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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCAgen_08Nov12CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS Regular Meeting of the City Council City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue AGENDA November 12, 2008 A. CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 PM B. ROLL CALL: LINDSTROM ____ HARRIS ____ KUETTEL ____ LONG ____ MERCER-TAYLOR ____ MILLER ____ KREUSER ____ C. PRESENTATIONS: 1. Proclamation of support for Northwest Youth & Family Services Discovery Center TAB 1 D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: October 22, 2008 TAB 2 E. PUBLIC HEARING: F. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. General disbursements through 11/5/08: $159,970.15 Payroll through 10/31/08: $15,518.93 TAB 3 2. City Licenses TAB 4 3. Statutory Tort Limits Liability Coverage for City TAB 5 4. Setting 2009 Contractor License Rates TAB 6 5. Lawful Gambling Permit for Falcon Heights Elementary PTA TAB 7 G. POLICY AGENDA: 1. Approval of 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update 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:?8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 651-792-7600. We will be happy to help. City of Falcon Heights November 12, 2008 A Proclamation of support for the Northwest Youth & Family Services Discovery Center Whereas, the Northwest Youth & Family Services mission is to prepare youth and families for healthy lives; Whereas, the City of Falcon Heights greatly values the contributions Northwest Youth & Family Services has provided for Falcon Heights for over 30 years; Whereas, Northwest Youth & Family Services of Minnesota is constructing the Discovery Center to provide hands-on, experimental learning and physical activity; Whereas, Northwest Youth & Family Services will utilize the Discovery Center to better meet the needs of clients; Whereas, the Discovery Center will be a community resource for youth sports, meetings, festivals, and family celebrations; Whereas, an estimated 9,000 participants are expected to utilize the Discovery Center annually; now, therefore, Be it resolved that the City of Falcon Heights supports and endorses the Northwest Youth & Family Services Campaign to create the Discovery Center. Moved by: ______________ Approved by: _______________________ Peter Lindstrom, Mayor November 12, 2008 LINDSTROM HARRIS KUETTEL _____ In Favor LONG _____ Against MERCER-TAYLOR Attested by: _________________________ Justin Miller City Administrator November 12, 2008 Regular Meeting of the Falcon Heights City Council October 22, 2008 Members present: Mayor Lindstrom, Council members Harris, Long and Mercer-Taylor, Administrator Miller, Assistant City Admin/Deputy Clerk Kreuser. Members absent: Council member Kuettel. Mayor Lindstrom called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Presentation: Community Garden Year-End Presentation Wendy Ihlick of California Avenue presented the council with a brief history of the garden, stating May 3, 2008 was the beginning workday for the garden. The new water line from the park building through to the garden was a welcome addition in 08. There is also a blog for the garden where updates are posted and for picture sharing between the members. The gardeners had many events in 08: monthly meetings, Falcon Heights Ice Cream Social, GardenWorks Parade of Community Gardens, and potluck. The challenges in 08, were too must compost materials, not as many food shelf donations as anticipated, and produce theft (four legged and two legged variety). The primary outreach event on 09 will be the Ice Cream Social. The garden is considering expansion through 10 additional plots, and a possible expansion on the east side. Ihlick thanked the city and staff for their work. MT asked how the attendance at the meetings and potluck was. Ihlick responded the potluck was very well attended, and the meetings are attended by three or four plots monthly. Miller stated the city continues to see a waitlist, both from residents and non-residents. Returning gardeners will get first shot, then Falcon Heights apartment dwellers, then Falcon Heights homeowners. He said there were 10 to 15 people on the wait list, and said additional plots would be used. Long asked the renewal rate. Ihlick said there were three or four that did not return. Harris asked if the process for deciding who gets a plot was fair. Ihlick responded that there is always a returning member. Miller added Falcon Heights residents always has first crack. Miller added that ten plots make the extra work clearing the space worth it. Ihlick added most gardeners would want to expand their plot also. Lindstrom was happy with how well the garden was cared for. The minutes of the October 8, 2008 council meeting were approved as submitted. Consent Agenda: The following four items were approved unanimously by motion from council member Long. Mayor Lindstrom asked where the SCORE grant money comes from. Miller responded it comes from the state, and it may come from the feds as a pass-through but he was not sure. 1. General disbursements through 10/15/08: $84,821.29 Payroll through 10/15/08: $14,894.90 2. Adoption of Assessment Roll for Removal of Hazardous Tree 3. City Licenses 4. Resolution authorizing SCORE Grant application Policy Agenda: 1. Adoption of New City Slogan – Continued Mayor Lindstrom said at the last meeting the council asked staff to come up with a couple ideas for using both slogans. Miller said staff came up with ideas to put a slogan on the bottom of the letterhead. On the website, the slogan could be displayed there as well, for the theme of the photo contest, or the Falcon Flyer masthead, and on the email signatures for city staff. Harris said at the last meeting she was undecided, but has since thought “families, fields, and fair.” She thought that was the better option and was more characteristic for Falcon Heights. MT said she did not have a strong feeling towards either; however, FFF seemed hard to remember the order. She wished there was one that had the themes of our city, and was easier to remember. She stressed that she did not feel that strongly about the city that soars, but wishes it was more specific. Long said his opinion has not changed, and still liked FFF as his preference. He said he understood using the city that soars, and incorporating both. When asked, Miller said finding a way to use both would be possible. The council agreed that using both. In addition, Lindstrom added that Falcon Heights is the home of the first airport in Minnesota, in Falcon Heights at Curtiss Field, which is why he was a proponent of the city that soars, but he was okay with having both. Harris moved to use both slogans. The motion passed unanimously. 2. Rental housing licensing ordinance Miller said the council goals in 08 included adopting a rental housing licensing ordinance. He added the fire marshal, who has since retired, would handle the inspections on this. Since there are many firefighters who are interested in becoming a marshal, the city feels it is safe to move forward. He said a license will be required if a single-family home is rented out for more than four months. Miller said a $50 fee would cover an initial inspection, and would be required before a license is issued. MT said she was glad the city was doing that, as it protects those who are renting. She questioned the verbiage dealing with outlined domestic abuse. Miller said that was outlined in section 4G, as outlined in state statute and incorporated through reference. Miller said the city attorney had also drafted these for other cities and he is confident. Lindstrom asked about how many properties this would affect. Miller said there were probably 20 or so properties that the city suspects are rentals. Harris said the ordinance was well thought out and is needed. Long asked about section 105-89, the application for licenses, and suggested to list where the property owner can be reached by phone. In section 105-92, every registrant will be issued a copy of the license, but also one will be provided to the tenant at the time the lease is signed. Miller thought adding in ‘every registrant and occupant will receive…’ Miller said the new ordinance would be published in the Falcon Flyer, through water billing, and then by sending out letters to properties that are suspected as rentals. MT, UA. 3. Water Resource Management Plan Deb Bloom, City Engineer, said the city needed to meet requirements of the CRWD and the Met Council of water resource management. The plan has been approved by both entities. The plan includes historic trends – soil, rainwater, topography, water flow. Bloom explained the plan outlines the complete system and who is in charge of each system. She also said there were eleven goals as outlined by the plan that are storm water related, in coordination with the district. She added the plan calls for an updated stormwater ordinance, and a capital improvement plan (city hall parking lot), and any other maintenance (street sweeping, manhole maintenance). Bloom added all the watershed districts need to approve the plan, along with the council, and the comp plan has been revised to be made consistent with the WRMP. Both Rice Creek and Capital Region are in the process of revising their plans as well. Bloom said right now our plan is being adopted, but once the watershed's is, done Falcon Heights may need to adapt their plan to match. Lindstrom asked if there are any major improvements coming down the line. Bloom said none of Falcon Heights' water would flow into any of the projects coming up. Check notes. MT asked if the city is working on promoting the pervious pavement. Miller said it has not been brought up with the environment commission yet, and it is not in the code. Miller said that residential driveways must be asphalt or concrete, and may need to address the unintended consequences. Bloom added Roseville is going through this also, and it working at changing the ordinance to allow pervious pavers and the aim is to educate. Long moved to pass the water management plan. The motion passed unanimously. Information/Announcements: MT said the Neighborhood Commission will meet next week. Long announced open gym starts Nov 1 at the FH Elementary gym. Rink attendant job applications are available. He asked everyone to be safe on Halloween. Lindstrom said he attended the Grove Annual meeting with about 50 residents in attendance, and several signed up to make some improvements with gardens and plantings in the traffic triangles there. In terms of the Cleveland/Hoyt intersection, there is a crosswalk, but cars have a hard time seeing people there so please be careful. Miller said the city will be looking into some improvements, but it is a county road. Lindstrom added the LMC has produced a program on green cities, on what four MN cities have done for energy reduction. It will air on TPT channel 2, 6 p.m. Oct 26. Miller said the pedestrian flashers were ordered and will be installed next week on Garden/Hamline. The open house for the Northeast Suburban Campus Connection meeting will be held Oct. 29 at 6:30 at city hall. Residents along the corridor did see a direct mailing. Kreuser reminded voters they can vote at city hall up until Election Day by absentee. Respectfully submitted, Stacey Kreuser Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk CONSENT F1 11/12/08 ITEM: Disbursements and Payroll SUBMITTED BY: Roland O. Olson, Finance Director REVIEWED BY: Justin Miller, City Administrator EXPLANATION: General disbursements through 11/5/08: $159,970.15 Payroll through 10/31/08: $15,518.93 ATTACHMENTS: General disbursements, payroll ACTION REQUESTED: Approval CONSENT F2 11/12/08 ITEM: City Licenses SUBMITTED BY: Stacey Kreuser, Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk EXPLANATION: The following businesses have applied for mechanical contractor’s licenses for 2008. Staff has received the necessary documents for licensure. • Paladin Plumbing • Home Energy Center The following businesses have applied for general contractor’s licenses for 2008. Staff has received the necessary documents for licensure. • Thomas Schoenecker The following has applied for a Christmas tree sales license. Staff has received the necessary documents for licensure. • Falcon Heights-Lauderdale Lions Club CONSENT F3 11/12/08 ITEM: Statutory Tort Limits Liability Coverage for City SUBMITTED BY: Roland O. Olson, Finance Director REVIEWED BY: Justin Miller, City Administrator EXPLANATION/DESCRIPTION: We received word from the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT) that the statutory tort limits for liability coverage will be remaining at the same level for the first half of 2009, but increasing effective July 1, 2009. For the first half of 2009, the statutory tort limits are $1,200,000. A single claim maximum is $400,000 and a single claim maximum for all parties is $1,200,000. Effective July 1, 2009, the statutory tort limits increase up to $1,500,000. A single claim maximum will be $500,000 and a single claim maximum for all parties will be $1,500,000. The League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust (LMCIT) is requesting that cities determine if they wish to waive the statutory tort limits for 2009. For the period of January 1, 2009 through June 30, 2009, the statutory tort limit is $1,200,000. Under this limit an individual can settle for no more than $400,000 for a single claim and a single claim for all parties cannot exceed $1,200,000. Effective July 1, 2009, the statutory tort limit will be $1,500,000. Under this limit an individual can settle for no more than $500,000 for a single claim and a single claim for all parties cannot exceed $1,500,000. Under certain circumstances the LMCIT, which represents the city in these claims, may negotiate above the legal liability limit if necessary because some claims like employment are exempt from the cap. The general counsel from the LMCIT said that cities make different choices depending upon their circumstances. However, he perceived that maintaining the limit was prudent in many cases. The City has had no claims with settlements for several years. Since 2000, the city council has voted not to waive the statutory tort limits. ACTION REQUESTED: Motion Not To Waive the city’s statutory tort limits for 2009. CONSENT F4 11/12/08 ITEM: Setting 2009 Contractor License Rates SUBMITTED BY: Justin Miller, City Administrator EXPLANATION: Each year the city sends out reminders to contractors who are licensed to operate in the City of Falcon Heights to renew their license for the upcoming year. As has been discussed in budget workshops, many of our fees will need to be increased in 2009. In order to notify contractors of the correct 2009 fee, the city council is being asked to set the 2009 rates at this meeting. The proposed contractor rates are as follows: 2008 Rate Proposed 2009 Rate Contractor License $30.00 $35.00 This fee has not been adjusted for several years, and it is not expected to bring in a large amount of new revenue (staff expects an extra $250 annually, if approved). Staff is reviewing the remainder of the fee schedule and will bring a complete 2009 version to the council when the annual budget is approved in December. ACTION REQUESTED: Staff recommends that the Falcon Heights City Council adopt the attached resolution setting 2009 contractor license fees. Falcon Heights Council Resolution 08-13 November 12, 2008 A resolution to set Falcon Heights contractor licensing fees WHEREAS the city annually licenses its contractors to operate within city limits for mechanical, tree trimming/removal, general contracting, and home occupations, and WHEREAS the license fee has remained the same for over a decade, and WHEREAS the increased annual licensing fee will more accurately cover the city’s inspection, postage, and printing costs, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the city council sets the annual contractor licensing fee for 2009 and subsequent years at $35. Moved by: ______________ Approved by: _______________________ Peter Lindstrom, Mayor November 12, 2008 LINDSTROM HARRIS KUETTEL _____ In Favor LONG _____ Against MERCER-TAYLOR Attested by: _________________________ Justin Miller City Administrator November 12, 2008 CONSENT F5 11/12/08 ITEM: Lawful Gambling Permit for Falcon Heights Elementary PTA SUBMITTED BY: Justin Miller, City Administrator Explanation: The Falcon Heights Elementary PTA desires to hold raffles at their annual carnival to be held at the Falcon Heights Elementary School. Since the dollar value of the prizes are expected to be over $1,500, an exempt permit to hold lawful gambling activity is required. The Falcon Heights Elementary PTA is asking the City to approve their application to conduct this lawful gambling activity. They are requesting the approval be with no waiting period so the raffle tickets can be printed and the students can start selling them as soon as possible. Because the gambling premises is within the city limits, the city must sign on the LG220 Application Form. There are three choices for the city: (1) The City approves the application with no waiting period. (2) The City approves the application with a 30 day waiting period, and allows the Board to issue a permit after 30 days. (3) The City denies the application. Once the City signs their approval of the application, the organization would then submit it to MN Lawful Gambling Board. The Board usually completes their process within a couple of days and mails out the permit or arranges with the organization to pick it up at the Board’s office. The organization must also complete a Financial Report that must be returned to MN Lawful Gambling within 30 days of the gambling activity. ACTION REQUESTED: Approve this temporary permit request with no waiting period by the Falcon Heights Elementary PTA to conduct lawful gambling activity at their annual carnival. POLICY G1 11/12/08 ITEM: Approval of 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update SUBMITTED BY: Justin Miller, City Administrator EXPLANATION: Falcon Heights is required to submit a new comprehensive plan to the Metropolitan Council by the end of 2008. For the past year and a half, the city council, steering committee, and staff have been working on the draft plan so that it meets the requirements set forth by the Metropolitan Council. Steps in the process have included: • Open houses to allow for public comment • Planning Commission and City Council reviews • Neighboring city reviews • Technical agency (watershed districts) reviews Earlier this year, the city council approved a draft to submit to our neighboring cites and technical agencies for their reviews. One result of this review was that the watershed district asked us to submit a more detailed water management plan, which the council approved last month. The water resource section of the comprehensive plan has been modified to incorporate the Local Water Management Plan by reference. The attached plan is the culmination of a lengthy process. Our appreciation should go out to those who helped craft the plan, especially the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee and Planning Commission. Sincere gratitude is also owed to Deb Jones, our planning and zoning director, for compiling all the various drafts, suggestions, and agency input, and incorporating it into this very well done final document. Once the plan is adopted, it will be sent to the Metropolitan Council for their review. After their review, if any changes are needed, the city council will re-adopt it again in 2009. Staff will provide the council a more thorough review of the plan and its contents at the meeting on Wednesday night. ACTION REQUESTED: Staff recommends that the Falcon Heights City Council adopt the attached 2008 Falcon Heights Comprehensive Plan for submittal to the Metropolitan Council. State statute requires a 2/3 majority for this action, which means that at least four council members need to vote to approve it.