HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 12, 2026 City Council Regular Meeting MinutesA
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CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
Regular Meeting of the City Council
City Hall
2077 West Larpenteur Avenue
MINUTES
August 12,2026 at 7:00 P.M
CALL TO ORDER: 7:08 P.M.
Gustafson called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL: GUSTAFSON X MAY X MOGEN ea
MIELKE X WASSENBERG X
STAFF PRESENT: LINEHAN X
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Linehan requested that an item be added to the agenda as Policy Item H-5, a Hollywood
Court petition received from residents the previous day. The Council consented to the
addition.
Council Member Mielke motioned to approve the
agenda as amended, to add Policy Item H5;
Approved 4-0
PRESENTATION
1. Metropolitan Council Member Peter Lindstrom, District 10
Lindstrom, who also serves as District 10 representative on the Metropolitan Council
and works at the University of Minnesota with the Clean Energy Resource Teams,
provided a broad update on Met Council activities. He was accompanied by Abi
Phillips, the newly promoted Met Council sector representative working closely with
city staff.
Wastewater. Lindstrom noted fhat2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the Mississippi
River being declared biologically dead, with a1926 survey finding only three fish
between Saint Paul and Red Wing. He highlighted the Met Council's role in treating
approximately 650 million gallons of wastewater daily across nine plants, with 600 miles
of interceptor sewers. Falcon Heights contributes approximately 213 million gallons per
year, for which the city is billed roughly $61,000 per month ($741,,000 annually) at the
wholesale rate. He noted the Met Council's wastewater rates are approximately 35
percent below the national average. Significant ongoing challenges include aging
infrastrucfure, reduced groundwater recharge, increased water demand from data
centers, and persistent contaminants such as PFAS, nitrogery phosphorus, and chlorides.
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Transit. Lindstrom highlighted upcoming H Line Bus Rapid Transit service along Como
Avenue, with stops planned at Como and Snelling and Como and Hamline, with
construction beginning n2028 and service commencingin2}29. He also noted that
Route 61 along Larpenteur now luns every 30 minutes with new Saturday and Sunday
service added. For the State Fair, Met Council will operate six express routes, and
suburban transit providers will offer eight additional routes. Last year, approximately
390,000 rides were provided on Met Council express routes alone.
Council Member May asked about coordination between BRT (Bus Rapid Transit)
planning and existing bicycle infrastructure along Como Avenue. Lindstrom conJirmed
the H Line would not negatively impact existing bike infrastructure.
Council Member Wassenberg asked about the H Line's full route
Lindstrom confirmed it would run from downtown Minneapolis to Sun Ray Shopping
Center in Maplewood, intersecting with the existing A Line and the planned G Line on
Rice Street.
htlpLCouncil Member Wotea that a stop on Route 61 at Arona had previously been
proposed for removal, and credited Lindstrom with advocating to retain it given its
proximity to senior housing.
Community Development and Grants. Lindstrom announced that the full Metropolitan
Council had voted, approximately 90 minutes before the meeting, to approve two grants
for Falcon Heights: a $100,000 small area planning grant for Les Bolstad master
planning, and a $631,000 grant for Fairway Commons for environmental cleanup and
construction. He noted the city had also received a $40,000 planning grant to help with
comprehensive plan consultant costs.
Lindstrom encouraged the Council to look at community tree grants, recently opened to
cities for ash tree removal and replacement on public boulevards and in parks.
Phillips confirmed these grants opened on Tuesday
Linehan noted that the city also has an active transportation grant application still under
review at the Met Council, seeking approximately $50,000 for a citywide bike plan.
Lindstrom encouraged Council members to consider applying to serve on Met Council
advisory committees, including the Transportation Advisory Board, which makes
recommendations on allocating approximately $225 million in federal transportation
funds every other year.
Council Member May asked whether pedestrian and bicycle projects are eligible for that
regional solicitation funding.
Lindstrom confirmed they are, and also noted that a portion of a regional sales tax
dedicated to transit is available for active transportation through a parallel grant
process.
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G
E.APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. July 22,2026 City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes
2. July 22,2026 City Council Meeting Minutes
3. JruJy 22,2026 CiW Council Special Workshop Meeting Minutes
Council Member Wassenberg motioned to
approve the minutes;
Approved 4-0
F. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
There were no public hearings
CONSENT AGENDA:
'1.. General Disbursements through 8/ 6/26: $659,61'1..22
Payroll through 7 / 30 / 26: $24,679.80
Wire Payments through 7 /30/26: $17,506.11,2. Approval of City Licenses
3. Pay RequestforTIF 1-3 and TIF 1-4
4. Request to Close Flund 426 - 202'1. Street Project Capital Fund and Transfer Balance to
313 - 202'1, G.O. Improvement Bond Series 2021.A Debt Service Fund
Gustafson motioned to approve the consent agenda;
Approved 4-0
POLICY ITEMS:
'1,. Approvalof Ordinance26-09 AmendingChapter 46of CIty CodeConcerningNoise
Issues from Traffic and Vehicles
Linehan summarized the background, explaining that a recent incident involving a car
alarm sounding for multiple days in a residential neighborhood exposed a gap in city
code. The existing 48-hour parking rule was the only applicable mechanism at the time.
Staff reviewed practices in other cities and drafted language adding a vehicle alarm
violation to Chapter 46. Following Council direction at the July workshop, the proposed
time limit was set at two hours - reduced from the originally proposed four hours - after
which the vehicle may be declared a public nuisance and the city may authorize law
enforcement or a contractor to remove and impound it.
Council Member Wassenberg characterized the ordinance as a straighfforward and
sensible patch to city code.
Council Member Mielke moved approval of
Ordinance 2G09 and Summary Ordinance 26-09
Amending Chapter 46 of the Falcon Heights City
Code Conceming Noise Issues from Traffic and
Vehicles; The motion carried 4-0.
H:
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2. Approval of Ordinanc e 26-10 Amending Chapter 22 of Ciq Code Concerning
Unnecessary Noise
Linehan explained that the city has lacked a comprehensive noise ordinance, historically
relying on MPCA (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency) guidance and code provisions
scattered across several sections covering refuse haulers, barking dogs, and home
occupations. The new ordinance formally establishes prohibited noise categories and
hourly restrictions. For most activities, permitted hours areT:00 AM to 9:00 PM on
weekdays and 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM on weekends and holidays. Refuse hauling hours
mirror existing licensing language, extending to 10:00 PM on weekdays. Radios, music
devices, and similar equipment are permitted until 10:00 PM.
The proposed ordinance also contained a Section (c) on noise impact statements, which
would allow the Council to require noise impact sfudies for certain zoning changes or
permit applications. Linehan recommended striking this sectiory noting that the city
currently lacks the zoningmechanism to implement or enforce it, and that Council
Member Mogen had also expressed a preference to refer it to the Planning Commission
for further development before inclusion. Linehan suggested the Council could strike
Section (c), approve the ordinance as amended, and have the Planning Commission
bring back a more fully developed provision at a later date.
Council Member Wassenberg agreed, noting the section would be effectively
inoperative until the Planning Commission completed the necessary supporting
framework, and that it may need to read differently once that work is done.
Council Member Mielke moved approval of
Ordinance 2G10 and Summary Ordinance 26-10
Amending Chapter 22 of the Falcon Heights City
Code Conceming Ururecessary Noise, as Amended
to Strike Section (c); The motion carried 4-0.
3. Approval of Ordinance26-1'1, Amending the2026 Fee Schedule Ordinance to Modify
Parking Fines and to Establish a Commercial Parking Lot License Fee
Linehan summarized the three main components of the ordinance: (1) establishing a $35
commercial parking lot license fee; (2) formally codifying the administrative citation
escalation schedule ($35.00 if paid within 1,4 days; $85.00 if paid within 15-59 days;
turned over to collections after 60 days with a 30% increase for collection costs); and (3)
clarifying the city's two credit card processing systems-Payroc (3.50%, minimum $2.00,
for permits within iWorQ) and AllPaid (2.95%, minimum $3.99, for all other
transactions).
Council Member May raised a drafting concem with the fee schedule language, noting
the phrase "current amount" in the collections tier was unclear and should be replaced
with "$85.00" for transparency. Council Member Wassenberg agreed.
The Council also identified that the word "keys" on page 64 of the packet had been
inadvertently struck tfuough and should be restored, as staff had decided to defer a
broader update to the rental fee section.
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Council Member May moved to amend the fee schedule to replace "current amount"
with "$85.00*" (retaining the T2 convenience fee asterisk) in the administrative citation
collections row, and to restore the inadvertently shuck word "keys" on page 64. The
amendment carried 4-0.
Mayor Gustafson moved approval of Ordinance26-
11 and Summary Ordinance 26-1'1., Amending the
2026Fee Schedule, as Amended; The motion
carried 4-0.
4. Approval of Resolution26-7-1, Authorizing the Request for General Fund Budget
Amendment - Administrative Expenditures (112) - 60520 Part-Time Employees
Linehan explained that the city budgeted $5,000 for an administrative intern in
2026.Due to a vacancy in the Administrative and Communications Coordinator
position, the intern's tenure was extended, resulting in approximately $11,000 in
year-to-date expendifures, offset by savings from the vacancy. With a current
and upcoming planned staff leave, the city needs continued coverage. Linehan
requested authorization to increase the part-time line to $20,000, allowing the city
to hire a fall semester intern (September-December). He noted that staffing
agency alternatives cost $50-60 per hour with no ability to select personnel,
whereas the intern program consistently attracts strong candidates.
Council Member Wassenberg expressed support, noting the program is
economical and provides valuable career development opportunities for students
interested in municipal government.
Council Member Wassenberg moved approval of
Resolution 26-7'1,, Authorizing the General Fund
Budget Amendment for Administrative
Expenditures (112); The motion carried 4-0.
5. Hollywood Court Petition
Linehan summarized a petition received the previous day from most residents of
Hollywood Court, requesting two things: (1) Council approval of a resident placard they
had designed for display in vehicle dashboards, and (2) that the city communicate the
placard's existence and purpose to Minnesota State Fair security personnel.
Linehan explained that Hollywood Court residents and Amber Union residents both
face access challenges during the State Fair because the Larpenteur entrance is now
closed due to Fairway Commons construction, leaving the Snelling and Hoyt entrance-
staffed by rotating State Fair security officers - as their sole access point. The existing
resident window stickers have proven difficult to present convincingly. Linehan
proposed extending the placard approach to Amber Union residents as well, printing
approximately 250 for distribution tfuough the building's managemen! and presenting
the information at the city's next scheduled meeting with State Fair police. Linehan also
noted that there is value in the city formally endorsing the placard rather than having
residents create unofficial signage.
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Council members acknowledged the limited scope of the solution-the placard would
assist residents in getting past security barricades but would not serve as a parking
pass-and expressed sympathy for the affected residents.
Council Member May noted it at least alleviates part of a significant inconvenience
Council Member Mielke moved to Authorize the
Creation and Distribution of Placards for Amber
Union and Hollywood Court Residents to Display
in Their Vehicles and to Direct Staff to
Communicate the Details to State Fair Policing; The
motion carried 4-0.
I: INFORMATION / ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mielke recognized election volunteers on primary election day and encouraged residents to
vote in person.
Wassenberg reported on the Northeast Youth and Family Services annual board-staff picnic,
noting that NYFS is expanding services to include psychological evaluations for adults in
addition to children.
May reported that neighborhood block parties were well-attended. She noted that the
Environment Commission met on Monday, where Chair Adam Keester prepared a comparison
of the Bolstad development plan against the city's Climate Action Plan goals, identifying
priorities and deficiencies. She also celebrated that a water line has been installed at the
Community Garden, a welcome development given the hot, dry weather.
Mayor Gustafson noted that he and Council Member Mogen attended five block parties. He
reported that the Parks and Recreation Commission met and worked on the park rental
agreemen! streamlining earlier draft language. The Commission will meet on Wednesday,
September 2nd (moved from Labor Day) to continue work on a vision statement for parks
within the Bolstad development. A soft launch of the new Community Park is planned for fall,
with Fall Fest currently scheduled at the elementary school in October, though a possible merge
with the park opening event is under consideration.
Linehan provided the following staff updates:
. State Fair parking permits have been mailed to all relevant zones, and digital pass
requests and variance applications are being processed.
. T2 Systems administrative citation infrastrucfure is being set up; scanners are delayed in
customs in Quebec.. The State Fair resource guide has been mailed to residents.
. Monument sign lighting repairs are underway at City Hall and the Snelling-Larpenteur
location.. Boulevard trees were recently planted using a Releaf grant.. Community Park update: playground equipment delivery is expected next week; splash
pad activation is pending vendor coordination; the contractor will retum to regrade the
entire site and seed after August 15th (the watershed-required seeding date); batfuooms
will open with the building, which is anticipated by late September to early October.
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J: COMMUNITY FORUM:
No members of the public came forward. The Community Forum was closed.
Please limit comments to 3 minutes per person. Items brought before the Council utill be referred for
considerahon. Council may ask questions for clarifcation, but no council action or discussion wiII be
held on these items.
K: ADJOURNMENT: 8:39 P.M.
Council Member Mielke motioned to adjourn the meeting;
Approved 4-0
Amendments to the agenda are noted in bolil for additions and #+lleetkatglt for remoaals.
Dated this 26m day of Augttst,2026
Randall C.yor
ack Linehan, City Administrator
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