HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWkspMin 9-1-10Falcon Heights Council Workshop Minutes September 1, 2010 Members present: Mayor Lindstrom, Council members Long, Harris, Gosline and Mercer-Taylor Others present: Administrator Justin
Miller, Finance Director Roland Olson, Kyle MacLaury GroundedPower Presentation Councilmember Mercer-Taylor detailed how she had come across Kyle MacLaury and his organization, called
GroundedPower. MacLaury proceeded to talk about his company’s energy monitoring device that can be used for both residential and commercial applications. The council had several questions,
including how it interfaced with existing utility software and hardware as well as the cost of the device. MacLaury stated that the technology was still relatively new and exact pricing
was still being determined. Miller expressed that this was an opportunity that could be discussed as part of a larger environmental strategic planning process that a student group was
about to begin. Miller and MacLaury exchanged information and will further discuss how this mig?ht benefit Falcon Heights. Paint the Pavement Presentation Miller began by re-introducing
the concept, which was originally discussed by the city council at a previous workshop. The council looked at hypothetical examples and how the notification/approval process would operate.
The council agreed that the immediate neighbors would have to agree, but then 80% of homes within eight houses of the project, or one block (whichever is less) would need to agree. Miller
stated that he would try to have a final proposal to the council before the end of the year for approval. 2011 General Fund and Enterprise Budget Review Miller began by explaining the
changes in the preliminary levy proposal since the last workshop. The proposed preliminary levy would be 1.5% higher than 2010, and the net result to a median valued home would be a
flat impact to the city portion of property taxes. The council then discussed the storm water fund budget, which staff is proposing a $.25/month increase. The sanitary sewer charges
would be changed from a flat rate to a base rate plus consumption rate based on the winter quarter’s usage. The council reviewed the proposed changes and discussed the impacts on various
types of users. Staff will bring the general fund preliminary levy to the council on September 8th, and the enterprise budgets will be considered with the final budget adoption in December.
The workshop concluded at 9:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Justin Miller City Administrator