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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCAgen_09April8CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS Regular Meeting of the City Council City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue AGENDA April 8, 2009 A. CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 PM B. ROLL CALL: LINDSTROM ____ HARRIS ____ KUETTEL ____ LONG ____ MERCER-TAYLOR ____ MILLER ____ C. PRESENTATIONS: D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: March 25, 2009 TAB 1 E. PUBLIC HEARINGS: F. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. General Disbursements through 4/1/09: $77,367.17 TAB 2 Payroll through 3/27/09: $14,707.21 2. Sale of Sewer Jetter to the City of Lauderdale TAB 3 3. Approval of plans and specifications and authorization of bids for 2009 Pavement Management Plan TAB 4 4. City License Renewal TAB 5 G: POLICY ITEMS 1. Garages in R-4 properties with alleys TAB 6 2. Larpenteur Ave Streetscape Design Services Agreement – Phase II TAB 7 3. Dogs in the Parks Trial Guidelines 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. CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS Regular Meeting of the City Council City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue AGENDA March 25, 2009 A. CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 PM B. ROLL CALL: LINDSTROM __X__ HARRIS __X__ KUETTEL _X___ LONG __X__ MERCER-TAYLOR __X__ MILLER __X__ C. PRESENTATIONS: 1. Neal Kwong Award 2. Commission Updates D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: February 25, 2009 -APPROVED F. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. 2009 Pavement Management Program -The following residents spoke regarding the Pavement Management Program: Hazel Anderson 1751 Maple Court John Allison 1591 Garden Monte Nelson 1564 Maple Knoll Jeff Mink 1781 Prior HARRIS MOVED APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 09-03; PASSED 5-0 F. CONSENT AGENDA: KUETTEL MOVED APPROVAL 5-0 1. General Disbursements through 3/18/09: $155,113.21 Payroll through 2/28/09: $14,815.76 Payroll through 3/11/09: $13, 722.47 2. CERT/Citizen Corps Grant Application 3. City License Renewal G: POLICY ITEMS MERCER-TAYLOR MOVED APPROVAL 5-0 1. Revised Streetsweeper Purchase Joint Powers Agreement ADDENDUM K. INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENTS: L. COMMUNITY FORUM: Keith Gosline 1969 Summer St spoke on the use of Chianti Grill. M. ADJOURNMENT: ADJOURNED AT 8:45PM 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. CONSENT F1 4/08/09 ITEM: General Disbursements and Payroll SUBMITTED BY: Roland Olson, Finance Director REVIEWED BY: Justin Miller, City Administrator EXPLANATION: General Disbursements through 4/1/09: $77,367.17 Payroll through 3/27/09: $$14,707.21 ATTACHMENTS: General disbursements and payroll ACTION REQUESTED: Approval CONSENT F2 4/8/09 ITEM: Sale of Sewer Jetter to the City of Lauderdale SUBMITTED BY: Justin Miller, City Administrator Tim Pittman, Parks and Public Works Director EXPLANATION: The City of Falcon Heights purchased our sewer jetter in 1990 to assist us when needing to clear blockages in our sanitary sewer system. Over the past several years, public works crews have rarely used it, and when we do need to perform this type of work, we typically use a contractor or a neighboring city’s equipment that is better suited and more powerful. Further, since we have now implemented an annual sewer cleaning program, blockages are much less common. In fact, since the cleaning program has begun, we have not had to use the jetter at any time. The piece of equipment we own simply does not meet our needs anymore, and staff has been looking at how to best dispose of it. Public works staff contacted the company we purchased the equipment from, and they stated that fair market value for the equipment was $15,000. The City of Lauderdale, who has borrowed the equipment from us on a consistent basis, asked if they could purchase it from us at the price listed above. Selling this piece of equipment will free up storage space, provide Lauderdale needed equipment at a fair purchase price, and provide a small monetary benefit to the city. The Lauderdale City Council has already approved the purchase, contingent on Falcon Heights city council approval. ACTION REQUESTED: Staff recommends that the Falcon Heights City Council approve the sale of our 1990 Sreco trailer mounted flexible sewer cleaning machine to the City of Lauderdale in the amount of $15,000. The sale of the equipment is “as-is” and does not come with any warranties. CONSENT F3 4/8/09 ITEM: Resolution Approving Plans and Specifications and Ordering Advertisement for the 2009 Pavement Management Program SUBMITTED BY: Deb Bloom, City Engineer Background On Wednesday, March 25, 2009, a public improvement hearing was held for the 2009 Pavement Management Program. This project includes Mill & Overlay of the following street segments: • Prior Avenue, (Larpenteur Ave to cul-de-sac) • Maple Knoll Drive, (Fry St to Garden Ave) • Garden Ave, (Fry St to W Snelling Frontage Rd) • Fry Street, (Maple Knoll Dr to Garden Ave) Following the hearing, the City Council ordered the improvement and preparation of plans and specifications for the proposed project. The next step in the public improvement assessment process is for the City Council to adopt a resolution approving plans and specifications and ordering the advertisement for bids. Since a portion of the costs for this project will be assessed to benefiting properties, the adoption of this resolution is required. Consistent with the the City’s Assessment Policy, a portion of the costs for this project are assessed to benefitting property owners. This project is proposed to be completed this summer; the final assessment amount would be determined by the Council at an assessment hearing in the fall. These assessments can either be paid up, or be put against taxes payable in 2010 for 7 years at around 6% (rate set at time of hearing). The Council adopted the following assessment rates for this improvement. Mill & Overlay Assessment Rates: Tax Exempt -100% of project cost/foot $50.88 Commercial -60% of project cost/foot $30.53 Residential -40% of project cost/foot $20.35 These rates were set using the following City of Falcon Heights assessment policies: • Assessment rate based on lot frontage at building setback • Corner lots assessed 100% long, 0% short side. • All costs associated with the water main replacement, including additional pavement removal and excavation, will be funded by St. Paul Water Utility and not become part of the assessable portion of the project. Financial Impacts Fund the street reconstruction with Municipal State Aid funds and assessments as shown in the table below: Special Assessments $109,675.43 MSA Funds $121,922.79 Total $231,598.22 Requested Action Adopt a resolution approving the plans and specifications and ordering the advertisement for bids for the 2009 Pavement Management Program CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS COUNCIL RESOLUTION April 8, 2009 No. 09-04 ----------------------------------------------------------RESOLUTION RESOLUTION APPROVING PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND ORDERING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR 2009 PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM WHEREAS, pursuant to resolution passed by the City Council, the City Engineer has prepared plans and specifications for the following improvements and has presented such plans and specifications to the Council for approval: City Project No. FH-09-10: 2009 Mill & Overlay Project • Prior Avenue, (Larpenteur Ave to cul-de-sac) • Maple Knoll Drive, (Fry St to Garden Ave) • Garden Ave, (Fry St to W Snelling Frontage Rd) • Fry Street, (Maple Knoll Dr to Garden Ave) THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota: 1. Such plans and specifications, copies of which are attached hereto, and made a part hereof, are hereby approved. 2. The City Administrator shall prepare and cause to be inserted in the Roseville Review, the official newspaper, and in the Construction Bulletin, an advertisement for bids upon the making of such approved plans and specifications. The advertisement for bids for City Project P-09-10, 2009 Mill & Overlay Project, shall be published as required by law, shall specify the work to be done, shall call the bids on the basis of cash payment for such work, shall state the date and time that the bids will be received by the City Engineer at which time they will be publicly opened in the City Hall by the City Engineer and subsequently be considered by the Council; and that no bids will be considered unless sealed and filed with the City Administrator and accompanied by a cash deposit, certified check or bid bond payable to the City of Falcon Heights for ten percent of the amount of such bid. ----------------------------------------- -------------------------Moved by: Approved by: ________________________ Peter Lindstrom, Mayor April 8, 2009 LINDSTROM ____ In Favor Attested by: ________________________ KUETTEL Justin Justin Miller HARRIS ____ Against City Administrator LONG April 8, 2009 MERCER-TAYLOR CONSENT F4 3/25/09 ITEM: City License Renewals SUBMITTED BY: Lisa Abernathy -Deputy Clerk The following individuals have applied for a Mechanical license for 2009. Staff has received the necessary documents for licensure. • Kevin’s Heating & Cooling, Inc. Policy G1 4/8/09 ITEM: Garages in R-4 properties with alleys SUBMITTED BY: Deborah Jones, Zoning and Planning Director REVIEWED BY: Justin Miller, City Administrator Roger Knutson, City Attorney Background and Analysis: In February the Planning Commission studied the issue of parking and garages on those R-4 multifamily properties that have alleys. These 9 buildings are among the oldest multi-family buildings in Falcon Heights. None of them have enough land to provide two parking spaces per unit, as required by the city’s present day code. The code also requires at least half the parking to be enclosed. These properties are also subject to a 10 foot side setback, 30 feet on a side abutting a street. All of the properties under discussion are legally non-conforming and may maintain their status quo. However, when owners seek to demolish or replace existing garages or build new ones, their options are extremely limited. Parking spaces and covered parking spaces cannot be further reduced without variances. New New garages cannot be constructed closer to the side lot lines than 10 feet, if not more, without variances. New garages that reduce the total amount of on-site parking cannot be built without variances. In many cases there is no possible change to parking or accessory structures than can be done without variances, leaving rebuilding on existing footprints as the only option. The Commission was asked to consider whether the zoning code might be amended to provide more permitted options to these owners without negative impacts on parking capacity and neighborhood character. The Commission discussed the issue in workshop and came to the consensus that the only zoning code change they would recommend at this time is to remove the enclosed parking requirement for the apartment buildings with alleys. This provides one additional option to owners, the option of reducing the amount of existing enclosed parking if they plan to demolish an existing garage. Commissioners did not favor a reduction in the setback requirements and would prefer that any requests for reduced setback be handled case by case through the variance process. Commissioners instructed staff to prepare an ordinance amending the code for hearing at the following meeting. The proposed amendment ordinance was drafted by the city attorney and presented for a public hearing on March 24. There was no opposition from the public. Following the hearing, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the ordinance. Attachments: • Proposed ordinance amending Section 113-310(2)(e) of the Falcon Heights City Code to make R-4 multifamily properties exempt from the enclosed parking requirement if they abut an alley. • Map of R-4 properties in Falcon Heights, with and without alleys • 2006 aerial photo of the block of Larpenteur between Arona and Pascal • Parking data for apartment buildings on alleys Actions Requested: Vote on whether code should be amended by this ordinance. Aerial Photo Unselected -R-4 with alleys Falcon Heights DISCLAIMER: This map is neither a legally recorded map nor a survey and is not intended to be used as one. This map is a compilation of records, information and data located in various city, county, state and federal offices and other sources regarding the area shown, and is to be used for reference purposes only. SOURCES: Ramsey County (February 2, 2009), The Lawrence Group;February 2, 2009 for County parcel and property records data; February 2009 for commercial and residential data; April 2006 for color aerial imagery; Legend R-4 without alley R-4 with alley Falcon Heights R-4 (Multi-Family) Properties POLICY G2 4/8/09 ITEM: Larpenteur Avenue Streetscape Design Services Agreement – Phase II SUBMITTED BY: Justin Miller, City Administrator EXPLANATION: The City Council, along with SRF Consulting Group and the Larpenteur Streetscape Advisory Committee, spent the second half of 2008 developing design concepts to improve the streetscape appearance along Larpenteur Avenue. When the council reviewed the final plans earlier this year, it was decided to delay the project until 2010 to allow for staff and consultants more time to develop detailed plans and to coordinate efforts with the University of Minnesota. Attached to this report is a proposal from SRF Consulting Group to conduct phase II of these design services. Components of this proposal include: • 50% level plans (which will allow for final designs to be drawn and bid) • Confirmation with the University of Minnesota on agreeable plant/tree species • Preliminary topographical survey work • Providing estimated budget and construction timeline The work will be completed on an hourly basis, but the total cost is estimated to total $24,630. Staff receives monthly invoices, and will monitor the status of the project to ensure the project is kept within this amount. Any amount over this will require separate approval by the city council. ACTION REQUESTED: Staff recommends that the Falcon Heights City Council approve the attached scope of work for phase II design services with SRF Consulting Group for the Larpenteur Avenue Streetscape project. POLICY G3 4/8/09 ITEM: Dogs in City Parks Trial SUBMITTED BY: Lisa Abernathy, Recreation Supervisor REVIEWED BY: Justin Miller, City Administrator Tim Pittman, Public Works and Parks Director Summary: In August 2008 City council approved the Parks Commission implementing a Dogs in City Parks Trial Period. The trial period will run Monday, May 25th – Monday, September 7th, 2009. Below are guidelines the Parks Commission would like to implement during this trial period. The City would post signs at each park location with a few of these selected guidelines to notify the public of the changes during the trail period. The City will also post these guidelines on the City website: Dogs in the Park Guidelines Between the dates of May, 25, 2009 and Monday, September 7, 2009 the City of Falcon Heights will hold a trial period in which dogs will be allowed in City parks under the following guidelines: (1) Leashed dogs will be permitted in the park but not inside designated playground areas and in park shelters. (2) Dogs shall be under control at all times. The dog owner is liable for any action taken or damages caused by the dog. (3) All pets shall be restrained at all times on a leash not exceeding six feet in length, including reel type leashes and electronic control collars. Nothing in these guidelines shall be construed to permit the running of dogs at large. (4) Persons in control of the dog must have in their possession tools or equipment suitable for the removal of animal fecal material and shall promptly and effectively remove them from the ground all fecal material deposited there by the dog. Persons removing dog waste from the park surfaces shall dispose of it in a sanitary manner, which may include depositing it in any waste receptacle located in the public parks. During the trial run of this allowance, the City will be posting signs at the parks to inform the public of this temporary change. The following guidelines will be displayed on each sign as park goers enter the park: (1) Dog must be under control at at all times and on a leash not exceeding six feet in length. (2) Dog owner is responsible for cleaning up fecal material from their pet and disposing of it properly. (3) Leashed dogs are permitted in the parks but not inside designated playground areas and in park shelters. Action Requested: The Parks and Recreation Commission is recommending approval of the guidelines for the Dogs in City parks trial run.