HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWkspMin_07Sep05Falcon Heights City Council Workshop
September 5, 2007
Members present: Mayor Gehrz, Council members Harris, Lindstrom, Kuettel, and Talbot, Administrator Miller, Zoning and Planning Director Jones, Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk
Kreuser, Fire Chief Kurjahetz, and Finance Director Olson.
Mayor Gehrz called the workshop to order at 6:35 p.m.
1. General Fund Budget
Miller began the workshop by stating a pedestrian crossing at Hamline and Garden would be shared cost between Roseville and Falcon Heights. In 2009, the fire department has asked for
a utility vehicle to be used to carry extra equipment and for HAZMAT response, and in 2011 will refurbish the Telesquirt.
Miller reported also the path behind the elementary school would be delayed, perhaps canceled, depending on the district’s support. The council agreed to eliminate the 25,000 for this
line item for 2008, and asked that further research be done on the Garden Avenue sidewalk.
Miller stated the reconstruct of the tennis and basketball courts at Community Park would be changed to a resurface in 2008.
Mayor Gehrz asked about the line item for the purchase of the street sweeper. Miller replied it was Parks and Public Works Director Pittman’s interest to do the streetsweeping in-house,
and perhaps sweeping Lauderdale’s streets as well to recoup some of the cost of purchasing the machine. Staff is still evaluating the cost-effectiveness of this proposal.
For 2008, the City Hall parking lot will be reconstructed to better allow drainage. Miller stated he was to talk with the watershed district to try and get some funding from them.
The next project for 2008 is a Larpenteur Avenue streetscape study. Miller said the Design Center at the U would make up charette drawings and figure what types of plantings to have.
He also stated that after the study by the U the city would need to hire a landscape architect to head up the project. Council member Kuettel pointed out eliminating the U from the
process would save money, since the study does not equal an actual plan. Miller replied an RFP for a landscape architect would be completed. Council member Harris added the money zeroed
from the paths could be used for the Larpenteur study, while Jones stated the walkability study findings would also make a good addition to the research.
Next Miller spoke about the TIF bond obligation. At the city’s financial advisor’s direction, TIF money from special assessments was put into the infrastructure fund, and now the city
has been told it should’ve gone into the TIF fund. Roughly $650,000 is owed to the Coffman TIF fund, and once in that fund it must be spent on infrastructure projects before 2012-2013.
If it’s not, it’s split between taxing authorities. He added the landscape project and street lighting study may qualify as valid expenditures. The good news is the City gets to use
it, the bad news is the City uses it or loses it.
Comp Plan
The main topic of discussion on the Comp Plan was the P1/R1 zoning classification for current public-owned land. The south areas of the golf course and Cleveland fields were given underlying
zoning of P1 in case of a sale. The Fairview fields were zoned P1/R1, park and residential in case of a sale.
Council discussion of those underlying zoning classifications was lengthy, with Council member Harris unhappy with the preliminary decision to zone the Fairview fields P1/R1. She said
she didn’t want the land behind her house to be residential and wanted to see it remain open green space. She said her constituents agree and voted her in because of that platform.
Mayor Gehrz said that the council has fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers, and it’s financially irresponsible to zone it only P1. The reasoning for P1 zoning along Cleveland
is because of Community Park, the soccer stadium, Bell Museum, and Gibbs to maintain the green and open continuity throughout that area. Miller stated the city has to give reasonable
use to the owners of property through the zoning classifications, and he has to find out to see what is allowed. He reminded the council this is only preliminary. Jones added the city
could also create additional zoning controls.
The workshop adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Stacey Kreuser
Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk