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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCAgen_09Sept9CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS Regular Meeting of the City Council City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue AGENDA September 9, 2009 A. CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 PM B. ROLL CALL: LINDSTROM ____ HARRIS ____ KUETTEL ____ LONG ____ MERCER-TAYLOR ____ MILLER ____ C. PRESENTATIONS: Recognition of Kristin Kuhens, recipient of the Girl Scout Gold Award. D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: August 26, 2009 TAB 1 E. PUBLIC HEARINGS: F. CONSENT AGENDA: 1. General Disbursements through 9/3/09: $134,376.39 Payroll through 8/27/09: $15,106.88 TAB 2 2. City License Renewals TAB 3 3. Flood Plain Regulation Summary Ordinance TAB 4 4. Fire Department Assistant Chief Appointment TAB 5 G: POLICY ITEMS 1.Public Works Dump Truck Purchase TAB 6 2. Setting of 2010 Preliminary Tax Levy TAB 7 3. Conditional Use Permit for a Solar-powered Heating System TAB 8 at 1800 Larpenteur 4. Pre-Emptive Ash Tree Removal Program TAB 9 H. INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENTS: I. COMMUNITY FORUM: J. ADJOURNMENT: If you have a disability and need accommodation in order to attend this meet?ing, please notify City Hall 48 hours in advance between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 651-792-7600. We will be happy to help CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS Regular Meeting of the City Council City Hall 2077 West Larpenteur Avenue AGENDA August 26, 2009 A. CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 PM B. ROLL CALL: LINDSTROM _A___ HARRIS _X___ KUETTEL __X__ LONG __X__ MERCER-TAYLOR _A___ MILLER __X__ C. PRESENTATIONS D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: August 12, 2009 APPROVED F. PUBLIC HEARINGS: F. CONSENT AGENDA: KUETTEL MOVED APPROVAL 3-0 1. General Disbursements through 8/6/09: $79,316.68 Payroll through 8/12/09: $18,565.88 2. City License Renewals 3. Award Bid for Sanitary Sewer Main Lining G: POLICY ITEMS 1. Resolution Amending 1999A G.O. Debt Levy Schedule KUETTEL MOVED APPROVAL 3-0 2. Resolution Receiving Assessment Roll and Setting Assessment Hearing Date for the Project to be Assessed in 2009. ADDENDUM LONG MOVED APPROVAL 3-0 K. INFORMATION/ANNOUNCEMENTS: L. COMMUNITY FORUM: M. ADJOURNMENT: ADJOURNED AT 7:15PM CONSENT F1 9/9/09 ITEM: General Disbursements and Payroll SUBMITTED BY: Roland Olson, Finance Director REVIEWED BY: Justin Miller, City Administrator EXPLANATION: General Disbursements through 9/3/09: $134,376.39 Payroll through 8/27/09: $15,160.88 ATTACHMENTS: General disbursements and payroll ACTION REQUESTED: Approval CONSENT F2 9/9/09 ITEM: City License Renewals SUBMITTED BY: Lisa Abernathy -Deputy Clerk The following individuals have applied for a Mechanical Contractors License for 2009. Staff has received the necessary documents for licensure. ? Action Heating & Air ? Hinding Company Heating & Air CONSENT F3 9/9/09 ITEM: Floodplain Regulation Summary Ordinance SUBMITTED BY: Justin Miller, City Administrator EXPLANATION: At the August 12th city council meeting, a revised floodplain ordinance was adopted in order to allow the City of Falcon Heights to participate in National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). FEMA, the federal agency who administers this program, has certain requirements in place that communities must complete before officially becoming part of the NFIP. One such requirement is that a summary ordinance must be published in the city’s official newspaper. A summary ordinance is often published to provide official notification to area residents without having to incur the expense of publishing the entire ordinance, which in some cases could be pages long. Attached to this report is a summary ordinance prepared by the city attorney. According to state statute, a 4/5th vote is required to publish this summary ordinance. ACTION REQUESTED: Staff recommends that the Falcon Heights City Council adopt the attached floodplain summary ordinance. SUMMARY ORDINANCE NO. 09-03 CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 113 OF THE FALCON HEIGHTS CITY CODE CONCERNING FLOODPLAIN REGULATIONS This ordinance amends Chapter 13 of the Falcon Heights City Code, the zoning ordinance, concerning floodplain regulations. This ordinance adopts a model floodplain ordinance provided by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The ordinance provides the general regulations for development in areas located in the floodplain, addresses potential conflicts with other City ordinances, delineates permitted uses, provides provisions for variances, regulates non-conformities and outlines penalties for violations. A printed copy of the entire ordinance is available for inspection by any person during the City Administrator/Clerk’s regular office hours. APPROVED for publication by the City Council of the City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota, this 9th day of September, 2009. CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS BY: ________________________________ Peter Lindstrom, Mayor ATTEST: ________________________________ Justin Miller, City Administrator/Clerk CONSENT F4 9/9/09 ITEM: Fire Department Assistant Chief Appointment SUBMITTED BY: Clem Kurhajetz, Fire Chief EXPLANATION: Due to a recent resignation, the position of assistant chief is currently vacant. I recommend that Richard Hinrichs be appointed to fill this position. ACTION REQUESTED: Approval. POLICY G1 9/9/09 ITEM: Public Works Dump Truck Purchase SUBMITTED BY: Tim Pittman, Parks and Public Works Director Justin Miller, City Administrator EXPLANATION: Over the past several years, the public works department has started to complete more tasks using existing staff and resources in lieu of contracting the tasks out to private contractors. This has made for more cost-effective projects and has allowed us to complete much needed repairs that otherwise would have been spread out over several years due to budget constraints. One such project has been the replacement of sidewalk panels throughout the city. For the past two years, the public works department has replaced sidewalk panels in need of repair. It is anticipated that this task will continue for several years due to the amount of panels that need repair throughout the city. To do this job, however, the existing panels must be removed and hauled away, a task that cannot be accomplished using our existing public works vehicles. For the past two years we have been able to borrow a dump truck from Spring Lake Park, but that resource will not be available after this year. Staff recently was informed that Ramsey County was looking to sell some of their excess equipment, and a dump truck was on their list. They are looking to sell a 1998 dump truck to us in the amount of $17,000. The same truck would sell at a retail price of $30,000 -$40,000, and a new truck would be well over $100,000. The truck is in good condition and will also be available for other projects as the public works staff continues to perform more tasks in-house. Earlier this year the city sold a sewer jetter to the City of Lauderdale for $15,000. In addition, there is $25,000 identified in this year’s capital improvement plan for a utility cart that the public works department will not be purchasing this year. Between these two sources of funds there is money available to purchase this piece of equipment. ACTION REQUESTED: Staff recommends that the Falcon Heights City Council approve the purchase of a 1998 single axel Ford dump truck from Ramsey County in the amount of $17,000. POLICY G2 9/9/09 ITEM: Setting of 2010 Preliminary Tax Levy SUBMITTED BY: Justin Miller, City Administrator EXPLANATION: Each year the city is required to adopt a preliminary tax levy that will be used by Ramsey County to develop parcel-specific notices informing all taxpayers of their proposed 2010 property taxes. Over the past several months the city council has been reviewing budget and levy proposals and the attached resolution incorporates what staff believes is the direction that was given by the city council. 2010 will be a difficult budget year due to the state of the economy, declining property values, and local government aid unallotments. The proposed levy does not include any new programs or staff salary increases, and in fact reduces overall general fund expenditures when compared to the 2009 budget. The 2009 proposed levy is structured in the following manner: General Fund $894,562 Special Debt Levy $124,584 Special Levy for a portion of the 2008 LGA Unallotment $3,798 Total Proposed Levy $1,022,944 This levy reflects a 5.0% increase over the 2009 certified property tax levy. The overall dollar increase in the levy is $48,712, which is due to a $27,000 increase in the police contract and over $100,000 in unallotments in local government aid. The impact on a median valued home ($264,200) is estimated to be an additional $27 in the city portion of a homeowner’s property taxes as compared to 2009. There are also some changes in the truth-in-taxation requirements for this year. Rather than having a separate truth-in-taxation hearing in December, the city is required to hold a public hearing at a regularly scheduled meeting where residents are given the opportunity to speak about the proposed budget. Staff recommends that the city hold this hearing at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, December 9th, which is the same meeting where the budget and levy are scheduled to be approved by the city council. ACTION REQUESTED: Staff recommends that the Falcon Heights City Council adopt the attached resolution in support of the new Bell Museum of Natural History. CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS COUNCIL RESOLUTION September 9, 2009 No. 09-09 ----------------------------------------------------------CERTIFICATION OF THE PRELIMINARY TAX LEVY FOR 2010 BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of Falcon Heights authorizes the City to levy taxes in the amount of $1,022,944 for the year 2010, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County Auditor should extend the preliminary tax levy in the amount of $1,022,944 for the year 2010. -------------------------------------------------------------------Moved by: Approved by: _______________________ Peter Lindstrom, Mayor September 9, 2009 LINDSTROM ____ In Favor KUETTEL Attested by:_________________________ HARRIS ____ Against Justin Miller, Administrator LONG September 9, 2009 MERCER-TAYLOR POLICY G3 9/9/09 ITEM: Conditional Use Permit for a Solar-powered Heating System at 1800 Larpenteur Avenue SUBMITTED BY: Deborah Jones, Zoning and Planning Director REVIEWED BY: Justin Miller, City Administrator Roger Knutson, City Attorney Background: 1800 West Larpenteur is an R-4 multi-family residential property containing an 18-unit apartment building constructed in 1969. It is located on the south side of Larpenteur Avenue east of the Fairview Avenue intersection and across the street from University of Minnesota fields. It is adjacent to the Hermes office building on the east, University of Minnesota fields on the south and a similar building at 1818 Larpenteur on the west. All properties within 350 feet are commercial, instititutional or multi-family. The nearest single family zone is over 540 feet from the property. The owner of 1800 West Larpenteur Avenue, Falcon Heights, has submitted an application to build an active solar-powered system for domestic hot water and space heat in the building. An active system is defined as one that includes mechanical components such as pumps. The Falcon Heights city code Section 113-393 requires a conditional use permit for all active solar power systems. The proposed system meets the definision, so a conditional use permit is required, in addition to the building permits and any other permits that may be required. Staff determined that the application met the application and development standards for a conditional use permit as defined in Sections 113-84(b) and 113-85(c) of the city code. Staff also found that this project conforms to the new municipal comprehensive plan adopted by the City Council on June 24, 2009, in particular to the objective of “becoming a sustainable, energy efficient community.” Planning Commission Recommendation: The required public hearing on this matter was held by the Falcon Heights Planning Commission on Tuesday, August 25, 2009. Following the public hearing, the Commission voted unanimously to accept the staff findings and to recommend that the City Council approve the conditional use permit. Attachments: ? Conditional Use Permit application for 1800 West Larpenteur ? Site Map of 1800 West Larpenteur ? Project drawings for the proposed solar installation ? Planning Commission Findings of Fact and Recommendation ? Conditional Use Permit document Actions Requested: ? Approve the conditional use permit for a solar heating installation at 1800 West Larpenteur Avenue. CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT CUP NO. 09-01 1. Permit. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the City of Falcon Heights grants a conditional use permit for an active solar system, in accordance with the plans on file at City Hall. 2. Property. The permit is for property located in the City of Falcon Heights, Ramsey County, Minnesota, legally described on the attached Exhibit “A”. 3. Conditions. The permit is issued subject to the following stipulations: a) The applicant shall receive a building permit from the City, prior to construction. b) The proposed active solar system when installed on top of the home may not exceed 42 feet in height which includes the combined height of the building and the active solar system. c) The active solar system must be constructed and maintained in accordance with the plans on file at City Hall. 4. Termination of Permit. The City may revoke the permit following a public hearing for violation of the terms of the permit. 5. Lapse. If within one year from the issuance of this permit the conditional use has not been completed or the use commenced, this permit shall lapse. 6. Criminal Penalty. Violation of the terms of this conditional use permit is a criminal misdemeanor. Date: _____________________ , 2009. CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS BY: ______________________________ Peter Lindstrom, Mayor AND _____________________________ Justin Miller, City Administrator/Clerk 147317v01a RNK:08/18/2009 1 STATE OF MINNESOTA ) ( ss. COUNTY OF RAMSEY ) The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this ________ day of ___________________, 2009, by Peter Lindstrom and by Justin Miller, respectively the Mayor and City Administrator/Clerk of the City of Falcon Heights, a Minnesota municipal corporation, on behalf of the corporation and pursuant to the authority granted by its City Council. __________________________________ Notary Public DRAFTED BY: CAMPBELL KNUTSON Professional Association 317 Eagandale Office Center 1380 Corporate Center Curve Eagan, Minnesota 55121 Telephone: (651) 452-5000 RNK 147317v01a RNK:08/18/2009 2 EXHIBIT “A” Legal Description of the Property The east 282.36 feet of the west 542.15 feet of the north half of the northeast quarter of Section 21, Township 29, Range 23, Ramsey County, Minnesota, except the South 1026.66 feet thereof. 147317v01a RNK:08/18/2009 3 CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA INRE: Application of John Stiehm, owner of 1800 Larpenteur Ave., Falcon Heights, for a conditional use permits for an active solar energy system FINDINGS OF FACT AND RECOMMENDATION On August 25,2009, the Falcon Heights Planning Commission met at its regularly scheduled meeting to consider the application of John Stiehm ("Applicant"), owner of 1800 w. Larpenteur Avenue, Falcon Heights, MN 55113 ("Subject Property"), for a conditional use permit for an active solar energy system. The Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on the proposed conditional use permits preceded by published and mailed notice. The Applicant was present and the Planning Commission meeting and heard testimony from all interested persons wishing to speak. The Planning Commission now makes the following Findings of Fact and Recommendation. FINDINGS OF FACT 1. The Subject Property is zoned R-4. 2. The Subject Property is legally described as: The east 282. 36feet ofthe west 542.15 feet ofthe north halfofthe northeast quarter ofSection 21, Township 29, Range 23, Ramsey County, Minnesota, except the South 1026. 66feet thereof 3. The Applicant desires to install an active solar energy system on the roof of an existing multi-family residence. Section 113-393 of the City Code allows an active solar system by conditional use permit. 4. The development standards for conditional use permits prescribed by City Code Section 113-85 have been satisfied or are not applicable. RECOMMENDATION: The Falcon Heights Planning Commission hereby recommends approval of the Applicant's request for conditional use permits for an active solar system pursuant to City Code Section 113-393 in accordance with the plans on file with the City. ADOPTED by the Falcon Heights Planning Commission on this 25th day of August, 2009. FALCON HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION By: -=~~ __________________ Eric Watkins, Chair ATTEST: By: __~~~~~~ ______________ s Director 0 Zoning and Planning /Staff Liaison : 3tW4 S2)B-M FWEE M3. : 6L2 WEl 4kf8 mg. GG 2889 93: 46PM Pi !#kt. ti, i!jilY ::d!w Ro.SQ.1d C-111 crg at ~rdwnW I~M D Planning AWr#catlon oc.a = m Renewable Emm btsign & Installation mmr. ips-solar .corn City of Falcon Heights 2077 Larpenteur Ave W Falcon Heights, MN 551 13 July 30,2009 Re: Job at: 1800 Larpenteur Ave W Falcon Heights, MN 551 13 Enclosed is an application for a building permit br installation of n solar thermal system at the above address. Innovative Power Systems plans on instaIling40 new solar thermal panels for domestic water and space heat on the 18 unit apartment building. Innovative Power Systems will oversee the installation of the roof curbs and install the metal racking system as directed by thestructural engineer. We will be working with Ridler Plumbing and Heatingwho will beresponsible for applying for their own permit(s) and will be responsible for all piping and plumbing. Please visit www,ips-soIar.com for an overview of our company and the type ofsolar work we have done all over Minnesota and western Wisconsin, Please call or ernail if you have any questions. nank you. Regards, Matihew Miller Operations Manager Innovative Power Systems 6 12-623-3246 rnattm@ipsoIar.com 1153 Sixteenth Ave SE Minneapolis, MN 55414 www.ips-solar.com ph: 622.623.3246 fax: 612.623.4041 MN General Contractors License # 20101407 1800 W. Larpenteur Avenue, Falcon Heights, MN 55113 Conditional Use Permit Application -Solar Energy Installation -August, 2009 DISCLAIMER: This map is neither a legally recorded map nor a survey and is not intended to be used as one. This map is a compilation of records, information and data located in various city, county, state and federal offices and other sources regarding the area shown, and is to be used for reference purposes only. SOURCES: Ramsey County (August 3, 2009), The Lawrence Group;August 3, 2009 for County parcel and property records data; August 2009 for commercial and 1800 W. Larpenteur Avenue, Falcon Heights, MN 55113 2008 Aerial Photo -Ramsey County/Pictometry DISCLAIMER: This map is neither a legally recorded map nor a survey and is not intended to be used as one. This map is a compilation of records, information and data located in various city, county, state and federal offices and other sources regarding the area shown, and is to be used for reference purposes only. SOURCES: Ramsey County (August 3, 2009), The Lawrence Group;August 3, 2009 for County parcel and property records data; August 2009 for commercial and POLICY G4 9/9/09 ITEM: Pre-Emptive Ash Tree Removal Program SUBMITTED BY: Andy Hovland, City Forester Justin Miller, City Administrator EXPLANATION: As has been well reported, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been identified in Minnesota, and more specifically in nearby St. Anthony Park and the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus. The EAB has spread across the Midwest and has caused millions of ash trees to be cut down. Efforts to slow or curtail the EAB have shown minimal success, and it is unlikely that any breakthrough will be made in the upcoming years that will keep our ash tree inventory from being impacted. The City of Falcon Heights has an estimated 296 ash boulevard trees. Our city policy has been that boulevard tree removal and planting is the responsibility of the city, while private trees are the property owner’s responsibility. It is unknown how many ash trees are on private property, but it is reasonable to expect that the number is equal to or greater than the number of boulevard trees. It It is likely that within the next ten years that the entire ash tree population will be impacted, and could cost the city much more than what we budget each year for tree removal and re-planting. While the EAB has not been detected within any of our neighborhoods as of yet, it is practically just a matter of time. In order to lessen the impact to the city budget, and to hopefully slow the spread of the EAB, staff is suggesting that we begin to pre-emptively remove ash trees in a methodical pattern. Staff will first begin with trees that are already in a declining condition, and then begin to identify other areas of the city to begin removal and re-planting. This course of action is not taken lightly, but staff believes it will have the following benefits: ? Expedited removal of trees in declining health that will need removal in the next couple of years. ? By removing the largest trees from the city we are effectively reducing the available food and nesting habitat for the beetle and its larvae which should should reduce the EAB population in the area. ? Staggered removal and replanting will hopefully keep entire city blocks from being “clear cut”, allowing for mature trees to remain while new trees will have a head start on their growth cycle. ? Smaller, incremental impact on the city budget instead of having a large number being removed at one time due to EAB infestation. ? Possible revenue producing possibility by selling lumber to companies seeking ash tree materials. Using our existing tree removal contract prices (which will most likely increase in the period these trees are to be removed), the financial impact could look like this: Total diameter inches of boulevard ash trees (per 2007 inventory) 4,216 inches Price per diameter inch to remove trees and stumps $33.08 Total removal costs in today’s dollars: $139,465.28 For reference, the 2009 budget includes $23,000 for tree removals, which will most likely still need to be done for other tree species such as elm and oak. We also budget around $12,000 for replacement plantings, which will also need to be supplemented if the city wishes to continue our policy of replacing each tree that is removed. Chemical treatment options are now commercially available, but their success rate, impact to the environment, and ongoing costs are cause for concern. While the rates range between products varies, a conservative example follows: Total diameter inches of boulevard ash trees (per 2007 inventory) 4,216 inches Treatment price per per diameter inch (needed every other year) $9.00 Total costs every other year $37,944 Annual costs (above number divided by two) $18,972 Using these numbers, the treatment expense would begin to outpace removal expenses within seven to eight years, and treatment would need to continue for the life of the tree. It is likely that there will be efforts at the state level to secure funding for EAB management, much like was done during the Dutch Elm Disease outbreak in the 1970s and 1980s. However, with the current state financial situation, it is unknown how much of a commitment will be made. ACTION REQUESTED: Staff recommends that the Falcon Heights City Council adopt/authorize the city forester and staff to begin removal of all boulevard ash trees in the City of Falcon Heights with the goal of completing the task within seven years. Staff also recommends that the city council authorize staff to pursue any funding opportunities to help offset the expense of this initiative, including grants and potential sale sale of lumber to commercial timber companies.