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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_06Feb08Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council City of Falcon Heights February 8, 2006 Mayor Gehrz called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. All members of the council were present. City Attorney Roger Knutson was also present. Presentations: Mary Morse from the St. Paul Neighborhood Energy Consortium presented on the HourCar service that is available to residents of Falcon Heights. The closest hub for Falcon Heights residents is at the St. Anthony location at Doswell and Como. Members can make reservations for the 2005 Toyota Pruises on the web or by phone. Council member Lindstrom asked to have one of the cars at an upcoming City event to promote usage. That proposal will be made to the environment commission and will be brought to the council at a future meeting. Dan Detzner of the Human Rights Commission presented the new purpose statement to the council. The reason for the new statement was due to necessary updates involving the role of the commission. Council member Lindstrom asked about the joint community meetings between the Human Rights Commission and other City commissions. Detzner answered the joint meeting held on 1/23/06 was well attended and good discussion on the demographics of Falcon Heights was experienced. Council member Harris added she attended the meeting on 1/23. Council member Kuettel moved to approve the amended Human Rights Commission purpose statement. The motion passed unanimously. The council minutes from January 25, 2006 were approved as corrected. Pubic Hearing: City Ordinance Fee Schedule Administrator Worthington began by giving an overview of the proposed changes to the fee schedule, including lowering the cost of obtaining printed materials from City Hall. She also noted the ambulance fee schedule should be removed from the schedule. Council member Kuettel asked about liquor licensing, and whether or not the malt-beverage on-sale license had to be purchased in addition to the $1.00 wine license. Administrator Worthington replied the wine license could not be purchased alone, the malt-beverage on-sale license had to be purchased as well. Council member Lindstrom asked about the Lions Club on the list of users for Community Park. Administrator Worthington replied the Lions had first dibs on the Park during the tree sales season, and the Field Use Policy, a separate document from the fee schedule did outline that. Council member Talbot asked about the parking permit situation in areas of the City and how the amount charged was arrived at. Administrator Worthington replied that the permit parking areas of the City were designated long ago, a process that must be started by the residents. Mayor Gehrz added that permit parking is done to discourage residents from parking on the street only and not using their driveways. Mayor Gehrz opened the public hearing. R.B. Garcia, 1906 N Prior, spoke about his concerns with the cost of living in Falcon Heights. He had specific issues with the cost of ambulance service in Falcon Heights. Mayor Gehrz responded by stating St. Paul Ambulance gives great care, and it’s a personal call on whether or not to send for ambulance service. Tom Lageson, 1740 Pascal, stated he had no problems with the fees, but was concerned with those groups able to use facilities free-of-charge. He asked for the specific list to be deleted, and language inserted to include 501c.3 organizations and other open meeting, non-profit groups. Mayor Gehrz closed the public hearing. Council member Talbot addressed Mr. Garcia’s comments on the cost of living by reminding residents the city portion of the tax levy has remained at a 0.0% increase over the last three years. He also added that auditor’s have told the City it is one of the best-run municipalities around. Council member Talbot moved to approve ordinance 06-01, amending the fee schedule ordinance. The motion was unanimously approved. Consent Agenda: Council member Kuettel moved to approve the following four items on the consent agenda. The motion was unanimously approved. 1. General Disbursements through 2/03/06 $110,126.37 Payroll through 1/31/06 $15,306.60 2. License Renewals 2006 3. Designated Signors for Orders Drawn on City Funds 4. Fire Relief Association Bylaws Policy Agenda: Mayor Gehrz asked for council approval to amend the policy agenda to include an interim ordinance temporarily prohibiting the issuance of building permits and zoning approvals for drive-through businesses. The item became policy item G1. An interim ordinance temporarily prohibiting the issuance of building permits and zoning approvals for drive-through businesses Administrator Worthington gave background on the interim ordinance by explaining traffic trends surrounding the areas of Snelling and Crawford Avenues. She explained the volume of accidents are higher at Snelling and Crawford as compared to other streets simply because of it’s proximity to Larpenteur/Snelling and due to the lack of stacking room on Crawford. She stated research is necessary to study the turning movement onto Crawford and Snelling, and a 12-month moratorium would allow time for that study. In response to a question by Council member Lindstrom, Administrator Worthington replied Dino’s was not in need of a variance since they amended their site plan to be in accordance with the lot coverage requirements of the City. Council member Kuettel asked about the time line for the next year in the event of a moratorium. Administrator Worthington answered staff would take the time to study the traffic, access issues, convene a set of neighborhood meetings on drive-throughs, and finally make recommendations. Jason Adamidis, Dino’s Gyros, stated the restaurant conducted a survey/petition on the convenience of adding a drive-through, and over 8,000 people signed in support of the cause. He also said the addition of a drive-through would not add more traffic to the area, it would only add convenience for the customer. He added he spoke with neighbors, and is willing to work on the traffic issues to get customers onto Snelling and out of Falcon Heights. Council member Kuettel asked about the numbers on an average day at Dino’s. Adamidis replied 500-600 people, and the majority are regulars so that number is at a plateau. He also reported on the drainage issue onto the lot that backs up against the restaurant. A retaining wall and landscaping is slated for later this spring, which will help keep water from flowing into the nearby yard. Mayor Gehrz asked about the other Dino’s locations with drive-throughs. Adamidis replied Shakopee and Lakeville did have drive-throughs with no complaints. He added the volume of the voice box is adjustable and would not be heard from beyond the car. He also said that neighbors have come to him with concerns about the added noise from a drive-through. Council member Lindstrom stated he consulted his notes from 2003, and stated the percentage of revenue from adding a drive-through adds 10-15% to the bottom line. Adamidis said those are smaller stores and they depend on the drive-through more than the Falcon Heights store. Attorney Knuston commented the interim ordinance does not target a specific applicant; it is a blanket moratorium on all drive-throughs so the City can identify possible weaknesses with the current ordinance and possible drive-throughs. He also stated the moratorium is up to one-year or when the official controls are adopted, whichever comes first. He also stated the planning commission would be very active, along with the planning consultant and perhaps engineers for the initial study process. If deemed appropriate, changes to the ordinance would be brought before the council. Mayor Gehrz stated the family could be confident the process will not be dragged out, but it was the city’s obligation to take time to do a careful study on the issue for the City has a whole. Adamidis agreed by stating they would rather have the neighbors embrace it through education rather than pushing it through. Council member Lindstrom moved to approve the interim ordinance temporarily prohibiting the issuance of building permits and zoning approvals for drive-through businesses. The motion was unanimously approved. 2. Water System Interconnect Project Administrator Worthington began the item by giving a brief overview and update of the water interconnect project between the two major cites, St. Paul and Minneapolis, and its impact on Falcon Heights residents as water is a major public utility. Surrounding cities were asked to send a letter to the Commissioner of Health in support of the project. She added Roselawn is the preferred route of the interconnect. Mayor Gehrz asked that staff make the state and St. Paul and Minneapolis aware of the Roselawn project, and to add language in the letter to that effect. She added no vote was necessary since clearly the council supported it and it is in the best interest of the citizens. 3. Approval of the Roselawn Reconstruction Project Administrator Worthington began by stating everyone is ready to go forward and ready to bid it out. Council member Harris moved to approve resolution 06-03 and 06-04 ordering the reconstruction of Roselawn Avenue, and approving plans and specifications and ordering advertisement for bids for Roselawn Avenue reconstruction. The motion passed unanimously. Information/Announcements: Council member Lindstrom commented on the Dead of Winter event, and congratulated the staff on a job well done. He also recognized the sponsors of the event. Council member Talbot asked residents to give their input on the re-design of the City website that will begin later this month. Mayor Gehrz announced the Rose Bed and Breakfast was sold to the Ramsey County Historical Society, and they will be using it to expand Gibbs Farm and will continue to run a b & b with a historical theme. In addition, she mentioned the City is taking applications for the Neil Kwong Youth Citizenship Award through March 1, 2006. Mayor Gehrz adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m.