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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCAgen_08Feb13CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS Regular Meeting of the City Council City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue AGENDA February 13, 2008 A. CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 PM B. ROLL CALL: LINDSTROM ____ HARRIS ____ KUETTEL ____ LONG ____ MERCER-TAYLOR ____ MILLER ____ KREUSER ____ C. PRESENTATIONS: D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: January 23, 2008 TAB 1 E. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. Coventry Apartments Conduit Bonding TAB 2 F. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. General Disbursements through 2/7/08: $95,077.22 Payroll through 1/31/08: $17,489.11 TAB 3 2. City Licenses TAB 4 3. Commission appointment TAB 5 4. 2007 Forestry Report TAB 6 G. POLICY AGENDA: 1. Resolution of support for bonding request -Bell Museum of Natural History TAB 7 2. Comprehensive Plan Update Review Part I TAB 8 H. INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENTS: I. COMMUNITY FORUM: J. ADJOURNMENT: If you have a disability and need accommodation in order to attend this meeting, please notify City Hall 48 hours in advance between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 651-792-7600. We will be happy to help. ? Regular Meeting of the Falcon Heights City Council January 23, 2008 Members present: Mayor Lindstrom, Council members Harris, Kuettel, Long, and Mercer-Taylor, Administrator Miller, Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk Kreuser. Mayor Lindstrom called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The minutes of the January 9, 2008 meeting were approved as corrected by Council member Kuettel. Consent Agenda: Council member Kuettel moved the following seven items for approval. The motion passed on a 4-0 vote, with Council member Mercer-Taylor abstaining from the vote due to her business license being up for approval. 1. General Disbursements through 1/17/08: $228,869.79 Payroll through 1/15/08: $16,640.75 2. City License Renewals 3. 2008 Winterfest and Ice Cream Social Monetary Donations 4. 2008 -2009 Tree Trimming and Removal Contract Extension 5. 2007 Pay Equity Report 6. Designation of 2008 Acting Mayor 7. Review of Elected Official Out-of-State Travel Policy Policy Agenda: 1. Building Official Services Agreement – Second Amendment Administrator Miller began the item by explaining the amendment reduces the 35% paid to a 25% floor and 35% ceiling for building inspector fees. He said it would save the city about $13,700 in 2008. He added the change is not a reflection on the quality of service provided by Steve Westerhaus, but instead better correlates with the amount of time the inspector actually spends in Falcon Heights due to workload. Council member Mercer-Taylor asked Miller to expand on the amendment and how it relates to billing. Miller answered that Falcon Heights employs its own Fire Marshal, and the section referring to those services would be deleted from the agreement. Second, currently Little Canada bills Falcon Heights quarterly. The change included calculating the building permit revenue to Little Canada and paying them 80% of the building permit fees, plan check fees, and plumbing permit fees accepted on a monthly basis. The two cities would settle at the end of the year if the amount needed to be corrected. Council member Kuettel moved to approve the building official services agreement – second amendment. The motion passed unanimously. 2. Larpenteur Avenue Banner Discussion Administrator Miller began by stating money was put into the budget for 2008 to beautify and update the Larpenteur Avenue streetscape. The photos of banners were examples of ways to inject color. Miller said the staff thought doing a generic type of banner would be good to start with, and then in subsequent years, banners for seasons, special events, or holidays could be added. Second, he stated the idea was to have hanging flower baskets on the green light poles along with the banners and do away with the cement planter boxes along Larpenteur Avenue. He said the public works crew has seen a lot of hassle with the cement boxes, and they are also a hazard to motorists and people. The council all agreed the banners and plantings were a good idea. Council member Long had the idea of keeping it simple and putting the logo on the banners. The council agreed to keep the banners simple, since motorists are driving at speeds in which highly detailed banners could not be read. They chatted a few minutes about which designs they liked best from the templates in their packets. Council member Harris asked about the two types of fabric the banners come in. Miller replied he would depend on the public works crew’s opinion on which would hold up the best. Information/Announcements: Council member Mercer-Taylor announced she would be holding cross-country ski lessons at Winterfest, from 2-3 p.m. Council member Harris encouraged everyone to come out to Community Park for Winterfest on Sunday from 1-4 p.m. Council member Kuettel stated the Planning Commission had met the previous evening, and welcomed two new, energetic members. The commission chair elected was Eric Watkins for 2008. She added that applicants for the Parks/Rec, Neighborhood, and Human Rights Commissions are still being accepted. Council member Long also invited residents to stop over to Winterfest. He added the Parks Commission had also met and welcomed two members, and elected Annie Green as chair for 2008. Mayor Lindstrom announced he had met with Administrator Miller and other administrators with the police department for a crime update meeting that went very well. He said SAPD is going to be making some technological updates to their squad cars by installing GIS real-time mapping systems. In addition, Falcon Heights will continue the community crime prevention meetings in 2008, so watch for those announcements. Lastly, the Mayor said he would be attending commission meetings over the next month to meet the city’s volunteer commissioners and go over goals for the year. Administrator Miller stated the February workshop would be held Wednesday the 6th, with a review of the council’s 2008 goals, a presentation by Cor Wilson on cable franchising, and Finance Director Olson would be presenting new audit standards. Second, he told residents to be on the watch for Community Garden announcements coming soon. Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk Kreuser announced the CERT class would begin February 7, and to call City Hall to sign up. Mayor Lindstrom adjourned the meeting at 7:33 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Stacey Kreuser Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk PUBLIC HEARING E1 2/13/08 ITEM: Public Hearing Regarding Issuance of Tax Exempt Financing for Coventry Apartment Project SUBMITTED BY: Justin Miller, City Administrator SUMMARY: Under Minnesota state statutes, cities have the authority to lend its bonding authority to qualified entities, and can take an administrative fee in return for this service. Snelling Apartments Limited Partnership plans to acquire, renovate and equip an approximately 196-unit apartment building at 2820 Snelling Avenue in Roseville. The amount of bonds will not exceed $14,000,000, which will result in an issuer’s fee payable to the City of Falcon Heights in the amount of $70,000. There is no financial risk to the City, and this conduit bonding does not affect the City’s bond rating. A public hearing notice was publicized in the January 22nd edition of the Roseville Review. Formal resolutions will not be ready for approval at this time, but the public hearing still needs to be held in order to keep the project moving forward. The council will review the appropriate resolutions at a future meeting, most likely February 27th. More detailed information, as well as representatives from our bond counsel and Snelling Apartments Limited Partnership, will be available at the meeting to provide answers to any questions that may arise. ACTION REQUESTED: Staff recommends that the City Council hold a public hearing related to the issuance of conduit debt to Snelling Apartments Limited Partnership in the not-to-exceed amount of $14,000,000. No other formal action is required at this time. CONSENT F1 2/13/08 ITEM: General Disbursements and Payroll SUBMITTED BY: Roland Olson, Finance Director REVIEWED BY: Justin Miller, City Administrator EXPLANATION: General Disbursements through 2/7/08: $95,077.22 Payroll through 1/31/08: $17,489.11 ATTACHMENTS: Disbursements, credit card statement and payroll. ACTION REQUESTED: Approval CONSENT F2 2/13/08 ITEM: City License Renewals SUBMITTED BY: Stacey Kreuser, Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk EXPLANATION: The following businesses have applied for municipal business licenses for 2008. Staff has received the necessary documents for licensure. • MN Planetarium Society • Hoover Sales and Service The following businesses have applied for mechanical contractor’s licenses for 2008. Staff has received the necessary documents for licensure. • Larson Plumbing • Bonfe’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Service Inc. CONSENT F3 2/13/08 ITEM: Commission Appointment SUBMITTED BY: Peter Lindstrom, Mayor Explanation: The following individual has been interviewed, and I ask the council’s approval to appoint Tim McDevitt to the Neighborhood Commission. ACTION REQUESTED: Approval DEC 1 ·1 2007 CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS COMMISSION APPLICATION DATE: NAME: /+1/£, PHONE: (H) _ J £.-•. ~ •• -. , HOW LONG AT ABOVE ADDRESS? ~ y-€ft~S , IN WHAT CAPACITY DO YOU WISH TO SERVE? PIAtVIVING-GIY\MiSStON EMAIL ADDRESS: .•. --.-... • CONSENT F4 2/13/08 ITEM: 2007 Forestry Report SUBMITTED BY: Tim Pittman, Parks and Public Works Director REVIEWED BY: Justin Miller, City Administrator EXPLANATION: Each year, the city forester submits a year-end report on the activities, programs, and projects undertaken by the city in the area of boulevard trees and trees on private property. This report contains information regarding DED programs and other tree diseases, as well as recommendations regarding future programs and projects. ATTACHMENT: • 2007 year-end report City of Falcon Heights 2007 Forestry Report Prepared by: Mandy Musielewicz Vernix Forestry Consultants Fonvard The city of Falcon Heights has a long history of tree lined streets and active residents. Residents look to city staff to maintain a healthy urban forest on both public and private land. This report is a summary of the work performed by contracted forester, Mandy Musielewicz. The main emphasis of forestry work included disease management, boulevard reforestation and response to residents' tree issues or forestry extension. A boulevard tree inventory was conducted with results and database submitted to public works. The inventory documents this living infrastructure and will serve as a tool in management and policy decisions. Forestry Extension Flacon Heights offers forestry information and advise to residents free of charge. This year 75 resident calls were answered. The calls requested information on general tree care, planting, disease management, removal and trimming concerns. Residents contact the forestry line or email request for service to initiate a site visit or consultation. Tree Disease Management The majority of work within the city is management of Dutch elm disease. Inspections beginning with a spring review for possible diseased woodpiles and standing dead elm trees. The work continues throughout the growing season with citywide inspections for diseased trees. The trees are marked, condemned and removed. A total of 19 elms marked for removal with 8 publicly owned trees in 2007. Tree loss from Dutch elm disease seems to have leveled out compared to previous years. The trees marked are larger in size and if loss continues at this rate, public owned American elms maybe nonexistent within three years time. A listing of elms condemned for Dutch elm disease follows this report. Some residents inject their boulevard elms to prevent loss from Dutch elm disease. These residents request permission to have the trees injected and pay for the work on their own. The following table shows elm loss from Dutch elm disease for the past 5 years. DED TREE LOSS 2020030456 2007 8 211881 8 21317512 11 29295393 29295393 19 Oak wilt inspections also occur throughout the growing season. No oaks were identified as diseased this past season. A few private owned white oaks died in the grove neighborhood this past year. These trees appeared to have died from drought and other climate factors. This neighborhood has a high concentration of mature oak trees. Continuation of educating residents about oak wilt and how to prevent it is recommended. Currently there are no other tree disease or pests of epidemic concern. Review of boulevard trees and response to residential calls for service will keep the forester aware of possible trends or new pests. Management strategies should be implemented at that time. Tree Removal Nine trees were removed in addition to diseased elm removal. These trees were either dead, or identified as hazardous and removed. A listing of addresses and brief description of the work follows this report. The city is on an annual rotation for street tree trim work. This work coordinated by the Public Works Director. The city is divided into five neighborhoods with trim work scheduled one a year. The tree inventory can indicate potential workload per neighborhood by amount and size of street trees. It is important to train young trees to have good structure with strong scaffold branches one main leader and encouraging good branch unions. The goal should be to protect the public investment and limit tree vs. street conflicts. Tree Planting Residents expect the city to replace the trees lost on the boulevard. This past year we were able to replant most all the trees lost in the 2007 season. A few sites were either too crowded or needed more time for the stump to rot out. The city planted a total of 26 trees in public spaces this past year. Four of the trees were donated from a resident and planted by city staff along boulevard of Ruggles Avenue at an elementary school. Six trees were planted along Cleveland Avenue median strip to replace lost trees and fully stock this planting bed. The remaining trees were planted throughout the city boulevards to replace trees lost either from storm damage or disease. The past few years, Tree Trust has planted the trees we purchased from Bachman's Wholesale Nursery. The planting occurs in the fall of the year and residents agree to the tree planting. Tree species are selected based on existing species, diversity concerns, resident request and street tree classification. A listing of 2007 -fall tree planting follows this report along with a sample letter sent to residents. A 2008 list of residential request for trees and their description also follows this report. Consideration should be made to include solicitation for tree planting in neighborhoods with limited tree stocking. These neighborhoods and addresses can be identified with the inventory database. Send a postcard or letter to five or ten residents with invitation for tree planting on the boulevard. Include those addresses that agree to take care of the tree in the fall planting. Discuss placement of the trees within the boulevard. Consider placing them as far back from the curb as possible and still remain on the boulevard. This extra space will allow the tree to grow desirable structure and minimize street conflicts. Conclusion The city seems to have reached a balance on tree loss due to Dutch elm disease. Continuation of timely removal will ensure minimal tree loss from this disease. Remind neighboring communities of our commitment to control this disease. Ask them for their assistance in timely detection and removal of diseased trees that could affect our program results. Continue to respond to resident request for service on tree concerns. This is a valuable tool for the forester to identify trends and tree issues facing the community. The city has a long tradition of tree-lined streets. These trees benefit the community as a whole. Disease management, timely trimming, thoughtful replacement are all tools to ensure this living infrastructure will serve the city for years to come. City 01 Flacon Heights DDisuetacshedElmTrDeeisseaMsearkMedanafogremReemnotvaPl rog2r0a0m1 Removal Removal Replaceme TPreueblic#i Additional StaDtuesadline nt Tree Private Diameter Notes ZipSTtraeteeGAendderrOeaswlsnTLerreoecaCtOiitowynner Owner Address 13P8Ru1ebm73l1iCo8c6v.a51elM2dif0or0r.7niTaFhaFel7lo-dA12o0vr0ee7nu5e5L1e0w8is BClivtyd. Tree Falcon Heights MN F17428P5Rrievm7aC/to 6eav41lXie2fdo0r0n7ia Mr.AvReincuheardWeSsteifesinde &yarMd s. 1C48ar5la CaS5lc5ifh1ow0rn8aira1z Avenue F71-43P8Rr5ive7amC71te.6ao5Xl1vi2feo0dr0n7iaMr.AvReinchuaerdWeSsteifesinde CaS5lc5ifh1ow0rn8air tz 74P1Rr2ievm7a551Pto2e56av.X151Mse1c2d3aN0lM07s.SITMeeaStrIy.ANPloiacnuehl JobyackMyaorhdnet TPru.Ost. Box 131356 replacment· Re7m1o6v1e2d007 Resident F7-5 1P8u03bl3icS5iMmspM.soNCCn iattyheSTrIiTrneeeet LopezBlvGd.oeden plant tprerievate 6PRrievm7a1toe6vX1e2d007 FFr1oaM7nlc4tro5.n5ya5NAr1dhHr1oa3enaiaJlolhnTtgSsraITndeMrei&vtNewMays.17K4r5isteAnronHa auSkIeTbeoet Tran noti ficatTioronu.ble with F7-17P8R8rie0vm8a51toe596SvX11Men12de2N0ll0in7gaddDrMeNrsissev..bweaJcekBaynarirgdhStwoneaelolenyg fence 1071 Highview Drive tssHnpretoreaenomtweIpe7e.de/wr1ntoSy6onn/ 0tecoai7rlttclaiennehsefeicr3atlon F7·6Pr1iv88a915/t027e57.1M211T23Na0t0u7mft fMrSoRsIRmeT.moXessgeoMeitavdvraeeiarlydlg1aeehr,da Gbayudgraeraauge P.O. 130760 0nne7oitgichebort7ot/r1e6e/4 tt.,Send P2u2b87l51i/c191.5F1Mo2al0yw0oe7rll SAuRvseeanmnuoevGedehrzFF7B&a·l9lvlRd2.ooob7ert Gehrz area behind I called U facility maintenance 10 7/1112007 RemXoved ofMN29.5U·oIMN UofMN and left rrmeeeqmsuosevasagtlie.ng City Tree Mike & Sue Harnerski P2u1bF17l7i7/c-1118111H2o0y0t7Aspvaecneue Blvd. Removed two trees Roger Miller P2u1bF37l7i5/·c3110121H2o0y0t7Arevqeuneuseted F7·11P38ri0v7a31/t11e1.H51a2m0l0in7e ARDveeamnXnuiboeeavlcekdyRaraddefealdlotng fence 11P48r0iv73a5/t1e.H51a1m20J0in7e ARDveeanmnXuibeoelavcekdRyaarddefeldatlong PRuebmSli9eco.pv8-e0d7 NoFn7e-15 PID 162923320057 S1E :~e ~f1~~~ ~ long St City 01 Falcon Heights grass e In oore 1P81Rri8evm88a1t05o1e6v55XM1eT12da1N0t3u0m7 SntoreFretahtlsciodne Hyeairgdhtsin shrub row Gwen Willems & Paul Schr1o8ed8e0r Tatum Street F-17P2Rr1iev1m8a11toe71v.X12eF/d0o7lwell AJevneFnnaiufleceBroa5nc5k1By0eaH8sdes,ieg,htwsMesatrkMsNidBerun2be1r1g1 Folwell Avenue PRu1be88ml3i5/c211o.1v5/eEA0 v7seblyunryFaFlK-Sl1ot82rFlae0are0lsct7o5n511H3eBiglvhdts. MN 1851 Asbury Street rcmeaomllvoewvihnceganWrsotuold like a PRu1be78ml9i/c5451o531vM1/eA01dN7l3bert6F5aFS1l-tl-r12B6eF9B04eea0lt4vlvc7·ed7o .0nty3T4rH&eeiCghhntaosrttepsainStetadhly 1795 Tatum Street City of Falcon Heights List of Tree Removed Minor Trim Work Summer 2007 Date Address Description Remove silver maple conflict with sanitary 4/30/2007 1717 Fairview Ave sewer, 34.5" Resident request 6/12/2007 1571 Vincent St Dead limb hanging over sidewalk Honeylocust, Res. request remove dead limb over sidewalk & trim up house side lower 1480 California Ave. branches. Conflict with lawn maintenance. 1765 AlbDeretadSt.sugar maple 10.5 diameter Remove broken branch to branch collar on 1502 Idamhoain limb. Sugar maple Barb Balik 1859 SimDpesaodn linden 12"DBH, remove 1817 AroDniaeinSgt red maple 15 inch diameter 1354 IdaDhoieing sugar maple 11.2 inch diameter Red maple remove-poor structure-storm 1744 Arodnaamaged 21" DBH, large stump 1394 Iowa 27.5" Elm with poor structure-remove 1725 AsbPuoroyr Ssttrreuectture remove Norway maple 7.5" 1781 AlbDeretadStrseuegtar 8.5" DBH City of Falcon Heights 2007 Fall Planting List I Nei hborhood Notes CauAsdedreSspsecies Count Elizabeth Rochfo1r4d83ACcearlifosrancicahaAruvemnueFall Fiest1a Theodore Lewis1381TCilialifaomrneiaricaAn ae'nBuoeulevard' Boulevard Linden Call Mike if Mike McGrath 1354HIadcakhboerry ne1ed to have car moved -Michelle Hee0re7y1R7e2m5UoAvlmsabluusry... DStisreceotvery Evelvn Kolars07 1D8E5D1AAcsebr usravccShtareruemt Fall Fie7s.5t1aft off curb Justin Miller 1R8e3q5uAeAcsreotrnarubrum 'northwoods8'ft1off curb Location specific to Neil Merck 06 1D7E9D1GAinroknoabHiloobmae'Aouwtunmern Gold1' imf noeved 10ft off curb Prefered site between Kenneth, R8uf0tth6ofB1fD8ucE9euD2troAbwSceimr pssaodcncrihvSaerwtuamys,fall fiesta1 alternate north of driveway Location Louis Bailen 06 1R9e1q4uSeHpsortilntogn SSntorewetmalus 1 homewoner please contact onveee.d to 11.5ft off curb Char1es, Bev0e7rv1D7SE9tDa5hUAllvmlbuesrt DSitsrceoevterv cu rb Steve Estee 07 1R7e8m1HoAvaalcblkebrt rry 9ft1off Samuel, Darc0i7B1Ro7en6mt5raHogAvaelacbrlkebrterSryI. curb 9 Try to keep Roger Miller,07M2aD1riE3eD5UM, HliRmdoeeyuqrtsguAee.aev.s.ewnt.neaDuyiescfroovmery 2 lsigtohrtmansdewer Todd Haug 1D5E6D4HBauckrtboenrryStreet Mayor Susan07&2DR2E8oD5beNFrotortlGwhweehlolrozAdvsenAuceer rubrum 1'northwoods' Wants east of walk 'I Trees 16 planting may change from utility conflicts. EPxleaamspeleseolef cctonpfllaicnttininaclulodceatigoans falinrteheasntdfrroemsidcuuarlbswtuhmenp emvaetrerpiaol,sswibaletchantdreestililnsotnallpautibolnic riaht of way. Uctober 2UU'/RE: Boulevard Tree Planting Dear Resident, Recently the City of Falcon Heights planted a boulevard tree at your address. This tree is to replace a tree recently lost to disease or storm damage. Trees benefit our community in many ways including improving air and water quality, reducing noise and helping to create a unified community. We hope this tree will add to your home and serve our community for years to come. You can help to make this tree planting a success by caring for the tree as it becomes established on your boulevard. This fall and especially next growing season, please supplement rainfall so the tree receives from I to 1.5 inches of rainfall. Continue watering the tree until the ground freezes or fall leaf color. Also protect the tree trunk from lawn mower and weed whip damage. These wounds are difficult for a tree to heal and can lead to future structural problems for the tree. Protect it from animal predation should this occur. Any care you give this tree will help it to grow and thrive on your boulevard. Even if you water a few times during the dry spells of summer, it will help your tree to grow into a beautiful street tree. [t has been a pleasure to work with you and thank you for your cooperation. The City is :::ommitted to maintaining a greener community. We hope you enjoy your new boulevard tree. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us. Sincerely, ~lacon Heights Public Works Department City of Falcon Heights 2008 Requests for Tree Planting List Cause Address NNoetigeshboCrohuonotd Resident LNionrdtheenasretmoved, r1e8vi5e9wSnimexptsyoenar for repJlaamceemsen&t,Linndeaed Atherton 2N0o0r5thesatosrtm remova1l8, 1o0wSneimr pwsoants tree inTreoxyacSt psuarbmeeck location. The tree was in sight line of corner near titelniorkxeteepeMrl.astroie.nHcSehtodiauolvpdneuaprgbalae ntncnrdtekinethIgiecfnoaar2pnn0oads0nts6orrieetbvaelreineedbpwluloaMtcananrgtstoai.iotninnSatpbhifnulioesrr2blt0aeoo0cr8kfaein.tpidoiTlnanhca.2ee0lymoI0cesw7apnototaiuoknlnded. 1716 Albert StSNpoarctheealismtiteXd and landowner request onT9h/o0m7 atos n&ot Kathleen Baldwin Susan Hagadisk Remove dying red maple resident request no replacement 1817 Arona Starteethtis time 6X/07 Northeast Red maple storm damage, removed need large stump Arona St ground, review for location in 2008 LGimroivteed space with21la1r7geHporyivt aAteveonwuened cMoitktoenw&oSoude, need suitable Hamerski DG.rRoevse Elm, Review21o5f9sHiteoyfot und no suitable location possible at neighbors or along property line. Solicit and review 2008 HGoromveeowner would22li2k5e aHodytnamic aGndeonrogtein&teMreasrtieadn in Donahue ironwood or tree lilac, overhead wires. Northhome 1394 Iowa 27.5 Elm removed from corner for structure concnerns. wRoeovdieewd in 2008 for possible/suitable planting location-Stacey Hucks POLICY G1 2/13/08 ITEM: Resolution of Support for Bell Museum of Natural History SUBMITTED BY: Justin Miller, City Administrator EXPLANATION: The 2008 Minnesota state legislature will convene on February 12th. It is anticipated that most of their energy will be spent crafting a bonding bill for capital improvements throughout the state. Last month Governor Pawlenty presented his bonding proposals, but it left out an item of importance to Falcon Heights, that being the new Bell Museum of Natural History. The University of Minnesota is currently raising funds and proceeding with plans to construct a new Bell Museum of Natural History at the corner of Larpenteur and Cleveland Avenues. The $36 million dollar project is anticipated to attract 120,000 visitors annually and will be a wonderful addition to the City of Falcon Heights. It will serve as a gateway to not only our city, but also to the St. Paul campus. The Department of Natural Resources is also providing funds to create outdoor exhibit space which will will help beautify this corner and provide outstanding learning opportunities for thousands of visitors. The addition of the Bell Museum will also add to the learning opportunities of that corner since it will be directly across from the Gibbs Museum of Pioneer and Dakotah Life. Attached to this report is a resolution of support for inclusion of the Bell Museum in the 2008 bonding bill. This resolution will be sent to our local and neighboring legislators, as well as Governor Pawlenty, to show our support for this very worthwhile project. ACTION REQUESTED: Staff recommends that the Falcon Heights City Council adopt the attached resolution in support of the new Bell Museum of Natural History. CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS COUNCIL RESOLUTION February 13, 2008 No. 08-01 ----------------------------------------------------------------------A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE NEW BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY WHEREAS, in 1872 the Minnesota Legislature charged the Bell Museum with collecting, preserving, and displaying the state’s animal and plant life for research, teaching, and public enjoyment, and WHEREAS, the Bell Museum houses the state’s largest collection documenting Minnesota’s biodiversity, and houses Minnesota’s treasured wildlife habitat dioramas, and WHEREAS, the Bell Museum of Natural History is one of the country’s premier research-based museums, and WHEREAS, in its current building, the Bell Museum serves more than 40,000 visitors each year, including 22,000 teachers and students, and WHEREAS, the Bell Museum increases the public’s understanding of natural history and issues of critical importance to Minnesota, such as climate change and the environment, natural resource management, and energy sustainability, and WHEREAS, a new Bell Museum of Natural History will better serve the public in a modern, interactive space that brings people closer to their natural world, and WHEREAS, the new Bell Museum will serve more than three times more visitors, bringing more than 120,000 people to Falcon Heights and the St. Paul Campus, and WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will partner with the Bell Museum in creating outdoor exhibit space, and WHEREAS, a substantial portion of the funds needed to construct the new Bell Museum of Natural History has been privately raised, therefore reducing the total costs to Minnesota taxpayers, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Falcon Heights strongly supports the construction of the new Bell Museum of Natural History, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Falcon Heights City Council strongly urges our legislators and governor to recognize the importance of this statewide resource by including it in the 2008 bonding bill. -------------------------- ----------------------------------------- Moved by: Approved by: ________________________ Peter Lindstrom, Mayor February 13, 2008 LINDSTROM In Favor Attested by: ________________________ KUETTEL Justin Miller HARRIS Against City Administrator LONG February 13, 2008 MERCER-TAYLOR POLICY G2 2/13/08 ITEM: Comprehensive Plan Update Review Part I SUBMITTED BY: Justin Miller, City Administrator Deb Jones, Plan and Zoning Coordinator EXPLANATION: All cities in the Twin Cities metropolitan area are required to submit to the Metropolitan Council updates to their comprehensive plans by the end of 2008. Staff recently learned of a change in process that the Metropolitan Council is looking for, so a new approval process is needed on the city’s end. The new process will be as follows: February/March 2008 City Council review February 26 Planning Commission review March 25 Planning Commission review/public hearing April 9 or 23 City Council approval May Distribution to neighboring jurisdictions November (at the latest) Submittal to Metropolitan Council In order to meet this timeline, staff will be breaking the draft comprehensive plan update into smaller sections for city council review over the next few weeks. Attached to this report are the background and land use sections. We will also be holding several open houses for the public to review the draft. Open houses have been scheduled on the following dates: March 13th 6:30 pm City Hall Council Chambers April 3rd 6:30 pm City Hall Council Chambers The Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee will also review the plan before formal approvals are sought. ACTION REQUESTED: Staff is looking for comments and suggestions from the city council before compiling the draft for formal planning commission and city council approvals. We will have a synopsis of major changes prepared in time for the council meeting.