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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_96Jan24CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 24, 1996 Mayor Gehrz convened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT Gehrz, Hustad, and Jacobs. Also present were Hoyt and Asleson. ABSENT Gibson Talbot. COMMUNITY FORUM There was no one wishing to take advantage of the community forum. MINUTES OF JANUARY 10, 1996 Minutes were approved by unanimous consent. PUBLIC HEARING ~~ A PUBLIC HEARING AND RESOLUTION ON AN AMENDMENT TO THE CITY'S TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN Jim Casserly of Casserly Molzahn and Associates gave an overview of the proposed amendments to the tax increment plan. The changes are being recommended in order to revise the budget to more accurately describe planned expenditures, to expand the project area to include more of the city and to increase the city's authorization for future bonded indebtedness. The changes do not commit the city to spend money, issue debt, or approve any particular project. Mayor Gehrz opened the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. There being no one wishing to be heard, the hearing was immediately closed. At this point, it was realized that the public hearing had actually been scheduled for 7:30 rather than 7:00. The council decided to re-open the hearing at 7:30 to take further comment. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVED Motion was made by Councilmember Hustad to approve the consent agenda. Motion passed unanimously. 1. Disbursements 2. Licenses 3. Appointment of committee and commission liaisons 4. Request for authorization to purchase computer equipment 5. Request for approval for a contract with Synoptics for work with the fire department City Council Minutes January 24, 1996 Page 2 ~ 4, POLICY AGENDA DISCUSSION ON THE COMPOSITION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Administrator Hoyt reported that, per council direction, staff had been continuing to work on revising the administrative manual with respect to the Human Rights Commission. The council discussed the material within the current administrative manual and made suggestions on the statement of purpose and membership issues. Another draft will be brought back for discussion at the next meeting. UPDATE ON THE PROPOSED RECONSTRUCTION OF LARPENTEUR AVENUE AND $TREETSCAPE PLAN Administrator Hoyt gave a brief update on the proposed Larpenteur Avenue project. Reconstruction is scheduled for 1997 for the area west of Cleveland and for 1998-99 for the area east of Cleveland. PUBLIC HEARING PUBLIC HEARING AND RESOLUTION ON AN AMENDMENT TO THE CITY'S TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN Mayor Gehrz opened the public hearing at 7:30 p.m. She also asked that Jim Casserly give a brief review of the proposed tax increment amendments for the newly-arrived audience and for the cable. television public. Mr. Casserly reviewed his comments from earlier in the evening. Dick Wenkel, 1825 Fairview Avenue, asked about the status of other TIF projects. Administrator Hoyt responded that the Good Value Homes, Stratford Office Park, and Hewlett-Packard TIF districts had all expired and are now on the regular property tax rolls. Mr. Wenkel then asked for some examples of basic improvements to be done with tax increment funds. Hoyt answered that Larpenteur Avenue public improvements are planned in the next several years. There being no one else present, the public hearing was closed at 7:39 p.m. Motion was made by Councilmember Jacobs to approve Resolution 96-03. Motion passed unanimously. POLICY AGENDA UPDATE FROM THE POLICE CHIEF Chief Engstrom updated the council on 1995 police activity. Among the topics discussed with the council were the amount of time spent patrolling Larpenteur Avenue, the impact of State Fair events on policing, and 1995 crime statistics. City Council Minutes January 24, 1996 Page 3 `,~ 1 Councilmember Hustad left at 8:17 p.m. REVIEW OF KEY ELEMENTS RELATED TO THE DRAFT UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA MASTER PLAN Administrator Hoyt described the University of Minnesota's Master Plan to the council. Most of the "St. Paul Campus" (actually located in Falcon Heights) is proposed to be kept the within the same general configuration, including the preservation of the agricultural fields. Mayor Gehrz asked about the expansion of housing at Commonwealth Terrace and about the removal of the greenhouses next to the Coffman Condominiums. Hoyt said that there are no specifics on these plans. Hoyt also mentioned that, unless there are objections, she would be asking that the plan for notifying affected cities of proposed University land use plans be included within the final Master Plan. This plan should identify specifically when and how the city would be notified of University plans. The council directed Hoyt to request this from the University. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Gehrz congratulated the recent DARE graduates at Falcon Heights Elementary. She also reminded the audience about the upcoming process to appoint a new councilmember. Administrator Hoyt asked the public for patience with icy roads and sidewalks, as salt and sand are not helpful in such severe cold. She also reviewed the 1995 building permit activity with the council. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m. ~, Susan L. Gehrz, Mayor Carla Asleson Recording Secretary