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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_98Jul29• n U • CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS ~ .~ REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING g ~' ~` MINUTES OF JULY 29, 1998 Mayor Gehrz convened the meeting at 7:02 p.m. PRESENT Gehrz, Gibson Talbot, Jacobs, and Kuettel. Also present was Hoyt, Asleson and Knutson. ABSENT Hustad (arrived later). COMMUNITY FORUM There was no one wishing to take advantage of the community forum. MINUTES OF JULY 1, 1998 Minutes were approved by unanimous consent. Councilmember Hustad arrived at 7:06 p.m. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVED Councilmember Kuettel moved approval of the following consent agenda. The motion passed unanimously. 1. Disbursements 2. Licenses 3. Approval of step increase for Parks/Public Works Maintenance worker 4. Acceptance of donation of CPR mannequin from SGI 5. Scheduling public hearing for August 21, 1998 to assess the University of Minnesota for Hoyt Avenue reconstruction 6. Approval of computer purchases 7. Authorization to purchase overhead doors for the parks/public works garage and fire department 8. Scheduling a council meeting for 4:00 p.m. on August 21, 1998 9. Approval of revision to Administrative Manual, "Guidelines During the State Fair" 10. Approval of fund transfers: from Infrastructure fund to Hoyt Avenue improvement fund, from the Infrastructure fund to the NE Quadrant improvement fund, and a transfer to close the Lindig Street improvements fund to the Infrastructure fund. 11. Awarding contracts for tree removal and incidental tree trimming POLICY AGENDA APPROVAL OF ORDINANCES 98-05 AND 98-06 AND RESOLUTION 98-18 APPROVING NEW CABLE TELEVISION FRANCHISE AGREEMENT Jerry Wallin, the city's representative on the North Suburban Cable Commission, and Coralie Wilson, Executive Director, described the process used to renew the ten-city City Council Minutes July 29, 1998 ~ ~~ ~-a Page 2 cable franchise. The non-exclusive franchise to Media One should give the area the capacity it needs for the foreseeable future. The cable system can potentially be used for a number of things outside of television, including Internet access and telephone service. Ms. Wilson also noted that a commission will be established in the coming weeks to discuss the future role of the cable commission with respect to these issues. Councilmember Jacobs made a motion to approve Ordinance 98-05 (approving the cable franchise), Ordinance 98-06 (amending Chapter 4 of the city code, "Franchises") and Resolution 98-18, allowing summary publication of Ordinance 98-05. The motion passed unanimously. Councilmember Gibson Talbot made a motion to appoint Jerry Wallin as the city's representative on the task force examining the cable commission's future role with respect to emerging technology issues. The motion passed unanimously. APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO CITY'S ASSESSMENT POLICY RELATED TO TAX EXEMPT PROPERTIES ON CORNER LOTS Administrator Hoyt explained that it has been the philosophy of the city council to assess tax exempt properties for the full cost of public improvements, such as street • reconstruction. The city has shared in the cost of past public improvements for taxpaying residential and commercial properties because these properties contribute to the city's tax base. It was recently discovered that the city's assessment policy does not specify that corner lots are to be assessed each time that an abutting street is improved. Councilmember Hustad made a motion to amend the city's assessment policy to read "Tax exempt properties shall be assessed for every street improvement project that abuts the property according to the property's front footage along the street that is being improved." The motion passed unanimously. REPORT ON THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA RESPONSE TO COVENANTS FOR THE CLEVELAND AVENUE SITE FOR THE PROPOSED WOMEN'S INTERCOLLEGIATE SOCCER STADIUM AND ON THE SITE DESIGN TASK FORCE Mayor Gehrz and Councilmember Hustad reported that they had been to several meetings regarding the proposed soccer stadium with officials from other communities and institutions, including the Ramsey County, the City of St. Paul, the City of Roseville, and the State Fair. The purpose of these meetings was to determine if there is a more appropriate site for the soccer stadium than at the proposed location at Cleveland and Larpenteur Avenues. Discussions on this issue are continuing. Administrator Hoyt reported that University of Minnesota Board of Regents have • approved the Cleveland and Larpenteur site for the construction of a women's soccer stadium. However, University officials also stated that they would be open to signing legal covenants regarding the use of the soccer stadium. Hoyt reviewed the four covenants proposed to the University: 1) the stadium shall be used only for U of M City Council Minutes July 29, 1998 Page 3 Women's Intercollegiate soccer competition games (maximum of 12 games per year), practice by the University of Minnesota's Women's intercollegiate soccer team, and the U of M intramural soccer program, 2) no outdoor lighting shall be permitted on the playing fields; 3) stadium sound systems shall be used only during the University of Minnesota's Women's Intercollegiate NCAA soccer activities and one hour prior to the start of a game until the end of a game, and 4) the maximum exterior seating for the stadium shall be limited to 1,500 seats. Hoyt stated that these four covenants are all items previously asserted by and agreed to by University officials, and reflect the type and intensity of use that the University has been portraying in past months. Attorney Knutson reported that the covenants are being reviewed by University officials. The city had requested that the covenants be approved by Friday, July 24th. After the University failed to approve the covenants, the city declined to participate in the Wednesday, July 29 site design task force meeting. The University has been asked to approve the draft covenants by Friday, July 31, 1998. Bob Anderson, 1666 Coffman Street, representing the "Friends of the St. Paul Campus" group, presented research that shows that the University has, in the past, had plans for a 5,000 seat soccer stadium at Bierman Field and in January 1998 had planned a 2,500 seat stadium at the Cleveland Avenue site. I~~J The city council discussed how to respond to the University if the covenants are approved and if the covenants are not approved by July 31. The council determined that if they are approved, appropriate letters of appreciation will be mailed to President Yudof, the Regents and the media. If the covenants are not signed, the city will send notice of its disappointment to the same officials and to the media, reminding them of the promises for covenants that were made at the time the stadium was approved. The council decided that all of the covenants must be approved as adopted by the city council on July 15, 1998 before the city participates in the site design task force. Councilmember Hustad asked if there was any opportunity for public input when the University is being reviewed for Title IX compliance. Attorney Knutson responded that there would likely be opportunities for written comment. Administrator Hoyt reported that the city's planning consultant is working on alternative designs for the stadium and that city officials are preparing computer-aided design (CAD) drawings of the proposed stadium and alternatives so that it is easier to envision the end result of construction. Attorney Knutson reported that the state has received a petition for an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) to analyze the environmental impacts of a stadium. Falcon Heights has been named the Responsible Governmental Unit charged with determining whether an EAW is necessary and appropriate by the Minnesota Planning • Environmental Quality Board. The city's consultants are examining this issue and will report to the city council at their August 21, 1998 meeting. City Council Minutes July 29, 1998 Page 4 ~. :+u y • PROPOSED SCHEDULE FOR 1998 BUDGET WORKSHOPS After discussion, the council established the following dates for budget workshops: Saturday, August 8 at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 12 at 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 26 at 6:00 p.m., and Wednesday, September 2 at 6:00 p.m. (if needed.) ENTRANCE IMPROVEMENTS AT COMMUNITY PARK/COOPERATIVE INFORMATION POSTING PROJECT WITH UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA Administrator Hoyt reported that plans are underway to improve the entries to community park. Improvements to the northeast entry would likely include new fencing, landscaping, and path surfacing as a way to create a more welcoming and accessible entrance. At the southwest entry, it has been suggested that an "information posting station" be incorporated. Staff has had discussions with Dr. Alfredo Di Costanzo of the University of Minnesota's Department of Animal Science regarding his interest in providing park users with information about the adjacent fields and livestock. Staff is requesting authorization to proceed with developing a schematic design and cost estimates using 10 to 15 hours of a landscape architect's expertise. Councilmember Hustad moved authorization to proceed with the design of improvements to Community Park's entrances and the cooperative information posting project with the University of Minnesota, including use of 10 to 15 hours of landscape architect expertise. The motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m. ~./ ~ .. Susan L. Gerhz, Mayor ~,.u-~-~ Carla Asleson Recording Secretary •