HomeMy WebLinkAboutCEC Minutes 3.16.26CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
Community Engagement Commission
City Hall
2077 West Larpenteur Avenue
MINUTES
March 16, 2026 at 6:30 P.M.
A. CALL TO ORDER: 6:33 PM
B. ROLL CALL:
Julie Ebbesen_X_ Denise King_X_ Sarah Caflisch____ Emily Schmall_X_ Emmett
Fisher_X_ Signe Nestingen_X_
STAFF PRESENT:
Elke Johnson_X__ Ainsley Brown_X__
COUNCIL LIAISON:
Paula Mielke_X___
C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
King suggests moving items 1 & 2 to the bottom of the unfinished agenda.
D. WELCOME
Introduction of new commissioner Nestingen.
E. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
• February 23, 2026 Community Engagement Commission Meeting Minutes
• Schall motions to approve - unanimously approved
F. AGENDA
• Unfinished business
1. Every Meal Volunteering
a. Johnson suggests cancelling due to availability of commissioners
b. Mielke is comfortable participating and reporting back
c. Ebbesen suggests a google poll to gather availability of commissioners
moving forward
d. King suggests looking into May or later for next opportunity
2. Spring Together
a. Johnson – would like to include event information in the upcoming
Spring newsletter.
b. Johnson notifies the commission of the existence of the Falcon Heights
Orchestra
c. Brown says that we have 7-10 people from the orchestra that will be
willing to perform. They will plan to play music for approximately 30
minutes
d. Johnson reviews the food/snack items that were suggested
i. We could pop popcorn at City Hall and bring bags over
ii. St. Anthony police and St Paul Fire will be there
iii. St. Paul Water Wagon may be available but they have another
meeting earlier in the day
iv. King suggests Neighborhood Energy Consortium
v. Mielke – 4/18 is the sustainability fair so those may compete
vi. Johnson is concerned about competition with the Xcel Energy
Home Audit contract that is currently in place
vii. King suggests contacting Ramsey County Library and League of
Women Voters
viii. Nestingen suggests Ramsey County Environmental Center
ix. Mielke suggests Every Meal and possibly Keystone
1. Schmall suggests that Keystone may be a better options as
it is more accessible
x. Mielke suggests Sigma International Institute
xi. Mielke suggest Good Acre as they may still have CSA sign-ups
xii. Youth Engagement – Fisher suggests bags/cornhole and soccer
xiii. Food options
1. Popcorn
2. Cotton Candy
xiv. In the event of inclement weather the event will be canceled and
not rescheduled
xv. Ebbesen has a 10x10 and a 10x20 tent available if needed
3. Rebranding of Community Engagement Commission
a. Johnson gives brief review of previous discussion
b. Review mission statements
i. Nestingen – found commonalities
ii. Schmall – agrees there are a lot of common themes. Suggests a
shorter Mission Statement and support them with a list of core
values
iii. King agrees that simplicity is an advantage
iv. Fischer – agrees that a concise mission statement
v. Mielke - strengthen communities finding meaningful ways to for
residents to connect
c. Proposed edit: The mission of the Falcon Heights CEC is to foster
collaboration between the city and it’s residents to create an inclusive
community that promotes respect connectedness, equity and the safety
and well-being of all.
4. Hosting Listening Session
a. Johnson provides brief recap
i. Caflisch suggested hosting a test session with select individuals,
commissioners agreed but would like King and Ebbesen input
b. King – comfortable with a small and intentional group to test the format
and content
c. Mielke reiterates that we would like to have an “elevator pitch” for
inviting residents to participate.
d. King suggests not having the sessions at City Hall. Concerns regarding
the neutrality of the space. The pilot may be will need to be here. King
and Johnson will check availability for other spaces
e. Johnson and Caflisch will provide date availability, hopefully mid to late
April or in to May.
f. After the listening session the commission will determine if the listening
sessions will move forward.
G. INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENT
• Report from Council Liaison Mielke
a. Request commission applications to golf course
b. 4/18 sustainability fair
c. 7/18 garden tour
d. Parks planning Grove park event and fall fest
e. State Fair marketing director has offered horticulture tours and historical
tours
f. Senior living facility adjacent to Amber Union– Fairway commons 110
units
g. Study coming up for Larpenteur development from Highway 61 to 280.
Proposed work in 2028 but planning will get started this year.
i. U good neighbor finds may be available next year. Mielke will
review what is available and share it with the city.
H. ADJOURNMENT: 8:01 PM
• Ebbesen motions to adjourn – unanimously approved
Next Regular Meeting is on Monday, April 20 at 6:30 PM