HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 26, 2026 City Council Regular Meeting MinutesA
B.
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
Regular Meeting of the City Council
City Hall
2077 W est Larpenteur Avenue
MINUTES - AMENDED
August 26,2026 at 7:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 P.M.
ROLL CALL: GUSTAFSON X MAY X MOGEN X
MIELKE X WASSENBERG X
STAFF PRESENT: LINEHAN X HENRICKSEN X
C. APPROVALOFAGENDA
Linehan noted two amendments to the agenda: the addition of Consent Item G5,
Approval of Resolution26-T|Accepting the Resignation of Denise King from the
Community Engagement Commission, and a corresponding renumbering of Policy Item
H1 to Resolution 26-75.
Council Member Mogen also requested the addition of a council schedule discussion as
Policy Item H-2.
Council Member Mielke motioned to approve the
agenda as amended;
Approved 5-0
D.PRESENTATION
1. Presentation from Tubman Legal Services
Jennifer Dickinson, Director of Legal Services at Tubman, provided the Council with an
annual service update, now in approximately the fourth year of partrership with the
City of Falcon Heights.
Dickinson described Tubman as a nonprofitorgNization serving victim-survivors of
relationship violence, mental health challenges, trafficking, and other trauma. Its
operations are centered at a shelter in Maplewood and the Tubman Chrysalis Center in
Minneapolis. The City's financial support of $5,000 per year-unchanged over four
years-is directed specifically to Falcon Heights services.
Falcon Heights Services (2025): Tubman followed 11 criminal cases involving 10
survivors, developed 31 safety plans, and served 14 unique advocacy clients, providing
66 total services at an average of 5 per client. Additional services accessed by Falcon
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Heights residents included shelter, Safe at Home address confidentiality applications,
lease-breaking assistance, flexible financial assistance, and support groups.
Dickinson shared an anonymous case study of a Falcon Heights resident referred to as
"Rose," illustrating the range of supports Tubman provided: safety planning, a domestic
abuse no-contact order, lock changes, financial assistance, victim impact statement
preparatiory and ultimately a referral for divorce and custody consultation with Tubman
attorneys.
Dickinson outlined Tubman's broader service aftay, including its Safety Project for order
for protection cases, family law services, brief services clinics, shelter and transitional
housing, the Harriet's Haven for Pets program (accommodating up to 8 dogs and 6 cats
on-site at the Maplewood shelter), youth outreach through the Northstar Youth
Outreach Center, and clinical services including the virtual Pieces of Peace support
group.
Dickinson reported that state funding from the Office of Justice Programs has remained
stagnant since 2018 while costs have increased by approximately 20%, resulting in
significant reductions in the past fiscal year: shelter capacity was cut from 90 to 65 beds,
one full-time Washington County legal advocate was eliminated, clinical services wete
reduced, and the Inspiring Youth program now serves 15% fewer youth. She noted that
the legislature provided bipartisan support to fill a $12 million gap in crime victim
services funding for the upcoming year, though that funding only restores the previous
stagnant level and fufure grant amounts remain uncertain under a new competitive RFP
cycle.
Dickinson shared positive developments included the launch of Harriet's Haven for
Pets; the formation of a Legal Client Advisory Council drawing from current and former
clients to inform program development and legislative advocacy; an Attorney Services
Project Grant developing a Practicing Paralegal Program to expand capacity for
representation; and shelter capital improvements including a new public elevator,
updated electrical, and new windows.
Dickinson shared that in 2025,3-1" people in Minnesota died due to domestic violence,
with27 killed by a current or former intimate partner; resulting homicides left 55 minor
and adult children without a parent.
Council Member Mogen inquired about coordination with the Ramsey County
Attorney's Office victim witress program.
Dickinson explained that Tubman handles misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases
and the critical initial period before felony charging occurs, coordinating with county
victim wibress staff when cases are elevated to felony level. She confirmed that Tubman
covers suburban Ramsey County and all of Washington County, but not the City of St.
Paul.
Council Member Mielke requested Tubman outreach materials suitable for immigrant
residents who may be reluctant to involve law enforcement.
Dickinson acknowledged this as a significant ongoing challenge, noting Tubman works
to offer options that minimize required court contact and partners with culturally
specific organizations such as Asian Women United and Esperanza United.
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E.
Council Member May encouraged Tubman to continue participati.g i. community
events as an outreach channel.
Dickinson noted that Tubman's crisis line is available 24/7 and that direct-call hours
were recently extended to 8:00 PM Monday through Thursday.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
'1.. July 15, 2026 City Council Joint Workshop with the Community Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
2. August 12,2026 City Council Workshop Meeting Minutes
3. August'I.,2,2026 City Council Meeting Minutes
Council Member May noted a correction on page 28, indicating that a comment regarding
the proposed removal of the Route 6l stop at Arona had been incorrectly attributed to
her; the statement should be attributed to Council Member Mielke.
Council Member Wassenberg motioned to
approve the minutes with the correction
noted;
Approved 5-0
F. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
There were no public hearings.
G.CONSENT AGENDA:
1,. General Disbursements tfuough 8/21,/26: $69,330.12
Payroll through 8 / 12/ 26: $22,063.93
Wire Payments through 8 / 21, / 26: $19,347 .79
2. Approval of City Licenses
3. Approval of Resolution26-7?Approving the Quote from Century Fence to Install
Playground Fencing at Community Park
4. Approval of Resolution26-73 Approving Agreement for Curb Repair at'l.446Iowa
Avenue W.
5. Approval of Resolution26-74 Accepting the Resignation of Denise King from the
Community Engagement Commission
Council Member Mielke raised a question regarding an overtime charge for policing
at the Street Machine event. Linehan confirmed that the city invoices organizers for
such reimbursable costs, as was done successfully with the Back to the Fifties event
organizers, and would pursue the Street Machine organizers similarly, with the State
Fair as a further avenue if needed.
Gustafson and Mogen motioned to approve
the consent agenda; Approved 5-0
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H:POLICY ITEMS:
1. Approval of Resolution26-7.475 Approving Change Order #'1, for the2026 Sanitary
Sewer Lining Projecf FH 25-03
City Engineer Henricksen presented the staff recommendation. The original contract with Visu-
Sewer,Inc., approved April 22,2026, was for $230,560.00 covering approximately 5,400lineal
feet of sanitary sewer lining on Fulham, Roselawry the Maple Court loop, and a section of
Larpenteur.The 2026 budget for the project was $400,000.
Because the original bid came in substantially below budget staff negotiated with Visu-Sewer
to add the remaining unlined areas in the city-primarily in the Northome area- as part of the
current contract. Change Order #1 totals 9213,982.30, bringing the revised contract amount to
W44,542.30, approximately 10% over the original budget.
Henricksen highlighted several value points: the 8-inch lining unit price held at $27.15 per lineal
fooU the 18-inch lining price was reduced from $209.15 to $130.00 per lineal foot due to the
additional volume; and the 21-inch lining-not in the original contract-was negotiated at
$202.00 per lineal foot, still below the original l8-inch price. All pricing includes mobilizatiory
traffic control, and sewer bypassing costs. One line in the south portion of the Falcon Woods
neighborhood was excluded after video review showed the pipe to be in pristine condition.
If approved, this change order would complete the city's sanitary sewer lining program/
eliminating the anticipated202T project and removing that budget line item from the sanitary
fund. Approximately $16,000 in allowance and contingency items from the original contract are
not expected to be needed, which should bring the actual final cost below the contract
maximum.
Linehan added that funding comes from the Sanitary Enterprise Fund, and that eliminating the
2027 project creates flexibility in future rate-setting and budget planning.
Council Member Mogen observed that savings from mobilization alone represented
approximately 18% and charactefizeditas a good deal.
Council Member Wassenberg agreed, framing it as a prudent use of economies of scale given
the current inflationary environment.
Council Member May asked for a brief explanation of the cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) process
and how residents' service may be disrupted.
Henricksen described it as inserting a resin-impregnated felt liner-essentially a sock-inside
the existing pipe, pressuizingit like a balloon, and curing it with steam or hot water to harden
it into a new pipe without requiring excavation. He noted residents are typically advised to
minimize water use for a few hours during curing, and that a robotic cutter re-opens service
laterals afterward. The expected lifespan of a CIPP liner is comparable to a new PVC pipe-50
to 100 years.
Council Member Mogen motioned
Approval of Resolution 26-75, Approving Change
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Order #1, for the2026 Sanitary Sewer Lining
Project FH-03; The motion carried 5-0.
2. Continuation of Council Schedule
Council Member Mogen raised the need to schedule additional budget work time before the
preliminary levy must be approved at the September 23 regular meeting. He noted the August
26 workshop had not completed its agenda, and suggested adding a special workshop or
finding additional time in September.
Linehan confirmed the key milestones: a golf course/CAC update and general fund levy
discussion at the September 9 meeting, preliminary levy approval on September 23, and the
Truth in Taxation hearing on December 9.
After discussion of scheduling constraints-including Council Member May's unavailability
September 10-22-the Council agreed to add a continuing budget discussion as a policy item to
the September 9 regular council meeting agenda, to be held after the regular business. The
Council would also receive a preliminary golf course update from consultant Andrew Dresdner
beginning at 6:00 P.M. before the regular meeting.
Linehan also suggested, and the Council agreed, to add a standing agenda item for continuation
of workshop items on the September 9 agenda and potentially as a permanent feature going
forvvard, subject to evaluation.
Council Member Mogen noted the value in maintaining meeting-end pressure as a discipline
for efficient workshops.
Linehan noted that any change to the regular standing meeting time would require statutory
public notice and should be addressed during the 2027 calendar process.
I: INFORMATION / ANNOUNCEMENTS:
May reported attending a recent Community Advisory Committee meeting and expressed
appreciation for the quality of work the CAC is doing in engaging residents and bringing
forward their concerns.
Wassenberg had no announcements.
Mielke reported on two recent meetings: a multi-stakeholder meeting convened by Ward 4
Council Member Molly Coleman regarding car events and State Fair impacts, which included
representatives from the state legislafure and Congresswoman McCollum's office; and a
meeting with the University of Minnesota govemment liaison. Topics at the U of M meeting
included the closure of Bailey Hall on the Saint Paul campus and a suggesdon that any future
golf course development include workforce housing to reduce commute burdens on U of M
employees. Mielke also noted the Community Engagement Commission held a recent meeting
with productive discussion on upcoming events, including another Falcon Heights Neighbors'
Night at the Goldstein Museum on November 5th.
Mogen reported the Planning Commission did not meet.
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Gustafson had no specific commission reports, but welcomed fairgoers and noted confidence in
the city's preparations, including parking ambassadors being trained and in place.
Linehan provided a staff update: improved and expanded State Fair signage is in place
following resident feedback from prior years; parking ambassadors begin shifts the following
moming and will issue administrative citations directly for failure to payi a hearing officer
process is set for September 28 for contested tickets; the Community Park splash pad is
operational; the site was seeded and hydro-seeded that day; playground equipment delivery is
expected September 1-2 with a three-week installation timeline; and an administrative intern
position is in active recruitrnent with strong applicants.
J: COMMUNITY FORUM:
Please limit comments to 3 minutes per person. Items brought before the Council will be referred for
consideration. Council may ask questions for clarifcation, but no council action or discussion will be
held on these items.
No members of the public came forward.
The Community Forum was closed.
K: ADIOURNMENT: 8:24 P.M.
Council Member Mielke motioned to adjourn the meeting;
Approved 5-0
Amendments to the agenda are noted in bold for additions and s+rilee+J+r+tryfufor remoaals.
Dated this 9th day of September, 2026
Randall C.Mayor
City Administrator
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