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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_97Jan8CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING ~ ~" ~'" MINUTES OF JANUARY 8, 1997 Mayor Gehrz convened the meeting at 7:02 p.m. PRESENT Gehrz, Gibson Talbot, Hustad, Jacobs, and Kuettel. Also present were Hoyt, Asleson, and Maurer. MINUTES OF DECEMBER 11, 1996 Minutes were approved by unanimous consent. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVED Councilmember Hustad requested that the proposed changes to the ethics policy be removed from the consent agenda and placed on the policy agenda. Motion was made by Councilmember Kuettel to approve the following consent agenda. Motion passed unanimously. 1. Disbursements 2. Licenses 3. Approval of the standard compensation increase for employees in 1997 4. Review council standing rules 5. Designation of official newspaper 6. Commission reappointments 7. Appointments to the Fire/Rescue Department 8. Approval of Resolution 97-01 designating official depositories for 1997 POLICY AGENDA CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 97-02 RECEIVING FEASIBILITY REPORT AND ORDERING A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT OF LINDIG STREET Engineer Maurer reported that an informational hearing regarding the Lindig Street improvement had been held and a feasibility report on the project conducted. The report recommends a mill and overlay process rather than complete reconstruction for the majority of the street, plus storm sewer improvements. Councilmember Jacobs asked if the discarded bituminous materials were recycled into other products. Maurer responded that larger contractors typically do this on a regular basis, but that the requirement could be placed in the bid specifications. Mayor Gehrz asked about the lots which have frontage on both Lindig Street and Fairview Avenue. Maurer responded that the council would have the choice of whether to assess these streets at a later time. Due to the unusual nature of the platting of Lindig Street, the city attorney may need to be consulted. 1 City Council Minutes January 8, 1997 Page 3 AMENDMENT TO THE CITY ETHICS POLICY TO CONFORM WITH STATE STATUTES Administrator Hoyt reported that the amendments to the policy were being proposed since it is in conflict with state law, which supersedes local laws or policies. There are new staff members who are receiving the policy handbook for the first time and it seemed appropriate to amend the policy. Discussion ensued among the council as to whether the policy should be fairly broad or give examples of specific things which are legally ethical. The council decided to leave both the examples and the broad statements of intent. Motion was made by Councilmember Hustad to approve the amendments as noted above. Motion passed unanimously. CITY INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Councilmember Jacobs reported that requests for proposals has been approved to build the 800 megahertz communications system. Plans are for the project to be completed in late 1998 or early 1999. Mayor Gehrz reported that she is now serving on the League of Minnesota Cities editorial review board, which makes recommendations regarding League publications. Councilmember Hustad reported that the Keeping Connected task force would be meeting on January 9th at Falcon Heights United Church of Christ. Administrator Hoyt reported on winter plowing and ice rink maintenance activities. She also announced that special elections to fill the vacant County Commissioner seat would be held on February 4 and February 25. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:08 p.m. COQ- C~~~~ Carla Asleson Recording Secretary ~/. ,/ Susan L. Gehrz, Mayor City Council Minutes January 8, 1997 Page 2 3 Motion was made by Councilmember Hustad to approve Resolution 97-02, receiving the feasibility report and ordering a public hearing on the Lindig Street improvement for 7:00 p.m. on February 12, 1997. Motion passed unanimously. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION 97-03 ORDERING THE PREPARATION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE 1997 LINDIG STREET AND STORM SEWER IMPROVEMENT PROJECT Engineer Maurer explained that it would be prudent to order the preparation of plans and specifications for the Lindig Street project prior to the public hearing. These plans would incorporate some of the concerns voiced at the Lindig Street informational meeting held earlier. Motion was made by Councilmember Gibson Talbot to approve Resolution 97-03 ordering the preparation of plans and specifications for the 1997 Lindig Street and Storm Sewer improvement project. Motion passed unanimously. CONSIDERATION OF POLICY LIMITING PAYMENT TO A MAXIMUM NUMBER OF FIREFIGHTERS FOR A MEDICAL EMERGENCY UNLESS UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT MORE Administrator Hoyt reported on the emergency medical service (EMS) model being used in Falcon Heights. On January 15, 1997, the city begins phase 2 of the model, where each emergency medical call will be dispatched as either a Basic Life Support (BLS) call or Advanced Life Support (ALS) call. If it is a BLS call, only Falcon Heights Fire will respond. If it is an ALS call, both Falcon Heights Fire and St. Paul Fire will respond. Stage 3 of the transition plan will occur after an ALS license has been approved for the Falcon Heights primary service area. At that time, only St. Paul Fire will respond to ALS calls. After discussing the EMS task force and council recommendation to limit the number of responders to an EMS call (for patient care and cost savings), Administrator Hoyt was directed to work with the Falcon Heights Fire Department to develop protocols to implement this plan. Motion was made by Councilmember Jacobs to establish the following policy, effective January 15: A maximum of four firefighters/EMTs will be compensated for assisting with a BLS medical emergency unless documented, unique circumstances surrounding a specific medical emergency warrant more the four firefighters/EMTs to assist with the emergency. Effective until an ALS license is approved for the Falcon Heights service area, a maximum of three firefighters/EMTs will be compensated for assisting with an ALS medical emergency. After an ALS license has been approved for the Falcon Heights area, no firefighters/EMTs will be compensated for assisting with an ALS medical emergency unless St. Paul Fire requests assistance from Falcon Heights Fire. Motion passed unanimously.