HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_08Apr9Regular Meeting of the Falcon Heights City Council
April 9, 2008
Members present: Mayor Lindstrom, Council members Harris, Kuettel, Long, and Mercer-Taylor, Administrator Miller, and Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk Kreuser.
Mayor Lindstrom called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Presentation:
Mayor Lindstrom began by announcing the Neal Kwong Award would be presented to Nick Allen. Lindstrom highlighted five committees, 80 hours of racism training Allen has worked on.
Mary Jo McGuire, who nominated Allen, said a few words. She thanked the council and mayor for the opportunity to nominate Allen. She said he has turned into a wonderful young man.
She has known his parents for over 20 years, and thanked them for raising a very civically-minded young man. Among Allen’s accomplishments, he has earned Eagle Scout and sits on five
committees at school, and McGuire said she was honored to know him and gave her congratulations.
Gary Kwong stated his son Neal, for whom the award is named, was an Eagle Scout as well, and said he appreciated what Allen was doing for antiracism. He said Neal would also be proud
to have Allen receive an award with his name. The award was presented to Nick Allen by Mayor Lindstrom and Gary Kwong.
Nick Allen thanked the council for the award, and said he felt blessed to live in the city. Allen thanked his family and MaryJo for being such assets in his life, and the Kwong family
for honoring him with this award. Allen said he loves Falcon Heights, and feels he has grown up in a place where he can always come back and is humbled.
The minutes of the March 26, 2008 council meeting were approved as submitted.
Consent Agenda:
The following two items were moved for approval by Council member Kuettel. The motion passed unanimously.
1. General Disbursements through 4/4/08: $65,239.62
Payroll through 3/31/08: $15,544.0727
2. 2008 Licenses
Policy Agenda:
1. Approval and Purchase of Street Banners
Administrator Miller began by stating over the past weeks the council had narrowed down the design options. He stated the banner mock-up was not perfectly photo-shopped onto Larpenteur
Avenue, but the council should have a better idea of what they would really look like. There are 39 total poles. He recommended banners for every other pole down Larpenteur Avenue,
and poles at City Hall, and a couple extra for a total of 22. Miller summarized the cost break-down, and explained the spring loaded bracket. The poles for the hanging baskets are
also included in the total cost of $6,666, and in the budget is $7,500.
Beth Mercer-Taylor asked for clarification on where the flower basket would go. Miller explained the flowers would hang opposite the banner, over the sidewalk at the height of the banner.
Council member Harris stated she liked the banner design with the words closest to the pole. The other councilors agreed. Mercer-Taylor asked what the staff opinion was. Miller replied
staff liked that option as well, since the pole and words were closer together and it looked more uniform.
Mayor Lindstrom asked about the color swatch of the banner. Miller replied two samples had been obtained from the banner company, and it was closer to the actual color of the pole.
Council member Harris moved to approve the banner purchase. The motion passed unanimously.
2. Approval of the Falcon Heights Comprehensive Plan draft for distribution to outside jurisdictions and agencies
Administrator Miller began by explaining the comprehensive plan process to date. He stated the public has had opportunities to give their input – 15 neighborhood meetings, four open
houses, six Planning Commission meetings, several Comp Plan Steering Committee (CPSC) meetings, five City Council workshops or meetings, eight to ten meetings with business owners, and
a lot of staff hours. He explained the council would be approving the draft plan be sent to neighboring jurisdictions. He stated the most popular topic at neighborhood meetings was
open space. He explained the map before the council showed the areas of change along Larpenteur Avenue, and noted the impact is rather small. He stated the draft plan emphasizes open
space, pedestrian activity, and environmental stewardship. He thanked the Planning Commission and CPSC who led the neighborhood meetings, and staffer Deb Jones. The next step is to
send a letter to neighboring jurisdictions to let them know the draft is posted online. The school district, University, and watershed district will be notified as well, and the city
will also see their plans.
Council member Harris said it is a beautiful work product and commended the staff. Mayor Lindstrom echoed those sentiments; he thanked the volunteers, neighbors, and Deb, for all their
hard work.
Administrator Miller added at the Planning Commission public hearing there was talk of firm targets on affordable housing, and language included in the value statement – “an economically
and culturally diverse population, including the young people who grow up here as they form households of their own,” was added. Council member Mercer-Taylor stated that Falcon Heights
already recognizes economic differences, and without specific targets the city can be comfortable with this new language, without nailing down a specific target.
Council member Kuettel moved to approve approval of the Falcon Heights Comprehensive Plan draft for distribution to outside jurisdictions and agencies along with the additional phrase
from the Planning Commission. The motion passed unanimously.
Information/Annoucements:
Council member Mercer-Taylor was disappointed in the status of the Bell Museum, and said the city would do anything it could to support its passage in the legislature. She added Rep.
Hausman was on the radio expressing her support for the project.
Mayor Lindstrom shared those sentiments of disappointment, but remained confident that the museum would be built some time. He stated private donations have come in, and sometimes these
things take a couple years but the city has to remain optimistic.
Harris added the bonding bill was not a done deal yet, and Mayor Lindstrom added those line-item vetoes would be very hard to add back to the bonding bill, since the bill is already
signed. Mercer added there is still a possibility of the Central Corridor passing this year, but there is little hope for the Bell, according to what she heard Hausman say. Harris
and Lindstrom stated the U needs to decide what priority the Bell has with the administration. Lindstrom added Anderson and Hausman are invited to a June council meeting.
Harris stated the HR Commission met and has a goal to have a HR poster contest. She said the commission decided to collaborate with the State’s poster contest, is ready to gather up
as many entries as they can, and perhaps publish our own city calendar. The posters may be posted online, at City Hall, posted during the Ice Cream Social, and perhaps in the calendar.
More information will follow.
Long stated the Parks/Rec Commission meeting would be Monday.
Mayor Lindstrom said he and Justin met with Paul Charest, Falcon Heights Elementary School principal, and invited the students to participate in selecting a new city slogan. He proposed
the public to put forward slogans, and once a broad amount of suggestions have been received, the council could decide on their favorites, and then the children would vote on their favorite.
The council would have a special council meeting in the fall to approve the final slogan, and the children would attend. He said the Rotary and Lions may donate some funds for bussing
students. Next, the Raptor Center’s open house was last weekend, and after speaking with the Executive Director he found there is a possibility of a rehabbed raptor getting released
at City Hall or during the Ice Cream Social. The council was excited at the prospect.
Administrator Miller announced the sixth CERT class would be held in May/June on Wednesday nights. Contact City Hall to sign up. Also street sweeping has commenced in the city, so
please don’t park on the street.
Mayor Lindstrom adjourned the meeting at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Stacey Kreuser
Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk