HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_98Mar25• CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS 3 ~'
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES OF MARCH 25, 1998
Acting Mayor Jacobs convened the meeting at 7 p.m.
PRESENT
Gibson Talbot, Hustad, Jacobs. Also present was Hoyt, Engineer Maurer and
Phillips.
ABSENT
Gehrz and Kuettel
COMMUNITY FORUM
Philip Dorn, 1687 W. Larpenteur Ave. came forward to say that he is
concerned about the upkeep of the housing stock in the city and wondered
if Falcon Heights had a housing code. Since Falcon Heights is a first ring
• suburb with older homes, he would like the city to make sure they are being
kept up so people will continue to buy homes in Falcon Heights.
Administrator Hoyt said the city adopted a housing code last year but it
primarily deals with fire and safety issues. Hoyt said the city maintains its
infrastructure, streets, sidewalks, and has 24 hour policing. Hoyt also said
residents are informed of any lower interest loans that may be available
through public agencies.
PUBLIC HEARING
Acting Mayor Jacobs opened the public hearing at 7:07 p.m.
Philip Dorn, 1687 W. Larpenteur Ave. addressed the council and said this
was the first time he has experienced the assessment process and asked
what impact the State Fair property which is across the street from his home
has on his assessment. Mr. Dorn also asked about the planned sidewalks
and whether homeowners were being assessed for them as well.
Administrator Hoyt said the State Fair and the University of Minnesota are
being assessed at twice the rate of homeowners and homeowners are not
being assessed for sidewalks.
• Since there were no other persons wishing to speak, Acting Mayor Jacobs
closed the public hearing at 7:12 p.m.
~~~
• MINUTES OF MARCH 11, 1998
Minutes were approved by unanimous consent.
CONSENT AGENDA APPROVED
Councilmember Hustad moved to approve the following consent agenda.
The motion passed unanimously.
1. Disbursements
2. Licenses
3. Proposed text changes in the city's cooperative service policy to
conform to legal practice
POLICY AGENDA
APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 98-07 ADOPTING THE 1998 LARPENTEUR
AVENUE ASSESSMENT ROLL
Engineer Maurer said a resolution needs to be passed adopting the
assessment roll. A motion was made by Councilmember Gibson Talbot to
~ approve Resplution 98-07, adopting the 1998 Larpenteur Avenue
assessment roll. The motion passed unanimously.
UPDATE ON THE CITY COSTS FOR PHASE II OF THE LARPENTEUR
AVENUE STREET RECONSTRUCTION
Administrator Hoyt updated the council on the cost of the second phase of
the Larpenteur Avenue reconstruction. The costs to the city are much higher
than expected, mostly due to underestimated stormsewer costs. After some
discussion, council indicated they would like the county engineer to appear
before the council at some time in the near future to explain the
discrepancies. Mr. Dorn appeared before council again and asked if the new
stormsewer would alleviate the water problems on Larpenteur Ave. after a
rainfall. Engineer Maurer said the problem should be alleviated unless there
was an unusually heavy rainfall.
CONSIDERATION OF AN ASSESSMENT RATE FOR STREETLIGHTS ON
HOYT AVENUE WEST OF CLEVELAND
Administrator Hoyt said that during the upcoming reconstruction of Hoyt
~ Avenue, the City of St. Paul requested Falcon Heights to install residential
streetlights along the northside of Hoyt Avenue in order to create the
appropriate level of lighting and to provide aesthetic consistency throughout 3
the streetfront. Property owners expressed an interest in having these St.
Paul style streetlights even though an assessment would be associated with
them. Several options for assessing the streetlights were discussed by the
council. Gibson Talbot moved to assess the cost of the 13 St. Paul style
streetlights to the abutting property owners on a front footage basis after the
cost of 7 NSP style streetlights currently used in the Grove were subtracted
from the total cost of the streetlight work to be done by St. Paul since the
city would likely be responsible for these 7 NSP style light fixtures in the
future, if the new St. Paul style streetlights were not being installed in 1998.
RESOLUTION RECEIVING FEASIBILITY REPORT AND CALLING FOR
HEARING ON THE 1998 IMPROVEMENT OF HOYT AVENUE (WEST OF
• CLEVELAND AVENUE)
Engineer Maurer said the report referencing the improvement of Hoyt Avenue
between Cleveland Avenue and Fulham Street was received by the council
on March 25, 1998. Councilmember Hustad moved to adopt Resolution 98-
08 receiving the feasibility report and call for a hearing on the 1998
improvement of Hoyt Avenue (west of Cleveland Avenue) on April 22, 1998.
Motion passed unanimously.
• UPDATE ON THE PETITION FOR THE CAPITAL REGION WATERSHED
DISTRICT FROM THE BOARD OF WATER AND SOIL RESOURCES (BWSR)
Administrator Hoyt updated council on the petition for the Capital Region
Watershed District via letter sent to Mr. Ronald Harnack, executive director
of BWSR for the public record for the hearing that is set for April 6, 1998.
CONSIDERATION OF 1998 VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION ACTIVITIES
Acting Mayor Jacobs said the council is being asked to decide on a way of
recognizing Community volunteers and council discussed a number of the
ideas presented. Council agreed on having a recognition picnic in mid to late
June. It was also agreed to have another group photo taken. Additional
discussion on this will take place at a future meeting.
CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST FROM DISPUTE RESOLUTION CENTER TO
PROVIDE FUNDING FOR A COOPERATIVE SERVICE VENTURE
Council had been asked to make an expenditure to Dispute Resolution Center
of $500 to aid in its annual operations. Acting Mayor Jacobs read a memo
sent from Mayor Gehrz asking council to consider a smaller amount based
• upon a more equitable per capita figure. Mayor Gehrz° recommendation was
not to exceed $265. After brief discussion, Councilmember Hustad moved
. y -t' : z,
to give Dispute Resolution Center the sum of 5300. Motion carried 1 `~'
unanimously.
CHANGE IN SOLID WASTE COMMISSION MEETING PLANS
Acting Mayor Jacobs also is liaison to Solid Waste Commission and briefed
council on the changing role of the commission. Jacobs said the commission
has done an outstanding job over the years but seems to have fulfilled its
mission. The commission would prefer to not meet any longer unless there
is a specific task at hand to address. Councilmember Gibson Talbot asked if
the commission would be set up similar to the Human Rights Commission.
Councilmember Hustad suggested the commission be completely terminated
and if something in the future needs to be addressed, a task force can be
utilized with the present solid waste commissioners. After brief discussion,
Councilmember Hustad moved to terminate the Solid Waste Commission and
amend Chapter 2, Section 4 of the ordinance accordingly. Councilmember
Gibson Talbot thought the motion should be delayed until the next meeting
when there is a quorum. Councilmember Hustad withdrew his motion.
INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Councilmember Hustad said he had been interviewed by a young resident
who was working on a report on city government for a school class.
Administrator Hoyt said there were two CPR classes held at city hall in
March and taught by Terry Iverson. Also, the summer recreation program
flyers are expected to be available soon.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Sam Jacobs, Acting Mayor
Patricia Phi ips
Acting Recording Secretary
•