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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_05Feb09 CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS MINUTES February 9, 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, Public Works Director Greg Hoag and Deputy Clerk Mary Shea Kodluboy COMMUNITY FORUM: There was no commentary from the audience. PRESENTATIONS: $1,000 Donation from Mineral Club Public Works Director Greg Hoag said the Mineral Club is an organization that has used City Hall facilities for its monthly meetings for over fifteen years. About three months ago, Martha Miss, their Past President/Treasurer, approached him and asked how they could make a contribution to the City. It was determined that tables and/or chairs for the Council Chambers would be a good purchase. This evening, Jeff Theroux, their President, and Martha Miss are in attendance to make a donation of $1,000 to the City. Jeff Theroux said that on behalf of the Mineral Club he wanted to express appreciation for being able to use City Hall for their monthly meetings. It is a wonderful building and Falcon Heights is a great community. It is a great centrally located meeting place and they look forward to spending many more years here. A check for $1,000 was presented to Mayor Gehrz. John Zanmiller, St. Paul Regional Water Services Board of Directors - Review of 2004 for the St. Paul Regional Water Services Mr. Zanmiller introduced himself and said that he represents Falcon Heights on the St. Paul Regional Water Services Board of Directors. He is Vice President of the Board and was also recently elected mayor of the City of West Saint Paul. He said that serving on the Board gives him an opportunity to see things that a small community like his is not exposed to. He said the St. Paul Regional Water Services is not selling as much water as they thought they would. The average temperature in August, 2004 was 66 degrees. The Board had to put off some capital expenditures but their budget is in good shape. The water utility has consolidated almost all of its operations at the Maplewood campus. The water utility owns a parcel of land on Centerville Lake that the City of Centerville wants to purchase for access purposes. The property is valued in excess of $300,000 and the water utility will not give it away, but is willing to help Centerville find ways to pay for it by giving them additional time. FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -2- February 9, 2005 John Zanmiller, St. Paul Regional Water Services Board of Directors - Review of 2004 for the St. Paul Regional Water Services (continued) Mr. Zanmiller spoke briefly about the importance of security for the water sources. He said he had an opportunity to tour the interior of the Highland water tower, a 70 year old structure, and see all of the security measures that are in place. The water utility is looking at additional water sources. They will be punching in more wells and have an opportunity to draw on some additional existing wells. The interconnection between Minneapolis and Saint Paul will cost in excess of $30 million and the Federal government is not overly enthusiastic about providing financial assistance. With regard to taste and odor issues, the water utility has restored wetlands, which act as natural filters, around Vadnais Lake; boosted its ability to pump well water that can be used to dilute the water coming primarily from the Mississippi River when taste and odor problems arise; and in March will sell $12 million in bonds to purchase and install granular activated carbon filters, which are anticipated to be operational in 2006. One fundamental resource everyone must have is water. If water is gone, we will be in a lot of trouble and the utility wants to make sure that all residents have that precious resource available to them. Council member Talbot asked about satisfaction with the utility’s security measures. Mr. Zanmiller said the campus is secure and he spoke briefly about the Legislature being most helpful in making sure that certain utility information is not public information. Council member Lindstrom asked about Como Park. Mr. Zanmiller said there is no additional work planned for Como Lake at this point. Old sludge fields are being capped to create additional parks. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Mayor Gehrz asked that two corrections be made to the January 26, 2005 Council minutes: Page 3, fourth paragraph, the first word should be water; Page 15, last paragraph, the resident’s first name should be Glen. The minutes dated January 26, 2005 were unanimously approved as corrected. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None Scheduled CONSENT AGENDA: Mayor Gehrz said that Consent Agenda Item G3: Appointment of Prosecuting Attorney, will be tabled this evening, and there is one addition to the Consent Agenda: Item G4: Compensation increases for Finance Director and City Administrator. FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -3- February 9, 2005 CONSENT AGENDA (continued) Kuettel moved approval of the Consent Agenda, as amended and outlined below. The motion was unanimously approved. General Disbursements through February 4, 2005: $ 60,950.13 Payroll (01/15/05-01/30/05) $ 13,984.07 Acceptance of Certificate of Completion and Certificate Regarding Defaults for Town Square Senior Apartments 3. Appointment of Prosecuting Attorney-tabled to future Council meeting 4. Compensation increases for Finance Director and City Administrator-addition POLICY AGENDA: 2005 Council liaison assignments Mayor Gehrz said that every year Council members are each assigned to serve as a liaison between the City Council and the various Commissions. The assignments for 2005 are as follows: Planning Commission – Peter Lindstrom Parks & Recreation Commission – Laura Kuettel Solid Waste Commission – Robert Lamb Neighborhood Commission – Sue Gehrz Human Rights Commission – Laura Kuettel Cable Commission – Rick Talbot Cable Commission Alternate – Robert Lamb Northwest Youth & Family Services Joint Powers Board – Peter Lindstrom Ramsey County League of Local Governments – Rick Talbot and Sue Gehrz Campus/Community Task Force – Sue Gehrz and Heather Worthington Talbot moved approval of the Council liaison assignments for 2005, as presented by Mayor Gehrz and outlined above. The motion was unanimously approved. REPORTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS. None INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: Council member Talbot said the Cable Commission will be meeting on an upcoming Saturday to discuss what their role will be over the next ten years. It might be changing itself to prepare for the future. FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -4- February 9, 2005 INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS (continued) Council member Kuettel thanked everyone who attended the Dead of Winter event on Sunday, February 6. Mayor Gehrz thanked three businesses for their assistance with the Dead of Winter event: Warners’ Stellian and Source Comics for their financial contributions, and Walters Recycling and Refuse for donating barrels and trash removal services. She thanked Dave Tretsven for his subtle clues with regard to the falcon. She said the nominations for the annual Neal Kwong award are being accepted until February 25, 2005, and this year the nominations are divided into two age groups: 12 to 15 and 16 to 19. She thanked Heather for finding the display case in the lobby at a garage sale, and Dave Tretsven for the beautiful finishing work he did on it. She commented there is room on the bottom shelf for little, short awards. Administrator Worthington said she wanted to thank the resident who was quick enough to report a driving accident that took out three boulevard trees on Larpenteur Avenue. The police were able to track down the driver because he lost a license plate at the scene. Council member Talbot reminded the viewing audience that each year, the North Suburban Communications Commission and Comcast give scholarships to students majoring in communications and who live in one of the ten cities serviced by the Commission. Applicants must have completed at least one year of college or vocational training. Applications are available at city halls, high school counseling and college financial aid offices, libraries in the 10-city area; at the NSCC website: www.nsccmn.org, or by calling the NSCC office at Completed applications must be returned no later than 4:00 PM, April 15, to the NSCC office. The regular City Council meeting was adjourned at 7:35 PM. Respectfully submitted, Mary Shea Kodluboy Deputy Clerk