HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_07Jan10Regular Meeting of the City Council
January 10, 2007
Members present: Mayor Gehrz, Council members Harris, Kuettel, Lindstrom and Talbot, and Administrator Miller. Absent: Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk Kreuser.
Mayor Gehrz called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
The minutes of the December 13, 2006 regular council meeting were approved as corrected by Council member Kuettel.
Public Hearing:
1. Ordinance Adopting a Fee Schedule
Mayor Gehrz began by stating every year the City evaluates the fees charged for city services.
Administrator Miller said State statute requires cities to adopt their fee schedules each year, and Falcon Heights chose to do it by ordinance. He stated the biggest change would be
the building fees as the City is operating under the 1997 fee schedule. He said a fee schedule from 2003 was created by the League, AMM, and the Builders Association and many cities
operate under that schedule. He went over the changes: planning fees for variance applications would be $100, solicitor application fee is $25, residential storm sewer charges to $9.75
per quarter, and commercial rates increase to $91 per acre per quarter.
Council member Kuettel asked if the refuse hauler license fee was in line with other cities’ fees. Miller replied he would check, but noted that the licensing for 2007 was mostly complete
and the haulers paid the $70 rate. Kuettel also asked about the facility rental fees.
Council member Lindstrom asked why the fee for solicitors would be reduced from $35 to $25. Administrator Miller replied that in speaking with the city attorney it was in line with
other cities. He stated the $25 fee was adequate to cover staff time, and the main driver in charging a fee is to recoup City expenses.
Mayor Gehrz opened the public hearing. No comments were heard. The public hearing was closed.
Council member Kuettel moved to approve ordinance 07-01, approval of the 2007 fee schedule. The motion passed unanimously.
Consent Agenda:
Council member Harris asked about the contract with HRC, and noted residents are becoming more familiar with the services provided since usage has increased.
Council member Kuettel inquired about the $26 charge for rug service.
Council member Talbot commented on the tree trimming, Council standing rules, official newspaper, the HRC, and the City Administrator contract.
Council member Kuettel moved to approve the following 16 items. The motion passed unanimously.
1. General Disbursements 12/13/06 through 1/4/07: $259,315.89
Payroll 12/1/06 through 12/31/06: $15,719.88
2. 2007 License Renewals
3. Review and adopt Council standing rules
4. Resolution 07-01 designating official depositories for 2007
5. Consider resolution 07-02 approving a 3% standard compensation increase for regular
employees in 2007
6. Designation of official newspaper for 2007
7. Appointment of City Engineer
8. Commission appointments
9. 2007 Tree Contractor Extension
10. Contract Renewal with Housing Resource Center
11. Agreement for legal services with Campbell Knutson
12. Appointment of Prosecuting Attorneys
13. Appointment of City Auditor for 2007
14. Council liaison assignments
15. Recommendations for changes to the Employment Agreement for the City
Administrator
Approve Hiring of Melanie Leehy as Office Assistant
Policy Agenda:
1. Solicitor’s Ordinance
Administrator Miller began by going over the items of note in the proposed ordinance, including the fee, background check provision, and allowed time of operation.
Council member Lindstrom requested that the beginning time allowed for solicitation, 9 a.m., be added to the application.
Council member Kuettel moved to approve the solicitor’s ordinance. The motion passed unanimously.
2. Proposed New Ordinance on Mobile Storage Structures
Administrator Miller began the item by explaining that the proposed ordinance regulates mobile storage structures by size allowed. He mentioned the Planning Commission changed the time
restriction to 72-hours from 48-hours, and the four-week provision was increased from three weeks since rental is generally for a four-week block.
Council member Talbot questioned whether PODS have reflectors for when they are parked on the street. He asked whether Miller had talked with Chief Ohl regarding parking them on the
street. Miller replied that the restrictions are more stringent with PODS than for dumpsters, and stated that most streets are wide enough for one POD, but permitting two PODS on opposite
sides of the street would be avoided.
Council members Talbot and Kuettel asked the fee, and after consulting the council agreed to base the fee in alignment with a parking permit, which is $10.
Council member Talbot moved to approve ordinance 07-03. The motion passed unanimously.
Council member Lindstrom moved to bring back the fee schedule ordinance, and also moved to add a permit fee of $10 for anyone who keeps a mobile storage unit. Both motions passed unanimously.
Information/Announcements:
Council member Harris stated the Park/Rec Commission met and they were working on their Park Plan to be used as part of the City’s Comp Plan. She welcomed Eric Maronde to the Commission
as a youth commissioner. The new chair is Gene Osazky. She reminded residents to return the parks/rec survey as well.
Council member Lindstrom stated the Community Garden Steering Committee met for the first time, and 10-12 people were in attendance. He stated ground would be broken in March/April,
and people are excited.
Council member Kuettel stated the newsletter, parks/rec survey, and recycling calendar were mailed and to look for those.
Council member Talbot stated Cor Wilson would be attending a meeting soon regarding net neutrality and rights-of-way. He thanked the NSCC and Maureen Anderson in conjunction with several
volunteers for their work with the cable channel.
Mayor Gehrz announced the CERT classes start January 11 with 20 participants. She also said at 6:30 at City Hall on January 22 residents are invited to attend the annual gathering of
the Neighborhood Commission, CERT, Liaison groups. RSVP to City Hall.
Administrator Miller said rinks were beginning to be flooded. The new street signs will be installed during the winter and into the spring.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Stacey Kreuser
Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk