The council’s approval of the 2026 fee schedule ordinance followed a public hearing where community members were invited to express their views. The ordinance proposed adjustments to water and sewer rates, recycling fees, credit card processing fees, and community garden fees. Administrator Linehan provided an overview, explaining that sanitary sewer and storm drainage rates would increase by 25 cents per month, resulting in a quarterly increase of 75 cents. Similarly, the recycling fee would rise by 50 cents per month due to increased contract costs, bringing the new quarterly fee to $17.25. The ordinance also included changes to credit card processing fees, with a new vendor, Payrock, selected to improve payment processing for permits. Additionally, community garden fees were adjusted to support the program’s sustainability, and building fees were aligned with state rates as determined by Little Canada, the building official.

Despite the opportunity for public comments, none were received during the hearing, leading the council to close the session by consent. The council members discussed the fee adjustments, recognizing the necessity of these incremental increases to cover rising service provision costs. With no concerns raised, the motion to recommend approval of the ordinance passed unanimously.

In another significant topic, the council addressed modifications to the city’s administrative manual regarding personnel policy. The proposed changes aimed to alter how holiday hours and overtime are calculated for public works employees, particularly during snow events. Currently, holiday hours do not count towards hours worked, which has presented issues when employees are called out for emergencies during holidays. The modification proposes that hours worked during holiday call-outs would count towards overtime calculations, aligning with practices in other municipalities. This change was seen as a recognition of the sacrifices made by public works employees who must respond to emergencies during holidays.

One council member emphasized the importance of having staff available for essential services like snow plowing, especially during the holiday season. Historically, there had been no issues with overtime for snow plowing, as employees often flexed their schedules. However, changes in departmental makeup and staff expectations necessitated clearer overtime guidelines.

During the meeting, the council also approved Resolution 20-51112, which extended the State Fair Task Force’s deadline to January 31, 2026. This extension allows for an additional meeting to present a report, including recommendations on the paid parking program and other unresolved issues related to commercial lot ordinances. The council confirmed that the task force’s report would include actionable recommendations, as well as considerations about the future of the task force itself.

Additionally, the council acknowledged the contributions of two departing members. Their service was lauded, with expressions of gratitude for their dedication and impact on the community. One member reflected on their experience. Another council member, Leahy, described their tenure as bittersweet, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and trust-building. They acknowledged the support received from both staff and previous council members, underscoring collaboration during challenging times.

Former city administrator Zach Thongvang was invited to speak during the community forum, where he praised Leahy’s dedication and professionalism, particularly during a difficult period in Falcon Heights history. Thongvang highlighted Leahy’s key role in initiatives aimed at rebuilding community support and fostering solutions.

The meeting concluded with updates on city projects, including the status of the Les Bolston Golf Course’s request for proposals and the impact of weather conditions on ice rink preparation and community park developments. Announcements were made about a new administrative intern starting in January and a photo contest encouraging community participation.