HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 22, 2025 City Council Special Meeting MinutesE
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
Special Meeting of the City Council
City Hall
2077 rNest Larpenteur Avenue
MINUTES
December 22,2025 at 7:00 P.M
A. CALL TO ORDER:7:02PM
B. ROLL CALL: GUSTAFSON X LEEHY X MEYER X
MIELKE _X- WASSENBERG-
STAFF PRESENT: LINEHAN X
C. APPROVALOFAGENDA
Councilmember Meyer motions to approve the agenda;
Approved 4-0
D. PRESENTATION
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. October 23,2025 City Council Joint Workshop Meeting Minutes with St. Anthony City
Council
2. November12,2025 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
3. December3,2025 City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes
Linehan and the council discuss minor corrections made to the meeting minutes.
Councilmember Leehy motions to approve the corrected meeting minutes;
Approved 4-0
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. Consideration of Amending the 2026Fee Schedule Ordinance to Modify 2026Water
& Sewer Rates, 2026 Recycling Rates, Credit Card Minimum Convenience Fees,
Permit Fees and Community Garden Fees
Linehan explains that the proposed fee schedule includes an increase of $0.75 per quarter for
storm drainage and sanitary sewer. It also includes a proposed $1.50 per quarter increase in
recycling fees due to an increase in the city's contract with Tennis Sanitation. Residents will
see these changes on their water bill. Staff have been working on changing providers to
process debit and credit card transactions. They selected Payroc, which will integrate with the
City's permit processing software. They charge a3.50% service fee, with a minimum of $2.00.
The Community Garden plot fee will increase from $25 per plot to $30 per plot. Staff also
reviewed permit fees and updated them to mirror the City of Little Canada's fees, as Falcon
Heights contracts with them for their building inspection services.
F
Mayor Gustafson opens the public hearing.
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G.
H:
Councilmember Meyer motions to close the public hearing by consent.
Leehy recognizes the City's Community Garden program. Meyer appreciates how the fee
schedule is designed to offset costs.
Councilmember Leehy motions to approve Ordinance 25-L0 and Summary Ordinance 25-10
Amending Fee Schedule;
Approved 4-0
CONSENT AGENDA:
1,. General Disbursements through 12/17 /25: fi325,125.34
Payroll through 12 / 1,6 / 25: $21,773.93
Wire Payments through L2 / 1,6 / 25: $L4,500.10
2. Approval of City Licenses
3. Appoinhnent of Campbell Knutson as City Attorney
4. Appointrnent of Kelly & Lemmons as City Prosecutor
5. Appointrnent of Creative Planning as City Auditor
6. Appoinhnent of Roseville Assistant City Engineer Erik Henricksen as City Engineer
7. Approval of the Northeast Youth and Family Services Cooperative Service
Agreement for 2026
8. Approval of the Tubman Legal Services Cooperative Agreement for 2026
9. Approval to Amend Flexible Benefits Plan for the2026IRS Increase in Maximum
Reimbursement for Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
1.0. Approval of Resolution 25-110 Authorizing an Agreement with The Harfford for
Employee Long-Term Disability Coverage Effective January'1., 2026
11,. 2026 Polling Place Agreement
12. Approval of Transfer of Surplus Funds from the General Fund to the U of M Les
Bolstad Golf Course Redevelopment Capital Fund
13. Approv al of 2025 Budget Amendment - Reduction of Transfer from Infrastructure
Fund 419 to the 2025 Pavement Management Program Capital Project Fund 424
L4. Notification of Social Security Withholding Change for Elected Officials
1"5. Approval of Pay Voucher #2 to New Look Contracting, Inc. for the Community Park
Improvement Project
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Linehan notes that item 16 will be pulled because the Ford Lighting EV Truck is being
discontinued, and staff would like to further research this.
Mayor Gustafson motions to approve the consent agenda;
Approved 4-0
POLICY ITEMS:
1. Approval of Resolution2l-lll Modifying the Administrative Manual - Section IV
Personnel Policy
Linehan notes that the City needs to formally adopt the Miruresota Paid Leave Program
and reference the new pay plan that was adopted by the council in the Administrative
Manual, Additionally, due to sensitive timing, an issue around holiday hours and
overtime calculation was added. Typically, the City follows the Minnesota Deparbnent
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of Labor & Industry's standard for Minnesota employers. Holiday hours do not count
towards hours worked. There have been concems about this policy amongst employees
in the Public Works departrnent, especially during the winter when snow events take
place during holidays. The proposed change, approved by the city attorney, in the
personnel policy, would have holiday pay count towards an employee's hours, but only
for unexpected events that are authorized by supervisors. Other cities in our region offer
this language as part of collective bargaining agreements for represented employees. As
our work group is not represented, this would represent a good-faith effort to
compensate for special callouts. The budget impact is minimal.
Council is in support of the proposal. Meyer wonders about the proposed language.
Linehan clarifies that this would not apply to commission meetings, as employees c.rr
reasonably plan to modify their work schedule. He adds that the implementation of the
Paid Leave program and pay plan have been budgeted for.
Councilmember Meyer motions to approve Resolution 25-111" Modifying the City Of
Falcon Heights Administrative Manual - Section Iv - Personnel Policy;
Approved 4-0
2. Approval of Resolution2l-Il2 Extending the State Fair Task Force to January 31,
2026
Linehan describes that the State Fair Task Force is requesting an extension of 30 days. It
was created with a sunset date of December 31,2025. As they are finalizing their report,
they realized additional time was needed for completion, and they would like to meet
one more time inJanuary. They intend to deliver the final report to the City Council at
the January 28 meeting. Meyer and Leehy ask about the format of the report. Linehan
answers that it will be a report with recommendations for the future.
Councilmember Mielke motions to approve Resolution 25-112 Extending the
State Fair Policies and Procedures Review Task Force;
Approved 4-0
I: INFORMATION / ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Gustafson thanks both departing council members, Leehy and Meyer, for their time
serving the community.
Mielke notes that the State Fair Task Force has a long meeting.
Meyer explains the Planning Commission canceled their upcoming meeting, due to it
falling on the evening before Chrishnas Eve.
Leehy shares that the Community Engagement Commission held its Human Rights Day
event even though there was a winter storm. They are working on setting up a time to
tour and volunteer with interested residents at Every Meal in Roseville. Lastly, they
discussed the2026 calendar and goals.
Linehan notes that the RFP for the Les Bolstad Golf Course officially closed last week.
The University will review the responses and determine next steps. Public Works is
working on getting ice rinks up and flooded. Electricity was installed at the new shelter
at Community Park, but the renovation has slowed down due to the weather. Staff are
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working on end-of-year items. A Communications and Administrative Intern will start
in the first week of January. Lastly, Council discusses the City's first photo contest.
Meyer shares it's been an honor and a pleasure serving all these years. He had a great
time working with other public servants on the Environment and Planning
Commissions. Meyer also thanks current and former councilmembers he worked with.
He appreciates Linehan and the city staff. He is looking forward to spending time with
his family and encourages everyone to consider serving the community.
Leehy has enjoyed the privilege and honor of serving the community in various roles as
part-time staff, commissioner, inclusion task force member, and councilmember. She
thanks all the staff, former staff, as well as the former mayor and current mayor. Leehy
is happy to be a part of the fabric of Falcon Heights.
I: COMMUNITY FORUM:
Former City Administrator Thongvanh thanked Councilmember Leehy for her
dedicated service to the community and for supporting him during his tenure. He
reflected on the period following the death of Philando Castile, when trust in
government was fragile, and described Leehy as a steady and positive presence. He
hightighted her leadership in community policing discussions and the strong
relationships she built, which helped foster a caring community. Thongvanh expressed
his gratifude for her service and shared photos and reflections from that time.
Lastly, Linehan thanks both Meyer and Leehy for their commitment to serving the
residents.
Please limit comments to 3 minutes per person. Items brought before the Council will be referred for
consideration. Council may ask questions for clarifcation, but no council action or discussion will be
held on these items.
K: ADIOURNMENT: 7:50 PM
Councilmembers Leehy and Meyer motion to adjourn the meeting;
Approved 4-0
Dated this 28th day of January,2026
City Administrator
Mayor
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