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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-09-2022 Regular MeetingCITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS Regular Meeting of the City Council City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue AGENDA March 9, 2022 at 7:00 P.M. NOTE: THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD BY WEB CONFERENCE* A. CALL TO ORDER: B.ROLL CALL: ANDREWS ___ GUSTAFSON____ LEEHY___ MEYER ___ WEHYEE___ STAFF PRESENT: PITTMAN____ C.APPROVAL OF AGENDA D.PRESENTATION E.APPROVAL OF MINUTES:1. January 19, 2022 City Council Workshop Minutes 2. February 2, 2022 City Council Workshop Minutes3.February 16, 2022 Special Meeting Minutes4. February 16, 2022 Workshop Meeting Minutes5. February 23, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes F.PUBLIC HEARINGS: G.CONSENT AGENDA:1. General Disbursements through: 3/2/22 $27,147.66Payroll through: 2/28/22 $21,124.46Wire Payments: $14,665.362. Approve City License(s)3. Approve Sale of Fire Equipment4. ARPA Resolution H: POLICY ITEMS: I.INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENTS: J.COMMUNITY FORUM: Please limit comments to 3 minutes per person. Items brought before the Council will be referred for consideration. Council may ask questions for clarification, but no council action or discussion will be heldon these items. K.ADJOURNMENT: *You can participate in the meeting by clicking the following Zoom link:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81511579393Toll Free Number:1-877-853-5247 1-888-788-0099 Webinar ID: 815 1157 9393 1 -Blank Page- 2 CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS City Council Workshop City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue MINUTES January 19, 2022 6:30 P.M. A. CALL TO ORDER: 6:34 PM B.ROLL CALL:ANDREWS _X__ GUSTAFSON__X__ LEEHY_X__ MEYER _X__ WEHYEE_X__ STAFF PRESENT: THONGVANH__X__ C.PRESENTATIONS: D.POLICY ITEMS:1.Review City Administrator Hiring and Selection Process Administrator Thongvanh gave a summary of the hiring and selection process thus far. At this point in time, each council member had selected their top five candidates. The first interview would be conducted by staff virtually and the second interview would be conducted by a community panel virtually. Thongvanh requested that one council member be selected to serve as a liaison during the community panel interview. Council Member Andrews recommended that Council Member Leehy serve as liaison because of her administrative experience and all of the work she has done with the city in the past. Council Member Meyer agreed and stated that Leehy would be a great selection. Leehy stated that she would accept that role. Her previous roles as city staff member, commission member and now council member gave her a unique perspective. All council members agreed and stated their pick for panelists. Each council member selected a person to serve on the community panel who, along with Mayor Gustafson and Council Member Leehy, would participate in the community panel interview. Thongvanh recommended that each panelist review the community values document and develop a question based off each value. There were an even number of community panelists and community value so it worked well. The council was also welcome to change any of the questions asked by staff or the panel. Gustafson asked ideally how many candidates should move onto the final interview? 3 The Council agreed that their goal was to have three candidates for the final interview. The Council also agreed that both staff and the community panel should pick their top three candidates with the hope of there being some overlap. Thongvanh stated that if the candidate pool was narrowed down to 3-4 finalists he would then recommend sending all finalists through the evaluation process prior to the final interview with city council. The goal was to hold final interviews in the first or second week of February. Leehy stated that she felt great about the process and the candidate pool. Thongvanh will be missed and the Council appreciated his direction throughout the hiring process. Council Member Wehyee agreed and stated the City was fortunate to have a great group of candidates and would be in good hands moving forward. Andrews agreed that the pool of applicants was encouraging. She inquired on the status of hiring an Interim City Administrator. Thongvanh responded that he was still working on the agreement but was hoping to have something for Council to review next week. E. INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENTS: F. ADJOURNMENT: 7:30 PM _______________________________ Kay Andrews, Mayor Pro Tem Dated this 9th day of March, 2022 _________________________________ Tim Pittman, Interim City Administrator 4 CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS City Council Workshop City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue MINUTES February 2, 2022 6:30 P.M. A.CALL TO ORDER: 6:33 PM B. ROLL CALL: ANDREWS _X__ GUSTAFSON__X__ LEEHY_X_ MEYER _X__ WEHYEE_X_ STAFF PRESENT: PITTMAN__X__ C.PRESENTATIONS: D. POLICY ITEMS: 1.Review City Administrator Hiring and Selection Process The City has conducted two interviews which consisted of one interview by staff and one interview conducted by the community panel. Both were held virtually. After these interviews both staff and the community panel chose their top three candidates. Council will discuss these candidates and decide who will move forward for final interviews scheduled tentatively for February 16th @ 6:00 pm. Mayor Gustafson asked the council members how many candidates they would like to move forward. The Council requested that three candidates be moved forward. The Council ranked the candidates based off their application materials, and how they were ranked by staff and the community panel before coming to an agreement on who should move forward. Gustafson stated that the City would begin to check references, initiate the evaluation process and schedule the final interviews. The Council discussed which questions will be asked at the final interview and which question should be used for the writing sample. 2. Declaring Climate Change an Emergency Council Member Wehyee explained that this was discussed at the Environment Commission but was never formally passed due to lack of quorum. Many communities around the state have acted to spread awareness on this major issue. He asked the Council to discuss and provide input on adopting the attached resolution. 5 Council Member Meyer was very supportive of the declaration and drafted resolution. He was very passionate about these issues and hoped the City could step up and be a leader. Gustafson inquired on the climate action plan requirement and the associated costs. The City would need to identify some applicable projects. Gustafson noted this was a commitment that would require a series of expenditures and would prefer to have a new administrator in place before moving forward. Wehyee responded the Council can always make changes to include past projects, tailor it to meet specific city needs and set future goals. There was no rush and his intention was to inform the other council members of this declaration/resolution and begin discussions. Council Member Andrews was very supportive of this initiative and proud of the accomplishments that the City had achieved thus far. However, the timing was not ideal and she agreed that the new city administrator would be needed due to budget implications. Gustafson suggested Meyer, the Environment Commission liaison, bring this back to the Environment Commission for further discussion in the meantime. Commission Member Leehy added that she preferred a declaration listing Falcon Height’s accomplishments as a GreenStep City versus the implementation of a new action plan. Wehyee agreed with highlighting past accomplishments but added that including action steps was an important part of the process. He stated that as officials of the City, we can always do more to promote and support this cause. All council members agreed to bring back to this item back to the Environment Commission for further discussion. E.INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENTS: F.ADJOURNMENT: 8:59 PM _______________________________ Kay Andrews, Mayor Pro Tem Dated this 9th day of March, 2022 _________________________________ Tim Pittman, Interim City Administrator 6 CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS Special Meeting of the City Council City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue MINUTES February 16, 2022 at 6:00 P.M. A.CALL TO ORDER: 6:03 PM B.ROLL CALL:GUSTAFSON _X__ LEEHY__X__ WEHYEE _X__ ANDREWS _X__ MEYER_X__ STAFF PRESENT: THONGVANH__X__ C. CITY ADMINISTRATOR INTERVIEWS Each candidate was given 50 minutes to answer a total of 13 questions: Collin Mays began the interview at 6:05 pm. The interview ended at 6:39 pm. Justine Jones began the interview at 7:00 pm. The interview ended at 7:51 pm. Jack Linehan began the interview at 8:02 pm. The interview ended at 9:00 pm. D. INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENTS E.ADJOURNMENT: 9:01 pm. 1.Adjourn to Workshop Following February 16th Special City Council Meeting a. City Administrator Interviews _______________________________ Kay Andrews, Mayor Pro Tem Dated this 9th day of March, 2022 _________________________________ Tim Pittman, Interim City Administrator 7 CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS City Council Workshop City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue MINUTES February 16, 2022 following Special Meeting A.CALL TO ORDER: 9:18 pm. B. ROLL CALL: GUSTAFSON _X__ LEEHY_X___ WEHYEE_X__ANDREWS _X__ MEYER_X__ STAFF PRESENT: THONGVANH__X__ C.POLICY ITEMS: 1. City Administrator Interviews Administrator Thongvanh stated for the record that he originally indicated his last day of employment with the City would be on February 2, 2022. Due to some extenuating circumstances and staffing issues he agreed to extend his employment and would work through the 21st of February instead. Administrator Thongvanh stated for the record a summary of the hiring process thus far: - The City had posted the position for three weeks and received eighteen applications total, of which fourteen were qualified.-City Council reviewed the fourteen applicants and selected seven to move forward to the interview process. -City Council created a community panel which consisted of five people, each selected by a council member, and also included Council Member Leehy and Mayor Gustafson. The community panel interview was conducted and the top three candidates were selected and given to Council.-The staff interview was conducted and the top three candidates were selected and given to Council.-At the last workshop the Council decided three candidates, of the top picks from both the community panel and staff, should move forward for final interviews.-Council received a writing sample, personal assessment summaries, and application materials from the top three candidates and scheduled their final interviews which were held tonight. The City Council discussed each candidate’s performance in the final interviews. They came to an agreement on who they wanted to offer the position to. Mayor Gustafson stated he would reach out to this candidate and inform them that they had been selected for the position. He would also begin contract negotiations. 8 D. INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENTS E. ADJOURNMENT: 9:52 pm. _______________________________ Kay Andrews, Mayor Pro Tem Dated this 9th day of March, 2022 _________________________________ Tim Pittman, Interim City Administrator 9 CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS Regular Meeting of the City Council City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue MINUTES February 23, 2022 at 7:00 P.M. A. CALL TO ORDER: 7:02 PM B. ROLL CALL: ANDREWS _X__ GUSTAFSON_X___ LEEHY___ MEYER _X__ WEHYEE_X__ STAFF PRESENT: PITTMAN_X___ OLSON__X__ C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA D. PRESENTATION E. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. January 26, 2022 City Council Regular Minutes Motion by Council Member Wehyee to approve the meeting minutes. Approved, 4-0. F. PUBLIC HEARINGS: G. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. General Disbursements through: 2/11/22 $319,746.63 Payroll through: 2/15/21 $70,377.13 Payroll Withholdings: $62,837.20 Wire Payments: $138,324.72 2. Approve City License(s) 3. Accept the Resignation of Assistant to the City Administrator, Vandara Thammavongsa 4. Appoint Megan Pavek as Assistant to the City Administrator 5. Establish Electronic Transfer Policy Motion Meyer to approve the consent agenda. Approved 4-0. H: POLICY ITEMS: 1. Approve Assignment and Assumption of Amended and Restated Development Agreements for Falcon Heights Town Square Apartments and Falcon Heights Town Square Senior Apartments Motion by Council Member Andrews to approve Resolution 22-06. Approved 4-0. 10 I.INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mayor Gustafson reported that the City did not have a signed agreement/contract with the City Administrator candidate but had extended an offer. Once the City has received an offer it would publicly announce and confirm the new hire. Council Member Wehyee reported that the Planning Commission did not meet this week. Council Member Meyer reported that the Environment Commission held a sub-committee meeting this week where he met with the commission chair and staff liaison Paul Moretto to discuss next steps in declaring climate change an emergency. Council Member Andrews reported the Parks and Recreation Commission has not met due to lack of quorum and the Snowstravaganza event was cancelled due to inclement weather. J.COMMUNITY FORUM: K.ADJOURNMENT: 7:23 PM. _______________________________ Kay Andrews, Mayor Pro Tem Dated this 9th day of March, 2022 _________________________________ Tim Pittman, Interim City Administrator 11 -Blank Page- 12 Item General Disbursements, Payroll and Wire Payments Description General Disbursements through: 3/2/22 $27,147.66 Payroll through: 2/28/22 $21,124.46 Wire Payments: $14,665.36 Budget Impact The general disbursements, payroll and wireless payments are consistent with the budget. Attachment(s) • General Disbursements, Payroll and Wireless Payments Action(s) Requested Staff recommends that the Falcon Heights City Council approve general disbursements, payroll and wireless payments. Meeting Date March 9, 2022 Agenda Item Consent G1 Attachment General Disbursements and Payroll Submitted By Roland Olson, Finance Director 13 -Blank Page- 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 -Blank Page- 23 Item Approval of City License(s) Description The following individuals/entities have applied for a Tree Trimming/Removal Contractor License for 2022. Staff have received the necessary documents for licensure. 1. Rainbow Tree Company Budget Impact Attachment(s) Action(s) Requested Staff recommends approval of the City license applications contingent on background checks and fire inspections as required. Meeting Date March 9, 2022 Agenda Item Consent G2 Attachment N/A Submitted By Megan Pavek Assistant to the City Administrator 24 -Blank Page- 25 Item Approve Sale of Fire Equipment Description At the April 28, 2021 Regular City Council Meeting, the Council declared surplus city property. This authorized the City Administrator to sell surplus City property either upon quotation or in the open market. The items included, but were not limited to Fire Department tools and equipment. The City has received an offer from Century College. Century College is interested in purchasing the equipment which would be used to train future firefighters who enroll in their programs. Century College will also be partnering with St. Paul Fire for an upcoming fire academy this spring. After assessing the equipment, Century College has offered $2,500. This is an opportunity to clear the equipment out of city facilities while supporting an educational institution who may train the future fire fighters that protect the City of Falcon Heights. Budget Impact $2,500 to support general city services. Attachment(s) Action(s) Requested Staff recommends approval of the sale of fire equipment. Meeting Date March 9, 2022 Agenda Item Consent G3 Attachment Resolution 22-07 Submitted By Tim Pittman Assistant to the City Administrator 26 -Blank Page- 27 CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS COUNCIL RESOLUTION March 9, 2022 No. 22-07 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SALE OF FIRE EQUIPMENT FOR $2,500 WHEREAS, the City Administrator is authorized to sell surplus City property either upon quotation or in the open market; and WHEREAS, Century College has assessed the fire equipment and offered to purchase said equipment for $2,500; and WHEREAS, the City Council has accepted the offer and authorizes staff to finalize the sale of fire equipment for $2,500. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota: 1. That the $2,500 offer for the fire equipment is approved by the City Council and staff is authorized to finalize the sale. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - Moved by: Approved by: ________________________ Kay Andrews Mayor Pro Tem GUSTAFSON ____ In Favor Attested by: ________________________ LEEHY Tim Pittman MEYER ____ Against Interim City Administrator WEHYEE ANDREWS 28 -Blank Page- 29 Item ARPA Resolution Description Resolution to accept ARPA funds allocated to the City of Falcon Heights in the amount of $604,112.20, to elect the standard allowance available under the revenue loss provision of ARPA, and authorize city staff, Mayor, and the city attorney to take all necessary actions to receive and administer the funding. Budget Impact Supports governmental services. Attachment(s) Resolution 22-08 Action(s) Requested Staff recommends approving Resolution 22-08. Meeting Date March 9, 2022 Agenda Item ARPA Resolution Attachment Resolution 22-08 Submitted By Tim Pittman, Interim City Administrator and Roland Olson, Finance Director 30 -Blank Page- 31 CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS COUNCIL RESOLUTION March 9, 2022 No. 22-08 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - A RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT THE CORONAVIRUS LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUND ESTABLISHED UNDER THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT WHEREAS, since the first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was discovered in the United States in January 2020, the disease has infected over 32 million and killed over 575,000 Americans (“Pandemic”). The disease has impacted every part of life: as social distancing became a necessity, businesses closed, schools transitioned to remote education, travel was sharply reduced, and millions of Americans lost their jobs; WHEREAS, as a result of the Pandemic, cities have been called on to respond to the needs of their communities through the prevention, treatment, and vaccination of COVID-19; and WHEREAS, city revenues, businesses and nonprofits in the city have faced economic impacts due to the Pandemic; and WHEREAS, Congress adopted the American Rescue Plan Act in March 2021 (“ARPA”) which included $65 billion in recovery funds for cities across the country; and WHEREAS, ARPA funds are intended to provide support to state, local, and tribal governments in responding to the impact of COVID-19 and in their efforts to contain COVID-19 in their communities, residents, and businesses; and WHEREAS, $604,112.20 has been allocated to the City of Falcon Heights of which the initial distribution of $302,056.11 has already been received pursuant to the ARPA (“Allocation”); and WHEREAS, the United States Department of Treasury has adopted guidance regarding the use of ARPA funds; and WHEREAS, the City, in response to the Pandemic, has had expenditures and anticipates future expenditures consistent with the Department of Treasury’s ARPA guidance; and WHEREAS, the State of Minnesota will distribute ARPA funds to the City because its population is less than 50,000; and WHEREAS, In May 0f 2021, the US department of Treasury (“Treasury”) published the Interim Final Rule describing eligible and ineligible uses of funds as well as other program provisions, sought feedback from the public on these program rules, and began to distribute funds; and 32 WHEREAS, On January 6, 2022, Treasury issued the final rule. The final rule delivers broader flexibility and greater simplicity in the program, responsive to feedback in the comment process; and WHEREAS, the final rule offers a standard allowance for revenue loss of up to $10 million, allowing recipients to select between a standard amount of revenue loss or complete a full revenue loss calculation; and WHEREAS, recipients that select the standard allowance may use that amount, in many cases their full award, for governmental services, with streamlined reporting requirements. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota: 1. The City elects the standard allowance available under the revenue loss provision of the American Rescue Plan Act in the amount of $604,112.20 to be used for the general provision of government services. 2 The City intends to collect its share of ARPA funds from the State of Minnesota to use in a manner consistent with the Department of Treasury’s guidance. 3 City staff, together with the Mayor and the City Attorney are hereby authorized to take any actions necessary to receive the City’s share of ARPA funds from the State of Minnesota for expenses incurred because of the Pandemic. 4 City staff, together with the Mayor and the City Attorney are hereby authorized to make recommendations to the City Council for future expenditures allowed with ARPA funds. Adopted by the City Council of City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota this ninth day of March 2022. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Moved by: Approved by: ________________________ Kay Andrews Mayor Pro Tem GUSTAFSON ____ In Favor Attested by: ________________________ LEEHY Tim Pittman MEYER ____ Against Interim City Administrator WEHYEE ANDREWS 33