HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-25-2022 Regular Meeting CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
Regular Meeting of the City Council
City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue AGENDA May 25, 2022 at 7:00 P.M.
A. CALL TO ORDER: B. ROLL CALL: ANDREWS ___ GUSTAFSON____ LEEHY___
MEYER ___ WEHYEE___ STAFF PRESENT: LINEHAN____
C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
D. PRESENTATION E. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. May 11, 2022 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
F. PUBLIC HEARINGS: G. CONSENT AGENDA:
1. General Disbursements through: 5/18/22 $170,310.69
Payroll through: 5/15/22 $20,642.01 Wire Payments through: 5/15/22 $14,170.65 2. City Hall Summer Hours 3. Appointment of Adrian Neis as Fire Marshal
4. Resignation of John Larkin from the Planning Commission
5. Appointment of Emma Kostecki to the Environment Commission 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 held on these items.
K. ADJOURNMENT:
BLANK PAGE
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
Regular Meeting of the City Council
City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue MINUTES May 11, 2022 at 7:00 P.M.
A. CALL TO ORDER: 7:04 p.m. B. ROLL CALL: ANDREWS ___ GUSTAFSON__X__ LEEHY_X__
MEYER _X__ WEHYEE_X__ STAFF PRESENT: LINEHAN__X__
C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Council Member Wehyee requested to amend the agenda and change Consent Item G4 to
Policy Item H1 for further discussion.
D. PRESENTATION 1. 2021 Year-End Annual Audit Report Matt Mayer, the City of Falcon Heights auditor, presented the 2021 Year-End Annual Audit
findings. Matt stated that this audit was very good. Matt gave a high-level overview of the 2021
budget. The City's revenue was budgeted at 2,890,221, but it came out to be 3,183,568, that's almost $293,347 better than estimated. Two-line items that accounted for this were licenses and permits, 177,400 over the budget, and charges for services around 81,000 over the budget. A significant development project accounted for these line items to be over the budget. The original
budget was based on a standard operating year and did not account for the additional costs of
licenses, permits, and charges for services. On the spending side, the city budget was estimated at $2,764,221 but came out to be 2,654,043, which was $110,178 under the budget. One-line item that accounts for this is public safety. Public safety was $84,954 under budget. Two different things account for this. The first is the police budget which came a little
underestimated, and the second is contracting out the fire department saved the City money. The City came out $400,000 better than what the budget plan called for from the beginning of the year. A decision was made by the City Council late in the year to bank those funds into the Parks and Public Works capital budget fund because the City was outperforming the budget.
• General Fund: The City has a fund balance policy of 45% of the annual budget. The
City has more than a year's worth of expenditures in the balance. The City meets the fund balance policy goal of 45% and exceeds them by a significant margin. The City's general fund is in a very healthy position.
• Revenues: The revenue stream was down a little bit year over year. The high point was
two years ago, in 2020, which was the year of COVID and the CARES Act, where local
governments received significant funding from the federal government. The City received $400,000 to $500,000 in CARES funding in 2020. The City also received funding for the new American Recovery Plan in 2021. Those dollars are not yet spent, so we will not recognize them as revenues.
• Expenditures: Expenditures for the year were up about 7% overall. There were some
investments in public safety and public works. During the 2021 fiscal year, a tree
maintenance program was one of the significant increases in the public works department year over year. There was a steady but slow increase each year in the general fund
spending. You typically see that in most cities. On the operations level, what you need to
do from year to year is relatively static, but there will always be inflationary increases.
• Sanitary Sewer Fund: These funds are looked at differently from the rest of the other funds. Unlike the general fund, these funds are operated as a business because they don't receive property taxes. Matt looks at whether these funds are charging enough user fees
to cover the cost of doing business. In 2020 the sanitary and sewer revenue dropped, and
in 2021 the City will be back to normal operations. Two of the City's significant customers went dormant in 2020. The two customers were the State Fair and the UMN. Despite these challenges of 2020, the sanitary and sewer fund was very close to breaking even though there was a slight loss. In 2021 revenue is generated from sanitary and sewer
again.
• Storm Drainage Fund: The storm drainage fund is based on a flat fee; there is no meter. It is just based on the size of the property, and that revenue stream was constant over the years. As a result, the storm drainage fund has had revenues exceeding expenses every five years.
Council Member Wehyee thanked staff for doing a great job managing the City's budget. Council Member Meyer thanked city staff and Matt for the report. He also asked Matt what profit percentages for storm drainage / sanitary sewer are considered adequate to build extra
revenue for capital expenditures? Matt said that the City has a very robust fund balance policy of
45% and suggests that the City council thinks about establishing a level of financial health for the sanitary sewer fund and the storm drainage fund. Mayor Gustafson thanked Matt for the report and his recommendations from years past that the
City has implemented.
Motion by Council Member Leehy to adopt the 2021 Year-End Annual Audit Report;
Approved, 4-0.
E. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. May 2, 2022 City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes 2. April 27, 2022 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
Motion by Council Member Meyer to approve the minutes;
Approved, 4-0.
F. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
G. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. General Disbursements through: 5/4/22 $118,579.58 Payroll through: 4/30/22 $17,492.77
Wire Payments through: 5/4/22 $11,912.64
2. Approval of City License(s) 3. Designated Signor of City Funds for Newly Appointed City Administrator/City Clerk 4. Support for No Mow May Motion by Council Member Wehyee to approve the consent agenda;
Approved, 4-0. H: POLICY ITEMS:
1. Support for No Mow May
City Administrator Linehan stated that the No Mow May initiative was first kicked off by the
City Edina, which the NPR covered. Residents heard about this initiative and started calling to support the initiative and for the City to implement this initiative. City administration proposed a modified No Mow May because we are already in May. The staff is offering a request for the City Council to restrict the City administration from enforcing sections 2219 and 2221 of the
City Code. These sections require that grass and weeds be maintained under 6 inches at all times.
The attached resolution would give temporary relief and allow city administration to temporarily waive the restrictions that residents and businesses maintain their grass and weeds under 6 inches. This resolution aims to allow pollinators, particularly bees, additional time to come out safely after their Spring hibernation. If you mow too soon, it does not give them enough time to
properly pollinate with the City's history of being very pro-environment with having a
beekeeping ordinance. The City staff felt this was a consistent approach and did not want to pass this by this year. If the City Council approves this resolution, it will allow residents to participate. Residents would not have to sign up for this initiative. Starting June 1, the City will begin enforcing the City Code again. After approval, look at a more permanent ordinance change
if this year is successful. City administration has made a sign available for residents to use if they
want to show support. Longer-term, such as next year, City administration would like to purchase signs for residents to put in their yards. Council Member Wehyee asked if the City would participate in No Mow May or will it just be
the residents? Linehan stated that the City had internal discussions about that. Public Works'
concern about not mowing beyond appearance is some of the extra efforts in mowing the medians once the grass is over six inches is a tremendous amount of work and may require specialized equipment because Public Works covers large areas more than just a yard. The second part is the noxious weed requirement. The City is required to treat noxious weeds, and the
only easy way to do that on a mass scale is to mow, unfortunately. For a resident, they can weed
their grass by hand; however, for Public Works, it is more complicated. Linehan suggested strategic mowing; this is where the City would only mow high use or difficult areas such as the soccer fields and some of the medians.
Council Member Wehyee asked Linehan how the City plans to communicate this to residents.
Linehan stated that Brennan Sorensen, the new Administrative and Communications Coordinator, has a statement on the No Mow May initiative that he will post on social media and the website. Ideally the City would have discussed this prior to the month of May, but we still hope to reach residents. Staff is aware of how important communication will be starting June 1st
when residents will have to start mowing again. Staff won't be out conducting code enforcement
right away and will probably allow for a grace period unless pertinent issues arise. Council Member Leehy asked Linehan if he could repeat whether residents need to sign up for this. Linehan responded that while talking to other cities to see how they implemented this
initiative half of the communities had residents sign up, and the other half did not. If the City had
done this earlier, the city administration would have wanted residents to sign up and give a yard sign for the first 250 residents. Due to timing and it already being May, staff decided that this could be a trial year to wave the restriction and allow anyone who wishes to participate.
Mayor Gustafson asked Linehan to confirm that there will be no penalty if residents decide to
mow their lawn. Linehan stated that this is correct and No Mow May is a voluntary initiative. Council Member Meyer is leaning against a signup period next year because it would add more administrative work for city staff and could cause confusion for residents. He also asked whether
the City currently sprays for noxious weeds. Linehan responded he didn’t know which chemicals were used, but he will look into it. Public works does control noxious weeds. However, there is a
caveat on this because a Minnesota State Statute mandates that cities and residents have to
control noxious weeds, and the City cannot wave that statute. Council Member Wehyee stated that raises an interesting question on how residents balance No Mow May and follow State law. Linehan agreed it will be a balancing act and that most residents
won't have too many noxious weeds. Council Member Wehyee also asked whether the City will
be liable if residents who participate in this initiative don't follow state law by controlling noxious weeds. Linehan stated the DNR is the enforcement agency for this, and their biggest concern is typically Buckthorn and invasive species. He planned to review with legal and see how other municipalities have handled this. The main concern is that the City cannot preempt
State authority to require that residents still control noxious weeds.
Mayor Gustafson stated that the City landscaping ordinance did address noxious weeds, and was still the homeowner's responsibility to control noxious weeds.
Motion by Council Member Meyer to approve Resolution 22-19 Supporting the No Mow May
Initiative by Temporarily Suspending the Regulation Requirements of Sec. 22-19 and Sec. 22-21
of City Code for a Period Ending May 31, 2022;
Approved, 4-0. I. INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Council Member Meyer stated that there is a lot of progress being made on the climate change emergency declaration and there should be something brought before Council next month. Mayor Gustafson announced that the Community Engagement Commission had a joint meeting
on May 2nd and was finalizing plans for Spring Ahead for Saturday, June 4, at Curtiss Field
from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. where there will be free ice cream and games. Also, hoping residents bring games to share as well. In addition, the Sheriff's Office would distribute marking kits for catalytic converters.
City Administrator Linehan thanked the Mayor, City Council, and staff for their patience over
the past few months before he got started. He stated have a small team, and being down two staff members put a lot of additional work on the rest of the staff. He especially wanted to thank Tim Pittman, who stepped up and did a great job keeping things moving forward as an Interim.
• Sale of Fire Department 1998 Chevy K3500 Crew Cab Pickup The Purple Wave Auction for the Fire Department 1998 Chevy K3500 Crew Cab Pickup closed on Tuesday, May 10. The truck closed for a total of $25,300. The City purchased the truck in 2010 from Little Canada for $15,5000, so it was great to get a good value on
the vehicle. It was the first municipal auction I've ever seen where a vehicle appreciated
in value.
• New F250 – Vehicle #17 The new F250 Truck #17 ordered in 2021 was picked up last week. The new truck
replaced Truck #4, which had nearly 70,000 miles and increasing repair concerns. Staff
was waiting on decaling for the new truck before it’s deployed. The total cost of the truck was $29,513.45 from Midway Ford. Staff planned to keep Truck #4 for the summer to
provide a backup vehicle during the busy summer months and then work on auctioning the vehicle as surplus in the fall.
• Hydro-Kleen Sewer Lining Hydro-Kleen was in town performing sanitary sewer lining work. The vehicles were parked at City Hall overnight while the work was performed.
• Tennis Recycling Contract Renewal The recycling hauling contract with the City expires on December 31, 2022. Ramsey County's consultant, Foth, performed an analysis of our agreement compared to other cities. Falcon Heights currently received extremely low rates compared to nearby
communities. The extension proposed to increase rates to bring our rate comparable with other communities. Based on feedback from the Environment Commission, staff will be countering the offer from Tennis for a more gradual increase in rates. The City would also explore using some of the Fund Balance in Recycling Fund 206 to help subsidize recycling rates, as was done to keep resident rates low.
• City Council Retreat Traditionally, the City Council met each spring for a day-long retreat as a mini-Strategic Planning session. Unfortunately, this was delayed until Linehan could start, so he will be
reaching out to Councilmembers to find a day that works best for everyone in June. Historically the retreat was held on either a Friday or Saturday.
• Stakeholder Meetings
As part of Linehan’s onboarding process, he is meeting with many individuals and
important community stakeholders to establish positive relationships. A few of the important meetings he had in the past week were with the Ramsey County Sheriff, the State Fair, St. Paul Fire, and the University of Minnesota.
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 held on these items.
K. ADJOURNMENT: 8:17 p.m. _______________________________
Randall C. Gustafson, Mayor
Dated this 25th day of May, 2022
_________________________________
Jack Linehan, City Administrator
BLANK PAGE
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota __________________________
Item General Disbursements, Payroll and Wire Payments
Description
General Disbursements through: 5/18/22 $170,310.69
Payroll through: 5/15/22 $20,642.01
Wire Payments through: 5/15/22 $14,170.65
Budget Impact The general disbursements, payroll and wire payments are consistent with the budget.
Attachment(s) • General Disbursements, Payroll and Wire Payments
Action(s) Requested Staff recommends that the Falcon Heights City Council approve general
disbursements, payroll and wire payments.
Meeting Date May 25, 2022
Agenda Item Consent G1
Attachment General Disbursements. Payroll, and Wire Payments
Submitted By Roland Olson, Finance Director
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REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION (RCA)
City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota __________________________
Item City Hall Summer Hours
Description Historically, the City of Falcon Heights has employed a modified schedule
during the summer months. This practice was halted in 2020 and 2021 due to
the limited public access to City Hall during the height of the pandemic, but
staff has expressed an interest in restarting the practice.
During the summer months, especially on Fridays, the amount of walk-in and
phone call requests for service drops off dramatically. Most afternoons
Monday-Thursday the City sees approximately 3-4 visitors and about a dozen
calls. For the past few weeks, the City has had the following foot traffic / calls
on Friday afternoons:
•May 6th: 0 visitors, 0 calls
•May 12th: 1 visitors, 0 calls
•May 20th: 0 visitors, 1 calls
Many cities use this as an opportunity to employ alternative hours of
operation, commonly known as “summer hours”.
Currently, normal hours of operation are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30
p.m. Staff is proposing that the City of Falcon Heights use the following
schedule between Memorial Day and Labor Day:
Monday – Thursday 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 7:30 am - noon
This would allow for City Hall to still be open the same number of hours per
week (42.5) and for employees to still work the same number of total hours (40,
with one ½ hour break each day). It would also allow City Hall customers the
ability to come in a ½ hour earlier and later in the day to conduct business.
We will publicize this through our normal methods (email, website, flyers,
newsletters, and social media). We would also insert a notice on all permit
applications so that contractors and/or residents do not come to city hall on
Friday afternoon hoping to pick up permits for their weekend projects. Notice
Meeting Date May 25, 2022
Agenda Item Consent G2
Attachment N/A
Submitted By Jack Linehan, City Administrator
will also be given to those who rent facilities that building keys will need to be
picked up before noon on Friday.
Budget Impact N/A
Attachment(s) None
Action(s)
Requested
Staff recommends that the Falcon Heights City Council adopt the summer
hours schedule explained above from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
BLANK PAGE
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Families, Fields and Fair __________________________
Item Appointment of Adrian Neis as Fire Marshal
Description With the dissolution of the Falcon Heights Fire Department in 2021, the City has
been without a Fire Marshal. Adrian “AJ” Neis was hired by the City Administrator
in early 2022 to serve as the Fire Inspector, and with appointment from the City
Council, as Fire Marshal. AJ has all of the requisite qualifications and certifications
to also serve as the Fire Marshal. He has worked in the fire service for over 20+
years, including in his current role as a Fire Inspector with the City of St. Paul
The position and duties of the position include, but not limited to:
•Coordinating and conducting commercial fire inspections, as well as rental
licensing inspections for residential units
•Keeping up to date with all required records for historical filing and billing
purposes
•Apprising city staff and the City of St. Paul Fire Department of any issues
that may arise
•Answering questions from residents and property owners about fire safety
issues
The appointment of AJ Neis to Fire Marshal will allow the City to resume fire safety
and rental inspections, which took a brief pause during the COVID-19 and the
dissolution of the fire department.
Budget Impact This will not have an additional impact on the budget at the current rate of pay..
Attachment(s) •Resolution 2022-20 Appointment of Adrian Neis as Fire Marshal for the City
of Falcon Heights.
Action(s)
Requested
Staff recommend approval of resolution to appoint Adrian Neis as Fire Marshall for
the City of Falcon Heights at his current rate of pay.
Meeting Date May 25, 2022
Agenda Item Consent G3
Attachment Resolution
Submitted By Jack Linehan, City Administrator
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS COUNCIL RESOLUTION
May 25, 2022
No. 22-20 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - -
RESOLUTION APPOINTMENT OF ADRIAN NEIS FOR THE POSITION OF FALCONHEIGHTS FIRE MARSHAL
WHEREAS, the City does not have an appointed Fire Marshall with the dissolution of the Fire
Department in 2021, and
WHEREAS, the City Administrator has hired Adrian Neis to perform the work of Fire Inspector,
and
WHEREAS, AJ Neis has the required training and certifications to perform the work of Fire
Marshal.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota:
1. That the appointment is approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Falcon Heights.
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Moved by: Approved by: ________________________ Randall Gustafson Mayor
GUSTAFSON ____ In Favor Attested by: ________________________ LEEHY Jack Linehan MEYER ____ Against City Administrator ANDREWS WEHYEE
BLANK PAGE
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Families, Fields and Fair __________________________
Item Resignation of John Larkin from the Planning Commission
Description John Larkin joined the Planning Commission in July 2015, and has served on the
Commission for two full terms. Mr. Larkin submitted his letter of resignation on
May 9th, following the finalization of the vacant property registration process.
Budget Impact N/A
Attachment(s) •Resolution 22-21 Resignation of John Larkin from the Planning Commission
Action(s) Requested Staff recommends approval of attached resolution accepting the resignation of John
Larkin from the Planning Commission and thank him for his 6+ years of service on
the Commission and dedication to the City of Falcon Heights.
Meeting Date May 25, 2022
Agenda Item Consent G4
Attachment Resolution
Submitted By Paul Moretto, Planner – Community
Development Coordinator
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
COUNCIL RESOLUTION
May 25, 2022
No. 22-21
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RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE RESIGNATION OF JOHN LARKIN FROM THE
FALCON HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION
WHEREAS, the City appointed John Larkin on July 22, 2015 as a member of the City of Falcon
Heights Planning Commission; and
WHEREAS, on May 9, 2022, John Larkin submitted his letter of resignation;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Falcon Heights,
Minnesota:
1. That the “Letter of Resignation” is accepted by the City Council of the City of Falcon
Heights.
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Moved by: Approved by: ________________________
Randall C. Gustafson
Mayor
GUSTAFSON ____ In Favor Attested by: ________________________
MEYER
ANDREWS ____ Against
Jack Linehan
City Administrator
LEEHY
WEHYEE
BLANK PAGE
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION (RCA)
City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota __________________________
Item Appointment of Emma Kostecki to the Environment Commission
Description City Staff and the Chair for the Environment Commission interviewed Emma
Kostecki for the Environment Commission. Emma is a student at the
University of Minnesota and has a passion for the environment.
Budget Impact N/A
Attachment(s) •Commission Application
•Resolution 22-22 Appointment of Emma Kostecki to the Environment
Commission
Action(s)
Requested
Staff recommends approval of attached resolution appointing Emma Kostecki
to the Environment Commission.
Meeting Date May 25, 2022
Agenda Item Consent G5
Attachment Application and Resolution
Submitted By Paul Moretto, Planner-Community
Development Coordinator
City Commission Application
Please complete form below. Starred items are required. Press submit button to complete
your application.
Date and Time
02/20/2022 09:06 PM
Full Name
Emma Kostecki
Full Address
428 13th Ave SE
Apt 525
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414
United States
Phone
6085162187
Additional Phone
Email
koste128@umn.edu
How Long At Above Address?
5 months
In Which Capacity Would You Like to Serve?
University of Minnesota student member on the Environment Commission
What is the Reason You Would Like to Serve?
I'm very dedicated to sustainability and creating a community that will serve its members with their futures in
mind. Although I don't have much experience in leading a community towards sustainability, it is something I am
passionate about and have practiced myself throughout my life. I believe in transparency, accessible community
outreach about what steps are being taken, and creating spaces that allow the community to interact and be part
of the progression.
List Prior (Previous) Public Service
I work at the Bell Museum and help to provide science education to the public.
Other Relevant Background (Other Comments)
I am currently a sophomore studying Earth science at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
Thank you,
Falcon Heights, MN
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
COUNCIL RESOLUTION
May 25, 2022
No. 22-22
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RESOLUTION APPOINTING EMMA KOSTECKI TO THE ENVIRONMENT
COMMISSION
WHEREAS, the Environment Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the City Council on
all policy matters relating to energy use, air quality, recreation and aesthetic appreciation, green
infrastructure, water, solid waste, and environmental education;
WHEREAS, City Staff and the Commission Chair have interviewed Emma Kostecki and
recommend appointment to the Falcon Heights Environment Commission.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Falcon Heights,
Minnesota:
1. That the appointment of Emma Kostecki to the Falcon Heights Environment Commission
is approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Falcon Heights.
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Moved by: Approved by: ________________________ Randall C. Gustafson Mayor
GUSTAFSON ____ In Favor Attested by: ________________________ LEEHY Jack Linehan MEYER ____ Against City Administrator WEHYEE ANDREWS