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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin-08Jun11Regular Meeting of the Falcon Heights City Council June 11, 2008 Members present: Mayor Lindstrom, Council members Long and Kuettel, Administrator Miller, Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk Kreuser. Members absent: Council members Harris and Mercer-Taylor. Presentations: Kelly Tomlinson was presented to the council for achieving the Girl Scout Gold Award. Tomlinson planned and executed a program for troubled youth, which included games, snacks, teaching communication skills, and field trips to the Science Museum and Pump It Up. Representative Alice Hausman addressed the council next, giving them the legislative updates on what happened this session at the Capitol. She began by outlining the transportation bill, noting Falcon Heights would receive an additional $406,000 for MSA roads (funds are gradually paid over 10 years). In the tax bill, Falcon Heights will see LGA increase about $125,000. Next, she spoke about the Bell Museum line item veto from the bonding bill, and the legislature’s disappointment at the governor’s action. She spoke at length about her vision for Central Corridor and Regional Railway, in light of higher fuel and oil prices, and stated Oberstar has pledged his support for a $1.6b investment in transportation. Senator Ellen Anderson addressed the council next, and outlined the struggles the legislature faced this session including a budget deficit. Next year the state will face another deficit, probably over $1b. This year, levy limits were imposed to help landowners on their property taxes but it created a challenge for local governments. She spoke about education funding and her committee’s focus on funding for clean water, including the Legacy Amendment that will be voted on this November. She also mentioned bills passed that offer local governments opportunities for clean energy building and improvements. Mayor Lindstrom reminded Hausman and Anderson that Falcon Heights had recently signed onto the Climate Protection Agreement, and he was interested in learning more about Anderson’s projects. Hausman also noted education was a big winner in the bonding bill, securing funding for new medical research labs and 4,400 jobs. She also noted she had a meeting with the Met Council and Board of Regents at the University regarding the Central Corridor (CC), to push the U to allow the line through Washington Ave. She said the State has been very generous to the U, and by not allowing the CC, the U was giving the perception of not being a good citizen of the state. She said federal funding of $450m would be lost if the $70m in funding from the state fell through. Mayor Lindstrom asked about the future of the Bell Museum. Hausman replied the U president is strongly committed to the project, and no one is certain the reasoning behind its veto from the bonding bill. Anderson added the bigger picture led to the line item veto. The minutes of the May 28, 2008 regular council meeting were approved as submitted. Consent Agenda: Council member Kuettel moved the following four items for approval. The motion passed unanimously. 1. General Disbursements through 6/4/08: $95,881.25 Payroll through 5/30/08: $17,407.04 2. Step Increase for Tim Pittman, Parks and Public Works Director 3. City Administrator Contract Continuation 4. Step Increase for Melanie Leehy, Office Assistant Policy Agenda: 1. 1,000 Benches Grant Application Administrator Miller began the item by explaining Active Living Ramsey County (ALRC) began the 1,000 Benches program about a year ago with the goal of placing benches along key corridors for people who may be hesitant to walk due to lack of rest spots. ALRC will subsidize ½ of the bench cost. The Parks/Rec Commission has discussed the application, and proposed the benches go at the following places: Hoyt/Snelling, Hoyt near Coffee Grounds, Ruggles north of FH Elementary, Fairview/Larpenteur, and Community Park along the trail. Miller was asked by Mayor Lindstrom to discuss sponsorships. Miller replied the city could set a donation amount in order for individuals or businesses to have a dedicated paver in the concrete base. Once the city knows the amount of the grant award, we will publicize sponsorship. Council member Long moved to approve the 1,000 Benches program. The motion passed unanimously. 2. Larpenteur Avenue Streetscape Agreement with SRF Consulting Group Administrator Miller explained the council had discussed the streetscaping proposal at its previous workshop, and agreed to offer the contract to SRF. The city attorney had reviewed the contract and made a recommendation to include the final figure as a “not to exceed” amount; meaning SRF would have to come back for council approval should the final number be larger. He said the plans for Larpenteur are planned to be completed by the end of 2008, and streetscpaing budget approved in 2009. Council member Kuettel moved to approve the contract with SRF. The motion passed unanimously. 3. Adoption of City goals for 2009 Mayor Lindstrom began by explaining setting the goals is the start of the budget process. The council had previously discussed the goals, eliminating those fulfilled while adding new goals. Two changes were recommended – deletion of the Bell Museum strategy, and deletion of the Comp Plan update 2008. Council agreed the comp plan should remain listed as a goal. Council member Long moved to approve the 2009 goals with the recommended change. The motion passed unanimously. Information/Announcements: Council member Long said the Parks Commission met. Summer programs begin June 16. New for autumn are rugby classes for ages 6-16, running club, and toddler music classes. The Ice Cream Social is July 31 from 6-8p.m. with a new photo contest this year. Council member Kuettel asked if the students at FH Elementary could write letters of support for the Bell. She reminded residents to lock their doors and garages, and to be safe. Mayor Lindstrom announced Mosquito Control would take old tires for free. Administrator Miller said the city is asking for slogan ideas through July. A crime prevention meeting will be held at FHUCC June 19 at 6:30p.m. Back to the 50s is this weekend, call 911 with any problems. Lastly, Snelling is getting a third lane added northbound between Roselawn County Rd B, slated to be done by the Fair. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20p.m. Respectfully submitted, Stacey Kreuser Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk