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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_97Feb12CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING 3 ~ ;~ MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 12, 1997 Mayor Gehrz convened the meeting at 7:01 p.m. PRESENT Gehrz, Gibson Talbot, Hustad, Jacobs, and Kuettel. Also present were Hoyt, Asleson, Maurer, and Treeful. COMMUNITY FORUM There was no one wishing to take advantage of the community forum. MINUTES OF JANUARY 22, 1997 Minutes were approved by unanimous consent. PUBLIC HEARING A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED STREET AND STORMWATER IMPROVEMENTS FOR LINDIG STREET AND CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS REGARDING SAME Engineer Maurer reported that there are two different kinds of street improvements proposed for Lindig Street. Most of the street will have a mill and overlay of asphalt to improve street conditions. The three properties on the north end of the street will have their street completely constructed (it is now gravel.) The storm drainage portion will consist of improvements to catch basins and a directing of surface water across the city park land and across a proposed easement. Maurer recommended that there be no assessment on the through lots that front both Fairview Avenue and Lindig Street and that the properties abutting the mill-and-overlay streets be assessed on a per unit basis rather than a front foot basis. Mayor Gehrz opened the public hearing at 7:14 p.m. Kevin Busch, 1804 Lindig Street, spoke in favor of the proposed project. He stated that he favors the improvements because of the need to alleviate flooding problems. There being no one else wishing to be heard, Mayor Gehrz closed the public hearing at 7:15 p.m. Motion was made by Councilmember Jacobs to approve Resolution 97-04, ordering the improvement. Motion passed unanimously. Motion was made by Councilmember Kuettel to approve Resolution 97-05, ordering the bidding of the plans and specifications. Motion passed unanimously. City Council Minutes February 12, 1997 3 ~, Page 2 PRESENTATION RECOGNITION OF THE 1996 UNITREE GRANT Forester Linda Treeful introduced Gail Steinman of the Twin Cities Tree Trust. Ms. Steinman presented the city with an award for its 1996 Unitree grant tree planting activities at Community Park. Ms. Steinman also recognized the work of the Grove neighborhood, who independently received a Unitree grant to plant trees in a vacant lot of their neighborhood. Marty Dworkin, representing the Grove neighborhood, recounted the history of that project and thanked the Tree Trust for their assistance. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVED Motion was made by Councilmember Gibson Talbot to approve the following consent agenda. Motion passed unanimously. 1. Disbursements 2. Licenses 3. Authorization to contract for the installation of replacement burners for the city hall heating units 4. Authorization to make donation to the Retired Senior Volunteer Program POLICY AGENDA ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 97-01 REGARDING TELECOMMUNICATIONS ANTENNAS AND RESOLUTION 97-06 AUTHORIZING SUMMARY PUBLICATION Administrative Assistant. Asleson reported that this was a housekeeping item; the proposed ordinance had already been unanimously approved by both the planning commission and the city council. However, formal approval is required again, since an amendment to the zoning code requires a 4/5 affirmative majority and there were only three councilmembers present at the time of first adoption. Motion was made by Councilmember Hustad to approve Ordinance 97-01 and Resolution 97-06. Motion passed unanimously. r City Council Minutes February 12, 1997 3 ~ cy Page 3 UPDATE AND DISCUSSION WITH SENATOR JOHN MARTY AND REPRESENTATIVE MARY JO MCGUIRE The council discussed a number of items with Senator Marty and Representative McGuire, including issues regarding control of city rights-of-way, LGA/HACA proposals, property tax relief, welfare reform, and regional emergency management radio systems. DISCUSSION ON ADDITIONAL ITEMS RELATED TO THE LINDIG STREET AND LARPENTEUR AVENUE PROPOSED ASSESSMENTS The council discussed several items regarding the proposed Lindig and Larpenteur Avenue assessments, including the payback period, interest rate, and whether to assess the through lots on Fairview Avenue. Motion was made by Councilmember Gibson Talbot to establish the following: • The interest rate will be 7%; • The payback period will be 10 years for street reconstruction and 5 years for mill-and-overlays, with people given the option fora 10 year payback prior to the assessment hearing; and • The through lots on Fairview Avenue will not be assessed for Lindig Street reconstruction, unless the Lindig properties are developed within the next ten years. If development occurs within five years, the total cost of the assessment will be due from the property owner. After five years, the amount of the assessment will be reduced by 5200 per year until after the tenth year when it will be eliminated. An application for a building permit will initiate the charge. Motion passed unanimously. AUTHORIZATION TO ESTABLISH A SCHOOL ZONE SPEED LIMIT IN THE VICINITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL In response to resident concerns, the city's consulting engineers performed a brief traffic and engineering investigation near Falcon Heights Elementary School. In addition to signs and a painted crosswalk, the engineers recommend that a 20 mph school zone be established along Garden Avenue between Hamline Avenue and Holton Street. Motion was made by Councilmember Kuettel to authorize a school zone speed limit of 20 mph along Garden Avenue between Hamline Avenue and Holton Street. Motion passed unanimously. it 1 fl City Council Minutes February 12, 1997 Page 4 DISCUSSION OF A BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM t_• 3i~ The council and administrator discussed the possibility of providing lower interest loans to city businesses making property improvements. The funding would come from the city's community/economic development fund. Since the proposed program would be a loan program rather than a grant program, the city would receive its money back over time. Motion was made by Councilmember Jacobs to direct the administrator to proceed with developing this program. Motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:57 p.m. Susan L. Gehrz, Mayor Carla Asleson Recording Secretary