HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-6-23 City Council Workshop Agenda PacketCITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
City Council Workshop
City Hall
2077 West Larpenteur Avenue
AGENDA
December 6, 2023
6:30 P.M.
A.CALL TO ORDER:
B. ROLL CALL:GUSTAFSON____ LEEHY___
MEYER ___ WASSENBERG___ WEHYEE___
STAFF PRESENT: LINEHAN___ VAN DER WERFF____
C. POLICY ITEMS:
1. Amber Flats PUD
2.Community Park Project
3. Law Enforcement Services Update
4. Sister Cities
5.Employee Personnel Policy Update
6. 2024 Budget & Levy Update
D.ADJOURNMENT:
DISCLAIMER: City Council Workshops are held monthly as an opportunity for Council Members to
discuss policy topics in greater detail prior to a formal meeting where a public hearing may be held and/or
action may be taken. Members of the public that would like to make a comment or ask questions about an
item on the agenda for an upcoming workshop should send them to mail@falconheights.org prior to the
meeting. Alternatively, time is regularly allotted for public comment during Regular City Council
Meetings (typically 2nd and 4th Wednesdays) during the Community Forum.
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2
Item Amber Flats PUD Discussion
Description
At the November 29th City Council meeting, the City Council motioned to reconsider
the findings of fact for denial and to continue the discussion. It was requested to
discuss the item further in a workshop format.
The developers/applicants have been invited to participate in the discussion.
Budget
Impact
N/A
Attachment(s) N/A
Action(s)
Requested
Staff recommends City Council discuss the proposed Amber Flats PUD to give
direction to staff and the developer on how to proceed.
Meeting Date December 6, 2023
Agenda Item Policy C1
Attachment(s) N/A
Submitted By Jack Linehan, City Administrator
3
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4
Item Community Park Renovation Survey Results
Description
The City purchased Community Park from the University of Minnesota this
past May.
In August, the City hired WSB, a civil engineering and planning firm as project
manager, and HCM Architects to act as architects for the park’s renovation.
The City had previously worked with WSB to develop a parks master plan in
2014; both firms have extensive municipal park renovation experience.
The total park renovation budget is between $2.5 million to $3 million. The
new park building will take approximately $1 million to 1.3 million. The new
parking lot, design fees, site features, and to-be-determined park amenities will
take up the other half of the budget.
The public was invited to attend the November 6, 2023 Parks and Recreation
meeting to share their initial feedback after a presentation by WSB and HCM
Architects. WSB and HCM took this feedback and made revisions and
clarifications to their presentation decks, which the city included as part of an
online survey, made available to the public on November 20, 2023.
The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed the public’s additional
feedback, which was provided in the online survey, during their December 4,
2023 meeting in order to make suggestions to the Council in regards to the
proposed park layouts and amenities.
The Council should now consider those suggestions from the Parks and
Recreation Commission to make their recommendations to WSB and HCM
Architects in order for semi-final plans to be drawn up and presented at an
TBD Council meeting and to gain final community input from.
Budget Impact TBD
Meeting Date December 6, 2023
Agenda Item Agenda C2
Attachment Survey results (updated results may be
provided onsite, if applicable)
Submitted By Kelly Nelson, Assistant to the City
Administrator
5
Attachment(s) Survey results through December 1, 2023; updated survey data will be printed
and handed out in-person, if applicable.
Action(s)
Requested
Staff requests that the Council review survey feedback from the general public
and the recommendations of the Parks and Recreation Commission to then
make their semi-final recommendations for park layouts and amenities.
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2023 Community Park Renovation Survey
1 / 40
Q1 What is your name? (OPTIONAL - You may remain anonymous if you
prefer)
Answered: 51 Skipped: 59
#RESPONSES DATE
1 E 12/5/2023 1:57 PM
2 Ann 12/5/2023 9:50 AM
3 Kris Grangaard 12/4/2023 8:02 PM
4 Serguei pakhomov 12/4/2023 6:24 PM
5 Amy Pakhomov 12/4/2023 6:07 PM
6 Robert Tennyson/ DR SANDRA 12/4/2023 10:37 AM
7 Daniel Jarl 12/3/2023 7:57 PM
8 Erin Williams 12/3/2023 7:25 PM
9 Joanna Artz 12/3/2023 7:24 PM
10 John Schmittdiel 12/3/2023 2:41 PM
11 Close Roseville neighbor 12/3/2023 2:39 PM
12 Matt 12/2/2023 10:46 AM
13 Ann Ricketts 12/2/2023 10:24 AM
14 Margaret 12/2/2023 9:35 AM
15 Max Brummel 12/2/2023 7:15 AM
16 Steve Barrett 12/2/2023 6:58 AM
17 Steve Keck 12/1/2023 11:59 AM
18 James Wassenberg 11/30/2023 3:06 PM
19 Bob Tomlinson 11/29/2023 8:58 PM
20 Ricé Davis 11/29/2023 5:15 PM
21 Tina Yager 11/29/2023 2:25 PM
22 Josh Hammar 11/27/2023 8:20 PM
23 Samantha Ross 11/27/2023 7:05 PM
24 Mark Hove 11/27/2023 5:31 PM
25 John Larkin 11/27/2023 4:43 PM
26 KMW 11/27/2023 4:12 PM
27 Roxanne Johnson 11/27/2023 4:00 PM
28 Stephen Sunderland 11/26/2023 1:13 PM
29 Scott Norris 11/26/2023 9:49 AM
30 Patricia Holmes 11/25/2023 12:03 PM
31 Randy Singer 11/23/2023 9:50 AM
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32 Georgiana May 11/22/2023 8:28 PM
33 Laura Gilchrist 11/22/2023 2:17 PM
34 Jenna Robert 11/22/2023 1:26 PM
35 Beth Nault-Warner 11/21/2023 10:09 PM
36 Emily Stripe 11/21/2023 8:34 PM
37 Noa Maeker 11/21/2023 8:34 PM
38 Paul 11/21/2023 8:07 PM
39 Jennifer Stokes 11/21/2023 7:24 PM
40 Linda Barnes 11/21/2023 5:17 PM
41 Joe 11/21/2023 5:04 PM
42 Kelly Hart 11/21/2023 4:58 PM
43 Anonymous 11/21/2023 3:21 PM
44 Jaclyn Barnes 11/21/2023 12:47 PM
45 Mary Jacobson 11/21/2023 11:01 AM
46 Jeannette Bach 11/21/2023 9:34 AM
47 Anna Milone 11/20/2023 6:18 PM
48 Jean Wolfe 11/20/2023 6:14 PM
49 Doug wolfe 11/20/2023 6:06 PM
50 Bjorn Gangeness 11/20/2023 5:37 PM
51 Randi Lundell 11/20/2023 9:10 AM
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2023 Community Park Renovation Survey
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88.99%97
11.01%12
Q2 Are you a Falcon Heights resident?
Answered: 109 Skipped: 1
Total Respondents: 109
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Yes
No
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes
No
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2023 Community Park Renovation Survey
4 / 40
Q3 If you reside in Falcon Heights, which neighborhood do you reside in?
See map above.
Answered: 97 Skipped: 13
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Fairview-Lindig
-Tatum
Falcon Woods
Hollywood Court
Maple Court
Northeast
Quadrant
Northome
Snelling West
Snelling-Larpen
teur Southwest
Town Square
University
Grove
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2023 Community Park Renovation Survey
5 / 40
12.37%12
21.65%21
1.03%1
0.00%0
39.18%38
16.49%16
6.19%6
0.00%0
0.00%0
3.09%3
Total Respondents: 97
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Fairview-Lindig-Tatum
Falcon Woods
Hollywood Court
Maple Court
Northeast Quadrant
Northome
Snelling West
Snelling-Larpenteur Southwest
Town Square
University Grove
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2023 Community Park Renovation Survey
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12.96%14
21.30%23
21.30%23
26.85%29
17.59%19
Q4 Which answer most closely reflects how often you visit Community
Park?
Answered: 108 Skipped: 2
TOTAL 108
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
Approx. 4 to 6
times a year
Approx. 3 or
less times p...
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
Approx. 4 to 6 times a year
Approx. 3 or less times per year
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2023 Community Park Renovation Survey
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45.10%46
32.35%33
22.55%23
Q5 Of the following three proposed layouts, which do you prefer? You
may also add comments if you prefer a combination of the concepts or
want to make a suggestion.Please note that the amenities shown on the
proposed park layouts are renderings only, not final plans.
Answered: 102 Skipped: 8
TOTAL 102
#ADD COMMENT DATE
1 Pickleball instead of tennis 12/5/2023 9:45 PM
2 Please add pickleball lines to the courts or convert to pickleball.12/5/2023 2:30 PM
3 I am torn between 2 and 3. I like the division of the playground and splashpad on one side and
the sports on another side for concept 3. However I do like the community garden layout from
concept 2 and for safety reasons it concept 2 is a nice visual for parents how can have
children playing on the playground and some on the basketball court. All eyes are in one
direction.
12/5/2023 1:57 PM
4 Will the splash and playground have any equipment for children in a wheelchair?12/5/2023 9:50 AM
5 I can't pick. So, I'll write as I look at the Concepts. People love the community gardens, and if
more people want them, an expansion would be great. I've thought about the property around
City Hall for that, too, so maybe there are some options there. I don't think I'd care much about
a splash pad, even if I had kids that would appeal to. It's a lot of water use and a temptation I
don't care enough about to have to object to when we went to the park. We loved the
12/4/2023 8:02 PM
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Concept 1
Concept 2
Concept 3
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Concept 1
Concept 2
Concept 3
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2023 Community Park Renovation Survey
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playground. Nice location, nice shade, nice pavilion; I didn't ever feel like the "far-away"
bathrooms were a problem. I do LOVE the idea of some adult sized swings and maybe
adaptive playground equipment, so adults with disabilities could participate. Highland
Friendship Club and LAHBNPs could provide some advice. I think the nature trail idea is
terrific.
6 I don’t think #3 will work for community garden - too much shade.12/4/2023 6:24 PM
7 Has the possibility of pickleball courts been asked? There is a lot of demand at Evergreen park
outside and reasonably priced indoor pickleball in the cold weather.
12/4/2023 6:07 PM
8 PLEASE DO NOT PUT IN PICKLE-BALL COURTS , TOO MUCH NOISE AND INJURIES.
SMALLER PARKING AREA WOULD BE BETTER.
12/4/2023 10:37 AM
9 Please, no pickle ball. My house is right next to the current basketball court. The noise would
be unbearable!
12/3/2023 7:57 PM
10 I don't prefer any of the Concepts but 2 at least keeps the best existing footprint while
minimizing changes (noise, parking, no pickleball) that would impact the Falcon Woods
neighborhood the most.
12/3/2023 7:25 PM
11 Concept #2 appears most practical with new structure and playground areas further from
Roselawn Ave. Question inclusion of splash pad (maintenance and usage) - and would oppose
another hard play court which would most likely accommodate pickle ball inclusion due to the
considerable noise factor associated with it. Would support larger expansion of community
garden concepts or additional prairie areas rather than space for additional parking.
12/3/2023 2:39 PM
12 #1 allows the Lions Club to continue their tree sales!12/1/2023 9:04 PM
13 Without the additional parking. Keep the space green.12/1/2023 11:59 AM
14 I like Concept 3 the best for it's compactness of layout and maximization of the available lawn
area. I'm not sure what the hard play court area is though. Space for Gaga ball?
11/30/2023 3:06 PM
15 Concept 1 would allow the Lions Club to continue selling trees at this space as they have for
so many years
11/29/2023 11:24 PM
16 Dislike option 1. Splash pad and playground need adjacency to bathroom and parking.11/29/2023 2:25 PM
17 What is a hard play court? I like concept 1 because the activity areas are mostly away from
the parking lot.
11/28/2023 12:55 PM
18 I prefer concept 2 more due to the playground and splash pad setup near the new building and
bathrooms. I also like the setup of the community garden. Unfortunately, I like the parking lot
structure in concept 3 better as it spreads out the traffic exits / entrances a bit more and looks
better in my mind.
11/27/2023 7:05 PM
19 Concept 1 is preferred because it keeps "installed" buildings and play activities together
(building, courts, playground, etc). There is a lot of flex space while allowing for future
additions to the community garden. The natural trails and garden are critical pieces of the park.
Consider expanding the community garden or adding a small greenhouse.
11/27/2023 6:25 PM
20 I strongly prefer Concept 1. The Falcon Heights/Lauderdale Lions has held there Christmas
tree lot on the west side of the building for decades. I'd like to see that continue. Concept 1
seems to be the only layout that would allow for a lot on the west side of the building. Also, I
like the large lawn to the south. I've played pick up soccer for ≈20 years in that area and I'd
like to see space for that to continue.
11/27/2023 5:31 PM
21 like having some flex lawn near the parking area - that can be used for other activities.11/27/2023 4:43 PM
22 What is hard play court? If pickleball too noisy and close to existing houses.11/27/2023 4:20 PM
23 Like the larger flex lawn area, and playground needs to be within eyesight of the building 11/27/2023 4:12 PM
24 No basketball courts 11/27/2023 4:03 PM
25 Safer to keep the splash pad and playground further from the parking lot 11/25/2023 8:07 AM
26 I like Concepts 1 and 2, but I have to ask why we need a splash pad. It seems a waste of
space, given the park and the amount of time it can be used. I would make the playground
bigger and skip the splash pad.
11/23/2023 9:50 AM
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27 All these look good to me.11/22/2023 8:28 PM
28 I don’t have small kids but it appears wise to keep the playground closer to the parking area. I
support the expansion of the community garden but prefer it as one long design vs L-shaped.
Not clear what the hard court is for. If pickleball, then it would be great.
11/22/2023 8:09 AM
29 Please fence the playground/splash pad!11/21/2023 8:34 PM
30 Concept 3 is problematic in that it has parking immediately adjacent to Falcon Woods homes
and backyards. Potential for automotive noise at night is high, especially with it being right in
front of the basketball court.
11/21/2023 8:07 PM
31 I love the pickleball hard court, however, it might be too loud for the residents next to it. Unless
it was moved to the west side by garden.
11/21/2023 5:17 PM
32 Don’t like any of them, where is the disc golf course?11/21/2023 5:04 PM
33 Where is the pickle all?11/21/2023 4:08 PM
34 Wet kids track stuff. If the playground is right next to the splash pad, there will be sand, rocks
and wood hips in it. A fence is really helpful to keep toddlers away from traffic, especially if the
playground is by the parking lot. Just a short fence to slow kids down. This is really helpful for
neurodivergent kids. Otherwise their families can’t use the playground.
11/21/2023 3:21 PM
35 Please try to save as many of the larger mature trees as possible as this is a huge park
feature not only for aesthetics, but its also important to preserve park ecosystems..
11/21/2023 12:47 PM
36 I used to visit more often when my kids were young. Parents with young kids like to be able to
use the bathroom for 1 of the kids and still see the other at the playground. Nice to keep them
close (bldg, kid areas) Nice to separate adult areas from kid areas so that's why I chose #3.
Not sure what hard surface is? (Pickleball?)
11/21/2023 11:01 AM
37 To maintain the curb appeal and to see as much green space as possible, option one is good
as it clumps the buildings/courts together vs spreading them out across the front blocking the
view of the rest of the area.
11/21/2023 10:58 AM
38 I like the idea of the playground being within view of the community garden -- for any parents
that may want to garden while their kids play.
11/21/2023 9:45 AM
39 love the addition of a splashpad! please include a park design with multiple swings and
monkey bars
11/20/2023 6:18 PM
40 I think that the splash pad doesn’t seem all that important 11/20/2023 6:14 PM
41 I think the splash pad is not needed. It will be a maintenance item and a high consumer of
energy and water. I think there are many splash pads around that serve the purpose more, and
such a small one will be under utilized and disappointing compared to the larger available
splash pads. In short, I think the added cost of the splash pad would be better saved or used
elsewhere in the project.
11/20/2023 5:37 PM
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26.17%28
26.17%28
47.66%51
Q6 Of the following three examples of architectural design styles, which
would you prefer the new park building to have elements of and resemble?
Answered: 107 Skipped: 3
TOTAL 107
#ADD COMMENT DATE
1 Made choices of building design style and park layout with assumptions re: flexibility and
efficiency to use and maintain.
12/5/2023 2:58 PM
2 I said "Modern," but the photos almost seem more mid-century modern. I wonder if someone
at the U could tell us how to match some of the architecture of The Grove and the architects
who drew up those plans. Also, I think there should be little sod/grass. Native plants,
water/raingardens, etc work fine.
12/4/2023 8:02 PM
3 Fits best with the environment 12/4/2023 6:24 PM
4 WE DO NOT LIKE ANY OF THE PLANS, ALL TOO BIG, A 800 SQ FT STEEL SIDING AND
STEEL ROOF STRUCTURE WOULD BE WAY CHEAPER AND BE VERY MODERN. YOU
ALREADY HAVE THE FALCON HEIGHTS CITY HALL TO USE FOR INDOOR MEETINGS,
WHY DOES EVERYTHING HAVE TO LOOK COMMERCIAL , WE ALL NEED TO SPEND
LESS AND BE MORE RUSTIC AND MORE OF A CLEAN SIMPLE DESIGN , THE PARK
SHOULD BE A PLACE TO VISIT FOR NATURE, PEACE AND QUIET, WATCH THE DUCKS,
BIRDS, BUTTERFLIES AND NO NOISE. THIS WOULD BE MORE GREEN,LESS
COMMERCIAL AND A BETTER FIT FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU DONT
12/4/2023 10:37 AM
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Traditional
Modern
Prairie
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Traditional
Modern
Prairie
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NEED TO HAVE EVERYTHING. I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS GROWING UP IN FALCON
HEIGHTS HOW QUIET THE PARK WAS AND WE HAD A SMALL 10'X8' WOOD BUILDING
WARMING HOUSE WHEN WE WENT SKATING IN THE WINTER,THAT WAS GOOD
MEMORY AND ITS ALL WE NEEDED.
5 As simple as possible.12/3/2023 7:57 PM
6 This has been and will remain a small community park - new facilities should respect and
reflect that. There are plenty of venues for large gatherings
12/3/2023 2:39 PM
7 Which ever is cheapest. They all look nice 12/2/2023 9:35 AM
8 The traditional style looks more natural and fitting for a park. Also, I think that generally, flat
rooftops are a bad idea in Minnesota. (snow load and leaky roofs)
11/30/2023 3:06 PM
9 Keep it simple. Critical for maintenance reasons. Less is best.11/29/2023 5:15 PM
10 The modern option fits with many homes in FH and I like Prairie second 11/28/2023 12:58 PM
11 The last thing we need is more Traditional in this city. Prairie seems like a good compromise
between Traditional and Modern.
11/28/2023 12:55 PM
12 I like sustainability and energy efficiency. I don't want it to stand out in an intrusive way.
Natural flow and materials.
11/27/2023 7:05 PM
13 Prefer traditional but with organic, natural building 11/27/2023 6:25 PM
14 I think Traditional best fits the feel of the park and neighborhood. However, Prairie could also
be nice. Modern does not fit at all.
11/23/2023 9:50 AM
15 Prairie style would be a good fit to the environment.11/22/2023 8:28 PM
16 Given the mostly 50s-60s (and some 80s) neighborhood area, the modern design would stick
out too much, like the Bell museum sticks out. I prefer a design that blends in with the natural
surroundings.
11/22/2023 8:09 AM
17 We live in a traditional neighborhood we should stick with the look of the neighborhood 11/21/2023 5:04 PM
18 Which ever is cheapest.11/21/2023 4:08 PM
19 They are all good. Less maintenance and most interior light is best.11/21/2023 11:01 AM
20 Also like the prairie style 11/21/2023 9:54 AM
21 I like the windows of modern and the connection to the natural environment/outdoors of prairie.11/20/2023 8:31 PM
22 I think the modern style is closest to the city hall style. I think it is also a more energy efficient
design.
11/20/2023 5:37 PM
23 Reduce windows on modern design. It has too many.11/20/2023 9:10 AM
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61.86%60
38.14%37
Q7 Of the two proposed layouts, which do you prefer? See notes on
righthand side of plans for estimated room capacity and details.
Answered: 97 Skipped: 13
TOTAL 97
#ADD COMMENT DATE
1 the community room and the flex room should have their own storage section.12/5/2023 1:57 PM
2 Again, I can't pick. I think bright light is important, since winters are long. I think it should look
nice, and I think the building should be VERY sustainable. Induction stove, geothermal or only-
electric power, etc. Rooms for people to meet, and a place to cook a little and serve a nice
meal.
12/4/2023 8:02 PM
3 No preference - either is good 12/4/2023 6:24 PM
4 I’m in favor of whichever design would suit indoor pickleball for the winter months 12/4/2023 6:07 PM
5 ALL WAY TOO BIG FOR NATURE PARK, NO MORE ADDED BLACKTOP PARKING AREA,
THIS IS NOT NATURE.
12/4/2023 10:37 AM
6 Not a strong feeling. Both have good space. Layout 2 looks like it might be a more efficient
use of space. Really whatever fits well into the overall park layout with entries at the proper
approaches. (parking lot and field)
11/30/2023 3:06 PM
7 Both work. Prefer layout of option 1. Like 3 exterior main entry points on option 2.11/29/2023 2:25 PM
8 Honestly, I don’t really see a reason I would use a space like this. If there could be a gym
space or a space to play for the winter that would be ideal.
11/28/2023 11:08 PM
9 Don’t have strong opinions on the layout 11/28/2023 12:58 PM
10 I like floor plan 2 because there are more entries into the lobby. I also like the large entry
overhang behind the community room which could provide other uses during warmer months.
11/28/2023 12:55 PM
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Floor Plan 1
Floor Plan 2
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Floor Plan 1
Floor Plan 2
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11 Expand the area between the left and right side rooms to create a central atrium. The outdoor
awning withusable sitting areas gathering areas.
11/26/2023 1:13 PM
12 Prefer at least one women’s restroom. All gender restrooms get disgustingly messy. It would
be helpful to include the location of the parking area and band shell in relation to the building.
11/22/2023 8:09 AM
13 Prefer whichever model preserves the most mature trees.11/21/2023 12:47 PM
14 I like the hub and spoke feeling to the first design rather than having the two main activity
rooms on opposite sides of the building.
11/20/2023 5:37 PM
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52.58%51
47.42%46
0.00%0
Q8 How satisfied are you with the current walking trails at Community
Park?
Answered: 97 Skipped: 13
TOTAL 97
#ADDITIONAL COMMENT:DATE
1 Keep them natural 12/5/2023 9:45 PM
2 With the design 12/5/2023 2:58 PM
3 I'm very satisfied, but could see lots of opportunities for more. LIke wheelchairs could go on
the trails?
12/4/2023 8:02 PM
4 Love the pond and the habitat for animals. The self exercise stations need some updating.12/4/2023 6:07 PM
5 IT CAN BE VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WHEN PEOPLE WITH LARGE AGGRESSIVE DOGS
ARE WALKING ON THE TRAIL, WOULD BE BETTER NO DOGS OR ONLY A SPECIAL
HOUR OF THE DAY.
12/4/2023 10:37 AM
6 Please leave a soft surface to run on.12/3/2023 7:57 PM
7 Would just like a few more benches along the trails.12/3/2023 7:25 PM
8 Exercise equipment needs to be kept but updated.12/1/2023 9:25 AM
9 The exercise equipment needs to be updated though.11/30/2023 3:06 PM
10 Do not use/know about them 11/29/2023 2:47 PM
11 Did not know Community Park had walking trails.11/28/2023 12:55 PM
12 We enjoy walking around them with our dogs. We just wish there were more garbage spots and
/ or pet stops!
11/27/2023 7:05 PM
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Very satisfied
Okay
Not at all
satisfied
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Very satisfied
Okay
Not at all satisfied
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2023 Community Park Renovation Survey
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13 More tree coverage would be nice. The trail can be quite sunny/windy at times.11/27/2023 6:40 PM
14 Must keep and maintain the natural walking trials in the south of the park 11/27/2023 6:25 PM
15 They get very gooey when wet. I don't walk there after a rain or thawing snow also it should go
to meet the trip from the U fieldw. They need to be plowed too
11/27/2023 4:00 PM
16 There are areas in this park that could be landscaped to create additional gardens and walking
areas. This plan does not look at the entire park property.
11/26/2023 1:13 PM
17 The trails are great. Best part of the park.11/23/2023 9:50 AM
18 Add seating, places to observe wildlife, educational signs, make the path loop all the way
around the park (better connect the natural area with the play area)
11/21/2023 8:34 PM
19 I love walking on the trails weekly, sometimes multiple times a week.11/21/2023 8:18 PM
20 Great trail, however, around the pond, it will eroad with heavy rain. Please look at the
pavement used around east side of Keller Lake off 36/61.
11/21/2023 5:17 PM
21 Don’t like the dirt path would prefer another material 11/21/2023 4:58 PM
22 Limited space 11/21/2023 4:08 PM
23 Love the trails. Maybe worth considering paving them so Falcon Heights city does not have to
level the gravel path so often, especially after the rain.
11/21/2023 12:47 PM
24 Trails are OK. Would love to be able to walk around UM fields to see what they are
doing/experimenting with. Connect trails to Soccer stadium and neighborhoods so that its not
just a circle.
11/21/2023 11:01 AM
25 Wish they were wider and either paved or better covered; paths get gross and muddy easy 11/21/2023 9:54 AM
26 They’re good, intent to keep the calisthenics equip?11/20/2023 8:31 PM
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2023 Community Park Renovation Survey
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14.58%14
17.71%17
55.21%53
12.50%12
Q9 How satisfied are you with the current playground at Community Park?
Answered: 96 Skipped: 14
TOTAL 96
#ADDITIONAL COMMENT:DATE
1 Needs upgrade 12/5/2023 9:45 PM
2 it would be nice to have a toddler section and bigger kid section 12/5/2023 1:57 PM
3 Equipment is aging rapidly specially the swings. Ok otherwise 12/4/2023 6:24 PM
4 More accessibility would be nice. Also the swings are nice and long, but every spring they
become mud puddles to delight of the children and the dismay of the adults needing to clean
them.
12/4/2023 6:07 PM
5 Have never used!12/4/2023 1:35 PM
6 ITS JUST FINE AS IS NOW, NO IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED.12/4/2023 10:37 AM
7 Would be nice to be fenced completely for (autistic, etc.) kids.12/3/2023 7:25 PM
8 I dont use it 12/2/2023 6:58 AM
9 It is nice if there are some things that would physically challenge older kids as well 10-12 yr
olds. Many plagrounds are designed for very small children only.
11/30/2023 3:06 PM
10 Do not use/ know about playground 11/29/2023 2:47 PM
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
None of the
above
Very satisfied
Okay
Not at all
satisfied
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
None of the above
Very satisfied
Okay
Not at all satisfied
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11 My kids love that it has a ship theme. A new theme is okay too, please consider including a
theme of sorts.
11/29/2023 2:25 PM
12 Have never used it 11/27/2023 9:39 PM
13 Don't have children -- does look like it could use updating. I like that there is a gazebo spot so
people can sit out of the elements a bit.
11/27/2023 7:05 PM
14 N/A 11/27/2023 6:25 PM
15 dont know 11/27/2023 4:43 PM
16 No kids 11/27/2023 4:00 PM
17 Parents love this playground. Remediating the issues and leaving the playground and the
basketball court could save money. I am surprised there is not more discussion of this option.
11/26/2023 1:13 PM
18 Needs to be updated for accessibility 11/23/2023 2:55 PM
19 Don’t use it 11/22/2023 8:28 PM
20 I don’t use it but it seems dark. Would prefer to keep it farther away from the building due to
noisy kids, but it makes sense to keep it fairly close to parking.
11/22/2023 8:09 AM
21 Please check out the new Shoreview playground. Amazing!11/21/2023 5:17 PM
22 Needs a fence 11/21/2023 3:21 PM
23 Its nice for kids to have a couple options, the pirate ship play area is nice for young kids, and
the other bigger green playset is great for older kids. So they arent stepping over eachother. It
would be nice to preserve some separate play spaces that appeal to children of different ages.
11/21/2023 12:47 PM
24 Don't use it anymore but when we did 10 years ago, it was fine. I would imagine outdated now.11/21/2023 11:01 AM
25 N/a 11/20/2023 8:31 PM
26 Out of date.11/20/2023 9:10 AM
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23.00%23
56.00%56
21.00%21
Q10 How satisfied are you with the current amount of parking available at
Community Park?
Answered: 100 Skipped: 10
TOTAL 100
#ADDITIONAL COMMENT:DATE
1 Parking is only an issue during soccer games 12/5/2023 6:40 PM
2 Good idea to increase capacity.12/5/2023 2:58 PM
3 Only gets congested during events (ex. soccer games)12/5/2023 10:26 AM
4 Only a few times a year does it overflow. Seems like it mostly fits. Visibility can be a problem,
since cars are angled.
12/4/2023 8:02 PM
5 Plenty of parking even when park is busy 12/4/2023 6:24 PM
6 Rarely can we not find a place to park 12/4/2023 6:07 PM
7 IF A GROUP LARGER NEEDS MORE SPACE THEY SHOULD USE THE AREA OF FALCON
HEIGHTS CITY HALL FOR THEIR PARKING AND THEIR LARGE GROUP SHOULD USE
CITY HALL.
12/4/2023 10:37 AM
8 I'm not a huge fan of lots of parking, but community park could use a bit more.11/30/2023 3:06 PM
9 Fine when the park isn’t busy but quickly gets crowded when there is an event or game 11/28/2023 12:58 PM
10 I have never been to Community Park.11/28/2023 12:55 PM
11 There isn't a ton and it fills up some days when there are sporting events. We walk to the park
since we are so close. Definitely needs resurfacing and new lines.
11/27/2023 7:05 PM
12 I walk so don't use the lot 11/27/2023 4:00 PM
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Very satisfied
Okay
Not at all
satisfied
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Very satisfied
Okay
Not at all satisfied
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13 I only use it when transporting items to or from the garden, otherwise I walk. The parking
seems very tight when there are events in the area or even just a soccer game on the lawn. If
parking is not enforced, then there are cars from the stadium there too, abd spilling over into
the neighborhood.
11/22/2023 8:09 AM
14 (Just fyi, this form doesn't allow for marking satisfaction level together with a comment; it's
one or the other.) I am very satisfied with amount of parking. 96% of the time, the lot is almost
completely empty, even when the building was in use. There are occasional evenings where
the lot is fuller, but it's only on very rare occasions when you must park on the street. With it
being a community park, we should encourage walking or biking to the park. A larger parking
lot encourages its use as a driving destination and potential overuse. A larger parking lot also
takes away from green space.
11/21/2023 8:07 PM
15 Overflow parking goes on Autumn and Moore St. Parking needed.11/21/2023 5:17 PM
16 See a lot of people who park on the street during events 11/21/2023 4:58 PM
17 Seems like there could be more, also gets used during u of mn soccer games 11/20/2023 8:31 PM
18 But I don’t like the length of the longest parking lot.11/20/2023 5:37 PM
19 Need paving.11/20/2023 9:10 AM
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Q11 Please tell us what you currently like most about Community Park.
Answered: 92 Skipped: 18
#RESPONSES DATE
1 Trails 12/5/2023 9:45 PM
2 The nature-based trails 12/5/2023 6:40 PM
3 The multiple components in a relatively small space and the ways the physical geography has
been used - recreational use areas distinct from the more "natural" areas to the south, the
walking path alternatives, the various wooded and bush areas, the pond, the "moraine" on the
south that offers a sense of separation from the northern section, the open view from the north
to some distance to the south, the breezes that are often present in the area south of the
existing building.
12/5/2023 2:58 PM
4 I love the field space that is used for soccer 12/5/2023 1:57 PM
5 Community garden, nature, trails, picnic area 12/5/2023 11:43 AM
6 The trail!12/5/2023 10:40 AM
7 The walking trails are wonderful. I appreciate that they are part of nature (grave/dirt paths) and
flow into nature without feeling like you're in the city. I also love the pond/water feature and
wooded area on the south side of the park. I want to keep the secluded/one-with-nature feel to
the paths.
12/5/2023 10:26 AM
8 Walking paths 12/5/2023 9:50 AM
9 I've liked the building best. Had 3 family reunions there, met for crafts and fun when kids were
little, lots of Park and Rec chances for activities, feels local and homey. Maybe it's just
because I seem to bump into familiar people all the time.
12/4/2023 8:02 PM
10 Community garden is awesome!12/4/2023 6:24 PM
11 The community garden gets a lot of use by my family. My son would say either the pirate play
structure or the twisty wooden walking block part of the playground.
12/4/2023 6:07 PM
12 Walking trails 12/4/2023 1:35 PM
13 NOT TOO COMMERCIAL, IT JUST FINE AS IS.12/4/2023 10:37 AM
14 The trails and nature area.12/3/2023 7:57 PM
15 The feel that it's enjoyable to use but isn't overtaken by any particular group/sport/etc. It's truly
widely used and has a homey feel to it.
12/3/2023 7:25 PM
16 The walking trails 12/3/2023 7:24 PM
17 The trees, the trails, the community garden!12/3/2023 7:14 PM
18 Accessibility 12/3/2023 2:41 PM
19 It's a small yet heavily used and generally well maintained amenity to the area. The walking
trails, particularly those around the pond are refreshing, the open field of play is inviting and,
being in close proximity to significant residential development, prohibiting after dark usage is
appreciated (exception might include limited winter ice skating).
12/3/2023 2:39 PM
20 There’s lots of outdoor space 12/3/2023 12:07 AM
21 Walking trails, playground, community gardens.12/2/2023 10:24 AM
22 Local events held there.12/2/2023 9:35 AM
23 I'm in the Lions Club and the park offers a perfect setup and location for our Christmas tree
sales. The option I've chosen will allow us to continue using the park for our sales which also
12/2/2023 8:00 AM
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benefits the local community. Many of our customers appreciate our location and feel good
about supporting our cause.
24 The existing layout 12/2/2023 7:15 AM
25 Location and access with reasonable amenities.12/1/2023 8:44 PM
26 Amount of space, variety of possible activities 12/1/2023 5:49 PM
27 Lots of more natural green space, minimal impervious hard surfaces.12/1/2023 11:59 AM
28 Community Gardens 11/30/2023 8:10 PM
29 Easy accessibility from major roads and the walking trail.11/30/2023 3:06 PM
30 Ice Cream Socials! Christmas tree sales! Perhaps even a mini-Christmas market?11/30/2023 1:40 AM
31 The multifunctional uses of the space 11/29/2023 11:24 PM
32 location, expansive fields and walking trails 11/29/2023 8:58 PM
33 Walking paths. Community garden.11/29/2023 5:15 PM
34 Community building--nice to have for events.11/29/2023 2:47 PM
35 Open fields and playground 11/29/2023 2:25 PM
36 Big space with room to walk and roam in a natural setting.11/28/2023 11:08 PM
37 All the amenities- playground, tennis, basketball and soccer and baseball fields 11/28/2023 12:58 PM
38 Community garden, proximity of the playground to the parking lot, great trails, and the pond.11/28/2023 6:11 AM
39 Green space and walking path 11/28/2023 5:35 AM
40 Walking path, tennis courts, very pleasant natural surroundings, it is peaceful there 11/27/2023 11:54 PM
41 gathering outside the shelter for lunch, and the walking trails 11/27/2023 9:39 PM
42 The walking paths & trails. Open green spaces, the back prairie area.11/27/2023 7:05 PM
43 I like both the trails and the playground, so that I can take the kids for a walk and then let them
play.
11/27/2023 6:40 PM
44 The community garden and natural space in the south part of the park.11/27/2023 6:25 PM
45 I like the large amount of flexible green space available for sports, and other activities.11/27/2023 5:31 PM
46 being able to host a number of different type of events.11/27/2023 4:43 PM
47 Proximity 11/27/2023 4:21 PM
48 Walking and nature paths. Like to see spaces used.11/27/2023 4:20 PM
49 Location, mature trees with natural vegetation 11/27/2023 4:12 PM
50 Nature trails, tennis courts, community garden and open fields 11/27/2023 4:03 PM
51 The trail.11/27/2023 4:00 PM
52 Walking trails 11/27/2023 3:41 PM
53 The highest and best use of this park are the trails and the ponds. This is a walking park. It is
generally quiet and used by walkers and dog walkers. Most of the successful parks emphasize
walking and nature. There is an opportunity for the city to demonstrate it's commitment it's
local residents and to the natural features of this park. Look closely at additional tree planting
and the souithern portion of the open fields could become an area to design open plantings and
sitting areas for quiet small group gatherings. You could design a walking path here as well.
Bird watching natural areas around the pond are the central feature in this park.
11/26/2023 1:13 PM
54 Enough room to handle many activities simultaneously without crowds bumping into each other 11/26/2023 9:49 AM
55 Walking trail that goes around perimeter of park.11/25/2023 12:03 PM
56 Ease of access, trails, playground 11/25/2023 8:07 AM
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57 Trails 11/23/2023 5:49 PM
58 The tranquility of the park. For a small park, it offers a ton, but the trails around the pond are
fantastic. Please keep the small park feel and maintain the tranquil experience.
11/23/2023 9:50 AM
59 Community garden, green and natural spaces.11/22/2023 8:28 PM
60 Trail and natural feel, lots of green space, area for community gardens 11/22/2023 5:49 PM
61 Trails and parkland 11/22/2023 2:17 PM
62 The playground 11/22/2023 1:26 PM
63 The community garden is awesome.11/22/2023 9:38 AM
64 Community garden and walking trails close to my home.11/22/2023 8:09 AM
65 The native plants and community garden. It is a good place to observe birds and butterflies,
but the way it's set up isn't inviting to do those things.
11/21/2023 8:34 PM
66 Paths to explore with things to find and areas to sit in nature 11/21/2023 8:34 PM
67 Walking trails (and watching the birds that are around the trails), open field space 11/21/2023 8:18 PM
68 I enjoy the combination of large open space with trail paths that are cozy and lined with flora. I
enjoy being able to look across the open space and watch a sunset or oncoming clouds and
storms. I enjoy seeing people picnic on the field and using the open space for games.
11/21/2023 8:07 PM
69 We use the playground and trails.11/21/2023 7:48 PM
70 Tennis courts, has a building 11/21/2023 7:47 PM
71 Nature that is close to home 11/21/2023 7:24 PM
72 The trails and nature are so beautiful! Very safe area!11/21/2023 5:17 PM
73 I love the wide open field and all the nature around the paths 11/21/2023 4:58 PM
74 Trails meander through natural environment (reeds, pond, trees).11/21/2023 3:41 PM
75 The walking path around the pond 11/21/2023 3:21 PM
76 Love the nature trails. I use it every day to walk the dogs. During the pandemic was always
saying how lucky we were to have this oasis so close. Please preserve this area.
11/21/2023 12:47 PM
77 Playground is fenced in from road/parking lot. Lots of space and fun things for my kids to play
on. Good for multiple ages.
11/21/2023 12:32 PM
78 The location 11/21/2023 12:03 PM
79 Open spaces. Walking trail. When I had kids, I liked the picnic shelters near the playground to
unpack lunch w/kids were playing.
11/21/2023 11:01 AM
80 The mix of man made structures and native areas, pond, green areas.11/21/2023 10:58 AM
81 Shade by playground 11/21/2023 10:10 AM
82 Having a nature path and adult workout gym pieces 11/21/2023 9:54 AM
83 Low traffic area compared to other city parks.11/21/2023 9:48 AM
84 Access to green space and nature 11/21/2023 9:45 AM
85 The walking trail 11/21/2023 9:34 AM
86 Flexible, community garden - is there a way to make that accessible? Natural spaces (pond,
plantings, etc), like that there is a connection into the neighborhood right next to it
11/20/2023 8:31 PM
87 The playground. Lots of swings! shaded benches near the playground.11/20/2023 6:18 PM
88 Trails , community gardens, playgrounds , picnic shelters , both, Trees. Natural terrain 11/20/2023 6:14 PM
89 Trails 11/20/2023 6:06 PM
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90 Green space and outdoor feel with walking path 11/20/2023 6:03 PM
91 Proximity to the neighborhood where I live, and the amount of green space and trees there are.11/20/2023 5:37 PM
92 I like the bucolic atmosphere. The walking trails, the pond, and trees. It is a peaceful, serene
place to talk a walk.
11/20/2023 9:10 AM
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Q12 Please tell us what you currently like the least about Community Park.
Answered: 83 Skipped: 27
#RESPONSES DATE
1 Baseball field is unused. Use that area for something else. Pickleball maybe?12/5/2023 9:45 PM
2 No public bathrooms or bathrooms or water fountains 12/5/2023 6:40 PM
3 The latest surface material that becomes mud/clinging clay when wet.12/5/2023 2:58 PM
4 I don't like that there's no community building, yet.12/5/2023 1:57 PM
5 Limited parking 12/5/2023 11:43 AM
6 Dated playground equipt, not enough parking 12/5/2023 10:40 AM
7 I would like to see a public bathroom vs. an outhouse. I would also like to see pickleball
courts/lines added to the tennis courts or instead of tennis courts. I feel the demand for
pickleball is larger than the available courts in the area. I would love to see this park do what
Evergreen Park did with their courts. I'd recommend adding 6 pickleball courts like Evergreen
Park did to their previous tennis courts.
12/5/2023 10:26 AM
8 Parking 12/5/2023 9:50 AM
9 Of course I don't care for the shape the building is in.12/4/2023 8:02 PM
10 The park building is quite dated. Bathrooms are frequently unavailable 12/4/2023 6:24 PM
11 Lack of pickleball options.12/4/2023 6:07 PM
12 Not great for live music events 12/4/2023 1:35 PM
13 SOME DAYS THE GROUPS RENTING THE BUILDING ARE TOO BIG , WAY TOO MUCH
NOISE AND MUSIC. THEASE ARE PEOPLE COMING TO THE PARK TO PARTY, THEY
ARE NOT COMING TO VIST NATURE AND THEY DO NOT WANT PEACE AND QUIET.
THIS PARK SHOULD BE FOR THE RESIDENTS OF FALCON HEIGHTS ONLY AND NO
LARGE GROUPS.
12/4/2023 10:37 AM
14 The noise.12/3/2023 7:57 PM
15 I would prefer more natural area especially since the ballfield is never used. Would be worth
turning that into another use.
12/3/2023 7:25 PM
16 How much parking fills out into the streets 12/3/2023 7:24 PM
17 The tennis courts 12/3/2023 7:14 PM
18 Noise can be an issue at times, much of which is attributable to loud activity in the parking
area post activity. Though parking is also an issue at times for immediate area residents
(blocked mail boxes on area streets), it's better than more on-site surface parking.
12/3/2023 2:39 PM
19 Hhe building is really old 12/3/2023 12:07 AM
20 The community building tried to do too many things. Warming house, event space. Plexiglass
windows very ugly, unpleasant. Also, over the years it seems as if the community building was
not updated with paint better lighting.
12/2/2023 10:24 AM
21 Non accessible bathrooms when building closed. Ports potties are awful 12/2/2023 9:35 AM
22 The old building that can’t be used 12/2/2023 7:15 AM
23 Needs drastic updating with more current playground and park building options.12/1/2023 8:44 PM
24 Inability to use current bldg for various needs, community groups 12/1/2023 5:49 PM
25 Obviously, the existing building.12/1/2023 11:59 AM
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26 no functional building/restrooms 11/30/2023 8:10 PM
27 The building of course. The playground.11/30/2023 3:06 PM
28 Bring back the skating rinks.11/30/2023 1:40 AM
29 The current state doesn’t feel planful 11/29/2023 11:24 PM
30 Too far away for me to use with any frequency. Crossing Snelling & Larpenteur on foot or bike
could possibly be life changing. Only use it for specific reasons (ice cream social), occasional
visit for playground equipment.
11/29/2023 5:15 PM
31 No bathroom and limited parking 11/29/2023 2:25 PM
32 Building being unusable, playground isn’t in good shape 11/28/2023 11:08 PM
33 Aging building 11/28/2023 12:58 PM
34 Unusable building restrooms, no splash pad in FH.11/28/2023 6:11 AM
35 The building has been condemned and can't be used. Narrow parking lot.11/28/2023 5:35 AM
36 The portapotty 11/27/2023 11:54 PM
37 the lack of parking at events 11/27/2023 9:39 PM
38 Lack of restrooms!!! More garbage spots or pet spots. The outdoor exercise stuff would be
cool to keep but they need some MAJOR upgrading.
11/27/2023 7:05 PM
39 That the building is not open to have restrooms available. (I know there are portapotties but
with four little kids . . . not happening.)
11/27/2023 6:40 PM
40 Landscaping 11/27/2023 6:25 PM
41 it looks run down 11/27/2023 4:43 PM
42 Gaps in tennis court fence let balls through. Needs some updating.11/27/2023 4:21 PM
43 Lack of exterior bathrooms. People let dogs off leash. Can become a haven for drug dealers,
and reckless behavior if inadequate policing and no enforcement of park rules.
11/27/2023 4:20 PM
44 Parking 11/27/2023 4:12 PM
45 The trails could be in better shape 11/27/2023 4:03 PM
46 Poor surface on the trail 11/27/2023 4:00 PM
47 Baseball field is never used. Soccer fields are poorly maintained. This should not become a
destination playfield for organized sports. A splash pond creates an unnecessary liability. Wet
kids would need more changing rooms. Bad idea. Think about a Sand Volleyball court. More art
features.
11/26/2023 1:13 PM
48 Its location relative to our neighborhood makes it too far to walk there, so we don't use it as
often as we would otherwise (can't be helped though)
11/26/2023 9:49 AM
49 Tennis courts should include pickleball.11/25/2023 12:03 PM
50 Most of it. Not useful to people who don’t live nearby. It’s just as close for me to go to Central
Park
11/23/2023 5:49 PM
51 The baseball field is never maintained and seems like a waste of space. It will be much
improved in the new design.
11/23/2023 9:50 AM
52 The old building!11/22/2023 8:28 PM
53 Playground needs improvements, needs more amenities for kids. With hotter and longer
summers, a splash pad for water play would be fantastic.
11/22/2023 5:49 PM
54 The park building is far away from the playground 11/22/2023 1:26 PM
55 The big groups of people playing soccer who park in unsafe ways.11/22/2023 9:38 AM
56 Right now, lack of restrooms or running water. Inconsistent use. Some Saturdays there were 3
different activities at the same time and zero parking, lots of traffic with erratic drivers. Need
11/22/2023 8:09 AM
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better planning for activities at the park so there is not this type of impact on the safety and
noise of the neighborhood.
57 The playground equipment is dated and the bathroom is often locked.11/21/2023 8:34 PM
58 Broken ground in parking lot 11/21/2023 8:34 PM
59 Outdated/unusable building, picnic areas 11/21/2023 8:18 PM
60 The signs within the park that note exercise route and flora of interest are in disrepair.11/21/2023 8:07 PM
61 No real bathrooms. The abandoned building is for sure an eye sore.11/21/2023 7:48 PM
62 Parking and playground 11/21/2023 7:47 PM
63 Just needs updates 11/21/2023 7:24 PM
64 Basketball nets are not regulation. Balls get stuck in ring and need another ball to get it
unstuck. I can't remember when the ball field was last used.
11/21/2023 5:17 PM
65 The paths they leave my dogs paws full of dirt 11/21/2023 4:58 PM
66 Parking can be tight at times.11/21/2023 3:41 PM
67 No fence around playground 11/21/2023 3:21 PM
68 Parking lot could use improvement.11/21/2023 12:47 PM
69 Rocks/wood chips.11/21/2023 12:32 PM
70 The park 11/21/2023 12:03 PM
71 Bldg of course. Trail seems disconnected from surrounding entities?11/21/2023 11:01 AM
72 Overflow parking into the neighborhoods 11/21/2023 10:58 AM
73 Playground is old and run down 11/21/2023 10:10 AM
74 The path gets really muddy and had to use in winter 11/21/2023 9:54 AM
75 Over crowded sometimes.11/21/2023 9:48 AM
76 No complaints! :)11/21/2023 9:45 AM
77 not enough places to sit and rest along the trail, or to sit by the pond and watch nature. The
worst seat is on the Cleveland side of the trail opposite the pond.
11/21/2023 9:34 AM
78 Seems like it could be used more, wonder how much the Lauderdale park gets used since it’s
within a mile?
11/20/2023 8:31 PM
79 no place to use the bathroom 11/20/2023 6:18 PM
80 Parking lot, building , portable toilet.lighting as there isnt enough 11/20/2023 6:14 PM
81 Community center 11/20/2023 6:06 PM
82 minimal parking, condemned park building, no water features for kids, no picnic tables 11/20/2023 6:03 PM
83 Condemned building.11/20/2023 5:37 PM
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Q13 Tell the City which two park amenities you would most like added to or
renovated at Community Park. The budget will determine how many
amenities the City can add/replace, so provide your top two!Please note
that the tennis court, walking trails, community garden and soccer field will
still remain in their current locations! Therefore, they don't have to be
factored into the budget the same way a new or updated amenity does.
Additionally, the City will still offer picnic tables and benches within the
park.
Answered: 91 Skipped: 19
#RESPONSES DATE
1 Pickleball. Tennis courts don’t get used. Also, the baseball field is unused space. Change to
more soccer or playground.
12/5/2023 9:45 PM
2 I wish we had pickleball courts and a nice public bathroom.12/5/2023 6:40 PM
3 Renovated: the basketball/hard surface court space. Please do not add a pickle ball court.12/5/2023 2:58 PM
4 shade structure and a track 12/5/2023 1:57 PM
5 Park building Additional pollinator gardens 12/5/2023 11:43 AM
6 Pool and pickle ball 12/5/2023 10:40 AM
7 I would love to see pickleball courts added to this park. Second, I would like dog water
dishes/stations added.
12/5/2023 10:26 AM
8 Adaptive areas in the splash, park, playground, and walking paths that would enable those
wheelchairs to get around and /or participate or utilize the areas in the park.
12/5/2023 9:50 AM
9 -I'd like to see the playground augmented, so there are some "adult" swings (or whatever
works), and adaptive equipment. -I'd be fine without the baseball fields -- but maybe selfish.
Our kids went for soccer instead.
12/4/2023 8:02 PM
10 I'd love the focus to be on preserving the natural walking trails and maintaining/expanding the
community garden!
12/4/2023 7:28 PM
11 Add pickle ball courts but not at the expense of the tennis or b-ball courts.12/4/2023 6:24 PM
12 Pickleball. And maybe some grills, but mostly pickleball 12/4/2023 6:07 PM
13 Warming house Band shell for music events 12/4/2023 1:35 PM
14 DO NOT ADD ANYTHING BUT A FEW MORE PINE TREES AS A BUFFER TO NEIGHBORS
WHO HAVE TO LIVE NEXT TO THE PARK. LESS LARGE GROUPS, LESS COMMERCIAL,
MORE QUIET, ITS A NATURE PARK?
12/4/2023 10:37 AM
15 No pickleball!12/3/2023 7:57 PM
16 1- off leash dog area 2- multiple BBQ-gazebo areas. Like the park as is, though think the
ballfield can be removed.
12/3/2023 7:25 PM
17 Playground and community center 12/3/2023 7:24 PM
18 Splash pad 12/3/2023 7:14 PM
19 Maybe an additional picnic shelter near the community garden. Without understanding the
intended usage of a new building's restroom configuration (i.e. exterior access), question this
concept. Seems they should only be available to those renting the space to better control
12/3/2023 2:39 PM
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maintenance. Temporary facilities seem mostly used by area commercial drivers rather than
park users.
20 Bathrooms. Nice outdoor picnic tables 12/3/2023 12:07 AM
21 Now with new grand children, I am looking forward to a playground, places to run around, T-
ball, basketball courts. And pleasant space for indoor activities/classes.
12/2/2023 10:24 AM
22 Accessible bathrooms at all times 12/2/2023 9:35 AM
23 None it is great as is.12/2/2023 7:15 AM
24 Ice skating 12/1/2023 9:04 PM
25 Splash park and meeting spaces.12/1/2023 8:44 PM
26 The community bldg 12/1/2023 5:49 PM
27 Basketball court and playground.12/1/2023 11:59 AM
28 Building w/restrooms and Playground 11/30/2023 8:10 PM
29 A performance space is essential. An outdoor covered space against the building may be most
practical. Some parks will put an ampitheater (rock seating) in a natural depression or hillside.
That might be nice.
11/30/2023 3:06 PM
30 Ice skating rinks. Picnic Pavillons.11/30/2023 1:40 AM
31 Water station for humans and dogs 11/29/2023 11:24 PM
32 pickle ball court 11/29/2023 8:58 PM
33 A splash pad would be fun.11/29/2023 5:15 PM
34 Skating rink or other winter activity, larger and/or sheltered picnic area 11/29/2023 2:25 PM
35 New playground, splash pad, indoor play space would also be AMAZING in the winter 11/28/2023 11:08 PM
36 Adding a splash pad sounds great!11/28/2023 12:58 PM
37 Splash pad! Improved playground equipment would be great, too.11/28/2023 6:11 AM
38 Splash pad and new modern accessible playground.11/28/2023 5:35 AM
39 A performance area 11/27/2023 9:39 PM
40 Splash pad, playground 11/27/2023 8:20 PM
41 Restrooms, I know are already on the list but they are a MAJOR want. More pet stops /
garbages would be great as there are a LOT of owners who walk the paths. An outdoor ice rink
space would indeed be fun -- skate rentals? Oh my gosh a dog wash space (summer only
most likely) would be an add on but that's really dreaming :D
11/27/2023 7:05 PM
42 Playground and park building 11/27/2023 6:40 PM
43 - Expanded space or a greenhouse for the community garden - Extensive native landscaping,
both in the north half of the park and the southern half.
11/27/2023 6:25 PM
44 I like the current amenities 11/27/2023 5:31 PM
45 Splash pad would be great for kids.11/27/2023 4:21 PM
46 Basketball court Compliant playground 11/27/2023 4:20 PM
47 Renting the building for family reunion, and regularly scheduled music performances in the
shell.
11/27/2023 4:12 PM
48 The building 11/27/2023 4:03 PM
49 No opinion 11/27/2023 4:00 PM
50 Remove the baseball diamond, add Volleyball instead improve the soccer pitch expand the
gardens, design formal gardens to the south, improve and better maintain the work out
stations.
11/26/2023 1:13 PM
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51 Exercise stations, EV charging station 11/25/2023 12:03 PM
52 Much bigger playground, splash pad!11/25/2023 8:07 AM
53 Splash pad 11/23/2023 2:55 PM
54 I can't think of anything to add, other than to maintain (and improve) the trails. However,
whatever you do, DO NOT add pickleball. This will ruin the quiet feel of the park. Pickleball is a
nuisance, and there are many stories from across the country of how pickleball negatively
impacts the enjoyment of public spaces.
11/23/2023 9:50 AM
55 Would improve natural areas possibly replacing the work out stations if no one uses them. The
soccer fields bring in many diverse users so would upgrade those.
11/22/2023 8:28 PM
56 Splash pad Playground that includes a structure for upper elementary kids, such as a zip line 11/22/2023 5:49 PM
57 Wish we could have pickleball and ice skating 11/22/2023 2:17 PM
58 Splash pad 11/22/2023 1:26 PM
59 The city has to budget for trees. Many will likely be taken down for construction.11/22/2023 9:38 AM
60 Pickleball, outdoor sheltered seating, indoor quiet area 11/22/2023 8:09 AM
61 Pickle ball.11/21/2023 10:09 PM
62 Playground, splash pad 11/21/2023 8:34 PM
63 Roofed gazebos 11/21/2023 8:34 PM
64 nicer, larger space for picnic areas (with tables and benches), with some shade; more benches
along the walking trails
11/21/2023 8:18 PM
65 A few ideas: Shaded Areas: Plenty of shaded areas, such as under trees or covered pavilions,
to protect against sun exposure. Water Fountains: Easily accessible drinking water fountains,
possibly with options for filling water bottles. Social Spaces: Areas designed for socializing,
chess tables. Activity Areas: Could be the same as the above social space. Designated areas
for activities like tai chi, yoga. Quiet Zones: Areas designated for quiet reflection, reading, or
simply enjoying the peace of the park.
11/21/2023 8:07 PM
66 I’m really loving the splash pad idea. Please no pickleball courts. 80 cars parking lot seems
too much and probably invites MN sports parking squatters. There are few time I drive but
when the parking lot is more than 1/2 full. So I’d prefer the smaller lot option. it would be nice
to rent a space for a birthday party too.
11/21/2023 7:48 PM
67 Playground, basketball 11/21/2023 7:47 PM
68 Splashpad Pickleball 11/21/2023 7:24 PM
69 Since bathrooms are always locked, perhaps another portable toilet would be in order. They
need to be checked for garbage.
11/21/2023 5:17 PM
70 Disc golf course 11/21/2023 5:04 PM
71 I would love an ice skating rink and new athletic parts 11/21/2023 4:58 PM
72 Pickle all, Fire pit 11/21/2023 4:08 PM
73 I don't have any specific opinions here. I mostly just walk on the trails.11/21/2023 3:41 PM
74 Fence around playground. Water feature in the splash area that allows kids to build dams,
bridges and ponds
11/21/2023 3:21 PM
75 Playground and basketball court I think get used most often. (Since splash pad is seasonal, it
may be better money spent on a bigger playground as opposed to splash pad)
11/21/2023 12:47 PM
76 Playground and splash pad 11/21/2023 12:42 PM
77 New playground that is safer/more accessible for all people. Have rubber ground instead of
rocks/wood chips/sand. Have play areas fenced in.
11/21/2023 12:32 PM
78 Access to drinking water is important, along with clean accessible restrooms. Sun shades over
the playground and splash pad would be nice.
11/21/2023 12:16 PM
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79 Definitely basketball Maybe a pool 11/21/2023 12:03 PM
80 I think the Splash pad and playground are important for families with young kids. Not a lot in
that area to walk to so it's important. Splash pad is great for the hot (and hotter) summers in
MN.
11/21/2023 11:01 AM
81 Outdoor seating/grilling areas for group gatherings 11/21/2023 10:58 AM
82 Splash pad, updated playground 11/21/2023 10:10 AM
83 Adding/improving the adult workout system. I love using it when I don’t want to go to the gym 11/21/2023 9:54 AM
84 Splash pad with a wading pool.11/21/2023 9:48 AM
85 Restrooms, obviously (which will be remedied in the new building). Exterior access to drinking
water.
11/21/2023 9:45 AM
86 Play equipment, splash pad (falcon heights is aging, these might attract younger families into
the area)
11/20/2023 8:31 PM
87 An expanded play area, especially one that includes play structures for older children including
monkey bars and multiple swings.
11/20/2023 6:18 PM
88 Exercise equipment needs new paint. Reuse some of the playground equipment, diggers. Etc.11/20/2023 6:14 PM
89 Basketball court Playground 11/20/2023 6:06 PM
90 splash pad and basketball court 11/20/2023 6:03 PM
91 Outdoor picnic shelter.11/20/2023 5:37 PM
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Q14 What, if anything, can be done to improve your experience at
Community Park?
Answered: 53 Skipped: 57
#RESPONSES DATE
1 Pickleball courts 12/5/2023 6:40 PM
2 updated benches and more picnic tables with a cover (maybe even add some grills)12/5/2023 1:57 PM
3 Pickle ball! Pool! New playground, more parking 12/5/2023 10:40 AM
4 Pickleball courts 12/5/2023 10:26 AM
5 I'd love lots of seating and conversation areas. I could see U students wandering up and sitting
to chat...
12/4/2023 8:02 PM
6 The water supply to the community garden could be buried underground and made simpler to
operate.
12/4/2023 6:24 PM
7 Add pickleball counts on the outside and at least one or two pickleball courts in the community
room-nets can be freestanding, they don’t need to be drilled into the floor, but lines need to be
drawn on the floor.
12/4/2023 6:07 PM
8 Offer bike locks for those who forget them?12/4/2023 1:35 PM
9 AS A RESIDENT LIVING NEAR THE PARK, MAKE THE PARK LESS NOISE, AND MORE
OF A QUIET NATURE ZONE BEFORE ITS TOO LATE.
12/4/2023 10:37 AM
10 I like the park as is. However, I would like to see space for Food Trucks or other summer
vendors. There isn't a way to enjoy the building space without additional fees and for many,
they can't afford that. Vendors and BBQ spaces would allow lower income use of the park as
well.
12/3/2023 7:25 PM
11 Appreciate what it is now - maybe some additional prairie areas abutting the trails. As a golfer,
I'd like to be able to practice chipping in some small area but understand the turf damage issue
is prohibitive. And though I oppose heavy chemical weed control, it's an obvious issue, one
that the U's turf development area should be able to help with.
12/3/2023 2:39 PM
12 I have rented spaces for events in Como Park, and in Roseville parks. Didn't consider Falcon
Heights.
12/2/2023 10:24 AM
13 Affordable rental options 12/2/2023 9:35 AM
14 It is really nice as is.12/2/2023 7:15 AM
15 A holistic design that ties things together.12/1/2023 8:44 PM
16 More programming for kids and/or families offered 11/30/2023 8:10 PM
17 Proper upkeep of the equipment.11/30/2023 3:06 PM
18 More and better spaces for kids to play!11/28/2023 11:08 PM
19 Easier parking 11/28/2023 12:58 PM
20 Bathrooms!11/28/2023 6:11 AM
21 New building and modern playground 11/28/2023 5:35 AM
22 None beyond what was already asked. It's already a beautiful space, it just needs some
updating and upgrading!
11/27/2023 7:05 PM
23 The park could use a great deal more native landscaping. In the long run, this should decrease
watering and maintenance labor and costs, add ecological benefits, enhance the look and feel
of the park, enhance the walking nature trails that are very popular.
11/27/2023 6:25 PM
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24 Fixing tennis court. Bike racks.11/27/2023 4:21 PM
25 I appreciate the emphasis on a designing a whole new community building with updated
features and amenities.
11/27/2023 4:12 PM
26 Not applicable 11/27/2023 4:00 PM
27 Maintenance of the trails and park have improved somewhat in the past year or so. There have
been groups using the fields or the covered shelter that drive on the grass and leave trash
behind. Monitor groups that us the park. Insure that trash and facilities are kept clean.
Outhouse is not well maintained looks terrible. Keep an eye toward aesthetics.
11/26/2023 1:13 PM
28 Put up dog poop bag stations. They don't cost much and will help people pick up.11/23/2023 9:50 AM
29 Would love to see more music or art activities at the new building.11/22/2023 8:28 PM
30 Building that isn't condemned and such an eyesore 11/22/2023 5:49 PM
31 A shorter parking lot. Entrance in one way and exit one way.11/22/2023 1:26 PM
32 Music events, expanded nature events, expanded garden, consistent use of water at garden (it
gets turned off too often and was shut off altogether much too early this fall!)
11/22/2023 8:09 AM
33 Please consider adding shade and comfortable and ample seating around the park.11/21/2023 8:34 PM
34 Open bathrooms and water fountains 11/21/2023 8:34 PM
35 I very much appreciate the maintenance of the trails. Warnings about Dogs off leash and noise
levels are two issues that should be continued to be considered and communicated as the new
design moves forward.
11/21/2023 8:07 PM
36 Don’t go overboard. It’s a nice park as it is. It just needs a little TLC.11/21/2023 7:48 PM
37 More parking 11/21/2023 7:47 PM
38 No suggestions 11/21/2023 7:24 PM
39 Beautiful park. Colin and your maintenance crew do a wonderful job!11/21/2023 5:17 PM
40 Disc golf course 11/21/2023 5:04 PM
41 Have some more events at the park and maybe add an ice skating rink.11/21/2023 4:58 PM
42 Unrealistic, but move it so that it is closer to the majority of residents of Falcon Heights. It is
closer to many Roseville residents.
11/21/2023 4:08 PM
43 Just refreshing everything would go a long ways.11/21/2023 3:41 PM
44 Year round bathroom access 11/21/2023 3:21 PM
45 As the saying goes, 'if its not broke don't fix it.' I think its a wonderful park and there are some
areas that could use some upkeep and TLC but overall, would not make any major changes.
Especially as a resident who lives a half a block from the entrance, would not want it to
become an area that attracts a ton of traffic (e.g. crime, etc.).
11/21/2023 12:47 PM
46 Bathrooms that are open all the time.11/21/2023 12:32 PM
47 A pool 11/21/2023 12:03 PM
48 New bldg will go a long way...11/21/2023 11:01 AM
49 Improving the nature trail 11/21/2023 9:54 AM
50 Make the building available for private events.11/21/2023 9:48 AM
51 programming for all four seasons 11/20/2023 8:31 PM
52 Overflow parking on the plans seems a waste for the handful of days needing more. I think
moving the picnic shelter and the playground seems a waste.
11/20/2023 6:14 PM
53 keep the green space so we can see wildlife 11/20/2023 6:03 PM
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56.88%62
43.12%47
Q15 Do you have any children that have ever participated in park
programming offered by the City or would you consider enrolling your
child/children in future programming?
Answered: 109 Skipped: 1
TOTAL 109
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Yes
No
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes
No
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18.35%20
81.65%89
Q16 Have you ever rented a picnic area or other City facility within Falcon
Heights?
Answered: 109 Skipped: 1
TOTAL 109
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Yes
No
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes
No
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2023 Community Park Renovation Survey
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6.93%7
28.71%29
41.58%42
22.77%23
Q17 If the City offered event space within the new Community Park
building, what seating capacity at tables is most appealing?
Answered: 101 Skipped: 9
TOTAL 101
#OTHER (PLEASE SPECIFY)DATE
1 up to 100 12/5/2023 1:57 PM
2 NO SEATING , THESE EVENTS SHOULD BE AT CITY HALL AS THEY ALREADY HAVE
THE SPACE NEEDED, AND ITS FAR ENOUGH AWAY FROM THE RESIDENTS NEAR THE
PARK.
12/4/2023 10:37 AM
3 Small groups only.12/3/2023 2:39 PM
4 Don't really understand the question. round tables of 8 are nice. However many can fit in the
room.
11/30/2023 3:06 PM
5 Insure that this space is not used for religious purposes and that loud music or overly large
groups be prohibited. Keep in mind that most people that I know who use this park enjoy the
quiet use of this park. quiet
11/26/2023 1:13 PM
6 25-40 11/22/2023 1:26 PM
7 Not too big, please!11/22/2023 8:09 AM
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Up to 12
Up to 25
Up to 45
Up to 60
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Up to 12
Up to 25
Up to 45
Up to 60
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Q18 Do you have any other comments, questions, or concerns?
Answered: 44 Skipped: 66
#RESPONSES DATE
1 If the city provided a large event space that would be wonderful for birthday parties, family
reunions (especially for the residents that live in apartments who don't have a huge space or a
community room), and even weddings receptions. It seems as if Falcon Heights is missing a
nice community center that can provide a rental service.
12/5/2023 1:57 PM
2 I think pickleball courts are needed badly in this part of the Twin Cities. Currently Evergreen
Park is the only outdoor court option in the area and those courts are packed in the summer.
Demand is higher than supply. I think this addition would drive many new people to this park.
And it would be great if we could add 6 courts like Evergreen did.
12/5/2023 10:26 AM
3 Lions love to use the space for Christmas Tree Sales. Definitely hard on sod, but less hard on
native areas -- maybe thinking about that would be good. I see lots on parking spots at some
local venues. Maybe? Don't know...
12/4/2023 8:02 PM
4 I love the park - been using it for over 20 years!12/4/2023 6:24 PM
5 Pickleball options please!12/4/2023 6:07 PM
6 WHY IS THERE NOT MORE CONCERN FOR THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE WITH IN 4 BLOCKS
OF THE PARK, FOR THE NOISE AND THE LARGE GROUPS? DO WE HAVE TO MOVE?
12/4/2023 10:37 AM
7 No pickleball!12/3/2023 7:57 PM
8 *NO PICKLEBALL PLEASE - I have serious concerns about the noise levels from the game
for myself and the nearby neighbors. While many people may want to play the game, unless
it's inside a building, it will cause a lot of noise complaints. The nearby Roseville courts are
busy from sun-up to sun-down.
12/3/2023 7:25 PM
9 Glad the City acquired it!12/3/2023 2:39 PM
10 I am very happy that the building is going to be renovated. It is sorely needed. It would be nice
to have a building that is open a lot so people can go inside and use the bathroom.
12/3/2023 12:07 AM
11 Our park is a gem.12/2/2023 9:35 AM
12 I am a member of the Falcon Hts Lauderdale Lions club and am interesred in maintaining
space for our Christmas tree lot. Option 1 appears to be best for that.
12/2/2023 6:58 AM
13 Even if all the features are not able to be included, the layout of Concept 3 is by far the best
layout for the park. It is balanced/allows all the amenities to have easy access to the
restrooms, keeps everything accessible by keeping it closer to parking, and it would be visible
from the street/draw people in.
11/30/2023 8:10 PM
14 Looking forward to a wonderfully improved park.11/30/2023 3:06 PM
15 If you build it they will come is not an ideal planning method. Scale back expectations. Leave
lots of green space. It's a park. It doesn't need every square inch covered with something.
11/29/2023 5:15 PM
16 Yes. I love that bathrooms are included. Has money been set aside to have someone open
and close them daily? It does not appear that anyone will be working in the building; no staff
area.
11/29/2023 2:25 PM
17 If an indoor playground or gym could be a possibility it would be so wonderful.11/28/2023 11:08 PM
18 Incorporate native plantings and other environmental plantings where possible 11/28/2023 12:58 PM
19 Very excited about this! In the summer months, we visit the park weekly. We would likely visit
it more once renovated.
11/28/2023 6:11 AM
20 - Energy efficiency and sustainability of the space is paramount (PV for electricity, geothermal,11/27/2023 6:25 PM
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solar thermal for hot water, waste water management, are all options). - Consider a land
acknowledgement - Enhance native landscaping - Expand garden space - Building events.
Keep in mind the kind of events that are likely to actually occur (kids birthdays, summer
concerts, etc; while weddings are highly unlikely because of the proximity to the playground,
tennis court, splashpad, etc).
21 I’d keep playground away from parking lot or fence in between to stop kids from running into
parking lot. I’d also keep playground away from courts as vile language often used at other
parks with courts when competition gets going.
11/27/2023 4:21 PM
22 Enjoy the friendliness and accessibility of this community park. Especially the walking path.11/27/2023 4:20 PM
23 We are residents of Arizona, but also rent an apartment at The Hendrickson Senior Living.11/27/2023 4:12 PM
24 I am concerned that the entirety of the park is not included in this proposal. There are so many
resources for organized sports play of all kinds in our community that this park does not have
to replicate those resources. I am concerned that his proposal was not preceded by a
statement of purpose by the commission. I would hope the commission is keeping an eye on
liability that a splash pond would create. Maintenance of facilities and adding more parking
only brings additional liabilities. There is already a late night issue with suspicious parked cars
late at night. Allow more of the nature experiences into the planning. Remember less is more. I
am concerned about the size of this remodel. I am concerned about how much money of
community tax payer dollars are being spent on planning professional fees. Is the commission
staying on top of what is being accomplished and expenses for pre planning. The first
presentation to the community was the first time the commission has seen this proposal.
That's a huge red flag. Are expenses getting out of hand. What are opportunities to shave cost
from this proposal.
11/26/2023 1:13 PM
25 Budget is a big concern. Who is the intended audience? The intended use? Are taxes going to
be raised to pay for this?
11/23/2023 5:49 PM
26 NO PICKLEBALL 11/23/2023 9:50 AM
27 Look forward to the new park! Thanks for all your planning!11/22/2023 8:28 PM
28 I would like to have room in the park improvement budget to replace the playground at Grove
so it's ADA compatible and a playground structure for upper elementary kids at Curtiss Field.
11/22/2023 5:49 PM
29 Fenced in playground :)11/22/2023 1:26 PM
30 The city needs to renew its commitment to planting and maintaining trees! The single most
important thing that the government can do to improve and maintain our quality of life is to
plant trees. Higher summer temperatures, expansion of housing, bigger crowds in the state fair
grounds- these are all much more acceptable if the city plants and maintains larger trees. It is
short sighted to think otherwise.
11/22/2023 9:38 AM
31 Whatever is done, please consider the impact on the residents who live nearby, including those
who have yards backing up to the park. Also need better coordination of activities in the area
and consider the impact on parking, traffic snd noise (including U of M stadium, fairground
activities, neighborhood functions like city-wide garage sales and park activities).
11/22/2023 8:09 AM
32 I hope the renovations don't drastically increase traffic in the area or make the park crowded
more often.
11/21/2023 8:34 PM
33 I am very excited to know that we are updating the park. Thank you!11/21/2023 8:18 PM
34 Thanks very much for facilitating the collection of input and thank you for your work!11/21/2023 8:07 PM
35 No but thanks for the opportunity to share my thoughts.11/21/2023 7:24 PM
36 Perhaps a couple Frisbee rings- which would be for all ages 11/21/2023 5:17 PM
37 No 11/21/2023 3:41 PM
38 There are too few parks in the metro with fences. Parents bring their kids to Stillwater to get to
a park that’s safer for kids with neurodiversity (autism, ADHD, etc) and families with multiple
young children. Most parks feature traffic and water hazards that are too dangerous for these
families to be able to use the park. If you need an example, “tadpole playground” in Boston,
MA is great.
11/21/2023 3:21 PM
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39 I work at the UMN College of Veterinary Medicine and we sometimes scope out areas off
campus to rent for faculty retreats, staff functions, etc. If the Falcon Woods community park
building had technology available such as screen, hdmi cords for laptop connection, and
electrical outlets, etc, this could be an appealing option.
11/21/2023 12:47 PM
40 Consider asking for volunteers to help with plantings (actual plants, many of us have tons that
may be used in landscaping at the park), and for labor. I'd be happy to help in the spring or fall
given options/dates. Consider asking the High School Key Club (volunteer club) to help with
plantings and labor to reduce costs?
11/21/2023 11:01 AM
41 We are concerned of security on the new building as well as occasional strange cars late in
parking lot. Our house will be impacted by parking lot overflow and option 3 is terrible.Do not
like that at all.
11/20/2023 6:14 PM
42 Looking forward to having a new functioning city park again!11/20/2023 6:03 PM
43 Please reconsider the including the splash pad. I think it is wasteful and too small to be fun.11/20/2023 5:37 PM
44 I love the green space and would not want to spoil it with too many additional amenities.11/20/2023 9:10 AM
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Q19 Provide optional feedback and suggestions regarding the Community
Park remodel.
Answered: 27 Skipped: 83
#RESPONSES DATE
1 I would like to see pickleball courts at this park instead of or added to the current tennis
courts. Demand seems to be higher than supply in the Falcon Heights area.
12/5/2023 6:40 PM
2 Can we do a pool versus splash pad? There are ZERO pools in Roseville and Surround areas,
Como pool Is always packed!
12/5/2023 10:40 AM
3 I think pickleball courts are needed badly in this part of the Twin Cities. Currently Evergreen
Park is the only outdoor court option in the area and those courts are packed in the summer.
Demand is higher than supply. I think this addition would drive many new people to this park.
And it would be great if we could add 6 courts like Evergreen did.
12/5/2023 10:26 AM
4 Thank you for including residents at this level. I hope there will be a few more chances for
residents to talk to the designers. This is a city full of educated folks (like in landscape and
building and park design) who know design and also know FH. I hope they provide great ideas!!
:)
12/4/2023 8:02 PM
5 It would be great if the exercise equipment could be retained and improved. The metal benches
are easy to maintain but are pretty hard. Maybe there are more forgiving materials?
12/4/2023 6:24 PM
6 I love the Modern style option! We visit almost everyday in the summer to tend to the garden.
We used to use the playground a lot, but our son may be aging out of it-maybe adding
something for the 8-11 year old crowd like a zip line or things they have at Central Park like an
roofed multiple person Mary go round? Thinking really big-what used to be called Chutes and
Ladders now Hyland Play area would be amazing. They are very busy in the summer. It’s a
trek for us to go, we wish the east metro had something similar. I am happy to chat about this.
I hope my comments are not too late. Please email me to talk about pickleball options.
Pwd0757@gmail.com Thanks! Amy
12/4/2023 6:07 PM
7 AS I SEE THEASE PROPOSALS OF DESIGN IDEAS FOR THE NEW BUILDING THEY ARE
ALL TOO BIG ,LOOK VERY COMMERCIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL. THIS DOES NOT FIT A
QUIET NATURE GREEN AREA FOR PEACEFUL SPACE.
12/4/2023 10:37 AM
8 I'd like to see a balance of new amenities with existing amenities and phasing in changes after
the building is re-built without locking in plans for the whole park now. More people may want to
use the building space than expected and having no additional space for outdoor use/growth of
perhaps outdoor bbq areas for example would be unfortunate. One concept design has the
building being built in a space that wouldn't allow future growth.
12/3/2023 7:25 PM
9 Windows to look towards the park; be cognizant of potential noise affecting area residents; and
don't try to do too much. And if a "band shelter" implies bands playing, this is out of character
for this park and should be opposed.
12/3/2023 2:39 PM
10 The City needs to be realistic about the actual usage of any park equipment/space/event
usage, etc.
11/29/2023 5:15 PM
11 With a splash pad and ice rink on the table, do you have plans for wet people? Will bathrooms
have air dryers and floor drains? Will the warming room be on its own heating system or have a
floor drain?
11/29/2023 2:25 PM
12 Love the idea of new playground and splash pad!11/28/2023 11:08 PM
13 Retain walking path and add more amenities for children and young teens.11/28/2023 5:35 AM
14 The sustainability and ecology of the park are extremely important in a very urban
environment. Consider a variety of ways that this can be improved upon and incorporated into
the new park model. Possible options: - native landscaping - waste water managment / rain
11/27/2023 6:25 PM
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2023 Community Park Renovation Survey
40 / 40
garden - energy usage (PV for electricity, geothermal, solar thermal for hot water, etc) - building
efficiency
15 Thank you for requesting input into your decision-making!11/27/2023 5:31 PM
16 We no longer have dependent children, but would use the park as grandparents when we are in
MN.
11/27/2023 4:12 PM
17 Have members of the commissioned all walked this entire park to fully examine the potential to
expand on the natural features of the park and witness the use of the park. It is walking,
gardens, non organized outdoor recreation. I see small groups using the covered picnic shelter.
Moving the playground and basketball court instead of improving what is already there is a
waste of money. We have witnessed huge issues with past contract issues surrounding our
police and fire. The city of Falcon Heights needs to start looking at better budget management.
This couldn't be a worse time to start a multi million dollar construction project. Insure that
performance guarantees and cost over runs are addressed in contracting and mitigated in
contracts. There is already concern that costs are very high. There is also another option and
that is to wait for current inflation to cool before moving forward. This would be sensible. The
devil is in the details. Remember, residents of Falcon Heights already love this park as is.
11/26/2023 1:13 PM
18 Thank you for getting this started. I am excited to see the renovation.11/23/2023 9:50 AM
19 Please do build in as much sustainable energy attributes as possible and if some are too
expensive for now, plan for allowing them in future.
11/22/2023 8:28 PM
20 Keep it small! Retain the quiet natural area.11/22/2023 8:09 AM
21 Incorporate native plants in landscaping 11/21/2023 8:34 PM
22 I do not think the parking lot should be expanded in size. To repeat my previous comment
above, 96% of the time, the lot is almost completely empty, even when the building was in
use. only on very rare occasions when you must park on the street. With it being a community
park, we should encourage walking or biking to the park. A larger parking lot encourages its
use as a driving destination and potential overuse. A larger parking lot also takes away from
green space. Additionally, the lot should not be immediately adjacent to people's backyards.
11/21/2023 8:07 PM
23 Also once the 'Community Park building' is complete, I encourage the City of Falcon Heights to
get brochures on this space or website to advertise so information can be passed around to
potential groups who may be interested in renting.
11/21/2023 12:47 PM
24 Long overdue and excited for the change. So glad the city now owns it - was something we
asked when I was on P&R commission but were poo poo'd. Glad to see the city making
changes!
11/21/2023 11:01 AM
25 I think we’ve got scope creep. Spend more on building and keep picnic shelters and
playgrounds with updates. We are replacing some equipment that seems wasteful.
11/20/2023 6:14 PM
26 Thanks for your work on this important city project!11/20/2023 6:03 PM
27 At least one more bench on the other side of the pond (east) and along the walking trails.11/20/2023 9:10 AM
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47
Item Law Enforcement Contract Discussion
Description
Following the letters received by Sheriff Fletcher on 11-28-23 and our response letter
on 11-30-23, the City Council will discuss the latest in our discussion of a continuation
contract for 2024.
Budget Impact N/A
Attachment(s) N/A
Action(s)
Requested
Staff recommends the City Council discuss the latest in contract discussions.
Meeting Date December 6, 2023
Agenda Item Policy C5
Attachment N/A
Submitted By Jack Linehan, City Administrator
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November 28, 2023
Randy Gustafson Jack Linehan Mayor City Administrator City of Falcon Heights City of Falcon Heights 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue
Falcon Heights, Minnesota 55113 Falcon Heights, Minnesota 55113
Reference: Law Enforcement and Public Safety Services for the City of Falcon Heights
Mayor Gustafson and City Administrator Linehan: I was concerned to hear from Undersheriff Jeff Ramacher that you have been unable to find a law enforcement service provider for the City of Falcon Heights. You have regularly informed us, as recent as October 19, that negotiations with the City of Saint Paul were progressing towards a
contract with a start date on or about January 1, 2024. As you know, in March of 2023, the City of Falcon Heights and the Sheriff’s Office mutually agreed to not renew our agreement for law enforcement and public safety services, terminating our contract effective December 31, 2023. A copy of the letters are attached.
As a historical reminder, while in attendance at the September 23, 2020, Falcon Heights City Council meeting, I raised concerns regarding our contract that centered on both resident and deputy safety, including:
• A lack of deputy coverage during peak hours that often requires a two-deputy response to calls for service, such as domestic violence, robbery, shots fired, accident with injuries, etc.
• The need to reduce the risk associated with responding back-up deputies driving long
distances with emergency lights and siren activated to respond to the city.
• A lack of a contiguous service area, which is currently present for all other communities.
At that time, I advised the best solution for the City of Falcon Heights would be to contract with
an adjacent city. There are two adjacent cities that share common borders with the city and operate a police department. This would provide a contiguous service area as well as address back-up
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coverage issues.
In March of 2021, following the September 2020 council meeting, our office and the city expressed
the mutual desire to not renew the agreement and terminate our contract effective December 31, 2021. Unfortunately, the City of Falcon Heights was unable to secure a contract with a law enforcement partner. Therefore, the Sheriff’s Office provided services under one-year contracts until December 31, 2023.
As mentioned earlier, in March 2023, the Sheriff’s Office and the City of Falcon Heights again expressed a mutual desire to not renew our agreement and terminate the contract, effective December 31, 2023. At that time, the city noted it “has taken seriously your suggestion stated at our September 23, 2020 city council meeting to find alternative long-term law enforcement
partners.” The city also completed an analysis of the contract with a consultant, although the
Sheriff’s Office was never invited to be part of this work. Included in our March 2023 mutual notices to not renew our agreement and terminate the contract effective December 31, 2023, I provided five recommendations for the city to consider, which
included:
• Contract with the City of Saint Paul or the City of Roseville (adjacent cities).
• Contract with the Minnesota State Fair Police Department.
• Reestablish a contract with the City of Saint Anthony.
• Form a police department.
• Explore a hybrid service delivery model.
Throughout this year, the City of Falcon Heights provided multiple assurances that it would be contracting with a different law enforcement service provider starting in 2024, specifically the City of Saint Paul. In doing so, the City Administrator informed us that both cities were in support of a contract, including mayors and council members. It was noted that since the City of Falcon
Heights already contracts with the City of Saint Paul for fire services, contracting for law enforcement services would be a “good fit.” We were told that city attorneys for each city were working together on contract language and the League of Minnesota Cities was engaged on insurance and liability matters. Specific and detailed information about the agreement was shared including an overtime staffing model, proactive patrols during certain timeframes, and insurance
needs. The City of Falcon Heights never requested a contingency plan outside of the unlikely event that “contract negotiations may extend into January.”
On November 16, 2023, Undersheriff Ramacher was informed by City Administrator Linehan that the City of Falcon Heights was unable to finalize a contract for law enforcement services. As a result, it was verbally asked if the Sheriff’s Office could continue to provide services to the city, even though our contract is mutually terminated on December 31, 2023. This was the first date
that we learned of this.
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The Sheriff’s Office fully expected the contract with the City of Falcon Heights to end on December 31, 2023. Consequently, our office deferred hiring deputies to ensure no deputy or
other employee would be laid off once the City of Falcon Heights was no longer a contract
community on January 1, 2024. The 2024 Budget Estimate for the Contract Communities was adopted without the City of Falcon Heights. Each of the other contract communities had to manage the cost increase associated with the departure of the City of Falcon Heights. Staffing models were revised and adjusted for patrol, investigations, and other related services to best serve the Contract
Communities.
In light of the inability of the City of Falcon Heights to secure a law enforcement service provider for 2024, the Sheriff’s Office has only been verbally asked to continue to provide services. As of the date of this letter, I have not received an official written request or notice that you are
attempting to evoke Paragraph C, Section 2, of our 2023 contract.
Should I receive such a request, please note the following:
• The Sheriff’s Office can continue to provide services for an additional three (3) months
until April 1, 2024. The cost to continue to provide services will reflect a 25% increase for 2024. The annualized cost is $1,641,087 and billed monthly. The primary cost driver is that overtime will be required to fill shifts as the next year’s staffing models have already been developed without the City of Falcon Heights. Currently, there is not sufficient
personnel to staff the city without the use of overtime on a regular basis. A Commander
will be assigned to serve as the city’s primary liaison, including scheduling, management, and supervision.
• March of 2024 will mark a calendar year since the City of Falcon Heights and the Sheriff’s
Office agreed to mutually terminate our contract. Since the September 2020 city council meeting, over three (3) years has passed, which is more than a reasonable amount of time to find a law enforcement provider.
• We have reviewed our current agreement with our legal advisers and have been advised the contract contains no survivability provisions. It is expressly stated that the current contract ends December 31, 2023. Moreover, consistent with the terms and conditions of the current contract, both the City of Falcon Heights and the Sheriff’s Office met the nine (9) month notice requirements to terminate the agreement. To the extent it can be
construed, there was explicit action taken to provide sufficient notice and terminate the contract effective December 31, 2023.
• The City of Falcon Heights will be required to obtain tort liability insurance in the amounts
previously discussed with the City of Saint Paul. We believe this amount to be $10 million
through the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust. The city will need to work with our office, the Office of the County Attorney, and county staff to ensure all insurance and liability requirements are met to protect the county and Contract Communities. The City of Falcon Heights will also be responsible for reimbursement of costs associated with auto
51
and auto-related claims.
• There remains a city resident and deputy safety issue by only having one deputy to cover Falcon Heights. There is a need for two deputy responses to many calls for service. Therefore, if by April 1, 2024, the City of Falcon Heights is unable to obtain alternative law enforcement services, the cost will increase an additional 5%, to 30%, over the 2023
rate in order to provide two deputy coverage during select times. The annualized cost will
be $1,706,730. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. Please notify me in writing by Friday, December 1, 2023, if you are requesting the Sheriff’s Office to provide law enforcement services
to the City of Falcon Heights consistent with the content of this document. I continue to believe
that the City of Roseville Police Department is the best option for your service needs. This adjacent community is best positioned to service your city because of a contiguous service area and providing two officer coverage when needed.
Sincerely,
Bob Fletcher
Ramsey County Sheriff
Copy: Council Member Melanie Leehy Council Member Eric Meyer
Council Member Yakasah Wehyee
Council Member Jim Wassenberg Council Member-elect Paula Mielke Jeff Ramacher, Undersheriff, Patrol Services
Attachments
52
53
March 27, 2023
Jack Linehan City Administrator City of Falcon Heights
2077 West Larpenteur Avenue Falcon Heights, Minnesota 55113
Reference: Mutual Agreement Not to Renew Agreement for Law Enforcement Services Mr. Linehan:
Thank you for your email and letter dated March 23, 2023, regarding our law enforcement services agreement. We concur that ending this contract and exploring other law enforcement partners to serve the City of Falcon Heights is in everyone’s best interest. I appreciate you acknowledging that this exploration “is not a critique” of our office “nor the dedicated Deputies who honorably serve” your
community. In your email, you noted the issues I raised at your September 23, 2020, city council meeting. Thank you for reflecting upon this. As you know, our primary concern is that the City of Falcon Heights is not contiguous with the other communities who contract with the Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement
services. As a result, deputies are required to travel long distances, at high speeds with lights and sirens activated, when responding to emergencies in Falcon Heights. The lack of a contiguous service area requires additional staffing to ensure deputy and resident safety.
As you know, in 2021, there was a mutual decision to not renew our agreement for law enforcement
services. However, the City of Falcon Heights was unable to secure a law enforcement partner and the Sheriff’s Office agreed to continue to provide services. The Sheriff’s Office is committed to supporting your efforts in obtaining a new law enforcement
partner. To that end, I would recommend the following options: 1. Contract with the City of Saint Paul or the City of Roseville. Both cities have robust police services and common borders with Falcon Heights. This would mean a contiguous service
area resulting in adequate and timely service, as well as back-up when necessary. Contracting with an adjacent city reduces the need for deputies to drive long distances with emergency lights and sirens activated. Saint Paul police officers already patrol the Como and Saint Anthony Park neighborhoods, which border Falcon Heights. Roseville police officers already patrol the north and eastern border of Falcon Heights.
54
2. Contract with the Minnesota State Fair Police Department. Similar to the cities of Saint Paul and Roseville, the State Fairgrounds border Falcon Heights. In fact, many assert the fairgrounds are inside the City of Falcon Heights. The State Fair recently re-established a
police department. This would ensure a contiguous service area and likely be the most cost effective option. 3. Reestablish a contract with the City of Saint Anthony. The City of Saint Anthony operates
a police department, which serves the cities of Saint Anthony and Lauderdale. The City of Falcon Heights previously contracted with the City of Saint Anthony. Lauderdale is adjacent to Falcon Heights and this would ensure a contiguous service area. 4. Form your own police department. Some of the larger cities in Ramsey County operate
police departments, which is generally more costly than contracting for law enforcement services. As you know, the City of Falcon Heights has the option to establish its own police department and assume responsibility for all law enforcement services, such as patrol and investigations, in addition to hiring, training, workers compensation, labor relations, contract
negotiations, risk management, internal affairs, equipment, and fleet. While likely the most costly option, a police department would provide the city with the most direct control. 5. Explore a hybrid service delivery model. Should the City of Falcon Heights form a police department, it may require additional services from other agencies to ensure community
needs are met. For example, the city could provide all 24-hour patrol services, including emergency response calls for service, and contract with a different agency, such as the Sheriff’s Office, for investigations.
Whichever option you select, please know that the Sheriff’s Office stands ready to assist you. Public safety is an important investment. Please consider this letter as the formal nine month notice of a mutual decision to not renew our
agreement for law enforcement services at the end of the current term. This is pursuant to the terms
and conditions of our agreement, which you referenced. Thank you for the opportunity to provide contract law enforcement services to the City of Falcon Heights. I am proud of the relationship the Sheriff’s Office has established with the residents,
businesses, and communities of Falcon Heights. Sincerely,
Bob Fletcher Ramsey County Sheriff
Copy: Falcon Heights Mayor and Councilmembers Contract Communities Managers/Administrators
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November 30, 2023
REQUEST FOR CONTINUATION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES
Sheriff Bob Fletcher
425 Grove Street
St. Paul, MN 55101
Dear Sheriff Fletcher,
This letter serves as our formal request for your assistance and support of our continuation as a Ramsey
County community that contracts for law enforcement services from the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office.
In our letter dated March 23, 2023, we notified you of our intent to exercise our option to explore
alternative services under Section C2 of our agreement. Since your initial suggestion on September 23rd,
2020, we have evaluated the feasibility of partnering with a law enforcement agency geographically
close to Falcon Heights. Given our community's under three-square-mile size, it seems logical and
economical to collaborate with a neighboring agency. The Roseville Police Department is three miles
away, and the St. Paul Police Department’s Western District is four miles distant, while the RCSO Patrol
Station in Arden Hills is twice as far at eight miles.
Despite our best attempts to find a new partnership with our neighbors, including exploring out-of-the-
box solutions such as utilizing off-duty police to avoid staffing challenges, we could not overcome the
obstacle of police liability and indemnification. Our efforts to find a new partner were further challenged
when the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust underwriters could not guarantee up-to the $10
million in liability coverage if we were to indemnify the other party. We were notified of this change in
coverage opinion on November 14th. On November 15th, the City Council formally agreed to suspend our
pursuit of a new partner and request assistance from the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office under contract
provision C2. On November 16th, the City Administrator notified the Contract Cities Committee and our
designated contacts at the RCSO of the decision. We were told to expect your letter outlining our
options.
We understand that the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office may face staffing challenges to meet the
contractual obligations on short notice. In consideration of these challenges:
We agree to increase our contract costs to an annualized $1,641,087 and billed monthly through
March 31, 2024. On April 1st, we accept that this amount would increase by 5% if we are not
able to secure a successor agreement by this time. As a small community in Ramsey County, this
provides tremendous strain to our limited budget and follows our 2023 contract increase of
14.5%. We are vested in finding a mutually better long-term solution.
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Our contract currently provides for indemnification of the municipality. There is not a
demonstrated reasoning why this liability risk would change under a new contract. We cannot
feasibly secure $10 million in tort liability coverage as requested.
We agree that it remains in the best interest of all parties for Falcon Heights to obtain a new
partner or establish our own department in a timely manner. Ideally, this would be before
January 1, 2025. If we are able to establish a successor agreement to begin as early as April 1st,
we would notify your office at least 30 days prior to the start of a new contract. If we cannot
secure an alternative partner by April 1st, our contract would continue as per the terms as
outlined above through December 31st, 2024.
As it is in the best interest for all parties that we find a successor agreement, we will be
continuing to actively engage our neighbors for a partnership. If it becomes apparent that a
partnership with another agency is unlikely, our likely only option is the formulation of our own
police department. This would likely take at least nine months to become operational. As you
know, recruiting and developing a new department in the current environment for law
enforcement poses an extreme challenge.
We see our participation in the Contract Cities over the last six years as a mutual benefit to the City of
Falcon Heights, the six other participating municipalities, the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office and the
residents of Ramsey County as a whole. We formally request your assistance to continue the contract
under the provisions of C2 of our mutually agreed contract for up-to one final year.
It is important in light of our differences that we focus on our commonalities: we both view the safety
and security of our communities as a top priority. We believe we are close in terms of a new contract,
and we will work in good faith and an expedient manner to finalize an updated contract. To facilitate
this, we request to move communication to an in-person meeting. The City Council has designated
Council Member Jim Wassenberg and City Administrator Jack Linehan as our representatives authorized
to finalize negotiations. They will be reaching out to facilitate the next steps in the discussion.
Sincerely,
The City of Falcon Heights
Randy Gustafson Melanie Leehy Eric Meyer
Mayor Council Member Council Member
James Wassenberg Yakasah Wehyee
Council Member Council Member
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BLANK PAGE
58
Item Sister City Discussion
Description
Pursuant to our Council rules, Council Members Wehyee and Wassenberg both
requested this item on the next workshop agenda.
Sister Cities International was created by President Eisenhower in 1956 with the
purpose of championing peace and prosperity, forming bonds between communities
from around the world. 13 Minnesota cities are part of SCI. The Sister Cities of the 13
include cities in Poland, Germany, Chile, Japan, Kenya, Norway, Iraq, France, and
many more.
Participation in SCI starts with community-wide support and understanding of Sister
Cities. Sometimes organizations are formed by the community that can include
residents, local government, and schools. The organizations are specifically dedicated
to SCI.
Next, research begins for what cities could be a match to start a relationship with. A
Sister City is usually one that shares cultural and historical bonds, similar landscapes,
programs offered, and much more. After communicating and going through a
correspondence phase, a partnership agreement is made where formal documents are
signed by the highest elected or appointed official of each respective city. Once this
ceremonial event occurs and documents are given to SCI, programs can begin to be
implemented and exchanges can be planned.
Other cities participating in SCI have had long lasting relationships that have been
going on for decades. Students of different ages have benefited from a Sister Cities
relationship by being exchange students in other countries and learning about other
cultures and languages. Attached are examples of how to join SCI and the history a
Minnesota city has with SCI going back to the 1980s.
Budget Impact Annual fee of $310 for population between 5,000-10,000.
Attachment(s) • Benefits of Membership
• Guide to Establishing a Sister City Program
• Sister Cities Commission History - City of Red Wing
Meeting Date December 6, 2023
Agenda Item C4
Attachment Benefits of Membership
Guide to Establishing Program
Sister Cities Commission History - City
of Red Wing
Submitted By Jack Linehan, City Administrator
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Action(s)
Requested
Discuss the possibility of Falcon Heights participating in Sister Cities International.
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BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
Joining the sister cities network
Membership in the SCI network benefits your local sister city program in several ways. SCI is the
clearinghouse for local programs nationwide, providing services to its members, compiling statistics,
promoting the SCI mission, publicizing the efforts of sister city programs, projects and volunteers,
recognizing young artists and international scholars and offering various grant programs to its members
each year.
Dues-paying members receive:
●Access to the SCI affiliations database and SCI guidance and support during the affiliation
process
●Technical assistance on building, funding and managing a local sister city program
●International training, cross-cultural expertise, protocol advice and development materials
●Participation in virtual global roundtables linking cities around the world, including networking
with Ambassadors and other diplomats
●Participation in virtual Global Conversations regarding issues pertinent to citizen diplomats
●Access to municipal professionals and political leaders throughout the world
●Up-to-date information on leading NGOs, foundations and government initiatives that
support sister city activities
●SCI publications, including SCI News, Report to the Membership, the SCI directory,
and the annual convention and awards programs
●Guides and brochures for program development, practical training, teacher and
youth exchange, fundraising and proposal writing
●Reduced registration and exhibit fees for regional, national and international conferences
●Voice and vote for SCI leadership and association policies
●Eligibility for innovative grant programs, from youth exchange to municipal training
●Eligibility for the annual awards program
●Discounted group and incentive travel programs
●Eligibility for the Young Artist and Authors competition
●Opportunity to identify and send young adults to the SCI Youth Leadership Conference
●Access to J-1 Visas for practical training and various insurance policies
●Invaluable networking opportunities through state, regional, bilateral and international SCI
conferences and meetings
●Hands-on assistance from your SCI State Representative
●Networking with other world leaders in the Sister Cities International network
Sister city programs tap SCI’s resources to find contacts, to network globally and to glean ideas
about how to develop projects that benefit U.S. communities and their affiliations.
Although one person may serve as the driving force to start a program, all successful sister city
programs have many people involved in the planning process. These citizens guide the sister city
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program while it is being structured and organized. It is not necessary to have a sister city to
establish a sister city program and become a member of SCI.
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QUICK GUIDE TO ESTABLISHING A SISTER CITY TOOLKIT
Overview
A sister or friendship city relationship is formally created when the mayors or highest elected or
appointed officials from two communities sign an Agreement or Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) establishing the partnership. However, this is usually the result of a long process that involves
the local sister city organization along with the municipality and other local institutions. While the
process can also be very different for each community and can vary from culture to culture, this guide
can serve as a point of reference in guiding communities through the process.
The steps
• Planning process: The first step in developing a new sister city relationship is to ensure everyone
is in agreement.* This would include the local sister city organization and the highest
elected/ranking official, provided this individual approves and formalizes the partnership. The
contact information for local sister city organizations may be found by visiting the Sister Cities
International website at http:// www.sistercities.org/.
• Research phase: Sister city relationships are strategic, long-term partnerships that should be
mutually beneficial. Identifying potential partners is the foundation to developing a successful
relationship. If you don’t already have a potential sister city in mind, below is a list of data points
that communities should look for similarities when identifying potential partners:
- Population size: Some variance in city sizes is natural, but choosing a sister city of a
similar size usually ensures good symmetry between municipal governments,
community groups, private organizations, as well as similar challenges/opportunities
- Geography: Similar geographic qualities, whether it’s ports, deserts, lakes, mountains,
climate, etc. often means that cities will be able to share valuable knowledge related
to the respective challenge or opportunity associated with each quality
- Industries: Potential commerce and trade partnerships
- Academic institutions: High school and university exchanges, which are often a part
of any relationship, require similar counterpart institutions that should be identified
early in the process
- Cultural institutions: This may include museums, music venues, community centers
- Preexisting Relationships: This may include, but is not limited to: mayoral
relationships, trade relationships, expatriate/diaspora communities, faith-based
groups, and personal experiences ranging from study/work abroad to marriages
- Historical or ancestral connections: Ethnic and/or cultural links
*Many communities have developed criteria or policies to guide their research or to evaluate inbound inquires,
whether from cities abroad or local residents, in order to manage the volume of requests as well as ensure that
potential relationships are both appropriate and sustainable. If you are interested in developing such a policy please
email membership@sistercities.org for more assistance as part of our Governance and Policy Services.
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• Develop lines of communication: The next step in the process is to develop a line of communication with
the prospective sister city community may start by sending a letter of introduction from one mayor to the
other. This letter should introduce your community, identify why you are interested in developing a sister
city relationship, identify potential program/exchange opportunities, and identify a point of contact for
this initiative. This is when international protocol should be followed in order to ensure a positive
experience. Provided symmetry is a key aspect of international protocol, if your local sister cities
organization operates through the work of community volunteers it is good practice to identify a volunteer
contact as well as a contact within the mayor’s office. If you need assistance in targeting appropriate
contacts within the international community, please contact info@sistercities.org.
• Correspondence phase: Once the letter has been received by the perspective sister city and a line of
communication has been established, the next several months should be focused on learning more
about the each other’s communities, identifying program/exchange opportunities, discussing local
involvement, and developing a work plan that establishes short and long term goals for the partnership.
Many cultures will recommend a physical exchange during this phase, but often various means of
technology is used to effectively communicate. This period is also a great opportunity to implement a
program to “test the waters.” This program could include a youth pen pal exchange,
municipal/professional best practice, or other knowledge-sharing exchange, among many other
opportunities. Many communities may send non-mayoral delegations during the correspondence and
planning stages-whether that be the city manager, council members, local business professionals, or
volunteers.
• Develop partnership agreement: Both communities have decided to move forward and formalize the
relationship. In order for a sister city, county, or state partnership to be recognized by Sister Cities
International, the two communities must sign formal documents which clearly endorse the link. The
partnership agreement can range from the ceremonial, with language focusing on each city’s
commitment to fostering understanding, cooperation, and mutual benefit to the precise, with
particular areas of interest, specific programs/activities, or more concrete goals related to anything
from numbers of exchanges to economic development. Sister Cities International has developed a
toolkit and template that will assist in creating this document and can be found under the toolkits and
templates section of the SCI Member Area.
• Signing ceremony: Once the partnership agreement has been developed and both communities have
approved the document, the two highest ranking officials will sign the document, which is often done
during a formal signing ceremony. This ceremony is usually an in-person event, but can be virtual. While it
is important to tailor these ceremonies to fit your specific communities, Sister Cities International has
developed a guide to this process and can be found under the toolkits and templates section of the SCI
Member Area. Once the agreement has been signed, please send an electronic copy of that agreement to
Sister Cities International at membership@sistercities.org.
• Implementation and evaluation: It is time to implement programs and plan exchanges outlined in the
cooperative plan developed during the early months of this process. It is a good practice to set a date,
whether within the next six months to two years, to evaluate the partnership and make adjustments if
needed. If you ever come across any issues, concerns, or are looking for program ideas, please do not
hesitate to contact Sister Cities International.
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Sister Cities Commission
The Sister Cities was founded in 1992, to promote cultural exchange between cities of
different nations to foster strengthened economics, world peace, and a greater understanding of
the world issues. The City of Red Wing has two official sister cities – Ikata, Japan and Quzhou,
China. The commission also has had an informal relationship with Drammen, Norway.
Interest in a sister city started in the late 1980s. The idea did not take off until 1992. In
March 1992 there was a reuniting of World War II Doolittle Raider Commanders who crash
landed in China after a raid on Japan, and the Chinese farmers who had rescued them from
Japanese soldiers. This event was brought to Red Wing by Wacouta artist and explorer, Bryan
Moon. At a luncheon address during this event, Mayor Romeo Cyr suggested the possibility of a
friendship connection with a city in the area of China that the rescue had occurred.
At the August 10, 1992 city council meeting Mayor Romeo Cyr requested that the City
Join Sister Cities International. At that point two delegates had contacted him from China and
Norway to establish a relationship. The Council approved joining Sister Cities International and
forming a Sister Cities Commission. Sister Cities International was formed in 1956 by President
Dwight D. Eisenhower. The first reading of the ordinance creating the Sister Cities Commission
was at the October 13, 1992 City Council meeting.
Ordinance No. 137 was approved at the October 26, 1992 City Council Meeting. In
December, fifteen community members were chosen by Mayor Romeo Cyr to be the first
Commissioners of the Sister Cities Commission. The current Commission is also made up of
fifteen members. The first meeting of the Commission was held in 1993. Red Wings two sister
Cities Ikata, Japan and Quzhou, China. The Partnership with Quzhou was formed in 1993 and
the partnership with Ikata was formed in 1995.
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Mayor Nakamota from Ikata, Japan had been to Red Wing in order to assess Red Wing as
a city in which his community wanted to establish an international connection. The reason that
Mayor Nakamota was interested in Red Wing was that Ikata had a nuclear power plant that
already had an exchange program in place with Prairie Island Nuclear Power Plant in Red Wing.
Mayor Nakamota liked Red Wing so along with NSP approached the Sister City Commission
and asked to be considered as a Sister City. Official agreements between the two cities were
signed in Red Wing on August 8, 1995.
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BLANK PAGE
67
Item Personnel Policy Changes
Description
The Minnesota State Legislature introduced a number of employment law changes
that were signed by the Governor, most critically the Employee Safe and Sick Time
(ESST) Act. A few of the recent law changes, such as the CROWN Act and the
Juneteenth holiday, have already been added to the city’s personnel policy. The rest
of the changes will take place on January 1, 2024 and need to be incorporated in to
our policy.
The City Council reviewed the changes at our November workshop. Since that time,
staff has further modified the proposed policy to include:
• Removal of language that all conditional offers of employment require a
passed drug & alcohol test. The City currently does not engage in this practice
for non-DOT applicants and likely would not do this in the future.
• Clarified areas where spouse is mentioned to include “domestic partner”.
• Removed part-time employees as exempted from service time benefits. As a
small city, we benefit greatly from permanent part-time employees and
offering service time benefits can benefit us.
• Cleaned up language.
If the Council accepts the changes, it would be included on the 12-13-23 agenda for
final approval.
Budget
Impact
N/A
Attachment(s) Personnel Policy
Action(s)
Requested
Staff recommends City Council discuss the proposed changes to the Personnel Policy.
Meeting Date December 6, 2023
Agenda Item Policy C5
Attachment(s) Personnel Policy
Submitted By Jack Linehan, City Administrator
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CITY OF FALCON
HEIGHTS
PERSONNEL POLICY
Adopted ____________, 20__May
27, 2015
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INTRODUCTION
This handbook contains personnel policies and procedures approved by the
Falcon Heights City Council regarding Falcon Heights employee relations. These
policies and procedures are guidelines only and are not to be construed as contractual
terms of employment. Any aspect of these policies and procedures may be changed at
any time at the sole discretion of the City Council without prior notice.
Employees covered by an employment contract for any of the provisions in the
handbook will be governed by the employment contract with regard to those provisions.
It is the responsibility of each employee to know all of the policies, procedures,
and regulations contained in this manual. Violation of the personnel policies may be
grounds for disciplinary action up to and including discharge.
Each employee, upon being issued a copy of the personnel policies, will sign a
dated form indicating the policy has been received. The employee is required to read
the personnel policies within 30 days.
Besides these personnel policies, employees are expected to read and be
familiar with the special orders and other publications specific to the employee’s job
performance or job safety. Employees are expected to develop the same familiarity
with these publications as with the personnel policies.
Except as otherwise prohibited by law, the city of Falcon Heights has the right to
terminate any employee at any time for any or no reason. Employees may similarly
terminate employment at any time for any reason.
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DEFINITIONS
The following words used in this handbook are defined to mean:
Full-Time Employee: an employee who works at least forty hours per week throughout the
year.
Part-Time Employee: an employee who works under forty hours per week throughout the
year.
Temporary, Seasonal or As-Needed Employee: an employee retained to fill a position,
full or part-time, which is of a temporary or seasonal or as-needed nature.
Independent Contractors/Consultants: persons or firms contracted by the City who
determine their own hours of operation and/or use of their own resources in the
performance of their duties and are not employed by the City.
Overtime: time worked by non-exempt employees in excess of forty hours per week.
Good Standing: not under suspension or given notice of discharge by the City Council.
Termination: a complete separation of an employee from employment as a result of
discharge, resignation, retirement or death.
Exempt Employee: employees not covered under the overtime and minimum wage
provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Work Week: for purposes of calculating overtime compensation, the work week shall
begin at 12:00 a.m. on Monday and conclude at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
I. EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
- Employer Authority 1
- Non-Discrimination 1
- Discrimination Recourse 1
- Respectful Workplace Policy 2
- Safety Program 7
- Employee Assistance Program 8
- Appointments and Veterans' Preference 8
- Probationary Period 9
- Drug and Alcohol Testing 10
- Service Time 14
- Temporary, Casual and Part-Time Employment 14
- Employment of Spouses and Relatives 15
- Outside Employment 16
- Promotions/Transfers/Demotions 16
- Resignation 17
- Layoffs 17
- Disciplinary Action 17
- Performance Appraisals 19
II. GENERAL POLICIES
- Political Activity 19
- Travel 20
- Use of Vehicles 21
- Use of Telephone 21
- Email 22
- Internet 23
- News Release 25
- Personal Records of Employees 26
- Prohibition Against Requesting or Accepting Gifts 26
III. WORK SCHEDULING/TIME RECORDS
- Hours of Work 27
- Work Time Requirement and Reporting 27
- Pay Period 28
- Overtime Payment 28
- Compensatory Time 29
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IV. EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
- Employment Benefits 29
- Tuition Reimbursement Program 30
- Employee Insurance 31
- Changes in Coverage 32
- Worker's Compensation 32
- Request for Leave 33
- Bereavement Leave 34
- General Leave 34
- Holidays 35
- Injury on Duty Leave 36
- Court Duty 37
- Military Leave 38
- Sick Leave With Pay 39
- Donated Medical Leave 40
- Family and Medical Leave 41
- Organ Donation Leave 44
- School Conference and Activities Leave 44
- Vacation Leave 45
- Voting Leave 46
-Continuation of Group Hospital, Medical, and Dental Insurance 46
-Parental Leave 47
APPENDIX
- Personnel Policy Acknowledgement Form A-1
- Request for Leave A-2
- Donation of Medical Leave Authorization A-3
- Request for Family Medical Leave A-4
- Certification of Receipt of Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy A-5
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EMPLOYER AUTHORITY
POLICY
The City Council retains the full and unrestricted right to operate and manage all
personnel, facilities, and equipment; to establish functions and programs; to set and
amend budgets; to determine the use of technology; to establish and modify the
organizational structure; to select, direct and determine the number of personnel; to
establish work schedules; to perform any inherent managerial function and to amend
this handbook at any time.
NON-DISCRIMINATION
POLICY
1. It is the policy and intent of the City of Falcon Heights (herein after “the City”) to
provide equality of opportunity in employment to all persons.
2. This policy prohibits discrimination because of race (including traits associated
with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and hair styles such as braids,
locs and twists), color, creed, religion, national origin, place of residence, political
affiliation, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, status with regard to public
assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, sex or age in all
aspects of its personnel policies, programs, practices and operations.
3. This policy applies to all phases of employment including, but not limited to,
recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, demotion, or transfer; layoff, recall, or
termination; rates of pay, or other forms of compensation and selection for
training. This policy also applies to the use of all facilities and participation in all
City-sponsored employment activities.
4. It is the responsibility of the City Administrator and every supervisor to cooperate
in the implementation of this policy.
5. Failure of any employee to perform in a manner consistent with this policy will
constitute grounds for reprimand, suspension, demotion, or dismissal from the
City's employ.
DISCRIMINATION RECOURSE
POLICY
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1. Equal employment opportunity is the right of a person to work and to advance on
the basis of merit, ability, and individual potential.
2. Any employee who feels that he or she is a victim of discrimination or who
believes he or she has witnessed discrimination should immediately report such
actions in accordance with the following procedure:
a. Any employee who has witnessed or believes that he or she is a victim of
discrimination should report the act immediately to the City Administrator
or any member of the City Council.
b. The City will investigate every reported incident immediately. Any
employee or supervisor who has been found to have discriminated against
another employee may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, up to
and including immediate discharge.
c. The City will conduct all investigations in a discreet manner. The City
recognizes that every investigation requires a determination based on all
the facts in the matter.
d. The City will not tolerate retaliation against an employee who files a
complaint alleging discrimination. The City will discipline any employee
who retaliates against another employee who files a complaint alleging
discrimination or who testifies, assists or participates in any manner in any
investigation into a complaint alleging discrimination. Retaliation includes,
but is not limited to, any form of intimidation, reprisal or harassment.
3. A charge of discrimination may be filed with the Minnesota Department of Human
Rights and the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission by a
person or group of persons who believe they are victims of unlawful employment
discrimination. Charges may also be filed on behalf of a person or group of
persons by their representative. Charges may also be filed by the Commissioner
of Human Rights or by the EEOC when there is reason to believe that a person is
engaging in an unfair discriminatory practice. A charge must be filed with the
EEOC within 180 days of the alleged unlawful employment practice and with the
Minnesota Department of Human Rights within one year after the occurrence of
the practice.
RESPECTFUL WORKPLACE POLICY
(including sexual harassment prevention)
The intent of this policy is to provide general guidelines about the conduct that is and is
not appropriate in the workplace. The City acknowledges that this policy cannot
possibly predict all situations that might arise, and also recognizes that some
employees are exposed to disrespectful behavior, and even violence, by the very nature
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of their jobs.
Applicability
Maintaining a respectful work environment is a shared responsibility. This policy is
applicable to all City personnel including regular and temporary employees, volunteers,
firefighters, and City Council members.
Abusive Customer Behavior
While the City has a strong commitment to customer service, the City does not expect
that employees accept verbal abuse from any customer. An employee may request that
a supervisor intervene when a customer is abusive, or they may defuse the situation
themselves, including ending the contact.
If there is a concern over the possibility of physical violence, a supervisor should be
contacted immediately. When extreme conditions dictate, 911 may be called.
Employees should leave the area immediately when violence is imminent unless their
duties require them to remain. Employees must notify their supervisor about the
incident as soon as possible.
Types of Disrespectful Behavior
The following types of behaviors cause a disruption in the workplace and are, in many
instances, unlawful:
Violent behavior includes the use of physical force, harassment, or intimidation.
Discriminatory behavior includes inappropriate remarks about or conduct related to a
person's race (including traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair
texture and hair styles such as braids, locs and twists), color, creed, religion, national
origin, disability, sex, marital status, age, sexual orientation, or status with regard to
public assistance.
Offensive behavior may include such actions as: rudeness, angry outbursts,
inappropriate humor, vulgar obscenities, name calling, disrespectful language, or any
other behavior regarded as offensive to a reasonable person. It is not possible to
anticipate in this policy every example of offensive behavior. Accordingly, employees
are encouraged to discuss with their fellow employees and supervisor what is regarded
as offensive, taking into account the sensibilities of employees and the possibility of
public reaction. Although the standard for how employees treat each other and the
general public will be the same throughout the City, there may be differences between
work groups about what is appropriate in other circumstances unique to a work group.
If an employee is unsure whether a particular behavior is appropriate, the employee
should request clarification from their supervisor or the City Administrator.
Sexual harassment can consist of a wide range of unwanted and unwelcome sexually
directed behavior such as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and
other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:
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Submitting to the conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition
of an individual's employment; or
Submitting to or rejecting the conduct is used as the basis for an employment
decision affecting an individual's employment; or
Such conduct has the purpose or result of unreasonably interfering with an
individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive
work environment.
Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Unwelcome or unwanted sexual advances. This means stalking, patting,
pinching, brushing up against, hugging, cornering, kissing, fondling or any other
similar physical contact considered unacceptable by another individual.
Verbal or written abuse, kidding, or comments that are sexually-oriented and
considered unacceptable by another individual. This includes comments about
an individual's body or appearance where such comments go beyond mere
courtesy, telling "dirty jokes" or any other tasteless, sexually oriented comments,
innuendos or actions that offend others.
Requests or demands for sexual favors. This includes subtle or obvious
expectations, pressures, or requests for any type of sexual favor, along with an
implied or specific promise of favorable treatment (or negative consequence)
concerning one's current or future job.
Possession and Use of Dangerous Weapons
Possession or use of a dangerous weapon (see attached definitions) is prohibited on
City property, in City vehicles, or in any personal vehicle, which is being used for City
business. This includes employees with valid permits to carry firearms.
The following exceptions to the dangerous weapons prohibition are as follows:
Employees legally in possession of a firearm for which the employee holds a
valid permit, if required, and said firearm is secured within an attended personal
vehicle or concealed from view within a locked unattended personal vehicle while
that person is working on City property.
A person who is showing or transferring the weapon or firearm to a police officer
as part of an investigation.
Police officers and employees who are in possession of a weapon or firearm in
the scope of their official duties.
Employee Response to Disrespectful Workplace Behavior
Employees who believe that disrespectful behavior is occurring are encouraged to deal
with the situation in one of the ways listed below. However, if the allegations involve
violent behavior, sexual harassment, or discriminatory behavior, then the employee is
responsible for taking one of the actions below. If employees see or overhear a
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violation of this policy, they are encouraged to follow the steps below.
Step 1(a). If comfortable (but not required) politely, but firmly, tell whoever is
engaging in the disrespectful behavior how you feel about their actions. Politely
request the person to stop the behavior because you feel intimidated, offended,
or uncomfortable. If practical, bring a witness with you for this discussion.
Step 1(b). If you fear adverse consequences could result from telling the
offender or if the matter is not resolved by direct contact, go to your supervisor or
City Administrator. The person to whom you speak is responsible for
documenting the issues and for giving you a status report on the matter no later
than ten business days after your report.
Step 1(c). In the case of violent behavior, all employees are required to report
the incident immediately to their supervisor, City Administrator or Police
Department. Any employee who observes sexual harassment or discriminatory
behavior, or receives any reliable information about such conduct, must report it
within two business days to a supervisor or the City Administrator.
Step 2. If, after what is considered to be a reasonable length of time (for
example, 30 days), you believe inadequate action is being taken to resolve your
complaint/concern, the next step is to report the incident to the City Administrator
or the Mayor.
Supervisor's Response to Allegations of Disrespectful Workplace Behavior
Employees who have a complaint of disrespectful workplace behavior will be taken
seriously.
In the case of illegal harassment or discriminatory behavior, a supervisor must report
the allegations within two business days to the City Administrator, who will determine
whether an investigation is warranted. A supervisor must act upon such a report even if
requested otherwise by the victim. In situations other than sexual harassment and
discriminatory behavior, supervisors will use the following guidelines when an allegation
is reported:
Step 1. If the nature of the allegations and the wishes of the victim warrant a
simple intervention, the supervisor may choose to handle the matter informally.
The supervisor may conduct a coaching session with the offender, explaining the
impact of his/her actions and requiring that the conduct not reoccur. This
approach is particularly appropriate when there is some ambiguity about whether
the conduct was disrespectful.
Step 2. If a formal investigation is warranted, the individual alleging a violation of
this policy will be interviewed to discuss the nature of the allegations. The
person being interviewed may have someone of his/her own choosing present
during the interview. The investigator will obtain the following description of the
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incident, including date, time and place.
• Corroborating evidence.
• A list of witnesses.
• Identification of the offender.
Step 3. The supervisor must notify the City Administrator about the allegations.
Step 4. As soon as practical after receiving the written or verbal complaint, the
alleged policy violator will be informed of the allegations. The alleged violator will
have the opportunity to answer questions and respond to the allegations.
Step 5. After adequate investigation and consultation with the appropriate
personnel, a decision will be made regarding whether or not disciplinary action
will be taken.
Step 6. The alleged violator and complainant will be advised of the findings and
conclusions as soon as practicable.
Special Reporting Requirements
When the supervisor is perceived to be the cause of a disrespectful workplace behavior
incident, a report will be made to the City Administrator who will assume the
responsibility for investigation and discipline.
If the City Administrator is perceived to be the cause of a disrespectful workplace
behavior incident, a report will be made to the City Attorney who will confer with the
Mayor and City Council regarding appropriate investigation and action.
If a Council Member is perceived to be the cause of a disrespectful workplace behavior
incident involving City personnel, the report will be made to the City Administrator and
referred to the City Attorney who will undertake the necessary investigation. The City
Attorney will report his/her findings to the City Council, which will take the action it
deems appropriate.
Pending completion of the investigation, the City Administrator may at his/her discretion
take appropriate action to protect the alleged victim, other employees, or citizens.
Confidentiality
A person reporting or witnessing a violation of this policy cannot be guaranteed
anonymity. The person's name and statements may have to be provided to the alleged
offender. All complaints and investigative materials will be contained in a file separate
from the involved employees' personnel files. If disciplinary action does result from the
investigation, the results of the disciplinary action will then become a part of the
employee(s) personnel file(s).
Retaliation
Consistent with the terms of applicable statutes and City personnel policies the City may
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discipline any individual who retaliates against any person who reports alleged
violations of this policy. The City may also discipline any individual who retaliates
against any participant in an investigation, proceeding or hearing relating to the report of
alleged violations. Retaliation includes, but is not limited to, any form of intimidation,
reprisal, or harassment.
Any employee found to have made a knowingly false allegation under this policy or
found to have given knowingly false information during an investigation of such a
complaint will also be subject to disciplinary action.
SAFETY PROGRAM
POLICY
1. The City will endeavor through its safety program to maintain a safe and healthy
work place. The City will provide safe working equipment. The City will inform
employees of proper work habits and procedures which will maximize the
potential of an accident-free work environment, and will monitor the existence of
proper first aid and emergency equipment and procedures as well as employee
knowledge and training in the use of such equipment and procedures. The City
will insure the availability and speedy access of City employees to emergency
medical services in the event of an accident or medical emergency.
2. The City safety program provides:
a. Safety inspections of the work place environment, machines and
equipment, procedures and work habits, as well as access to first aid and
emergency medical support.
b. Incident or complaint review of specific work locations, accidents or
injuries, machines, or equipment, recommended work habits or
procedures to be carried out in the event of a lost-time accident, a
reported or suspected health hazard, an employee complaint, or a
supervisor's request.
c. Safety and protection procedures that make known to employees the
existence of potential health hazards, proper protective procedures, and
safety and health rules and requirements, as well as emergency
procedures.
d. Safety education programs which provide safety information and training
to employees through demonstrations, training sessions, and verbal and
written communications.
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e. Program enforcement through managers and supervisors who are
knowledgeable in safety procedures, who promulgate safe safety
attitudes, and who publish and enforce compliance with employee safety
and health rules and regulations within the sphere of their work authority.
3. The responsibilities for safety must be shared.
a. City Administrator. The City Administrator is provided with the authority to
establish, promulgate and enforce City safety and health procedures, rules
and regulations.
b. Employees. Each employee is expected to place safe work practices and
identification of unsafe conditions as the highest priority while performing
their work duties. Each employee's safety and health commitment
includes, but is not limited to, the following:
• Using appropriate safety equipment.
• Wearing required dress/uniform and footwear.
• Warning co-workers of unsafe conditions or practices that could lead
to or cause an accident.
• Operate equipment only after receiving proper training.
• Reporting defective or damaged equipment.
• Reporting dangerous, unsafe or unhealthy conditions that exist in the
City work place.
• Reporting of all injuries and accidents.
• Taking proper protective measures to minimize unsafe conditions
that could present a hazard to the public resulting from City work.
• Maintaining tools and equipment in a proper manner, to ensure that
they are in the best possible condition during usage.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
POLICY
The City has a contract with Ramsey County, whereby the employee can receive
diagnostic referral assistance in such areas as parent/child relationships, marital
problems, behavior problems, drugs, cannabis, and alcohol, emotional and mental
disorders and personal adjustment difficulties. The service is provided at no cost to the
employee through his/her benefits package. All contact between the employee and the
private provider is confidential. The employer does not receive information concerning
employees as a result of the service. For more information, contact the Ramsey County
Human Resources Department.
APPOINTMENTS AND VETERANS' PREFERENCE
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POLICY
1. All appointments to positions of City employment will be based on merit and
qualifications of the applicants for the position to be filled. To evaluate the merit
and qualifications of the applicants, a criteria will be established for each such
position. The criteria established must be capable of being reduced to a 100-
point rating system. A 100-point system must be applied to all positions of City
employment except for those positions specifically exempted from the Veterans'
Preference Act, Minn. Stat. § 43A.11, by Minn. Stat. § 197.46.
2. In accordance with Minn. Stat. § 43A.11 and Minn. Stat. § 197.455, a credit of
five points will be added to a veteran's rating at the election of the veteran so
long as the City position being sought is not exempted from veterans' preference
by Minn. Stat. § 197.46. The receipt of the credit is conditional on the veteran
obtaining a passing rating under the criteria and 100-point system established for
the position without the addition of the credit points.
3. In accordance with Minn. Stat. § 43A.11 and Minn. Stat. § 197.55, a credit of ten
points will be added to a disabled veteran's rating at the election of the disabled
veteran so long as the City position being sought is exempted from veterans'
preference by Minn. Stat. § 197.46. The receipt of the credit is conditional on the
veteran obtaining a passing rating under the criteria and 100-point system
established for the position without the addition of the credit points.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD
POLICY
1. Purpose: The probationary period will be regarded as an integral part of the
examination process and will be used for closely observing the employee's work,
for securing the most effective adjustment of the employee to this position and for
rejecting any employee whose performance does not meet the required
standards. Employment remains “AT WILL” both during and following the
probationary period.
2. Duration: All appointments will be probationary and subject to a probationary
period of up to six (6) months service after appointment. The City can extend the
probationary period beyond six (6) months for such period of time as the City at
its discretion deems fit and necessary. At any time during the probationary
period, any employee may be transferred or dismissed at the City's discretion.
3. Applies to Promotions: All promotions will be subject to a probationary period of
up to six (6) months. If the employee who has been promoted is found unsuited
for the work of the position to which promoted, at the City’s discretion the
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employee may be reinstated to the position and rate of pay of the position from
which the employee was promoted.
4. Affects Leave Benefits: During the initial probationary period, but not during a
promotional period, an employee will not be entitled to vacation leave during the
first six months of employment. Vacation leave accrues from the start of
employment.
DRUG, AND ALCOHOL, AND CANNABIS TESTING AND
DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE ACT POLICY FOR NON-
COMMERCIAL DRIVERS (Non-DOT)
POLICYPurpose, DRUG FREE WORKPLACE
1.The city of Falcon Heights has a vital interest in maintaining safe, healthful, and
efficient working conditions for employees, and recognizes that individuals who are
impaired because of drugs and/or alcohol jeopardize the safety and health of other
workers as well as themselves. The city of Falcon Heights does not intend to intrude
into the private lives of its employees, but strongly believes that a drug, alcohol and
cannabis-free workplace is in the best interest of employees and the public alike.
Alcohol, drug, and cannabis abuse can cause unsatisfactory job performance,
increased tardiness and absenteeism, increased accidents and workers’ compensation
claims, higher insurance rates, and an increase in theft of city property. The city of
Falcon Heights’s Drug, Alcohol and Cannabis Testing Non-DOT policy has been
established for the purpose of providing a safe workplace for all.
City employees and applicants required to hold a commercial driver’s license by the
United States Department of Transportation (“DOT”) for their job will be tested under the
city’s Policy on Controlled Substance and Alcohol Testing for Commercial Drivers (the
“DOT Policy”). All other employees and job applicants offered employment with the city
must undergo testing as described by this policy.
To ensure the policy is clearly communicated to all employees and applicants to whom
offers of employment have been made, and to comply with state law, employees and
applicants are required to review this policy and sign the “policy acknowledgement.” A
job applicant will also acknowledge in this form that he/she understands that passing
the drug test is a requirement of the job. The City recognizes drug and alcohol abuse by
employees or potential employees as threatening the welfare of the public and the
wellbeing of the other employees. Therefore, the City has established drug and alcohol
testing for positions covered by this policy as a means of protecting the public’s welfare
and employees’ wellbeing.
Persons Subject to Testing and Circumstances Under Which Testing
May Be Required
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2. Under this policy, the city may test any applicant to whom an offer of employment
has been made and may test employees for alcohol and/or drugs, including cannabis,
under the following circumstances with a properly accredited or licensed testing
laboratory, in accordance with Minn. Stat. § 181.953, subd. 1.The intent of this policy is
to prevent drug and alcohol abuse by employees and to offer the opportunity for
rehabilitation of employees who have tested positively for drug and alcohol use while on
duty.
Pre-Employment Testing:
Every job applicant offered employment with the city receives the offer
conditioned upon successful completion of drug test, and/or an alcohol or
cannabis test, if applicable, among other conditions. The city will not request or
require a job applicant to undergo cannabis testing related to “lawful consumable
products” pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 181.938, including alcohol, cannabis, lower-
potency hemp edibles, and hemp-derived consumer products, except with
respect to the categories of positions listed below in the definition of “Drug” or if
otherwise required by state or federal law. If the job offer is withdrawn based
drug test results, the city will inform the applicant of the reasons for the
withdrawal. A failure of the drug or other applicable test, a refusal to take the test,
or failure to meet other conditions of the offer will result in a withdrawal of the
offer of employment even if the applicant’s provisional employment has begun. A
negative or positive dilute test result (following a second collection), which has
been confirmed, will also result in immediate withdrawal of an offer of
employment to an applicant. Temporary and seasonal employees are not
subject to this policy except for those designated by the hiring department as
safety-sensitive positions.
a.Reasonable Suspicion Testing:
Consistent with Minn. Stat. § 181.951, subd. 5, employees will be subject to
alcohol and/or drug testing, including cannabis testing, when reasonable
suspicion exists to believe that the employee:
Is under the influence of alcohol, drugs or cannabis; or
Has violated written work rules prohibiting the use, possession, sale or transfer of
drugs, alcohol, or cannabis, while working, while on city property, or while
operating city vehicles, machinery or any other type of equipment; or
Has sustained a personal injury as defined in Minn. Stat. § 176.011, subd. 16 or
has caused another employee to sustain an injury or;
Has caused a work-related accident or was operating or helping to operate
machinery, equipment, or vehicles involved in a work-related accident.
Reasonable suspicion may be based upon, but is not limited to, facts regarding
appearance, behavior, speech, breath, odor, possession, proximity to or use of
alcohol, drugs or cannabis or containers or paraphernalia, poor safety record,
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excessive absenteeism, impairment of job performance, or any other
circumstances that would cause a reasonable employer to believe that a violation
of the city’s policies concerning alcohol, drugs or cannabis may have occurred.
These observations will be reflected in writing on a Reasonable Suspicion
Record Form.
For off-site collection, employees will be driven to the employer-approved medical
facility by their supervisor or a designee. For an on-site collection service, the employee
will remain on site and be observed by the supervisor or designee. The medical facility
or on-site collection service will take the urine or blood sample and will forward the
sample to an approved laboratory for testing.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, all city
employees, as a condition of continued employment, will agree to abide by the terms of
this policy and must notify the City Administrator of any criminal drug statute conviction
for a violation occurring in the workplace not later than five days after such conviction. If
required by law or government contract, the city will notify the appropriate federal
agency of such conviction within 10 days of receiving notice from the employee.
3.Right of Refusal: Employees and job applicants have the right to refuse to submit
to an alcohol, drug, or cannabis test under this policy. However, such a refusal will
subject an employee to immediate termination. If an applicant refuses to submit to
applicant testing, any conditional offer of employment will be withdrawn. Any intentional
act or omission by the employee or applicant that prevents the completion of the testing
process constitutes a refusal to test.
An applicant or employee who substitutes, or attempts to substitute, or alters, or
attempts to alter a testing sample is considered to have refused to take a drug alcohol
or cannabis test. In such a case, the employee is subject to immediate termination of
employment, and in the case of an applicant, the job offer will be immediately
withdrawn.
Employees are prohibited from the use, possession, transfer, transportation,
manufacture, distribution, sale, purchase, solicitation to sell or purchase, or
dispensation of alcohol, drugs, or drug paraphernalia while on duty; is on city premises;
while operating any city vehicle, machinery, or equipment; or when performing any city
business, except (1) pursuant to a valid medical prescription used as properly
instructed; (2) the use of over-the-counter drugs used as intended by the manufacturer;
or (3) when necessary for approved law enforcement activity.
An employee or job applicant who, on religious grounds, refuses to undergo drug and/or
alcohol testing, including cannabis testing, of a blood sample will not be considered to
have refused testing, unless the employee or job applicant also refuses to undergo
drug, alcohol, or cannabis testing of a urine sample.
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Prohibition Against Drugs and Alcohol
4. Prohibition. Employees are prohibited from the use, possession, transfer,
transportation, manufacture, distribution, sale, purchase, solicitation to sell or purchase,
or dispensation of alcohol, drugs, including cannabis, or drug paraphernalia, while on
duty; while on city premises; while operating any city vehicle, machinery, or equipment;
or when performing any city business, except (1) pursuant to a valid medical
prescription used as properly instructed; (2) the use of over-the-counter drugs used as
intended by the manufacturer; or (3) when necessary for approved law enforcement
activity.
Employees are prohibited from being under the influence of alcohol or drugs or
having a detectable amount of a drug in the blood or urine when reporting for
work; while on duty; is on the city’s premises; while operating any city vehicle,
machinery, or equipment; or when performing any City business, except (1)
pursuant to a valid medical prescription used as properly instructed; or (2) the
use of over-the-counter drug used as intended by the manufacturer.
5. Besides having a zero-tolerance policy for the use or possession of alcohol,
illegal drugs, or misused prescription drugs on the worksite, we also prohibit the use,
possession of, impairment by any cannabis or medical cannabis marijuana or medical
marijuana products (e.g., hash oils, edibles or beverages containing cannabinoids, or
pills) on the worksite by a person working as an employee at the city or while “on call”
and subject to return to work. Having a medical marijuana card, patient registry
number, and/or marijuana prescription from a physician does not allow anyone to use,
possess, or be impaired by that drug here. Likewise, the fact that cannabis may be
lawfully purchased and consumed does not permit anyone to use, possess, or be
impaired by them here. The federal government still classifies cannabis as an illegal
drug, even though some states, including Minnesota, have decriminalized its
possession and use. There is no acceptable concentration of marijuana metabolites in
the blood or urine of an employee who operates our equipment or vehicles or who is on
one of our worksites. Applicants and employees are still subject to being tested under
our drug, alcohol and cannabis testing policy. cannabinoid products may be lawfully
purchased and consumed in some circumstances does not permit anyone to use,
possess, or be impaired by them here. The federal government still classifies marijuana
as an illegal drug, even though some states, including Minnesota, have decriminalized
its possession and use in certain circumstances. There is no acceptable concentration
of marijuana metabolites in the blood or urine of an employee who operates our
equipment or vehicles or who is on one of our worksites. Applicants and employees are
still subject to being tested under our drug and alcohol testing policy. And Eemployees
are subject to being disciplined, suspended, or terminated after testing positive for
cannabis if the employee used, possessed, or was impaired by cannabis, including
medical cannabismarijuana, while on the premises of the place of employment or during
the hours of employment.
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6. Employees are prohibited from being under the influence of alcohol or drugs,
including cannabis, or having a detectable amount of an illegal drug in the blood or urine
when reporting for work; while on duty; whole should be while on the city’s premises;
while operating any city vehicle, machinery, or equipment; or when performing any City
business, except (1) pursuant to a valid medical prescription used as properly
instructed; or (2) the use of over-the-counter drug used as intended by the
manufacturer.Employees taking a lawful drug, including prescription and over-the-
counter drugs, which may impair their ability to perform their job responsibilities or pose
a safety risk to themselves or others, must advise their supervisor of this before
beginning work. It is the employee’s responsibility to seek out written information from
his/her physician or pharmacist regarding medication and any job performance
impairment and relay that information to his/her supervisor. In the event of such a
disclosure, the employee will not be authorized to perform safety-sensitive functions.
Driving While Impaired: A conviction of driving while impaired in a city-owned vehicle at
any time during business or non-business hours, or in an employee-owned vehicle while
conducting city business, may result in discipline, up to and including discharge.
Criminal Drug Convictions: Any employee convicted of any criminal drug statute must
notify his or her supervisor and the City Administrator in writing of such conviction no
later than five days after such conviction. Within 30 days after receiving notice from an
employee of a drug-related conviction, the city will take appropriate personnel action
against the employee up to and including discharge or require the employee to
satisfactorily participate in a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program as an
alternative to termination. In the event notice is not provided to the supervisor and the
employee is deemed to be incapable of working safely, the employee will not be
permitted to work and will be subject to disciplinary action, including dismissal from
employment. In accordance with the Federal Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, if the
city is receiving federal grants or contracts of over $25,000, the city will notify the
appropriate federal agency of such conviction within 10 days of receiving notice from
the employee.
Failure to Disclose Lawful Drugs: Employees taking a lawful drug, including prescription
and over-the-counter drugs or cannabis, which may impair their ability to perform their
job responsibilities or pose a safety risk to themselves or others, must advise their
supervisor of this before beginning work. It is the employee’s responsibility to seek out
written information from his/her physician or pharmacist regarding medication and any
job performance impairment and relay that information to his/her supervisor. In the
event of such a disclosure, the employee will not be authorized to perform safety-
sensitive functions.
Review and Notification of Test Results
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Notification of Negative Test Results: In the case of job applicants and in accordance
with Minn. Stat. § 181.953, the City Administrator or designee will notify a job applicant
of a negative drug result within three days of receipt of result by the city, and the hiring
process will resume. In accordance with Minn. Stat. § 181.953, subd. 3, a laboratory
must report results to the city within three working days of the confirmatory test result. A
“Negative Test Results Notification” form will be sent to the job applicant, and the job
applicant may request a copy of the test result report from the City Administrator or
designee. In the case of current employees and in accordance with Minn. Stat. §
181.953, the City Administrator or designee will notify the employee of a negative drug
and/or alcohol result within three days of receipt of result by the city. A “Negative Test
Results Notification” form will be sent to the employee, and he or she may request a
copy of the test result report from the City Administrator or designee.
Notification of Positive Test Results: In the event of a confirmed positive blood or urine
alcohol drug, or cannabis test result, the city will notify the employee of a positive result
within three days of receipt of the result. The City Administrator or designee will send to
the employee or job applicant a “Positive Test Results Notification” letter containing
further instructions. The employee or job applicant may contact the City Administrator or
designee to request a copy of the test result report if desired. In accordance with Minn.
Stat. § 181.953, subd. 3, a laboratory must report results to the city within three working
days of the confirmatory test result.
Right to Provide Information after Receiving Test Results: Within three working days
after notice of a positive drug, alcohol, or cannabis test result on a confirmatory test, the
employee or job applicant may submit information to the city to explain the positive
result. In accordance with Minn. Stat. § 181.953, subd. 10, if an employee submits
information either before a test or within three working days after a positive test result
that explains the positive test result, (such as medications the employee is taking), the
city will not take an adverse employment action based on that information unless the
employee has already been under an affirmative duty to provide the information before,
upon, or after hire.
Right to Confirmatory Retest: A job applicant or employee may request a confirmatory
retest of the original sample at the job applicant’s or employee’s own expense after
notice of a positive test result on a confirmatory test. Within five working days after
notice of the confirmatory test result, the job applicant or employee must notify the city
in writing of the job applicant’s or employee’s intention to obtain a confirmatory retest.
Within three working days after receipt of the notice, the city will notify the original
testing laboratory that the job applicant or employee has requested the laboratory to
conduct the confirmatory retest or transfer the sample to another qualified laboratory
licensed to conduct the confirmatory retest. The original testing laboratory will ensure
the control and custody procedures are followed during transfer of the sample to the
other laboratory. In accordance with Minn. Stat. § 181.953, subd. 3, the laboratory is
required to maintain all samples testing positive for a period of six months. The
confirmatory retest will use the same drug and/or alcohol threshold detection levels as
used in the original confirmatory test.
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In the case of job applicants, if the confirmatory retest does not confirm the original
positive test result, the city’s job offer will be reinstated, and the city will reimburse the
job applicant for the actual cost of the confirmatory retest. In the case of employees, if
the confirmatory retest does not confirm the original positive test result, no adverse
personnel action based on the original confirmatory test will be taken against the
employee, the employee will be reinstated with any lost wages or salary for time lost
pending the outcome of the confirmatory retest result, and the city will reimburse the
employee for the actual cost of the confirmatory retest.
Access to Reports: In accordance with Minn. Stat. § 181.953, subd. 10, an employee
will have access to information contained in his or her personnel file relating to positive
test results and to the testing process, including all information gathered as part of that
process.
Dilute Specimens: A negative or positive dilute test result (following a second collection)
which has been confirmed will subject an employee to immediate termination.
Consequences for Employees Engaging in Prohibited Conduct
Job Applicants:
The city’s conditional offer of employment will be withdrawn from any job applicant who
refuses to be tested or tests positive for illegal drugs as verified by a confirmatory test.
Employees:
• No Adverse Action without Confirmatory Test. The city will not discharge,
discipline, discriminate against, or request or require rehabilitation of an
employee based on a positive test result from an initial screening test that has
not been verified by a confirmatory test.
• Suspension Pending Test Result. The city may temporarily suspend a tested
employee with or without pay or transfer that employee to another position at the
same rate of pay pending the outcome of the requested confirmatory retest,
provided the city believes that it is reasonably necessary to protect the health or
safety of the employee, co-employees, or the public.
The employee will be asked to return home and will be provided appropriate
arrangements for return transportation to his or her residence. In accordance with
Minn. Stat. § 181.953, subd. 10, an employee who has been suspended without
pay will be reinstated with back pay if the outcome of the requested confirmatory
retest is negative.
Discipline and Discharge
Confirmatory Positive Test Result: The city will not discharge an employee for a first
confirmatory positive test unless the following conditions have been met:
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The city has first given the employee an opportunity to participate in either a drug
or alcohol counseling or rehabilitation program, whichever is more appropriate,
as determined by the city after consultation with a certified chemical use
counselor or physician trained in the diagnosis and treatment of chemical
dependency. Participation by the employee in any recommended substance
abuse treatment program will be at the employee’s own expense or pursuant to
the coverage under an employee benefit plan. The certified chemical use
counselor or physician trained in the diagnoses and treatment of chemical
dependency will determine if the employee has followed the rehabilitation
program as prescribed; and
The employee has either refused to participate in the counseling or rehabilitation
program or has failed to successfully complete the program, as evidenced by
withdrawal from the program before its completion or by a refusal to test or
positive test result on a confirmatory test after completion of the program.
Other Misconduct:
Nothing in this policy limits the right of the city to discipline or dismiss an employee on
grounds other than a positive confirmatory test result, including conviction of any
criminal drug statute for a violation occurring in the workplace or violation of other city
personnel policies.
Emergency Call Back to Work Provisions:
If an employee is called out for a city emergency and he or she reports to work and is
suspected of being under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or cannabis he or she will not
be subject to the testing procedures of this policy but will not be allowed to work.
Appropriate arrangements for return transportation to the employee’s residence will be
made. It is the sole responsibility of the employee who is under the influence of alcohol,
drugs or cannabis and who is called out for a city emergency, to notify his or her
supervisor of this information and advise if he or she is unable to respond to the
emergency call back.
Non-Discrimination
The city of Falcon Heights’ policy on work-related substance abuse is non-
discriminatory in intent and application; however, in accordance with Minn. Stat., ch.
363, disability does not include conditions resulting from alcohol or other drug or
cannabis abuse which prevents an employee from performing the essential functions of
the job in question or constitutes a direct threat to property of the safety of individuals.
Furthermore, the city will not retaliate against any employee for asserting his or her
rights under this policy.
NON-DOT POLICY
31. City employees and applicants required to hold a commercial driver’s license by
the United States Department of Transportation (“DOT”) for their job will be
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tested under the city’s Policy on Controlled Substance and Alcohol Testing for
Commercial Drivers (the “DOT Policy”). All other employees and job applicants
offered employment with the city must undergo testing as described by this
policy.
2. The City shall inform a job applicant or employee of the following prior to testing:.
Information shall include the City’s right to request a test, the processing of a
test, the consequences of testing positively, and the rights of the
employeeapplicant.
43. Before requesting an employee or a job applicant to undergo drug or alcohol
testing, the City shall provide the employee or job applicant with a form
developed by the City on which to acknowledge the employee or job applicant
has reviewed the policy. On an additional form, the employee or job applicant
may indicate any over-the-counter or prescription medications that they are
currently taking or have recently taken and any other information relative to the
liability of or explanation for a positive test result. This form will be completed at
the collection site and will not be reviewed by the employer.
45. Random testing is prohibited.
56. The City shall not require an employee or job applicant to undergo drug or
alcohol testing except as authorized below:
a. Job Applicants. The City may require a job applicant to undergo drug or
alcohol testing provided a job offer has been made to the applicant and
the same test is required of all job applicants conditionally offered
employment for that position. If the job offer is withdrawn the City shall
inform the applicant of the reasons for its actions.
b. Employees. The supervisor in charge may require an employee to
undergo drug or alcohol testing provided a reasonable attempt has been
made to receive approval from the City Administrator, that said
requirement is stated in writing, and there is reasonable suspicion that the
employee:
i) is under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
ii) is found to personally use, possess, sell, or transfer illicit drugs or
alcohol while on duty, while on city property, or while operating city
vehicles, machinery, or any other type of city equipment;
iii) sustained a personal injury or caused another employee to sustain
a personal injury and the supervisor in charge has reasonable
suspicion that drugs or alcohol were involved;
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iv) has caused a work related accident or was helping to operate
machinery, equipment, or vehicles involved in a work related
accident. and the supervisor in charge has reasonable suspicion
that drugs or alcohol were involved.
c. The City may require an employee to undergo drug or alcohol testing if the
employee has been referred for chemical dependency treatment or
evaluation which results in a determination that the employee is
chemically dependent, in which case the employee may be required to
undergo drug and alcohol testing without prior notice during the evaluation
or treatment period and for a period of up to two (2) years following
completion of any prescribed chemical dependency treatment program.
d. Reasonable suspicion Reasonable suspicion may be based upon, but is
not limited to, facts regarding appearance, behavior, speech, breath, odor,
possession, proximity to or use of alcohol or drugs or containers or
paraphernalia, poor safety record, excessive absenteeism, impairment of
job performance, or any other circumstances that would cause a
reasonable employer to believe that a violation of the city’s policies
concerning alcohol or drugs may have occurred. shall be defined as that
quantity of proof or evidence that is more than a hunch, but less than
probable cause. Reasonable suspicion must be based on specific,
objective facts and any rationally derived inferences from those facts
about the conduct of an individual that would lead the reasonable person
to suspect that the individual is or has been using drugs while on or off
duty.
67. Test sample collection shall be conducted in a manner which provides a high
degree of security for the sample and freedom from adulteration. Employees
may not be witnessed while submitting a urine sample. Administrative
procedures and biologic testing of the samples shall be conducted to prevent the
submission of fraudulent tests. All screening tests shall make use of a split
sample which shall be used for confirmatory retests. Upon request, an employee
shall be entitled to the presence of a representative before testing is
administered. The testing may not be delayed for an unreasonable amount of
time to allow the employee this opportunity.
78. All samples shall be tested for CHEMICAL ADULTERATION, OPIATES,
CANNABIS, PCP, COCAINE, AMPHETAMINES, BARBITURATES,
BENZODIAZEPINES, AND ALCOHOL. The testing shall be done at a laboratory
to be determined by the City and the following standards shall be used:
DRUG SCREENING TEST CONFIRMATION
Amphetamines ng/ml Amphetamine ng/mg GC-MS
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Barbiturates ng/ml Barbiturate ng/ml GC-MS
Benzodiazepine ng/ml Oxazepam ng/ml GC-MS
Cannabis ng/ml Delta-THC ng/ml GC-MS
Cocaine ng/ml Metabolite ng/ml GC-MS
Opiates ng/ml Morphine, Codeine ng/ml GC-MS
PCP ng/ml PCP ng-ml GC-MS
Alcohol gm/dl Alcohol gm/dl GC-MS
Definitions
Alcohol: Means the intoxicating agent in beverage alcohol or any low molecular weight
alcohols such as ethyl, methyl, or isopropyl alcohol. The term includes but is not limited
to beer, wine, spirits, and medications such as cough syrup that contain alcohol.
Alcohol use or usage: Means the consumption of any beverage, mixture, or
preparation, including any medication, containing alcohol.
Applicant: Means a person applying for a job with the city.
Cannabis: Means cannabis and its metabolites, including cannabis flower, cannabis
products, lower-potency hemp edibles, and hemp-derived consumer products.
Cannabis testing: Mean analysis of a body component sample according to the
standards established under one of the programs listed in Minn. Stat. § 181.953,
subd.1, for the purpose of measuring their presence or absence of cannabis in the
sample tested.
City: Means the city of Falcon Heights.
City premises: Means, but is not limited to, all city job sites and work areas. For the
purposes of this policy, city premises also includes any other locations or modes of
transportation to and from those locations while in the course and scope of employment
of the city.
City vehicle: Means any vehicle which employees are authorized to use solely for city
business when used at any time; or any vehicle owned or leased by the city when used
for city business.
Collection site: Means a place designated by the city where job applicants and
employees present themselves for the purpose of providing a specimen of their breath,
urine, and/or blood to be analyzed for the presence of drugs and alcohol.
Confirmatory test: Means a drug, alcohol or cannabis test on a sample to substantiate
the results of a prior drug, alcohol test or cannabis on the same sample, and that uses a
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method of analysis allowed under one of the programs listed in Minn. Stat. § 181.953,
subd. 1.
Drug: Includes any “controlled substance” as defined in Minn. Stat. § 152.01, subd. 4,
and also includes all cannabinoids, including those that are lawfully available for public
consumption that do not otherwise qualify as being a “controlled substance” as defined
in Minn. Stat. § 152.01, subd. 4. Cannabis and its metabolites are considered a “drug”
for positions in the following categories, regardless of the kind of testing involved: safety
sensitive positions; peace officer positions; firefighter positions; positions requiring face-
to-face care, training, education, supervision, counseling or medical assistance to
children, vulnerable adults or patients receiving treatment, examination or emergency
care for a medical, psychiatric or mental condition; positions requiring a commercial
driver's license or requiring the employee to operate a motor vehicle for which state or
federal law requires drug or alcohol testing; positions funded by a federal grant; or other
positions for which state or federal law requires testing of a job applicant or employee.
Drug and/or alcohol testing, and drug and/or alcohol test: Mean analysis of a body
component sample according to the standards established under one of the programs
listed in Minn. Stat. § 181.953, subd.1, for the purpose of measuring their presence or
absence of drugs, alcohol, or their metabolites in the sample tested. "Drug and alcohol
testing," "drug or alcohol testing," and "drug or alcohol test" do not include cannabis or
cannabis testing, unless stated otherwise.
Drug paraphernalia: Has the meaning set forth in Minn. Stat. § 152.01, subd. 18.
Employee: Means a person who performs services for compensation for the city and
includes independent contractors except where specifically noted in this policy.
Initial screening test: Means a drug, alcohol, or cannabis test that uses a method of
analysis under one of the programs listed in Minn. Stat. § 181.953, subd. 1.
Job applicant: Means a person who applies to become an employee of the city and
includes a person who has received a job offer made contingent on the person passing
drug testing.
Positive test result: Means a finding of the presence of alcohol, drugs, cannabis or
their metabolites that exceeds the cutoff levels established by the city. Minimum
threshold detection levels are subject to change as determined in the city’s sole
discretion.
Random selection basis: Means a mechanism for selection of employees that (1)
results in an equal probability that any employee from a group of employees subject to
the selection mechanism will be selected, and (2) does not give an employer discretion
to waive the selection of any employee selected under the mechanism.
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Reasonable suspicion: Means a basis for forming a belief based on specific facts and
rational inferences drawn from those facts.
Safety-sensitive position: Means a job, including any supervisory or management
position, in which an impairment caused by drug, alcohol, and/or cannabis usage would
threaten the health or safety of any person.
Under the influence: Means (1) the employee tests positive for alcohol drugs, or
cannabis or (2) the employee’s actions, appearance, speech, and/or bodily odors
reasonably cause the city to conclude that the employee is impaired because of illegal
drug use or alcohol use.
98. Any sample which has been altered or is shown to be a substance other than
urine or blood shall be reported as such. All samples which test positive on a
screening test shall be confirmed by gas chromatography-mass
spectrophotometry, and no records of unconfirmed positive tests shall be
released by the laboratory.
109. Initial screening tests and confirmatory tests shall be at the sole cost of The City.
101. Testing and evaluation procedures shall be conducted in a manner to ensure that
an employee’s legal drug use does not affect the test results.
12. All results shall be evaluated by a suitably trained occupational physician or
occupational nurse prior to being reported.
11. Test Results and Notification.
a. Notification of Negative Test Results: In the case of job applicants and in
accordance with Minn. Stat. § 181.953, Human Resources will notify a job
applicant of a negative drug result within three days of receipt of result by the
city, and the hiring process will resume. In accordance with Minn. Stat. §
181.953, subd. 3, a laboratory must report results to the city within three working
days of the confirmatory test result. A “Negative Test Results Notification” form
will be sent to the job applicant, and the job applicant may request a copy of the
test result report from Human Resources.
b. Notification of Positive Test Results: In the event of a confirmed positive
blood or urine alcohol and/or drug test result, the city will notify the employee of a
positive drug and/or alcohol result within three days of receipt of the result.
Human Resources will send to the employee or job applicant a “Positive Test
Results Notification” letter containing further instructions. The employee or job
applicant may contact Human Resources to request a copy of the test result
report if desired. In accordance with Minn. Stat. § 181.953, subd. 3, a laboratory
must report results to the city within three working days of the confirmatory test
result.
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