HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_08Jun25Regular Meeting of the Falcon Heights City Council
June 25, 2008
Members present: Mayor Lindstrom, Council members Harris, Kuettel, Long, and Mercer-Taylor, Administrator Miller, Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk Kreuser, and Parks/Public
Works Director Pittman.
Mayor Lindstrom called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Mayor Lindstrom made one typo correction to the minutes, and they were approved unanimously.
Presentation:
Parks and Public Works Director Pittman presented to the council the city’s MS4 permit for 2008 and gave an overview of the progress and history of MS4/NPDES.
In response to Pittman’s presentation, Mayor Lindstrom asked what the work with students might involve. Pittman replied some cities have graphics painted at the catch basins that indicate
the water flows into streams, ponds, and lakes. Lindstrom followed-up with a question about de-icing. Pittman replied the city has gone to straight salt rather than a salt-sand mix,
and it has helped with the condition of the boulevards in the springtime.
Kuettel asked about the catch basin repair. Pittman replied there were a few basins near Albert and California that were sealed with poly, and he is going to speak with Miller regarding
a plan for the rest of the city. Miller added they were being repaired as they became a problem, as not all of the basins are in bad shape. He also said as part of the comp plan process,
the city will have to create a local water management plan and cannot adopt the watershed’s plan as we have in the past. The council will consider this in the coming months as Engineer
Bloom is working on it now.
Consent Agenda: Mayor Lindstrom noted the $120,000 payment as pass-through funding for the Coventry Apartments conduit bonding. Council member Harris moved to approve the disbursements
and payroll on the consent agenda. The motion passed unanimously.
Policy Agenda:
1. Review Draft Rental Licensing Ordinance
Administrator Miller began the item by explaining the goal of the ordinance was to protect neighborhoods and renters. The draft ordinance was created to cover buildings with one to
four units and would require an annual license for rentals more than four months. The draft also included a “3-strikes” rule, which the council wished to include. He asked for the
council’s input on the draft.
Council member Harris asked if there was a different way to regulate the bigger buildings, with more than four units. Miller replied those were inspected annually by the fire department
and had to follow code requirements when they were built.
Council member Long asked for clarification on the 3-strikes rule. Miller responded it would be a tool for property owners to attract responsible renters, that after three strikes they
would lose the ability to rent the unit for one year.
Council member Mercer-Taylor said the council had discussed the issues in renting single-family homes, stating there was management present at the larger buildings to be held accountable
and handle problems as they arise.
Mayor Lindstrom and Council member Kuettel added it was for the safety of the neighbors and renters the whole issue was being addressed.
Council member Long said the maintenance standards should be referenced in the ordinance, with specific reference to chapter 22 of the city code dealing with individual property rules
and the nuisance code. He also asked about posting the license in a public place, as a license could not be publicly viewed if it is posted in a private home. Miller pointed out that
the license should be distributed to each renter as an outline of his or her rights, and Kuettel added the copy of the license was not for people on the street to see, it is for the
tenant.
Mayor Lindstrom asked about the annual inspection. Miller replied that was still something to be worked on, who to use for the inspections. He noted it would not be a high number of
inspections.
Council member Kuettel asked if there was a way the city would be notifying residents of the new rule. Miller replied there were a few units the city knew of and could send a letter.
He added the water department sends lists of the billings, and the city could tell from that if the unit might be rented. Along with the newsletter, flyer, and mailings, it would be
somewhat self-reporting. Kuettel asked there should be some proof of insurance collected. Miller replied he would ask the city attorney to see if it could be included.
Lisa Pehlin, of the Minnesota Multi-Housing Association addressed the council on the new ordinance. She said the association of property owners would like to work with Falcon Heights
to create an ordinance that benefits all those concerned.
Information/Announcements:
Council member Mercer-Taylor said the Neighborhood Commission would be having a lemonade stand at the SE corner apartments on July 28 from 4:30-6:30 as a way of reaching out to the tenants
and inviting them to the block party at Curtiss Field on August 5. Everyone is welcome to attend the NNO party.
Council member Kuettel said the Planning Commission met to discuss dynamic and LED signage. The council will see something from them in the coming months.
Council member Long invited everyone to the Ice Cream Social on July 31 at Community Park from 6-8 p.m.
Mayor Lindstrom encouraged residents to plan a NNO block party. The crime prevention meeting at FHUCC drew 15 people; the next meeting will be September 17 at City Hall.
Administrator Miller announced the city would be accepting ideas for slogans on the website until July 31. The photo contest is open as well, with the prize of a $50 National Camera
Exchange credit.
The regular meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. to a workshop to discuss the Larpenteur Avenue Streetscape design with SRF Consulting.
Respectfully submitted,
Stacey Kreuser
Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk