HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWskpAgen_08Aug6City of Falcon Heights 2077 W. Larpenteur Avenue Falcon Heights MN 55113 Falcon Heights City Council Workshop August 6, 2008 6:30 p.m. Meeting Agenda 1. Draft 2009 General Fund Budget
2. Discussion of proposed ordinance amending the city’s sign code 3. Review of City Slogan Suggestions
WKSP 1 8/6/08 TO: Mayor Lindstrom, Council members Harris, Kuettel, Long, and Mercer-Taylor FROM: Justin Miller, City Administrator Re: Draft 2009 General Fund Budget Attached to this
report are the proposed 2009 general fund budgets. The 2008 legislative session allocated a large increase in Local Government Aid, but they also implemented levy limits for local units
of government for 2009, 2010, and 2011. As a result, our proposed budget (especially the property tax levy) will look vastly different than previous years. Levy Limits and LGA The 2008
legislative session capped property tax levies at a 3.9% increase over the previous year, with certain exceptions. We also will be the recipient of an increase in LGA ($313,133 in 2008
to an estimated $438,960 in 2009). The impact on our property tax levy can be summarized as follows (formula provided by the League of Minnesota Cities): 1) 2008 Certified Tax Levy $951,076
2) Less Special Levies $0 3) Plus 2008 LGA $313,133 Levy Aid Base $1,264,209 4) Multiply by 1.039 (3.9% limit) $1,313,513.15 5) Plus ½ of % increase in new households $0 6) Plus ½ of
% increase in new commercial $0 Adjusted Levy Limit Base $1,313,513.15 7) Subtract 2009 LGA $438,960 2009 Levy Limit $874,553.15 As you can see, if the city council decides to levy to
the maximum amount allowable under state law, the result will be a decrease in the overall property tax levy of roughly 8%. The actual amount spread among taxpayers in Falcon Heights
(the line item listed as “current ad valorem taxes”) is an estimate because we do not know how much of the overall tax levy will be paid through our fiscal disparity distribution. If
our fiscal disparity distribution goes up, the amount spread among taxpayers will go down. Conversely, if the distribution goes down, the amount taxpayers are responsible for will go
up. The bottom line should still result in a levy decrease, the amount is simply unknown at this time. Overall Budget Discussion Key points to remember when reviewing this draft budget:
• These are only initial suggestions. The purpose of these workshops is to discuss the budgets in detail and eventually come to agreement on how to proceed. Furthermore, our levy calculations
are based upon the League of Minnesota Cities’ best estimate on how the State of Minnesota will interpret the levy limit language. The Department of Revenue is supposed to certify levy
limits by September 1st, so these numbers, as well as the LGA estimates, may change. • A preliminary levy must be set by the City Council by September 15th. Current plans are to have
the council approve the preliminary levy at our regularly scheduled September 10th council meeting. Several issues will impact the 2009 general fund budget. The major impacts are described
below: Personnel Health Insurance For many years, the city has purchased health insurance (and other benefits such as long term disability and life insurance) from Ramsey County. The
belief was that since we are such a small group, we would get better rates from a larger plan. Earlier this summer, staff entered into discussions with a health insurance broker to see
if the city could find better rates on our own. Initial findings indicate that we could be very competitive on health insurance, but less so in the other benefits. We are currently discussing
our options with Ramsey County, but nonetheless, we have included a 6% increase for health insurance benefits, which reflects the estimate from our broker on a stand-alone health insurance
plan. Personnel Costs We have included a 3.5% cost of living adjustment (COLA) for regular employees in 2008 in order to stay competitive with comparable cities. Other cities staff has
spoken to are budgeting a 3.5%-4% increase. No new staffing is proposed for 2009. Individual Budget Summaries Legislative: No major changes Administrative: Decrease due to reallocating
portion of general liability insurance to enterprise funds Finance: Increase due to expanded intern hours and wages Legal: Decrease to better reflect historic expenditures Elections:
Reflects expenses for city-only election year (2007 last comparable year) Communications: No major changes Planning and Inspections: Decrease reflects renegotiated building inspector
contract Emergency Preparedness: No major changes Police: In accordance with our police contract with the St. Anthony
Police Department, our policing services budget will increase from $548,100 in 2008 to $578,250 in 2009. (The numbers in the proposed budget differ from these contract amounts in order
to reflect actual expenditures after taking State Fair contributions into account). After deducting expenses for the cost of extra policing during the State Fair, the increase in the
police budget for 2008 totals $29,150. Prosecution: No major changes Fire Services: Increase reflects anticipated hire of two additional officers Fire Relief: No major changes (this
is a pass through of money received from the State of Minnesota) City Hall and Grounds: No major changes Park Maintenance: Increase due to utilities, increased maintenance, and temporary
warming house (which has not historically been budgeted for) Engineering: No major changes Tree Program: No major changes (this is simply the line item for our contract inspector, the
majority of the expenses are in the Capital Improvements Plan) Contingency: No major changes Expenditure Summary The proposed budget reflects an increase in expenditures of $27,559,
or 1.6%. Revenues Local Government Aid (LGA) The city’s LGA allocation will increase in 2009. The total amount we are scheduled to receive is $438,960. This is an increase of $125,827
over our 2008 allocation. Licenses, Permits, and Charges for Services Estimated 2008 revenues from building permits is less than what was anticipated in the 2008 budget. For 2009, staff
is estimating a similar pattern, so we are budgeting about $6,000 less in permit fees. On the other hand, facility rentals have been better than expected, so we are planning for a $4,000
increase in the 2009 budget. Transfer from Reserve Funds In order to provide a balanced budget, a transfer from reserve funds is needed in the amount of $99,337. Beginning with the 2007
budget, the city council has approved budgets that have reduced this amount with the goal of eliminating the transfer within a few years. The actual amount transferred in the past few
years has been smaller than budgeted due to higher than expected revenues and lower than expected expenses. It is possible this could occur again in 2009, but this amount is needed in
order for the budget to balance.
Final Comments If there are no major changes requested, staff will proceed with preparing this proposed budget for presentation at our September 12th city council meeting. If significant
changes are being proposed, we will most likely need to review them at our September 3rd worksession. Enterprise, capital, and special revenue fund budgets will be presented to the council
during our September, October, and November worksessions. As always, if you have any questions or need more information, please let us know.
WKSP 2 8/6/08 ITEM: Discussion of proposed ordinance amending the city’s sign code SUBMITTED BY: Deborah Jones, Zoning and Planning Director REVIEWED BY: Justin Miller, City Administrator
Background: Following the City Council’s approval of the interim amendment regarding dynamic display signs, the Planning Commission spent four months studying the issue. Commissioners
have studied the new signage technologies and considered whether and how the Falcon Heights sign code should be updated to provide for these new types of signs, in particular dynamically
changing signs made possible by LED and other new technologies. The commission read research material and ordinances from other cities in the metropolitan area which have already updated
their sign codes. The commission also received comment from the public in May and June. At the request of the commission, the city attorney prepared a draft ordinance based on commission
discussions in May and June. A public hearing on this proposed ordinance was held July 22nd. Following the hearing, the Planning Commission discussed the draft in detail and made several
changes. They then voted unanimously to recommend that the Council approve their amended draft of the ordinance. Summary: The consensus of the Planning Commission is to allow dynamic
display signs in the B-2 and B-3 commercial districts of the city, with certain restrictions. The commission was concerned that a flat prohibition would subject the city to legal challenge,
but they wanted to make sure that any negative effects on residential neighborhoods and traffic safety would be minimized as much as possible. The commission’s changes to the draft are
all in Section 8 of the ordinance and are primarily aimed at making sure their intentions are clear: that dynamic sign images and messages must be still and static except for a change
no more than once every 24 hours (except time and temperature signs). Changes to a signs image or message must be accomplished without any special effects. Section 8 also defines how
much of a sign may be dynamic and imposes a setback of 150 feet from residential property. Applicable provisions of the existing sign code would also still apply. The draft ordinance
also adds two definitions to the definition section (113-3) of the zoning chapter and provides some needed updates related to non-conforming signs and illuminated signs. Attachments
• Draft of an ordinance amending Chapter 113 of the City Code concerning dynamic signage
ORDINANCE NO. __ CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 113 OF THE CITY CODE CONCERNING DYNAMIC SIGNAGE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FALCON
HEIGHTS ORDAINS: SECTION 1. Section 113-3 of the Falcon Heights City Code is amended to add the following definitions: Nit means a unit of measurement for luminance. The total amount
of light emitted from a sign divided by the surface area of the sign (candelas per square meter). Sign, dynamic display. Any characteristics of a sign that appear to have movement or
that appear to change, caused by any method other than physically removing and replacing the sign or its components, whether the apparent movement or change is in the display, the sign
structure or any other component of the sign. This includes displays that incorporate technology or methods allowing the sign face to change the image without having to physically or
mechanically replace the sign face or its components as well as any rotating, revolving, moving, flashing, flashing, blinking or animated display and any display that incorporates rotating
panels, LED lights manipulated through digital input, digital ink or any other method or technology that allows the sign face to present a series of images or displays. SECTION 2. Section
113-416(a) of the Falcon Heights City Code is amended to read: a) Permit required. Except as otherwise provided in this section, no sign or structure shall be erected, constructed, altered,
replaced with a dynamic display sign, rebuilt or relocated except as provided in this article and until a permit for the same has been issued by the zoning administrator upon application
and to include such information as is required for a complete understanding of the proposed work. SECTION 3. Section 113-426 of the Falcon Heights City Code is added to read: Sec. 113-426.
Non-conforming signs: compliance. It is recognized that signs exist within zoning districts that were lawful before this sign ordinance was enacted, which would be prohibited, regulated
or restricted under the terms of this chapter or future amendments. It is the intent of this sign ordinance that nonconforming signs shall not be enlarged upon, expanded or extended,
nor be used as grounds for adding other signs or uses prohibited elsewhere in the same district. It is
further the intent of this sign ordinance to permit legal nonconforming signs existing on the effective date of this sign ordinance, or amendments thereto, to continue as legal nonconforming
signs provided such signs are safe, are maintained so as not to be unsightly, and have not been abandoned or removed subject to the following provisions: (1) No sign shall be enlarged
or altered in a way which increases its nonconformity. (2) Should such sign or sign structure be destroyed by any means to an extent greater than fifty (50) percent of its replacement
cost and no building permit has been applied for within 180 days of when the property was damaged, it shall not be reconstructed except in conformity with the provisions of this ordinance.
(3) Should such sign or sign structure be moved for any reason for any distance whatsoever, it shall thereafter conform to the regulations for the zoning district in which it is located
after it is moved. (4) No existing sign devoted to a use not permitted by the zoning code in the zoning district in which it is located shall be enlarged, extended or moved except in
changing the sign to a sign permitted in the zoning district in which is it located. (5) When a structure loses its nonconforming status all signs devoted to the structure shall be removed
and all signs painted directly on the structure shall be repainted in a neutral color or a color which will harmonize with the structure. SECTION 4. Section 113-450(a) of the Falcon
Heights City Code is amended to read: (1) Types of signs allowed. Business, dynamic display signs, nameplate, identification, illuminated, ground, pedestal, political, real estate sales,
temporary, wall and courtesy bench signs. SECTION 5. Section 113-450(b) of the Falcon Heights City Code is amended to read: (1) Types of signs allowed. Business, nameplate, identification,
illuminated, ground, pedestal, political, real estate sales, temporary, wall and courtesy bench signs. Dynamic display signs are permitted in B-3 districts only. SECTION 6. Section 113-471
of the Falcon Heights City Code is amended to read: (a) Any sign illuminated and located within 50 feet of a residential district lot line shall be diffused or indirect so as not to
reflect direct rays of light into adjacent residences. All illuminated signs in business and industrial districts in close proximity to residential districts shall be designed so as
to illuminate the sign and not residential property to the extent practicable. (b) Illuminated signs lighted by any means as an integral part of the sign, by floodlights, or any other
means which cast light away from the sign shall be governed as follows:
(1) Any combination of signs or light sources which cast light on a public street shall not exceed one footcandle meter reading as measured from the centerline of said street. (2) Any
combination of signs or lights which cast light on property zoned for residential use shall not exceed 0.4 footcandle meter reading as measured from any part of said residential area.
(3) In no instance shall exposed lightbulbs be utilized to light signs, property, or merchandise for sale or rent. Said lights shall be hooded or controlled in some manner so as to direct
light away from public streets or adjacent to nearby property. (c) No sign may be brighter than is necessary for clear and adequate visibility. (d) No sign may be of such intensity or
brilliance as to impair the vision of a motor vehicle driver with average eyesight or to otherwise interfere with the driver’s operation of a motor vehicle. (e) No sign may be of such
intensity or brilliance that it interferes with the effectiveness of an official traffic sign, device, or signal. SECTION 7. Section 113-473 of the Falcon Heights City Code is amended
to read: Devices giving off an intermittent or rotating beam of rays of light shall be prohibited, except dynamic display signs, symbols or numerals indicating time and temperature as
long as the display does not change more frequently than every 30 seconds. In no event, however, shall any light be permitted which may be confused with lights from a snowplow, police
car, ambulance, or other emergency vehicle. SECTION 8.. Section 113-492 of the Falcon Heights City Code is added to read: Dynamic displays on signs are permitted subject to the following
conditions: (1) No dynamic display sign shall be located within 150 feet of a residential district lot line. (2) Dynamic display signs are subordinate to ground and pedestal signs and
must not be the predominant feature of the sign area. A dynamic display shall not occupy more than twenty-five percent (25 %) of the sign area. Only one dynamic display is allowed per
sign face. (3) 3) The images and messages displayed must be static, and a dynamic display shall display no more than one static image and/or message per 24 hour period, except when changes
are necessary to correct the time and temperature information. Time and temperature information is considered a dynamic display and may not be included as a component of any other dynamic
display. Except for time and temperature, change shall take place between 9 a.m. and noon. (4) No dynamic display sign shall use more than one color of lighting. That is, it shall render
images with one constant hue and brightness on an unlighted background.
(5) The transition from one static display to another must be without any special effects. (6) The images and messages displayed must be complete in themselves without continuation in
content to the next image or message or to any other sign. (7) Dynamic displays must be designed and equipped to freeze the device in one position if a malfunction occurs. The displays
must also be equipped with a means to immediately discontinue the display if it malfunctions, and the sign owner must immediately stop the dynamic display when notified by the City that
the display is not complying with the standards of this ordinance. (8) All dynamic displays shall meet the following brightness standards in addition to those in section 113-471(c),
(d), and (e): (a) Sunrise to sunset: no greater than 2000 nits, (b) Sunset to sunrise: no greater than 500 nits. SECTION 9. EFFECTIVE DATE: This ordinance shall take effect from and
after its passage. ADOPTED this ______ day of ____________, 2008, by the City Council of Falcon Heights, Minnesota. CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS BY: ____________________________ Peter Lindstrom,
Mayor ATTEST: ___________________________________ Justin Miller, City Administrator/Clerk
WKSP 3 8/6/08 TO: Mayor Lindstrom, Council members Harris, Kuettel, Long, and Mercer-Taylor FROM: Justin Miller, City Administrator Re: Review of City Slogan Suggestions Explanation:
Earlier this year, the city council initiated a contest for residents to suggest a new City of Falcon Heights slogan. The response was very positive, with close to 50 suggestions coming
in by email, through the website, and at the Ice Cream Social. Attached to this report is a comprehensive list of suggested slogans. A joint city council-Falcon Heights Elementary School
student meeting is being planned, with one of the agenda items being a discussion of the new slogan. The city council originally proposed to submit three to five finalists to the students
for their vote. The final decision will ultimately rest with the city council. Staff is recommending that the city council narrow down the attached list to a group of finalists to be
voted on during the joint city council-student meeting. Please come prepared to select up to five choices, and then the most popular choices will be presented.
Slogan Submissions 1 "Falcon Heights-The Green City" 2 "No Falcons! No Heights!" 3 "The city that flys to higher heights" 4 Beautiful Falcon Heights, the garden city 5 Falcon Heights
the Garden City 6 Come Home to Roost 7 Falcon Heights -A City of History and Innovation 8 Falcon heights The city of happiness 9 Falcon Heights The lovable place 10 More than a fair
city 11 More than a fair city 12 Keep The Fair City 13 Please keep it as the Fair City 14 Please keep the Fair City 15 Way above Fair 16 Far Above Fair 17 Midway and then some 18 Small
City, Big Places 19 Small town feel, Big city location 20 The best of country and city living all in one. 21 Perched between the Twin Downtowns 22 The city for the citizens 23 The civilized
city 24 The height of tranquility 25 Feather your nest in Falcon Heights 26 Where Minnesota and Education come together 27 Home for the Heart 28 The Gateway City 29 Heights above the
rest 30 The City that Soars 31 Come Soar With Us 32 Soaring to New Heights -Falcon Heights 33 Soaring to new heights 34 Fly high, Falcon Heights 35 Find the Field of your Dreams 36 Quit
Falcon With Us, Roseville! 37 Flock off, Roseville! 38 City of Progress 39 City of the Future
40 Learning, Laughing, Living Together: Falcon Heights! 41 Urban Aerie 42 Raptor Rapture 43 Falcon Heights: Fields, Families and Fair 44 Forever Home in Falcon Heights 45 Finally Home
in Falcon Heights 46 Feel at Home in Falcon Heights 47 Learn, Earn, Have Fun, Be Home, Falcon Heights! 48 Falcon Heights --We're En-Raptored! 49 Home of the White Squirrel