HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_07May23Regular Meeting of the Falcon Heights City Council
Minutes of May 23, 2007
Members present: Mayor Gehrz, Council members Harris, Lindstrom, Kuettel, and Talbot, Administrator Miller, Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk Kreuser, Finance Director Olson,
Parks and Public Works Director Pittman, and Intern Yard.
Mayor Gehrz called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Presentation:
Finance Director Olson addressed the council by stating it had been a good 2006. He explained the conversion to the new software had been implemented, with help from Intern Yard. Yard
was introduced to the council.
Matthew Mayer, of Kern, DeWenter, Viere LTD presented the 2006 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report to the council. He explained the opinion given by the firm was independent, meaning
clean, and was the best they could offer. He stated the City would again be receiving the GFOA Award for the 17th year running, and based on what he’d seen to date, would venture that
the City would see one for 2007. Next, he explained the findings to the council by giving a summary outline of several of the City’s funds. Mayer said the general fund saw $1.42m in
revenue, $1.64m in expenditures, with transfers at $210,000. He added the fund balance declined $8,000. On the audit findings, he said there was a lack of segregation among staff duties,
however one that would not be feasible to fix. He noted that audit firms are exploring ways to shadow certain processes, one of which may be to come out on surprise visits. Mayor Gehrz
asked if this would increase audit costs. Mayer replied it likely would.
Mayor Gehrz presented Finance Director Olson with the 16th consecutive GFOA award.
Minutes:
The minutes of the May 9, 2007 regular meeting were approved as corrected by Mayor Gehrz.
Consent Agenda:
Council member Kuettel moved approval of the following four items on the consent agenda. The motion passed unanimously.
1. General Disbursements through 5/17/07: $396,902.77
Payroll through 5/15/07: $13,841.45
2. 2007 Licenses
3. 2007 Forester Contract
4. CERT Grant Application Authorization
Policy Agenda:
Mayor Gehrz asked the council’s permission to move up the Cleveland median item. The council agreed and it became policy item one.
1. Cleveland Median Project
Administrator Miller began the item by explaining the median situation, stating there is $18,000 in the budget for 2007 to renovate the median. Miller added the trees along the median
are healthy and aesthetically pleasing, and will be retained, however the shrubs and grasses along the median pose a safety and maintenance problem for the small staff. Instead, Miller
said stamped
concrete along that median would eliminate weeds, but would also keep the tree-lined median in tact. Lastly, Miller indicated that Parks and Public Works Director Pittman has performed
work like this in the past, and would be able to conduct the renovation, saving costs.
Parks and Public Works Director Pittman stated that he enjoyed the challenge, and since he has done work like this before, it would not be too difficult. He also stated that it would
save the City money. He commended his staff as well for their willingness to take on new things.
Mayor Gehrz asked how the work would affect that road being closed, as she was concerned about the staff’s safety. Pittman replied it would be closed four to six hours per day, but
open during rush hours. Miller added it would be publicized in the flyer and the City would give advance notice if it could.
Mayor Gehrz and Council member Lindstrom said they appreciated Tim’s willingness to take on responsibilities. Pittman replied he had an ambitious staff who was excited to learn new
tasks.
Council member Talbot moved to approve the Cleveland Median Project. The motion passed unanimously.
2. Environment Commission Purpose Statement
Administrator Miller began the item by stating the Commission had met and took the Council’s previous recommendations into consideration for the new purpose statement.
Council member Lindstrom read the topics of focus for the Commission: energy use and air quality, recreation and aesthetic appreciation, green infrastructure, water, solid waste, and
education. After a brief discussion on rain barrels, he added that selling the containers through the City might be an initiative in the future.
Council member Lindstrom moved to approve the Environment Commission Purpose Statement. The motion passed unanimously.
Community Forum:
Tim and Geri Thomas, 1729 Snelling, addressed the council regarding keeping bees at their residential property. The Thomas’s reported the City’s zoning enforcement officer directed
them to remove the bees, but they appealed to the council to reconsider the zoning for bees. Tim Thomas pointed out the University has hives behind 1666 Coffman, and said that if a
permit were necessary they would get one. In addition, he said if the council still decides the bees have to go, if they would allow them until the end of the year, when his son is
home from serving in Iraq.
Mayor Gehrz thanked the Thomas’s for coming, and said that the City has no jurisdiction over the U. She added there’s a process involved in changing the zoning code, and the council
would not be able to take action immediately. Administrator Miller added the Planning Commission would hear their case, vote, and then it would be sent back to the council for final
approval.
Information/Announcements:
Mayor Gehrz said the Central Pediatric Clinic would be moving into 1550 Larpenteur. They plan to open in August. Next, she stated the City would likely be looking at a polling place
change for precinct two in this year’s and future elections. The school cited space limitations, and after a letter to the school principal, the council heard back it was still unavailable.
Lastly, she announced the ’08 goal-setting workshop would be June 20 at 6:00. The public is welcome.
Administrator Miller said the final street signs are up. New chamber cameras would be installed before the next meeting, and the June 6 workshop would be a joint meeting with Lauderdale
to discuss a BC/BS grant and Fulham Avenue.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Stacey Kreuser
Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk