HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 25, 2026 City Council Workshop Meeting MinutesA.
B.
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
City Council Workshop
City Hall
2077 W est Larpenteur Avenue
MINUTES
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
6:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER: 6:03 PM
ROLL CALL:GUSTAFSON-X- MAY_X-
MIELKE X MOGEN X WASSENBERG X
STAFF PRESENT: LINEHAN X
POLICY ITEMS:l. Presentation by Roseville Area Community Foundation (RACF) (6:00)
Linehan introduces the Roseville Area Community Foundation, could be a potential
partrer in helping the city distribute the charitable gambling proceeds equitably and
fairly.
Gi*y Allen, board member, Dawne Brown White, president Beth Salzl, treasurer. For
the City of Roseville, The Foundation takes proceeds from the gambling fund and
invests half of it in a permanently restricted fund, that gets invested, the other half
remains available for grant programming. They have two grant programs, responsive
grant making, that benefits the School District and community organizations.
Report to the Mirnesota Attomey Generals' Departrnent and IRS. All of their
information is public for transparency.
Linehan explains that Falcon Heights receives funds through a10o/o contribution from
the Roseville Area Youth Hockey Association, it has been building, now there are
unused funds.
The cities also receive a 3% monthly tax to cover administrative costs. Falcon Heights
reimburses this to the Association. The City of Roseville provides 5% from the 10%
contribution to the Roseville Area Community Foundation and they keep the other 5%
Cities find different ways to use or disburse the funds with the limits of the Minnesota
State Statute.
Salzl explains if Falcon Heights were to contribute, funds would be distributed to the
School District covering Falcon Heights, they have donated to the Peace Garden. Dawn
provides a list of organizations within or serving Falcon Heights that have received
funds from the Foundation. Allen adds there is an even more extensive list of
C.
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organizations that serve Falcon Heights. Muy - total amount of grants per year? Brown
White, about $150,000 per year, this has been increasing yearly.
Allen - new initiative, create meeting the moment grant,limit of $20,000 for
organizations reacting to unprecedented needs that have emerged because of recent
events.
Brown \A/hite believes that the restricted fund has been doing well. And will have
conversation with Roseville to determine what will be done with it once it reaches a
certain amount, and what this amount would be.
Mogen wonders about the proposal for Falcon Heights? Salzl recommends adding it to
the unrestricted fund, and continue to contribute to Falcon Heights organizations, which
the foundation is already doing. There is the also the ability to create a restricted fund.
Recommends comingling the funds. Wassenberg suggest presenting an annual report to
show to residents which organizations benefitted.
May, could the city decided one year, to keep the funds, or would this be a permanent
agreement. Salzl, rp to the council, could also pass this project or organization in need to
the foundation and they can donate directly to that.
Brown \tVhite adds that they do all the due diligence verification necessary before
providing a grant as well as post grant reporting. Linehan, staff has let the funds build,
there is no current plan and methods for distribution.
Mielke wonders if the foundation also accepts donations, Salzl,yes they dp. Example, of
memorial bench at a park.
Mogen, wonders if there are any additional costs for the City of Falcon Heights. Brown
White says, the foundation has very little administrative costs. They use the investrnent
fund, there are no extra costs to the cities.
Gustafson recaps the funding for all forms of charitable gambling. The organizations
responsible for the charitable gambling make their money/ and only contribute a portion
of their proceeds to the cities, which in Roseville's case they donate a portion to RACF,
which they use to invest back into the community and a portion they keep.
Linehan explains, there is no direction needed at this time, this was an opportunity to
provide more information on what the foundation does.
2. Community Advisory Committee - Application Review Process (6:20)
May explains,24 applications were received, spread out across the neighborhoods in the
city and also representing most of the City Commissions. Next, discuss criteria by which
to select applicants for an interview. She wonders if a staff member should be included
in the interviews. Mielke: are interviews in-person or virfual? Mogen doesn't see a need
to include staff in interviews. Mogen and Mielke added notes to their applicant reviews
about who should be interviewed. Staff will be involved with the TAC. It is
recommended to not interview everyone, and also update candidates who will not be
interviewed.
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Mielke is uncomfortable with a councilmember's spouse potentially being on the CAC;
other councilmembers express no concern with it. May will recuse herself from any
interviewing or decision-making regarding her spouse's application. All commissions
are represented except for the Community Engagement Commission. Suggestion to
replace it with an at-large candidate. Mogen believes that a number of applicants who
applied had expertise in planning or an understanding of development, this expertise
would come in handy for serving on this committee, and so it would make sense to view
them a$ at-large representatives. Gustafson agrees, the idea is to assist the developer
with a master plan and ensure it aligns with community values. The technical advisory
committee will make sure that what the community wants to happen can happen. Muy
ensure the process is actively communicated back to residents, and engaging the
community is important.
May and Wassenberg will determine a chair for the CAC based on the interviews.
Linehan wants to ensure that the application process is closed, and staff can
communicate so. If there are vacancies, the process for backfilling a position can be
determined then.
3. Lauderdale Street Sweeping Contract Proposal (6:45)
Linehan explains that Falcon Heights replaced their street sweeper and that staff has
been working with Lauderdale on providing them street sweeping services. Falcon
Heights can deliver more sweeps throughout the year at no additional cost and believes
it can provide a higher level of service. This contract would help finance the sweeper as
well. It is a favorable situation for both Falcon Heights and Lauderdale.
Gustafson wonders if higher cost of fuel is incorporated in this contract. Linehan, this
would need to be monitored. The extra mileage it would add isn't significan! the main
cost is the equipment itself. Linehan notes Lauderdale just approved their side of the
contract and are excited. They built tna3% annual increase, similar as the snow plowing
contract.
4. Consider Approving a Contract with TimeSaver OffSite Secretary, Inc. for Recording
Minutes (6:50)
Linehan explains that since the city swikhed to two workshops per month, the staff load
of minute taking has increased.
The Administrative and Communications Coordinator is responsible for City Minutes,
but it can be time-consuming depending on the length of the meeting. Johnson compiled
a list of cities that TimeSaver provides services for and also approximated costs based on
2025 meetings, which would be approximately $L0,000. Another benefit is continuity of
meeting minutes in case there is staff turnover. Mielke wonders abouthiring a part-time
person or freelance role. Wassenberg states support for the idea but interested in the
expansion of AI technology to assist.
Council discusses what style minutes. Linehan explains they use two rates, and they
apply the highest rate. Linehan adds that staff added a quote from a second firm, there is
also an AI -based solution, it would require more staff time.
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Linehan and Council agree to table the discussion until staff can bring more details and
alternatives.
D. ADJOURNMENT:7:00 PM
Mayor Gustafson motions to adjourn the meeting;
Approved 5-0
DISCLAIMER: Gty 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 heaing may be held and/or
action may be taken. Members of the public thnt 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. Alternatiael!, time is regularly allottedfor public comment duing Regular Gty Council
Meetings (typically 2nd and thWednesdays) duing the Community Forum.
Dated this 22"a day of April,2026
Gustafsory Mayor
Jack Administrator
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