HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_05Oct12CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
October 12, 2005
Mayor Gehrz convened the regular City Council meeting at 7:00 PM. She noted that the information and announcements banner would be displayed throughout the entire broadcast of the meeting
due to technical difficulties.
PRESENT: Mayor Sue Gehrz, Councilmembers Laura Kuettel, Robert Lamb,
Peter Lindstrom and Richard Talbot. Also present: City Administrator Heather Worthington, and Deputy Clerk Stacey Kreuser.
COMMUNITY FORUM: None.
PRESENTATIONS: Cindy Hartley, of the Twin Cities Co-op Federal Credit Union, will reschedule her presentation on the Co-op’s donation to the Fire Department.
Mayor Gehrz asked for council approval to make an addendum to the agenda. A
resolution to approve the Ramsey County Dispatch Consolidation terms became Policy Item H3, and was inserted for approval at the end of the agenda.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes dated 9/28/05 were approved.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None Scheduled
CONSENT AGENDA: Councilmember Kuettel moved to approve the following seven items on the consent agenda, and the motion was unanimously approved:
General Disbursements through 10/06/05: $ 80, 581.57
Payroll (9/16/05 – 9/30/05) $ 13, 742.32
3. Approval of Election Judges for November 8 City Election
4. Approval of Tree Trimming License for Tree Trust
5. Approval of Mechanical Contractor License for Metro Gas Installers
6. Approval of General Contractor License for Contact Signs, Inc.
7. Mileage Reimbursement rate for period Sept.1 to Dec. 31, 2005
POLICY AGENDA:
Resolution to Participate in the Countywide All-Hazards Mitigation Plan
Administrator Worthington began the item by explaining the resolution adopts the county
plan as the city plan. She further explained that “all-hazards” means a plan and process is in place for the handling and prevention of disasters, and gave the example of a non-functioning
lift station. The lift station mitigation strategy would include installing a generator specifically for lift station use to pump materials in the event of a power failure. She explained
that rather than having each city adopt their own plan, Ramsey County wrote the plan for cities to adopt. Administrator Worthington also noted the mitigation plan can be found for view
on the web; however some sensitive information is omitted in the online public copy.
Councilmember Kuettel added that the City can make additional plans, and noted the resolution from the County allows for add-ons.
Councilmember Lindstrom asked whether the City has any mitigation additions, strategies or plans to supplement the resolution. Administrator Worthington replied that the lift station
scenario has been included in discussions, and the City has been looking at funding for this. She added that a permanent generator would be better than a mobile one, and would eliminate
any struggles with generator priority in the event of a disaster. She noted that Falcon Heights is unique because of the other neighbors we have here – including the State Fair and
the U of M, and that this process is ongoing.
Councilmember Talbot asked how long the lift station would pump after an outage before
there would be a back-up. Administrator Worthington answered that it really depends on
the number of flushes before the City can notify residents not to flush. The City would
use methods like door-knocking and the police to notify residents. Councilmember
Talbot then asked what the City’s liability would be in this type of situation, and
Administrator Worthington replied the City has no-fault sewer back-up insurance.
Councilmember Lindstrom stated he was surprised at the plan’s notation of 11 different
emergencies that could potentially affect Ramsey County, and was glad to know that
there are plans in place to take care of emergency situations.
Mayor Gehrz added that Falcon Heights’ portion of the Ramsey County plan looked
complicated because of the boundaries of the City including the State Fair, U of M, and
the difference in police and fire protection for those areas. She also noted that public
education through the Neighborhood Liaisons and CERT are most useful in preparing for
disasters and evacuation planning. She stated that evacuation planning would likely be the next topic of consideration for the CERT group.
Councilmember Talbot asked about the headway made on the donation of the old fire truck. Administrator Worthington answered that she had been in contact with a city that was interested,
and is waiting to hear back from them. She mentioned that most cities are still in the recovery stage, and perhaps are not ready to rebuild their fire departments.
Mayor Gehrz asked for a motion, and Kuettel moved to adopt the resolution 2005-14, adopting the all-hazards mitigation plan. Motion passed unanimously.
Variance Request for 1347 Larpenteur Ave
Administrator Worthington began by giving an overview of the property. She explained the findings of fact and gave an overview of the planning commission’s decision to approve the variance
for an entry on the Hamline side of the building by a 5-2 vote.
Dr. Omar Awad and project architect Ari Awad were present, and answered that a purchase agreement had been signed when asked by Councilmember Talbot. They plan to change the clinic
to eye care from its previous use as a chiropractic office.
Councilmember Lindstrom noted that the 2 “no” votes on the planning commission were due to changes available for the design. He added that the rest of the planning commission and the
neighbors of the property would rather not have the entrance on the north side of the building. Lindstrom explained the clinic now has parking on the north side of the building, while
the entrance is on the south side. He stated the majority of the planning commission agreed an entrance on the east would be a nice welcome to the community and would make sense.
Councilmember Kuettel expressed her excitement to have the clinic in Falcon Heights and welcomed the doctor to the community.
Councilmember Lamb and Mayor Gehrz both added that they were in support of the new entrance, and that changing the location makes sense to avoid walking around the building to reach
the entrance. Gehrz added the new entrance on the Hamline side will be more structurally attractive. She then asked whether the 3-foot overhang is counted in the variance request.
Administrator Worthington replied that it is counted as an encroachment. Mayor Gehrz stated that overhang and entrance
Mr. Awad presented graphics to the council and stated that the building will have a 3-foot overhang, a 4-foot foyer, and the clinic will install a fireplace in the lobby at a later date.
Mayor Gehrz asked about the landscaping of the building, and Mr. Awad assured her more aesthetically pleasing shrubs will be planted.
Mayor Gehrz asked for a motion, and Councilmember Lindstrom moved to adopt resolution 2005-15 for a variance at 1347 Larpenteur Ave W. Motion passed unanimously.
3. Resolution to Approve Ramsey County Dispatch Consolidation
Mayor Gehrz introduced the item by stating that Ramsey County has 4 dispatch centers, including the Ramsey County and St. Paul centers that are in need of major repair. She stated that
originally the Ramsey County Board was initiating a funding plan that was unacceptable to the suburban communities by placing a large portion of the St. Paul costs on the outer communities.
The new coordinated centers would be funded, through the new plan, with 60% based on the tax base and 40% on call volume. She explained that there will be a tax increase due to the
new dispatch center, and also noted that the 40% on call volume is a very good compromise that Falcon Heights is happy with. She stated that Maplewood and White Bear Lake have both
adopted this resolution that, in concept, approves the 60%-40% split. She noted that St. Paul City Council will vote on the plan once it is voted on by the Ramsey County Board on October
18.
Councilmember Lamb explained how long the process took for finding the funding formula, and meets the goal of consolidating the dispatch. He stated that consolidating is the best thing
for citizens, and fosters expertise in the field. He made one addition to the resolution, to state that A1 should be amended to read “including call definition.” He
stated that call definition should include only emergency calls, and not other administrative calls that come into the dispatch center, especially since the funding is based on call
volume.
Mayor Gehrz added that the resolution looked like it attempted to define emergency calls.
Councilmember Lamb explained the need to educate the populace about who to call when administrative type questions are asked, and not to call the dispatch center for this type of question.
He added that the old funding formula had shifted almost entirely on property values, and almost nothing on call volume. Falcon Heights was the city to suggest the call volume enter
into the funding equation since the property values here are high. He stated that the consolidated dispatch will be more professional, timely, and will provide a better resource for
citizens.
Councilmember Lindstrom voiced his approval of adding the call definition to the resolution.
Councilmember Talbot asked where property owners will see this on a bill. Mayor Gehrz answered that it will be seen on property taxes on the county portion, and also the 800 mHz in
the county portion. She added that a small portion will be seen on the city portion due to the 40% call volume.
Councilmember Lamb explained all the different communication systems used by emergency departments cause the types of problems we’ve seen in New Orleans, and while they’ve served us
well while they were current, the 800 MHZ system will allow Ramsey County, Hennepin County, and other communities to communicate together without going through dozens of channels. He
explained the new 800MHZ system will alleviate any communication problems, while the new consolidated dispatch center will increase the ability to respond to emergencies. He noted that
while we will pay more, it is well-worth the expense.
Mayor Gehrz stated that the agreement is something we can all live, and that is what compromise is all about.
Councilmember Lindstrom and Kuettel thanked Mayor Gehrz, Councilmember Lamb, and Administrator Worthington for a major improvement and for their hard work on 800 Mhz and consolidated
dispatch.
Mayor Gehrz explained that now the cities, townships and counties can more easily work together, and that is what has happened with the consolidated dispatch and 800 MHZ – teamwork in
crafting a resolution and funding plan.
The motion was made by Lamb to adopt resolution 2005-16 for a consolidated dispatch center, with the inclusion of the language as structured by Councilmember Lamb. Motion passed unanimously.
Information/Announcements:
Councilmember Lindstrom stated that he passed on to the planning commission the suggestion of separating the variance decisions instead of putting them in one pile for the council.
The commission was fine with that change.
Councilmember Lamb explained that Waste Management’s contract with the City includes the collection of batteries and waste oil. He noted that even though there have been some minor
problems in the past, the transition has gotten better over the past few weeks. He also stated the recycling contact in 2006 changes the recycling day from the first and third Friday
to simply every other Friday beginning the first week in January 2006.
Councilmember Talbot also noted that tires will be taken by Metropolitan Mosquito Patrol, just call and they will pick them up.
Mayor Gehrz suggested reviving the recycling captains that can put out signs in neighborhood to remind residents of the recycling changes in 2006.
Councilmember Lamb added that in conjunction with the Neighborhood Commission, perhaps new yard signs can be made for this purpose.
Mayor Gehrz announced the second Bell Museum meeting will be on 10-18 at 7:00 at City Hall. She said the League of Women Voters will hold a candidate’s forum on 10-19 at 7:00 at City
Hall. She announced the grand opening of the multi-family building on 11-15 from 4:30 to 7:00 with the theme of “A Taste of Falcon Heights” with invitations mailed to residents.
Administrator Worthington explained the flooding at Curtiss Field was due to a 100-year storm, which dumped 6 inches of rain in a 24 hour period. The pond there was built to hold a
10-year storm. She stated that the pond performed as they had hoped it would, with waters receding within the days after the storm. She added that it’s very helpful to clean catch
basins on your street.
Mayor Gehrz adjourned the regular City Council meeting at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Stacey Kreuser
Deputy City Clerk