2014-01-24 Council Workshop minutes GoalsettingCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Council Workshop
Held Tuesday, January 24, 2014
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a workshop of the City Council, City of Mendota Heights,
Minnesota was held at 2:00 p.m. at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, Minnesota.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Krebsbach called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m. The following members were present:
Councilmembers Duggan, Norton, Povolny, and Petschel. Also in attendance: City Administrator Justin
Miller, Assistant to the Administrator /HR Coordinator Tammy Schutta, Public Works Director John
Mazzitello, Finance Director Kristen Schabacker, Planner Nolan Wall, Police Chief Mike Aschenbrener,
and City Clerk Lorri Smith.
Upon consensus of the Council, the items listed in the agenda packet for discussion were reordered, to
discuss the six more important topics first.
SIGN ORDINANCE REVIEW
The Council discussed the need for re- evaluating the current city code language relating to electronic
signage. The Council requested that staff work on updating the code language and bring the revisions back
to the Council for consideration.
CELLULAR COVERAGE
The lack of cell phone coverage in certain areas of the city was discussed. The height limit on towers was
discussed. Staff was directed to contact the carriers about adding additional coverage in this area.
WATER SYSTEM CONTRACT
The city's contract with St. Paul Regional Water Services will expire in November 2015. To move forward
with renewing the contract, policy questions relating to the future ownership of the water system need to be
discussed. The Councilmembers were in agreement that a detailed cost benefit analysis, looking at long
term numbers, should be completed, to give the Council more detail. They requested to see examples of
the water rates in other cities and how other cities handled the sale of their water systems to SPRWS. By
mid -year, staff will bring options and examples back to the Council for discussion.
OFF LEASH DOG PARK
The need for an off leash dog park in the city has been brought to the Council's attention. Staff met and
identified five areas in the city that would work for placement of the dog park. These options will be
discussed at the next Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, and a recommendation will then be made
to the Council.
ICE ARENA
The council discussed the ice arena needs of the community and decided to continue to evaluate
opportunities for study of this topic as they arise.
POLICE DEPARTMENT STAFFING
Chief Aschenbrener explained that there is a possibility of some staff retirements in 2014. He proposed
that the Council consider looking at the staffing structure of the police department and add additional
supervisory positions for the department. The Council was in agreement.
DAY CARE USES IN BUSINESS /INDUSTRIAL ZONING DISTRICTS
After brief discussion, it was the consensus of the Council that no action is needed on this item. The recent
code change to allow day care uses in industrial zones is working out well.
WARRIOR DRIVE PARKING
It was noted that this issue will be on the Traffic Safety Committee's agenda in February and a
recommendation will be made to the Council after that meeting. It was noted that the newly striped parking
area located at the southeast corner of the Henry Sibley property is not being used, and that the number of
cars parked along Warrior Drive has decreased, probably due to the winter weather.
MHAA CITY FUNDING
The Councilmembers discussed the support given annually to the Mendota Heights Athletic Association
and whether this should continue to be considered in future budgets. City staff will continue to work with
the organization to ensure Mendota Heights' youth have access to athletic programs.
PERSONNEL POLICY REVISIONS
City staff will continue to bring updated personnel policy revisions to the Council for approval as
necessary.
RIGHT -OF -WAY VACATIONS
It was the consensus of the Council that the vacations be discussed on a case -by -case basis. Staff was
directed to continue to bring these to the Council.
STORMWATER REQUIREMENTS
Each year, state and federal regulations and rules for stormwater quality become more restrictive. In the
past, the city has taken steps to test a small sample of the ponds in the city to ensure compliance. No
change in procedure was requested by the Council.
CABLE FRANCHISE RENEWAL
It was noted that the cable franchise agreement (as part of NDC4) is up for renewal in 2015. One key aspect
of the agreement renewal will be the status of the I -Net, the institutional network the city uses to access the
internet and communicate between city facilities. Free access may be eliminated, and then the city will
have to start to plan for alternative service options. Staff will update the Council as needed on this issue.
ELECTRIC / GAS UTILITY FRANCHISE FEE
It was noted that the previous electric and gas franchise agreement expired many years ago. Administrator
Miller noted that many cities in Minnesota have generated funds for specific uses through a franchise fee
charged on utility bills. This fee is charged to all utility customers, including tax - exempt properties.
Potential uses of the fees collected could be directed towards street improvements, parks, or any other area
the city council chooses. Staff will bring this back to the Council for more discussion at the May
workshop.
January 24, 2014 Mendota Heights Council Workshop Page 2
SOLICITOR CODE REVIEW
It was noted that the current code regulating solicitors needs to be updated. The Council was open to more
discussion. They directed staff to update the Code with the proposed new language and bring this back for
consideration.
ADJOURN
Mayor Krebsbach adjourned the meeting at 3:55 p.m.
ATTES
mith, City Clerk
Janumy 24, 2014 Mendota Heights Council Workshop Page 3