HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 11, 2026 City Council Workshop Meeting MinutesC.
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
City Council Workshop
City Hall
207 7 W est Larpenteur Avenue
MINUTES
Wednesday, February 1'1., 2026
6:00 P.M.
A. CALL TO ORDER: 6:01PM
B. ROLLCALL:GUSTAFSON_X- MAY_X-
MIELKE X MOGEN X WASSENBERG X
STAFF PRESENT: LINEHAN X
POLICY ITEMS:
1,. Les Bolstad Golf Course - Master Plan Process & Update
Linehan explains the city hired a consulting firm, Bolton & Menk, to assist with the
Les Bolstad Golf Course Development. To assistwith developing a master plary
Consultant Andrew Dresdner recommends forming two committees: a Technical
Advisory Committee (TAC) and a Community Advisory Committee (CAC). The
TAC will consist of governmental agencies, Falcon Heights staff, and other parties
for technical expertise. The CAC will serve as community experts and ensure the
development aligns with the guiding principles.
Dresdner explains that Bolton & Menk were hired to assist with the planning process
when the University chooses a developer, and the development gets furned over to
the city. Numerous stakeholders will need to be involved as it is a large project. It
will be important to build a"big tent" of partrers (community, county, watersheds,
state, etc.) to improve the end product and expedite matters. On the developer side,
their understanding is that the developer works with the university's real estate
office. In the future, they will recommend a developer to the Regents. Dresdner
provides a draft schedule involving all parties, outlining how they will help the
developer with master planning. The Community Advisory Committee will meet
monthly with the developer for about one and a half years, facilitated by Bolton &
Menk. The Technical Advisory Committee will meet every other month to discuss
the nuts and bolts of master planning. Additionally, the developer needs to create an
engagement plan and potentially involve the other city commissions. The master
plan process will happen alongside an AUAR process. Following this, the city will
have to create the zoning and a Comp Plan amendment.
Linehan adds that staff are looking for direction from the Council around the
Community Advisory Committee.
Mogen would prefer the organizations that will be included in the TAC to be shared
with the Council. He wonders how including the developer in the master plan
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process would change the outcome, as he's familiar with other sites where the
master plan was completed prior to the developer coming onboard. Dresdner
answers that this should force the developer to be more open to community input.
Mogen notes this is different than other sites, such as Hillcrest and the Highland
Bridge project, and that should be taken into consideration, but will help reach both
the developer and the city's goals.
Wassenberg appreciates getting representatives from neighboring communities.
Because the Grove residents are eager to get involved, one committee representative
should be a resident from that neighborhood. Mielke agrees, one from each
commission, and a representative from the Grove. Dresdner emphasizes that these
committee members should represent the greater good and not just their own
interests. Mogen believes that seven members are small, like a representative from
each commission and surrounding communities, and including someone from the
Grove, plus including more at-large, and make it a nine or ten-member body.
Georgiana adds that having a member from each commission could cover the
geographical distributiory but that the council should be involved in selecting them.
Mogen wonders whathappens if no one is interested, given the large time
commitrnent. Gustafson asks what kind of expertise we are looking for and whether
an application can help narrow down the selection. Dresdner answers, being an
expert on the community's values and representing the community's interests as a
whole, so geographical distribution is important. The application is helpful, followed
by the council appointing each member. Gustafson wonders how representatives
from surrounding cities will be selected. Linehan recommends that the other cities
formally appoint their representative and that the city's own commission have each
of them nominate a candidate. Council notes it's important to include a synopsis of
the role of the CAC, including the meeting times and time commitment.
Mogen suggests creating a subgroup thatwill review applications and make
recommendations to the council. Gustafson suggests the council rank each
application. Council discusses having the respective council liaisons, staff liaisons,
and commission chair interview the interested commissioner. Then they wonder if
they should add the criteria to have a geographical distribution. Wassenberg
suggests we can widen the search to people who have served on commissions in the
past in case current commissioners are not interested. Council discusses the need to
have a representative from St. Paul, which would allow for more regional thinking.
Mogen doesn't understand why we are securing a spot for a St. Paul representative
but not from anyone from the Falcon Woods neighborhood or anyone else from
Falcon Heights. Gustafson adds that selecting someone from the St. Anthony Park
neighborhood, which would also be impacted, ensures working in good faith with
neighboring communities.
Linehan, no matter the pre-selectiory the council should formally create the
committee and appoint each member. Gustafson wonders about offering a stipend.
Linehan answers that it is possible. Gustafson suggests adding an at-large member
from the city to create a 9-person body. The City Council can review applicants from
the at-large member, the surrounding cities will review their representative, and the
commissions will review their own.
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The consensus direction was for staff to bring back a proposed CAC formation/selection
process for Council consideration at the February 25m workshop.
2. 2026Legislative Priorities
Linehan provides an overview of the legislative priorities but is unsure about how many
of these items willbe a priority this year. Mielke suggests adding support for an eviction
moratorium. Mogen expresses concern about the eviction moratorium and Just Cause
Evictions; he supports the idea but has concerns about the ability to actually manage it.
Linehan agrees that some need more discussion and suggests discussing further at the
next meeting. May wonders about any transportation or bonding priorities. Linehan
notes there are no current ones that impact Falcon Heights, but there are uncertainties
around Local Government Aid, which is important funding for Falcon Heights.
3. Future Workshop Agenda Topics - Request for Special Workshop
Linehan explains that there is a request to have a special workshop to further discuss
standing rules and goal setting. The special workshop will be on Wednesday,March4,
at 6:30 PM.
D. ADJOURNMENT: 6:57 PM
Councilmember Mogen motions to adjourn the workshop;
Approved 5-0
DISCLAIMER: City CouncilWorkshops areheld monthly as an opportunity for Council Members to
discuss policy topics in greater detail pior to a formal meeting where a public hearing may be held and/or
action may be taken. Members of the public thst wouldlike 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 tht
meeting. Alternatiael!, time is regularly allottedfor public comment during Regular City Council
Meetings (typically 2nd and 4thWednesdays) during the Community Forum.
Randall Mayor
Dated this 25m of Febrtary,2026
City Administrator
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