HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWkspMin_08Feb6Falcon Heights Council Workshop
February 6, 2008
The council workshop was moved to the fire hall from it’s original location due to construction in the chambers. Attendees were directed to the new meeting site by signage.
Members present: Mayor Lindstrom, Council members Kuettel, Long, and Mercer-Taylor, Administrator Miller, Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk Kreuser, NSAC/NSCC Executive Director
Cor Wilson, Cable Commissioner Rick Talbot. Absent: Council member Harris.
Mayor Lindstrom began the workshop at 6:30 p.m.
1. Cable Franchising Update by Cor Wilson
Wilson gave the council background information on the cable commission and cable access corporation, stating they are two separate entities. She explained cities are franchising because
cable companies use rights-of-way for communications purposes (cable, fiber, etc). She continued by stating there is federal and state legislation that threaten the city’s ability to
charge for usage of their rights-of-way. She added the PEG fees (Public Education and Government Fees) paid by the companies is under threat as well, which is the funding the cable
access channels operate by. She stated the franchise agreement the cable access corporation has with the companies runs until 2013, and the cable commission has begun to think about
strategy for when the contract expires.
Rick Talbot added the PEG fees were originally established to cover cable tv in the city’s rights-of-way. Now that technology has grown through internet, digital phone, tv, cable, the
city’s rights-of-way are in danger. The NSCC is collecting fees through PEGs for use of the ROW. The phone companies are lobbying the FCC to allow more competition, which translates
to loss of control over the rights-of-way, and in turn the loss of the PEG fees. He continued by saying the NSCC would remain active in planning for the future and would notify the
council of any legislative or legal developments.
Council member Kuettel noted that she has been receiving phone calls from residents who are unhappy with their cable service, who have been unable to see results from going directly
through company’s customer service centers. Wilson stated she works often on resident’s behalf with companies, and needs to hear about these complaints. The City intends to publicize
contact information for Wilson in coming flyers and/or newsletters.
Mayor Lindstrom asked Wilson to send Miller statistics on a quarterly basis indicating Falcon Heights residents’ usage of her services. Wilson and Talbot thanked the council and departed.
2. Fire Department Officers – Transition from Election to Selection
Fire Chief Kurhajetz joined the workshop.
Administrator Miller began the item by explaining the change was due to direction from the city’s liability insurance carrier, and did not reflect the management of the department in
its current state. He said the department had historically elected officers, but the election may bring liability on the city, and selection is better for legality purposes. Miller
said he would be meeting with the department in March to discuss the proposed changes. The next department election would be in May, for a term through December 2008, and the first
selection would be January 2009.
Council member Kuettel volunteered to sit on the interview panel as the council liaison. She and the council agreed the change was necessary, and making small, incremental changes would
be palatable. Chief Kurhajetz left the workshop.
3. Review of 2008 City Council Goals
The council went through their 2008 goals and identified areas of question or clarification. Many areas were discussed. They were:
Promote services provided by SAPD such as premise checks, vacation checks and carseat safety.
Council member Kuettel wondered if the Ice Cream Social would be a place to promote this service by encouraging people to bring their vans, cars, etc. Staff will investigate inviting
a state official for this service.
Maintain community landscaping and investigate additional options.
Administrator Miller will be bringing the council options for beautifying the Larpenteur Avenue corridor.
Pursue residential streetlighting study
Miller reported there is TIF money in the infrastructure fund for this use.
Strategy 6, Action Item three was amended to: explore opportunities for trolley path in conjunction with new Bell Museum.
Miller will contact the University regarding options for the trolley path and will check with Representatives Hausman and Anderson regarding support in the bonding bill.
Conduct a council meeting with students
Council member Kuettel noted teachers are scheduling field trips and planning curriculum in late August. Miller will send a letter to the school’s principals.
The workshop was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Stacey Kreuser
Assistant City Administrator/Deputy Clerk