2014-08-05 Council minutesCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
DAKOTA COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
Held Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the regular meeting of the City Council, City of Mendota
Heights, Minnesota was held at 8:00 p.m. at City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights.
Mayor Krebsbach called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. The following members were present:
Councilmembers Duggan, PovoIny, Petschel, and Norton.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council, the audience, and staff recited the Pledge of Allegiance. A moment of silence was held in honor
of slain Police Officer Scott Patrick, who was killed in the line of duty July 30, 2014. Officer Patrick
was a Police Officer with the City of Mendota Heights for the past 19 years.
Assistant to the City Administrator Tamara Schutta told of the funeral arrangements to be held on
August 6, 2014 and shared the procession map. Chief of Police Michael Aschenbrener said a few words
in commemoration and expressed his appreciation to the residents for their support.
AGENDA ADOPTION
Mayor Krebsbach presented the agenda for adoption. Councilmember PovoIny moved adoption of the
agenda.
Councilmember Duggan seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Krebsbach presented the consent calendar and explained the procedure for discussion and
approval. Councilmember Petschel moved approval of the consent calendar as presented and
authorization for execution of any necessary documents contained therein, pulling item J) Approval of
Third Amendment to Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization Joint Powers
Agreement.
a. Approval of July 15, 2014 City Council Minutes
b. Acknowledgement of July 22, 2014 Planning Commission Minutes
c. Approval of Out of State Travel Request for Officers Lambert and Willson
d. Approval of Christmas Eve Floating Holiday Designation
e. Receipt of June 2014 Fire Department Synopsis Report
f. Approval of Computer Network Infrastructure Purchase
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g. Approval of Personnel Action Report
h. Approval of Personnel Policy Revision Regarding City Employee Political Activity
i. Approval of Replacement Public Works Truck Purchase
j. Approval of Third Amendment to Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization
Joint Powers Agreement
k. Approval of June 2014 Treasurer's Report
1. Approval of Claims List
m. Approval of Contractors List
Councilmember Duggan seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
PULLED CONSENT AGENDA ITEM
J) APPROVAL OF THIRD AMENDMENT TO LOWER MISSISSIPPI RIVER WATERSHED
MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT
City Engineer John Mazzitello explained that, in the past, portions of the City of Mendota Heights
belonged in two watershed management organizations (WMO), the Lower Mississippi River WMO and
the Gun Club Lake WMO. At the end of 2013, the Gun Club Lake WMO dissolved and reformed with
Eagan and Inver Grove Heights only. This third amendment to the Joint Powers Agreement would add
the portion of Mendota Heights that used to be in the Gun Club Lake WMO into the Lower Mississippi
River WMO; providing some efficiency in surface water management within the city.
Councilmember Povolny moved to approve the Third Amendment to Revised and Restated Joint Powers
Agreement Establishing a Watershed Management Organization for the Lower Mississippi River
Watershed.
Councilmember Duggan seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
PRESENTATIONS
A) ISD 197 SIBLEY STADIUM ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT
City Administrator Justin Miller stated that over the last few months, a number of stakeholders,
including the City of Mendota Heights and the City of West St. Paul, were involved in the Stadium
Advisory Committee that the school district initiated to begin the discussions about moving the high
school football stadium from Charles Matson Field in West St. Paul onto the campus of Henry Sibley
High School in Mendota Heights. This committee was comprised of approximately 20 individuals from
athletic associations in West St. Paul and Mendota Heights, parents, neighbors from Warrior Drive, and
approximately six school district staff members.
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School District Superintendent Nancy Allen -Mastro shared background information on this initiative
and provided an update to the Council, which included a conceptual design of the proposed stadium. The
committee sought feedback and comments from the City Council.
Paul Aplikowsky, representing Wold Architects, and Dave Rey, representing Anderson Johnson
Associates, were present to answer the Council's questions.
The basic scope of the project is a 2,100 seat stadium, with an east/west orientation, artificial turf, and
outbuildings for storage. The committee recommended the site located just south of the high school with
a budget of approximately $4.5 million.
Councilmembers asked questions, made comments, and offered suggestions regarding the proposed
location, what is currently in that location, grading that would be required, light poles and candle
strength affecting neighbors, mitigation of noise levels, other possible locations, traffic control, crowd
management, hours of operation, ponding, and finding ways to minimize the impact on the neighbors.
Council member Duggan suggested calling it an `Events Stadium'.
Mayor Krebsbach recommended the school district go forward with a plan to incorporate all that is
needed to do a good project.
NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A) PLANNING CASE 2014-19, RESOLUTION 2014-44 APPROVING A LOT SPLIT AT
641 CALLAHAN PLACE
Planner Nolan Wall explained that the applicant, on behalf of the property owners, requested a lot split
for the existing subject parcel located at 641 Callahan Place. The subject parcel is approximately one
acre or 43,510 square feet, owned by Cory Morrisette and Gail Darling, is zoned R-1 and guided for low
density residential development. The applicant does have a purchase offer on the parcel contingent on
approval of the subdivision. If approved, the applicant intends to demolish the existing home and
construct two new single family homes on the property.
Both of the newly created lots would be in excess of the 15,000 square foot minimum lot size
requirement for the R-1 district. Parcel A would be 21,679 square feet and parcel B would be 21,729
square feet, both parcels would have 100 feet of frontage on Callahan Place, and would be in compliant
with the R-1 lot standards and consistent with the comprehensive plan.
The decision before the Council is for the lot split itself and not a site plan specific to any future
development on either parcel. Any drainage or setback issues that do exist on the site would be
addressed by staff and the builders when a building permit comes forward.
Councihnember Duggan commented that the builders should be encouraged to consider and preserve the
characteristic of the neighborhood.
Mayor Krebsbach suggested the Council consider limiting the raising of the elevation of any proposed
new development within the City.
August 5, 2014 Mendota Heights City Council Page 3
Councilmember Povolny moved to approve PLANNING CASE 2014-19, RESOLUTION 2014-44
APPROVING A LOT SPLIT AT 641 CALLAHAN PLACE based on the findings of fact included in
the resolution.
Councilmember Duggan seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
B. REVIEW RECOMMENDED COMMENTS TO MISSISSIPPI RIVER CRITICAL CORRIDOR
AREA PROPOSED RULES
Planner Nolan Wall presented materials regarding the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Areas Rules
process. Staff presented the comments that they had put together based on their internal review of the
proposed rules and based on the ordinances the City has in place. Staff's intention would then be to
submit those comments to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) later in August. The Council
was asked to provide feedback or changes to those comments as presented.
Planner Wall then reviewed the key sections in the rules.
Planner Wall reviewed staff comments based on the review and discussions had by the Planning
Commission. These comments included the following:
1. `Bluff' and `Bluffline" Definitions
2. "Steep Slopes" and "Very Steep Slopes" Definitions
3. Duties of Commissioner
4. Duties of Local Governments
5. Contents of Ordinances District Boundaries
6. Nonconformities
7. Structure Height
These comments are due to the DNR by August 15. In November 2014 they intend to pass a notice of
intent to adopt the rules and conduct a full public hearing. It could take one to three years before the
rules are officially adopted, after which the City would be required to revise its ordinances and revise its
comprehensive plan.
Mayor Krebsbach asked if the Council would be agreeable to submitting their comments and questions
to staff by Monday, August 11, 2014 for review and inclusion in the documentation due to the DNR by
August 15, 2014. Councilmembers all agreed.
Councilmember Petschel acknowledged the detail that staff and the Planning Commission has taken in
reviewing this document.
August 5, 2014 Mendota Heights City Council Page 4
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Assistant to the City Administrator Tamara Schutta made the following announcements:
Officer Scott Patrick's funeral is on Wednesday, August 6, 11:00 a.m., St. Stephens Lutheran
Church in West St. Paul. City Hall will be closed on Wednesday, August 6
Wednesday, August 6 is the Village Free Concert at Market Square; performance by Kid Power
The Primary Election is Tuesday, August 12
City Administrator Justin Miller shared a list of individuals and organizations that the City of Mendota
Heights wished to express their gratitude to for their assistance and support since the death of Police
Officer Scott Patrick.
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Councilmember Duggan moved to adjourn.
Councilmember Petschel seconded the motion.
Ayes: 5
Nays: 0
Mayor Krebsbach adjourned the meeting at 9:45 p.m.
ra Krebsbac
Mayor
ATTES .
Lorri Smith
City Clerk
August 5, 2014 Mendota Heights City Council Page 5