HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCMin_08Sep10Falcon Heights City Council Minutes
September 10, 2008 Regular Meeting of the City Council
Members present: Mayor Lindstrom, Council members Harris, Kuettel, and Mercer-Taylor, Administrator Miller, Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk. Absent: Council member Long.
Mayor Lindstrom called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Presentation:
1. Northwest Youth and Family Services – Kay Andrews and Jerry Hromatka
Andrews began by introducing Jerry Hromatka, who will be the new director of NYFS upon her retirement in January ’09. A gathering will be held to thank Andrews for her longstanding
tenure at director of NYFS on February 5 at Midland Hills.
Hromatka gave a history of NYFS to the council and outlined the services the organization provides to Falcon Heights. He said the money Falcon Heights pays to NYFS for annual dues goes
to cover mostly youth diversion, mental health services, and the senior chore program. He also announced the beginning of a fundraising drive for a new Discovery Center and invited
everyone to the September 25 event, Taste of Northwest.
Council member Mercer-Taylor asked what the age breakdown was for services given. Hromatka replied the majority was for the middle and high school aged, followed by elementary and then
18-21 year olds.
Mayor Lindstrom noticed the police budget took about 35-40% of the city’s annual budget, and thought the minor fees paid to Northwest were well worth it.
Council member Harris asked how many employees work for NYFS. Hromatka replied there are 60 full-time.
Miller noted that when he started, his first letter of welcome was from Andrews and he thanked for her that. He also thanked for her for work with the Human Rights Commission.
The minutes of the August 27, 2008 council meeting were approved as submitted.
Consent Agenda:
Miller gave some background on the watershed district committee appointment, stating Barbara Leary had volunteered immediately for the position.
Council member Kuettel asked about main lining company’s reputation. Miller replied they were well known around the Twin Cities area, and did provide insurance and bonding. Mercer-Taylor
asked why the budgeted amount was low. Miller replied that everything has gone up in the past year.
Council member Kuettel moved to approve the four items on the consent agenda. The motion passed unanimously.
1. General Disbursements through 9/4/08: $154,026.54
Payroll through 8/31/08: $16,530.72
2. City Licensing
3. Appointment of Barbara Leary to Capitol Region Watershed District's Planning Committee
4. Award Bid for 2008 Sanitary Sewer Main Lining
Policy Agenda:
1. Continuation of Recreational Fire Ordinance Amendment Discussion
Administrator Miller stated the current city code references the state code, a change that occurred with the recent recodification, but that language that is more specific was needed.
After conducting research and working with the city attorney, definitions were added for terms in the new draft including ‘combustible material’ and ‘recreational fire.’ Also added
was a distance requirement of 25 feet from structures and combustible material, a pit/containment device, and ‘objectionable.’
Council member Kuettel noted pine needles and leaves were covered under other sections of the state code, and wondered if a fire could be lit under a tree.
Council member Mercer-Taylor asked about incinerators. Miller replied incinerators were not part of the recreational fire code but it was in the code in other places – incinerators
are not allowed. Mercer-Taylor asked if someone could burn in a grill. Miller replied it would be up to the police or fire to extinguish those types of fire based on their interpretation.
Council member Kuettel asked if Miller would explain #3 of the draft: “conditions that could cause a fire to spread within twenty-five (25) feet of a structure are eliminated prior to
ignition.” Miller replied that meant leaves or high weeds, something that could cause a fire to spread would be deemed against the code and the fire chief or police would use their
judgment to determine if the fire was objectionable.
Rick Talbot, 1531 Idaho, wanted to know if the city was going to inform police of the ordinance change. Miller replied the ordinance went into effect upon its passage and police would
be notified.
Ginny Allen, 1490 Idaho, addressed the council and said she echoed Talbot’s statement.
Craig Allen, 1490 Idaho, said he was happy with the ordinance and supported its passage.
Council member Kuettel said the Allen’s did a good job in attempting to work with their neighbors.
Mayor Lindstrom noted the recreational fires were covered in the old code, but it was time for the city to address in the new one. He said he had spoken with Council member Long, who
was in favor of the new ordinance except for the time restrictions. Long expressed his disagreement with the early time limit for weekends and holidays and wanted to see the time pushed
back to midnight instead of 11 p.m. Lindstrom said he agreed with Long and wanted a later time for weekends and holidays. He added that making it 11 p.m. would set the code up for
many violations, as it does not get dark in summer until at least 9:30.
Council member Harris asked how 11:00 was even decided. Miller replied it was based on some other city’s codes and the city attorney.
Council member Mercer-Taylor said it reflects reality to make it later.
Council member Harris said she supported the shortest possible time limits and asked why midnight was better. Lindstrom replied midnight is a normal time to wrap things up on a weekend,
but 11 seemed too early. Harris said midnight might be easier to remember 12 for residents. Council member Kuettel also agreed.
Ginny Allen, 1490 Idaho, readdressed the council and said the time limits determine when her family can sleep and 12 was too late for them. She said historically her neighbor has had
unsafe fires, and they could not sleep with the belief that his fires were safe. She said she asked her neighbors and they agreed 11 was okay for weekends.
Council member Mercer-Taylor reminded Allen that in any unsafe situation she should call the police. Allen responded that with the code, there are ‘fuzzy’ areas – like the “objectionable
conditions” listed at the end of the ordinance. Mayor Lindstrom replied that was in the ordinance as a catchall, so in her situation where a fire may be deemed unsafe there would be
enforcement recourse. Miller added it would be the same as if there is a loud party, when the officer would use their judgment on whether to shut it down. Lindstrom added it is to
the city’s advantage to have that provision included.
Council member Kuettel asked what happens if there is a property that offends repeatedly. Miller replied staff would contact the party, and if needed the city attorney could step in
to prosecute.
Mayor Lindstrom reiterated Council member Long’s adamant opposition to the time restriction of 11 p.m., but said he would change and support the 11 p.m. time limit. Council members
Kuettel and Mercer-Taylor also said they would support 11 p.m. Council member Harris wanted an earlier time from the beginning, and said she was fine with 11 p.m.
Council member Kuettel said the city could readdress the issue in a couple of years to determine if the time limit should be later.
Council member Kuettel moved to approve ordinance 08-02. The motion passed unanimously.
2. Setting of 2009 Preliminary Tax Levy and Truth-in-Taxation Hearing Dates
Administrator Miller said the preliminary levy was to set the taxes payable in 2009. The preliminary levy, which becomes the maximum, will be sent to Ramsey County for them to prepare
their estimated tax statements to send out to property owners. Miller stated the city’s reserves are low, and at the current rate of spending down reserves, they would go negative within
the next couple of years. He said the legislature created an opportunity this year, with the ability for Falcon Heights to have a special levy. Due to the amount of LGA and fiscal
disparities, along with a special levy, the ad valorem taxes (taxes collected from property owners) would remain the same as in 2008. However, with the recent downturn in property values,
most properties would likely see a reduction in the amount of their city portion of taxes.
Council member Harris said she supported a special levy for the debt. Due to the extra money from the state, Falcon Heights could keep the levy the same and get money to put aside for
other big items, like refurbishing the fire truck.
Council member Kuettel said the special levy makes sense for down the road.
Mayor Lindstrom said that in the early ‘00s the reserves were very healthy and the council then decided to spend them down in order keep the tax levy flat in a time of economic crunch
for residents. He said it was never the council’s intention to keep using the reserves forever, and after four years of flat levies, the city could not do it anymore.
Council member Harris moved to set the 2009 preliminary tax levy and truth-in-taxation hearing dates. The motion passed unanimously.
Information/Announcements:
Council member Mercer-Taylor asked Miller to give the dates and times for the crime prevention and Larpenteur Avenue Streetscape Committee meetings. Crime prevention is on Sept 17 at
6:30 p.m., City Hall and Larpenteur Avenue Streetscape will meet Monday at six, City Hall.
Council member Harris said the Human Rights Commission is still looking for poster entries.
Mayor Lindstrom thanked Barbara Lukerman for her work with the Planning Commission. He also thanked the election judges and Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk Kreuser for their
work with the primary election. Lastly, he said the U of M Soccer game was a lot of fun.
Administrator Miller announced the council/FH Elementary meeting would be Sept 25 at 1:30 at City Hall.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Stacey Kreuser
Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk