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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWkspAgenda 10-6-10Falcon Heights City Council Workshop City Hall 2077 W Larpenteur Ave. 6:30 p.m. AGENDA October 6, 2010 : 1) Emerald Ash Borer Update 2) Environmental Initiatives Strategic Plan 3) 2011 Special Revenue and Debt Service Budget Discussion If you have a disability and need accommodation in order to attend this meeting, 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. REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Families, Fields and Fair __________________________ Meeting Date October 6, 2010 Agenda Item Workshop 1 Attachment Tree removal map 2010 Submitted By Justin Miller, City Administrator The City That Soars! Item Emerald Ash Borer Mitigation Plan Update Description Late last year, evidence of an Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was discovered in nearby neighborhoods of St. Paul, Minneapolis, and even on the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus. Due to its proximity, it is highly likely that the EAB has already been introduced into our Falcon Heights neighborhoods. During a workshop in fall 2009, the city listened to forestry experts who explained that once the EAB begins to appear, it has been in the area for several years and the degradation of the ash tree stock rapidly increases. The city explored chemical treatment options, but at the time decided that the cost-benefit of treatment was not financially feasible. In order to proactively address this problem, the city developed a seven year plan to remove and replace all three hundred of our boulevard ash trees. Roughly 33% of the city’s boulevard trees are of the ash variety. The city applied for, and received, a $77,400 grant from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to begin removals and replacements. This two-year grant (2010 and 2011) requires a 15% match by the city, but our staff time can be used for this match, so very little new money is required from the city budget. Letters were sent to all homeowners who, according to our tree inventory, had one or more ash trees in their boulevard. The city’s first approach was to solicit volunteers for removals, who would then receive the benefit of getting a replacement tree right away. 28 households volunteered their tree, but in order to meet our annual goal, a total of 47 trees were removed. Of those who did not volunteer, the city forester randomly selected trees around the city in order to lessen the visual impact along any one street. 44 of the 47 trees were replaced with a variety of new tree species. Three trees were not replaced at the request of the homeowner. A map denoting where the trees were removed and replaced is attached. Staff plans on following a similar program in 2011, and has already been contacted by several homeowners who want to be included in next year’s program. In fact, a second round of removals may be performed yet this year to capitalize on lower than expected removal bids and to maximize the use of grant money available. One issue that was brought up by a number of homeowners was the issue of chemical treatment. Several homeowners volunteered to pay for their own chemical treatment instead of having the tree removed. Ordinarily this has been allowed for other tree varieties such as oak and Dutch elm, as long as a waiver has been signed by the homeowner stating that the city reserves the right to remove the tree at any time if it becomes diseased. However, staff was reluctant to do so for ash trees since we currently have grant money available to conduct our removal and replacement program, but that money may not be available in the future when the tree may need to be removed. One possible scenario would be for the city and homeowner to enter into an agreement stating that the homeowner agrees to pay for the treatment, but that at any time in the future if the tree is required to be removed, it is done so at the expense of the homeowner. A risk associated with this approach is that the property is sold and the new owner does not know, or contests, the agreement. Budget Impact Grant money is available through 2011, but future funding is unknown at this time. The cost of the program is roughly $38,000 per year. Attachment(s) Tree removal map 2010 Action(s) Requested No action required. REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Families, Fields and Fair __________________________ Meeting Date October 6, 2010 Agenda Item Workshop 2 Attachment Submitted By Justin Miller, City Administrator The City That Soars! Item Environmental Initiatives Strategic Plan Description Recently Michael Orange, the consultant who is conducting the city's carbon footprint baseline analysis, contacted staff about the city using some of his graduate level students at Mankato State University for a student project. Since the city has been considering formulating a strategic plan for our environmental initiatives, staff felt that having students work on this would be a good project. Class representatives will be present on Wednesday to receive input from the city council on this project and to share their work to date. Budget Impact Grant money is available through 2011, but future funding is unknown at this time. The cost of the program is roughly $38,000 per year. Attachment(s) Action(s) Requested Staff and the student team will will be seeking input from the city council on what items should be focused on during this strategic planning process. REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Families, Fields and Fair __________________________ Meeting Date October 6, 2010 Agenda Item Workshop 3 Attachment 2010 Special Revenue and Debt Service Budgets Submitted By Justin Miller, City Administrator The City That Soars! Item Review of 2011 Draft Special Revenue and Debt Service Budgets Description Each year, as part of the budget process, the city council reviews and adopts budgets relating to existing debt service obligations as well as special revenue funds. Attached to this report are the draft 2011 debt service and special revenue budgets for the city council’s review. Highlights include: Debt Service G.O. Equipment Certificates, Series 2010A (306) – serves as the account for the equipment certificates that were issued by the city in 2010. 2011 will be the first year where payments are due. 1996 TIF Larpenteur Bonds (316) – 2011 will be the final year of payments on the existing debt service obligations associated with the Larpenteur Avenue improvements installed in the late 1990’s. 1999 G.O. NE Quadrant Improvement Bonds (317) – final payments on these bonds were made in 2010. Special Revenue Park Programs (201) – This budget reflects revenues and expenses associated with conducting the city’s park and recreation programs. There are no major changes included in this budget, and staff will have individual program reports available for review at the workshop. Community Garden (203) – includes revenues (plot rental fees) and expenses associated with the community garden at Community Park. No major changes are being proposed. Water (204) – includes revenues from the hydrant charges billed on each water bill (6% of water consumption charges). This money is used for hydrant repairs and potential fire truck repairs/replacements. There are no major changes being recommended at this time. Emerald Ash Borer Grant (205) – serves as the tracking account for the EAB grant received through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. 2011 is the final year of the grant. Recycling (206) -includes revenues (charges to property owners) and expenses (mostly the contract amount charged by the recycling hauler). Due to the new contract and associated price increase (from $1.55/household/month to $3.00/household/month), staff is proposing a rate increase from $1.46/month to $2.50/month. This will still require a subsidy by the city in the amount of $21,377 for 2011. Community/Economic Development (208) – includes money for special studies and/or projects identified by the city council. Revenue includes annual right-ofway lease fees from the BP gas station at the corner of Snelling and Larpenteur. No major projects are assigned to this fund for next year. Street Lighting (209) – this fund was established in 2010 to account for the newly created street light utility fee. $2.00 per month is charged to homeowners, and a similar amount is charged to non-residential properties based on their street frontage. Payments are being received as expected, and staff is not proposing any changes to this fund for 2011. CERT Grant (211) and (213) – serve as the funds that track expenses and revenues associated with the CERT grants received from the Minnesota Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Classes and projects continue to proceed as scheduled with all expenses being paid for through the grants received. Budget Impact Proposed budget worksheets are attached. Attachment(s) Proposed Debt Service and Special Revenue Fund Budgets Action(s) Requested No action is required, but staff will be seeking input if changes are requested so that the budgets can be amended when formally adopted in December.