HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_97Jul9CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS _ ~ ''~
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING ~ ~
MINUTES OF JULY 9, 1997
Mayor Gehrz convened the meeting at 7:04 p.m.
PRESENT
Gehrz, Gibson Talbot, Hustad, Jacobs, and Kuettel. Also present were Hoyt and Asleson.
COMMUNITY FORUM
There was no one wishing to take advantage of the community forum.
MINUTES OF JUNE 25, 1997
Minutes were approved by unanimous consent.
CONSENT AGENDA APPROVED
Motion was made by Councilmember Gibson Talbot to approve the following consent
agenda. Motion passed unanimously.
1. Disbursements
2. Licenses
3. Awarding sealcoating contract to Allied Blacktop
POLICY AGENDA
DISCUSSION OF THE PROPOSED REFURBISHING OF A 1978 FIRE TRUCK
Nick Baumann, Fire Chief, and Clem Kurhajetz, Chair of the Fire Department's Truck
Committee, reported to the council on the proposed refurbishing of the department's 1978
fire truck. Kurhajetz described the vehicles currently in the department's fleet and reported
that the 1978 truck will need to be refurbished in order to be useful to the department in
the future. The proposed cost of a refurbishment is approximately 559,000 versus a new
pumper truck which would cost between 5180,000 and 5200,000. A refurbishment would
keep the truck functional for another 10 to 15 years while a new truck would last between
20 and 30 years. Following questions and discussion, the council determined that the
refurbishment makes sense from both fiscal and safety standpoints and indicated that the
cost of refurbishment could be submitted in the 1998 fire capital budget.
CONSIDERATION OF AN ORDINANCE ADDING CHAPTER 10 (HOUSING CODE) TO THE
CITY CODE
Administrative Assistant Asleson reported that the planning commission had recommended
the addition of a housing code to the city code. Asleson gave a report on the planning
commission's study of housing codes, including the commission's recommendation that a
housing code be initially used on a complaint/concern basis rather than for an annual
inspection program. The rationale for this recommendation was that the city's housing
stock is currently in good condition. The housing code would be most useful as a means
to protect the public health and welfare in unusual circumstances should they arise.
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City Council Minutes
July 9, 1997
Page 2
33
Motion was made by Councilmember Jacobs to approve Ordinance 97-05 and Resolution
97-29, adding Chapter 10 to the city code and allowing for summary publication. Motion
passed unanimously.
REPORT ON THE PROPOSED BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM
1
Administrator Hoyt reported that, at the council's request, city staff investigated the
possibility of beginning a loan program to provide reduced interest loans to city businesses
to make improvements on their property. Two property owners have in the past indicated
interest in obtaining a loan to improve the signs on their property (one of these property
owners has since proceeded with the improvements on his own.) Hoyt noted that
improvements to signs might market the city's commercial property better, but would not
directly increase jobs, significantly raise the market value of the property, or eliminate key
blight in the city unless they are well integrated into a larger community business district
plan. There would be a financial cost to the city to provide slow-interest loan to
commercial property owners. Hoyt also noted that the city is investing over 5650,000 in
physical improvements directly into the community business district as a part of the
Larpenteur Avenue project. None of these costs are being assessed to abutting business
owners.
Given the current interest level in a low interest loan program, the potential costs to the city,
and the substantial investment in the public improvements in the business district, the
council directed staff to postpone further work on a business loan program. If conditions
should change in the future, the idea can be re-examined.
REPORT ON THE STATUS OF THE 1997 CITY GOALS
Administrator Hoyt reviewed the 1997 city goals and updated the council on the progress
made toward them so far this year.
SCHEDULE FOR 1998 BUDGET WORKSHOPS
The 1998 goal setting workshop was re-scheduled from June 19 to June 26. The
remainder of the budget workshop dates will be held as previously scheduled.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m.
Carla Asleson
Recording Secretary
Susan L. Gehrz, Mayor