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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_06Nov08Falcon Heights City Council Regular Meeting Minutes November 8, 2006 City Hall Members Present: Mayor Gehrz, Council members Harris, Lindstrom, and Talbot, Administrator Miller, Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk Kreuser, Recreation Supervisor Abernathy, and Engineer Bloom. Members absent: Council member Kuettel. Mayor Gehrz called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The minutes of the October 25, 2006 regular City Council meeting were approved as submitted. Public Hearing: The Mayor asked if there were first any comments from the public on the proposed assessments. There were none in attendance who made comments. She asked Engineer Bloom to give a brief overview of the projects and timeline. Bloom first gave a report on Roselawn, stating the estimated total cost is $1.13 million, with Falcon Heights’s portion estimated at $474,000. She said the project is roughly 92% complete, with the cities still owing the final payment that is to be made after completion of the last few items by the contractor. She stated the total to date was $907,000 not including engineering costs, and the actual project cost is on track with the estimate. The Mayor opened the public hearing on the Roselawn assessment roll. No comments were heard. She closed the public hearing and invited Bloom to continue with the Hamline/Hoyt assessment roll. Bloom gave an overview of the reconstruction. Bloom said Falcon Heights met with St. Paul, and since they are not close to closing it out, final cost accounting will arrive in 2007. She added that when the project is final, she would come back, however she is not aware of any surprises in the cost. She said the total cost would be brought forward in 2007, but since the assessment rate is fixed she asked that the council for approval for assessments. Mayor Gehrz opened the public hearing on the Hamline/Hoyt assessment roll. No comments were heard. She closed the public hearing and asked for a motion on the first resolution 06-28 for Hamline/Hoyt assessment roll. Council member Talbot moved to approve resolution 06-28. The motion passed unanimously. Council member Lindstrom moved to approve resolution 06-29 for the Roselawn assessments. The motion passed unanimously. Consent Agenda: Council member Harris asked for more information on the fourth item. Administrator Miller said the City once housed a business that sold pull-tabs, and State law allowed cities to recoup a percentage of pull-tab profits and to use the dollars on specified projects. No one sells pull-tabs in the City anymore, and the fund had been drawn down enough to simply close it out. Council member Talbot asked if in the future a non-profit asks to have gambling, how it would happen. Miller stated they would need to acquire a lawful gambling permit from the City and a new fund would be created. Council member Harris moved the following four items for approval. The motion passed unanimously. General disbursements through 11/2/06: $10,443.05 Payroll through 10/31/06: $21,013.36 Approval of licenses 3. Appointment of new volunteer firefighters 4. Increase budget line item in the Special Revenue Fund 209 Lawful Gambling to reflect expenditures and close the Fund Policy Agenda: Mayor Gehrz said the stormwater pond item would have to be tabled due to the bids coming in higher than anticipated, and that Roseville will rework the RFP. 1. Discussion of Environment Commission recommendations Community Garden Discussion Environment Commission Chair Jim Kielsmeier introduced fellow commissioners Keene and Bontrager to the council, and Garden Works representatives Ila Duntemann and Sarah Ullmer. Council member Lindstrom, who is also council liaison to the Environment Commission, presented the council with the Commission’s recommendations for a community garden. He indicated the reasons, market analysis, action of the Commission to date, possible locations, and budget of a garden. Lindstrom explained there is $5,000 in the capital budget, however the garden likely would not cost that much. He estimated the costs of hauling and tilling would be in the $2,500 range and perhaps $500 for miscellaneous expenses or a fence for the 20-plot space. He said the Commission’s recommended locations for a garden are A) Community Park and B) City Hall front lawn. He explained the garden could be a potential revenue source for the City, as rent could be in the $25 range per plot. Lastly, he asked the Council’s approval for creation of the Community Garden Steering Committee to do research and make decisions regarding the garden, to detract from additional burden placed on City staff and the Environment Commission. Raymond Wirth, 1795 Pascal, commented that animals, particularly rabbits would be a nuisance to the garden and suggested an electric fence to keep pests out. He said that one would have to be an avid gardener to want to rent a plot of land to garden on, and said people could buy their produce at the Farmer’s Market or grocery store rather than having to grow it. He thought people would start the project and give up, letting the plot grow to weeds. He also asked when the garden fails, who would pay to have it restored. Tom Lageson, 1740 Pascal, said he liked the idea and thought there were good benefits but said there were other ways to build community with the money. He asked what the taxpayers were getting. He encouraged water and electricity meters be installed at the site, and that apartment-dwellers have first priority in reserving plots. He recommended the City set up an enterprise fund to track expenses, and warned against staff time used for planning and maintenance of the garden. He said the garden would have to be organic, and in response to the reported increased property values, he said the garden would have an effect on only the properties within 1,000 feet of the garden. Finally he pointed out there would be security and crime issues at the garden, with vandals and stealing, but said he was mainly discouraged by the cost and thought there were other ways to create togetherness in the City. He suggested the City give $100 to residents instead, for them to go buy produce at Whole Foods. Duntemann commented there are community garden rules that could be adopted by the City, of which there are samples available through Garden Works. She thought 20 plots in Falcon Heights was doable with the interest garnered already with the garden, and with gardening as the second most-popular hobby in the nation, the garden could work. She said at her garden they do have rabbits, but certain garden varietals could be planted to discourage them, or perhaps a fence once the extent of the vermin population is known. Community space and having the garden open to the public without a fence would be an amenity to the City. Ullmer said there are start-up costs associated with a community garden, however, they are an investment in the community. She said the most important part of having a community garden is having the community on-board. Since the Steering Committee will be formed and there is interest, she said that will help a lot in the life of the community garden. Duntemann added that a water meter could be added and figured into the plot rental. Mayor Gehrz asked about waiting lists for gardens. Duntemann answered that there was a waiting list at her garden, and they stopped at 40-50 individuals. Gehrz asked about the categorization of priority on who gets a plot. Duntemann replied that every garden is unique, and that most rentals are by apartment-dwellers, and perhaps Falcon Heights would be geared for those with shady yards. Lageson asked Duntemann about the storage and purchase of tools. She replied that her garden was able to get a grant for purchasing and building an arch and flag, and renters often are able to find private residences that donate storage space. She added that at her garden they built a shed on-site, and there are many grants available to help do this in Falcon Heights. Council member Lindstrom said he was impressed with Chanhassen’s garden and asked Administrator Miller to comment. Miller said it was successful with recurring renters and it sold out every year. Mayor Gehrz asked if City resources were used. Miller said it was self-sustaining after it got going, and City staff did a cleaning in the spring and fall but otherwise the gardeners took care of it. Wirth commented that collaring animals or an electric fence was not practical, however money for surveillance and some type of chain-link fence would be a real cost. He reiterated his comments that restoration of land after the garden’s failure would be expensive, and the money should be spent in other areas. Duntemann said there is one garden in the metro that is fenced with a lock, but it is an issue that is debated across the country. She said the City would have to experiment and find what works with our situation. Kielsmeier added that he puts up his own temporary fence for his garden every year so it could be done. Also he said he had a plot at Gibbs’s Community Garden and it was a choice of Gibbs to redevelop the land, not a lack of demand or use of the garden plots. Mayor Gehrz said the City needed to okay the plan with the University, and will consult with the U. Council member Lindstrom moved to endorse the creation of a community garden at Community Park, tentative on the Mayor’s discussion with University officials and endorse the creation of a Community Garden Steering Committee. The motion passed unanimously. 2. Structure replacement and repainting of the Curtiss Field Playground Recreation Supervisor Abernathy began by explaining the City has gotten some complaints regarding the wooden areas on the play structures. After assessment with the vendor, it was recommended the entire structure not be replaced but repainted and replacements made of aluminum where the wood was previously installed. She added the Parks and Rec Commission agreed with the recommendation, and the refurbishing will ensure 15 additional years onto the life of the structure. Council member Harris asked about the budget funding for the project. Miller replied money would be spent from the parks capital budget as $70,000 was budgeted initially. Council member Harris moved to approve the structure replacement and repainting of the Curtiss Field Playground, not to exceed $15,000. The motion passed unanimously. 3. Advance Purchase of Copier – 2007 CIP Administrator Miller began by stating this was an unbudgeted, unplanned expense for 2006, however $15,000 was budgeted for 2007. Loeffler will deliver a 2007 model this year and will bill in 2007. Mayor Gehrz asked about lease versus purchasing of a new machine. Miller replied a lease implies less up-front costs, but not over the long run. Council member Talbot moved to approve the advance purchase of a copier with funds from the 2007 CIP. The motion passed unanimously. 4. Approval of stormwater pond maintenance projects The item was tabled. 5. Approval of City Hall roof repair proposal Administrator Miller began by explaining there are areas of the roof that are “tenting” around the perimeter of the flat roof. The contractor will honor the 2006 price in 2007 if the work is not completed until then. Council member Harris asked if there are other parts of the roof that may fail. Miller replied the flat part of the roof is fine according to the inspector, but the tented area is where the seal had broken and water leaked in. Council member Lindstrom moved to approve the City Hall roof repair. The motion passed unanimously. Community Forum: Tom Lageson, 1740 Pascal addressed the council as to why his water heater had not been inspected as it was installed in September. He was advised that his contractor had not gotten a mechanical contractor’s license, and until they did, his heater would not be inspected. He asked why the City licenses contractors who are already licensed by other authorities. Council member Talbot replied that the City licenses as a guarantee to homeowners, and as a level of protection for homeowners. Lageson asked why the fee seemed high. Mayor Gehrz replied that by law cities could not make money on their fees, but permit fees are set as to recoup staff time, inspector’s wages, and the actual cost of the permit, nothing more. Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk Kreuser stated that Lageson’s contractor had sent in their license application, and the inspector would be contacting him to set up an appointment. Administrator Miller stated he would send the inspection fees to Lageson. Information/Announcements: Council member Harris said she attended the Human Rights Commission meeting, and they decided to meet alternating months rather than monthly. She said Chief Ohl would be bringing case studies dealing with human rights matters to the next meeting for a group exercise. She added that representatives of the Commission would be attending Human Rights Day on December 1. Council member Lindstrom stated the Falcon Heights Lions sponsored the Kids Voting on Election Day, and Harris added the Roseville Rotary was also a sponsor. Council member Talbot reminded residents to have their house numbers affixed and lit on their homes. Mayor Gehrz thanked staff and judges for their work during election season. She announced the meeting of the Comp Plan Steering Committee would be held December 11 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at City Hall. Speakers from the League of Minnesota Cities will be on-hand to talk about demographic trends and housing. Administrator Miller stated the Public Works Director interviews were underway and the City hopes to have someone on board by 2007. Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk Kreuser said that CERT classes would be starting in January 2007. She also thanked the election judges and announced Falcon Heights precincts saw a 77% voter turnout. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Stacey Kreuser Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk