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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_77Mar24MINUS REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA MARCH 2~4, 1977 1 1 1 A regular meeting of the Falcon Heights City Council was called to order by Mayor Warkentien at 7:30 p.m. Mayor Warkentien, Councilmen Black, Eclund, Steele and Labalestra. PRESBNT Also present were Clerk-Administrator Barnes, Engineer Lemberg and Attorney Kenefick. None. ABSENT Councilman Steele moved and it was seconded by Councilman Ecklund APPROVAL OF CON- to approve the items on the Consent Agenda as follows: seat Benda 1. Falcon Heights Company Fire Reports, Nos. 22 and 23. 2. Ramsey County Sheriff-s Report, February, 1977. 3. Ligour payroll (3/1-15/77) in the amount of $1,815.75• ~t General payroll (3/1-15/77) iA the amount of $3, 8119.75 5. Zigour disburseanents in th® amount of $9,537.!:3. 6. General Disbursement in the amount of $21,591.51. 7. Sinking Fund disburseanents in the amount of $23,Ob5.05. Upon a vote being taken the following voted "aye": Mayor Warkentien, Counci].msn Black, Ecklund, Steele and Labalestra and the following voted "nay": Non®. Motion carried. Dr. David W. French, City Horticulturist, introduced himself to the INTRODUCTION OF Council and gave a brief summary as to the scope of the diseased tree HORTICULTURIST- problem and his plans for a control program for the year 1977. DR. DAVID FREATCH Council reviewed the Conditional Use Request for a storage abed sub- mitted by Sam Spiegler, owner of the Falcon Arms apartments on Fry Street. Mr. Spiegler wants to erect a 6 x 5 feet metal shed on the southwest corner of the lot at 1717 Fry Street to store 2 lawniaovers and one gas can. Mayor Warkentien questioned whether the shed was to be placed on the playground area. CONDITIONAL USE REQUEST - STOR- AGE SHED -SAM SPIEGLER Councilman Black moved and it was seconded by Councilman Ecklund to refer the request to the planning Commission, at their next meeting for their coasideration. Upon a vote being taken the following voted "aye": Mayor Warkentien, Councilman Black, Ecklund, Steele and Labalestra and the following voted "nay": None. Motion carried. Mayor Warkentien opened the public hearing for improvements for the HOLLYWOOD COURT Hollywood Court area at 8:00 p.m. Il~'ROV'EMENTS - PUBLIC HEARING Clerk-Administrator Barnes read the official publication of the notice of the public hearing. Engineer Leanberg went over the estimated costs of the various plans and invited comments from the residents, which were as follows: Wm. Schultz, 1630 Hollywood Courst stated he is in favor of a 30 ft. wide street with concrete curbs and gutters with alleys 12 to 1!~ ft. wide as could be worked out. He stated the street definitely needs re- pait' and might as well be done nII1+r because the costs will only in- crease in the future. MINUTES -REGULAR MARCH 24, 197? ~ .,,,/} Page 2 ~ ~ `~ Wm. Schultz, stated he felt tine City should giYe the residents some reduction in the cost of the project as the new street will save the City the "excessive and high" Maintenance costs. Ethel Haeberlin, 1625 Hollywood Court -inquired whether or not the HOLLYWOOD COURT elderly would receive arty financial assistance in paying the assess- PUBLIC HEARING meat. Council informed her that there was a resolution on the agenda (CONT.) for adoption of a deferrment for special assessments for persons 65 years of age or older. Marion Hood, 1597 Hollywood Court -stated the street definitely needs improvement and she goes along with the 30 ft. wide street with concrete curb and gutter. S'he also inquired as to why the phone company had not backfilled properly after digging trenches to bury cable. She also wanted to know is something could be done about the traffic situation on Snelling and Larpentuer. ~e stated that when going west on Larpenteur and attempting to take a left turn, on the arrow, and cross to Snelling Drive to get to Ho17..ywood Court, she has had several close calls with cars heading east on Larpenteur who atteanpt the right turn on red on to Snelling Avenue. .Jean Pinkerton, 1617 -stated she is in favor of the ~ ft. wide street with concrete curb and gutter and the 14 ft. alley on the North. She stated if you put anything down it should be the best qual- ity for durability. Harney Frye, 1603 -stated he concurs with Wm. Schultz, Jean Piner- ton, and Marion Hood on the 30 ft. wide street with concrete curb and gutter and on the traffic situation on Larpenteur and'Snelling Avenue. Gary 0!Hara, 1582 -stated he lives on the corner lot on the south side. He has two lots and he measured~~e street in front of his house and it measured~.'20' wide. He e~ressed concern about the pos- sibility of losing 5' of his property if the street goes 30'. He stated he was still against the pro~sct as he felt it'_would be too expensive as he has two lots and especially if he were to'lose part of his property also. Engineer Lemberg replied he would try to work out s~nething there on the corner whereby Mr. O'Hara xould not have to lose any land. He stated the City might be able to leave the width at 20'. Evelyn Peterson, l62l~ -stated she is for the pra3ect at 30' wide with concrete curb and gutter. She stated we should go ahead as the price will only go up if the pro3ect is postponed any longer. She Further stated that the south alley should b® checked as it is very difficult, when coming south from Larpeateur, to make a turn into it. Frank Newman, 1590 -inquired whether the City had adopted a resolution to get State Aid Funds released for projects other than State Aid designated pro3ects. He was informed we had passed a resoln:ti~on to that effect but that no action had been taken by the State Legisla- ture as yet. Mr. Newman further stated that when the phone company MINUTES -REGULAR MARCH 2l~~ 1977 Page 3 ~~ ,.~ _~ laid the underground dable the alley was left in bad shape and his HOLLYWOOD COURT garage apron was deteriorating because of this and he would like PUffi,IC HEARING the City to go uP his apron a couple of feet when we proceed with (CONT~ the project. He stated he is in favor of the 30' wide street with concrete curb and Butter. Engineer Lemberg informed the citizens of necessary steps required before actual construction and estimated construction would begin sometime in July. Mayor Warkentien thanked the citizens for their courteous partici- pation. He stated the hearing was the most orderly public hearing he had ever presided over. Councilman Steel® moved and it was seconded by Councilman Labalestra to authorize the City Engineer to prepare plans and specifications for the Hollywood Court street and a11ey reconstruction with 3O' wide street and concrete curb and gutter with consideration of the corner lot on the south side and the obstacle course alleys. Upon a vote beir~ taken the following voted "aye": Mayor Warkentien, Councilmen 81ack, Eckluttd, Steele and Labalestra and the following mooted"nay": None. Motion Carried. After discussing the traffic situation on Snelling and Larpenteur Avenue, which.waa brought to Council':s;attention by several Hollywood Court residents, Councilman Steele moved and it was seconded by Councilman Black to adopt Resoluti.Qa ?7-11, requesting Ramsey Cou~r to post "No Right turn on Red" on the southwest intersection of Larpenteur Avenue. Upon a vote being taken tMe follotai.ng voted "aye": Mayor Warkentien, Councilmen Black, Ecklund, Steele and Labalestra and the following voted "nay": None. Mot~.on carried. R~;SOLUTION 77-11 "NO RIGHT TURN ON RED" AT SW CORNER OR LAR- PENTEUR AND SHELLING AVENUE Mayor Warkentien Read proposed Resolution 77-12, granting a deferr- ment of special assessments for senior citizens as drafted by Clerk- AdaLinistrator Barnes. The resolution grants deferral of assessments of $300.00 or more asainst az:3- Homestead property owned by a person 65 years of age or older fvr whom it would be a hardship to make payments, upon submission of an appropriate application. Councilman Ecklund moved adoption of Resolution 77-12 and the motion was seconded by Councilman Labalestra. Upon a vote being taken the following voted "aye"s Mayor Warkentien, Councilmen Black, Ecklind, Steele and Labalestra and the following voted "nay": None. l~t3tion carried. RESOLUTION 77-1. DEF'ERRMENT OF SPECIAL ASSESS- MENTS FOR SENIOI cITIZENs Councilman Ecklund informed the Hollywood Court residents that there HO2~E BURrGLARY has b®en a rash of home robberies lately in Falcon Heights and advised PRE~FJTTION the residents to watch each others property. He stated he was pros- COMI~ffTTEE TO BE eatly getting a committee of the Human Rights Commission together SLT UPBY COUNCIL to inform citizens of home burglary prevention methods and would be MAN ECKLUND ready to meet with residents in about one month. Councilman Steele stated he world like either Councilman PCcklund or DISCUSSION ON Clerk-Administrator Bases to attend the Reereatioa.Advisvey Com- GI~AATGING-RECRE- mittee meetiag, Monday, March 28th at 7:30 p.m. to discuss furfl:er theATION COM~IITTEE possibility of making the Committee a full commission and defer any TO FULL COMNlISSIt further discussion until that time. MINUTES _- REGULAR • J ~ MARCH 21~, 1977 ~j page ~ Clerk Administrator Barnes informed Council that Mrs. Ruth Dachtera HENRY DACHTERA had come into the City office and picked up the plaque the City PLAQUE ACCEPTED had made up in honor of her late husbank, Henry Dachtera. BY RUTH DACHTERA Councilman Ecklund stated he was interested in passing an=ordinance PROPOSED ORDIN- regulating and licensing pinball machines. He was particularly con- ANCE REGULATING corned about monors operating the machines i.n the bowling alley PINBALL MACHINES . and the pool hall. There was lengthy discussion on license fees and whether the proposed ordinance would affect pinball machines on the fairgrounds. There was also discussion on revision and updating of all City license fees. It was then decided to defer the item for further study. Engineer Lemberg informed Council that sealcoating would be done i.n the AUTHORIZATION.. North-home-area. He also. stated that the alleys would not be done... TO PROEED WITH PLANS & SPECS F0~ Councilman Labalestra moved and it was seconded by Councilman Steele SEALCOATING FOR to authorize the City Engineer to go ahead with propagation of the 1977 plans and specifications for the 1977 Sealcoating Pro3ect in Precinct #2. Upon a vote being taken the following voted "aye": Mayor Warkentien, Councilmen Black, Ecklund, Steele and Labalestra and the following voted "nay": None. Motion carried. Councilman Black mentioned he had driven down Idaho Avenue on Saturday, STANDING WATER March 19th, during a moderately heavy rainstorms and he observed that ON IDAHO AVENUE in places the water was standing and extending to 8 feet from the curb. He inquired as to whether something could be done to help those people affected as they had 3ust been assessed for the neW storm sewer but it was apparent they are not, at this time, getting arse beszefit from the project. Councilman Steele mentioned he had talked with Dave Ander- son of 1512 W. Idaho and Mr. Anderson said he had dust about fiaished getting names on his petition for new curb and gutter, which would all- etriate the water problem. Therefore, the item was deferred until Dave Andersen presented his petition to Council. Dorothy Valentine, Barney, 1570 No. Snelling Drive, appeared before Council to discuss the .recent rash of home burglaries. She requested that Council somehow make the public aware of what is, going on and possible initiate. some, sort of prevention program. She stated her home had recently b®en burglarized and many irreplaceable iteans had been stolen. She said she would be willing to help in a prevention program in ar{~r capacity. Councilman Ecklund informed her that he is in the process of setting up an informational. and prevention com- mittee. He also informed her that the City had extra police squads on in hopes of apprehending the criminals. RECENT RASH OF HOME BURGLARIES DOROT$ VALENTINE BARNEY Councilman Ecklund stated the lights at Falcon Woods park have sot been FALCON WOODS working properly both inside and outside. H® also inquired as to when LIGHTOUT the tennis courts would b® ready for use. Councilman Steele recommended that we update all licensing fees. He REPIEW OR ALL asked that the item be on the agenda for April 11tth or 28th. He also LICENSE FEES suggested we consider a lifetime dog licens®. SUGGESTED MINUTES -REGULAR MARCH 2}~, 1977 Pie 5 Councilman Labalestra asked Council for direction in handling problems MANAGEMENT at the liquor St©re. H® stated there is much friction between the PROBLEM AT employees and Manager Willkom. It suns soave of the employees claim LIQUOR STORE that' are taking on additional responsibilities and not being adequ- ately compensated for such duties. Councilman Labalestra stated that George Willkom claims there is no problem, yet his communication with his employees has deteriorated to the point where there is little verbal communication among some employees, simply note passing. Council- man Labalestra stated. he had advised Mr. Willkom to have mandatory eanployee meetings where the employees could air their grievances dir- ectly but has found a Lack of willa.ngness on Mr. Willkom's part to confront the situation. Council suggested that Mayor Warkentien and Councilman Labalestra pursue the situation further and get more facts from both Manager Willkom and the employees and report back to the Council at the next meeting. Mr. Dan Bucholtz of the _ North Suburban Chamber of Cc+mme~e appeared RESOLUTION ?7-1: before Council to request their approval, By resolution, of "Project APPROVAL OF Reward", a crime prevention program which he outlined in his previous PROJECT REWARD appearance before Council on January 13, 1977• Council Ecklund moved and it was seconded by Mayor Warkentien to ap- prove the North Suburban Crime Prevention and Criminal Appreheanaion Fund for Project Reward. Upon a vote being taken the following voted "aye": Mayor Warkentien, Councilmen Black, Ecklund, Steele and Labal- estra and the following voted "nay": None. Motion carried. Mayor Warkentien informed Council that he was not satisfied with the DISCUSSION ON .City's policy of incorporating State Statutes,. by reference, into our IDiCORPORATION OF ordinances. He cited as an example the Uniforia~Fire Code .adopted by the STATE STATUTES City and incorporated into our Fire Ordinance. He stated dames Boyd, INTO CITY OR- owner of the apartments at 1800 and 1818 W. Larpenteur had been advised DINANCES by the Fire Prevention Bureau of Falcon Heights that he was in voila- tion of the ordinance because he had built a storage closet under the stairwell in one of his buildings. Mayor Warkentien was advised that the closet itself was not~in violation of the code but that the material used to construct the clost dial not meet the fire ratings. It was also noted by Council that the Uniform Fire Code was adopted for the general welfare of -all the citizens of Falcon Heights and, of necessity, compliance might be a burden to some owners of smaller apartment building. Clerk-Administrator Barnes made Council aware that he was investigating NEED FOR 1+~RE the possibility of changing the group health plan for the City eaaployees.A~QUATE He noted the present policy offers inadequate coverage in many areas, HEALTH COVERAGE $uch as the daily room rate allowance which is only $50.00 per day. FOR OFFICE EMPLOYEES Because of the late hour, Council deferred the item until a later meeting. MINUTES _ REGULAR MARCx 24, 1977 page 6 ~' Councilman Ecklund moved and it was seconded by Councilman Steele AD~TOIIRMENT to ad3ourn the meeting at 11:03 p.m. Upon a vote being taken the following voted "aye": Mayor Warkentien, Councilmen B7.ack, Ecklund, Steele and Labalestra aiod the following voted "nay": None. Nation carried. -> ~ / ~'.~ J T 1. tom"! G'~ L(LY1 Willis C.A. Warkentien, Mayor Attest: an B. Barnes, Clerk-Administrator 1 1