The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutCCMin_87Jan28MINUTES REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 28, 198~f A regular meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. PRESENT Baldwin, Chenoweth, Ciernia, and Wallin. Also present were Barnes and Maurer. ABSENT Hard. ADDENDUM TO AGENDA Ciernia moved, seconded by Wallin, addition of the following item to the agenda: 5(i) Possible expansion of State Fair Activities. Motion carried unanimously. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVED Ciernia moved, seconded by Chenoweth, approval of the Consent Agenda. Motion carried unanimously. MINUTES OF JANUARY 14, 1987 APPROVED Wallin moved, seconded by Ciernia, approval of the Minutes of January 14, 1987. Motion carried unanimously. SUBDIVISION REQUEST FROM GEORGE W. NIELSEN, 1795 FRY ST., REFERRED TO PLANNING COMMISSION Chenoweth moved, seconded by Wallin, referring the subdivision request from George W. Nielsen, 1795 Fry St., to the Planning Commission with the request that they thoroughly review the placement of utilities, driveway placement, and necessary easements. Motion carried unanimously. HEARING ON NIELSEN SUBDIVISION SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 25, 1987, 7:30 P.M. Ciernia moved, seconded by Chenoweth, scheduling a public hearing on the subdivision request from George W. Nielsen, 1795 Fry St., for February 25, 1987, 7:30 P.M. Motion carried unanimously. NO ACTION TAKEN ON TREE REMOVAL LICENSE FROM HIGHLAND PARK TREE SERVICE Since the owner of Highland Park Tree Service failed to submit the license application and necessary fee, no action was taken. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION TERMS APPROVED Council briefly discussed proposed changes in some membership terms as recommended by the Human Rights Commission (changes are nececessy to properly alternate term expirations) after which Chenoweth moved, seconded by Wallin, approval of the terms as follows: Bruce Seal 12/31/87, Robert Lamb 12/31/89, Elizabeth Emerson 12/31/87, Carol Wiklund, 12/31/87, Catharine Stiney 12/31/88, Bobby Ray Thomas 12/31/88, Tina Vavoulis 12/31/88, Nancy Anderson 12/31/89, Business Person (vacancy) 12/31/89. Motion carried unanimously. MINUTES REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 28, 1987 PAGE 2 NO ACTION TAKEN ON SNELLING AVENUE PLANS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT - DEFERRED TO 2/11/87 Maurer explained after reviewing the remainder of the Snelling Avenue plans (he previously was provided with plans for south of Larpenteur only), he had contact with the St. Paul Water Department and found MN/DOT had provided St. Paul Water with plans for construction south of Larpenteur (Larpenteur to Como) well in advance and changes were made as required, but plans for the northern portion were received only one week ago. There are many areas where the plans north of Larpenteur do not meet Water Department standards and if design standards are not met, St. Paul has indicated the water system will be turned over to Falcon Heights for maintenance. If it is not possible to change the plans, the cost of construction would increase greatly to meet specifications. Maurer and Council agreed the city should not be responsibile for costs resulting from MN/DOT's failure to present plans to the Water Department in a timely manner. Maurer also recommended working with MN/DOT and Ramsey County to tie the proposed Arona watermain to the existing main on the north side of Larpenteur at Arona in conjunction with the upgrading of Larpenteur from Arona to Snelling. Council discussed these matters at length plus other items of concern such as MN/DOT'S proposed storm sewer improvement in which they expect city participation in the amount of $41,000, and the negative response (letter from District Engineer McRae dated 1/18/87) relating to possible funds owed the city for Como Lake overflow charges established by Metro Waste Control. Council expressed strong opposition to charges for storm sewer improvements when the present sewer is adequately serving Falcon Heights, and the need for added capacity is a result of increasisng the surfacing with the Snelling Avenue reconstruction. Maurer was directed to determine the life expectancy of the sewer which is 40 years old. Council also directed Mauer to pursue making arrangements for the recommended water main tie at Larpenteur and Arona. Council expressed consternation that MN/DOT had indicated at earlier meetings that there would be no cost to the city, except for the water project proposed by the city, and they are now expecting the city to fund a total of $133,000. Council concurred it was impossible to consider approving the Snelling Avenue Plans and Cooperative Agreement under these conditions, and the matter was deferred to the February 11, 1987 meeting. Chenoweth moved, seconded by Wallin, directing Barnes and Maurer to contact MN/DOT, inform them of Council's concerns relating to the changes required by St. Paul Water Department, request a list of items which can be addressed through design change with item-by-item costs of those which cannot, and inf orm them the city is not prepared to approve any plans which cost the city except for those requested by the city. Motion carried unanimously. Barnes was directed to again review documents relating to the lake overflow charges which may be due the city and obtain substantiation of the facts. MINUTES REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 28, 1987 PAGE 3 SALARY INCREASE FOR KITTY ZIMMERMAN APPROVED Following a short discussion Ciernia moved, seconded by Wallin, approval of a $ .50 per hour salary increase (to $9.00 per hour) for part time secretary, Kitty Zimmerman, effective January 1, 1987. Motion carried unanimously. It was also agreed the salary for this position should be reviewed at budget time as is done with other staff members. NO ACTION TAKEN ON CONTINGENCY FUND EXCESS Due to possible unknown costs connected with Snelling Avenue, no action was taken on designation of use of contingency fund excesses. COMPENSATION FOR CITY ACCESS TECHNICIANS DEFERRED UNTIL CITY CABLE ACCESS COMMITTEE IS FORMED Baldwin commented on the fine job done by the technicians and felt it important that there be some compensation for this work as the city will need someone to count on as programming increases. He indicated there are persons interested in forming a City Access Comm ittee and Council agreed such a committee should be chartered. Falcon Heights Cable Commissioner Ron Eggert offered to assist in forming such a group, commented on training necessary for others who might be interested in working as a technician, agreed it was time to establish salary for technicians, and that cable franchise fees may be used for salaries, purchase of tapes, etc. He also informed that the city should receive franchise fees in the amount of $1,000 - $1,500 next year and double that amount the next year if subscriptions remain the same. Baldwin will contact persons known to be interested in serving on an Access Committee and Eggert will contact members of the former cable advisory committee for possible members. It was agreed to defer further salary discussion until the committee has been formed. DISCUSSION - SICK LEAVE, VACATION AND SEVERANCE PAY Council reviewed and discussed staff recommendations on sick leave, vacation, and severance pay, agreed to the proposed vacation schedule as presented, agreed to one day per month sick leave, made amendments to some parts of the sick leave recommendations, and directed staff to propose a specific number of days which may be used for bereavement. Staff proposed no changes in the present severance pay policy DISCUSSION - POSSIBLE EXPANSION OF ACTIVITIES ON STATE FAIRGROUNDS Baldwin stated he had heard on the news last week that the Harness Racing Association is interested in racing on the Fairgrounds track, after which he contacted Mike Heffron, Fairgrounds General Manager, who indicated he was not contacted by the Racing Association as they had gone directly to the legislature. Ciernia informed he had contacted local legislators and apprised them of this fact, and felt it would be helpful for our legislators to be provided with a general City position on any expanded use of the Fairgrounds. Baldwin will draft a letter to the local legislators providing this and insist that the City be an active paraticipant in these decisions. MINUTES REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 28, 1987 PAGE 4 ADJOURNMENT Chenoweth moved, seconded by Wallin, adjournment at 9:28 P.M. Motion carried unanimously. ' c 1c~,, Tom Baldwin, Mayor ATTEST: ~~ 7 ,` Dewan B. Barnes, Consulting Clerk Administrator Regular City Council Meeting of January 8, 1987 O CONSENT AGENDA REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 28, 1987 1. Falcon Heights Ambulance Reports ~i2-10786 - ~t2-00287 2. Lauderdale Ambulance Reports 4~4-05986 - ~~4-00187 3. Disbursements 1/15/87 - 1/25/87 $ 48,221.25 Sinking Fund $ 38,863.00 4. Payroll 1/1/87 - 1/15/87 $ 8,799.56 5. January 15, 1987 letter from Norman S. Kerr, 1571 Burton Street regarding cable service 6. Briggs & Morgan Statment for Legal Services through December 31, 1986 7. Licenses: Corporate Kitchens Direct, Inc. X1673 1557 West Larpenteur Falcon Heights, MN 55113 Refuse Haulers Bellaire Sanitation, Inc. 41674 8678 - 75th Street North Stillwater, MN 55082 General Contractor Peter Podulke Masonry 441675 1689 Dayton Avenue St. Paul, MN 55104 8. Approval of Treasurer's Bond for 1987 9. Cancellation of Check 4119928 dated December 10, 1986 Issued to Lori Fritsche in the Amount of $12.00 - (Recreation) Must be Refused, Falcon Heights Offers Same Program '~ J