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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 25, 2026 City Council Workshop Meeting MinutesA B. CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS City Council Workshop City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue MINUTES Wednesday, February 25, 2026 6:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER: 6:00 PM ROLL CALL:GUSTAFSON-X_ MAY-X- MIELKE_X- MOGEN _X- WASSENBERG-X- STAFF PRESENT: LINEHAN X POLICY ITEMS: L. Review of Les Bolstad Golf Course Redevelopment Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Proposal Linehan explains that staff took council feedback but is looking for direction on multiple outstanding questions, including how a chair will be selected. The draft policy recommends that the Council recruit and appoint a Chair directly. The Falcon Heights resident at-large could be the logical choice. There are various ways to appoint the chair. Additionall!,For the Roseville and Lauderdale positions, it is suggested they are appointed by their City Councils if possible. For St. Paul, it is suggested to consider an appointment from the District 1"2 - St. Anthony Park Community Council rather than any resident in St. Paul. Linehan included a proposed timeline. Mielke wants to ensure the committee has one name and wants to discuss how the representative from the Grove Neighborhood is selected. She prefers not to have this representative provided by the HOA, to ensure a representative is solicited from the entire neighborhood, including the Coffman Condominiums. Mogen agrees, similar to commissions, he recalls, including past commissioners as well. Mielke adds the interviewing committee for these applicants needs to be discussed as well, having the staff, and council liaison and the chair might get tricky, if the chair is the only applicant for that commission. Linehan points out that this follows the process for commissions, but from a staff perspective, the idea was to not interview current commissioners as they already have been interviewed, but not specifically about their interest in the golf course. Suggest only the staff liaison and council liaison. Nex! Mielke suggests looking at the process following the applications, interviews, and recommendations. Wassenberg suggests bringing the recommendations to a workshop and having the full council review. Mogen notes that this is getting cumbersome, suggests asking for applications from everyone for Falcon Heights, including commissions, and then two council members, plus a staff member, interview the applicants and make recommendations. Wassenberg and May agree that this is more efficient. And having the same people interview all applicants 11 C. ensures it's equitable/ ensures they can make the time commifrnent, and ensures that everyone is screened similarly and asked the same questions. Mogen adds, can screen for chair as well. Gustafson suggests everyone completes the same applicatiory each council remember review each application, and provides a ranking to the interviewing group. Wassenberg believes that you can get a better idea through interviews. May agrees. Mogen notes that the interview committee makes recommendations to the council as a whole. May adds that the application needs updating and includes expectations of meeting attendance. Mogen suggested having the interview committee update the application. Mielke wonders if representatives from the University will be part of the meetings for the entirety or if this will transition to just the buyer. Linehan answers, the recommendation is to have both involved, but as non-voting members. May is wondering what role the landowner will play. Linehan answers, the goal of the committee is to create a master plan for this area. The developer, the future landowner, will know the market and their capabilities. The consultant will also be able to facilitate. Mogen notes that this body will not have authority, so what will a vote entail? Linehan, they will be making ongoing recommendations to the planning commission or the city council. Thuy will not have the power to make changes to the city code, but they can make a recommendation to the appropriate body to make the change. Council discusses who should be part of the sub-committee. May and Wassenberg will form the subcommittee to update the application and interview applicants. Linehan wonders if the application should be open for less than 30 days. Council agrees, can always extend the application process. Linehan notes that he made changes to the resolutiory based on council comments, but it can still be voted on. 2. Legislative Priorities Continuation Linehan states he is looking for more guidance from the council on items they could advocate for at the state level, "Just Cause" and an Eviction Moratorium. Mielke notes that the eviction moratorium was tabled, as they were waitingfor abudget update. "Just Cause" evictions entail that landlords have to give a reason for not renewing a lease and extend the two-week eviction to 30 days. Gustafson wonders about eviction statistics post metro surge. Linehan answers, this is not tracked by the city as they involve court procedures. There is a federal organizaion that tracks it by county. Wassenberg, there is no way to track or know the reason. Mielke notes thaf hearing from other council members and from people testifying, evictions are higher now. Gustafson, have landlords testified that they are not getting rent? Wouldn't they lobby for the reliei too? Mielke notes cities have been able to collect data because the proposed relief funds weren't going to be able to cover it all. Additionally, tenants have called HOME line in record numbers. Mielke adds that the focus of the state is mostly on budget and bonding. Mogen wonders, so pulling back on formally supporting these bills. She wonders if support for Broadband Franchise Fees is included. Linehan answers yes, that was included. League of Minnesota Cities hosts "City Day on the Hill", where cities can advocate for their legislative priorities. 12 3. Towing ReimbursementPolicy Mielke requested that this item be brought to the council, with reports of ICE leaving detainees' vehicles behind after arresf and the owner is then responsible for towing and impound fees, as that is the policy of the police departrnent. Other cities, such as St. Anthony Village, have passed a resolution that would cover the cost. Mogen is concerned with rushing into creating a policy for a one-time sifuation. Wassenberg notes, in the resolution, a fund was proposed and would authorize staff to reimburse if certain requirements are met. Linehan agrees; a proposed resolution was included. Mielke prefers having it in case it is needed, rather than not having it in place. Council makes some wording changes to the resolution. Council tables the item and suggests continuing the discussion at a future workshop. D. ADIOURNMENT: 6:59 PM Councilmember Mogen motions to adjourn the meeting; Approved 5-0 DISCLAIMER: City Council Workshops are held 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 thnt 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 the meeting. Alternatiaely, time is regularly allotted for public comment during Regular Gty Council Meetings (typtcally 2nd and 4thWednesdnys) during the Community Forum. Randall C Dated this 11tt' day of Marc],:.,2026 Jack Administrator '13