reminded the viewing audience about an upcoming meeting on April 18, 7 PM, at City Hall, to meet with representatives from the State Fair. She and Administrator Worthington have been meeting with the State Fair staff at least once a year for several years. She hopes residents will come to the meeting because the City hears from residents when they are concerned or like something. She said the CERT training program will begin on May 5, 6:30 – 9:30 PM, at City Hall. There will be eight classes at a cost of $15.00 for the entire series. This year the program is open to Lauderdale residents because Falcon Heights provides fire protection to Lauderdale. On Saturday, April 30, there will be a training at City Hall about emergency communications and it is open to everyone in the whole region. The University of Minnesota is working toward getting a stadium built on the Minneapolis campus. The plan for the stadium has a lot of parking on the State Fairgrounds. They are doing a scoping for the environmental workshop and she encouraged people to request that this be done. If anyone would like to add their voice, call Administrator Worthington or her. There are postcards available for people to fill out and they must be returned to the University by April 27. Administrator Worthington said the City will be street sweeping within the next couple of weeks. The City sweeps first and then goes back and posts where needed. With regard to the SE Corner, Snelling and Larpenteur, that area is swept by the County. On April 21, 5:30 PM, there will be a tour of the multi-family building at 1550 West Larpenteur Avenue. The regular City Council meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM. Respectfully submitted, Mary Shea Kodluboy Deputy Clerk