HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_07Apr25Regular Meeting of the City Council
April 25, 2007
Members present: Mayor Gehrz, Council members Harris, Lindstrom, and Talbot, Administrator Miller, Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk Kreuser. Members absent: Council member
Kuettel.
Mayor Gehrz called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
Presentation:
1. Winter 2007 CERT Graduation Ceremony
Mayor Gehrz, CERT trainers Dan Johnson-Powers, Kris Grangaard, and Mel Baughman recognized the CERT graduates. Graduates received a CERT badge and two pins, along with their certificate
of achievement.
The minutes of the April 11, 2007 regular council meeting were approved as submitted.
Consent Agenda:
Council member Talbot moved approval of the following three items. The motion passed unanimously.
1. General Disbursements through 4/18/07: $426,472.58
Payroll through 4/15/07: $14,032.26
2. 2007 Licenses
3. Step increase for Stacey Kreuser, Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk
Policy Agenda:
Personnel Policy Amendments
Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk Kreuser began the item by explaining the policy had recently been examined by the Council, and now was being brought before them for approval.
Staff had inserted the necessary changes due to law changes, attorney opinions, and updates to current practice. She added there were a few changes made after the packets were delivered.
Mayor Gehrz had some typo corrections, and the council agreed upon them. In addition, she added a clause regarding part-time firefighters and their non-accrual of sick time under the
sick leave benefits section.
Council member Lindstrom proposed the addition of “domestic partner” to the definitions of “family” and “relative.” The council agreed upon its insertion and language was added to the
nepotism and bereavement leave policy. Staff would check whether its insertion into FMLA would be legal.
In addition, a portion of the vacation leave section may need to be reexamined following a June court decision regarding payout of accrued vacation leave to individuals leaving employment.
The personnel policy was moved for approval, with changes, by Council member Harris. The motion passed unanimously.
City Code Amendments - Addition of Neighborhood Commission and Environment Commission Roles
Administrator Miller introduced the item by explaining that during the recodification the Neighborhood and Environment Commissions were inadvertently omitted from the new code. In addition,
a purpose statement for the Environment Commission had been drafted and was before the council for approval.
Council member Harris moved to approve ordinance 07-05, amending the City Code concerning City Commissions. The motion passed unanimously.
Council member Lindstrom stated that the purpose statement for the Commission was more detailed than what is in the code, and outlined its five areas of focus.
Mayor Gehrz asked about the overlap from the Environment to the Parks/Rec Commission with the ‘recreation and aesthetic appreciation purpose’. Council member Lindstrom answered that
the two were almost one in the same, and the whole area is critical to the City’s environment. Council member Harris added she serves on the Park/Rec Commission, and it is a good thing
to be able to coordinate closely with the Environment Commission.
Council member Talbot questioned the section regarding ‘energy use and air quality,’ specifically the areas regarding pollutants and the EPA. He stated the paragraph was confusing and
should be shortened.
Mayor Gehrz proposed the Environment Commission revisit those sections of the purpose statement. The other councilors agreed.
Council member Lindstrom stated the next time the City vehicles are upgraded, they change over to E-85 models, and that the City needs to move in a more green direction. Council member
Talbot said that could be planned for down the road by setting money aside, however it remains an expensive proposition.
Mayor Gehrz agreed, and then stated costs can come down as technologies improve.
Information/Announcements:
Council member Lindstrom invited residents to attend the free “Living Green Expo” held at the State Fairgrounds May 5/6.
Council member Talbot announced one Falcon Heights student was awarded a $4,000 CTV15 scholarship for the first time.
Mayor Gehrz stated Administrator Miller’s one-year anniversary with the City would be in June, and that she would be setting up one-on-one meetings with the Council and staff. The ’08
budget/goal setting workshop that would normally be held in June will be moved to another Wednesday or Saturday due to the joint workshop with Lauderdale in June. She stated the Cleveland/Larpenteur
intersection is undergoing a “Beautiful U” facelift, and eventually will be landscaped down to Gortner. Lastly, she lauded the CERTs who attended the tabletop exercise last week, and
thanked the firefighters and planners of the event.
Administrator Miller said the Community Garden would be tilled this week, with the kick-off meeting to be held Monday, May 5.
Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk reminded residents of the Farmer’s Market opening on May 1.
Respectfully submitted,
Stacey Kreuser
Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk