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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_05Sep28CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES September 28, 2005 Mayor Gehrz convened the regular City Council meeting at 7:00 PM. PRESENT: Mayor Sue Gehrz, Councilmembers Laura Kuettel, Robert Lamb, Peter Lindstrom and Richard Talbot. Also present: City Administrator Heather Worthington, Public Works and Parks Director Greg Parks and Public Works Director Hoag and Deputy Clerk Stacey Kreuser. COMMUNITY FORUM: Pamela Harris of the Planning Commission spoke about the upcoming Bell Museum project. Harris reminded residents about the upcoming meeting on 10/18, and also reminded residents that if they have comments or suggestions to attend the meetings rather than bring it before the Planning Commission. The Commission does not have jurisdiction over the Museum project. PRESENTATIONS: None scheduled APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes dated 9/14/05 were approved as corrected by Mayor Gehrz. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None Scheduled CONSENT AGENDA: Councilmember Kuettel moved to approve the following items on the consent agenda, and the motion was unanimously approved: General disbursements through 9/20/05: $59, 363.06 Payroll 9/1/05 – 9/15/05 $14, 471.83 Approval of a mechanical contractor’s license for William F. Ridler Plumbing and Heating Approval of a mechanical contractor’s license for Pierce Refrigeration Approval of a tree trimming license for Prime Cut Tree Services Approval of a 5% step increase for Lisa Anderson effective 9/29/05 POLICY AGENDA: Resolution for Roselawn Reconstruction Administrator Worthington and Parks and Public Works Director Hoag presented the Council with information regarding the background and process for completing the Roselawn Reconstruction. Administrator Worthington asked the council to approve the resolution for the Roselawn Reconstruction. She outlined the steps of the 429 process – step 1: approval of the resolution ordering the preparation of a feasibility report; step 2: receive the feasibility report and order the public hearing; step 3: publication of hearing notice and mailing to residents; step 4: hold the public hearing and order preparation of plans and specifications; step 5: approve the plans and specifications and order advertisement for bids; step 6: award contract; and step 7: build project. Administrator Worthington then outlined the actions needed post-construction – step 1: council approval of resolution declaring cost to be assessed and order preparation of an assessment roll; step 2: resolution receiving proposed assessment roll and set hearing date; step 3: publish public hearing notice and mail notice to residents; step 4: affidavit of mailing assessment hearing notice to the US Post Office; step 5: assessment hearing before City Council; and lastly approval of a resolution adopting the assessment roll. Administrator Worthington then explained the City of Falcon Heights has held meetings outside of those required by the 429 process in an effort to very participatory. Those resident meetings were held on 6/21/05 and 9/15/05. The next meeting will be held, as recommended by residents at the 9/15 meeting, on 10/22 at 10:00 a.m. The City will let residents know where the starting point will be for the walk-through, and will notify residents by mailing during the week of 10/3/05. Administrator Worthington reminded residents that all plans and specs are available at each meeting, and feedback is encouraged through letters, phone calls, or e-mail. Mayor Gehrz stated she was very pleased with the resident meetings at the start of projects, and the input from residents has been very useful. Councilmember Kuettel asked about the City’s assessment policy, and Administrator Worthington replied that the policy was adopted in the late 1990’s, and has been amended to state that the residents who were subject to assessment at the end of the reconstruction program were not penalized by paying a higher per-linear foot rate that those who paid an assessment at the beginning of the city’s street reconstruction program. The per linear foot is the same for each resident. Administrator Worthington stated that staff will recommend assessment of the residents on Roselawn who are eligible. Those who are not eligible will not have to pay, as they were assessed in the 90’s on the other side of their property for the NE Quad. Councilmember Kuettel stated that in Falcon Heights, assessments are allowed only on one side of a resident’s property, unlike St. Paul. Councilmember Talbot asked about the assessment amount percentage, and Administrator Worthington stated that staff was still working on the exact number, and it would be addressed at the next meeting. Councilmember Talbot then encouraged residents to turn out for the walk-through. Councilmember Lindstrom asked about the assessment stated in the resolution and wanted to know whether the Falcon Heights assessment policy matched up with the State statute. Administrator Worthington explained that cities can adopt their own assessment policies, but have to follow the process outlined by statute. Councilmember Talbot moved to adopt the resolution 2005-12, motion passed unanimously. 2. Resolution adopting traffic signal maintenance agreement between Falcon Heights, Roseville, and State of Minnesota. Administrator Worthington began by stating the agreement was negotiated between the three parties after the turn-back of Roselawn Ave. by Ramsey County and has been reviewed by both cities and their attorneys. Parks and Public Works Director Hoag explained the background of the agreement. by talking about the previous agreement and the EVP (Emergency Vehicle Preemption, or opticom). An EVP (or opticom) is the device that receives signals from emergency vehicles that control the white lights on stoplights, which in turn control traffic when emergency vehicles come through intersections. Hoag explained the cost spread between the three parties with Falcon Heights responsible for the electric costs only and holding no semaphore maintenance responsibility. Roseville’s cost will be roughly $360 more per year as compared to Falcon Heights estimated costs. Ramsey County is no longer a part of the agreement as they have turned back Roselawn to the cities, however MnDOT is still a party to this agreement. Councilmember Kuettel reiterated the agreement by stating that Falcon Heights will handle the electricity costs, while Roseville will handle the maintenance. She also explained the logic behind this agreement because of Roseville’s access to a boom truck, which would give them the ability to reach the signals. If this were Falcon Heights responsibility, the City would have to rent this type of vehicle. Hoag added that the proposed $1000 per year for the electric costs is a high estimate according to Xcel. Ramsey County told Hoag that historically LED lights, which were installed for greens and reds throughout the city, have cost them about $50 per month, so the new technology is a cost savings. Councilmember Lindstrom added that an EVP would be beneficial on the Roselawn semaphore, and asked how to make it happen. Hoag explained that he had been in contact with the state about adding an EVP on the semaphore at Roselawn, however the state told him that they will not install one there for their use since they don’t have the need to use them. EVP's are cities’ responsibility to install. Councilmember Lindstrom asked that staff research this, while Mayor Gehrz proposed a partnership with Roseville for installation of an EVP in the future. Hoag estimated the cost $7,000-10,000. Councilmember Talbot asked Hoag to comment on any foreseen conflict with the other parties in the agreement. Hoag answered that people still think it is a county road, and when they do contact the county, the county is very good about communicating to the cities. Councilmember Talbot then asked whether or not the city has existing lights that could be transferred over to LED lights. (delete) Hoag responded that everything Xcel has offered for rebates the city has converted, however many of the yellow lights are not converted yet, simply because of the short time span they are lit. The City will replace them with LED lights as they burn out, but is not making it a point to change them over to LED presently. Councilmember Kuettel moved adoption of Resolution 2005-13. Councilmember Lindstrom then reminded the council that staff will do more research on the Opticom at Roselawn and Snelling, but did not wish to add that provision to the resolution. Resolution 2005-13 passed unanimously. Councilmember Kuettel then asked if Roseville passed this resolution, and Hoag answered the Council did pass it 5-0. Consideration of an engineering contract with the City of Roseville Administrator Worthington began by explaining the contract and negotiation between the two cities over the last 5 months. She explained that due to the understaffing at H.R. Green, Falcon Heights contract has been allowed to lapse. Currently, there are two people left in their municipal section, and Falcon Heights began exploring other options, including contracting with a neighboring city this summer. She explained that as a fully-developed city, engineering tasks are increasingly routine, with jobs like crack sealing and seal coating among the major tasks. Administrator Worthington stated that Roseville has also been approached by Arden Hills to undertake their engineering duties. Roseville will be hiring one full-time staff person for Arden Hills’ use, and Falcon Heights will be able to utilize this staff person. Worthington explained that the agreement allows for a payment of 1.9 times the base salary of the staff utilized. Falcon Heights estimates that the city will pay approximately $10,000 per year at the 200 hour billed minimum. This figure is based on the forecasts of upcoming projects that engineering services will be used for. Under the new contract with Roseville, Falcon Heights will be saving money as opposed to with the H.R. Green agreement. Administrator Worthington stated that the 200 hours is a minimum for billed hours, not a fixed rate. Councilmember Talbot asked who we have worked with in the past at Roseville. Administrator Worthington answered the City has worked with Deb Bloom and Dean Findell. Parks and Public Works Director Hoag added that Dean is the project coordinator, and has been working on the draft drawings for the Roselawn Reconstruction project. Administrator Worthington stated that Roseville approved this contract 5-0. Councilmember Lamb stated his pleasure at Falcon Heights being able to share services with other cities, especially in this time of budget constraints and strapped finances. He added that this is a positive step, and that sharing services is one of the ways small cities can survive. Councilmember Lindstrom listed the number of shared services Falcon Heights has by naming the IT contract with Roseville, building official with Little Canada, police with St. Anthony, water and ambulance with St. Paul, and the providing of fire service to Lauderdale. Councilmember Kuettel added she is excited again to move into a joint powers agreement with another city to share services. Councilmember Lindstrom asked how this agreement matches up with the last contract with H.R. Green. Administrator Worthington replied this agreement is in line and in the ballpark with the past engineering contract, within budgeting and spending, and very fair. She explained that if Falcon Heights goes over, the City pays an hourly rate above the 200 hours, and if we are under 200, there is no refund to the City. She added that the City will have access to Roseville’s GIS system and will be able to get our maps and GIS data updated – something that there is not enough staff to handle presently. Mayor Gehrz added that Arden Hills will be utilizing this staff engineer for their TCAAP project, and there will be a lot of engineering required. She asked if Roseville would be hiring another staff person to handle this project, or if Falcon Heights have to share that staff person with the huge armory project. Administrator Worthington replied she had spoken to the Arden Hills Administrator earlier, and they are still 2-3 years out on that project. Arden Hills is trying to staff-up going into that project to a full-time in-house position. She added that in negotiations with Roseville this topic was addressed, and Roseville and Falcon Heights feel staffing will be not an issue. Parks and Public Works Director Hoag explained that there is an outside chance that if a specialty project arises, there is the possibility they hire out a specialty engineer. He added there is also a landscape architect on staff with Roseville that Falcon Heights will be able to use. Administrator Worthington added that both city attorneys have reviewed this agreement, and have approved of it. Kuettel moved to approve the contract with Roseville. Motion passed unanimously. Information/Announcements: Councilmember Talbot commended Parks Coordinator and Administrative Assistant Anderson for her good work over the past six months, and is looking forward to Anderson being with the City for a long time. He added a reminder of the 10/22 street walk-through on Roselawn for the reconstruction project. Councilmember Lindstrom reminded residents of the 10/18 meeting regarding the Bell Museum at 7:00. Mayor Gehrz commended the CERT team for their help and assistance during the last Bell meeting, since it was held during the storm on 9/21. Councilmember Talbot added that the CERT team helped make the voyage to the basement during the meeting seamless, and asked residents to continue to be active in this group. Councilmember Kuettel reminded residents there is still time to sign up for parks/rec programs. She added that the elm trees lost during the 03-04 year will be replaced within the next couple of weeks, and that letters will be going out regarding this. She also stated that Falcon Heights Elementary is interested in holding a food drive, and they have asked to attend another City Council meeting. She asked that we keep this in mind the next time any issue comes up that may be of youth interest. Administrator Worthington explained that parks/rec registrations went out with the newsletter or the forms are available online. Mayor Gehrz asked about the clean-up day on 9/24 and garage sale on 9/17, and Administrator Worthington replied they went well. Mayor Gehrz adjourned the regular City Council meeting at 7:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Stacey Kreuser Deputy City Clerk