HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 14, 2026 City Council Workshop Meeting MinutesA.
B.
CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
City Council Workshop
City Hall
2077 rNest Larpenteur Avenue
MINUTES
October 'J.4,2026
6:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER: 6:02 P.M.
ROLL CALL:GUSTAFSON-X- MAY-X-
MIELKE X MOGEN X WASSENBERG X
STAFF PRESENT: LINEHAN X NELSON X
POLICY ITEMS:
1. Park Facility Rental Policy (6:00 p.m.)
City Administrator Linehan introduced the item and shared that the Parks Commission
had drafted and approved a rental policy, using language from Roseville, Little Canada,
and other cities. The draft reflected Council's feedback from earlier fee discussions. Staff
brought it to the Council for further review. Three versions were presented to the
Council:. the Parks Commission version in the packe!
. a version with proposed edits in red, incorporating suggestions from Council
Members Mogen and May, including edits on noise; and
. a "friendlier" version that staff generated with AI at Council Member May's
suggestion, because the original language read as stern ("no this, no that").
Linehan noted that the edits were not placed in the packet because no consensus on
them existed. He asked the Council to focus on the redline edit version.
Nelson explained that Roseville's policy was used as the template since Roseville is a
likely alternative location for anyone who cannot book a Falcon Heights facility and vice
versa. She then walked through questions submitted by Council.
Nelson explained that the restriction on for-profit food sales from the concessions
building is a liability issue. Such sales begin to resemble a restaurant, which would
require commercial-grade equipment and fire suppression.
Council Member Mogen said his question was whether the language would permit a
food truck but not concession sales.
Council Members Wassenberg and May understood it the same way. They noted that a
food truck would need its own Ramsey County license.
C.
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The Mayor stated that food trucks are not currently allowed under city code. Allowing
them would require a new policy.
Linehan recalled that code restricts food trucks on city streets and allows them on
private property for a limited period, which he believed was 28 days.
Council Member Mielke asked about the Grove block party. She also noted that it would
be difficult to limit a food truck to a renter's guests only.
Linehan said he would research the code provisions and share the answers with the
Council.
Staff clarified that sales for profit in the concession building required advance approval
and that renters needing a temporary food license would be directed to Ramsey County
Regarding questions about fires and grills, Nelson proposed new language: "no fires or
open flames of any kind are permitted except in city-installed grills and personal grills
which received prior approval."
In response to Council Member May, staff explained that renters would request a
personal grill on the rental agreement. Staff could then advise on safe placement away
from the covered shelter and check with the fire marshal, as needed.
Council Member Wassenberg suggested allowing fire pits or stand-alone stoves with
prior approval.
Council Member Mogen questioned whether the city should offer this if it has no
designated space.
Council Member Wassenberg did not feel strongly about it.
Linehan said personal grills would be approved only in special circumstances, such as a
service-club cookout bringing many grills.
Mayor Gustafson noted that approval also protects the city from liability for improper
placement.
Used charcoal and ashes will be left in the city grills to cool, and Public Works will clean
the grills. Approved private grills would require the renter to cool ashes in a city grill.
The Council then directed that the list of prohibited items read "or vaping products," not
"and."
Nelson confirmed that the park closure hours in the packet were a typographical error
The correct hours are 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM, consistent with city code.
Council Member Mielke asked that generic terms replace brand names.
Nelson confirmed the packet already used a generic term ("play dough") and would
restore it where needed.
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Council Member Mielke also asked for consistent use of "and" versus "&" throughout.
Council Member May said the list of prohibited items was too restrictive. She
questioned whether soapy bubbles would bar children from blowing bubbles, and she
objected to the bans on feathers and glitter. She suggested describing the category
broadly, such as "things that cause sticky messes, such as play dougtu" so that renters
could not argue an unlisted product was permitted.
Council Member Mielke said bubbles make concrete slippery.
The Mayor explained that glitter is time-consuming to clean between rentals and that
non-biodegradable debris could clog the splash pad drains. He described spending
many hours vacuuming glitter after a church event.
Council Member Wassenberg agreed that glitter, with its static properties, is the worst
offender. He said feathers and play dough seem easy to cleary and he supported
removing feathers from the prohibited items list.
Council Member Mogen added that sweeping outdoors is relatively easy.
By consensus, feathers will be removed from the prohibited list. Glitter and confetti
remain. Council Member May accepted the glitter restriction after hearing the splash
pad concem.
Linehan then explained that the revised language ties noise to disturbance of others and
is complaint-based, because the city's sound ordinance applies mainly after parks close.
Amplified sound, such as DJs,loud music, and public address systems, would require
prior city approval or a special event permit.
Council Members Wassenberg and May said they preferred this wording
Council Member Mogen asked that the FAQs state the Wi-Fi capacity and the number of
outlets so renters can plan for streaming and similar uses.
Nelson agreed to add both and noted the Wi-Fi password would need to be updated.
Council Member May asked that cleanup requirements for the kitchenette, especially the
microwave and refrigerator f freezer, be stated more specifically.
Council Member Wassenberg suggested defining "thoroughly clean."
Linehan described the kitchenette as having stainless steel countertops, a
refrigerator f freezer, microwave, coffee maker, and a wash sink.
Council Member Mielke suggested opening with "Thank you for choosing a Falcon
Heights park facility," followed by "We want every visitor to have a safe and enjoyable
experience," and then a request to follow the guidelines.
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Council Member May said she had prepared a version that opens with the park's
amenities and reframes the "no" list as positive guidance for everyone's enjoyment.
The Council agreed that Nelson would synthesize these comments without extensive
wordsmithing. Nelson noted that the rules appear on the rental form, which renters
initial and sigo and that she is revising that form.
Nelson then noted that the draft's "no early arrival" language was written before staff
knew how many rentals would occur per day. She stated that language could be added
to allow early arrival or a late departure as long as it is within park hours, if Council
preferred it.
Linehan responded that the prior workshop's direction was one rental per day, with an
overnight window of at least eight hours to allow a third-party cleaning service to come
in.
Council Member Mielke favored separate half-day and full-day rates
Council Members Mogen and Wassenberg preferred a single daily rate for now
Council Member Mogen said that without a way to rent twice per day, a half-day rate
makes little sense.
Council Member Wassenberg recommended affordable pricing for the firstyear or two,
then revisiting rates or half-day options if demand is high.
Council Member Mogen noted that the proposed $200 per day is high compared with
neighboring cities.
By consensus, the Council kept the one-rate approach as a trial.
Linehan explained staff's cost analysis:. A Public Works call-out carries a four-hour minimum at time-and-a-half.
. A third-party cleaning service would likely cost $75 to $100 per visit. The city
pays $550 per month for weekly City Hall cleaning.. Little Canada requires renters to do most cleaning and has its own maintenance
staff.
. Roseville charges renters for an attendant at about $25 per hour.
The plan is to bring in a cleaning service on Friday and Saturday nights during the
summer and fall rental season. This would also solve the problem of cleaning the public
restrooms on weekends. Public Works would cover other days.
Council Member Mielke asked that renters not be charged for restroom cleaning, since
the restrooms are open to the public, and that the rate be the same on weekends.
Council Member Wassenberg raised weekend pricing but did not press it.
Linehan said extra cleanup or damage would be taken from the renter's deposit. Staff
can check the building camera to see whether a space has been left in poor condition.
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On deposits, Linehan said the resident/non-resident difference reflects the greater
difficulty of recovering damages from non-residents.
Council Member Mielke questioned the difference, and Wassenberg agreed that
residents are easier to pursue.
Linehan noted that City Hall rentals ended around 2014because of damage and
difficulty recovering costs.
The Council expressed comfort with the direction. Staff will revise the policy, FAQs, and
fee schedule and bring them back as a consent agenda item for formal adoption.
Linehan said formal Council approval is advisable because the policy would be difficult
to enforce without it. He will aim for pricing that is reasonable but covers costs,
adjusting once actual cleaning quotes are received, and will not try to be the price leader
2. 2026 Minnesota State Fair Recap (6:30 p.m.)
a. Parking Program Overview
b. Post-State Fair Survey Results
The Workshop ended before Policy Item #2
was discussed. Item was moved to the end
of the Regular Meeting for discussion.
D. ADJOURNMENT: 6:58 P.M
Council Member Mielke motioned to adjourn the workshop;
Approved 5-0
DISCLAIMER: City CouncilWorkshops are held monthly as an opportunity for Council Members to
discuss policy topics in greater detail pior to a formal meeting where a public hearing 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. Alternatiuely, time is regularly allottedfor yublic comment during Regular Gty Council
Meetings (typcally 2nd and 4thWednesdays) during the Community Forum.
Dated this 28ft day of October,2026
Randall C.Mayor
Jack Linehan, City Administrator
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