HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes08_0122City of Falcon Heights
Planning Commission Minutes
January 22, 2008
PRESENT: Commissioners Anderson, Hasegawa, Noble, Rodich, Salzberg, Watkins, City Council Liaison Kuettel. Also present were Mayor Peter Lindstrom and Staff Liaison Deb Jones.
ABSENT: Commissioner Lukermann (with notice)
The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. by 2007 Chair Rich Rodich.
Introduction of Mayor Peter Lindstrom
Mayor Lindstrom came to the podium to introduce himself to the Planning Commission. He welcomed the new commissioners and spoke of his years as Council liaison to the Commission. He
directed the commissioners’ attention to the goals adopted for 2008 by the City Council and the strategies to support the goals. He encouraged the commission to keep the second goal
(“To sustain and promote the assets of the city’s unique neighborhoods and tax base including commercial, residential and open space uses for present and future generations.”) specifically
in mind as they move forward and to think creatively. He concluded by thanking the commissioners for their service to the City of Falcon Heights.
Election of Commission Chair for 2008
Commissioner Eric Watkins was elected Chair of the Commission for 2008.
Introduction of New Commissioners
The new planning commissioners introduced themselves. Duane Hasegawa of 1750 Albert Street said his main interest in being on the Commission is to maintain the quality of our city.
The minutes of the November 23, 2006 meeting were approved. Meredith Anderson of 2280 Folwell Avenue said her interests as a commissioner are the new Bell Museum and the economic well
being of the city. At the request of staff, the returning commissioners also introduced themselves briefly.
Review of Planning Commission Standing Rules and Policies.
The Planning Commission is requested to review and approve it standing rules, with any needed changes. These are part of the City’s administrative manual which is in the process of being
updated by the City Administrator. Commissioners received a copy of the standing rules and also the Planning Commission policy document, which is based on Minnesota Statute 462.354
and the city code.
In the staff introduction Ms. Jones said that, although these rules (dated March 26, 1990) have not been reviewed by the commission in recent years, the procedures are generally followed,
although some have been simplified in practice. Some items stated to be the responsibility of the Chair are, in practice, taken care of by staff. Unlike the Council, the Planning Commission
does not have separate consent and action agendas because there are usually so
few agenda items. Also, unless a public hearing is attended by a large number of people, the requirement that people petition to speak is usually waived.
In response to a question from Councilmember Kuettel, Jones said that the agenda is usually put together by staff, and there are several ways an item can be put on the agenda:
Application from a property owner for a variance or other zoning action
Request by the commissioners themselves following study of an issue, often as the result of citizen concern
Recommendation from the City Attorney
Items that come up elsewhere (the Council or another commission) that fall within the purview of the Planning Commission.
Commissioner Anderson pointed out there is no mention of electronic media in the standing rules and felt some modernization is necessary in that direction, possibly with web URLs. She
also asked for the Minnesota statute reference, which Commissioner Salzberg later provided from the policy document. Finally she inquired whether the code chapter would be provided.
Jones explained that copies for the new commissioners will be provided when binders have been returned by the outgoing commissioners.
In subsequent discussion, Commissioner Salzberg noted that the existing rules have no requirement that agendas be distributed to the public, only to the commissioners and other persons
having responsibility. (They are, in fact, made available on the city website at the same time they are distributed to the commissioners.) Commissioner Rodich recommended saying “the
city website” where appropriate, as actual URLs are subject to change.
Commissioner Rodich asked about the provision that requires members of the public to apply in writing to speak at a hearing. For variance hearing this has not usually been done because
there are few people attending, but it has been done at large hearings, for example, for the major redevelopment at Snelling and Larpenteur. After some discussion, commissioners concluded
that this could be made at the discretion of the Chair.
The commission next discussed the unanimous consent procedure and the provision that no second is required for motions, also the mention of the “consent” agenda. Ms. Kuettel provided
some clarification of the consent agenda as used by the Council. Jones said the approval of the minutes is generally the only consent-type item on the commission agenda.
Commissioner Noble wanted to address the provision of a Vice Chair and said she thought it would be good to have a vice chair in case the chair is absent. Discussion followed. Anderson
suggested a provision to choose an acting chair if the Chair is absent but not have a formal vice chair – in case both individuals should be absent
Jones read back to the commissioners the items that had been brought up so far and asked if there were any additions. Commissioner Hasegawa asked why there is no secretary. Jones said
some commissions have elected secretaries; for the planning commission the staff liaison usually serves as secretary but this might not always be the case.
Commissioner Salzberg asked how the Chair is elected, as it is not mentioned in the standing rules. It is in the policy document, Jones said, and comes from the city code. Commissioner
Rodich asked about the provision for retaining recordings for 6 months. Recordings are now video, not audio, and are kept for at least 6 months on the website and for a couple of years
at City Hall. Commissioner Noble suggested changing the February review of the standing rules to January. The standing rules need a 3/4 vote to change, except the 10:00 p.m. limit, which
requires a unanimous vote.
Jones offered to type up all of the changes for the next meeting if the commissioners would like to table the matter and take it up again in February. The Commission approved this suggestion
unanimously.
Minutes for October 23, 2007: The minutes were approved by consensus.
INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Jones mentioned that there will be training opportunities coming up later in the year for commissioners. Details will be provided when available.
Council Member Kuettel announced Winterfest, the City’s winter event, coming up this coming Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. in Community Park. She gave some historic background on the event
and expressed the hope that commissioners will come to this fun event for the whole community. Winterfest is presented by the Parks and Recreation department. Weather permitting, the
rinks will be open, and many other activities are planned.
Jones passed on the request of the City Administrator that the Commission consider any topics from the city code that they might like to take up this year for study. The commission will
also be spending some time on the new comprehensive plan, a draft of which will soon be available on the website for public viewing.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah Jones, Staff Liaison