HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_07Sep26Regular Meeting of the City Council
September 26, 2007
Members present: Mayor Gehrz, Council members Harris, Lindstrom, Kuettel and Talbot, Administrator Miller, and Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk Kreuser.
Mayor Gehrz called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
The minutes of the September 12, 2007 regular meeting were approved as submitted. Kreuser pointed out updated copies of the minutes were handed out before the meeting began.
Public Hearing:
Administrator Miller began the item by stating the hearing was a continuation from the previous meeting due to an increased bonding amount of $8,140,000. He said this would translate
to roughly $40,700 to the City of Falcon Heights and stated there was no risk to the City.
Mayor Gehrz opened the continued public hearing.
Michele Garcia Straight, the Executive Director of Kaleidoscope Charter School, commented the school was doing very well in it’s annual testing and had won finance awards for money management.
She added the school was ability-based and prided itself on small class sizes and professional development for staff. She said there are waiting lists to be accepted to the school,
which is K-8, so there is need for a new building. There are 245 students currently.
Council member Lindstrom asked what the school is using for their building now. Garcia Straight replied they leased space with a modular building, and have expanded that structure as
much as they could. They have a desperate need for a permanent building.
Mayor Gehrz asked if the school would lease or own the new school. Garcia Straight responded the new building would be owned and maintained by the building company, and the school would
hold a long-term lease.
John Cairns, of Briggs and Morgan, thanked the council for their willingness to issue bonds. He added the school would have a 30-year lease to fund the debt service.
Council member Talbot asked if the City held risk in the ability to issue more bonds in the future. Cairns replied this is a different kind of bond, but there would be no economic exposure
with this bond.
Mayor Gehrz asked about the relationship between Falcon Heights and Otsego, where the school is to be built. Miller replied Otsego would go through their own building process, permitting,
applications, etc. Initially there was thought of a joint powers agreement, however a JPA required some action that was not required in this instance. He added that Briggs and Morgan
would be liable for fees in the occurrence of a default, and Falcon Heights was safe.
Mayor Gehrz closed the public hearing. The JPA reference was omitted from the resolution. Council member Talbot moved to approve the issuance of tax-exempt financing for
Kaleidoscope Charter School. The motion passed unanimously.
Consent Agenda:
Council member Kuettel moved the following three items for approval. The motion passed unanimously.
1. General Disbursements through 9/19/07: $77,289.95
Payroll through 9/15/07: $15,781.40
2. 2007 Licenses
3. Electronic Wire and Telephone Transfer Payments for Payroll Deduction
Payables
Information/Announcements:
Council member Lindstrom handed out an article written by Jim Kielsmeier from the Garden Works newsletter. A photograph of the garden accompanied the article. He added the gardener’s
potluck was a success with 15-20 people in attendance.
Council member Talbot stated the North Suburban Communications Commission meeting and workshop for envisioning would be held, and he would report to the council.
Mayor Gehrz announced the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at Central Pediatrics on Sept. 27 at 6:30. All are welcome to attend, get a tour of the building, and meet the doctors.
Next she thanked Falcon Heights residents for the hard work at the Citizen Corp Conference. She especially was grateful to Kris Grangaard and family for their long hours and great
work planning the conference, held Sept 14-15 at the U.
Administrator Miller said the U of M cross-country meet would be held in Falcon Heights at the golf course over the weekend.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:26 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Stacey Kreuser
Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk