HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 22, 2026 City Council Regular Meeting MinutesA
B.
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
Regular Meeting of the City Council
City Hall
207 7 W est Larpenteur Avenue
MINUTES
July 22,2026 at 7:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER: 7:04P.M.
ROLL CALL: GUSTAFSON X MAY X MOGEN X
MIELKE X WASSENBERG X
STAFF PRESENT: LINEHAN X
C. APPROVALOFAGENDA
Council Member Mogen motioned to
amend the agenda to move G6 on the Consent
Agenda to H1 under Policy;
Mogen motioned to approve the agenda as
amendedi Approved 5-0
D. PRESENTATION
There were no presentations
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. July 8, 2026 City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes
2. July 8, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes
Council Member Wassenberg
motioned t' "ou'":ff H;t"-';
F. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
There were no public hearings
CONSENT AGENDA:
1,. General Disbursements through 7 /17 / 26: $277 ,287 .36
Payroll through 7 /'1"6 / 26: $20,97 4.33
Wire Payments through 7 /17 /26: fi14,865.06
2. Approval of City Licenses
3. Approval of Resolution26-66 Appointing Kia Moua to the Parks and Recreation
Commission
E.
G.
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H:
4. Approval of Mileage Reimbursement Rate Change Effective JuJy'1",20265. Approval of Resolution26-67 Designating 2026Data Practices Policy for the Public
and Officials
6, Appreval ef R€seluden 26 68 Autherizhg Change Order #1 tecenkaet with Eleeke
Watehrnaru INe,; fer Lerrel/S2N Netbex Aeeess earneras fer eernrnr*rdf Park
Gustafson motioned to approve the
consent agenda;
Approved 5-0
Mielke proposed a question to Administrator Linehan regarding police overtime fees for
Back to the'50s and how to seek reimbursement.
Linehan responded that they spoke to Roseville, which also incurs overtime fees, and
both cities are working together to seek reimbursement from the event organizers.
POLICY ITEMS:
1.. Approval of Resolution26-68 Authorizing Change Order #1to Contract with
Electro Watchman, INC., for Lene/S2N Netbox Access Cameras for Community
Park
Linehan provided backgound on the item, explaining that the City had previously
contracted with Electro Watchman to install a door access control system for the new
Community Park shelter building. As part of the original work, conduit was installed for
up to two cameras. The change order would add the two cameras: one exterior
multisensor camera on the northeast corner of the building to capture the parking lot,
splash pad, and picnic area, and one interior dome camera in the kitchenette area to
assist with rental monitoring and liability documentation. The combined cost for
equipment and installation was approximately W,560, to be funded from the
Community Park renovation budget. Camera footage would be retained for 60 days on
the City's existing Milestone system through Metro-INET, atan additional cost of
approximately $100 per camera,pet year.
Council discussion was substantive. Mielke asked about the operational plan for
monitoring, including cleaning protocols between rentals and staffing on weekends
Linehan explained that the exterior camera would support liability and security
monitoring, while the kitchenette camera would allow staff to remotely verify rental
cleanliness without physically driving to the park. He noted that the Parks Commission
had discussed limiting rentals to once per day to reduce turnover burden on public
works. A posted phone number would allow renters to flag cleaning concerns, and
public works staff would respond to call-outs, as needed. Bathrooms would lock
automatically at 10:00 P.M. via a motion-sensor timer, with any movement detected after
10:30 P.M. triggering a direct alert to dispatch.
May and Mielke both questioned the necessity of the interior kitchenette camera, with
May characterizing it as potentially treating renters with unwarranted suspicion and
noting that the exterior camera would capfure any unauthorized access while the
building is locked. She suggested starting without the interior camera and adding it later
if problems emerged.
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Mielke expressed a preference for a cleaning checklist approach.
Wassenberg and Mogen both supported the camera as a cost-effective tool for protecting
city investrnent verifying that renters fulfilled their cleaning obligations, and providing
documentation in the event of damage disputes.
Mogen clarified that the piecemeal nature of the project was a result of construction
scheduling pressures, not poor planning. He further clarified that this was the reason he
removed it from the consent agenda, and not because he opposed the cameras or the
cost.
Council Member Wassenberg motioned to approve
Resolution 26-68 AuthonzingChange Order #1 to
Contract with Electro Watchman, Inc., for Lenel/S2
Netbox Access Cameras for Community Park;
Approved 3-2, with Mielke
and May opposed.
2, Approval of Resolution26-60 Authorizing Modifications to the Administrative
Manual: Section III Guidelines During the Minnesota State Fair for Modifications to
the State Fair Parking Permit Eligibility
Linehan summarized the proposed changes, which formalized direction given at the
July 8 workshop. The key modification expands the pass distribution area from residents
"abutting" a Pay-by-Mobile street to all residents who "live in" a Pay-by-Mobile
designated area, as defined by a newly included map. Residents in the expanded area-
including Hoyt Avenue, portions of Larpenteur Avenue, and Snelling Avenue north of
Crawford-will now be automatically mailed one physical static-cling pass per
household. A second digital pass is available upon request, with up to two additional
digital passes available through a variance application. Residents outside the mapped
area may still apply for a variance. The traditional "State Fair Permit Parking O.ly"
areas, which receive two physical passes per single-family household, remain
unchanged.
Wassenberg and May expressed support for the map-based approach as clearer than
attempting to define eligibility by street description.
Mogen noted for the public record that the parking program has been under active
refinement for two years and that this year's changes are not final; further adjustments
are expected in fufure years, including addressing issues of pass sharing, equity actoss
neighborhoods, and the overlap between permit parking and pay.by-mobile areas.
A drafting concern was raised regarding Section 7c, which listed handicapped
authorized vehicles, goverrunent vehicles, and delivery vehicles in a single sentence that
could be read to apply the 10-minute time limit to all three categories rather than only to
delivery vehicles. The Council agreed to restrucfure the language.
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Mogen proposed formatting the exemptions as a bulleted list under a lead-in sentence,
clearly separating the L0-minute limitation as applying only to delivery vehicles. The
amendment was accepted by consensus.
Council Member Mogen motioned to
approve Resolution 26-69 as amended, with revised
language under 7c, Authorizing Modifications to
the Administrative Manual: Section III Guidelines
During the Minnesota State Fair for Modifications
to the State Fair Parking Permit Eligibility;
Approved 5-0
3. Consideration of a Variance Request for Facility Use
Linehan introduced the item, explaining that an Alcoholics Anonymous group, "Easy
Does It," had applied to use the Council Chambers on Sunday mornings for a weekly
10:00 to I l:00 A.M. meeting with setup and breakdown from 9:30-1 1:30 A.M. Staff had
denied the request because only one current member is a Falcon Heights resident, which
does not satisfu the policy's minimum 25YoFalcon Heights residency requirement for
hobby and community groups. The applicant, Sharon Preves, exercised her right to
appeal to the Council.
Mielke reported that she had spoken with Preves and confirmed the group was willing to
handle its own setup and teardown, and that the use was a two-hour Sunday morning slot.
She also noted that when she raised the request with the Community Engagement
Commission at its Monday meeting, members felt it aligned with the commission's core
values of community-led activity, well-being, and inclusiveness. Mielke also suggested
the group's availability could be promoted in the city newsletter to attract additional
Falcon Heights participants.
Mogen expressed support, stating that the policy language referencing "Falcon Heights
neighborhood or community groups" should not be read so narrowly as to exclude a
group of this nature.
May agreed, adding that AA provides an essential community function and the group's
open membership means it could serve Falcon Heights residents even without a formal
25Yothreshold being met at the time of application.
Linehan confirmed the group would be charged the $100 annual fee given the frequency
of their planned use, and that staff would add the group to the approved list and reconcile
the fee structure in a future update to the fee schedule, which currently contains some
outdated provisions.
Council Member Mogen motioned to approve the
variance request for facility use by the "Easy Does
It'' Alcoholics Anonymous Group;
Approved 5-0
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I: INFORMATION / ANNOUNCEMENTS:
May reported that the Environment Commission's Lawn and Garden Tour was a
success, noting increased attendance-approximately 25 to 30 visitors per garden
compared to 6 to 10 the prior year-and that garden hosts have expressed interest in
participating again. She noted that foot traffic at the Peace Garden was somewhat
reduced due to the concurrent street rod show on the adjacent street. May also noted
that the Environment Commission is continuing work on implementing the Climate
Action Plan and coordinating through its CAC representative.
Mielke encouraged residents to attend upcoming Northeast Youth and Family Services
open houses and confirmed that the Community Engagement Commission held a
workshop on Monday without a quorum and is nearing completion of its mission
statement.
Mogen announced that the Planning Commission would meet the following Tuesday to
discuss CAC matters and to introduce the consultant planner covering during the
absence of the regular planner. He also reminded those present and viewing the
streaming of the current meeting that a special Council workshop would immediately
follow the regular meeting adjournment.
Mayor Gustafson reported that the Parks and Recreation Commission had met on July 9
to review park audits with the Public Works Director, discuss rental policies, and plan
for signage and fufure park improvements. The Commission is working toward
finalizing policies and identifying next steps for park enhancements.
Linehan provided the following staff updates:
. Pay-by-Mobile stickers were expected to arrive the followingday, with letters
going out shortly thereafter.
r A State Fair resource guide would be mailed to all residents.
. Construction of the Velair development at Fairway Commons has begun, with
the Larpenteur entrance temporarily closed; staff is monitoring traffic impacts
and coordinating with the builder and property owners.
. Community Park construction continues on schedule, with playground
equipment delivery expected August 1Z installation taking approximately 30
days, and a poured-in-place surface requiring approximately 5 days to cure,
projecting a public opening in late September to early October.
. The August 12City Council Workshop will be dedicated to the preliminary
budget review, with a second quarter financial report to follow at the regular
meeting.
J: COMMUNITY FORUM:
No members of the public came forward. The Community Forum was closed.
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Please limit comments to 3 minutes per person. ltems brought before the Council will be referred for
consideration. Council may ask questions for claifcation, but no council action or discussion will be
held on these items.
K: ADJOURNMENT: 8:01P.M.
Dated this 12m day of Augnst,2026
Mielke motioned to adjoum the
meeting; Approved 5-0
Randall
City Administrator
Mayor
p
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