HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_06Mar22City of Falcon Heights
Regular Meeting of the City Council
March 22, 2006
Members present: Mayor Gehrz, Council members Talbot, Lindstrom and Harris, City Administrator Worthington, Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk Kreuser, various city commissioners.
Members absent: Council member Kuettel
Mayor Gehrz called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Presentations:
The Neal Kwong Youth Citizenship Awards were given to Kelsey McCoy in the 12-15 age group and Christina Vernon in the 16-19 age group. Laura Kwong and Alan Kwong awarded the teens and
thanked them for their service to the City. The girls also made short speeches about why volunteering is so important. Mayor Gehrz closed by congratulating McCoy and Vernon on their
great work to the City.
The minutes from the March 8, 2006 city council meeting were approved.
Consent Agenda:
Council member Lindstrom moved to approve the following four items. The motion passed unanimously.
1. General Disbursements through 3/16/06: $94,702.99
Payroll through 3/15/06: $14,388.66
2. Approval of licenses
3. Approval of renewal contract with SafeAssure Consultants, Inc. for
OSHA training and safety management 4. Resolution 06-08 prohibiting parking on Roselawn Avenue
Policy Agenda:
The Mayor asked for a brief report from the five city commissions and stated the reports were a chance for the council to recognize their hard work over the past year.
1. Parks and Rec Commission – Chair Chuck Long.
Commissioner Jim Evans was also present. Commissioner Long announced the parks and recreation programs are growing, with yoga a very popular addition this year. He stated the City
has gotten requests for more early childhood programs. In the past year, Long said the commission has re-vamped the field use policy and fee structure for rentals. Lastly, he thanked
City staffers Greg Hoag and Lisa Anderson for their work with the commission.
2. Planning Commission – Chair Pat Ryan.
Commissioners Rich Rodich and Jim DeLeo were also present. Commissioner Ryan stated the main project has been the zoning ordinance and various variance requests over the past year.
He said the recodification will be on the front burner in the coming year, along with the drive-through study.
3. Neighborhood Commission – Chair Robert Thompson.
Commissioners Kris Grangaard and Laura Kwong were also present. Commissioner Thompson thanked Grangaard for her years of service as chair of the commission, but stated he is so glad
she is still on the commission as a member. Thompson added Dan Johnson Powers and Sue Majerus have stepped down, so the commission would be happy to take applications for new members.
Thompson said the commission is currently working on a success measures plan and would hopefully bring it before the council in the next couple months. He summarized the events in 2006
so far by telling the council about the pandemic flu training and the CERT/liaison get-together back in January.
Commissioner Kwong added the commission has been putting together a “Treasures of Falcon Heights City Tour” to be held May 13, 2006 featuring various architectural and public buildings
in the City.
4. Human Rights Commission – Commissioner Colette Campbell-Stewart
Commissioner Campbell-Stewart stated the commission has been busy working on a bias/hate response plan. She added a brochure had been printed to share with residents. The joint meeting
in January with the CERT/liaison groups were a good time to focus on the changing demographics of the City, and she stated the commission is currently working on getting the brochure
out to everyone.
5. Environment Commission – Commissioner Susan Harding
Commissioner Harding stated the commission is busy gathering information on several projects including the Bell Museum, the community garden, and water issues including run-off. She
added the commission is looking for new members.
Information/Announcements:
Council member Talbot notified residents of the Communications Commission scholarships available. Applications will be taken through April 14, 2006.
Mayor Gehrz announced the process for the hiring of a new city administrator that was decided on during the March 16, 2006 special council meeting. She asked for residents input on
the interview questions.
Mayor Gehrz adjourned the formal meeting at 8:10 p.m. and the commissioners present retired to the back of the chambers to talk about the comp plan update.
Comp Plan Discussion:
Jim Solem gave extensive background on the Met Council and the reasoning and history of comprehensive planning. Commissioners then were given an update on the process for the updating
by Mayor Gehrz and Administrator Worthington. The commissioners will be sent a copy of the current plan, and they are encouraged to make suggestions on the sections that are of interest
to their commission.
Respectfully submitted,
Stacey Kreuser
Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk